Denmark Middle School 450 N. Wall Street Denmark, WI 54208

Tel:

Denmark Middle School

8th Grade Curricular and

Co-curricular Offerings

8th

Grade

REQUIRED CORE COURSES:

What is a core class?

These are the classes that are mandated and tested by

law.

ALGEBRA

This is a freshmen level high school class with credit as an

option. The following is a brief list of concepts covered

throughout the year: writing, solving and graphing linear

equations and inequalities, solving systems of equations and

radical equations, working with polynomial equations and

properties of exponents, graphing and writing quadratic

equations.

MATH

In this class, students will develop an understanding of basic

techniques used in high school Algebra and Geometry.

Emphasis will be placed on being proficient in the following

areas: adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing integers

and fractions. The following is a brief list of concepts cov-

ered throughout the year: approximating and performing

real number operations, performing radicals and integer

exponents, solving, writing and graphing linear equations,

solving systems of equations, applying volume formulas and

the Pythagorean theorem and understanding congruent and

similar of figures.

LANGUAGE ARTS

The 8th grade English/Language Arts class combines aspects

of reading, writing, word study and vocabulary. This class

is required of all students. The following is a brief list of the

concepts covered throughout the year: Grammar, Punctua-

tion, Genres, Persuasion, Informational Reading & Writing,

Research Skills, Story Elements, Literary Terms, Public

Speaking, and Independent Reading.

SCIENCE

Earth Science is the study of the Earth and its neighbors in

space. It is an exciting science with may interesting and

practical applications. This is an activity based course that

focuses on the major topics in the world of Earth Science.

Students will explore these topics with an interactive note-

book, laboratory investigations, hands-on activities and

multimedia resources. Topics will include: Minerals &

Rocks, Rock & Fossil Record, Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes

& Volcanoes, Water on Earth, Studying & Exploring Space,

The Universe & Its Stars, Our Solar System, The Atmos-

phere and Weather & Climate.

CORE CLASSES CONTINUED

SOCIAL STUDIES

In 8th grade Social Studies students will study the geography

and history of Southwest Asia and Africa. Students will

study ancient history through modern day events to under-

stand how past events have shaped these two regions today.

To accomplish this we will read, research, discuss, observe,

present and write about different aspects of geography and

history. Large projects include a two-page research paper,

pyramid building project and African Tribal Masks. Within

the 8th grade Social Studies curriculum there is direct appli-

cation of ELA standards and skills.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION Students will set fitness goals based on their fitness measure-

ments in the fall of the year. Our fitness center has ellipticals,

bikes, a universal weight machine, free weights, medicine

balls, a pull up bar and weighted fitness bars. We will also

work on the five components of fitness, nutrition concepts

along with basic skeletal and muscular structures. Activities

will include: soccer, flag football, volleyball, badminton,

basketball, snowshoeing, floor hockey and various coopera-

tive games.

Career and tech ed nondiscrimination statement:

Career and tech ed classes and programs are offered and open to all students regardless of sex, color, race, religion, national origin, ances-try, creed, disability, or sexual or gender orientation

CODING III (Term 3 & 4) You are introduced to the social impacts of computing. Through a series of challenges, you will learn how to understand the needs of

others while solving a problem. The second term of the semester

involves a team project, during which groups have the opportunity to determine a need that they care about, brainstorm solutions on paper

and in the “App Lab”, and test their solutions with real users to get

immediate feedback and get closer to solving their real-life problem.

ARTS AND CRAFTS ( 9 weeks ) What is the difference between art and craft? Students will examine

the differences and experience a variety of craft techniques.. Craft is a

form of work, which results in a tangible output. Students will ex-plore crafts that have stood time throughout history and those that are

popular today. Possible areas of exploration will be the fiber arts,

metal, stained glass and more.

ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY (9 weeks) Students will learn the history of photography and how to use a cam-

era. They will learn how light is the color palette for photographers.

Students will study photographic composition and lighting. Students will be introduced to 35mm film (analog) and digital photography

techniques, after which they will be assigned several photo shoot challenges. These challenges will take the students step by step

through the development of photographic composition and explore

many lighting techniques in order to create exciting photographs.

CERAMICS & SCULPTURE (9 Weeks) This class is designed for students who have an interest in working

with clay and other forms of three dimensional sculpture. For the clay

portion of the class, students will explore hand-building techniques. They will learn to use a wide variety of clay tools, slab roller, pug mill

and may have the opportunity to throw pottery on the potter’s wheel. Other types of sculptural works of art will be created using wood,

found objects, wire, etc.

PAINTING AND PRINTMAKING ( 9 weeks ) In this course, students will develop a better understanding of color

theory as it applies in both painting and printmaking. During the

painting portion of this course, students will take a look at a variety of painters and learn about different techniques and methods as they

apply them to their own creations. In addition, students will learn

about the history of printmaking, examine different types of printmak-ing and make their own unique prints.

ENCORE LAB ASSISTANT

A student in 8th grade may be asked by an encore teacher to serve as

an encore lab assistant for one quarter. This can only be done with the approval of an encore teacher. Students selected by teachers will be

responsible for activities which may include: independent study as-

signments, clean up, maintenance, set up and removal of classroom displays, lab set up, duplicating handouts, etc. Lab assistants will have

the opportunity to further develop work related skills.

ENCORE OPTIONS

NOTE: STUDENTS THAT TAKE 7TH AND 8TH

GRADE AG WILL NOT HAVE TO TAKE

“INTRO TO AG”IN HIGH SCHOOL

EXPERIMENTING WITH AGRICULTURE (9 weeks) In this course, you will put your science skills to the test by develop-

ing an agricultural research project that fits your individual needs and

interests! Your project may emphasize plants, food, animals, or agri-cultural mechanics depending upon the area of agriculture you are

most passionate about. Careers will also be covered in this course.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS ( 9 weeks ) Explore the great outdoors in this hands on and project based course.

From the woods and waterways to the animals that live there. We will explore the management of our natural resources and wildlife

species in North America and develop an appreciation for the relation-

ship between the environment, wildlife, and you! If you like the outdoors and all it offers then this class is for you.

FIELD TO FORK (9 weeks) This class is specifically designed for students who want to learn more

about the food production industry starting with the raw product and the plants and animal products. In this class, you will participate in a

combination of hands-on, group, and individual plant and food sci-

ence activities to demonstrate your understanding of the Farm-to-Table concept.

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION ( 9 weeks ) Do you enjoy hands-on projects? Then this is the course you want

to take. This course is designed to give you the opportunity to explore different areas of construction, including bridges. In addition, stu-

dents will use the workshop to build CO2 racecars, with the top car

receiving a trophy.

MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING Do you enjoy working with your hands and being in the workshop?

Then this course is designed for you. This course is designed to give

you the opportunity to explore Manufacturing and Engineering. Stu-dents will as a whole class, use the workshop to mass produce a prod-

uct that they will sell for a profit. Students will also be able to crea-

tively engineer a beam.

CODING III (Term 1 & 2) You will build on what you have learned in previous years of coding

experience as you program new animations, interactive art, and games

in “Game Lab”. The term starts with shapes and builds up to more complex games, using the same programming concepts and the design

process that computer scientists use ion their everyday jobs. For the

final project, you will create a personalized, interactive program.

DRAWING AND DESIGN ( Full Year Course ) It is time to put an end to those myths that only visually gifted students can

draw. This yearlong course will critically develop their visual and spatial

skills. Drawing not only develops hand-eye coordination, it teaches a student to really observe, to see. Students will develop drawing skills using a wide

variety of techniques, styles and applications. The student will be able to com-

municate verbally and in written form throughout all levels of the creative process. They will be exposed to five or more drawing components: Ten

Drawing Techniques to Create 3-Dimensional Drawings, Level 1,2,3 Life

Drawing Basic Skills, En Plein Air (French for “In the Open Air”) Landscape/Cityscape Drawing, Still Life Drawing and Drawing with Technology Tools.

SPANISH 1(Full Year Course) Spanish 1 is a full year course that is equivalent to the Spanish 1 course taken

at the high school level. This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of

the Spanish language using primarily the present tense. Students will engage in reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities regarding the following

major themes: spending time with friends, going to school, eating with family,

shopping, and welcome to our home. Intermingled with these main themes will also be the review of the vocabulary covered in Pre-K-5th grade Spanish.

SPANISH 2 (Full Year Course) SPANISH 2 is a full year course that is equivalent to the Spanish 2 course

taken at the high school level. This course is a continued study of the Spanish

language, introducing more complex grammatical structures, including past

tenses. Students begin to show a greater level of accuracy when using basic

language structures, and they are exposed to more complex features of the

language. Themes include travel and vacations, health, daily routines, home

life and sports. Intermingled with these main themes will be the continued

review of the vocabulary covered in Pre-K thru 7th grade Spanish. Pre-

requisite: Spanish IA & Spanish IB

TECH & ENG: ADDITONAL OFFERING

This course will be an enriching Technology and Engineering experience for

8th grade students. In this course you will be working in the workshop on many hands-on projects. This course explores

the engineering processes and your creative problem solving skills in develop-

ing, engineering and testing designs for products. Some projects may include: Rockets, Boats and Egg Drops. This class will also incorporate guided study

time.

Music Offerings:

CHOIR Students enrolled in choir have the opportunity to enhance their vocal singing

ability by concentrating on what is needed to produce a quality vocal sound. To

meet Wisconsin State Standards, students will focus on learning music keys, notes, signs, symbols, rhythm and vocabulary. Choir students are required to

perform in two concerts every school year (winter and spring) and participate

in the May conference choral festival. Students in choir may also try out for show choir.

BAND Offered to all 8th grade students and meets all year every day. Students are

required to attend one lesson every two weeks to work from their lesson book,

scales, solo/ensemble music and concert music. We will perform in five con-certs, and march in one parade. 8th grade band members have the opportunity

to perform at Solo/Ensemble, and play in the Jazz Ensemble.

CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS/ACTIVITIES

What else can an eighth grader do?

Co-curricular activities are extra opportunities for students

that are sponsored by the school district and usually take

place outside of the regular school day.

BATTLE OF THE BOOKS

Denmark Middle School participates in the Wisconsin Battle of

the Books competition sponsored by WEMTA. This statewide

Battle of the Books program is designed to promote a love of

reading among our students. It encourages students to read a

variety of books and remember information about the plots, char-

acters, and settings of the books. Every question asked in a battle

is answered by the title and author of the book and takes the form

of: Name the book in which a horse and a boy are stranded on an

island. It is a fun, academic-based competition that has been very

successful in school districts throughout the state in encouraging

students to read.

FFA

FFA is the largest youth organization with over 500,000 mem-

bers nationwide. FFA is not only for students from farms. It pre-

pares students for success with a wide range of academic and

leadership opportunities and scholarships. Members can partici-

pate in leadership conferences, community service activities,

traveling, meetings, and contests.

FORENSICS

The forensics team is for any middle school student interested in

acting, public speaking, or oral interpretation of literature. It’s

an extra curricular activity that strengthens communication ,

leadership, and presentational skills through practice and perfor-

mance. Students begin by picking one of numerous categories

such as solo or group acting, prose or poetry reading, news re-

porting, four minute speaking, and many more. They then pre-

pare their performance with a coach at after school practices

beginning December and go on to perform at two levels of com-

petition in January and February. If you love to perform or are

looking for a fun way to improve your communication and per-

formance skills, this is the team for you!

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY (7th & 8th) The National Junior Honor Society is the leader among educa-

tional organizations and societies that promotes recognition for

middle level students who reflect outstanding accomplishments

in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and

character. Membership in NJHS is a privilege. An application

process will occur for membership. Students need to possess and

maintain a minimum of a 3.5 GPA and be able to document com-

munity service to apply.

STUDENT COUNCIL

Student Council consists of six elected members from each grade

level. Students are elected by their peers and a panel of teachers

at the end of each school year. Activities that the council plans or

implements includes: school dances, spirit days, food drives,

March Madness giveaway, and the Seroogy’s fundraiser to sup-

port the end of the year field trips. Student Council also assists as

needed for the Veteran’s Day Assembly.

YEARBOOK

An extra-curricular organization available to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade

students who are interested in taking photos, organizing text, and

being creative. Responsibilities begin right away at the begin-

ning of the year and run through the beginning of March. Most

meetings occur on an as needed basis but the real season is the

months of January and February. We need members from all

grade levels to have a successful yearbook. Listen for announce-

ments in early September to obtain an application and be a part of

the DMS yearbook staff.

Athletics:

• Football - Aug. (1 Week before school) - Oct.

• Cross Country - Sept. - Oct.

• Girl’s Volleyball - Sept. - Oct.

• Boys Basketball - Nov. - Dec..

• Girls Basketball - Jan. - Feb.

• Wrestling - Jan. - Feb .

• Boys’ and Girls’ Track - April - May