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8 GRADE
CURRICULUM
GUIDE
2016 – 2017
YEAR LONG CORE
ENGLISH 8
English is comprised of the processes of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing, and the content of
written and visual texts. Students will use various genres (narrative and expository texts, poetry, and drama) to
examine and explore unit questions helping them develop voice as writers and to understand their cultural,
linguistic, and literary heritages. Students will write using multiple structures, including cause/effect, sequence,
comparison/contrast, and problem/solution, to practice the four modes of writing (narrative, descriptive, expository,
and argumentative). Speaking, listening, and viewing skills will be analyzed and rehearsed in increasingly
challenging settings.
SCIENCE 8
Eighth grade Science is designed to cover mostly high school science benchmarks and principles drawn from the
Michigan Curriculum Framework. Through the use of inquiry-based, hands on activities, students will gain
understanding of major concepts in forces and motion, chemistry, environmental issues, and astronomy.
Throughout the year, students are also exposed to engineering practices and learn to make connections between
science and other curricular topics.
US HISTORY
United States History 1607 – 1900 is designed as a yearlong course in the secondary sequence of study required
for eighth grade students. The course gives students the opportunity to explore the many facets of our nation’s
history and examine the issues and trends that helped define the foundations for the social, political, and economic
structures that exist today. They will study such major events as colonization, the American Revolution, western
expansion, the Civil War and Reconstruction. Critical thinking skills, map skills and oral and written expression will
be developed using a variety of informational text sources and instructional activities. The benchmarks delivered
through the units of this course are primarily drawn from the Michigan Framework for Social Studies Education.
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8 GRADE MATH
This course is designed to prepare students to successfully enter Algebra I in ninth grade. The major emphasis of
this course is the development of a deep understanding of linear relationships. Units studied include solving linear
equations, solving linear systems, irrational numbers, symmetry and transformations, statistics and volume.
ALGEBRA 1 *
This advanced math course is a study of the basic structure of algebra and its application to problem solving. It
includes simplifying expressions, the solutions of first and second-degree equations and inequalities, operations
with real numbers, and linear graphing and problem solving techniques. Upon successful completion of this course,
students will meet the high school graduation requirement for Algebra 1.
HONORS GEOMETRY *
This advanced math course includes basic geometry, proof, triangles, quadrilaterals, similarity, circles, area and
volume. The curriculum will integrate algebra and problem solving into each area of study. Upon successful
completion of this course, students will meet the high school graduation requirement for Geometry. This class is a
rigorous, high school honors course.
~ Questions regarding math placement should be directed to your current math teacher. ~
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* HIGH SCHOOL COURSES
These courses satisfy the state high school graduation requirement.
Grades earned will be posted on your high school transcript.
Grades earned in middle school will not factor into high school GPA.
For detailed information regarding curriculum, visit the FPS website and click on
the Atlas Rubicon link:
http://www.farmington.k12.mi.us/curriculum/atlas_rubicon.php
YEAR LONG ELECTIVES
FRENCH 1 *
This course is a full year course which introduces the student to the language, culture, and geography of the
French -speaking world. Students will develop the ability to speak, read, and write French, as well as understand
spoken French. Daily lessons and assignments will reinforce the language. Upon successful completion of this
course, students will advance to the second year of French study.
SPANISH 1 *
This course is a full year course which introduces the student to the language, culture, and geography
of the Spanish-speaking world. Students will develop the ability to speak, read, and write Spanish, as
well as understand spoken Spanish. Daily lessons and assignments will reinforce the language. Upon
successful completion of this course, students will advance to the second year of Spanish study.
JAPANESE 1 *
Japanese 1 is a full year course which introduces the student to both the Japanese language and culture. Students
begin to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Upon successful completion of this course,
students will advance to the second year of Japanese study.
FRENCH 2 * / JAPANESE 2 * / SPANISH 2 * Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 1 courses
Level 2 is a continuation of Level 1 with an emphasis on vocabulary expansion and grammar constructions.
Students will demonstrate comprehension of new concepts through more advanced reading and writing. Students
will work to improve their listening and speaking skills. Upon successful completion of Level 2 courses, students will
advance to the third year of study.
Upon successful completion of these HIGH SCHOOL* WORLD LANGUAGE COURSES and achieving the required score on
the end-of-year state assessment, students will meet the high school graduation requirement for world language
study. Students wishing to be accepted to a competitive college are strongly encouraged to continue on with the
next levels of that language at high school. Some colleges will expect to see at least two years of (the same) world
language completed beyond middle school. Travel may be required for some courses, causing the loss of one
elective period. FPS will provide transportation.
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* HIGH SCHOOL COURSES
These courses satisfy the state high school graduation requirement.
Grades earned will be posted on your high school transcript.
Grades earned in middle school will not factor into high school GPA.
ART
This lab-style course will expose students to many art disciplines including drawing, painting, color
theory, three-dimensional sculpture and construction. Students will develop an understanding of ways art
fits into our lives through the presentation of art history and career information. Art can be taken as a
year long or semester course.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The middle school PE program focuses on skills, knowledge and attitudes essential to engage in regular lifelong
physical activity. Students are provided with the knowledge and levels of motor skills essential to monitoring and
managing their own health-related levels of fitness. Working collaboratively as a team member is also an essential
aspect of this course. PE can be taken as a year long or semester course.
YEAR LONG ELECTIVES, CONT.
MUSIC ATTENDANCE POLICY: It should be understood that before or after school activities, evening and
weekend concerts, festivals, etc., are a logical outgrowth of the daily classroom rehearsal activity. Students electing
music courses should understand that attendance is required at all scheduled rehearsals and performances.
CONCERT BAND
This course is available to all students who have successfully completed band in the previous year or had a year of
equivalent instrumental study. Fundamentals of instrumental technique and music will be expanded with a focus on
how to apply these to a performance. Various method books, teaching techniques and additional clinician
involvement will be used throughout the course.
CONCERT ORCHESTRA
This course is open to students with experience playing the violin, viola, cello or string bass and who demonstrate
sufficient proficiency on their instrument. Students will continue to develop skills in playing a string instrument and
in music reading and will study a wide variety of music to develop the skills necessary for high school orchestra.
CHOIR
Students will have the opportunity to learn in greater detail the basic elements of vocal music. Emphasis
will be placed on proper vocal technique/production, sight-singing skills, stage presence and music
interpretation. This course is designed to encourage a appreciation of music as well as encouraging their
ability to work as a team. There is no prerequisite for this course. Auditions for the advanced Encore group will be
held by the choir instructor. Students who are not selected for Encore will be placed in year long Choir.
YEARBOOK / PHOTO-JOURNALISM Required: Completed application
This course involves creating a computer-generated yearbook. There is an after school requirement to take photos
and sell the yearbook. The yearbook staff should be comfortable working with others, taking and giving constructive
criticism, navigating the internet and various yearbook websites, constructing creative layouts, and completing
tasks within a given deadline. Students will create advertisements and should be comfortable approaching
parents/adults in order to promote sales of the yearbook.
SEMESTER ELECTIVES
ART
This lab-style course will expose students to many art disciplines including drawing, painting, color theory, threedimensional sculpture and construction. Students will develop an understanding of ways art fits into our lives
through the presentation of art history and career information. Art can be taken as a year long or semester course.
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
This course is designed to provide basic and intermediate computer skills to increase school success. Students will
complete a typing course while learning digital citizenship, exploring photo editing, multiple presentation web sites,
coding, website construction and Google apps.
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES
Students will design and develop products and structures from around the world. Students will have
the opportunity to put engineering principles into practice through various challenges both
individually and in teams. One challenge is the design, build, test, and evaluation of a CO² vehicle.
STRUCTURES
In this tech course, students will have the opportunity to explore engineering principles of different structures from
around the world. Through the study of engineering and the study of stress on structures, students will develop a
better understanding of why some structures are successful while others fail. Student projects are designed, built,
and then tested to extremes.
SEMESTER ELECTIVES, CONT.
CREDIT UNION
Credit Union is a course in which students become “employees” of the credit union. Student employees
are trained by teachers and a Farmington LOC employee to operate a credit union servicing students,
parents, and staff members. Students will provide a convenient savings plan in a friendly environment, as
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well as learn to develop various marketing programs. If you had this class in 7 grade it cannot be
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repeated in 8 grade.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The middle school PE program focuses on skills, knowledge and attitudes essential to engage in regular lifelong
physical activity. Students are provided with the knowledge and levels of motor skills essential to monitoring and
managing their own health-related levels of fitness. Working collaboratively as a team member is also an essential
aspect of this course. PE can be taken as a year long or semester course.
PERSONAL FITNESS
Enjoy this course while getting fit and learning how to take care of your body. Students will be
engaged in various exercises and activities. Students will learn the foundations of basic fitness
which includes muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardio endurance, flexibility, body
composition as well as health related living habits that can be used for a lifetime.
VIDEO PRODUCTIONS
Students in this course will create weekly newscasts by writing scripts, videotaping events, and editing newscasts.
A history of television and radio will also be studied.
THEATER 1 / PUBLIC SPEAKING
This course will present a comprehensive guide to the elements of theater production. Students will explore theater
through the eyes of the playwright, actor, director, producer, technician and audience member. Emphasis
will be placed on the physical environment of the stage and the development of various characters
through script analysis. This course is a prerequisite for the Theater 2 course.
THEATER 2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Theater 1
Students who have previous theatrical experience – but have not completed Theater 1 – may enroll with teacher
approval. Students will work with all aspects of theatrical production, including acting, makeup, lighting, set design
and directing. Students will finish the semester by producing and performing works of professional playwrights.
STAGECRAFT
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This course is an advanced theater class for 8 grade. Students focus on the technical aspects of theater rather
than the performance aspects. Students will learn about stage rigging, designing sets for plays, lighting techniques
and many other activities associated with technical theater.