th
8
grade
Registration
Today, we will….
• Discuss promotion requirements for 8th grade
• Discuss curriculum & options for 8th grade
core classes
• Discuss options for 8th grade electives
• Reflect on our current grades (time
permitting!)
Promotion Requirements
• To be promoted, students must
• pass Language Arts
• pass Math
• pass Social Studies or Science
• pass half of remaining classes
• pass BOTH the Reading EOG & the Math
EOG with a Level 3 or 4
8th Grade Core Classes
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Science
Social Studies
Language Arts*
Math*
*TEACHERS RECOMMEND YOU FOR
CLUSTER/PLACEMENT IN LANGUAGE ARTS
AND MATH!
Science
• Curriculum covers
• Scientific Inquiry
• Technological Design
• Hydrosphere
• Chemistry
• Evolution Theory
• Cellular Biology
Social Studies
• Curriculum examines the roles of people,
events, and issues in North Carolina history.
• Emphasizes revolutionary times through
today.
• Stresses the importance of geography, civics,
and economics.
Language Arts
• Focus for 8th grade is on “informational
expression.”
• Students work to increase comprehension
strategies, vocabulary, and an understanding
of language structure and grammar rules.
• Students write for a variety of audiences and
purposes.
Math
Algebraic Thinking II
7th Grade
Pre-Algebra
7th Grade
Algebraic Thinking III
Algebra I
8th Grade
8th Grade
Your math teacher will recommend you for one of these classes!
Math
Algebraic Thinking III
• The student must have mastered the 7th grade
curriculum.
• Curriculum will focus on applications in:
– Skills
– Problem Solving
– Extension and Enrichment
– Appropriate Use of Technology
Math
Algebra I
• The student must have successfully completed
Pre-Algebra and demonstrate a desire and ability
to accelerate in mathematics.
• Major principles & concepts include:
– Operations with polynomials and matrices
– Creation and application of linear functions and
relations
– Algebraic representations of geometric relationships
– Introduction to nonlinear functions
• Students must pass the Algebra EOC (counts
25% of the final grade) to receive high school
credit for Algebra.
Healthful Living
• REQUIRED for 8th graders!
• Health education & physical education
• Health education
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–
–
–
–
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Proper exercise in your daily life
Communication and stress management
Dangers associated with harmful and illegal drugs
Nutrition, dietary guidelines, and weight management
Positive health and fitness goals
Peer Pressure
ELECTIVES!!!
Electives
Year-Long Electives
Semester Electives
• Drama
• Concert Chorus**
• Drawing
• Advanced Band**
• Pottery/Sculpture
• Jazz Band**
• Visual Composition**
• Spanish B**
• Exploring Life Skills I
• Curriculum Assistance***
• Exploring Technology Systems
• Computer Keyboarding
*For students in Special
• Business Computer Tech I**
Programs
• Exploring Business
Technologies**
**Requires Teacher Approval
Concert Chorus
• This course provides a variety of singing
opportunities for students.
• Audition required!
• Year-long!
• Vocal techniques and music reading are
emphasized.
Advanced or Jazz Band
• Only 8th graders can take Advanced Band or
Jazz Band.
• Pre-requisite = Intermediate Band
• Please ask Mr. Hopkins to initial your selection.
If you are not in band this year, you
cannot sign up for Advanced Band or
Jazz Band!
Spanish B
• Year-long!
• Pre-requisite – Spanish A.
• Focus and emphasis on
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•
•
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Grammar
Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing
Culture
Students who complete
Spanish A and B and
who pass a final exam
after Spanish B will
receive a high school
credit for Spanish I.
Drama
• Semester class
• Students develop specific skills that allow
them to study and create characters for the
stage.
• Activities include
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•
•
•
stage directions
simple set/costume design
prop collection
play production
Art Classes
• Drawing
• Semester class
• Students are taught drawing techniques using various
media.
• Pottery/Sculpture
• Semester class
• Students have the opportunity to use a wide variety of
media such as paper, wood, clay, plaster, papier mâché,
and/or fabric to create three-dimensional forms.
• Visual Composition
• Semester class
• Students who have already taken Visual Arts may take
this advanced course with teacher approval.
Exploring Life Skills I
• This course explores life skills essential for
teens, now and in the future.
• Units include
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Nutrition and wellness
Resource management/budgeting
Sewing skills
Decision-making skills
Relationships
Child care
Exploring Technology Systems
• Introduces students to basic technological
principles, processes, and skills such as safety,
design and problem solving, team decision
making, and information gathering.
• Students explore
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•
•
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•
sketching
technical drawing
model rocket & bridge building
computer-assisted graphics
computer-aided design
electronic devices
Computer Keyboarding
• General keyboarding instruction
• Students learn basic keying skills & word
processing concepts
• Students MUST take Computer Keyboarding
before other computer-based electives!
Business Computer Tech I**
• Prerequisite = Keyboarding
– Teacher Recommendation Required! (Have your
keyboarding teacher initial your registration sheet!)
• Basic computer hardware concepts, computer
ethics, and software applications
• Gain experience with
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•
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Word processing
Database
Spreadsheets
Desktop Publishing
Multimedia
Telecommunication applications
Exploring Business Technologies**
• Prerequisite = Keyboarding AND Business
Computer Technology I
– Teacher Recommendation Required!
• Explore the nature of business
• Study careers and computer applications used in
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•
•
•
financial services
information technology
marketing management
entrepreneurship
Registration Sheet
On the front . . .
1. Please check to
be sure contact
information is
correct.
2. Review your
teachers’
recommendations.
3. Ask your parent
to write comments
as necessary.
On the back….
• In the Upper Right Hand Corner
• Please list electives taken in 6th and 7th grades if you have not
already done so!
• Please rank your top 6 choices
• 1 = top pick
↓
• 6 = lowest pick (you still want your #6, but not as much as #1 – 5)
If you select an elective on your registration sheet,
and you get that elective next year, you WILL NOT be
allowed to switch!
• You AND your parent/guardian need to sign the
registration sheet!
RETURN YOUR REGISTRATION
SHEETS,
WITH PARENT/GUARDIAN
SIGNATURE
by
Track 1: April 8th
Track 3: April 13th
Track 4: TBA
Now to review . . .
Name __________________________________
Please list electives taken.
6th Grade: ______________________________
List
7th Grade: ______________________________
electives
NCWISE ID # ___________
Track _______
All eighth graders will take Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Healthful Living. In addition, they will
take two semester-long electives or one year-long elective. Refer to the 2010-2011 Middle School Planning Guide
(http://www.wcpss.net/curriculum-instruction/docs_downloads/planning-guides/) for a description of electives. Final decisions
regarding elective class offerings are subject to change based on student interest and staff availability.
Please rank your top 6 elective choices (1-highest through 6-lowest).
Year-Long Electives:
Semester Electives:
Concert Chorus*
______
______
Advanced Band (Prerequisite:
______
Intermediate Band)*
______
______
Jazz Band*
Rank ______
______
Spanish B*
______
______
Curriculum Assistance (Special choices: 1-6
______
Programs class and must be
______
specified on the student’s IEP)*
______
______
* Requires teacher’s initials
______
______
***Please note that students who do not
demonstrate grade level proficiency on the 7th
grade EOG tests may be placed in Reading and/or
Math remediation in place of their elective.***
Drama
Drawing
Pottery/Sculpture
Visual Composition*
Exploring Life Skills I
Exploring Tech. Systems
Computer Keyboarding
Business Computer Tech. I*
Exploring Business Tech.*
ESL IV (Language of Sci.
and Soc. Studies-requires
ESL teacher approval)*
* Requires teacher’s initials
Sign
Parent signature ______________________
Student signature ______________________
Current East Cary students should return completed and signed registration forms to their homeroom
teacher by (varies by track).
Students who currently attend another middle schoolReturn
may bring their registration form to the New Student Orientation or mail it
to:
East Cary Middle School Student Services Department
1111 SE Maynard Road
Cary, NC 27511
Middle School Program Planning Guide
• www.wcpss.net
• Type in “Middle School Program Planning
Guide”
Questions??