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Little Miami Junior High
605 Welch Road
Morrow, Ohio 45152
Principal, Brian Bailey
Asst. Principal, Tom Turner
EIGHTH GRADE COURSES Required Courses Elective Choices<
Class Choices Depending on the students interest they will need to select anywhere from three to nine elective sections. Most electives will switch on a trimester basis with a few switching twice during the twelve week trimester.
EXAMPLE 8TH GRADE SCHEDULE- Notice electives are during 1,2,3 and core courses 4,5,6,7 periods. Period 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 1st Trimester Comp Lit Encore Health S. Studies Science Algebra Lang Arts 2nd Trimester Phys Ed Art Encore S. Studies Science Algebra Lang Arts 3rd Trimester Encore Comp App CPR S. Studies Science Algebra Lang Arts 1st 2nd 3rd Spanish Gifted Band Spanish Gifted Band Spanish Gifted Band
Notice in the schedule to the left, if students take band, Jazz band, gifted or a foreign language they limit the amount of other electives they can take, because they are full year courses.
When placing students into electives, we make every effort to place them in one or more of their choices. However, based on the number of students interested in the course, and how the courses are arranged in the daily schedule, spots may be limited. It is at the discretion of the counselor and administration as to how many students are permitted to take a specific course.
Language Arts
800 Eighth Grade Language Arts
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 55 Min. Duration: Year Long
Eighth grade students will be reading and writing about an array of novels throughout the school year. Students will be expected to read much of these novels independently. We will also explore many short stories from the Literature book. Many different types of writing will be assigned this year such as narrative, research, compare/contrast, and persuasive. During the year, we will be preparing for the 8th grade reading assessment with the curriculum that is aligned with the standards and benchmarks.
Eighth Grade Language Arts Encore
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: Year Long
Literature Circles are small temporary discussion groups who have chosen to read the same story, poem, article, or book. While reading each group-determined portion of the text (either inside or outside the classroom), each member prepares to take specific responsibilities in the upcoming discussion. Everyone comes to the group with the notes needed to help perform the job. The circles have regular meetings, with discussion roles rotating each session. When they finish a book, the circle members plan a way to share highlights of their reading with other finishing groups. Once readers can successfully conduct their own wide-ranging, self-sustaining discussions, formal discussion roles may be dropped.
Mathematics
811 Foundations of Algebra-8th Grade
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 55 Min. Duration: Year Long
This is a high school credited course for a 1/2 credit. This course will encompass order of operations, scientific notation, number systems, properties, elementary statistics, probability, converting units of measurement, proportions, transformations, constructions, graphing and solving equations, polynomials, factoring, laws of exponents, and systems of equations.
812 Algebra-8th Grade
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 55 Min. Duration: Year Long
This is a high school credited course for 1 full credit. Topics include: solving various types of equations, solving linear inequalities, proportions, graphing relations, functions, inequalities, elementary statistics, solving systems of equations, polynomials, factoring, and solving and graphing quadratic equations.
8106 Eighth Grade Mathematics Encore
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: Year Long
This course will encompass a review of basic math facts including division, multiplication, percents, decimals, fractions, and operations with integers. Students will continue to develop problem solving skills, apply mathematics to real-world problems, and review measurement conversions. This course will also incorporate concepts and vocabulary that will be seen on the Ohio Achievement Test for 8th grade mathematics.
Science
821 Eighth Grade Science
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 55 Min. Duration: Year Long
The eighth grade science curriculum is broken down into three major content areas: Science and Technology, Earth and Space Science, and Physical Science. First trimester focuses on Science and Technology, Scientific Inquiry, Scientific Ways of Knowing, and Physical Science. The second trimester is devoted to Earth Science, and in the third trimester, students explore the wonder of Space Science. Each trimester requires students to complete one research-based project. During the first trimester the students will participate in a science fair that will allow them to apply the scientific inquiry skills that are introduced at the beginning of the year. The second trimester will conclude with the students creating an Earth Science ABC book that demonstrates the students' knowledge of the concepts that they have studied throughout the trimester. Finally, the students will create a research PowerPoint presentation during third trimester that covers the advances of space exploration. Eighth grade science is designed to develop students' scientific literacy, while providing them the opportunities to experience scientific phenomena first hand. We expect that by the end of the year the students will have mastered an understanding of the scientific themes, an ability to use the processes of science, an adoption of scientific attitudes, and an understanding of the nature of science. This course presents easy connections between the state mandated concepts and the students' existing knowledge, and it serves as a vehicle for gaining understanding, and achieving intellectual growth.
Eighth Grade Science Encore
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: Year Long
This course is designed to provide meaningful experiences with concrete materials, which are necessary for learning science concepts. The activities presented in this class offer hands-on instruction with concepts related to the life, physical and earth sciences; and they promote the "Five E" model of learning (engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate). The course will be broken down into the following six themes: Air and Water, Heat and Energy, Light and Sound, Magnetism and Electricity, Living Things, and Science Equipment and Models. Each day the students will participate in activities that require them to follow a scientific procedure and answer observation questions. The activities have been designed to support the overall school curriculum and have been matched to the student's levels of ability. After each activity, the teacher will conduct group discussions that clarify student ideas through questioning strategies and the use of support materials like pictures, charts, data, tables, etc. Our intention is that this course will make learning science easier, enjoyable and successful.
Social Studies
832 Eighth Grade Social Studies
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 55 Min. Duration: Year Long
8th grade social studies begins with the early Colonial time in America. Using state standards the course weaves its way through the beginning of American History through the end of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Along the way, students will study the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers, the war of 1812, the Industrial Revolution, and Manifest Destiny among many other topics.
Eighth Grade Social Studies Encore
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: Year Long
Eighth grade social studies encore will focus on The Constitution. Students will view and discuss the three primary articles which focus on the Three Branches of Government. Students will view various articles and cases and participate in a cooperative learning environment that will foster a better understanding of important aspects of our Government and its procedures.
Electives
843 Fitness-Elective
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: 12 weeks
8th grade fitness focuses on developing students physically, mentally, and socially. When students reach 8th grade, the focus turns to total body fitness. In this course, the ABC principal is applied. The ABC principal states that anyone can be fit. Students will understand that you do not have to be an athlete to develop and maintain an acceptable level of fitness. This course focuses on improving cardiovascular endurance and flexibility. Students will develop a personal fitness plan, learn the importance of proper nutrition, and learn about the composition of their body. Students will also review sexual abstinence and the harmful effects drugs, alcohol, and tobacco have on our bodies.
842 Computer Applications-Elective
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: 12 weeks
Students will develop a firm foundation for building keyboarding skills by learning the operation of word processing activities that will help each of them reach optimal competencies for high school, college and their work profession
Students will increase speed and accuracy through daily assignments. Students will format documents such as paragraphs, letters, reports, tables, spreadsheets, outlines, and numbered lists. Students will use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
841 Physical Education-Elective
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: 12 weeks
The students will be involved in a variety of activities that promote physical growth while taking individual abilities and differences into consideration. These activities will include a variety of fitness activities and testing, individual sports, along with small group and team activities. All students will be required to dress appropriately for class (shorts, sweats, tennis shoes, t-shirt or sweat shirt).
871 Art-Elective
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: 12 weeks
Art will provide an opportunity for each student to express their own personal creativity. Students will use various medium & artistic techniques to create their own personal work. The classes will encourage students to think, discover and develop the skills of problem solving, observation, critical and creative thinking. The Principles & Elements of Art will be introduced at the 8th grade to help in the transition to Art Fundamentals at the high school level.
861 Concert Band-Elective
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: Year Long
The goal of the 7th and 8th Grade Concert Band is to continue the musical development of third and fourth year instrumentalists. Materials covered include good tone production, finger/sticking technique, articulation, intonation, blend, breathing, rhythm, expression and music theory. Private lessons and participation at solo and ensemble contests are strongly encouraged. The full band meets daily and has four yearly requirements outside of school hours, which will include an honor band audition, two concerts and large band contest.
862 8th Grade Jazz Band Ensemble-Elective
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: Year Long
Students enrolled in 8th Grade Jazz Ensemble must maintain a very high level of musicianship, engage in additional practice hours and be willing to perform improvised solos during performances. The jazz ensemble meets daily and has numerous required performances at concerts and jazz festivals. Private lessons are required and can be taken at school or at an area music store. Other requirements include a jazz honor band audition and enrollment in 8th grade concert band. Enrollment is by audition only.
851 7th and 8th Grade Chorus-Elective
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: Year Long
Chorus members will continue to develop their young and changing voices through daily vocal exercises and the study of selected pieces from the choral repertoire. A variety of styles and languages will be learned, memorized, and performed. Students will be expected to participate in at least three out-of-school concerts throughout the school year. There are opportunities for performing as a soloist and in a small ensemble.
846 8th Gifted Encore-Elective
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: Year Long
This course is designed to meet the cognitive and social/emotional needs of the gifted student. The students will practice and learn higher-level thinking skills through the study of various topics. Some of the units explored in this course include: the legal system and conducting a mock trial, architecture and building toothpick bridges, holidays around the world, The Stock Market Game, kaleidoscopes and optical illusions, building an inflatable planetarium and astronomy. This course is multi-disciplinary and expands upon the eighth grade state standards in all subject areas. This class is designed to provide a cognitive outlet for the gifted student by offering more freedom that is generally possible in the regular classroom. Students are encouraged to express individual thoughts, creative thinking, and to find connections between multiple disciplines.
852 Music Basics-Elective
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: 12 weeks
This course is designed to give students an introduction to the fundamentals of song-writing and how music is put together. Students will study the elements of music and practice reading and writing music on a daily basis.
865 CPR-Elective
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: 6 weeks
Students are trained through the American Red Cross for acquiring life-saving skills in Infant and Child CPR with AED. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be given a card to acknowledge they have the skills and knowledge necessary to be able to care for victims in a variety of emergency situations.
866 Career Education-Elective
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: 6 weeks
This course helps the student achieve proficiency in decision making. The class teaches the students problem-solving as an essential skill for career planning and lifelong learning. Students use self-knowledge, educational, and career information to set and achieve realistic career and educational goals.
845 Computer and Information Literacy-Elective
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: 12 weeks
Students will navigate a computer network, accessing and saving files on both a local computer and network folder; learn basic Microsoft Office functions, focusing primarily on Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; and design Internet web pages using the Simple Text or Notepad application and HTML program code. 8th grade students will be exposed to a more rigorous program.
809 Spanish I-Elective
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: Year Long
Spanish I is an introduction to the Spanish language using basic vocabulary and simple grammar. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills are also developed. Students will study the culture of Spanish speaking countries. This is a high school credited course and students will be enrolled though an application and recommendation process.
808 French I-Elective
Grade Placement: 8 Meets: Daily 43 Min. Duration: Year Long
French I is an introductory course dealing with basic vocabulary and grammar. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills are developed. Students gain knowledge and understanding of the cultures and customs of the French-speaking world. This is a high school credited course and students will be enrolled though an application and recommendation process.