2018-19
8th Grade Course Catalog
HAPPY VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
HOME OF THE HERONS
13865 SE King Road, Suite B
Happy Valley, OR 97086
Main Office: 503.353.1920
Attendance: 503.353.1933
FAX: 503.353.1935
Website: www.nclack.k12.or.us/hvalleymid
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INTRODUCTION
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Table of Contents
Introduction Page 2
Principal’s Message Page 2
Mission and Vision Statements Page 2
Course of Study Page 3
Courses Page 4
Principal’s Message
Dear HVMS Families,
We have lofty goals for our students, for ourselves, and for our community. We are committed to working collaboratively to provide a quality education for our students. We look forward to a great year.
Emily Behunin
Principal
Vision Statement
Each student isengaged today, inspired for the future, and ready for new challenges. It is our moral purpose to ensure that each student is:
Engaged… as a sincere participant in his or her learning, school, and community
Inspired… to develop the skills and confidence to think critically and solve problems
Ready… to learn and succeed in an information-rich world
Mission Statement
Happy Valley Middle School exists to provide each student a safe and academically challenging learning environment that will prepare life-long learners to meet the needs of a dynamic world. By addressing individual learning styles and needs, we believe that all students can and will achieve at high academic levels.
In order to prepare students for successful next steps, the staff of Happy Valley Middle School is committed to developing the academic, social, and emotional strengths of each student.
We believe we must ENGAGE students in learning that:
• provides advanced literacy and numeracy skills in an on-going rigorous curriculum
• embeds technology to leverage how today's learners participate in their world
• practices and models sustainability and conservation
• connects with other cultures, languages, and learners
We believe we must INSPIRE students to:
• make healthy choices physically, socially, and emotionally
• be creative, curious, and insightful contributors to society
• hope, build trust, model respect, and celebrate success
• find relevance in learning through exploration, mentorship, stewardship, and service
We believe we must ensure that students are READY as learners to:
• think critically, problem solve, and work collaboratively with others
• navigate, analyze, and apply information
• connect globally with issues and ideas that impact the world
• participate in advanced and college credit classes in high school
School Colors and Mascot
Navy Blue and Green
Herons
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8TH GRADE COURSES
v Health 8
Health Education provides information and skill development for students to make informed decisions about their health and wellness. Units of study are aligned with state standards and include detailed study of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and prevention. The Family Life unit includes study of the male and female reproductive systems, STIs and birth control, with an emphasis on abstinence and avoiding teen pregnancy. Instruction includes individual and group projects, opportunities to practice decision-making and refusal skills by participating in role-playing.
v Language Arts 8
Language Arts is designed to strengthen the student's literacy skills and enjoyment of reading
and writing. The content includes instruction and practice in the writing process as well as a
focus on reading instruction, including strategies to improve reading. Students will participate in
state assessments. Study skills, listening and speaking will be reinforced and expanded.
v PE 7/8
The physical education curriculum emphasizes skill development and strategies in a variety of team, dual, and lifetime sports. Strength, flexibility, and endurance are presented in aerobic and anaerobic fitness activities. Appropriate social skills and sportsmanship are emphasized. Students are required to dress down daily; they must wear a Happy Valley PE uniform. Uniforms can be purchased in the main office and at registration.
v Science 8
Science 8 focuses on scientific inquiry and concepts related to earth, physical and life sciences. The format includes hands on activities, labs, teacher and student-directed projects, direct instruction and use of technological resources. Students are required to complete at least one scientific inquiry work sample that will be assessed with the state scoring guide.
v Social Studies 8
Social Studies 8 is a critical examination of the history that shaped our nation from the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, through Westward Expansion, the Civil War,
Reconstruction, and beyond. Students will analyze and make meaning of peoples' lives, their
choices and consequences, and legacy through close readings of primary and secondary texts.
By the end of this school year, students will improve in their skill to critically analyze information
like historians. The focus is to better understand our present through the experiences of the
past, and the goal is to embrace our humanity through exploring the human condition. This is a year-long, every other day course.
8TH GRADE MATH COURSES
Math classes at Happy Valley Middle School are determined through the use of multiple pieces of information. These include performance in their current course, state assessments, teacher recommendation and the end of year final in their current course. All classes are year-long.
v Math 8
Teaching and learning will focus on the following critical areas: (1) formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations; (2) grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships; (3) analyzing two and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem. Emphasis will center on reasoning and communicating mathematically through a balance of problem solving, conceptual understanding and procedural fluency opportunities. Students will develop conceptual understanding and procedural fluency through an emphasis on problem-solving tasks.
v Algebra*
This course includes the remaining content in Math 8 and all of a high school level Algebra 1 course. Teaching and learning will focus on the following critical areas of Math 8: (1) analyzing and solving simultaneous linear equations; (2) defining, evaluating and comparing functions and using them to model relationships; (3) investigating patterns of association and bivariate data; This course continues with all Algebra 1 content which focuses on 5 critical areas: (1) analyzing linear equations and inequalities; (2) exploring functions and systems of equations and inequalities; (3) analyzing and evaluating linear models of data; (4) creating and solving problems involving exponential expressions; and (5) modeling with quadratic functions. Emphasis will center on reasoning and communicating mathematically through a balance of problem solving, conceptual understanding and procedural fluency opportunities. Students will develop conceptual understanding and procedural fluency through an emphasis on problem-solving tasks. High school credit may be received for this course.
v Geometry
Students who have successfully completed the Algebra course in the seventh grade will be offered a geometry class for high school credit. Students will be cross-enrolled at Clackamas High School.
* High School Credit, OPT-OUT POLICY:
Algebra I is a high school credit course. Overall course grade and performance on the year-end exam may result in a 1.0 math credit and affect grade point average on the student’s high school transcript. Students may retake Algebra I in high school and choose to opt out of the credit earned in Middle School. The deadline for this action is the end of first semester of the student’s freshman year.
ELECTIVE COURSES – Every Other Day
ART
v 2D Design
Prerequisite: None
Fee: $20
Explore visual communication through the use of space, image, and color. We will explore the
principles of design to create images through technical & perspective drawing, printmaking,
watercolors, and other illustrative media. Themes may include media & advertising, graphic
design, graphic novels, and street art.
v Advanced Art Projects
Prerequisite: Drawing and Painting or 2D Design (with a grade of A or B)
Fee: $20
Now that you have learned some basic concepts of art, apply them with greater freedom in
Advanced Art. We build on skills learned in Art 6, Drawing & Painting, and 2D Design to
build larger projects and explore personal experience. Work with acrylic paints, printmaking, and
mixed media. Students work with writing artist statements and developing themes within their
compositions. Advanced Art offers more in-depth work, including a variety of media.
Semester 1: Portraiture & Painting
Semester 2: Printmaking & Mixed Media
v Multi-Media Sculpture
Prerequisite: None
Fee: $20
This course covers 3D art concepts and art forms including texture, collage, cardboard
construction, paper mache, and plaster. Students create works of art that may be functional as
well as decorative. Build a chair! Design an award-winning trophy. Create art out of found
objects. What kind of mask represents you? Find out during 3D Design & Sculpture.
ALL ART STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY
A $20 MATERIALS FEE PER COURSE
ASSISTANTS
In order to be selected to be an Assistant, students must meet the following criteria: 3.0 GPA,
90%+ attendance, and no more than 1 discipline referral.
v Elementary Mentor/Academic Tutor
Prerequisite: Administrator Approval / Main Office Signature
Students mentor Happy Valley Elementary (and/or Happy Valley Middle) students by doing a variety of activities. The mentors help students with math, spelling, reading and general assistance in the classroom (and/or during lunches). Students who want to become a mentor are required to obtain an office staff member’s signature on their forecast sheet.
v Media Assistant
Prerequisite: Staff Signature
Students selected will assist staff in the library. Students will learn routine library procedures and will perform a variety of tasks that help with the day-to-day operation of the library. These jobs will include shelving books, checking books in and out, and running errands. Students who want to become an assistant are required to obtain the media assistant’s signature on their forecast sheet.
v Office Assistant
Prerequisite: Staff Signature
Students will work in the main office and student services assisting office staff, faculty, students and parents. Students must be responsible, reliable, have good attendance, and maintain confidentiality. Duties include running call slips, checking-in/checking-out students, working on various projects, and providing good customer service. Students who want to become an assistant are required to obtain an office staff member’s signature on their forecast sheet.
v Teacher’s Assistant
Prerequisite: Staff Signature
Teacher assistants work in the classroom with teachers. Students are required to contact the teacher they wish to assist and obtain his or her signature on their forecast sheet.
AVID
v AVID 8
Prerequisite: Selection through application and interview process
AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. Students will learn organizational
and study skills, work on critical thinking and questioning strategies, get academic help from
peers or college students, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities that make
college attainable. AVID students will become successful leaders and role models for other
students. AVID students will be enrolled in an elective class that meets every other day for the
entire school year.
ENGINEER IT!
v Engineer It! PLTW 3D Design and Modeling
Prerequisite: None
Fee: $20
Students work collaboratively in teams to apply the design process needed to solve problems.
Their work will help them understand influence of both creativity and innovation in their lives
and will help them develop their own ability to create and innovate. Using Autodesk® design
software, students create a virtual image of their designs and produce a portfolio to showcase
their innovative solutions. They will also build 3D models of some of their designs which will
include 3D printing.
FOOD SCIENCE
v Food Science 7/8 Cooking 101
Prerequisite: None
Fee: $20
In Cooking 101 you’ll learn to transform raw vegetables, fruits, starches, proteins, and grains into delicious meals using a variety of preparation techniques. Learn safe and effective knife skills. Discover how heat and motion change the structure and taste of food. Experiment with spices and flavor combinations. Learn safe food handling and basic nutrition principles so you can prepare delicious meals for you and your family.
HERON TV
v MEDIA ARTS
Prerequisites: None
Fee: $20
This is a one semester introductory class to the various computer uses and applications that a middle school student will encounter in their other classes. Students will learn about the essential features of Google Drive: word processing, presentations, and drawings. A focus will be on how to organize and share files, use the internet for research, and collaborate with others using a variety of digital media. Students will also get an introduction to photography, learning how to use cameras and edit images, and digital video for storytelling using iMovie. Students will need to bring headphones to class. This class is a prerequisite to Heron TV.
v Heron TV
Prerequisites: Media Arts
Fee: $20
Students will learn how to film, edit and produce short videos, some of which will be part of the weekly Heron Television production. The emphasis will be on how students can communicate a message effectively and concisely through video. Each student will rotate through the various roles required to produce a quality broadcast for an episode: on camera, making credits, choosing music and media, etc. Throughout the semester, students will produce a variety of videos emphasizing a variety of skills. Students will need to bring headphones to class each day. This class is open to 7th and 8th graders that have successfully completed Media Arts (Or HTV as a 7th grader). Students are welcome to take the course more than once.
LEADERSHIP
v Introduction to Leadership
Prerequisite: None
Fee: None
Looking for a course that makes you feel good about yourself and the world around you? Looking to make a difference while learning important life skills? If so, Leadership is the class for you! This introductory course will help students develop leadership skills in a variety of areas. This is an excellent opportunity for students to learn people skills while promoting a positive and productive school climate. We will learn skills through many “hands on” activities. Topics to be covered include: goal setting, team building, awareness of self and others, community service, heroic traits and leadership styles of great leaders throughout history. Students are required to complete six hours of community service during the quarter. These hours must be completed outside of the regular school day. If you already took Introduction to Leadership, you must move on to Advanced Leadership.