Middle School Course Guide 2022-23

Sun Prairie Middle Schools Central Heights, Patrick Marsh & Prairie View 6-8 GRADE

COURSE DESCRIPTION CATALOGUE 2022-23 Annual Notices includes Policy JB

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STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION No student may be unlawfully discriminated against in any school programs, activities or in facilities usage because of the student’s sex (gender identity, gender expressions, and non-conformity to gender role stereotypes), color, religion, profession, or demonstration of belief or non-belief, race, national origin (including limited English proficiency), ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, homelessness status, sexual orientation, age, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Harassment is a form of discrimination and shall not be tolerated in the District. It is the responsibility of administrators, staff members and all students to ensure that student discrimination or harassment does not occur.

(SPASD District Policy JB) If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Spanish, please contact us at 608-834-6620. Si un estudiante, padre ó guardian prefiere tener esta información traducida en Español, por favor contactenos en el 608-834-6620.

If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Hmong, please contact us at 608-834-6630. Yog tus me nyuam lub xiv los yog niam thiab txiv/tus neeg muaj cai saib xyuas tus me nyuam xav tau qhov ntawv ntawm no ua lus Hmoob, thov hais rau peb paub rau ntawm 608-834-6630.

NOTICE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICIES ON SEX DISCRIMINATION, THE DISTRICT’S TITLE IX COORDINATOR, AND PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING OR FILING A COMPLAINT OF SEX DISCRIMINATION The Sun Prairie Area School District (“District”) does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that the District operates. Title IX’s requirement not to discriminate in any education program or activity extends to cover, but is not limited to, District students, certain admissions processes, and District employment. To access the relevant policy and procedures you can go to the District’s website. For inquiries regarding how Title IX and the federal Title IX regulations apply to the District please contact the District’s Title IX Coordinator, (the Director of Student Policy & School Operations, 501 S. Bird Street, Sun Prairie, WI 53590, 608-834-6624 or by email at titleixcoordinator@sunprairieschools.org.)

FEES: Most fees can be waived for families who qualify for free and reduced lunch. Fee waivers may be

found in the Online Registration. Verbal waiver may also be completed by calling the Nutrition Department at 834-6500.

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SUN PRAIRIE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT’S STANDARDS-BASED RUBRIC The information below serves as a FRAMEWORK to provide detail about how the middle school scores relate to each student’s current level of achievement.

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Exceeds Proficiency of Standards Student consistently exceeds proficiency. ➢ Demonstrates a deeper understanding of the standards ➢ Evidence of learning extends to higher-level thinking strategies or creative connectedness ➢ Evidence of learning exceeds grade-level expectations

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Proficiency of Standards

Student consistently meets proficiency: ➢ Demonstrates understanding of the standards ➢ Evidence of learning contains few or minor errors ➢ Evidence of learning meets grade-level expectations

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Approaching Standards

Student is approaching proficiency: ➢ Demonstrates basic understanding of the standards with gaps and errors ➢ Evidence of learning is inconsistent or incomplete ➢ Evidence of learning is below grade-level expectations

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0

Limited Understanding of Standards

No Evidence

Student needs improvement to meet proficiency:

Student: ➢ No Evidence to assess

➢ Evidence of learning is significantly below grade-level expectations

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MS Course Guide Scheduling Overview This chart highlights the courses required and offered across our middle schools. Below this chart further information is listed about each course and the selection of courses for each grade level.

Grade

Exploratories (6th Grade) and Electives (7th and 8th Grade)

Core Classes

Grade 6 Daily Classes: ● ● ● ● ●

Math Literacy Science Social Studies SP30

Two Semester Classes (every other day for about 39 minutes for the school year): ● Physical Education ● WIN Time (Formerly Resource) Grade 7 Daily Classes: ● ● ● ● ●

Math Literacy Science Social Studies SP30

Two Semester Classes (every other day for about 39 minutes for the school year): ● Health ● Physical Education ● WIN Time (Formerly Resource)

Required exploratory classes about 39 minutes every other day for one semester: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Art Fundamentals Body Works Game Design and Development General Music Innovation Lab: Design, Thinking and Making Intro to World Languages Plants, Animals, and Food Young Living

Two Semester Classes: ● Music: Band, Choir, Orchestra Choice-based elective classes about 39 minutes every other day for one semester: One Semester Classes: ● Art - Art Adventures ● Art - Art Discovery ● Data Science and Visualization ● Digital Design ● Fitness and Wellness ● Music: General Music ● Teens in Action ● Teens in Charge ● Tech in our World ● Wonder of Animals, Plants, and Food Two Semester Classes: ● Music: Band, Orchestra, Choir ● World Language Level 1a: French ● World Language Level 1a: Spanish Two Semester Every Day Classes: ● AVID

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Grade 8 Daily Classes: ● ● ● ● ●

Choice-based elective classes are about 39 minutes every day for one semester.

Math Literacy Science Social Studies SP30

Two Semester Classes (every other day for about 39 minutes for the school year): ● Physical Education ● WIN Time (formerly Resource)

One Semester Every Day Classes: ● Art - 2D ● Art - 3D ● Digital Music ● Discovering Your Future ● Exploring Animals, Plants, Foods, and other Natural Resources ● Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Ethics ● Managing Me ● Social Media Marketing ● Technology and Design ● Total Wellness Two Semester Every Day Classes: ● AVID ● Music: Band, Orchestra, Choir: Bel Canto & Cantati ● World Language Level 1a and 1b: French ● World Language Level 1a and 1b: Spanish

6th-8th Grade Core Classes All 6-8 grade students will have the core classes of literacy, math, science, social studies, physical education, SP30, and WIN time. In addition, all 7th grade students will enroll in Health as a core class. Students will automatically be scheduled for these required courses according to grade level.

LITERACY 6-8 Course Length: Year Our blocked literacy program utilizes readers and writers workshops specifically using the Columbia University Teachers College Project’s Units of Study for Reading and Writing. The goal of this class is to encourage students to read and communicate widely on their own, as well as teach students skills and strategies that apply and relate to content area classes. Students will engage in a multitude of texts from various genres, while focusing on increasing the volume and stamina of texts at an independent level. Students will learn the different styles of writing and the foundations of language to use in their writing across the curriculum.

MATH: 6-7 Course Length: Year Students will learn foundational and real life math skills in each year of middle school mathematics.

Learning is centered around group building of knowledge. Students will: 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively 3. Construct viable arguments and appreciate and critique the reasoning of others 4. Model with mathematics 5. Use appropriate tools strategically 5

6. Attend to precision 7. Look for and make use of structure 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning Students should be able to apply mathematical knowledge to other curricular areas and problem solving strategies to real-world problems using oral and written methods to explain their reasoning.

The use of calculators and computers to solve problems will strengthen the concept development.

MATH: ALGEBRA 8 Algebra is the foundation for high school mathematics courses and is taken by all 8th grade students. It is the bridge from the concrete to the abstract study of mathematics.

Topics include simplifying expressions, evaluating and solving equations and inequalities, and graphing linear and quadratic functions and relations. Real world applications are presented within the course content and a function's approach is emphasized. This course is an accelerated course; therefore, it will be more rigorous and require more work than other courses.

A graphing calculator is used within the classroom, but is not required. A scientific calculator is suggested.

SCIENCE 6-8 Course Length: Year Science students learn that science is everywhere. Through background knowledge, investigating, questioning, and reasoning abilities, students gain new knowledge about themes of science.

Through labs, investigations, and hands-on experiences, the learning for our students builds on scientific skills and concepts.

SOCIAL STUDIES 6-8 Course Length: Year Students will look through current and historical perspectives in order to gain a better understanding of physical and human geography in the different regions of the world.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION 6-8

Course Length: Year Field Trip Fee: $5.00 The Physical Education program helps students transition from an elementary school pre-adolescent to a high school young adult. We progress towards more complex movement patterns through repetition and sequencing of drills and game play. Students will gain knowledge in a variety of activities, including team and individual sports, and lifetime fitness activities.

SP30 6-8 Course Length: Year Students across grades 6-12 will engage in SP30 each year, in order foster knowledge, skills, and attitudes across five areas of social and emotional competence, and to support students’ social, emotional, and academic development. For 30 minutes each day, middle school students will engage in a variety of lessons and activities to engage in social-emotional learning and academic and career planning that is based upon the principles of Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports (PBIS), Developmental Designs, Circles of Power and Respect, Second Step (grades 6-8 only), Xello, Academic and Career Planning lessons and activities, and more!

WIN (What I Need) TIME 6-8 Course Length: Year Students across grades 6-12 will participate in WIN (What I Need) Time with classroom teachers.

Students will use this class as an academic intervention and extension for subjects such as literacy and math, and to assist with the development of organizational skills. Class placement assignments are based upon present level of academic progress and functioning according to classroom-based observations and assessments, as well as standardized assessment scores. WIN Time classes may change periodically across the school year as based upon student need.

HEALTH

Course Length: Semester 6

The 7th Grade health class provides students with knowledge, attitudes, and skills to make health-promoting decisions. Students will develop high level comprehension and understanding in the areas of Personal Wellness, Mental and Emotional Health, Social Health, Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco, Nutrition and Fitness, CPR, and Human Sexuality.

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6th Grade Exploratory Classes 6th grade students will each take the following exploratory classes unless a student enrolls in two or more music classes. Exploratory classes meet every other day for one semester, with the exception of music classes which meet every other day all year.

(STEM Course*) indicates the course has been designed to integrate science, technology, engineering, and/or math concepts.

ART FUNDAMENTALS Course Length: Semester 6th grade art (or Art FUNdamentals) is an introductory level class focused on providing all students with a strong foundation in art. Creativity will be emphasized in each project as students learn the basics of both two-dimensional and three-dimensional media. Projects are hands-on and give students the opportunity to experience a variety of techniques. This course is required for all 6th grade students.

BAND Course length: Year Sixth grade band is an opportunity to learn a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument while meeting new people and having fun! In band, students will learn how to play a new instrument, how to read and perform a wide range of different types of music, and how to work together as a group to achieve a high-quality performance. Class activities will also help students build connections between music and other subject areas such as reading, math, social studies, and science. Students will also receive one small-group lesson per week to work on the specific skills that they need to be successful on their unique instrument.

Performances include four concerts throughout the course of the year, solo night in January, Band-O-Rama in April, and the Memorial Day Parade in May. Other optional fun opportunities include Jazz Band, special holiday ensembles, high school pep band night, and various after school team building sessions held throughout the school year.

Before joining band, students should: ● Participate in a mouthpiece fitting during 5th grade general music class. ● Schedule an instrument fitting appointment with one of the middle school band teachers. ● Students interested in percussion should audition in May. Two percussion workshops will be offered before auditions are held to help students prepare. ● Register for, and attend, the “Band Starts Now” summer school class, or “Band Blast Off” fall program (if unable to attend the “Band Starts Now).

BAND FEE: Students who elect to rent a school-owned instrument, and all percussionists, will be assessed a fee of $25.00 per semester. Additionally, students will need to purchase a dress uniform shirt to wear as their concert uniform at the start of the school year. This cost is estimated at $17.00.

BODY WORKS Course Length: Semester Stressed? Physically and mentally changing? Full of energy? Need an outlet? This is the class for you. Body Works is an interactive class that allows you to practice and learn social media skills, nutrition habits, yoga, how to take care of a younger sibling/cousin, how to take care of yourself, how to deal with bullies, how to relax, discover new games and activities, and build and manage new relationships. The goal is to help you be and stay healthy for a lifetime!

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CHORUS Course length: Year Sixth grade chorus is open to all students and introduces them to the art of choral singing. This course provides students with the opportunity to develop musical skills through classroom instruction as well as through performance. Students will learn how to read rhythmic notation and solfège, and engage in healthy vocal production and ensemble singing. These concepts are reinforced by singing literature of different musical styles in several evening concerts throughout the year.

Attendance and participation in all concerts and rehearsals is MANDATORY. GAME DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT (STEM Course*) Course Length: Semester In 2019, 2.2 billion people worldwide downloaded and played games on their mobile devices.

Digital and non-digital games are growing in popularity every year. In this course, you will learn all about how these games are designed and build your own games! This course helps students understand basic game design and development, analyze existing games, learn how games can help address local/global community problems and influence how people feel, think, and learn, and develop a digital game to propose an innovative solution for social change. At the end of the course, students will demo their games and evaluate each others’ work.

GENERAL MUSIC Course Length: Semester A wide range of musical topics is covered in this course. Students learn how to interpret and understand the musical language. Keyboards and choir chimes are used to explore melody, harmony, and rhythm as well as develop each student’s musical skills. American popular songs, musical theater, and songs of other cultures are studied as well as the families of musical instruments and the musical contributions of Gershwin. Students explore composition by writing a sound composition and by composing a piece for keyboards.

INNOVATION LAB: DESIGN THINKING & MAKING (STEM Course*)

Course Length: Semester

Are you interested in inventions and enjoy designing and making things? Do you like technology, building things and being creative? If so, this course is for you! In this course, students will understand the design-thinking process and apply it to solving problems that they care about. They will use a wide range of digital and non-digital tools to pitch ideas, create prototypes, provide peer feedback, find solutions and connect their ideas to skills in the real world. All of this will be presented in a final showcase of their talents.

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD LANGUAGES Course Length: Semester Discover the world and some of its languages in Introduction to World Languages. Students will discover the richness of the many languages and cultures in our world and the value of learning another language in the 21st century. In addition, this course is designed to help students develop an awareness and appreciation of cultural differences, as well as an understanding of similarities between many groups of people around the world. Some possible units of study include: Spanish-speaking countries, German-speaking countries, French-speaking countries, Arabic-speaking countries and China and its many languages.

ORCHESTRA Course length: Year Orchestra is a course of study for students who play violin, viola, cello or bass. All string students with previous experience are encouraged to participate. Students with no prior experience playing a string instrument may also register with the understanding that they will attend small group lessons until such time as the director determines that their playing proficiency is acceptable for participation in the daily large group rehearsal.

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Sixth grade orchestra students participate in a large group rehearsal twice a week and one small group lesson once a week. Students are expected to prepare and perform assigned music, which includes concert music and assignments from their lesson book. Students will also be asked to complete theory assignments. The students perform a variety of literature including popular tunes, folk tunes, classical music, fiddle tunes, and beginning jazz music. The concerts include school performances, the district string festival and occasionally performances at community events.

ORCHESTRA FEE: A $50.00 per year fee is charged for students using a school owned instrument as their only instrument. A $25.00 per year fee is charged if the instrument is only used at school. Additionally, students will need to purchase a concert shirt to wear as their concert uniform at the start of the school year. This cost is estimated at $12.00.

PLANTS, ANIMALS & FOOD Course Length: Semester Ever wonder where your food comes from? How to grow a houseplant or take care of a rabbit? This course is perfect for you. In this course, you will enjoy the wonders of our animals, plants, and food through hands-on activities. Some activities in this course include handling pets, making butter, and growing your own houseplant.

YOUNG LIVING Course Length: Semester Young Living is designed to help students explore the meaning of family, how children learn and grow, and nutritious food choices within the family unit. This course will give students opportunities to engage in hands-on projects and food preparation experiences. Students will use math, science and literacy skills throughout the term.

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7th Grade Elective Classes 7th-grade non-core classes are electives where students choose courses according to interest.

Students in 7th grade will rank courses to determine which classes are of most interest and staff will work to align selections and placements accordingly. Note: at 7th grade, courses with low enrollment numbers may not run if there is not enough interest.

7th-grade electives run every other day for a semester, with the exception of music and world language part A, which runs every other day for a year. AVID runs every day for a year. In 7th grade, all students will have health class.

(STEM Course*) indicates the course has been designed to integrate science, technology, engineering, and/or math concepts.

ART ADVENTURES and ART DISCOVERY

Course Length: Semester Course Fee: $10.00 Art Discovery and Art Adventures are designed to be a continuation of art exploration for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional media. They run opposite semesters from each other and provide a similar experience to accommodate student’s busy schedules. A student may also enroll in both classes as the topics, content, projects, and media will differ. Possible projects and media for each class may include, but are not limited to: drawing, painting, paper mache, collage, mosaics, sculpture, ceramics, fiber arts, and printmaking. These courses do not have a prerequisite.

BAND Course Length: Year Seventh Grade Band is a chance for students to build upon the skills that they started in sixth grade and to use these skills to learn more complex and interesting music. Students also have many more opportunities to participate in fun and exciting performances throughout the school year with their new set of abilities on their instrument. Seventh grade band meets every day and students also receive one small-group lesson per week to work on the specific skills that they need to be successful on their unique instrument.

Students signing up for the first time in seventh grade will receive additional instruction on an individual basis in order to learn the fundamental music skills needed to be a part of the ensemble.

Once they have achieved a comfortable level, they will join the full band for rehearsals.

Performances include four concerts throughout the year, school assemblies, a band festival in February, Band-O-Rama in April, an elementary school tour, the Memorial Day Parade in May. Specific dates for these events will be available at registration. Other optional fun performances include seventh grade Jazz Band, Sun Prairie Middle Level Honors Band, special holiday ensembles, high school basketball pep band night, District Solo & Ensemble Festival, and band camps.

Attendance and participation in all concerts, lessons, and rehearsals is mandatory.

BAND FEE: Students who elect to rent a school-owned instrument, and all percussionists, will be assessed a fee of $25.00 per semester. Additionally, students may need to purchase a dress uniform shirt to wear as their concert uniform at the start of the school year. This cost is estimated at $17.00.

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CHOIR Course Length: Year Seventh grade chorus meets daily and continues to build upon the concepts of sixth grade chorus.

It strives to provide students with the opportunity to learn and develop their individual musical skills as well as ensemble skills. Students will engage in the curriculum goals of healthy tone production, relaxed breathing, reading rhythmic notation and solfège, ear-training, and overall musical knowledge. These concepts are reinforced through singing a variety of music in several concerts throughout the year. Individual progress for chorus students will be enhanced through several small group lessons each quarter and the use of our special facilities (computer lab, recording studio, keyboards, and practice rooms).

Attendance and participation in all concerts, lessons, and rehearsals is mandatory. Extra curricular activities include the district solo/ensemble festival and special ensembles for singers and choir chimes.

DATA SCIENCE AND VISUALIZATION (STEM Course*) Course Length: Semester Data is everywhere! Scientists, historians, doctors, engineers, and social media experts use data to understand the world around them. They use this data to help people and improve products or services. In this course, students will reflect on how data visualizations and data stories can be used for good and for harm. Students will conduct their own analysis on data to tell stories, make claims, and reflect on their own biases and assumptions. At the end of the course, students will share their data stories and receive peer feedback on their visualizations.

DIGITAL DESIGN AND PRODUCTION (STEM Course*) Course Length: Semester Digital design and production is used in advertising, marketing, to provide easy-to-understand information or explain creative ideas. This course will help students become creative digital designers as they explore what digital designers do and then plan, pitch, storyboard and design a website, logo and video to meet their “clients” needs. They will begin creating their own digital portfolio and connect their skillset to what authentic digital designers do.

FITNESS AND WELLNESS Course Length: Semester This class is designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn and participate in movement-based activities as well as creating a personal fitness plan. Activities may include aerobics, dance, yoga, water exercise/aerobics, weight training, relaxation, pilates, power walking, nutrition, stability ball, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, biking, fitness-related activities, as well as self-defense concepts and skills. Information will be provided on self-esteem and body image by using the Internet, as well as using guest speakers to discuss these topics. These activities are designed to provide motivation to develop and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. It is our hope to continue a partnership with the local health clubs and other health-related organizations within our community in order to support our students and their families.

FRENCH 1A Course Length: Year French 1A is the first half of French 1. Students will not only learn to greet and introduce themselves, but also to discuss who they are and what they like. They will learn about France and the Francophone world, and make connections and comparisons through a variety of activities that get them listening, reading, speaking, and writing in the French Language. In 8th grade, students will have the opportunity to enroll in French 1B, and upon successful completion of Levels 1A and AB, be eligible to enroll in French 2 in high school.

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GENERAL MUSIC Course Length: Semester In General Music 7 students will be exploring music in a non performance setting. Activities will include music genre exploration, digital music composition, and basic acoustic instrument instruction (Ukulele, Piano, Drumming). This class will be a hands-on, project based experience.

ORCHESTRA Course Length: Year Orchestra is offered for seventh grade students who play violin, viola, cello, or bass. Orchestra meets every day and students also participate in small group lesson instruction. The course refines previously learned skills, introduces new technical skills, and continues to incorporate music theory and music history. Students are required to practice. All students must rent or provide an instrument and purchase the required method book. Students perform a variety of music representing various musical styles including classical, pop jazz, and folk/fiddle tunes. There are several formal concerts during the year, and students may also participate in the Wisconsin School Music Association Solo and Ensemble Festival. The orchestra also performs at community functions upon request. Students with no previous experience playing a string instrument must have permission from the instructor to register for this class.

ORCHESTRA FEE: A $50.00 per year fee is charged for students using a school owned instrument as their only instrument. A $25.00 per year fee is charged if the instrument is only used at school. Additionally, students may need to purchase a concert shirt to wear as their concert uniform at the start of the school year. This cost is estimated at $12.00.

SPANISH 1A Course Length: Year Spanish 1A is an introductory course in Spanish, listening, speaking, reading, and writing with an emphasis on the listening and oral skills. This is open to all students who would like to learn about Spanish-speaking countries, the language, and the culture. Students will begin to learn to speak, read, write, and understand the Spanish language. Students should expect homework everyday outside of class. In 8th grade, students will have the opportunity to enroll in Spanish 1B, and upon successful completion of Levels 1A and AB, be eligible to enroll in Spanish 2 in high school.

TECHNOLOGY IN OUR WORLD

Course Length: Semester Course Fee: $20.00 Technology in Our World incorporates technology and engineering into the areas of alternative energies, design, modeling, and robotics. Going into each area, the students will learn how systems, human ingenuity, and the impact of technologies are incorporated into each. The students will develop and test projects that will show them how each of these concepts are interrelated. A few of the projects include the following: Balloon Buggy, 3-D Tic Tac Toe, Ping Pong Collector, Solid Fuel Rocket, Mag-Lev Vehicle, Wind Powered Buggy, and Model Shed.

TEENS IN ACTION

Course Length: Semester Course Fee: $20.00 Have you ever wanted to get involved in a worthy cause? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? If so, this class is for you! Being a member of this class will allow you to practice food-lab skills, exciting sewing techniques and teamwork/cooperation skills while helping others.

Typical projects may include AIDS baby blankets, holiday reach-out recycled jean stockings and getting to know the elderly through a nursing home visit. Teens in Action is a semester elective that is designed to help you learn to reach out to our Sun Prairie community!

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TEENS IN CHARGE

Course Length: Semester Course Fee: $20.00 Take charge by getting organized in the kitchen. Learn to safely prepare delicious and healthy foods for you and your family to enjoy. Take charge by organizing your personal space. Learn efficient room arrangements and sew projects that show your personal style. Take charge by learning the skills for keeping relationships healthy. Make new friends and keep the old!

THE WONDERS OF PLANTS, ANIMALS, AND FOOD Course Length: Semester Ever wonder where your food comes from? How to grow a houseplant or take care of a rabbit? This course is perfect for you. In this course, you will enjoy the wonders of our animals, plants, and food through hands-on activities. Some activities in this course include handling pets, making butter, and growing your own houseplant.

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8th Grade Elective Classes 8th-grade non-core classes are electives where students choose courses according to interest.

Students in 8th grade will rank courses to determine which classes are of most interest and staff will work to align selections and placements accordingly. Note: at 8th grade, courses with low enrollment numbers may not run if there is not enough interest.

8th-grade electives run every day for a semester with the exception of music, world language parts A and B, and AVID, which runs every day for a year.

(STEM Course*) indicates the course has been designed to integrate science, technology, engineering, and/or math concepts.

2D ART

Course Length: Semester Course Fee: $10.00 2D (or two-dimensional) Art is a semester-long class that will focus primarily on drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, digital art, and more. Possible media may include: graphite, paint, ink, pastel, colored pencils, and mixed media.

3D ART

Course Length: Semester Course Fee: $10.00 3D (or three-dimensional) Art is a semester-long class that will focus primarily on sculpture, mosaics, ceramics, fiber arts, and other building techniques. Possible media may include: clay, paper mache, glass, metal, and mixed media.

BAND Course Length: Year Course fee: $25.00 Uniform User Fee. A $50.00 per year fee is charged if a student rents a school-owned instrument (including percussion).

Class open to eighth grade students interested in studying instrumental/band music. Students explore and study music through performance. Musical insight is developed through working with guest clinicians, conductors and composers. Attendance at weekly small group lessons and all concerts is a class requirement. Music equipment will be necessary for daily class, weekly small group lessons and concert performances. Individual practice outside of class is expected.

CHOIR: BEL CANTO and CANTATI

Course Length: Year Course fee: $18.00 T-shirt purchase

BEL CANTO Choir is open to all Soprano and Alto voices who wish to improve as a singer and musician. The course is open to all students who wish to sing! BEL CANTO Choir performs at least five times throughout the year. Attendance and participation at all concerts, rehearsals, and weekly lessons is required.

CANTATI Choir is open to all 8th Grade Tenor and Bass voices who wish to improve as a singer and musician. The course will further develop skills learned in Middle School Choir but is open to all students who wish to sing! CANTATI Choir performs at least five times throughout the year. Attendance and participation at all concerts, rehearsals, and weekly lessons is required.

DIGITAL MUSIC

Course Length: Semester 15

This course is open to all students. It is an opportunity for students to compose music using state-of-the-art technology. Students will analyze several musical styles and study various compositional techniques. Through Soundtrap students will create a variety of compositions which include movie music, music to accompany a short story, music that describes artwork, and their own original melodies.

DISCOVERING YOUR FUTURE Course Length: Semester You will leave this class with a taste of the work world and the groundwork to discover your future.

This family and consumer education course uses enjoyable hands-on activities and projects to help you develop your personal assets, plan a balanced life, explore future careers, and dabble with entrepreneurship. Learning activities include working cooperatively in food labs and constructing one or more sewing projects.

EXPLORING ANIMALS, PLANTS, FOOD, AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES Course Length: Semester This course is for future veterinarians, greenhouse managers, food creators, wildlife biologists, or anyone interested in animals, plants, food, and natural resources. In this project based, hands-on lab course, students will explore our local industries, care for animals, grow plants, make food products, trek our parks and waterways, and develop their leadership skills.

FRENCH 1A AND 1B Course Length: Year French 1A is the first half of French 1. Students will not only learn to greet and introduce themselves, but also to discuss who they are and what they like. They will learn about France and the Francophone world, and make connections and comparisons through a variety of activities that get them listening, reading, speaking, and writing in the French Language.

French 1B is the second half of French 1. Students will not only learn to greet and introduce themselves, but also to discuss who they are and what they like. They will learn about France and the Francophone world, and make connections and comparisons through a variety of activities that get them listening, reading, speaking, and writing in the French Language.

Upon successful completion of French 1a and 1b, students will be eligible to enroll in French 2 in high school.

INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) AND ETHICS (STEM Course*) Course Length: Semester

Did you ever wonder how artificial intelligence works or how we use it in our everyday lives? This course is based on two of the best AI curriculums for students from MIT’s (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Media Lab. Students will understand the basics of how AI works while exploring AI in products such as face filters, Netflix-type recommender systems, language translation apps, and other predictive activities. They will consider the ethical considerations for AI and debate what our future with AI will look like in environments such as health care, education, the automotive industry, policing and sports. During the final part of this course, students will train their own robot to create a self-driving machine.

MANAGING ME

Course Length: Semester Course Fee: $30.00

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What does it mean to manage yourself? How can you become better at managing what you eat, the money you spend, the time you have, and your future? This class will help you answer these questions while involving you in hands-on projects, food labs, and time management sewing project(s). Take control of your life.

This interesting and fun course teaches students basic life skills in food selection and preparation, and helps them appreciate and understand the importance of food choices and eating habits for a healthy life. Varieties of learning methods will be utilized, including demonstration, hands on cooking, and especially group learning. This course is suitable for all students interested in developing healthy lifestyles and learning the methods of food preparation.

ORCHESTRA Course Length: Year Orchestra is offered for eighth grade students who play violin, viola, cello, or bass. Orchestra meets every day and students also participate in small group lesson instruction. The course refines previously learned skills, introduces new technical skills, and continues to incorporate music theory and music history. Students are required to practice. All students must rent or provide an instrument and purchase the required method book. Students perform a variety of music representing various musical styles including classical, pop jazz, and folk/fiddle tunes. There are several formal concerts during the year, and students may also participate in the Wisconsin School Music Association Solo and Ensemble Festival. The orchestra also performs at community functions upon request. Students with no previous experience playing a string instrument must have permission from the instructor to register for this class.

ORCHESTRA FEE: A $50.00 per year fee is charged for students using a school owned instrument as their only instrument. A $25.00 per year fee is charged if the instrument is only used at school. Additionally, students may need to purchase a concert shirt to wear as their concert uniform at the start of the school year. This cost is estimated at $12.00.

SPANISH 1A AND 1B Course Length: Year Spanish 1a and 1b is an introductory course in Spanish, listening, speaking, reading, and writing with an emphasis on the listening and oral skills and equivalent to Spanish 1 at the high school level. Spanish 1a covers the first semester, and Spanish 1b covers the second semester, of Spanish 1. This course is open to all students who would like to learn about Spanish-speaking countries, the language, and the culture. Students should expect homework everyday outside of class. Students will learn beginning skills to be able to speak, read, write, and understand Spanish. Upon successful completion, students will be eligible to enroll in Spanish 2 in high school.

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING (STEM Course*) Course Length: Semester Have you ever seen videos or hashtags go viral and wondered why? Nowadays, businesses take advantage of social media networking technology to promote their products and services. In this course, students will research and evaluate existing social media campaigns and brands and learn about online marketing techniques. As a final project, students will propose, create, and implement social media marketing strategic plans for a business.

TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN Course Length: Semester In this project-based hands-on course, students will investigate technology, design, and how it relates to and impacts our daily lives. The buildings we live in, the items we purchase, and the way we receive information will all be areas of exploration. Students will design, build, and improve on projects using computers and machines. Projects in the past have included electricity/electric motors, plastic forming, towers and bridges, LEDs and fiber optics, small engine exploration, 17

woodworking, gear cars and solar cars. Students interested in manufacturing, construction, and engineering would find this course very interesting and FUN!!

TOTAL WELLNESS Course Length: Semester Total Wellness offers 8th grade students an opportunity to expand their learning about personal and societal health and wellness through a hybrid environment. Learning will occur in the classroom, gymnasium, outside, in the weight room, and online. This course will focus on 21st century learning skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Units are centered around all areas of wellness: physical, financial, occupational, emotional, intellectual, social, environmental, and spiritual. Students will explore current events around health and wellness topics and be physically active every class.

WHERE TO GO FOR HELP STUDENT SERVICES TEAM School Counselor – The School Counselor provides assistance in all school-related activities and helps students build academic, personal/social and career skills. The counselor helps students with scheduling, issues in classes, personal issues, conflict with peers or teachers, career development, and character building.

School Psychologist – The school psychologist consults with teachers and parents on student issues related to academic, social, emotional, behavioral or mental health. They evaluate and screen students who have been recommended.

School Social Worker – The school social worker consults with teachers and parents on student issues related to academic, social, emotional, behavioral or mental health. The school social worker also acts as a liaison between home, school and community services.

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