8th Grade Team » 8th Grade Team

8th Grade Team

8th GRADE HUMANITIES CORE

 

LANGUAGE ARTS

The 8th-grade language arts classes encompass language skills and usage, word study, literature, and critical reading and writing with an increasing emphasis on non-fiction texts.  Using the McDougal/Littell series, and supplemental materials to align instruction with the new Common Core California Standards, our students are provided with a well-balanced program.

 

SOCIAL STUDIES

The 8th-grade course of study provides for a chronological examination of history from Colonialism up to the Reconstruction Period.  With a multicultural perspective, literature about the period is stressed.  This curriculum promotes an understanding of ethics, democratic values, civic virtues, and elements of good citizenship as applied to public affairs.  

 

8TH GRADE MATHEMATICS

 

All 8th-grade students will be required to take a math course. The Math 8 course deepens and extends students thinking and problem-solving skills in basic algebraic concepts and geometry.  Upon successful completion of Math 8, students will be on target to complete all UC/CSU requirements in high school.  8th grade students, who have completed the 6th grade Compacted 6/7 and 7th grade Compacted 7/8 courses will be placed in the Integrated Math I Course.

 

Integrated Mathematics 1 is the first of a series of three high school integrated math courses.  It uses properties and theorems involving congruent figures to deepen and extend understanding of geometric knowledge from prior grades. Students will deepen and extend their understanding of linear relationships and build upon their knowledge of exponential functions. The Mathematical Practice Standards, together with the content standards, prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations. This course meets the UC “c” requirement.

 

8TH GRADE SCIENCE

 

GRADE 8 INTEGRATED SCIENCE

In Eighth Grade Integrated Science, students continue to make models and use inquiry to study Heredity, Biological Evolution, Earth's Place in the Universe, Magnetism and Electricity, Motion, Forces and Energy and Waves. Students continue to develop proper laboratory techniques in addition to investigation, reading scientific text, technical writing, and study skills.

 

ELECTIVES – FULL YEAR

 

ADVANCED & INTERMEDIATE BAND

(open to 7th and 8th grade students through teacher placement).  These bands offer instrumental music students an opportunity to further develop their performance skills and gain a life-long love and appreciation of music.  Performances include daytime and evening concerts at school as well as performances at Disneyland and the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.  All bands require a commitment for the entire year.

 

INTERMEDIATE ORCHESTRA

Teacher recommendation needed.  Intermediate Orchestra is our second level orchestra group for students who have completed Orchestra 1, or who have 2+ years of string instrument playing experience.  Instruments in the class include violin, viola, cello and bass.  This group plays more challenging music than Orchestra 1, and excellent music reading skills on a string instrument and proper string instrument technique are a necessity.  This group also plays a variety of exciting string music, ranging from pop, to classical, to movie themes and more.  The group performs at evening concerts, at community events, and may go on performance trips outside of the San Diego area.  Orchestra requires a commitment for the entire year.

 

ADVANCED ORCHESTRA

Teacher recommendation needed.  Advanced Orchestra is designed for the most advanced string players at Black Mountain Middle School.  Instruments include violin, viola, cello and bass.  The group plays the most challenging music available for middle school orchestra, and the focus is on learning the most advanced string instrument skills.  Fluent music reading and advanced string playing technique are a necessity.  The group performs a variety of music, ranging from pop, to classical, to movie themes, and much more.  This group performs at evening concerts, at community events, at orchestra festivals and goes on performance trips outside San Diego.  Orchestra requires a commitment for the entire year.

CHORUS – Chorus is a year-long course designed for students that have an interest in being a part of a vocal ensemble. No experience is required. Students will learn and develop upon their existing singing technique, learn music reading skills, and music history. Students will also explore a wide variety of music literature from classical to contemporary/popular pieces. This group will have two to four required evening performances and may go on performance trips to Music Festivals outside of the San Diego area.  

AVID 8TH GRADE

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.  The AVID elective class targets students who have earned a 2.0-4.0 GPA and are willing to uphold BMMS's four core values of respect, responsibility, kindness, and hard work as well as a desire to go to college. Students receive daily instruction in note-taking, time management, organization, reading, writing, and study skills, and receive additional support twice a week through collaborative tutorial groups with peers and AVID-trained college tutors.

 

There is a strong bond between AVID students where students become friends and friends become the BMMS AVID Family. AVID 8th graders will learn about high school and college requirements including the A-G requirements and the SAT and ACT tests.  They will also create their four-year plan for high school. Eighth-grade AVID students who meet the eligibility requirements will be invited to go on at least one college field trip, a teambuilding and leadership field trip, as well as a “Shadow Day” at a local high school!  To be considered, students must complete and submit both an online application and a private Flipgrid interview. Both will be available on March 1st and are due by March 20th.   

  

 

Additionally, AVID must be selected as the #1 elective choice on the Course Request. For more information about the AVID elective class at BMMS, please visit https://tinyurl.com/y8gcx7bb

 

 

SPANISH 1-2

Spanish 1-2 is a year course designed for the 8th grade student wishing to begin an in-depth study of a foreign language.  Students wishing to enroll in this course should have strong language skills as well as strong study skills.  Spanish 1-2 is a high school equivalent class.  Students who successfully complete this course will be eligible for Spanish 3-4 in 9th grade.

 

MANDARIN 1-2

Mandarin 1-2 is a one-year course designed for an in-depth study of a language other than English. Students wishing to enroll in this course should have strong language skills as well as strong study skills.  Mandarin 1-2 is a high school equivalent class.  Students who successfully complete this course will be eligible for Mandarin 3-4 in 9th grade.

 

ART

Students in art will learn about the elements of art and principles of design.  They will experience art making in various forms including pencil, pen, watercolors, mixed media, and paint. The class is designed to be an introduction to art, art history, and art vocabulary. Students will collaborate with peers and participate in self, peer, and group critiques.

 

DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTION

Digital Media - Intro to video, web design, and production

  • Web Design – WordPress,  SquareSpace, Weebly and Wix are platforms we use to make cloud based learning fun.
  • Internet SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – Through blog posting the students will learn how to be found and stay hidden with proper online etiquette.   Internet security is also stressed
  • Final Cut Pro Editing.  More information:  itech104.com

 

EXPLORING SPANISH

In this Introduction to World Language and Culture course, students will explore the cultures of the Spanish speaking world and compare and contrast them through the lens of film, geography, history, music, art, and current events. Students will acquire simple phrases and expressions along with limited vocabulary. This course will enable students to appreciate other cultures and will lead them to higher cultural awareness. Students should develop a lifelong interest and enjoyment of world languages and cultures, which will prepare them as citizens of a global society.