8th Grade Course Descriptions and Videos

English

English 8: Eighth grade English focuses on the Common Core standards: Reading, Writing, Speaking/Listening, and Language. Students will read a variety of informational and literary texts, including novels and short stories, and write narrative, informative, and argument papers.  To help you make connections between subject areas, you will be studying civil and human rights around the world. Emphasis will be placed on problem solving skills and high school preparation.  

English 8 Honors: Eighth grade Honors English focuses on the Common Core standards: Reading, Writing, Speaking/Listening, and Language, but on a deeper and quicker level than in a core class. Students will read a variety of informational and literary texts and write narrative, informative, and argument papers. The work assigned will be rigorous and you should expect homework. To be in this class, you are expected to read and comprehend on or above grade level, which means a Lexile of 1010 or higher.  If you are interested in this class, please speak with your seventh grade teacher and get their approval.  

Math

Math 8: In this class students will develop mathematical proficiency, gain skills in critical thinking/problem solving, and apply knowledge to real world situations in accordance with the Utah State Core.

Math 8 Honors: Honors classes hold students to higher expectations, including a faster pace and a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. In this class, students will develop mathematical proficiency, gain skills in critical thinking/problem solving, and apply knowledge to real world situations in accordance with the Utah State Core. 

Science

Integrated Science 8: 8th Grade Integrated Science is an activity/lab based course that covers a wide range of scientific and engineering topics. Students will describe how matter and energy interact in the physical world, discover how energy is stored and transferred in physical systems, investigate how life systems store and transfer matter and energy, and examine interactions within natural systems and resources.

Science 8 Honors: Honors and GT science courses require students to participate at a higher level of thinking and activity. Extra work and projects will be expected throughout the year.

Social Studies

US History I: United States History I includes events and issues in United States history from the Age of Exploration through Reconstruction, emphasizing the 18th and 19th centuries.  Topics include, but are not limited to, American Indian life, European exploration and colonization, the Revolutionary War, constitutional issues, nation building, expansion, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.  US History I Video

US History I Honors: The content of the Honors course is the same as the regular core course.  However, the Honors course will be engaging in these concepts more deeply and rigorously.  Staying on top of the curriculum and being able to think deeply about the subjects is required of the Honors course.  US History I Honors Video

Required Electives

CCA: College and Career Readiness

P.E.: Introduction to individual and team activities and to the elements of physical fitness: strength, endurance and flexibility. 

Full Year Elective Courses 

Foundation Strings (Orchestra): This is the class focused on beginning instruction for those interested in learning how to play the Violin, Viola, Cello, or Double Bass. As a side note: guitar is not offered at this time and is not an option for this class. Students with previous experience on these instruments can audition to move up to the advanced ensemble. Students in this class will perform in 4 concerts per year. Foundation Strings Video 

Foundation Band: This is the class focused on beginning instruction for those interested in learning how to play the Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, or Percussion. Students with previous experience on these instruments can audition to move up to the advanced ensemble. Students in this class will perform in 4 concerts per year. Foundation Band Video

Concert Band: Consists of more advanced wind, brass and percussion players; may perform in concerts, programs, and festivals. Concert Band Video

Concert Orchestra: Consists of more advanced string players; may perform in concerts, programs, and festivals. Concert Orchestra Video

Spanish 1: Begin your journey into learning how to communicate in Spanish.  Be able to identify and basic facts and memorized words, request and provide information related to basic needs and topics. Spanish 1 and 2

Spanish 2: Continue learning the Spanish language through text, conversation, visuals, culture and customs. Spanish 1 and 2

Spanish for Spanish Speakers: Course for students that speak Spanish in the home.  Increase your reading and fluency skills, writing skills, as well as being able to communicate on a variety of cultures and other topics. 

Spanish for Heritage Speakers 2: Advanced course for students that speak Spanish in the home.  Increase your reading and fluency skills, writing skills, as well as being able to communicate on a variety of cultures and other topics. 

Semester (1/2 year) Elective Courses

Mixed Chorus: This is a 1/2 year class for 7th and 8th grade students to improve their singing/vocal technique, expand their music reading knowledge and cultivate performance skills. Students will perform in evening concerts.  

Music Foundations: Students will learn how to play the ukulele, read chord diagrams and tablature, and perform in two concerts. 

Theatre 1: Foundational theater class with focus on developing movement and vocal skills, building student confidence in their speaking & performing ability, and strengthening student effectiveness in group work and communication.

Theatre 2: Continuation of Theatre 1 with specific focus on character development, scene work and script analysis; as well as using theatre/drama work to examine contemporary social, cultural, or global events. Prerequisite: Theatre 1

Dance 1A: This is a beginning level dance course which introduces dancers to all styles of dance and explores basic dance concepts including space, time, and energy.  Dance 1A Video

Dance 1B: Beginning level dance course: builds dance knowledge and skill in technique, improvisation, choreography, artistic expression, and performance. Prerequisite for this course is Dance 1A. Dance 1B Video 

Dance 2A: This is an intermediate level dance class which builds on the knowledge, vocabulary, and skills learned in Dance 1A and Dance 1B. This class will focus on dance etiquette, the elements of dance, dance analysis, healthful practices, body-mind principles, improvisation, composition, and technique. This course will culminate in a dance performance. Prerequisites for this class are Dance 1A and Dance 1B. 

Social Dance: This class will explore different styles of partner dances from a variety of different cultures. Social Dance Video

Art Foundations 1: Emphasis on understanding of works of art, color and design theory, and developing basic skills in drawing.  Art Foundations 1 Video

Advanced Art Foundations 2D: Further emphasis on color and design concepts, proportion, value, depth, and use of creative expression. Prerequisite: Art Foundations 1.

3D Design: Creations of Art, using wood, paper, fiber, clay, and metal. 3D Design Video

Creative Coding: Through Games and Apps, students learn how to code by working in a real software development environment to design, program and publish mobile apps and games. Creative Coding Video

FACS A- Sewing/Fashion/Interior Design: Introduction to elements and principles of design and foundations of sewing, interior design, and fashion design. 

FACS B- Food & Nutrition/Child Care: Introduction to skills needed to care for infants and children, food preparation/safety and entrepreneurship basics.  

Exploring Technology 1: Emphasis on advanced engineering technologies, engineering design, digital logic circuits, and robotics and aerospace. 

Manufacturing Technology-Woodworking: This course is a comprehensive class for students desiring to develop their skills in different areas of manufacturing.  Students will learn common techniques using machinery, power tools, and hand tools.  Students will learn the basic skills of each tool while being required to pass a safety test prior to working in the shop.  They will demonstrate these skills while building projects.   Projects can include: lathe turning; laser; construction; composites; 3D printing; architectural drafting, etc.  In addition, careers in this field will be explored offering students a broader scope. Manufacturing Technology Video

Construction Technology: We will learn to read and generate drawings for a home. We then will learn about the parts of framing and build a model home using the parts we have learned about.