In our writing class, students are constantly immersed in learning research skills and writing techniques to deliver claims and support claims with credible evidence. Throughout the year, the students will engage with each other in small groups and individual work. We will work together to prepare for high school English courses by using rigorous writing strategies to align with our standards. As we are writing, we will explore and practice various grammar skills to make our writing more professional. Students will complete four large writing projects: Narrative, Expository, Argumentative, and Literary Analysis. 

Reading class is designed to give students more direct instruction on reading skills. They have the opportunity to read a variety of texts which challenges their thinking, look deeper at the author's purpose, and analyze the meaning of these reading selections. With help from the Amplify curriculum and coupled with vocabulary work, the students will increase their reading comprehension skills and develop critical thinking while reading each text. 

Algebra I introduces students to fundamental algebraic concepts and problem-solving techniques that form the basis for higher-level math. The course covers the following: Solving Equations and Solving Inequalities, teaching students methods to isolate variables and understand relationships; Functions, where students explore how inputs relate to outputs; Statistics, where they learn to collect, analyze, and interpret data; Graphing Lines and Solving Systems of Equations, providing a strong foundation in linear relationships; Exponents and Polynomials expand students’ understanding of expressions; Quadratics, where they learn to factor, graph, and solve quadratic equations. Through real-world applications and critical thinking exercises, Algebra I prepares students for advanced math courses and builds essential skills for academic and career success.  A graphing calculator is recommended.

In this course, students will investigate the origins and evolution of the United States from Native American societies before European contact through the conclusion of the Civil War. They will explore how diverse political, economic, and social forces shaped early America. The curriculum emphasizes the foundations of government, particularly the influence of Enlightenment ideas on the Constitution, and examines the role of economics in driving colonization, industrial growth, and westward expansion. Students will discover how territorial gains and the push for new frontiers influenced national identity, regional tensions, and debates over slavery. Through the analysis of primary sources, structured debates, and collaborative projects, students will develop historical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of how political decisions, economic developments, and cultural factors intersected to shape the nation up to 1865.

Flight and Space (PLTW)

Get ready to take off! Investigate, innovate, and use creative thinking and problem solving to learn how scientists and engineers make traveling around the globe and beyond possible.  The exciting world of aerospace comes alive through the Flight and Space unit.  Students become engineers as they design, prototype, and test models to learn about the science of flight and what it takes to travel and live in space.  They solve real-world aviation and space challenges and plan a mission to Mars. 

Business Innovators 

Students work in teams to identify a problem to solve, design and pitch a solution, and expose the product or service to the marketplace.  Through their experience, they will develop critical skills; collaboration, communication, decision-making and more. Students will gain firsthand experience with various digital platforms.  In this class, students may produce media products for use throughout the school community.

Guitar 

Have you always wanted to play the guitar? Join this class! Guitar is an introductory course for students who wish to learn guitar. No previous experience playing guitar is necessary. Fundamentals of standard music notation, chords, tablature, and ensemble playing will be covered.

Piano 

Have you always wanted to play the piano? Join this class! Piano is an introductory course for students who wish to learn to play the piano. No previous experience playing piano is required. Fundamentals of standard music notation, theory, chords, scales, arpeggios, and improvisation will be covered.

Art Semester I

This art elective for eighth graders will explore art creation through the use of a variety of art media, methods, and techniques. Students will explore the elements and principles of design to create successful pieces of art. Students will create two-dimensional and three-dimensional works using various media, such as pencil, paint, pastel, clay, found objects, etc. In this course students will also be introduced to the works of noted artists or art movements as they relate to projects the students are creating. 

Mixed Chorus (6th - 8th Grade)

Do you like to sing? This is the class for you! Students in Chorus will grow as musicians through participation in choral rehearsals,  performances, and artistic reflection. Through study of choral repertoire, students will cultivate healthy singing technique, build musical literacy, create musical performances and deepen their understanding of musical connections in their lives and in the world around them. Performance in two yearly concerts is mandatory. Other opportunities for performance will be made available as special activities are planned.

8TH /High School Band

This band class is a combination of 8th graders and high school band students. Students who have been a part of a band class for at least two years is able to join this class. This class continues the study of a student’s main instrument and allows the student to earn high school credit. Students will perform multiple times throughout the school year: veterans day assemble, winter concert, spring concert, pep assemblies, and high school graduation. Students will also play for a select amount of high school basketball games. In the springtime, students will have the opportunity to travel to a local high school to perform and receive a master class with a professional music educator. We will also perform at Six Flags. Certain school years, a trip will be taken and students will travel to a different city to perform and represent Valley Park outside of Missouri. Personal instruments are expected of students by 8th grade. 

Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences 

Students enrolled in 8th Grade Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences will develop leadership skills for family, career, and community life. This course will help prepare students for career exploration as well as multiple roles as individuals and family members.  Choices in healthy lifestyles, decision-making and critical thinking skills will be emphasized.  Students will explore money management and budgeting, study nutrition, balanced meal planning and healthy food preparation.  Basic and intermediate sewing skills will be highlighted, and students will study the elements and principles of design while exploring interior design.  The practical application of life skills will be emphasized with lab experiences and hands-on activities in each area.  

Women's Strength and Conditioning

This course is a class designed to improve and create opportunities to increase performance skills through cardiovascular endurance,      flexibility, muscular strength and endurance. Training principles and nutrition will be emphasized in this course. Lessons will be focused on application of training principles, Olympic lifts, agility training, core conditioning, and speed enhancement. Students will analyze their current fitness levels and set goals that are designed to increase their performance.  Free weights, exercise machines and conditioning exercises are incorporated to improve many of the elements of fitness. Proper technique, safety precautions, and proper applications of multiple exercises are emphasized. Students learn anatomical positions and muscle structure, as well as muscle groups. 

Future Plus Opportunity

Spanish I (Full Year - 8th grade only)

Are you interested in communicating with people from over 20 foreign countries plus 40 million people in the US? Do you enjoy travel or world cultures? This course is for you! Learn the Spanish language by focusing on communication and culture. Students will develop basic communication skills to express simple messages across a variety of topics. A combination of listening, speaking, reading, and writing will be emphasized. Students will study the cultures and geography of the Spanish-speaking world. Class activities include active participation, oral presentations, and projects.* Students will receive high school credit for this class. They can move straight to Spanish 2 in high school.