AGRICULTURE (7)

Course Objectives/CLE's

In this nine weeks class, students will learn the concepts and skills necessary for agricultural literacy. Skills and concepts in class will involve the importance of agriculture, growing plants, Care for animals, agricultural and non-food agricultural products, and communication skills.

Textbook: Exploring Agriculture in America, Instructional Materials Library (1991)

AGRICULTURE (8)

Course Objectives/CLE's

In this class, students will learn the concepts and skills necessary for agricultural literacy. Skills and concepts in class will involve environment and resource conservation, small animals, aquaculture, agricultural careers, agricultural leadership, and the FFA.

Textbook: Exploring Agriculture in America, Instructional Materials Library (1991)

ALGEBRA I (8, 9, 10)

Course Objectives/CLE's

The student is expected to work out daily assigned problems and exercises.  The content of this course includes modern mathematics, terminology, making and using formulas, simple equations, directed or signed numbers, computing with polynomials, problems solved by equations, irrational numbers, real numbers, inequalities, lines and their slopes,  systems of linear equations, factoring, algebraic fractions and fractional equations, square roots, quadratic equations, and complex numbers.

Textbook: Merrill Algebra One, Glencoe, 1986.

ART (7)

Course Objectives/CLE's

This course introduces the student to the various art media, tools and techniques with both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional projects. Activities include problems in drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking, design, art history and art appreciation. An overview of careers in art is provided through homework assignments.

ART (8)

Course Objectives/CLE's

This course encourages further exploration of the basic concepts, materials and techniques encountered in seventh grade art. These areas include drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, design, art history and art appreciation. An overview of careers in art is provided through homework assignments.

BAND (7, 8)

Course Objectives/CLE's

During their two years in Junior High Band, third year and level three objectives are
taught as listed in instrumental curriculum guide.  Competition, creativity, and self
discipline begins to become more important at this level.  Enjoyment and pride are instilled from performing good music well and being able to take a few trips (ex. marching competitions, jazz competitions, when available). Three to four concerts (Veteran's Day Program, Christmas Concert, Music Contest, Spring Concert) are performed and trips are taken when possible during Junior High Band. Junior high students perform in pep band (when available) at football, volleyball and basketball games.

CAREERS (7)

Course Objectives/CLE's

This semester class meets 2-3 times a week and is focused exploring careers.  They learn about the sixteen career clusters and understand how foundation knowledge and skills apply to each cluster; students get a chance to apply the foundation knowledge and skills to individual and group assignments and projects throughout the semester.  Students also investigate the education and training required for various careers and the entrance requirements for a wide variety of postsecondary options.  Last, they will develop Personal Learning Plans which will serve as flexible and relevant plans of study for high school graduation and for seamless transition to postsecondary options.

Textbook:  Nebraska Middle School Career Curriculum, 2007.

CAREERS (8)

Course Objectives/CLE's

This semester class meets 2-3 times a week and is focused exploring careers.  They learn about the sixteen career clusters and understand how foundation knowledge and skills apply to each cluster; students get a chance to apply the foundation knowledge and skills to individual and group assignments and projects throughout the semester.  Students also investigate the education and training required for various careers and the entrance requirements for a wide variety of postsecondary options.  Last, they will develop Personal Learning Plans which will serve as flexible and relevant plans of study for high school graduation and for seamless transition to postsecondary options.

Textbook:  Nebraska Middle School Career Curriculum, 2007.

EARTH SCIENCE (8)

Course Objectives/CLE's

Earth Science exposes students to a variety of topics dealing with the earth and its surroundings such as astronomy, meteorology, geology, and oceanography. Earth structures are discussed including rocks, minerals, and the internal workings of our planet. The care and preservation of our planet is stressed. All students are required to develop a scientific experiment dealing with earth science related topics in which they practice using the scientific method.

Textbook:  Exploring Earth Science, Prentice Hall, 1997.

ENGLISH (7)

Course Objectives/CLE's

In the seventh grade, the curriculum focuses on vocabulary and writing skills, applied grammar and literature. Literature consists of poetry, plays, short stories, and novels. The vocabulary study is taken from the literature read in class, and novels. The second semester vocabulary is taken from Wordskills and utilizes a weekly lesson and quiz. One quarter is devoted to writing and applied grammar. Students may utilize the computer lab for this quarter and use process writing to write on a variety of topics.

Textbooks:
Elements of Literature, First Course, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1993.
Wordskills, McDougal, Littell and Company, 1993.
The Writer's Craft, McDougal Littell and Company, 1998.
Warriner’s English Grammar and Composition, First Course, Harcourt Brace, Jovanovich, 1982.
Novels include: Freak the Mighty, Holes, and The Outsiders.

ENGLISH (8)

Course Objectives/CLE's

In the eighth grade, the curriculum focuses on vocabulary, writing skills, applied grammar, and literature.  Literature consists of poetry, plays, short stories, non-fiction and fiction.
Emphasis is placed on reading comprehension, elements of literature, and figurative language. Vocabulary study is taken from the literature read in class and focuses on definition and usage.  The second source for vocabulary development is taken from the Wordskills workbook utilizing a weekly lesson quiz.  The vocabulary study is spread over the course of the school year.  Along with vocabulary, spelling is taught utilizing placement tests, pretests and post-tests. Much of the curriculum is state standards assessment driven with special attention given to descriptive writing in preparation for the statewide writing assessments.  Other course work involves a review of library skills and resources, note taking, listening, oral presentation and writing conventions.

Textbooks:
Literature and Life, McDonnell, Cohen, Gage, Madsen, 1979.
Elements of Literature, Second Course, Holt Reinhart, and Winston, 1993.
Wordskills, McDougal Littell and Company, 1993.
The Writer's Craft, McDougal Littell and Company, 1998.
Novels include several of the following:  The Man Who was Poe, Under the War Torn Sky, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Nothing But the Truth, Driver's Ed.

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE (7)

Course Objectives/CLE's

This semester class meets 2-3 times a week and is focused on financial literacy.  Students learn about values and goal setting, spending plans/budgets, applying for a job and getting a paycheck, financial institutions and services, saving, and the use of credit.

Textbook:  Supplemental materials from Family Economics and Financial Education and other web based financial literacy sources.

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE (8)

Course Objectives/CLE's

This semester class meets 2-3 times a week and is focused on an introduction to foods and nutrition.  The semester starts with students learning about MyPyramid and the nutrients.  Then students get to step into the kitchen to learn about food safety, kitchen safety, kitchen equipment, grocery shopping, lab planning, and basic etiquette.  Foods labs will be interspersed throughout the semester.

Textbooks: 
Student Workbook:  Exercise Your Options, CA Dairy Council, 2006).
Discovering Food and Nutrition, Glencoe, 2001.
Supplemental materials from other sources also used.

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY (7)

Course Objectives/CLE's

This class has a nine week introduction course of beginning drafting. Some of the areas that are covered at this level are: basic techniques of drafting, tool skills, basic knowledge of lines, multi-view drawings, history of drafting and why it is important. This provides students with an introduction into training and experience to meet these needs in a expanding industrial society.

Textbook: Industrial Arts Drawing by Walker & Plevyak, Goodheart & Wilcox, l964.

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY (8)

Course Objectives/CLE's

This is a 9 week course dealing with mass production. The student will issue stock, buy raw material and form their own company. Area's of study include job interview, drafting, man's history of industry, product design and many other area's that relate to industry.

KEYBOARDING (7)

Course Objectives/CLE's

The students are taught to operate the microcomputer using proper techniques and to plan and organize typewritten material in an orderly and acceptable business-like format. The typewritten materials include one-lines sentences and paragraphs using the alphabetical and numerical keys. Students will compose sentences and paragraphs while reviewing grammar rules. PowerPoint will also be introduced. Students will compete a small project using it.

Textbook: Century 21 Keyboarding & Information Processing, South-Western, 1997.
Check-writing packets provided by Security National Bank, Laurel, Nebraska.

KEYBOARDING (8)

Course Objectives/CLE's

The students complete a check-writing packet that teaches the skills necessary to maintain a personal checking account--from opening an account to making deposits, writing checks and reconciling the bank statements. The students are taught to operate the microcomputer using proper techniques and to plan and organize typewritten material in an orderly and acceptable business-like format. The typewritten material includes: memo’s, letters, and reports. Students will also be introduced to spreadsheets. They will practice writing formulas and produce charts.

Textbook: Century 21 Keyboarding & Information Processing, South-Western, 1997.
Check-writing packets provided by Security National Bank, Laurel, Nebraska.

LIFE SCIENCE (7)

Course Objectives/CLE's
 
The main topics covered in Life Science are the human body its systems and cell functions--and the characteristics and grouping of living things. In the study of cells, students will examine the structures and processes in the cell and relate them to everyday activities. All students will be required to develop a scientific experiment dealing with living things in which they practice using the scientific method.
 
Textbook:  Exploring Life Science, Prentice Hall, 1997.

MATH (7)

Course Objectives/CLE's

Math 7 is designed to continue to build understanding of the fundamental concepts of mathematics.  The content of this course includes problem and equation solving, computation with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.  Number theory, geometry, measurement with customary and Metric conversion, probability, statistics, ratios, and Pre-Algebra concepts are also introduced, developed and reinforced in preparation for high school mathematics.

Textbooks:
Mathematics Applications and Connections Course 2, Glencoe-McGraw Hill, 1995.
Accelerated Math

MATH (8)

Course Objectives/CLE's

Math 8 is required of all 8th graders not taking Pre-Algebra or Algebra I.  The content of this course includes the basic operations using whole numbers, decimals, integers, and fractions. Other concepts that are covered are in the areas of problem solving, solving equations, estimating, geometry, classifying angles, perimeter, area, ratios, probabillity, percents, statistics, and graphing equations all in preparation for high school math.

Textbooks:
Mathematics Applications and Connections Course 3, Glencoe-McGraw Hill, 1995.
Accelerated Math

PHYSICAL EDUCATION/ HEALTH (7, 8)

Course Objectives/CLE's

During seventh and eighth grade physical education, there will be units in flag football, volleyball, basketball, track and field, and soccer. Rules, field or court dimensions, skills, and strategy will be covered in the sports units.  Jr. High sports practices will also coincide with this class.  Students will have Health Education units blocked together throughout the course. During this time students will study units on health awareness, self-responsibility, decision-making, refusal skills, mental health, stress management, suicide prevention, communication skills, loving relationships including friendships and dating, marriage and parenthood, body systems, nutrition, diet, weight management, eating disorders, physical fitness, chemical dependence, drugs, alcohol, tobacco.

Textbook: Health-Focus on You, Merrill, 1990.

PRE-ALGEBRA (9)

Course Objectives/CLE's

All-important Pre-Algebra concepts and skills are presented to prepare students for success in Algebra I.  This rigorous course introduces variables, expressions, equations, inequalities, graphing, and polynomials as well as various problem-solving strategies to help students apply mathematical concepts. It also includes some review of statistics and probability.

Textbook: Merrill Pre-Algebra : A Transition To Algebra, Glencoe, 1992.

SPANISH (7)

Course Objectives/CLE's

Seventh and eighth grade students take 9 weeks of Spanish. During the class students will be introduced to the Spanish language. Basic Spanish grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills are emphasized.

Textbook: Spanish for Mastery I, D.C. Heath & Co., 1988.

SPANISH (8)

Course Objectives/CLE's

Seventh and eighth grade students take 9 weeks of Spanish. During the class students will be introduced to the Spanish language. Basic Spanish grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills are emphasized.

Textbook: Spanish for Mastery I, D.C. Heath & Co., 1988.

SOCIAL STUDIES (8)

Course Objectives/CLE's

The curriculum for eighth grade social studies is based on United States history.  Students will examine the history of the U.S. and learn how it grew into a powerful nation. Students will study significant events focusing on the Colonial Period, Revolutionary War, forming of the Constitution, and the Civil War.

Textbook:  United States History, Holt, Rienhart, Winston, 2007.

VOCAL MUSIC (7, 8)

Course Objectives/CLE's

Junior High Vocal Music is a class for 7th and 8th grade students. The focus of the group is on performance. Students will learn basic knowledge of healthy singing, confidence in the ability to perform, and an appreciation of various forms of music. The group will perform at concerts, clinics, and various other scheduled events.