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**Athletics will be available to 8th graders who wish to participate in competitive volleyball, football, basketball, and/or track. It will be part of the school day and will fulfill the P.E. requirement. After school practice is required and parents are responsible for transportation.
A physical exam is required prior to the beginning of the school year in order to participate in athletics. If you did not have a physical for 7th grade athletics, you will need one to participate in athletics in 8 th
grade. See a coach for the necessary forms to be completed by the doctor. Athletics is a YEARLONG commitment and you MUST participate in at least one FALL sport and one SPRING sport.
PE The physical education class provides each student with the opportunity to participate in a program with a variety of skill developments, team sports, individual sports and physical fitness activities. The students will learn and be involved with different aspects associated with physical conditioning activities and life-long physical fitness. Students are required to dress out in PE clothes and participate in activities daily.
SMS PARTNER PE integrates students with developmental and physical disabilities into physical education programs. The primary goal of Partner PE is to provide: modifications for students with developmental and physical disabilities, activities pairing age-appropriate peers in an integrated setting, and the creation of physical education strategies for grades
6-8. Additionally, units of instruction for Partner PE include basketball, flag football, floor hockey, kickball, soccer, softball, volleyball, bowling, golf, tennis, track and field, and physical fitness.
TENNIS (full year) The Strickland tennis program is for any 7th and 8th grader who is interested in learning about tennis. All players must have proper athletic clothing (grey shirt, dark colored athletic shorts), athletic shoes, and a tennis racket to participate. The tennis class provides young players with some basic knowledge of the game and some fundamentals of the sport. We will introduce and expose these young students to tennis in order to promote their level of play toward competitive high school tennis.
*BAND 8 (full year) Band is open to those students who have completed band in their 6th and 7th grade year and who have demonstrated a degree of proficiency on their instrument. 8th grade band is ability based and students are placed in the appropriate band (honor or concert) based on an audition. Daily practice, rehearsals, performances and contests are required.**
HANDBELLS (full year) Handbells are offered to all interested students. Students will learn proper techniques and music reading. Prior musical experience is helpful, but not required. The group will perform at school and in the community. Talk to Mrs. Mizell to see if this is the right class for you.
CHOIR (full year) Students interested in singing will perform in a variety of programs and locations including concerts, pep rallies, talent shows and school programs. The course places emphasis on beginning vocal technique and fundamental music reading skills. Extracurricular activities include competitions, performance, and social activities.**
*ORCHESTRA 8 (full year) For continuing students demonstrating an interest in and ability on stringed instruments. Technique, care of instruments, music reading skills, music sensitivity, performance and creative self-expression are integral parts of the curriculum. Members will also participate in various extracurricular activities. Students beginning orchestra instruction this year must have private string lessons.**
SPANISH I-8 (full year) Students are required to complete the first half of this course in 7th grade in order to take the second half at the eighth grade level. Students must take two additional years of Spanish in high school to earn credit for this class to count towards graduation requirements. The emphasis is listening, speaking, reading and writing
Spanish for everyday conversation . Dual Language Pre-AP Spanish is for students who are in the Dual Language program.
ART (full year) This is an advanced class for students with previous art experience. Students further their knowledge of the principles and elements of art through projects. They will have in depth instruction in drawing, shading and coloring techniques, painting, clay, printmaking and collage, just to name a few. Talk to your art teacher to see if this is the right class for you.
THEATRE ARTS (full year) This class covers a wide variety of theatre topics and has a strong emphasis on performance and production. Students will be expected to learn and implement memorization techniques, stage movement and vocal techniques. During the second semester, students will participate in a class production for an invited audience.
Talk to your theater teacher to see if this is the right class for you.**
ADV. CONSTRUCTION (full year) This course is for students who have completed the semester CP Construction class.
This advanced class will concentrate on developing a Plan of Procedure, Bill of Materials, and a Working Drawing. The students will construct projects of their choice with the hopes of completing a project with drawers or doors.
ART (one semester) This is an introductory level art class. Students will experience introductory drawing and shading techniques, as well as other possible mediums including fibers, collage, and painting. Concepts include the awareness of the elements of art and focus on fundamental art techniques. Understanding and appreciation of self and others through art history, culture, and heritage is emphasized.
THEATRE ARTS (one semester) This introduction to theatre includes movement, vocal techniques, staging and more. Students will learn about many aspects of theatre and improve their creative thinking skills through games, pantomime, improvisation, and skits.
CP TECHNOLOGY ED.
(one semester) Students work with computerized, selfpaced “discovery method” learning modules exploring the use of technology in industry. These programs may include communications, robotics, drafting, and meteorology.
CP CONSTRUCTION (one semester) Students will learn proper procedures and safety on hand tools as well as wood working machines by lecture, demonstrations and the project method of learning. Emphasis will be on safety and proper procedures. Do you like working with equipment/tools and building? Then this course is for you.
TOUCH SYSTEM DATA ENTRY
This class will assist students in the keyboarding mastery techniques of speed, accuracy, and communication which are essential to their future success. Word processing will be introduced by using mostly Microsoft Word. Students will create a variety of personal and professional documents with basic to intermediate word processing skills.
PRINCIPLES OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (one semester and .5 high school credit upon successful completion of course) This class will provide students with computer knowledge and skills to be successful in “real world” personal and business situations. Students will use Microsoft Office to learn word processing, desktop publishing, presentation software, spreadsheets, and databases. New technology will be explored.
FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES (one semester & .5 high school credit upon successful completion of course) You will learn about the importance of family, how to strengthen family relationships, and changes that occur throughout the family life cycle. We will study parenting, child development, and nutrition. You will learn how to handle money and how to maintain a bank account. You will also discover what it means to be a good citizen. You will also develop an understanding of what it means to be a contributing member of your community by completing a community service project.
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM (one semester & .5 high school credit upon successful completion of the course) Hospitality & Tourism is one of the 16 Career Clusters set up by the state of Texas. If you are interested in a career working with or entertaining others, this could be a field of study for you. Hospitality includes lodging and food and beverage management and service. Tourism includes travel planning, tourist information, guided tours, entertainment, recreation, and meeting planning. In addition, to learning about the careers involved in this cluster you will learn to search for jobs, complete job applications, and develop interview skills. You will also learn how to write a resume and cover letter.
*Waivers are available to those students who receive free or reduced lunch. The waiver is intended to help cover the cost of the instrument only.
**Students have the opportunity to compete in UIL sanctioned contests and must maintain eligibility in order to comp ete.