Parents
Incoming Grade 8 Course Request Information
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PARENTS OF STUDENTS CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN GRADE 7 WILL BE ENTERING THEIR CHILD'S 8TH GRADE FINE ARTS AND ELECTIVE COURSE REQUESTS FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR VIA THE PARENT PORTAL.
Please refer to the prerequisites and information below when choosing an elective.
All electives meet every other day for the entire year. Please note: students with special services or accelerated science classes will not have room in their schedules to take a third elective.The window for entering your child's course requests is TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2024 TO FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2024.
ELECTIVE #1: NYS Fine Arts Requirement- Students must choose one of the following: Foundations of Art, Applied Art (for students taking Art in grade 7), Band 8, Orchestra 8, Chorus 8 or General Music 8
- Enrollment in Band 7, Chorus 7 or Orchestra 7 is a pre-requisite to join Band 8, Chorus 8 or Orchestra 8
- Attendance is mandatory at all school sponsored music performances and weekly instrumental and vocal lessons
ELECTIVE #2:- Students must choose one of the following: Foundations of Art, Applied Art (for students taking Art in grade 7), Band 8, Orchestra 8, Chorus 8, General Music 8, CODING 101, Computer MAGIC, Exploratory OR Introduction to Science Research
- Students may NOT choose two music electives. If a music elective was chosen as Elective #1, a music elective can NOT be chosen as elective #2.
- Students cannot pick the same elective as chosen in Elective #1
ELECTIVE #3:- The lab component in 8th Grade accelerated science does not allow for a third elective. Therefore, all students enrolling in Earth Science should NOT choose a third elective.
- Those students choosing a third elective will choose one of the following: Foundations of Art, Applied Art (for students taking Art in grade 7), Band 8, Orchestra 8, Chorus 8, General Music 8, CODING 101, Computer MAGIC, Exploratory OR Introduction to Science Research
- Students may NOT choose two music electives. If a music elective was chosen as Elective #1 or Elective #2, a music elective can NOT be chosen as elective #3.
- Students cannot pick the same elective as chosen in Elective #1 or Elective #2
Those students who choose to take band or orchestra during the school day may enroll in Early Morning Risers, a before school chorus ensemble, in the Spring.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:- Foundations of Art: teaches the basic elements and principles of design.
- Applied Art: reinforces skills and techniques learned in Foundations of Art. Elements of Art and principles of design will be explored in new and creative ways. New media, critical thinking and self-reflection are a focus.
- General Music: a non-performing course where students continue their study of world music drumming and piano as well as create and remix popular music.
- 8th Grade Band: designed for students who played wind, brass or percussion instruments in Grade 7 and have demonstrated knowledge of basic musicianship.
- 8th Grade Chorus: is designed for students who participated in Chorus in Grade 7 and have demonstrated knowledge of basic musicianship.
- 8th Grade Orchestra: is designed for students who played violin, viola, cello or bass in Grade 7 and have demonstrated knowledge of basic musicianship.
- CODING 101: Programming is in every facet of our lives. In this course, students will learn the basics of coding and they will be introduced to different types of programming languages. Students will also explore game design and app development through the use of interactive online tools. Coding allows students to collaborate with one another and tap into their creative side to create their own programs. This course offers students ½ high school credit.
- Computer MAGIC: (Media, Apps, Gaming, Innovation, Coding) - Computers are the tools and people make the MAGIC. In this project-based course, students will learn how to use programs and coding to develop computer apps and games used on computers and smartphones. Some additional skills taught to compete in today’s workplace are artificial intelligence, graphic design, video communications, letter writing, Google apps and Microsoft software, proper keyboarding techniques, and social media/internet safety. Students will collaborate and be creative. They will be introduced to career options such as game design, engineering and entrepreneurship. This course offers students ½ high school credit.
- Exploratory Grade 8: courses are pass/fail and meet quarterly, with each quarter designated as an exploratory course in English, math, science and social studies. All course work, including projects, is completed in class.
- Introduction to Science Research: Introduction to research is meant to lay foundations in the skills that would be necessary to be successful in more advanced research electives offered through the partnership that the Massapequa research program has with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories. The course fosters the ability to conduct research and collect, interpret, analyze, and present experimental data. Students interested in taking this course must meet certain academic criteria and complete an application process. For more information and access to the application, click here. This course offers students ½ high school credit.
- Students must choose one of the following: Foundations of Art, Applied Art (for students taking Art in grade 7), Band 8, Orchestra 8, Chorus 8 or General Music 8
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Grade 7 to Grade 8 Scheduling Parent Email
2024-2025 Grade 7 to Grade 8 Scheduling Parent Email.pdf 108.09 KB (Last Modified on November 28, 2023) -
8th Grade Course Elective Options and Descriptions
2024-2025 8TH GRADE COURSE ELECTIVE OPTIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS.pdf 79.01 KB (Last Modified on November 28, 2023)