Curriculum
Curriculum
(Units of Study)
(Units of Study)
Art (Trimester)
Eighth-grade students have art for one semester of the year. Ask your child when he/she will have art. The eighth-grade art curriculum is described, with sample photos, on my Teacher Page. The curriculum is focused on honing and expanding skills and knowledge accumulated over the past three years; students will draw, paint, sculpt, and explore photography. The drawing unit (the “Big Faces”) reviews the use of value, requires observation, and introduces the concept of group-made art. The Digital Photography unit focuses on guidelines for composing a quality photograph and using technology to improve composition. The Artist’s Choice unit asks students to draw or paint from one of their self-taken photographs, which is an authentic use of photographs. The sculpture unit gives students the opportunity to design and create a sculpture of their choosing in heavyweight metal foil, which focuses on 3-dimensional design and the inclusion of texture in sculptural forms. Discussions of art as communication are integral to all units.
General Music (Trimester)
Modern Band
Students will learn the basics of the instruments below and then work together in small groups learning to play multiple styles of modern band music.
Beginner/Basic Guitar, Piano, Bass Guitar, and Drum Set.
STEAM (Trimester)
Health Science (Hexamesters)
Stress Management
Drug/Alcohol
Nutrition (Cooking Labs)
Suicide Prevention
Sexual Health//HIV Prevention
Physical Education (Hexamesters)
Tournament-style Badminton
Volleyball
Archery
Golf
Invasion Sports and Games
Racket sports (net tennis, Pickleball)
Physical Fitness
Recreational and Lifetime Pursuits (student choices)
Team Building
Ultimate Frisbee
Nontraditional Games/Sports (OMNIKIN, Korfball)
Modern Language
Band
The symphonic band rehearses, studies, and performs a wide variety of music. The music chosen is age-developmentally appropriate and each piece builds upon the skills students are developing. Music is slightly more challenging than in grade 6 and, as the school year moves forward, becomes more challenging as students gain more confidence on their instruments. As the year progresses, some students switch to a "new" instrument such as tenor sax, baritone sax, french horn, euphonium, or tuba to expand the sound of the band. After a trial period, contact with the parents is made before any permanent switch occurs.
Students in the symphonic band perform in concerts in December, March, and May. In addition to our concerts, the band members also participate in local parades in May and July!
Chorus
Chorus at the seventh and eighth-grade level is a performing group that rehearses every other day during the school day. It is a voluntary course open to all students. Its members are expected to participate with the chorus at all public performances. Instruction includes the encouragement of independent two-, three-, and sometimes four-part singing, sight-reading skills, developing vocal skills, and performance professionalism. Membership in the chorus also provides students with opportunities to audition for advanced performing groups within the school and within district festivals.