Required Courses 5.5 credits

INTEGRATED SCIENCE (1.0)

Integrated Science explores the exciting world of physical and chemical changes, the rock cycle, force, energy, and motion as well as ecosystems. Students complete unit projects and are assessed through quizzes and unit finals each quarter

LANGUAGE ARTS 8, HONORS (1.0)

Language Arts seeks to develop verbal and written communication skills. Additionally, coursework refines and develops reading comprehension of both fiction and nonfiction texts.

8TH GRADE MATHEMATICS, ACCELERATED (1.0)

In 8th Grade Math, students will focus on formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations; grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships; and analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem.

In 8th Math Consolidated Accelerated, Students will complete the fourth quarter work in Math 8. Students must get a 4 on the end-of-level RISE test. They will also complete all of Secondary Math 1 curriculum. Students must complete the entire Secondary Math 1 Curriculum on ALEKS. They must also complete a minimum of 400 topics in Secondary Math II during the 4th quarter.

Maintain B or Higher to remain in the course

U.S. HISTORY (1.0)

The study of major events and movements that have shaped our country, starting from the Age of Exploration up until the end of the Civil War. Included in this class is the study of geography, economics, civics, government, and other areas.

BUSINESS DIGITAL LITERACY (.5)

This course is an introduction to computer literacy. Students will have opportunities to use technology and develop skills that encourage creativity, critical thinking, productivity, and collaboration in the classroom and day-to-day life.

INTERMEDIATE FITNESS (1.0)

This course is a continuation of the courses from 6th and 7th grade. Our activities are more complex and advanced than the previous courses. This class focuses on team sports and individual skills. Cooperative activities and social development is stressed. Sports include but not limited to: volleyball; flag football/rugby; basketball; soccer; and tennis.

Elective Catagories-2.5 credits

Fine Arts Classes

Art 2a (.5)

This class is designed for students who want to improve their drawing skills as well as their interest in art. We will continue to explore a variety of contemporary artists and their work. The class is studio based and students will be able to develop and improve skills learned in previous Art classes. Fee is required

Art 2B (.5) (must take Art 2A also)

Chorus II (1.0)

In this class students continue their choral education concepts learned in beginning choir. They pursue music with deeper concepts and difficulties. It is a good course to for preparing them for high school music making.

Band II Concert (1.0)

Concert Band is composed mostly of 8th graders or students with two years of playing experience on a band instrument. This group learns grade 2 to 2 1/2 level music which it performs at two concerts during the school year. It also usually performs in the Southern Utah Performing Arts Festival in February/March. This band helps to form the SCMS marching Warrior Band in the Fall for a number of local parades.

Middle ORCHESTRA (1.0)

Orchestra Class is composed of 8th and 9th grade students who have usually had two years of experience in an orchestra or on a string instrument. This group learns grade 2 to 4 1/2 level music which it performs at two concerts and some festivals, during the school year. This class also focuses on string techniques and ensembles. It also usually performs in the Southern Utah Performing Arts Festival in February/March. $$additional class fee

GUITAR 1 (.5)(must furnish own guitar & stand)

Students in the beginning guitar class are expected to actively participate in group and solo work, learn to tune and care for their instruments and to play exercises, scales, rhythm patterns, chords and songs. An evening performance may be included in the grade. $$additional class fee

Theater Foundations I (.5)

Theater I is a foundation course that introduces the basic concepts of characterization through improvisational exercises, text analysis, movement and voice, and scene study. Students taking Theater I at the Middle School level will learn the basic skills of acting and performing. This class is required in order to take Theater 2. $$additional class fee

THEATER FOUNDATIONS II (.5)

Theater II focuses on honing a students performance skills, enhancing their knowledge of technical theater and design, and increasing the students ability to communicate both theatrically and critically. Teamwork and responsibility are key components to this class. Pre-Req: Theater I $$additional class fee

Electives

FILM & Media Arts (.5)

Film Study is an overview of American motion picture history. Class time is devoted to listening and viewing essential films from the American Cinematography. Students will study the history of film, Cinematography, Music and Sound, Directing, Animation and Special Effects, in short what it takes to make a movie. $$additional class fee

Peer Tutor (.5)

The purpose of this course is to give students an opportunity to assist and tutor students in the special education classroom. Peer tutors will learn how to teach functional concepts and other programs as trained by the classroom teacher. This course may be taken more than 1 semester. Pre-Req: Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Student Government (1.0) **Application Required

Student Council class is a hybrid; students enrolled are responsible to be excellent representatives of our school and will be involved in planning assemblies, dances, activities, and news announcements that promote a positive atmosphere and school spirit at Snow Canyon Middle School. In addition, this class will include a curriculum of leadership, with an emphasis on learning how to be an effective leader. Concepts include leadership history, goal setting, time management, effective communication, diversity, and decision making. This class is a mix of eighth grade and ninth grade students. 9th grade Student Council Members are elected by ballot after applying and campaigning before the entire school population in the spring of each year. Newly arriving 8th grade Student Council Members apply for the opportunity to join while 7th graders at their prior school. The application process is based on criteria that includes core class GPA and citizenship appraisal, teacher evaluation from their prior school, peer consideration, creativity in the ideas offered within their applications and interest in promoting school spirit. All students either elected or selected for Student Council are held to a high standard of being an example in grades, service, and positivity.

PUBLICATIONS – YEARBOOK (1.0) **APPLICATION REQUIRED

Yearbook is a class that develops life skills through an understanding of the publication of each year’s Snow Canyon Middle School Yearbook. Students are introduced to photography, graphic arts and journalism. Each student must fill out an application

Healthy Lifestyles

BODY TONING (.5) or (1.0)(recommended for Girls)

This is an introductory course designed to help each student:

Improve muscular strength and endurance.
Clear understanding of developing a healthy mind and body. Including: nutrition, positive mental thinking, eating disorders, making workouts meaningful and successful in achieving your goals.
Gain knowledge and understanding of weight training principles and concepts.
Know the major muscle groups of the body; and associated exercises.
Develop a personalized weight training program.

PE WEIGHT TRAINING I (.5)

In this course students will be introduced to exercise routines involving resistance training. Students will learn about the major muscles of the body as well as lifts/exercises that can make those muscles stronger. Students will learn about various weight training equipment and how to safely use the it while performing technique sound exercises

PE WEIGHT TRAINING II (.5)(must take Weights 1 also)

This course is an advanced weight training class where the knowledge gained in Weight Training 1 is built on. Throughout this semester course, students are assessed on his or her fitness and strength levels several times which allows them to see the benefits and achievements of a dedicated approach to resistance training. Teamwork and social skills are gained throughout this course as students work in groups to help assist technique sound lifts and encourage each other to work hard. Pre-Req: Weight Training 1

Career & Technology Education

EXPLORING TECHNOLOGY (.5)

This course will give the student an overview of technology and related careers. The student will also become familiar with the techniques used in the industry today and participate in several projects to gain hands-on experience in manufacturing.

FACS EXPLORATION (.5)

This course provides students the opportunity to develop essential skills in the various career pathways related to Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS). Students will explore and cultivate skills in food and nutrition sciences, childcare, interior design, apparel and textile construction, fashion design and merchandising, consumerism, entrepreneurship, family relationships, personal responsibility and career and job-related tasks. This course will strengthen comprehension of concepts and standards outlined in Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education.

Dual Immersion

SPANISH 4 DLI HONORS (1.0)

The overarching intent of the dual immersion program is to educate students linguistically and culturally to communicate successfully in a pluralistic American society and abroad. This imperative envisions a future in which all students will develop and maintain proficiency in English and in Spanish. It is with these expectations that our intended learning outcomes are to;

Develop competency and understanding in more than one language and culture.
Demonstrate understanding of the nature of language and culture.
Understand and use oral language skills to communicate and to engage in conversations in Spanish.
Use the skills, strategies, and processes of reading and writing in Spanish.
Connect with other disciplines and acquire new knowledge.
Develop greater insight into their own language and culture and realize that multiple ways of viewing the world exist.
Participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world in a variety of contexts and in culturally appropriate ways.

Pre-Req: Successful completion of Spanish 3 DLI Honors

Chinese DLI 4 (1.0)

The DLI Chinese 4 course is designed to prepare students for the College Board’s AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam in 9th Grade and to develop a student’s communication skills in Chinese. The course is with a complete approach to language proficiency and encourages interrelation of comprehension and comprehensibility, vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The class will be held in Chinese 100% of the time and will use as its foundation the three modes of communication (Interpersonal, Interpretive and Presentational) as defined in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century. The overarching intent of the dual immersion program and AP programs is to educate students linguistically and culturally to communicate successfully in a pluralistic American society and abroad.

DLI Chinese Culture & Media (.5)

The DLI Chinese Culture, History & Media course is designed to prepare students for the College Board’s AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam in 9th Grade and to develop a student’s communication skills in Chinese. Students will cultivate their understanding of Chinese language and culture by applying the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations as they explore concepts related to family and community, personal and public identity, beauty and aesthetics, science and technology, contemporary life, and global challenges. The class will be held in Chinese 100% of the time.

Support Classes

Learning Strategies (.5 or 1.0)

Learning Strategies is an academic support class. Small class sizes allow for individualized instruction for students needing help with math, language arts, science, history and/or other subjects. Students are expected to come to class prepared to work on assignments or homework from their other classes. Chromebooks, desktop computers, and calculators are available for student use. Cell phones, headphones, airpods, etc. are not allowed during class. Grading is based on attendance and participation (using class time wisely).

ESOL (1.0)

This class helps students increase their fluency in English by covering social and academic language. The subjects of academic language that students will concentrate on are Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics. ESOL uses the SIOP model and project based learning to help students with low English proficiency.

Special Education Classes (1.0)

The following classes are available for students with an IEP:

Co-Taught Math
Co-Taught Language Arts
Language Arts Lab
Math Lab
Study Skills Lab Advisory