Welcome to Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School. The purpose of the course catalog is to inform parents and students about the academic courses offered at Pau-Wa-Lu and to provide information about graduation requirements, courses of study, and proficiency level benchmarks required by the Douglas County School District. It is intended that students and parents review this catalog together and make informed decisions about their course selections. School counselors are also available on campus to advise students and parents. Please feel free to contact them if you need assistance during the registration process. The middle school years are truly a unique period. Students are undergoing rapid and profound developmental changes during this time. Middle schools have the challenge of addressing both the educational and social needs of young adolescents. Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School and the Douglas County School District embrace this challenge in meeting the needs of all of our students.

8th Grade Program of Study

All 8th Graders at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School are required to take the following courses:

English
Math
Science
U.S. History

Physical Education (Year-Long)
Electives

Students will have the required core classes (English, Math, Science, and Social Studies) for the entire year spread throughout a week schedule. Students will be required to take the PE elective which is year-long. Students will be able to choose 2 Semester Electives or 1 Year-Long Elective. There are a limited amount of Year-Long Electives. If a student takes Band, Leadership, or Choir (the only Year-Long Electives), students will be able to take only a Semester of PE and choose one more Semester Elective.

CORE CLASSES

English 8

Credits: 1.00 Course Length: Year

Eighth grade students will use Springboard, a nationally recognized Pre-Advanced Placement resource book, as the main focus of this class. Springboard activities are aligned with the Nevada State English Standards as well as the critical content of Douglas County. Assignments embedded in the program will also meet the benchmark and competency requirements for Douglas County students. Students will each receive their own workbook at the beginning of the year. The key focus in 8th grade is CHALLENGE. Students will have the opportunity to choose individual reading assignments, but there are also required reading assignments. All students will receive an individual Chromebook for individual use. Reading and written assignments will be completed on the Chromebook.

Advanced English 8

Credits: 1.00 Course Length: Year Pre-Requisite: Application & Summer Assignment

Eighth grade students will use Springboard, a nationally recognized Pre-Advanced Placement resource book, as the main focus of this class. Springboard activities are aligned with the Nevada State English Standards as well as the critical content of Douglas County. Assignments embedded in the program will also meet the benchmark and competency requirements for Douglas County students. Students will each receive their own workbook at the beginning of the year. The course is intended for students capable of a challenging curriculum and will serve as a primer for Honors English I and the AP program. Students will be expected to handle a greater amount of assigned reading than in English 8 and will compose more sophisticated essays including a summer reading and writing assignment. The key focus in 8th grade is CHALLENGE. Students will have the opportunity to choose individual reading assignments, but there are also required reading assignments. All students will receive an individual Chromebook for individual use. Reading and written assignments will be completed on the Chromebook.

Math 8

Credits: 1.00 Course Length: Year

In Math 8, instructional time will focus on three critical areas: (1) formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations; (2) grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships; (3) analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem.

Accelerated Math 8

Credits 1.00 Course Length: Year Pre-Requisite: Accelerated Math 7

This course combines elements of algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability in a setting that encourages creative and critical thinking, group cooperation, and the development of problem solving skills. The fundamental purpose of Accelerated Math 8 is to formalize and extend the mathematics that students learned in the middle grades. The critical areas deepen and extend understanding of linear relationships, in part by contrasting them with exponential phenomena, and in part by applying linear models to data that exhibit a linear trend. This class uses properties and theorems involving congruent figures to deepen and extend understanding of geometric knowledge from prior grades.

Full Year – 1 High School credit; (Upon successful completion transcript will reflect Math I)

Science 8

Credits: 1.00 Course Length: Year

This activity and lab-based science class for eighth-grade integrates science and engineering practices, cross-cutting concepts, and core ideas from the life sciences, Earth and space science, and physical sciences while meeting the Nevada State Science Standards. Topics covered include genetics, natural selection, evolution, astronomy, gravity, waves, motion, and forces. Students will use scientific skills, tools, and processes to build an understanding of structures, patterns, and relationships observed in science concepts. Critical thinking, collaboration, accuracy, and communication skills will be emphasized as students work towards scientific literacy.

U.S. History 8

Credits: 1.00 Course Length: Year

This activity and lab-based science class for eighth-grade integrates science and engineering practices, cross-cutting concepts, and core ideas from the life sciences, Earth and space science, and physical sciences while meeting the Nevada State Science Standards. Topics covered include genetics, natural selection, evolution, astronomy, gravity, waves, motion, and forces. Students will use scientific skills, tools, and processes to build an understanding of structures, patterns, and relationships observed in science concepts. Critical thinking, collaboration, accuracy, and communication skills will be emphasized as students work towards scientific literacy.

ELECTIVE CLASSES

PE 8 (Required)

Credits: 1.00 Course Length: Year

Girls and Boys Physical Education: This class is designed to give a well-rounded Physical Education program that includes physical conditioning and participation in a variety of sports. Students gain knowledge of each sport and improve the necessary skills for success. Teamwork is of major importance – playing together with healthy competition.

Advanced Band

Credits: 1.00 Course Length: Year

Students must be able to play a 2 octave chromatic scale (quarter note = mm100), percussion students must be able to play 7 major rudiments and various basic rhythm patterns. This class is open to 8th grade students that can meet the above requirements. School instruments are limited. Most students will need to provide their own instrument. All students will be required to do several performances throughout the year. These events may include out of town festivals, solo and ensemble festival, local parades and a minimum of 3 evening concerts. It is also possible to do band and participate in after school sports. Students must provide their own instrument. Beginners only accepted upon director approval.

Chorus 8

Credits: 1.00 Course Length: Year

This class is open to anyone in grades 7-8. No experience is necessary. If you enjoy singing, this is the class for you. This class will teach you how to read rhythms and how to sight sing music. All students will be required to do several performances throughout the year. These events may include out of town festivals, solo and ensemble festival, and a minimum of 3 evening concerts.

Student Leadership

Credits: 1.00 Course Length: Year Pre-Requisite: Application

Join Student Leadership! Panther Leadership is responsible for creating and organizing programs and activities that promote a fun, inclusive environment at PWLMS, including dances, fundraisers, and community activities. Because this is an application-based class, students are expected to uphold academic and behavioral standards. In order to sign up for the class, you must also fill out an application with the Leadership teacher. If you are someone who would enjoy an exciting, fun class that works to make a positive difference in your school, Leadership could be a good fit for you! This class requires a completed application and approval.

Capstone

Credits: 0.50 Course Length: Semester

INVESTIGATE a topic or profession or social problem that interests you.

USE multiple resources to increase your knowledge and understanding.

CONDUCT research on your focused topic.

MAINTAIN a portfolio of findings.

CONNECT with a resident expert / mentor as a learning guide.

CREATE a final product that demonstrates your new learning and conclusions.

INTEGRATE technology and old-fashioned presentation skills.

PRESENT your individual Capstone Project at the end of this class.

Games, Activities, & Puzzles

Credits: 0.50 Course Length: Semester

Do you like playing games, solving puzzles and making things? Then this class is for you! Students will engage their creative, problem-solving skills to participate in games and to solve a wide range of puzzles. Also, students will improve their critical thinking skills by physically creating their own games or puzzles.

Speech

Credits: 0.50 Course Length: Semester

Communication is the success to life! This course will focus on maintaining eye contact within your audience, enunciation, fluency and how to create effective presentations while implementing google slides. Class presentations will include telling jokes, paper bag speeches, life experiences speeches, demonstrations speeches such how to do a trick on your skateboard, how to make chocolate chip cookies, etc.

Food & Nutrition 8

Credits: 0.50 Course Length: Semester

What’s cooking? ... Learn to prepare foods from appetizers to dessert. Plan and prepare quick and simple meals around breakfast, lunch and dinner. Holiday foods are a special favorite of this class. This elective is designed to enhance students' basic kitchen skills and enhance their knowledge of food safety, recipe basics and nutrition.

Yearbook

Credits: 0.50 Course Length: Semester Pre-requisite: Application

Join the team that reports on campus life and helps preserve memories for years to come- YEARBOOK. This year-long class will feel more like a business as you learn these skills: photography, layout, word processing, bookkeeping, and much more. The yearbook will be created in this class from conception of the theme, creating the physical book, and a fun distribution at the end of the year. Be prepared for hard work and lots of fun as you see your completed work in print!

Video Productions

Credits: 0.50 Course Length: Semester

Ever wonder how a green screen works? Learn to make special effects, sound effects and master the fine points of digital video editing. You will also learn how to create a stop motion animation video. Students will also learn professional journalistic and broadcast production skills, as well as some of the historical high points of film and video development. Students will be evaluated on their performance and completed productions.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Gateway Curriculum

PLTW Gateway sparks a joy of discovery and illuminates the range of paths students can look forward to in high school and beyond. Students apply knowledge and skills from a variety of disciplines. By tackling challenges like designing a therapeutic toy for a child with cerebral palsy, creating their own app, or solving a medical mystery, students are empowered to make a real-world impact. Although these are elective courses, they are academically challenging with emphasis on science and engineering.

PLTW Magic of Electrons

Credits: 0.50 Course Length: Semester

Through hands-on projects, students explore electricity, the behavior and parts of atoms, and sensing devices. They learn knowledge and skills in basic circuitry design, and examine the impact of electricity on the world around them.

PLTW Computer Science for Innovators and Makers

Credits: 0.50 Course Length: Semester

This unit will allow students to discover computer science concepts and skills by creating personally relevant, tangible, and shareable projects. Throughout the unit, students will learn about programming for the physical world by blending hardware design and software development. They will design and develop a physical computing device, interactive art installation, or wearable, and plan and develop code for micro-controllers that bring their physical designs to life.

HOW DO I CHOOSE MY CLASSES?

Please choose between Option A or Option B or Option C

Option A

2 Semester Electives

(ex. Capstone

& Speech)

Option B

1 Year-Long Elective + 1 Semester Elective

(ex. Band, Choir, Leadership

& Speech

& 1 Semester of PE)

Option C

2 Year-Long Electives

(ex. Band, Choir, Leadership, PE

& Band, Choir, Leadership, PE)

Log into your Student Portal on Infinite Campus
Click "Academic Plan" from the Menu on the right.
Make sure "Choose and Academic Plan" says MIDDLE SCHOOL
Click "Next"

For Language Arts:

Click English 8 or Advanced English 8

For Math:

Click Math 8 or Accelerated Math 8

For Science:

Click Science 8

For Social Studies:

Click U.S. History 8

For ELECT:

Select 2 Semester Electives (OPTION A) or 1 Year-Long Elective + 1 Semester Elective (OPTION B) or 2 Year-Long Electives (OPTION C)

NO SELECTION FOR FINE ARTS

For PE:

Select PE 8 (No PE if Option C: 2 Year-Long Electives)