2023-24 - 8th Grade Required Courses

8th Grade Required Courses

Of note regarding course options:

Advanced (formerly known as Pre-AP) courses in the four core areas for students entering eighth grade will cover grade level curriculum with greater depth and complexity. These courses will NOT be accelerated and will allow for more flexibility in course selection and student scheduling. Gifted and Talented students will have the option to choose GT sections of advanced English and/or social studies courses in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. GT students may also choose to take accelerated math and science courses. Click here for GT requirements.

Students are required to complete one course in Fine Arts during the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade year. If a student has not completed their Fine Arts course in the 6th or 7th grade, they must complete it in 8th grade.

English Language Arts Selections

English Language Arts

Course No. LA8

In 8th grade language arts, students participate in an integrated course of study designed to prepare the student for high school English class. Students read widely and identify characteristics of various literary forms. Advanced reading strategies allow students to analyze information from multiple sources to form relationships among ideas supported with textual evidence. Students apply literary and expository writing skills, research skills, the use of technology, and the analysis of visual literacy in a variety of genres. Students are expected to communicate written ideas effectively by maintaining focus and coherence, developing ideas fully, expressing their unique voice or perspective, and increasing proficiency of conventions such as spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. Students present oral and written reports using research from print and visual sources.

English Language Arts Advanced (formerly known as Pre-Advanced Placement English Language Arts)

Course No. LA8Q

English Language Arts/STEM Advanced (formerly known as Pre-Advanced Placement English Language Arts/STEM) (GMS only)

Course No. LA8SQ

This course is designed to prepare students for entry into Advanced Placement (AP) courses at the high school level and meet the needs of the district’s Advanced (formerly Pre-AP) and gifted and talented language arts students. Students are expected to communicate written ideas effectively by maintaining focus and coherence, developing ideas fully, expressing their unique voice or perspective, and increasing proficiency of conventions such as spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. Historical fiction, short stories, and classical literature are read and used to identify literary elements. Students study analogies and use analogous logic to explain ideas and events in literature. Writings will address specific audiences, and students refine the use of a variety of strategies to fully develop ideas. Control of language, sentence structure and organization are expected. Students present oral and written reports from independent research studies using primary sources and varied sources of visual media. Students must possess advanced language abilities and have a sincere interest in the areas of reading and language arts. There may be additional material costs associated with this course for which the student will be responsible. This course will provide a greater degree of depth and complexity.

Gifted and Talented Offerings:

Students identified as in need of gifted/talented services have the option to choose GT sections of advanced English and/or social studies courses in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. GT students may also choose to take accelerated math and science courses.

GT English Language Arts 8

Course No. LA8GQ

Prerequisite: Meet qualifications for GT placement

This course is designed to prepare identified gifted/talented students for success in advanced and Advanced Placement (AP) courses and to meet their cognitive and affective needs. This version of the ELAR course provides advanced learning opportunities for students to engage in research, problem solving, critical thinking, and creative expression. In grade 8, students will read widely and identify characteristics of various literary forms. Students will develop advanced reading strategies that will help them learn to analyze information from multiple sources to form relationships among ideas supported with textual evidence. Students will continue to deepen their literary and expository writing skills, research skills, and analytical skills in a variety of genres. Students will also build their vocabulary by studying word origins and increase their proficiency in utilizing conventions such as spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. In this course, students will also present oral and written reports using research from multiple print and visual sources. Students will engage with ELAR standards with increased depth and complexity and analyze content from multiple sources for interdisciplinary connections. Students should have a sincere interest in the areas of reading and language arts in order to thrive and be happy in this course. Students enrolled in this course may be required to produce sophisticated products and/or performances.

ASPIRE ELA 8 Advanced (CTMS only)

Course No. LA8AQ

Prerequisite: Meet qualifications for ASPIRE placement

This course is designed specifically to serve ASPIRE students in order to provide a learning environment commensurate with the academic and affective needs of highly gifted students. It provides the opportunity for identified gifted/talented students to see the relationship between reading, writing, and history based on gifted education practices to meet the needs of gifted learners. Students are expected to communicate written ideas effectively by maintaining focus and coherence, developing ideas fully, expressing their unique voice or perspective, supporting their ideas with textual evidence, and increasing proficiency of conventions such as spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. This course requires a high level of reading, comprehension, and writing skills.

Social Studies Selections

United States History

Course No. SS8

This course is a study of the history of the United States from the early colonial period through Reconstruction. Students will examine political, economic, religious, and social events and issues throughout this time in history. Key topics of study include American beliefs and principles, key Supreme Court cases, major reform movements, the rights and responsibilities of citizens of the United States, and the importance of effective leadership in a constitutional republic. Students will use and further develop critical-thinking skills, including the identification of bias in written, oral, and visual material.

United States History Advanced (formerly known as Pre-Advanced Placement United States History)

Course No. SS8Q

United States History/STEM Advanced (formerly known as Pre-Advanced Placement United States History/STEM) (GMS only)

Course No. SS8SQ

This course is designed to prepare students for entry into Advanced Placement (AP) courses at the high school level and will explore grade-level standards to a greater degree of depth and complexity. This course is a study of the history of the United States from the early colonial period through Reconstruction. Students will examine political, economic, religious, and social events and issues throughout this time in history. Key topics of study include American beliefs and principles, key Supreme Court cases, major reform movements, the rights and responsibilities of citizens of the United States, and the importance of effective leadership in a constitutional republic. Students will use and further develop critical-thinking skills, including the identification of bias in written, oral, and visual material.

Gifted and Talented Offerings:

GT U.S. History Advanced

Course No. SS8GQ

Prerequisite: Meet qualifications for GT placement

This course is designed to prepare identified gifted/talented students for success in advanced and Advanced Placement (AP) courses and to meet their cognitive and affective needs. This version of the U.S. History course provides advanced learning opportunities for students to engage in research, problem solving, critical thinking, and creative expression. This course is a study of the history of the United States from the early colonial period through Reconstruction. Students will examine political, economic, religious, and social events and issues throughout this time in history. Key topics of study include American beliefs and principles, key Supreme Court cases, major reform movements, the rights and responsibilities of citizens of the United States, and the importance of effective leadership in a constitutional republic. Students will engage with U.S. History standards with increased depth and complexity and analyze content from multiple sources for interdisciplinary connections. Students should have a sincere interest in social studies in order to thrive and be happy in this course. Students enrolled in this course may be required to produce sophisticated products and/or performances.

ASPIRE U.S. History Advanced (CTMS only)

Course No. SS8AQ

Prerequisite: Meet qualifications for ASPIRE placement

This course is designed specifically to serve ASPIRE students in order to provide a learning environment commensurate with the academic and affective needs of highly gifted students. This course replaces U.S. History for 8^th grade GT students. It provides the opportunity for identified gifted/talented students to see the relationship between reading, writing, and history based on gifted education practices to meet the needs of gifted learners. Included in the course will be the study of art, music, literature, architecture, geography, culture, government, and folklore. Students are expected to communicate written ideas effectively by maintaining focus and coherence, developing ideas fully, expressing their unique voice or perspective, supporting their ideas with textual evidence, and increasing proficiency of conventions such as spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. This course requires a high level of reading, comprehension, and writing skills.

Mathematics Selections

Math

Course No. MA8

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math grade 7 or its equivalent

Focal points in mathematics at grade 8 are representing, applying, and analyzing proportional relationships; using expressions and equations to describe relationships, including the Pythagorean Theorem; making inferences from data; and financial literacy. Use of mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding are emphasized. Students are expected to use these processes together with graphing calculator technology and other mathematical tools to develop conceptual understandings and solve problems.

Math Advanced (formerly known as Pre-Advanced Placement Math)

Course No. MA8Q

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math grade 7 or Pre Adv. Placement Math grade 7 or its equivalent

This course is designed to provide students with opportunity for entry into Advanced (formerly Pre-Advanced Placement) and Advanced Placement courses at the high school level. Eighth grade TEKS will be taught with the development of Advanced (formerly Pre-AP) strategies incorporated throughout the course. Students will engage in learning of 8th grade curriculum with increased depth and complexity. Critical thinking and creative problem solving skills are incorporated throughout this course.

Algebra I Advanced

(formerly known as Pre-Advanced Placement Algebra I)

Course No. MA1QA/B

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Accelerated Math grade 7 or its equivalent

Algebra I/STEM Advanced (GMS only)

(formerly known as Pre-Advanced Placement Algebra I/STEM)

Course No. MA1SQA/B

ASPIRE Algebra I Advanced (CTMS only)

(formerly known as ASPIRE Pre-Advanced Placement Algebra I)

Course No. MA1AQA/B

Prerequisite: Meet qualifications for ASPIRE placement

This course is designed to prepare students for entry into Advanced Placement (AP) courses at the high school level and meet the needs of the district’s accelerated and gifted and talented students. Students study linear functions, equations, and inequalities; quadratic functions and equations; exponential functions and equations; as well as number and algebraic methods. Use of mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding are emphasized. Students are expected to use these processes together with graphing calculator technology and other mathematical tools to develop conceptual understandings and solve problems. Students must possess advanced facility with numbers and have a sincere interest in mathematics. This course is the same course offered in the high school as Pre-AP Algebra I. The purpose for offering the course in eighth grade is to allow students to have additional opportunities to take advanced math courses such as AP Calculus AB/BC and AP Statistics. Students successfully completing Algebra I in 8th grade are strongly encouraged to complete four additional years of math in grades 9 – 12. Each semester is graded independently. Upon successful completion of each semester, one-half high school math credit will be awarded. Grade points are not awarded nor entered into the high school GPA for completion of this course in 8th grade.

Algebra II Advanced

Course No. MA0208 A/B

Semesters: 2; Credits: 1

Prerequisite: Algebra I

Recommended: Algebra I Advanced, Geometry Advanced

ASPIRE Algebra II Advanced (CTMS only)

Course No. MA2AQA/B

Semesters: 2; Credits: 1

Prerequisite: Meet qualifications for ASPIRE placement

This course is designed to prepare students for entry into Advanced Placement (AP) courses in mathematics. Students will engage in learning Algebra II curriculum with increased depth and complexity. Critical thinking and creative problem solving skills are incorporated throughout this course. The purpose for offering the course in eighth grade is to allow students who have successfully completed Geometry Advanced prior to their 8th grade year to have additional opportunities to take advanced math courses such as AP Calculus AB/BC, Multivariable Calculus, and AP Statistics. Students successfully completing Algebra II in eighth grade are strongly encouraged to complete four additional years of math in grades 9 – 12. Each semester is graded independently. Upon successful completion of each semester, one-half high school math credit will be awarded. Grade points are not awarded nor entered into the high school GPA for completion of this course in 8th grade.

Geometry Advanced (formerly known as Pre-Advanced Placement Geometry)

Course No. MAGQA/B

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra I Advanced. Meet qualifications for GT or Accelerated Placement.

ASPIRE Geometry Advanced (formerly known as ASPIRE Pre-Advanced Placement Geometry)

Course No. MGAQA/B

Prerequisite: Meet qualifications for ASPIRE placement

This course is designed to prepare students for entry into Advanced Placement (AP) courses at the high school level and meet the needs of the district’s accelerated and gifted and talented students. Students study coordinate and transformational geometry; logical argument and constructions; proof and congruence; similarity, proof, and trigonometry; two-dimensional and three-dimensional figures; circles; and probability. Use of mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding are emphasized. Students are expected to use these processes together with graphing calculator technology and other mathematical tools to develop conceptual understandings and solve problems. Students must possess advanced facility with numbers and have a sincere interest in mathematics. This course is the same course offered in the high school as Geometry Advanced. The purpose for offering the course in 8th grade is to allow students to have additional opportunities to take advanced math courses such as AP Calculus AB/BC and AP Statistics. Students successfully completing Geometry in 8th grade are strongly encouraged to complete four additional years of math in grades 9 – 12. Each semester is graded independently. Upon successful completion of each semester, one-half high school math credit will be awarded. Grade points are not awarded nor entered into the high school GPA for completion of this course in eighth grade. Due to the limited number of students qualifying for Pre-AP Geometry at the 8th grade level, students may not have the opportunity to take this course at their home campus.

Science Selections

Science

Course No. SC8

Grade 8 science is interdisciplinary in nature. Enduring understandings in Science transcend disciplinary boundaries and include change and constancy, patterns, cycles, systems, models, and scale. As students engage in inquiry-based scientific investigations and reasoning they will learn science in the following conceptual strands: Matter and Energy; Force, Motion and Energy; Earth and Space Science; and Organisms and Environments.

Science Advanced (formerly known as Pre-Advanced Placement Science)

Course No. SC8Q

This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity for entry into Advanced (formerly Pre-Advanced Placement) and Advanced Placement courses at the high school level. This science course is interdisciplinary in nature.

Enduring understandings in Science transcend disciplinary boundaries and include change and constancy, patterns, cycles, systems, models, and scale. As students engage in inquiry-based scientific investigations and reasoning they will learn science in the following conceptual strands: Matter and Energy; Force, Motion and Energy; Earth and Space Science; and Organisms and Environments. Eighth grade curriculum will be taught with advanced strategies incorporated throughout the course. Students will engage in learning activities with increased depth and complexity.

Biology I Advanced (formerly known as Pre-AP Biology)

Course No. SCBQA/B

Biology I /STEM Advanced (GMS only) (formerly known as Pre-AP Biology/STEM)

Course No. SCBSQA/B

Biology I /ASPIRE Advanced (CTMS only) (formerly known as Pre-AP Biology/ASPIRE)

Course No. SCBAQA/B

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Accelerated Science grade 7 or its equivalent & meet qualifications for ASPIRE placement

Credit: 1 HS Credit

In Biology, students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving.

Students in Biology study a variety of topics that include: structures and functions of cells and viruses; growth and development of organisms; cells, tissues and organs; nucleic acids and genetics; biological evolution; taxonomy; metabolism and energy transfers in living organisms; living systems; homeostasis; and ecosystems and the environment. Students will engage in learning activities with increased depth and complexity.