- Frederick County Public Schools
- Course Descriptions
- 2023-24 Middle School Course Descriptions
- Eighth Grade (23-24)
Eighth Grade Electives - Semester (2023-24)
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Information in this Program of Studies is subject to change pending state and local board action. All courses described in this booklet will be offered pending adequate enrollment, teaching staff, and available funding.
Students should not request electives they already have completed.
Art
Art I—91057
This semester course is for 7th and 8th grade students. It is a required prerequisite course for Art II. The student will gain an understanding of the elements of art and have the ability to identify and utilize them through a variety of art processes such as drawing, painting, and three dimensional forms of expression. Students will also expand on the creative problem solving and critical thinking skills developed in Art 6. A fee is charged for consumable materials.Art II—9106
This semester course is for 7th and 8th grade students. The student will further develop an understanding of the art elements and have the ability to identify and utilize them through a variety of art processes such as drawing, painting, and three dimensional forms of expression. Students will expand on the skills developed in Art I. A fee is charged for consumable materials.Select Art Foundations—9105
This semester elective for seventh and eighth grade students is designed to challenge students with a focus on new media and varied techniques beyond the range of standard studies. Projects will investigate a variety of materials and art processes in relation to drawing, painting, and three-dimensional forms of expression. Students are selected through an evaluation process that includes a portfolio, student self-evaluation, and a variety of artistic evaluations or prior eligibility for gifted visual arts services. Students must be identified for gifted visual arts services in order to be accepted into the class. A fee is charged for consumable materials.Select Art Studio—9115
Prerequisite - Select Art Foundations (9105)
This advanced semester elective for seventh and eighth grade students is designed to challenge students with a focus on independent project development. Teacher-facilitated project development will lead students to develop a comprehensive portfolio of work based on a self-guided theme. Students must be identified for gifted visual arts services in order to be accepted into the class. A fee is charged for consumable materials.Career and Technical Education
Agriscience Technology—8001
Prerequisite - Agriscience Exploration
Through classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory activities, students will explore the fields of agriculture, food, and natural resources (AFNR), to include: global agriculture; new and emerging technologies; agricultural mechanics; and careers in agribusiness; animal systems; environmental services; food products and processing; natural resources systems; plant systems; and power, structural, and technical systems. Eighth grade students further their leadership and personal development through the FFA. Students will learn to care for and manage companion animals important to agriculture.Family and Consumer Sciences Exploratory III—8244
This advanced-level course prepares students for their roles in families, careers, and communities through project-based instruction. Students experience in-depth studies of nutrition and wellness, food preparation, relationships, personal environments, textiles, fashion and apparel, consumer resources, child development and care, and leadership service in action through FCCLA. Instruction in this course emphasizes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts, where appropriate.Make it Your Business—8114
Students design, establish, and operate a small-group or class business, producing a service or product that meets an identified school or community need. Emphasis is placed on the introduction and application of business terminology, basic entrepreneurship concepts, and fundamental business principles. Basic academic skills (mathematics, science, English, and history/social science) are integrated into this course.Technological Systems—8463
Students combine resources and techniques to create systems, attaining comprehension of how technological systems work. Students will explore, design, analyze, and evaluate technological systems. By simulating systems and assessing their impacts, students gain insight into how to approach the problems and opportunities of a technological world. Students will also explore technology-oriented careers.Health and Medical Sciences Exploratory - 8370
Students explore health and medical sciences careers and related clusters, participate in interactive activities, and receive an overview of the healthcare industry. Course content includes the criteria for entering various healthcare careers. Students gain communication, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.Chorus
Beginning Chorus—92601/92602
This course is open to any seventh or eighth grade student. The curriculum includes learning to produce a proper singing tone, singing in unison and two- and/or three-part harmony, understanding music terminology, reading and understanding music notation, and working together as a music ensemble. This course is a half-year course. Students are required to participate in one evening performance each semester. Students may take the course both semesters.English
Exploring Journalism Skills—9828J1/9828J2
Exploring Journalism is designed for students to learn the various aspects of producing publications. This can include, but is not limited to, copywriting, photography, graphic arts, advertising, layout, and design. The course is taught through instruction in news, feature, and editorial writing. Students will create finished products which may include a newsletter, brochure, magazine, and photostory production. Students learn to use word processing, presentation, and publication software packages as well as local and worldwide network communication systems. This course is not offered at all schools.Gifted
PRISMS—99781/99782
This semester course, which students can take both semesters in 7th and 8th grades, is designed to help meet the needs of gifted middle school students by providing a challenge and degree of differentiation beyond what can be provided in the regular classroom. Instruction is above grade level and emphasizes higher ordered thinking skills. Students will use problem-finding and problem-solving skills to complete in-depth, interest-based research, compile and synthesize information, and create products that reflect the highest levels of thinking, and exceptionally deep understanding of content, processes, concepts, and theories. Students must be eligible for gifted academic services in order to be accepted into the class.Performing Arts
Drama and Oral Interpretation—9828D
This course introduces the student, through oral reading assignments, to drama and oral interpretation. The student practices fluent oral reading of drama and prose emphasizing expression and meaning. The student prepares and performs skits, monologues, and short plays. Improvisations are an important part of class. Videotaping of presentations allows students to critique their own performances.Remediation
Reading/Writing Focus—9826R8
Mathematics Focus—9826M8
Science Focus—9826S8
These courses are designed to provide remediation in the four core areas assessed on the Standards of Learning tests. Students who fail one or more SOL tests may be assigned to these courses for a specified period of time. Students will receive additional instruction and review of content and concepts in the focus areas needing further development. A variety of instructional strategies will be used to address students’ individual remediation needs.World Languages
Exploring World Languages—56038
This course introduces students to world languages through participation in interactive activities using target vocabulary. Students learn through participation in an immersive environment, beginning with listening and reading comprehension and moving to responding to specific questions in the world language. As a result, students will be able to understand simple speech and engage in basic interactions around a variety of topics including families, contemporary life, and culture. This course prepares students for success in the Level I World Language courses, and is designed to support students from a variety of novice proficiency levels, from true beginners to novice high, using the American Council of Foreign Language Teacher (ACTFL) standards.