8th GRADE – ENGLISH (061/062)

Grade 8: Standard and Advanced

(Year)

Students work towards proficiency in the following D-Y Learning Expectations: communicating appropriately and effectively through reading, writing, listening, and oral presentation. Additionally, students are encouraged to work towards academic independence through self-advocacy. 

Students are exposed to a wide variety of  both independent and community reading experiences. Aligned to the Common Core, the curriculum provides a challenging and rigorous balance of informational and literary texts that increase in complexity over the course of the year. Additionally, vocabulary instruction is structured around acquiring both domain specific and academic vocabulary as it relates to complex text. Students will analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats and evaluate the motives behind its presentation.

Writing assessments require students to write for a variety of purposes and audiences. Assignments include Narrative, Argumentative, Opinion, and Expository tasks. Through the use of technology, students will use MLA format to produce organized and clear writing that presents the relationships between information and ideas. Students will work collaboratively with their peers to exercise revision and editing skills. Students will begin learning and practicing the skills necessary to meet vertically aligned benchmarks within the common core.

Students will become familiar with the MCAS exam format through practice testing and teacher-led review of rubrics and exemplars provided by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

GREEK MYTHOLOGY 

Grades 8 (050) 

(Quarter) 

Grades 9-12: Level 2 and Honors (049/099)

(Semester) .75 credits

Would you like to know why your sneakers are called Nike? This course is designed for students who have an interest in exploring the myths and legends that have shaped the modern world. It will be presumed upon course enrollment that students have basic proficiency in reading, writing and computer skills. Success in the course will be determined by students’ initiative both in and out of class. 

The chief focus of the course will be learning about and appreciating the role mythology plays in reflecting national, regional, and ethnic identities, as well as daily life. We will consider the role of mythology within the groups that perform and use it. Moreover, we will examine the influence of mythology systems on modern western culture. Although brief consideration will be given to the mythological systems of a number of cultures, myths and legends to be considered within the course will primarily include those of ancient Greece. Students should come to understand that these thought systems are both distinct from and interconnected with each other, and that they continue to command an important place in modern society as they replay themselves in modern form. Students will employ skills including reading, note-taking, essay writing, library research, individual presentations, group presentations and analytical thinking throughout the course.

INTRO TO FILM PRODUCTION (054) 

Grades 8 

(Quarter)

FILM PRODUCTION (055)

Grades 9-12:  Level 2

(Semester) .50 credits

Film Production is the art and science of using the camera as a storytelling tool to create and convey meaning. In this course, students will explore the materials, processes, and creative techniques that shape film, television, and video production. From mastering camera operation to experimenting with lighting, angles, and depth of field, students will gain hands-on experience in the technical aspects of filmmaking. They will learn how to compose shots, storyboard narratives, capture sound, and refine editing skills. This course encourages students to think abstractly and use the camera as a medium for self-expression while also developing a critical eye for analyzing different forms of media. Instruction will include a blend of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on projects. Ideal for students with a passion for media and a willingness to engage creatively, this course also requires a degree of maturity and the ability to work independently without constant supervision.