Encore

ART

6th, 7th and 8th grade Art provides students with an introduction to various materials and techniques. 6th grade students will study Art and its role in culture focusing on pattern, rhythm, contrast, and space. Students will create two-dimensional artwork and use hand-building techniques to develop three-dimensional products.

6th grade students will also demonstrate weaving techniques through the creation of a woven composition.

7th grade students will analyze traditional western artwork with a focus on emphasis, balance, movement, and create an original composition using perspective techniques. 8th grade students will create and analyze visual art as a meaning of self-expression.

8th grade students will use value and principle to design two dimensions, two-point perspective art using perspective, contrast, pattern, rhythm, movement, emphasis, variety, unity, balance and proportion.

MUSIC

Students in grades 6-8 learn rhythm, melody, history, culture, music-theater, instruments, and other musical elements.

6th grade students use classroom instruments to perform and create rhythms based on world cultures. Students classify instruments through visual and aural examples. Students compose rhythmic examples based on music genres as they apply to elements and expressive qualities of music. Performances and compositions developed based on music style, technique, and etiquette.

7th grade students use classroom instruments to perform and create melodies based on various time-periods. Students classify instruments from various time-periods through visual and aural examples. Students compose melodic examples based on musical genres as they apply to the elements and expressive qualities of music. Students perform their music compositions and demonstrate level-appropriate music style, technique, and etiquette.

8th grade music focuses on the use of classroom instruments to perform and create level-appropriate melodies based on American popular music. Students perform various components of American popular music on a melodic instrument, such as keyboard or guitar. Students compose simple melodies and accompaniments using a melodic instrument, such as keyboard or guitar, given parameters for rhythm, meter, and pitch. Students will examine, evaluate and describe various American music genres.

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES

Students in the Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) apply skills to identify, choose, and prepare foods for healthy living as presented in the Healthy Eating Plate/Pyramid. Students also develop and refine their sewing skills to construct, design and critique sewing projects.

6th grade students utilize industry standards for safety and sanitation and demonstrate safe use of kitchen utensils and equipment. Students demonstrate appropriate tools and techniques for the accurate measurement of ingredients and use a recipe to prepare a food product. Students identify and use etiquette rules when serving and eating food in a social setting. In sewing, students identify correct sewing tools and demonstrate safe sewing techniques. Students use sewing techniques to complete an individual sewing project.

7th grade students evaluate types of food that will provide nutrition for a balanced diet. Students select and prepare food using dietary and consumer skills for daily/weekly menus. Students demonstrate the use of measuring tools in the preparation of a final product and are aware the etiquette rules when serving and eating food in social settings. Students also demonstrate safe use of sewing equipment, apply sewing skills to independent living application and use instructions to construct a sewing project.

8th grade students will demonstrate advanced food preparation skills and apply them to food choices that promote lifetime wellness. Students will analyze personal food choices as they relate to US dietary guidelines. Students will use their culinary skills in preparing food products and apply food science. In sewing, students will construct in procedural order an approved sewing project using a variety of appropriate resources and models. Students will demonstrate knowledge of safe sewing procedures, compare and contrast ready – to – wear garments for quality and value as well as construct a sewing project.

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Students demonstrate basic computer concepts and skills and demonstrate programming, digital design, and data manipulation software to foster learning processes across the curriculum.

6th grade students combine posture and techniques to use in the creation of documents and in the workplace. Students apply the use of cloud-based file management for use in and out of the classroom. Students apply formatting skills to compose word processing documents. Students create an electronic visual presentation based on teacher-approved topics. Students become aware of Internet Safety strategies and safe technology usage at school and in the home.

7th grade students combine proper posture and keyboarding techniques. Students apply the use of cloud-based file management for use in and out the classroom. Students analyze numerical data to present information in a spreadsheet. Students create projects using digital design, techniques, skills, and tools. Students apply specific computer language/coding to create a program. Students continue to learn about and demonstrate internet safety strategies.

8th grade students combine proper posture and keyboarding techniques. Students apply the use of cloud-based file management and analyze data to present information in a spreadsheet. Students create projects using digital design, techniques, skills and tools. Students use a specific computer language/coding to create programs and continue to learn and demonstrate internet safety strategies.

STEAM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Art-Math)

Students in STEAM will take a “hands-on approach” to learning through the Paxton-Patterson module-based learning platform. Students will engage in online learning and hands-on activities aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Engineering concepts and design anchor the Paxton-Patterson curriculum. Whole class modules in the STEM Lab include authentic problem-based learning experiences that test both student interest and aptitude. Action labs are anchored by career planning and rotate by grade level. Labs include:

Computer Graphics and Animation includes production of multimedia, computer graphics systems, stop motion animation, design processes, titles and credits, audio, logos, icons and symbols, technical drawing, Moviestorm, and virtual reality.

Flight Technology includes the history and future of rocketry and flight systems, space exploration, aerodynamics, rocket design, construction and launching, gravity, flight technology, and principles of flight. Research & Design has students sketching, designing, constructing and testing CO2 powered racers. Design focuses on specifications, force, mass, drag, turbulence, weight, and friction. Students develop prototypes and test alignment, vehicle safety and testing on a digitally timed raceway.

Structural Engineering involves bridge design, construction, and testing. Students will design beams and trusses and test their structural integrity by examining and testing tension, compression, torsion, and shear. Students will focus on the design process and the overall structural system of the final products.

Virtual Architecture Students learn about Architectural history, work on developing scale drawings, become familiar with Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs. They also design building floor plans, learn about interior & exterior design and landscape designs. Students use computer models to sketch furniture and develop building blueprints for a virtual space. Students learn about and use design symbols, color schemes and become aware of how this field can play into their career planning.

Forensics introduces students to the field of crime investigation through the use of digital microscopes. Students will examine fiber types, soil samples, trace evidence, lift latent fingerprints to determine chain of custody. They will do hands-on experiments using ink chromatography and student suspects through the use of composite drawings. Hand on engineering will mimic the search of DNA evidence in order to solve crimes. Students will be exposed to areas where such activities can become a career.

SPANISH

Students acquire basic communicative skills in Spanish based on reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students converse using increasingly appropriate pronunciation, intonation, and inflection. Students demonstrate comprehension of writing text using vocabulary, context clues, and cognates. They will learn to respond appropriately to oral dialogues, questions, and classroom instruction, and students will produce complete written sentences in an organized paragraph responding to prompts. The first semester of Spanish I is taken in 7^th grade and the second semester in 8th grade. Students will earn high school credit and high school GPA upon successful completion of both the 7^th and 8^th grade curriculum. Students are required to take 7^th grade Spanish in order to enroll in 8^th grade Spanish.

This is a high school level class, follows the scope and sequence of HS Spanish I and has the same grading criteria as District 202 High Schools. Students will take the High School semester finals at the end of 7^th grade and 8^th grade accordingly. Students will complete 7^th and 8^th grade successfully in order to move on to Spanish II/Spanish II Honors when they enter high school, high school credit will only be earned once the student has successfully completed Spanish I in 7^th and 8^th grade.