8th Grade Scheduling Information

8th Grade Students have the ability to take four different language arts pathways at Colony Middle School.  Students are identified for placement using test scores, teacher feedback, and parent input.  

Core Pathway

• 8th Grade - 8th Grade Language Arts

English 1 Pathway

• 8th Grade - English 1 (high school credit)

English 2 Pathway

• 8th Grade - English 2 (high school credit)

Honors English 2 Pathway

• 8th Grade - Honors English 2 (high school credit) - taken at CHS

8th Grade Students have the ability to take four different mathematics pathways at Colony Middle School.  Students are identified for placement using test scores, teacher feedback, and parent input.  

Core Pathway

• 8th Grade - 8th Grade Mathematics

Algebra 1  Pathway

• 8th Grade - Algebra 1 (high school credit)

Geometry  Pathway

• 8th Grade - Geometry (high school credit)

Algebra 2  Pathway

• 8th Grade - Algebra 2 (high school credit) - taken at Colony High School

8th Grade Students have the ability to take two different science pathways at Colony Middle School.  Students are identified for placement using mathematics pathway, teacher feedback, and parent input.  

Core Pathway

• 8th Grade - 8th Grade Science

Accelerated Pathway

• 8th Grade - Biology (high school credit)

Colony Middle School 8th graders take one semester of high school level Civics and one semester of 8th grade US History.  Civics is a high school course that’s required for high school graduation.  Students that earn a passing grade will not need to take Civics when they get to high school.  This will allow them to take additional courses that interest them.  Their earned grade will be reflected on their high school transcript. 

If you prefer your student to take two semesters of 8th grade US History, please complete the Civics Opt-Out Form so that we can adjust the student's schedule for the next school year.  Please let us know by March 31st if you would like this change applied. 

Civics Opt-Out Form

Students interested in the study of art will experiment with a variety of materials and processes using many two‐ and three‐dimensional art forms, such as drawing, painting, textile/fibers, printmaking, digital art and design, and ceramics. Emphasis is placed on learning and application of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Students should expect appropriate reading, writing, and vocabulary, as well as the study of art history and contemporary visual arts.

This class rotates through several different content areas: foods, finance, computers/web design, creative choice projects, and child development. The kitchen unit covers correctly and safely using kitchen equipment to prepare basic recipes from scratch while demonstrating correct food handling, sanitation, and kitchen terminology. In finance, students will practice by working on and building financial skills through research and application in the classroom. Basic computer skills are to include: coding, typing, designing a basic web site to include a portfolio of their classroom projects. They will also be completing an introductory unit on child development (baby sitting skills, basic first aid and CPR, gaining a better understanding of caring and working with youth). 

Leadership - Semester Class

Leadership is a course in which students develop leadership, personal, and professional business skills. They learn to develop a healthy self‐concept, and healthy relationships, and understand the concept of personal responsibility. They will develop an understanding of emotional intelligence and the skills it measures, including self‐awareness, self-control, self‐motivation, and social skills. Students will practice skills in public speaking and communication and gain an understanding of their image. They will develop an understanding of principle‐based decision-making and form their mission statement. Additionally, they will develop an understanding of the effects of peer pressure and skills to counteract those effects. This course will enable students to become better family members and citizens through everyday leadership.

Advanced Band - Both Semesters

The class works on developing skills on the student’s instrument while learning about many aspects of music (notation reading, history, playing in different styles, etc...). The advanced band is for students who have already completed both level 1 and level 2 playing material from the previous year(s).  All students who are taking the advanced band must schedule a “Fitting meeting” with Mr. Lambert before the start of the school year. Contact Mr. Lambert to set this up.

Advanced Choir - Both Semesters

The class works on developing skills in singing while learning about many aspects of music (notation reading, history, singing in different styles, etc...). Please note that is class is year‐long.

Orchestra - Both Semesters

This class is for 6th to 8th‐grade students who are interested in string instruments (Violin, Viola, and Cello) (Upright Bass is also possible, but they are expensive). The class works on developing skills on the student’s instrument while learning about many aspects of music (notation reading, history, playing in different styles, etc...).  Advance players (players who have at least 1 full year of experience playing) will be working on full literature at the start of the school year.

Guitar - 1st Semester Only

This music class is for students who play guitar (electric or acoustic) or electric bass. The class will be divided by ability levels and students will be working in groups to work on pieces of music to perform. Students will be working on proper technique, learning to read traditional music notation and TAB notation (chord symbols), and working in a team setting. Performances will be in class and possibly for other classes in our school.  This class may only be taken once while the student is at Colony Middle School.

Acting & Theater - 2nd Semester Only

This is a two‐part class spread over the semester. Part 1 is drama acting. Students will spend a large chunk of the 1st half of the class working on and improving their acting skills, developing character, understanding and analyzing scripts, and learning how to develop working relationships with other actors. There will be games, role‐playing along with written character work that will be part of the class. Part 2 is the musical theater part of the class. Students will learn about the ins and outs of musical theater by working to create a full scene from a show. Students will be learning about how to audition, deal with costumes, lights, audio, and set design, along with actor blocking, stage timing, and lots of other aspects of working in theater. Students will be broken into small groups to create an entire scene from a show and present it to the class. They will have a “director” and “actors” with “stagehands” in their group. They will come up with the blocking, light design, sound designs, and choreographing for the scene they are working on.  This class may only be taken once while the student is at Colony Middle School.

This course provides knowledge of basic rules and terms of team, dual, and individual sports. Students will be introduced to the application and benefits of lifetime activities and fitness. The concepts of self‐discipline and team camaraderie are enforced.  Proper use and care of equipment are taught and practiced, as well as safety, rules, and procedures. The 6 National Physical Education Standards are implemented in the physical education program.

This course is an introduction to the Spanish language with a major emphasis on spoken language, listening comprehension, and elementary reading and writing skills. Units introduce the culture of the target language.  Student participation and good attendance are critical elements to successfully complete this course.  High school credit may be earned for successful completion of this course.   This course is for two semesters.

STEM focuses on learning engineering and the design process used by engineers and inventors to improve and create new products. Students will be engaged in creating various hands‐on projects using the tools available in class. They will receive instruction on the proper and safe use of the various power tools such as the bandsaw, scroll saw, drill press, and belt/disk sander. Students will be introduced to planning and design work using a 3D modeling program called Onshape. They will create various projects throughout the semester. These may include but are not limited to, sail cars, maglev vehicles, bridge and truss building, rockets and more.

8th Grade students can apply to be a student aide for the front office or a teacher in the building.  Once schedules are made available in the fall, students can submit their applications.  The following guidelines are required for a student to be considered to be an aide.

• 3.5 or higher GPA for the previous semester.

• No SRC referrals from the previous quarter.

• No dress code violations from the previous quarter.

• Good attendance and behavior.

• Must be responsible, trustworthy, and an independent worker.

• Referral from a teacher about character.

Please reach out to your student's counselor if you have any additional questions about being a student aide for next school year.

8th-graders will have the ability to take online classes for early high school credit.  Students will have a mentor teacher that they check in with here at school but all coursework will be overseen by an online instructor.   This online period will be in place of another class that they want to take. 

Please fill out this form if you would like a counselor to reach out with more information.

CMS Online Early High School Credit