Course Descriptions GRADE 8
MATHEMATICS COURSES
Students performing below grade level in mathematics may be assigned to additional mathematics support courses. STUDENTS WILL BE PLACED IN ONE MATH COURSE
Middle School Algebra 8
[ full year ] Prerequisite / Selection process: District Placement Process Intended audience: Grade 8, [ Accelerated Grade 6 and 7 ] Major outcomes:
• Solution of equations
• Linear functions
• Properties of exponents Instructional focus: Instruction presented in a variety of ways, including use of manipulatives, discovery and small and large group discussions.
Honors HS Intermediate Algebra
[ full year ] Prerequisite / Selection process: Middle School Algebra Intended audience: Accelerated Grades 7 and 8 Credit: 1.0 high school credit earned with passing grade * Major outcomes: This course continues the extensive, connected, and applied study of mathematics from previous courses. Emphasis is on the development of multiple strategies to solve problems and to recognize multiple ways of understanding concepts, especially as it pertains to quadratic and exponential functions. It has strong threads woven throughout the course focusing on multiple representations, justifying thinking, and communicating the meaning of a solution. The topics covered in the course are:
• Functions, linear relationships
• Simplifying and solving
• Sequences
• Modeling two-variable data
• Exponential functions
• Quadratic functions
• Solving quadratic and inequalities Instructional focus: Instruction presented in a variety of ways; some hands-on activities and the use of a graphing calculator.
Honors HS Geometry
[ full year ] Prerequisite / Selection process: Honors HS Intermediate Algebra Intended audience: Grade 8 Credit: 1.0 high school credit earned with passing grade * Major outcomes: This course continues the extensive, connected, and applied study of mathematics from previous courses. It has strong threads woven throughout the course focusing on multiple representations, justifying thinking, and communicating the meaning of a solution. The topics covered in the course are:
• Shapes and transformations
• Angles and measurement
• Justification and similarity
• Congruent triangles
• Proof and quadrilaterals
• Polygons and circles
• Solids and constructions
• Circles and conditional probability
• Solids and circles Instructional focus: Instruction presented in a variety of ways; some hands-on activities, and more in-depth study of content. * Offered as high school credit; grades from this high school course may be reflected on high school transcript.
Honors Advanced Mathematics
[ full year ] Prerequisite / Selection process: District Placement Process Credit: Credit will vary depending upon the mathematics completed * Intended audience: Grades 7 and 8; designed for students who are mathematically gifted and perform significantly above grade level Major outcomes:
• Become proficient problem solvers using a variety of strategies
• Apply appropriate mathematical skills to real world situations
• Effectively communicate mathematical learning
Instructional focus: Individually paced instruction with a variety of instructional strategies. * Offered as high school credit; grades from this high school course may be reflected on high school transcript.
SCIENCE COURSES
CHOOSE 1
Science 8
[ full year ] Major outcomes:
• Knowledge of basic concepts related to force, motion, and energy
• Knowledge of the structure of matter
• Apply understandings about matter and energy to everyday life
Projects, activities, etc.: Projects and activities may include individual or group investigations that are both student and teacher directed that may involve forces and motion, energy transformations, and forces of nature. Instructional focus: Students will make indepth observations, ask questions, and generate creative valid explanations. They will be involved in experimental design, investigations, and designing and testing models. Students will be encouraged to apply skills and concepts to their everyday lives.
20 Middle School Registration Guide