Grade 8 Course Selection Guide

This full year course is designed to assist students in continuing their growth in reading, writing, speaking, listening and research skills. This course is developed around ELA priority standards in the areas of reading informational text, reading literature, writing, speaking and listening. Students will read and analyze literature and poetry. There will be numerous opportunities for students to write, and to learn and develop grammar. Vocabulary instruction will be addressed through the study of words in the context of literature. Students will conduct research, write a research paper, and create a presentation. Students will be expected to read and present at least one independent reading book.    

This rigorous full year course is designed to assist students in continuing their growth in reading, writing, speaking, listening and research skills. This course is developed around ELA priority standards in the areas of reading informational text, reading literature, writing, speaking and listening. This course focuses on the analysis of more complicated themes in literature. Extensive, independent reading as well as interpretive, analytical, and creative writing is required. Writing is an integral part of the course. Vocabulary and spelling reflect the literature studied. A written and oral research project is required. Students must have a command of grammar, usage and mechanics.   The writing component of the course requires facility with the application of grammar, usage, and conventions.

This course is designed to implement the goals of the IEP and parallels the curriculum of Academic Language Arts - English 8.

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
This course focuses on ELA priority standards in the area of reading informational text, reading literature, writing, speaking and listening. This course seeks to help students read effectively across the curriculum by providing explicit instruction and a smaller class size. Students will read and analyze short stories and nonfiction text in whole group, small group and individual settings. Text dependent analysis will be taught and practiced on a regular basis through differentiated instruction. Students will engage in word study through learning prefixes, suffixes, and roots. Students will read independently to foster a love of reading.
 

This course is designed to implement the goals of the IEP and parallels the curriculum of the Language Arts – Literacy Skills 8 Program.
 

This full-year, multidimensional Reading class for Entering and Emerging EL students (Newcomers) integrates all four domains of speaking, reading, writing and listening in a balanced and structured way to enable EL students to make continued growth in their language and literacy development. This course is designed to strengthen students’ reading skills by engaging students in daily, intensive reading instruction with a focus on word analysis, vocabulary, reading fluency, and comprehension skills and strategies aligned with the Council Rock reading curriculum. The course is co-taught by an ELD Specialist and a Reading Specialist. Placement in the course is determined by the ELD Specialist and informed by WIDA ACCESS/WIDA Screener scores. Small group instruction (capped at 14).

This course will provide a strong mathematical foundation by extending previous knowledge to prepare students for the formal study of Algebra 1. Topics include the real number system, solving multi-step step equations, functions, in-depth study of the application of geometry, statistics, probability, rate of change, slope, graphing linear equations, exponents, and scientific notation. These topics are developed conceptually and focus on application in real life situations. We recommend the TI-30 calculator.

This course is designed to provide students with a mathematically sound understanding of the concepts of Algebra. The student will develop fundamental algebraic skills and concepts based on the structure of the system of real numbers. Topics will include equations, inequalities, problem solving, polynomials, factoring, graphs and functions, simultaneous equations, irrational numbers, square roots, relations, functions, and variation. Challenging problems are assigned, and independent work is required.  Because graphing activities are integrated throughout classroom presentations and textbook activities, a graphing calculator is required for this course. We recommend the TI-84 Plus calculator or the TI-84 CE calculator. 

Honors Algebra 2 reviews and extends the concepts of Honors Algebra 1 by going into more depth in studying equations, inequalities, problem solving, factoring, irrational numbers, linear equations and simultaneous equations. New topics include the study of complex numbers, functions and their inverses, polynomial, quadratic, exponential and logarithmic functions. Students should be highly motivated, able to think and process math concepts quickly and in alternate fashions. Because graphing activities are integrated throughout classroom presentations and textbook activities, a graphing calculator is required for this course. We recommend the TI-84 Plus calculator or the TI-84 CE calculator.

This course is designed to implement the goals of the student's IEP and parallels the curriculum of Academic Math 8.
 

The Academic Earth Science course is a comprehensive coverage of Earth and Space topics designed to help develop and maintain an interest in science and its effect on human society. This course includes the major concepts of Earth Science, which include Astronomy, Meteorology, Oceanography and Geology with an emphasis on surface formations and the processes that change and shape the Earth’s crust. Also included in this course will be an introduction to Chemistry and chemical interactions.

The course will include activities that help develop students’ learning skills such as reading comprehension, scientific literacy and mathematical applications.

Students will be expected to create graphs from data as well as analyze the graphs. Students are encouraged to understand Earth Science concepts by putting them into practice with associated laboratory activities and simulations.

The Honors Science 8 course is an in-depth study of Earth and Space topics and how these topics are interrelated to themselves and to past science concepts studied. The areas of Earth Science examined include Astronomy, Meteorology, Oceanography and Geology with an emphasis on the Earth’s composition and structure, surface features and how they form as well as the processes that cause the surface to change. Also included in this course will be an introduction to Chemistry and chemical interactions  The course will require students to not only use learning skills they already possess but to also develop new skills while completing the course. Inquiry-based lab activities and simulations will be used to guide and reinforce topics covered in the course. Students therefore will be expected to show an understanding of the relationship between the information gained by lab activities to the course concepts being tested. The students will also use scientific literacy, mathematical applications and graphing skills to express their knowledge of the concepts covered. 

This course is designed to implement the goals of the IEP and parallels the curriculum of Academic Science 8.

The Gifted Science 8 Program focuses on Earth and Space topics that includes the processes that occur on and above the planet to shape our world. The areas examined include Geology, Meteorology, Astronomy in addition to an introduction to Chemistry and Chemistry interactions, as well as Physics. The topics covered include, but are not limited to, the following areas: Weather and Water, Earth’s History, Gravity and Energy, and Waves.  

This program is designed to include the “how” as well as the “what” of science. Students will learn how scientific information is acquired as well as the information itself. This will be done through an effective student-centered approach to learning that engages the students physically and mentally in an inquiry-based laboratory program as well as formalized daily instruction, testing and laboratory reports. 

This course is designed for those students who manifest the special interest, motivation, creativity, critical thinking, and other indicators of potential for becoming productive, practicing scientists. This course will expand, and enhance the core learning for gifted students through differentiated learning experiences, that supports personal development, responsible citizenship, and life-long learning among our students. Students will also be encouraged to develop their creativity and individuality through various project/group activities such as: case studies, outside readings, current events, experimental design and career exploration.

Students will be encouraged to develop the skills of analysis, application and problem solving to aid them in understanding the material covered in this course. This course is designed to have students apply their knowledge of the concepts. This will be achieved through data analysis, diagram interpretation and the use of models, connecting and relating ideas to one another through inquiry-based learning. 
 

Content and skills of the course are designed to enable students to demonstrate an understanding of chronological development and historical comprehension. Critical and spatial thinking are developed through the use of analytical and interpretive skills. This program continues to develop research skills, and is designed to support the academic standards as outlined by NCSS, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the Council Rock School District.

The course will reflect an emphasis on writing styles, research skills, and interpretation and analysis of primary sources. Students will demonstrate an understanding of chronological development and historical comprehension. Critical and spatial thinking will be emphasized by developing analytical and interpretive skills. This program is designed to support the academic standards as outlined by NCSS, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the Council Rock School District.

This course is designed to implement the goals of the student's IEP and parallels the curriculum of Academic Social Studies 8.

The scope of this course encompasses study of American History from the events leading to the implementation of the Constitution to the Reconstruction period. Debate and discussion skills will be developed in this course and writing will also be emphasized. Instruction is based on multiple resources, related literature, and student research. Additionally, Challenge Based Learning (CBL) and Project Based Learned (PBL) are essential in implementing the curriculum. Both CBL and PBL challenge students to explore deeply an element of the curriculum that coincides with their interests or aptitudes. In PBL, the student devises a project reflecting research. CBL offers the student an opportunity to synthesize their research with a current issue. 
 

Students will study personal health skills such as decision- making and goal setting as well as communication and relationships, substance abuse prevention, consumer health, personal safety, and first aid. Students' knowledge, skills and understanding will be assessed using multiple approaches including cooperative learning activities, projects, and class discussions. 

The physical education program is designed to teach students the value of staying active, the importance of personal fitness, and the need to respect the rights of others while participating in competitive situations. Emphasis is on the development of skills and knowledge through participation in a wide variety of team, individual, and lifetime activities.  Students will be tested for physical fitness and encouraged to maintain and improve their fitness level.  

The eighth grade visual arts course will enable students to showcase their creative voice through the work they produce. Students will create works of art that explore mark making, value, unity and contrast.  Students will experiment with styles of Representation including Realistic, Abstract, Distorted Reality and Optical Illusions. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of artists including but not limited to Salvadore Dali, Bridget Riley, Claes Oldenberg, and Takashi Murakami.

The Information Technology eighth grade course is designed to reinforce the knowledge and skills acquired in the seventh grade Introduction to Information Technology course and to further advance the students' technology skills and knowledge based on the Emerging Computer & Information Technology standards.   Information Technology studies will include:

• Using Google Workspace & Microsoft 365
• Databases (Microsoft Access)
• Web Page Design 
• Desktop Publishing 
• Internet Safety
   

This course prepares individuals for their roles as lifelong learners and contributing family and community members. The eighth grade program concentrates on the areas of foods, nutrition, clothing care and financial literacy with a focus on managing available resources to provide for personal and family needs.

Content areas include the development of process skills in:

• Decision Making
• Consumerism
• Applied Nutrition
• Leadership and Management
• Food Safety
• Reading and understanding nutrition labels
• Recognizing negative effects of eating too much sugar
• Making healthy food choices
• Clothing care and repair

These skills are needed to solve complex problems and challenges of daily living in the 21st Century.

As a sequence to the Guided Exploration 7 course, the 8th grade curriculum emphasizes the application of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens for making future life choices.
 

The eighth grade music program continues to explore the elements of music. Students experience many musical styles. Composing, performing and listening activities highlight the program to help students further develop their musical understanding. 

Understanding technology and its usefulness is essential for success in our rapidly changing world. Teamwork and problem solving are stressed as students pursue meaningful, real world activities that build a strong foundation for practical application of technology. This course, in combination with Technology & Engineering 7, is an exploration in four areas of technology: communications, manufacturing, construction, and transportation.