8th Grade Course Catalog
Required Courses
English 8 (Required Course) This is a systematic literature-based program that is aligned with the California State Standards for eighth grade language arts. It integrates reading, written and oral language, and spelling. This is done through core literature books, a literature anthology, a spelling textbook, and grammar materials.
Social Science 8 (Required Course) This course is aligned with the California State Standards for eighth grade social science. The course covers United States history and geography: growth and conflict. Students will study the ideas, issues, and events from the framing of the Constitution up to World War I.
Honors Core (Optional Course in lieu of regular English and Social Studies) The honors core classes cover the same material as regular core (English 8 and Social Science 8), but examine the concepts in greater depth. Additionally, the honors core classes will require a rigorous analysis of literature, additional written work, and more in-depth class discussion. It is a challenging course and is designed for the student who demonstrates above average reading, writing and critical thinking skills, and who wants to experience a highly challenging curriculum that will prepare the student for future honors courses.
Dual Immersion Core (Optional Course in lieu of regular English and Social Studies--Must be currently enrolled in DI program) The dual immersion core classes cover the same material as regular core; however, social science is taught in Spanish. This core class will require students to take an additional class called Spanish for Spanish Speakers. Students interested in taking an elective must take a zero period class.
Math 8 (Required Class) Math courses are aligned with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. Students will select the grade level course for registration. Students taking algebra or geometry will be placed in the appropriate class after registration.
Algebra (Optional Course in lieu of regular Math 8) Algebra 1 provides formal development of the algebra concepts and skills necessary for students who will take geometry and other advanced college preparatory courses. This course is offered to students who qualify according to the district’s math placement matrix.
Science 8 (Required Course) This course is aligned with the California State Standards for eighth grade science. Students will be doing group and individual assignments focusing on physical science. Students will learn about motion, forces, structure of matter, earth in the solar system, reactions, chemistry of living systems, the periodic table, density and buoyancy, and investigation and experimentation.
PE (Required Course) This course follows the California State Standards for eighth grade Physical Education. Students will participate in a program emphasizing active participation, fitness, and motor development. Appropriate physical education attire is required.
Elective Courses
NOTE: 8th graders interested in an additional elective must choose a music class (band classes, orchestra classes, or vocal music) as their first choice. 8th graders who take Spanish*, Resource or Dual Immersion Core do not need to take a music class to receive an additional elective. Having an additional elective will require these students to start their day with zero period (7:30 a.m. start time).
*Spanish is an 8th grade elective during zero period. An additional elective must be chosen from all choices including Leadership and T.A.
Advanced Band (Elective Course) Students will be playing woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. The school may provide instruments for students playing French horn, baritone horn, or tuba. All other instruments should be provided by the student. One year of previous instruction on a band instrument is required of each student taking the course. Attendance at all performances is required.
Advanced Orchestra (Elective Course) Students will be playing a stringed instrument. The school may provide instruments for students playing viola, cello, or bass. All other instruments should be provided by the student. One year of previous instruction on a string instrument or teacher approval is required of each student taking the course. Attendance at all performances is required.
Art (Elective Course) Students will create a variety of two dimensional art using pencil, pen, tempera paint, water color, and acrylic paint. Techniques will be taught to improve artistic abilities, including shading, one point perspective and proportions when drawing. Additionally, they will have fun making three dimensional art projects using wire, clay, soapstone, and paper-mache. Projects include shields, masks, and a variety of sculptures.
Band (Elective Course) In this beginner-level course, students will be playing woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. The school may provide instruments for students playing French horn, trombone, baritone horn, or tuba. All other instruments should be provided by the student. Attendance at all performances is required.
Intro to Agriculture (Elective Course) Agriculture is much more than getting food from "farm to table." There are many steps in between, and in this course, students will explore all the different aspects of agriculture and the agricultural industries. Students will learn about animal and plant sciences, agriculture mechanics, forestry and natural resources, and communications, agribusiness and leadership, and how agriculture has a global impact on daily lives. This course is project based and hands on, so if you like to solve problems, figure out the big picture and are not afraid to get your hands dirty, you will like this course.
Intro to STEM (Elective Course--Previous STEM experience is NOT required) Intro to STEM focuses on using the engineering design process and digital tools for developing productivity, communication, and computation thinking skills to create games, art, stories, videos, and solve real life problems. If you are interested in electronics, 3D modeling, programming, video production, and creating, then this course is for you! The course includes content from PLTW Design and Modeling and Magic of Electrons, Amazon Future Engineers Project STEM, and Google’s Applied Digital Skills.
Leadership (Elective Course--Requires an additional application) Students in this class organize many campus activities. These activities include dances, noontime activities, community service projects, dress-up days, staff appreciation projects, campus improvement, and fundraisers. By participating in this class, each student’s basic leadership skills will be improved and the school as a whole will benefit. After school responsibilities are required. Students must complete an extra application found in the registration form.
Orchestra (Elective Course) In this beginner-level course, students will be playing a stringed instrument. The school may provide instruments for students playing viola, cello, or bass. All other instruments should be provided by the student. Attendance at all performances is required.
Spanish 1A/B (Elective Course) This course is an introduction to the Spanish language and covers all of the content of Spanish 1A and Spanish 1B and is recommended for students in good academic standing. Students will begin learning the Spanish language through listening, speaking, writing, and reading in the language. If students are successful in this one-year program, they will be recommended to take Spanish 2 when they go to high school. This class is offered as a zero period class ONLY.
STEM 1 (Elective Course--Previous STEM experience is NOT required) STEM 1 will explore three PLTW programs. You will become an engineer as you use the design process to design, prototype, and test models to learn about the science of flight and what it takes to travel and live in space. You will also learn the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics. This includes learning about mechanical systems, energy transfer, computer controls and block coding with VexVR. Newly added, this course will also cover making “green” choices in the fields of architecture and construction by exploring dimensioning, measuring, and architectural sustainability as you create affordable housing units. Note: It is not necessary to take Intro to STEM before taking STEM 1.
STEM 2 (Elective Course--Previous STEM experience is NOT required) STEM 2 is a hands-on class where students learn about the careers of computer programmers and medical detectives. By learning basic coding. You will make usable and interactive projects with Micro:bits and design and build apps to help track diseases, create study aids, and build games and a fitness app. As medical detectives, you will explore medical and forensic careers by diagnosing diseases and evaluating crime scene evidence. This course covers three PLTW programs: Computer Science for Innovators and Makers, App Creators, and Medical Detectives. Note: It is not necessary to take STEM 1 before taking STEM 2.
Student Assistant (Elective Course) Also known as TA, an 8th grade student may be an assistant for the main office, library, or for a specific teacher. Students are graded “Pass”/”Fail.” Students must complete the schedule change request form once schedules have been distributed in August. A link will be available on the left-hand side of the registration section of the website.
Ukulele (Elective Course) In this beginner-level course, students will cover various aspects of understanding the instrument and the music that can be created with it. Students will learn to pick notes reading both standard music notation and tab. Using “Ukeoke” (a karaoke style app for ukulele), the class will play a variety of songs from current hits to standards that require students to read and play chords using different strumming patterns.
Vocal Music (Elective Course) This is an elective course designed to introduce students to the musical concepts of tone, pitch, rhythm, and music reading. This course will offer students the opportunity to learn the basics of vocal production. As members of a choral ensemble students will be exposed to a variety of music styles. Attendance at all performances is required.