Thoreau Middle School: Rising 8 th Grade Course Selection

When choosing classes for next year, consider… What goals do you have for high school? What goals do you have for after high school? Warning! Warning! Do NOT choose courses based on friends’ choices. You may not like where you end up! (And…Chances are, you will not be in the same class period anyway!)

High School Diploma Requirements

Advanced Diploma Course Requirements (26 credits) Subject AreaCreditVerified Credit English42 Mathematics42 Laboratory Science42 History & Social Sciences42 Foreign Language3 Health & P.E.2 Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education1 Economics and Personal Finance1 Electives3 Student Selected Test1 Total Credits269

8 th Grade Courses  Required Courses  English (or English Honors)  Civics Honors  Science Honors  Math : Strongly consider your math teacher’s recommendation!  Math 8  Algebra I  Algebra I Honors  Geometry Honors  Health & PE  Elective _________________________

Elective Courses Options 2 Year-Long Electives OR 1 Year-Long + 2 Semester Classes OR 4 Semester Classes

Year-Long Electives Band Band Orchestra Orchestra Advanced Men’s and Women’s Chorus Advanced Men’s and Women’s Chorus Literary Arts: Journalism WEXL (Media Communications) Advanced Theatre Arts – (prerequisite Speech and Theatre Arts) French 1 French 1 Spanish 1 Spanish 1

Band Welcomes beginning level students Welcomes beginning level students TMS band director will decide on appropriate placement in band classes Commitment to practice every evening Commitment to attend after school practice & evening performances Loaner Instruments available in some instances

Orchestra Welcomes beginning level students TMS orchestra director will decide on appropriate placement in classes Commitment to practice every evening Commitment to attend after school practices & evening performances Loaner instruments available in some instances

Advanced Mixed Chorus (by teacher placement only) Learn music theory & to sight sing Sing a variety of music – contemporary and standard repertoire Perform pop music in final concert Perform during the school day & evening

Vocal Ensemble (by Audition) Elite group of singers Emphasis on advanced repertoire, & a cappella singing Learn music in a variety of languages & cultures Focus on performance and advanced music theory

Media Communications-WEXL (only excepting 15 students) Learn correct tools for working in front & behind cameras, audio & video editing, script writing, create story boards, correct interviewing skills, research, digital photography & more Create, produce & broadcast shows for morning school news program -WEXL

Literary Arts: Journalism (Yearbook) Learn basic publication and journalism skills Write articles and design layout for school yearbook Work independently and in groups Utilize a variety of computer programs : MS Word, MS Excel, MS Publisher, MS PowerPoint, and Windows Movie Maker

Advanced Theatre Arts Appreciation Builds on skills learned in Speech & Theatre Arts Appreciation: Individual Acting and Performance Broadens Focus: writing, directing, production design, script analysis, criticism and more Continues to Explore: improvisation, study audition techniques, perform scripted monologues and scenes, write short plays Continues to Explore: improvisation, study audition techniques, perform scripted monologues and scenes, write short plays Prerequisite: Speech & Theatre Arts Appreciation.

Foreign Language Spanish I French I *These are High School Credit Classes! *Great way to get a jumpstart on your advanced diploma *You are not required to take a foreign language in 8 th grade.

Spanish 1 or French 1 I am willing to commit minutes of homework each night to reinforce /enhance my learning in the classroom. I will take advantage of opportunities to practice speaking and listening to French/Spanish. I am very organized. I make up work in a timely fashion. I plan to take 3-4 years of a foreign language in high school. I have self-discipline as a learner. I pay close attention in class and willingly participate.

Semester Electives Art Foundations Art Foundations Speech & Theatre Arts Appreciation Speech & Theatre Arts Appreciation Adv Theatre Arts Chorus Computer Solutions Digital Input Tech Family and Consumer Sciences Technology Exploration 8 Music Participation Lab

ART Foundations Explore a variety of art materials and art techniques (mixed media, papier-mâché, water color, pen & ink, print making etc.) Begin to develop a personal style & attain a high level of quality and craftsmanship in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking & crafts Participate in art shows and competitions Students evaluated on their own level

Speech & Theatre Arts Appreciation Develop confidence & learn how to relax before giving a presentation Develop confidence & learn how to relax before giving a presentation Observe successful speakers Observe successful speakers Engage in various speaking activities (reading news, telling children’s stories, performing in mock commercials, & staged debates) Engage in various speaking activities (reading news, telling children’s stories, performing in mock commercials, & staged debates) Write & perform monologues and pantomimes Write & perform monologues and pantomimes Read & write short scripts Read & write short scripts Explore improvisation Explore improvisation Engage in Theatre Sports Engage in Theatre Sports No test or quizzes No test or quizzes

Theatre Arts Appreciation Prerequisite: Speech and Theatre Arts App

Chorus Learn music theory Learn music theory Learn to sight sing Learn to sight sing Sing a variety of music – mixed contemporary and standard repertoire Sing a variety of music – mixed contemporary and standard repertoire Perform today’s pop music Perform today’s pop music

Music Participation Lab Learn about many genres of music: Jazz, Classical, hip-hop, etc. Get a chance to try playing guitar and piano

Technology Education - Mr. Guyer (Formerly Computer Solutions) Hybrid between what computer solutions used to be and tech ed. Complete projects using software applications Focuses on internet safety and research skills Focusing on applying skills like powerpoint, word, game maker, etc. when solving a problem instead of just teaching about them

Using Systems

Family & Consumer Science (Home Ec.) Teaches practical life skills Integrates core classes and technology Includes the following units of study: food preparation, nutrition, clothing maintenance & construction, career exploration & money management

Engineering Simulations and Fabrications - Mr. U Opportunity to design, build and test products within a series of constraints. Learning about and through problem solving using the engineering design process. Using technology tools to solve open- ended problems. Hands-on projects

Creative Writing Poetry, short stories, plays, etc. Use six traits of writing planning, drafting, revising, and editing. Analyze and evaluate own writing and peers

Academic Support Classes Read 180 Read 180 Strategies for Success Strategies for Success

Please return course selection sheets to your history teacher course selection sheets to your history teacher no later than no later than Monday, March 9th Monday, March 9th

Questions

Family Connections