8th Gr. Preferences

2014-2015 School Year

Improving Technology and

Engineering Education for all

Students

Improving Technology and

Engineering Education for all

Students

What is STEM?Science

Technology

Engineering

Math

The Technology and Engineering program features a project based curriculum designed to challenge and engage the natural curiosity and imagination of middle school students. Students imagine, design, create, and test ideas using engineering principles and software programs used by professionals in the “real world”.. Technology and Engineering courses help prepare the 21st century learner for educational and career opportunities in STEM related fields.

CAD · Manufacturing · Robotics · Electronics · Drafting · Problem Solving · Design

7th Grade• Introduction to Technology,

Innovation, Invention, and the 4 areas of Technology– EPT (Energy, Power,

Transportation)– Manufacturing– Communication– Construction

• Engineering Design Process• Problem Solving and Critical

Thinking• Electronics• Materials and Processes• Collaboration with science and

math curriculum

• All students• 1st Semester• Meets everyday• Tech Ed 7A - 1MP• Tech Ed 7B - 2MP

8th Grade

• Enhancing skills in Engineering Design Process

• 2D and 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD)

• Robotics and Automation• STEM Careers• Collaboration with science

and math curriculum• Applied Physics

• All students• 2nd Semester• Meets everyday• Tech Ed 8A - 3MP• Tech Ed 8B - 4MP

Creative Expressions:Reading the WorldConnections:

Visual Literacy and Design-Based Learning

to Read the World

Garreth Heidt and Kathy ToddHumanities Teachers

Perkiomen Valley Middle School East

Creative Expressions in 7th grade focuses on developing students’ powers of observation and reflection with a mind towards three goals: Thinking, Doing, and Being. That is, the class helps students develop the power of critical viewing of the world (keen observation along with keen questioning and inquiry) with a mind towards addressing the question of “Why are things the way they are?” That’s the thinking part. But we don’t just think; we also do things here…we make things, solutions to the problems we learn to find. Those solutions are developed through creative thinking guided by the design process. Students learn to find problems and solve them by working on teams and on their own, collaborating, arguing constructively, and creating solutions that are meaningful not only for them but for all people. This aspect of class addresses the second driving question— ”How can we make things better?”

Thinking and doing in this way helps students to develop a way of being in the world that is different from many classes where knowledge acquisition is the goal. In Creative Expressions, students develop an understanding of their place and power in the world. What we are after, ultimately is a way of being a student that is best communicated as Understanding: “The capacity to use what you know flexibly in response to novel circumstances” (Hetland, Ed Leadership, 2/2013).

Experiences that develop such thinking include:• Museum trip (Berman Museum of Art)• Critical Viewing of everyday objects• Creation of an Autobiographical Genius Symbol• Study of Design Thinking and the Design Process• Problem Finding within the school community• Learning how to work in high functioning collaborative and cooperative teams• Developing speaking, listening, and empathy through weekly Touchstones Discussion

Project• Developing reflective, metacognitive skills through mindfulness practice, freewriting, and

discussion.

Eighth-Grade Creative Expressions delves more deeply into the acts of thinking, doing, and being. The foundation for these aspects was built in 7th grade, and it continues in 8th grade through more hands-on, active learning.

Thinking: Students begin by creating a cognitive map—a visual representation of how their thinking occurs. This is a design project that employs symbolic representation and allows us to explore metaphor as the basis for all human thinking. Throughout the class, we challenge student thinking through metaphor, freewriting, poetry, and novel experiences that force students to, as they immediately recognize, “Think Different” about the world and their observations.

Doing: Throughout the course in 8th grade students are doing things. From the creation of a cognitive map (above) to developing perspective and skills in seeing the world in new and unique ways through photography, to continuing their education of the design process and how it ties the class back to the two driving questions of, “Why are things the way they are?” and “How can we make them better?”, students are constantly challenged to practice enact their “Understanding”: “The capacity to use what [they] know flexibly in response to novel circumstances.” Being: In all that they do, students are developing a broader and deeper understanding of what it means to be human in the communities they inhabit. Whether they are examining the effect of changing the design of a homework application they’ve created, the way they move through the lunch line, or the way stop lights are positioned in their neighborhood, they realize their ideas have impacts on others. Being, in this way, is the effect of the curriculum and experiences we and our students create for ourselves and it results in a truly liberal education: One that “nurtures human freedom in the service of human community” (Cronon, William, “Only Connect”, online).

Experiences include:• Photography Cognitive Mapping

Poetry• Problem Finding Design Thinking

Rhetoric and Argumentation• Touchstones Discussion Project Freewriting

“The world isn’t a perfect place; far from it. But this class has encouraged me to try and make it a better place. I now have the knowledge and understanding through which I can influence others to open their minds and see the world in a different light.” --Cristina Istvan, 8th grade, 2013

Beliefs of Creative Expressions• All human beings have

the potential for genius• Creativity is a central

trait of genius• All human beings are

creators• Human beings learn by

doing and making.• Working with others is

crucial to the development of new ideas and extending our own knowledge.

• Viewing the world through critical lenses helps us understand why things are the way they are.

• Acting upon our creative drive helps us design ways to make things better.

The design process, at its best,

integrates the aspirations of art,

science, and culture.

8th Gr. Choice Preferences

How Does This Work?

• All electives are ACD or BDF days• Band/Orchestra/Chorus – All Year

Commitment (You may participate in more than one music option with approval from the Music Dept.)

• OR• Art/FCS/Computers – Semester – Choose Two

3 Concerts a yearYou can be in more than one group

Wide variety of repertoireAdvancing Skills and Techniques

8th Grade Chorus, Band, and Orchestra

Computer Applications8th Grade Preferences

2013-2014

Computer Applications – 8th Grade Preferences

• Review of Microsoft Office Basics

• Graphics Design

• Science Fair Integration

• Internet Research/Safety

• Video Editing

• Mobile Device Integration

Computer Applications – 8th Grade Preferences• Web 2.0

• Creating, collaborating, editing & sharing.• User generated content online

• Web 2.0 Tools Samples• Google Docs• Animoto/WeVideo• My Big Campus• QR Codes

8th Grade - Nutrition Lab

Objectives Practical Application

• Nutrition, health and wellness for life

• Safe food preparation• Reading a recipe and following

directions sequentially

• Foods labs using whole grains

8th Grade - Consumer Lab

Objectives Practical Application

• Consumer sewing skills• Career discovery

• Recycle/refurbishment sewing project that turns a t-shirt into a backpack

• Design project using duct tape• Career informational interview

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.

8th Grade Art

New Mediums New Techniques

• Wood• Glass • Ceramics • Printmaking• Japanese Watercolors • Papier-mâché

• Green Art • Sculptures with Found

Objects• Texturing and Layering

Paints

Student's will learn the techniques of drawing, value perspective, color and design theory. and art history

Traditional Mediums Art Theory and Education • Painting • Oil Pastels • Watercolors• Value Pencils • Pen and Ink

• Analysis of Form • Color and Design• Still Life• Figure Drawing • Figure Modeling• Perspective• Sketching For Communication