Automation & Robotics (1 Quarter)

Students trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics as they learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Students use the VEX Robotics® platform to design, build, and program real-world objects like traffic lights, toll booths, and robotic arms.

Design & Modeling (1 Quarter) 

Working in collaborative teams, students use an empathy-driven design process to understand the needs of individuals with diverse needs. Students develop design solutions through engineering drawings, 3D CAD models, and physical prototypes. Along the way, they will learn about careers and explore interdisciplinary connections to the other STEAM subjects.

Computer Science for Innovators and Makers (1 Quarter) 

Throughout the unit, students learn about programming for the physical world by blending hardware design and software development, allowing students to discover computer science concepts and skills by creating personally relevant, tangible, and shareable projects.

Flight & Space  (1 Quarter) 

The exciting aerospace world comes alive through the Flight and Space (FS). Students become engineers as they design, prototype, and test models to learn about the science of flight, drone aviation, and what it takes to travel and live in space. They solve real-world aviation and space challenges and plan a mission to Mars. Get ready to take off! Investigate, innovate, and use creative thinking and problem-solving to learn how scientists and engineers make traveling globally and beyond possible.

Computer Science for Innovators & Makers II (1 Quarter) (8th)

Throughout the unit, students learn about programming for the physical world by blending hardware design and software development, allowing students to discover computer science concepts and skills by creating personally relevant, tangible, and shareable projects. Students will focus on Arduino coding, which involves writing programs called "sketches" in a simplified version of C/C++ using the Arduino IDE, which then uploads and executes these sketches on Arduino microcontroller boards to interact with hardware.

Energy & the Environment  (1 Quarter) (8th)

Students are challenged to think big and toward the future as they explore sustainable solutions to our energy needs and investigate the impact of energy on our lives and the world. Students will design and construct a capstone project for a problem or opportunity they see in our community.  They may participate in the Invention Convention.  Students will complete these capstone projects using the knowledge they have gained from their PLTW STEAM courses.

Art Ceramics and Sculpture  (One Quarter) 

Students will explore various ways to create and respond to three-dimensional art. Life-like, imaginary, and abstract representations may be used in the creation of functional and non-functional art pieces. Three methods of hand building with clay will be taught as well as opportunities for work in carving, papier-mâché, and wire. We will discuss aesthetics and selected history of work in three dimensions. Evaluation will be based upon problem solving skills, critical thinking, use of materials, effort, attitude, and quality of workmanship. The 8th grade course builds on these skills and techniques.

Art Drawing & Print Making   (One Quarter) 

There are so many ways to draw, from realism to comics, to cartoon animation! Students will discuss the elements and principles of art in creating and exploring the characteristics of drawing and printmaking throughout history. A variety of materials will be used including: graphite, pastel, inks, and charcoal. Relief printmaking, and possibly silkscreen printing, will be experienced. Evaluation will be based upon problem solving skills, critical thinking, use of materials, effort, attitude, and quality of workmanship. The 8th grade course builds on these skills and techniques.

Art Digital Photography & Design Graphics (One Quarter)  (7)

In this class student’s focus on how to communicate effectively through the most direct and widely used means today, photography. They will learn the fundamentals of using digital cameras (including cell phones), exploring techniques and artistic considerations for capturing images and the basic parameters for producing and presenting quality out-put. The goal is to develop students’ technical skills and effectiveness with this increasingly important medium in society today. The 8th grade course builds on these skills and techniques.

Aart Painting & Composition   (One Quarter) 

Explore the amazing art of painting! The fundamentals of composition, color theory, and painting processes will be studied, as well as the elements and principles of art. Studying a variety of artists will provide a basis for developing personal expression and understanding individual style. Watercolor, acrylic, tempera, and other materials will be used during the course of the class. Evaluation will be based upon problem solving skills, critical thinking, use of materials, effort, attitude, and quality of workmanship. This class may be taken more than once and the student will do different projects. The 8th grade course builds on these skills and techniques.

Art Graphic Design (one quarter) (8)

This higher level art course challenges students to create a portfolio of unique and effective designs that communicate through the informed use of typography and image. Students not only learn the vocabulary and skills that are critical to a designer’s output; they also strive to develop an understanding of the ideas and meanings behind each work.

BAND  (One Year) 

This is a yearlong performance class with several required performances outside of the school day. (Two Clague Concerts, Solo & Ensemble Festival, District 12 Band Festival possible, Elementary Tour, and other possible events.) Goals are to extend musical skills through the study of scales and a variety of musical literature of varying styles and levels of difficulty. Students will develop problem-solving skills to better interpret musical concepts through notation. Students will learn how to rehearse. Home preparation is essential prior to group rehearsals. Playing evaluations and playing logs (signed by parents) are assigned each quarter. 

CHOIR  (One Year) 

Choir is a yearlong performance class for both boys and girls. Emphasis is on developing music literacy skills, singing in multiple parts, and sound vocal technique. Students will perform in several performances throughout the year including, but not limited to, the Winter Concert, Spring Concert, Choral Cavalcade, and an all day elementary tour. Other potential performances include MSVMA District 12 Choral Festival and opportunities to sing within the Ann Arbor community, upon invitation. Performances for this class are outside the school day and are required as a part of the class curriculum. 

ORCHESTRA   (One Year) 

This is a yearlong performance class with several required performances outside of the school day. Goals are to extend the advanced techniques of shifting to higher positions and vibrato, play more challenging repertoire, and develop analytical skills so students are less dependent on the director to know the proper style in a given situation and how to rehearse. Music selections are longer and use complex key signatures and rhythms and include compositions in the standard orchestral repertoire by well-known composers from the baroque, classical, romantic, and modern eras. 

WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE   (One Quarter) 

Students will learn traditional music from around the world, as well as modern day popular music and how it relates to culture through drumming, discussion, song, poetry and several projects. This is an introductory course. Goals are to develop musical performance and discussion skills through a variety of songs and activities.

Exploratory Language- Spanish, Chinese, or French (one quarter) (6)

Students learn the alphabets, foundations, and basics of each of the languages. Students are also immersed in the culture of countries that speak each of these languages.

World Languages- Spanish, Chinese, or French (One Semester) 

Chinese, French, and Spanish are offered both to beginning and continuing language students. Classes meet every day for one semester. Students will learn to speak, read, write, and understand basic aspects of the world language they choose. They will also learn about the culture and civilization of the countries where the language is or was spoken. To enhance their learning, students participate in dialogues, games, songs, and plays. They will create projects based on thematic units. 

World Languages- Spanish, Chinese, or French (One Year)

French, Spanish and Chinese are offered for any interested students. These classes meet every day, all year. They are aligned with the high school district curriculum and students have the opportunity to earn high school graduation credit. Students will learn to speak, read, write and understand basic concepts of the foreign language of their choice; and will also learn about the culture and civilization of the countries where their languages are and were spoken. Students will engage in a variety of activities to help them reach novice-mid proficiency in the target language.

Health/Safety (Required) (One Quarter) (7)

This course emphasizes wellness and prevention and is designed to enable our students to be responsible, informed and capable decision makers. Units are taught in the following areas: Mental and Emotional Health, Substance Use and Abuse, Physical Health, Nutrition, and Reproductive Health. 

Physical  Education (One Quarter) 

Course content includes sportsmanship, respect for rules, self-control, teamwork and cooperation. There will be an increased emphasis on physical fitness and basic sports skills. This course may be taken as many as four times in one year.