EIGHTH GRADE COURSE REQUEST FORM
NEVIN PLATT MIDDLE SCHOOL
2015-2016
PLEASE PRINT
DUE: April 1, 2015
Student Name ______________________________________________________________
Parent Email (preferred) OR Phone _____________________________________________
(in case we have questions about this form)
________________________________________________________________________________
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Platt has a 7 period day. Students in 8 grade will take year long Math, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts. In
th
th
lieu of regular language arts, students may elect to take Advanced Language Arts. 7 and 8 grade math teachers will
determine a student’s math placement based on course work and assessments. Additionally, students will take one
semester of PE and one semester of Health, and two periods of electives.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
LANGUAGE ARTS CLASSES (choose 1)
______K31A Regular Language Arts
______K32A Advanced Language Arts
________________________________________________________________________________
Students will have two periods of electives. They may choose to take two yearlong classes, one year long class and two
semester long classes or 4 semester long classes. See examples below:
EXAMPLE I: 2 year-long classes
EXAMPLE II: 1 year-long class &
2 semester classes
EXAMPLE III: 4 semester
classes
Semester 1
Spanish 1B
Orchestra
Semester 1
Spanish 1B
Music Technology
Semester 1
Java Programming
Theatre Arts 1
Semester 2
Spanish 1B
Orchestra
Semester 2
Spanish 1B
Keyboarding
Semester 2
Show Choir
Ceramics
YEAR-LONG CLASSES
______ N23A Band 3
______ N26A Orchestra 3
______ N15A Mixed Choir (Concert Choir)
______ F7AA
______ F7BA
______ F72A
______ F1AA
______ F1BA
Spanish 1A (if space available)
Spanish 1B (pre req. Sp. 1A)
Spanish 2 (pre req. Sp. 1B)
French 1A (if space available)
French 1B (pre req. Fr. 1A)
SEMESTER CLASSES
___ _ A23
_
_ A21
_
_ D05
__
B08
______ K62
Ceramics
Drawing & Painting
Desktop Publishing
Keyboarding
Creative Writing
_
_____
_____
_____
______
D04
H13
N08
N18A
K94
Java Programming
Foreign Foods & Fabrics
Music Technology/Composition
Show Choir
Theatre Arts 1
PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES (choose 1)
______P07 Regular PE
______P18 FITNESS & CONDITIONING
PLEASE NOTE: Course offerings and availability may change due to enrollment and staffing.
I approve the above requests ____________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian
Date
Parents: you may also submit these requests by sending an email to: [email protected]. Please do
NOT submit both this form and an email!
OVER FOR ELECTIVE DESCRIPTIONS→
8th GRADE ELECTIVES
BAND 3
Middle level Band 3 is a course that emphasizes continued development of individual playing and ensemble skills along with advancing skill in performing band
repertoire. Public performances after school are an integral part of the course and are required.
CERAMICS
In this one term course, students are introduced to the properties of ceramic clay. Inspired by artists and art history, students learn about various materials, tools,
techniques, processes and technology of ceramics. The emphasis in this course is on hand‐building, however wheel‐throwing is introduced where facilities allow.
Students will create functional and non‐functional pieces and finish them in a variety of ways while developing and refining motor skills. Students understand the
role of ceramics in shaping historical and cultural traditions. Art history and cultural studies focus on regions within the seventh and eighth grade social studies
curriculum. Additional artists and cultures that are not addressed in other middle level art courses may also be included.
CREATIVE WRITING
Creative Writing elective course provides students the opportunity to read models of outstanding poetry and prose. They will write poetry, stories, plays, essays,
descriptions as well as other literary forms. Students are encouraged to experiment with ideas and moods while learning to express themselves through these
various writing forms.
DESKTOP PUBLISHING
Have the coolest-looking reports in school! Students use computer technology to publish these kinds of exciting projects: brochures, timelines, flyers,
newsletters, posters, and newspapers. Computer graphics, word processing, scanning, photograph editing, and page layout programs will be used to generate
professional-looking documents. Students will learn the elements of design, create and use advanced drawing projects, and also use publishing templates in their
publications. Students will have an opportunity to create projects for other classes and may be able to publish an on-line project.
DRAWING & PAINTING
This one term Drawing and Painting course provides experiences in a wide range of media through the intentional application of elements of art and principles of
design. Students build drawing and painting skills through exploration and practice with materials, tools, techniques, processes and technology. Observation,
critical thinking and problem solving are stressed as important components of the drawing process and discovering personal style. Students understand the role of
visual art in shaping historical and cultural tradition. Art history and cultural studies will focus on regions within the seventh and eight grade social studies
curriculum. Additional artists and cultures that are not addressed in other middle level art courses may also be included.
FITNESS & CONDITIONING
This course provides students with the opportunity to apply strength training and aerobic conditioning principles to a personalized training program. Students will
align their program with personal sports/fitness goals.
FOREIGN FOODS & FABRICS
In this class students will research cultures from around the world as they relate to cuisine and food traditions. This course offers students an opportunity to select
recipes and prepare foods as they become familiar with kitchen equipment and appropriate lab/safety procedures. Sewing activities will include the proper use of
sewing equipment and construction techniques through the construction of at least one sewing project.
JAVA PROGRAMMING
By design, this course enables middle school students, with no previous experience, to jump right into the Java programming language. Students will become
familiar with objects, classes, methods, parameters, data types, fields, loops, constructors and more. Students will learn about these topics, as well as others,
through modifying existing programs and creating programs from scratch.
KEYBOARDING
Learn how to type faster than you can write! This class will help you work faster, save time on your homework, and make you papers look neater! Students will
learn to use the computer keyboard using the touch method. Emphasis is placed on developing correct typing techniques and improving speed and accuracy when
producing documents. Students will have an opportunity to use keyboarding software and will be able to create documents for other classes.
MIXED (CONCERT) CHOIR
Middle Level Mixed Choir continues two-part singing and introduces students to three and four part singing. Fundamental vocal techniques are continually
reinforced along with creating, understanding, and discussing music. Culminating performances are a meaningful and mandatory component of this class.
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY/COMPOSITION
Music in Technology is the study of techniques of musical composition through the medium of contemporary music technology. Elements included are exposure
to and hands-on experiences in contemporary music software and composition; sound recording and mixing technology the application of multimedia; and
careers in the music industry.
ORCHESTRA 3
Middle Level Orchestra 3 is a course that emphasizes the development of soloist capability and ensemble skills along with advancing skill in performing
orchestra repertoire. Public performances after school hours are an integral part of this course and are required.
SHOW CHOIR
Show Choir is a course designed to give the vocalist the opportunity to study and perform music in pop, show, rock, and jazz styles. Additional emphasis is
placed on the continuing development of good stage presence, choreography, and student designed movements, Culminating performances are a meaningful and
mandatory component of this class.
SPANISH & FRENCH (LEVEL 1A)
World Language courses are based on the four standards: Communication, Culture, Connections and Comparisons. For the Novice-Low Range Level, students
learn to communicate, comprehend and present, in oral and written form, on very familiar topics, using isolated words and high frequency phrases in the context
of Culture, Connections and Comparisons.
SPANISH & FRENCH (LEVEL 1B)
This is a continuation of the 1A Course. For the Novice-Low Range Level, students learn to communicate, comprehend and present, in oral and written form, on
very familiar topics, using isolated words and high frequency phrases in the context of Culture, Connections and Comparisons. Successful completion of 1A &
1B is equivalent to the Level 1 World Language course.
SPANISH 2
World Language courses are based on the four standards: Communication, Culture, Connections and Comparisons. For the Novice-Mid Range Level, students
learn to communicate, comprehend, and present, in oral and written form, on a variety of very familiar and predictable topics using isolated words, learned
phrases, and learned grammatical structures in the context of Culture, Connections, and Comparisons.
THEATRE ARTS 1
Theatre Arts 1 elective course provides opportunities for students to learn about drama. Stage directions and theatrical vocabulary will be introduced. This course
will provide situations for developing poise and confidence, interacting with others and appreciating the contribution of others. Reading, writing, speaking and
listening skills will be applied as students demonstrate and perform what they are learning.