Eighth Grade Elective Classes
Eighth grade students have the opportunity to receive high school credit by enrolling in either French I or Chamber Choir. Students in this grade are invited to select their elective courses.
Academic Lab (teacher recommendation required)
Academic Lab offers a smaller group setting designed for students with a desire to work toward personal academic success. The class is staffed by both a teacher and an academic aide who assist students with classwork, organization, and studying for tests. The purpose of ac lab is two-fold: to provide not only academic support, but also remediation in math and/or reading. Ac Lab is a privilege; therefore students who enroll must be on-task, willing to accept help, and committed to completing work at home as well during the ac lab hour. Enrollment in this course requires teacher recommendation.
2D Art
Though two-dimensional art focuses on a more in-depth exploration of drawing and painting, students will also be given the opportunity to continue to create other projects through collage, mixed media, and printmaking. Fridays are designated free choice days where all artistic decisions for a project are left up to each individual student.
3D Art
With an emphasis on ceramics, students will explore other three-dimensional materials, such as paper sculpture, paper mache and cardboard creations. Fridays are designated free choice days where all artistic decisions for a project are left up to each individual student.
Band (year-long course)
This is the most advanced musical group in the middle school. Students continue to refine their skills and perform music at the advanced level in a winter concert, District Band Festival, spring collage concert, and BandAid concert. In addition, the jazz band and steel drum band continue to play more challenging music. Students learn to march and perform with the Petoskey High School Marching Band in the Memorial Day parade.
Chamber Choir/Bella Voce (high school credit - semester or year-long course)
This class, which is taught 1st hour at the high school, teaches students the basic aspects of singing: breathing techniques, good vocal production, and stage presence. Students do not have to audition for this group. There is one required concert per marking period.
Computers
This self-paced, project-based class is designed to continue the development of basic keyboarding skills and fluency with Google programs such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides. Students use the Internet regularly, and proper terminology is part of the curriculum.
Engineering/Drafting
This hands-on class meets in the shop room, where students will work with various tools to design and create a hands-on project. For example, students will design and construct a CO2 powered Race Car, then run races in the hallway using a specifically designed track with the goal of speed and precision. Students will also learn basic drafting techniques to create drawings used to communicate technical information to others. Emphasis in this course will be on neatness, accuracy, precision, and craftsmanship.
Foods
The course will cover:
- working safely in the kitchen
- preparing foods
- making informed decisions regarding food choices
- Emphasis is placed on working skillfully and efficiently in the kitchen, preparing taste-tempting, nutritious foods
French I (year-long course earning one high school credit hour)
This course is designed to develop the audio-lingual (listening-speaking) skills in the French language through dialogues and conversational sequences. Students gain oral command of vocabulary, sentence patterns, and grammar, as well as study the culture of the French people. Recommended for college preparatory students.
Full Value Seminar
This course focuses on the Full Value Agreement: working as a team, speaking up, and being safe. Students will do team-building activities and work collaboratively on improving their communication skills through various projects.
Life Skills
The course will cover:
- Career Exploration (Job Applications, interviews, work permits)
- Basic Sewing Skills (including completion of a project)
- Basic Food and Nutrition
Physical Education
1st Marking Period
- Basketball/Volleyball: Four weeks of each unit which include skills, team play, and tournaments.
- Football/Softball: Four weeks of each unit which include skills, team play, and tournaments.
2nd Marking Period
- Strength & Conditioning/Handball: Take your performance to the next level! In this 8th grade elective course, which rotates every other day with full court Team Handball, students can expect to be introduced to the fundamental movements of Bench Press, Squat, and Deadlift as a part of the “Workout of the Day” in our brand new training facility at PMS. Great emphasis will be placed on technique and safety while we help create the foundation for the transition to high school. This class is intended for overall general conditioning of the entire body.
3rd Marking Period
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Circuit Training/Floor Hockey: Four weeks of hockey (skills, team play, and a tournament) and four weeks of weight training and aerobic exercise. Students can expect to be introduced or build on 2nd quarter participation toward the fundamental movements of Bench Press, Squat, and Deadlift integrated into a full body circuit.
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Volleyball/Circuit Training: Four weeks of volleyball (skills, team play, and a tournament) and four weeks of Circuit Training and aerobic exercise. Students can expect to be introduced or build on 2nd quarter participation toward the fundamental movements of Bench Press, Squat, and Deadlift integrated into a full body circuit.
4th Marking Period
- Archery/Outdoor Team Sports: Archery, soccer, softball, agility ball, Frisbee gold, Ultimate Frisbee, Capture the Flag, and more!
STEM
In this class, students will work on STEM-type projects with a focus on science, engineering, and math with an infusion of teamwork and problem-solving.
Video Production
Video production is a fast-paced class where students produce weekly videos. Students follow through on their projects from pre-production to filming to final editing. Throughout the course, students will learn the basics of photography, camera functions, and video editing, as well as key vocabulary of cinematography. Student projects include producing the Friday Show broadcast which contains short films like PSA's, commercials, music videos, and news stories. Although there are some individual assignments, success in this class requires all students to work in cooperative, small groups.
*Please note: there are a limited number of slots available for this class, therefore student behavior, attitude, and academic effort may be considerations for enrollment .
Woods
This hands-on class in the shop will introduce students to a wide variety of woodworking machinery and equipment. Each student will construct an assigned project of their own. Emphasis will be on working safely and creating projects with fine craftsmanship and creativity. Project examples include chess/checker set, cutting boards, etc.
