West Deptford Middle School

Eighth Grade

Electives Course

Booklet

2015-2016 School Year

2

West Deptford Middle School

675 Grove Road

West Deptford, NJ 08066-1999 (856) 848-1200

Dear Seventh Grade Parents/Guardians,

This booklet describes the electives that are available for our 8th grade students. Please re-

view the options carefully so that you can help

your child make a good decision for their 8th

grade year.

The goal of our 8th Grade Elective program is

to help our students develop interests and/or tal-ents that they may not have been exposed to

thus far in the middle school.

During the summer months, we will create a

schedule for your child including at least one of

their elective choices, provided that the availabil-

ity is there.

*Please Note: If your child demonstrates a need

for additional support in the areas of Mathematics

and/or English Language Arts, he/she may be

required to take a supplemental class as an ex-tension of the regular 8th grade course. These

classes will replace one or more electives in your

child’s schedule.

Please feel free to contact me with any ques-

tions.

Sincerely,

Charles Zimmerman

Assistant Principal for Curriculum

and Instruction

856-848-1200 Ext. 3233

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Directions

Please follow the directions carefully:

Choose electives that you would like to

take in 8th grade.

Put an X next to the 4 ELECTIVES that

you would like to take.

These selected electives will be taken into

consideration when creating a schedule for

the student.

Students will be scheduled for two of the

electives listed in this booklet. Please

note: Band and Spanish I each count as two electives as they are full-year courses that meet six days per cycle.

The back page of this booklet is a sample

of elective choices for a student

Complete the worksheet by May 19 and

return to your Literacy teacher.

Parent/guardian questions should be directed

to Mrs. Paglione at extension 3241.

*Please Note:

Spanish I placement will require 7th grade

Literacy teacher recommendation.

Algebra I placement requirements are

listed on page 4 of this booklet.

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Eighth Grade Required

Academic Curriculum

The following academic courses are required for all 8th grade students:

Literacy

Mathematics Math 8 or Algebra I *Pending Eligibility

Social Studies

Science

Health/Physical Education

*Algebra I Requirements: Students will be selected for this course based on the following:

Superior math grades

Algebra Entrance Exam

STAR Math Benchmark Assessment

LinkIt Math Benchmark Assessment

*Please Note: Successful completion of Algebra I is the prerequisite for entry into

Geometry at West Deptford High School.

Students who meet the Algebra I place-

ment criteria will be notified via mail dur-

ing the summer.

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Eighth Grade Electives Curriculum

Scheduling Possibilities

Full Year—Full Cycle:

These classes meet every day throughout the

school year. This elective would override all other elective choices.

Band

Spanish

Full Year—Half Cycle:

These classes meet one period a day for 3 days in

a 6-day cycle

Engineering Design

Creative Computing

Computer Technology

Introduction to Computer Graphics

Dimensions in Art

Music Technology

Exploring Fitness

Creative Writing

Use Your Noodle

Digital Design and Manufacturing

Technology:

one semester Technology Presentation

one semester 3D Printing

Half Year—Extensions Courses: These classes meet one period a day for 3 days in

a 6-day cycle. Student enrollment will be sched-

uled by semesters based on a demonstration of

need for support.

Math Extensions

Language Arts Extensions

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FINE ARTS

Band (Full-Year Elective) Full Year Elective

*Classes meets one period daily

8th grade band is our fifth year instrumental music experience. It is a course with individ-

ual lessons. Although we will continue to de-

velop and refine our technical skills as musi-

cians, the emphasis will shift to jazz, improvi-

sation and ear-training. Students learn to im-

provise over 12-bar blues patterns as well as other standard popular music forms and

chord progressions. We build on the scales,

modes and key signatures taught in the first

three years of Instrumental Music Instruction.

There is additional time spent listening to and critiquing various recorded performances.

Students will read extensively from band rep-

ertoire. We will also take a more formal ap-

proach to developing sight-reading skills.

There will be two formal concerts in December

and May as well as a performance at the 8th

grade closing ceremony. Other informal per-

formances will happen at various times

throughout the year.

Class discussions will strengthen the connec-

tion between music and the other core

curriculum subjects. Band is a great way to

learn a lot while you have a lot of fun. Work-

ing toward playing to the best of your ability is what counts.

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FINE ARTS

Choir (Daily Homeroom Class) This course is scheduled by the music

department and meets during homeroom.

Let your voice be heard! Be a part of our choir

and learn to make music with your own built-in instrument. Find out how YOUR unique

voice works to sound its best. Choir members

perform all kinds of musical styles and partici-

pate in many activities both in our school and

beyond our doors. Being in choir involves

teamwork, musical expression, listening skills, physical conditioning and concentration. No

audition is necessary. Choir meets during

homeroom with weekly lessons for each sec-

tion held during class time or recess/lunch.

In addition, choir performs in both the Winter

and Spring Concerts.

Students enrolled in this class get a grade for

homeroom choir. They are also tested on their

knowledge of the music, and also graded on

attendance and participation. We start every morning singing together ~ come join us.

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STEM

Full Year Elective

*Classes meet one period/3 days in a 6 day cycle

Engineering Design

In this class students will spend 2 semesters

focused on Robotics. Through robotics design,

students will explore the fundamentals of engi-

neering and electronics. The course will consist

of lectures including principles of engineering, physics, electronics, mechanics, and computer

programming. Laboratory experiments will re-

quire students to build simple robots to demon-

strate these principles. The design process will

be emphasized as the robots are tested and

their designs are modified.

Creative Computing

Creative computing is about creativity. The

course will introduce students to computer cod-

ing language and enable them to create interac-

tive stories, games, animations, and simula-tions. Students will also strengthen their under-

standing of algebraic concepts using the Boot-

strap programming curriculum. The final project

will focus on the development of a computer

based game using a design-based approach. De-sign learning is an approach

that emphasizes designing, personalizing, collaborating,

and reflecting.

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STEM Full Year Elective

*Classes meet one period/3 days in a 6 day cycle

Technology Presentation—One Semester

Utilize everyday and real world technology to

assist in effectively conveying your message.

You will create presentations in preparation for high school, college, and beyond. Fundraisers,

public service announcements, advertising, and

more! Students will collaborate

to develop public speaking skills

and presentations using audio and video technologies with the

assistance of Movie Maker,

Audacity, and more!

AND

3D Printing – One Semester

3D Printing is a manufacturing process where objects are built up layer by layer from plastic

media. This technology allows for rapid produc-

tion of prototypes and customized products. If

you can design it, you can create it with a 3D

printer! Students in this course will learn how to be makers by using 3D modeling software to de-

sign and print actual physical objects for every-

day use.

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STEM Full Year Elective

*Classes meet one period/3 days in a 6 day cycle

Digital Design and Manufacturing

This course focuses on the principles of three-

dimensional digital design. Students will conceptualize, prototype, and create a variety of

products with real-world use. Students will

utilize a variety of 3D design programs as they

apply skills in problem solving and creativity to

the creation of authentic products printed using

MakerBot 3D printers. This project-based course will allow students to explore the world

of 3D printing as an emerging manufacturing

technology that has already begun to

revolutionize our world.

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY Full Year Elective

*Classes meet one period/3 days in a 6 day cycle

Computer Technology Learn how to use computers to assist you in your other classes. Technology concepts are the

primary focus for this elective. These concepts

include keyboarding skills, word processing,

information systems and CD-ROMs, network

awareness, internet and telecommunications,

multimedia and electronic presentations, databases, spreadsheets, and desktop

publishing along with paint, drawing and

graphics. This elective will assist you with

incorporating computer technology in your

educational production throughout high school.

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FINE ARTS Full Year Elective

*Classes meet one period/3 days in a 6 day cycle

Introduction to Computer Graphics

This class is an introductory course that will

acquaint students with graphic design tech-niques, principles of art, elements of design,

desktop publishing and computer generated

documents such as logos, greeting cards, news

letters, clip art, flyers and other communica-

tion design projects. For students planning to

continue their study of visual arts and commu-nication design, this course offers a foundation

for the understanding and appreciation of visu-

al arts and communication design.

Dimensions in Art This course will provide students with an op-

portunity to express their creativity through

exposure to the basic principles and elements of two (2) and three (3) dimensional art. Hands

-on activities that provide an exploration of the

basics of drawing, painting and sculpting,

make up the content of this elective. For those

students planning to continue their study of

art, this course offers a foundation for the un-derstanding of and appreciation of visual arts.

Music Technology

Create modern day music on your laptop while

understanding the basic musical concepts of

melody, harmony, and rhythm. From Adele

to Zeppelin, you can learn how they get their

sound, and what you can do to sound like them. If you like music and you like to work

hard to get things right, this class is for you!

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HEALTH and PHYSICAL EDUCATION ELECTIVES

Full Year Elective

*Classes meet one period/3 days in a 6 day cycle

Exploring Fitness

This course is designed to give students the op-

portunity to learn fitness concepts and condition-

ing techniques used for obtaining optimal physi-

cal fitness and explore the different opportunities

available for a career in the fitness world. Stu-

dents will benefit from comprehensive fitness

training and cardiorespiratory endurance activi-

ties. Students will learn the basic fundamentals

of endurance running, circuit training, interval

training, nutrition, and overall fitness training

and conditioning. The course includes both

classroom lecture and activity sessions. Students

will be empowered to make wise choices, meet

challenges, and develop positive behaviors in fit-

ness, wellness, and movement activity for a life-

time.

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LANGUAGE ARTS ELECTIVES Full Year Elective

*Classes meet one period/3 days in a 6 day cycle

Creative Writing

This full-year course is designed with the cre-

ative student-writer in mind. Designed

around a workshop setting, students explore a

variety of genres which include the short sto-

ry, persuasive writing, satire, the informal es-say, reviewing writing, and poetry, to name a

few. A love for writing and desire to work col-

laboratively with classmates are a must.

Use Your Noodle

Do you like the idea of watching television

shows and movies in class? How about listen-

ing to different kinds of music? Sound like fun? Then this is the class for you. If you

have ever thought that there is more to the

shows and movies you watch, then you are

ready to enter into the thoughtful study of

philosophy. We will use movies, television shows, literature, poetry and even a variety of

music to explore the fascinating world of phi-

losophy. The skills you learn in this class will

take your “thinking” to a level you never

thought possible. Think like a philosopher,

use your noodle!

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Extensions Courses Semester Elective

*Classes meet one period/3 days in a 6 day cycle

Placement in these courses will be determined by

a demonstration of a need for additional support and teacher recommendation. Student enrollment

will be scheduled by semesters based on a demon-

stration of need for support. These courses will lim-

it or replace selected electives.

**Students selected for these courses will be notified over the summer by mail.**

In order to be successful in high school and

prepared for the PARCC Assessment, it is critical

that students leave the middle school with a strong command of literacy and mathematics

skills.

Math Extensions

This course is for students who need additional

instruction in math. Students will review the

major math concepts focusing on improvement and preparation for high school.

Language Arts Extensions

This course is designed for students who need

additional instruction in reading comprehension

and writing expres-

sion. Students will review techniques for

strengthening read-

ing and writing skills.

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WORLD LANGUAGE Full Year Elective

*Classes meets one period daily

Spanish I

Spanish is a full-year, high school level class

that is held every day. It requires daily home-work and study. Since there are limited seats,

admission will be determined by benchmark

assessment scores and grades received in 7th

grade. After successful completion of this

class, students may take Spanish II as a 9th

grade student.

Spanish I offers the same content as the high

school level I class. Students will learn to

speak informally, to use correct grammar, and

to do limited amount of reading and writing. Students will learn how people live in the

countries whose language is being studied,

what they do for work and pleasure, and how

their life-style compares to ours.

*Spanish Requirement:

Literacy Teacher Approval

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SAMPLE Course Selection Sheet Please read the elective booklet BEFORE you

make a decision.

Step 1: Choose ONLY if you are interested in this elective.

* Literacy Teacher recommendation required. Full-Time Electives (meet every day). _____ *Spanish I * Literacy Teacher Signature ________________ _____ Band NOTE: Choir is scheduled by the music department and will meet during homeroom. __________________________________________________________

Step 2: Place an X next to FOUR ELECTIVES from the list

below. A schedule will be created for you. Half –Time Electives (meet 3 days in a cycle of 6 days)

______ Engineering Design ______ Creative Computing ______ Tech. Presentation/3D Printing ______ Digital Design and Manufacturing ______ Computer Technology ______ Introduction to Computer Graphics ______ Dimensions in Art ______ Music Technology ______ Exploring Fitness ______ Creative Writing ______ Use Your Noodle

Parent Signature Required: ___________________________________ Return by TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015