RAMS 8th Grade Course Descriptions - Roseville Area Schools

ROSEVILLE AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL
REGISTRATION GUIDE 8 TH GRADE 2011/2012
WELCOME TO RAMS!
We are beginning our registration process for the 2011/2012 school year. It is important that
both students and parents/guardians read the material and discuss the options available for
students. All students must complete a registration card, including an approved signature from
parent or guardian.
Registration for the 2011-2012 school year can be done online from Monday,
January 24 - Tuesday, February 15. Students should complete the registration card
prior to registering online.
You can access online registration through the StudentVue and ParentVue interfaces. Once
you have logged into your account, you simply click on "Course Request" tab on the left side of
your screen. Follow the online directions as you request your mathematics, music, and other
elective course preferences. Should you or your student have any questions concerning
registration, please feel free to contact the Student Services Department 651-482-5289.
El estudiante se esta inscribiendo para las clases del siguiente año en Roseville Area Middle
School. Si necesita ayuda para entender el proceso o esta forma, por favor llame a
Cecilia Martino 651-604-1489.
Daim ntawv no yog rau nej cuv nej tus menyuam cov hoob rau lwm xyoo nyob tom Roseville
Area Middle School. Yog hais tias nej muaj dab tsi noog, thov nej hu rau
Dou Moua : 651-604-3594.
If you have any questions about filling out these materials and you need a Karen or Burmese
interpreter please call:
Mya Phyu: 604-3543
Sincerely,
Dr. Juanita Hoskins, Principal 651-482-5284
Todd M. Olson, Associate Principal 651-482-5288
Julie Gabos, Counselor 651-482-5289

RAMS VISION
RAMS is a caring community engaged in critical thinking and purposeful, connected learning. Centered
on early adolescents’ needs we will provide quality opportunities for personal success in a safe
environment that promotes respect, responsibility, diversity, exploration, creativity, and fun.
REQUIRED COURSES
English
Mathematics*
Science
Social Studies
Physical Education
Art
Family and Consumer Science
Industrial Technology
Teen Issues
Full Year
Full Year
Full Year
Full Year
Full Year/Alt. Days
1 Trimester
1 Trimester
1 Trimester
1 Trimester
ELECTIVE COURSES
African American Literature
1 Trimester
Art Exploration
1 Trimester
Computer Applications
1 Trimester
Creative Writing
1 Trimester
Crime Science Investigations
1 Trimester
Eatery
1 Trimester
Guitar
1 Trimester
Guitar II
1 Trimester
Production/Communication
1 Trimester
World Drumming
1 Trimester
Video Production
1 Trimester
Language*
Full Year
(French, German, Spanish)
Art Studies
Full Year/Alt. Days
Choices FACS
Full Year/Alt. Days
Music
(Band, Orchestra, Chorus)
Full Year/Alt. Days
Personal Exercise Plan
Full Year/Alt. Days
Technology Exploration
Full Year/Alt. Days
*Upon successful completion, students will receive two high school
credits for each of the following courses: Intermediate Algebra,
Geometry, Spanish, German and French. The grade will not be factored
into the high school grade point average.
PRE-ADVANCED PLACEMENT (Pre- AP)
Pre-AP is…
• An inclusive program for encouraging more students to access
higher learning
• A way of thinking and approaching the classroom
• A tool for working together in the same direction
• A system for strengthening the skills every student needs to
succeed – in AP, on SAT, in college, and in careers
• It is neither a prescribed set of courses nor a prescribed
curriculum.
Pre-AP – not a course, but a concept that:
• Builds rigorous curricula
• Promotes AP access to more students
• Prepares students for success when they take AP and other
challenging courses
Effects of Pre-AP and AP
• Better prepared academically
• More likely to choose challenging majors
• Likely to complete more college-level work
• Likely to perform significantly better than students who did not
take AP courses
• More likely to exercise leadership
• More likely to graduate with a double major
• Twice as likely to go into advanced study
Willingham and Morris,1986, UT Study 1988
REQUIRED FULL YEAR COURSES
8000 Pre-AP ENGLISH 8
This course is the foundation for promoting Advanced Placement
(AP) access to more students. It will prepare students for success
when they take AP English and other challenging courses. Literature
units at the eighth grade level include short story, novel, non-fiction,
and poetry. During literature units, students will use various literary
terms to develop critical thinking skills while analyzing literature.
Students will read one non-fiction memoir as a class, one fiction
novel as a class, and at least one novel as part of differentiated
literature circle. Students writing skills will be developed and
reinforced through Six Traits of Writing, developing a thesis, narrative
writing, persuasive writing, poetry, journaling and vocabulary
development.
8020 PRE-AP SOCIAL STUDIES 8
This course is the foundation for promoting Advanced Placement
(AP) access to more students. It will prepare students for success
when they take AP and other challenging courses. The focus of this
course is American history. In this class students will study the
people and events from the Pre-Columbian era through the Civil
War. Some topics include exploration, colonialism, the Civil War,
westward expansion, and the Industrial Revolution. All students will
be asked to read more materials and analyze texts; will apply and
use their knowledge in a variety of ways and will work more
independently, problem-solve, collaborate, communicate and
understand the content of the course at higher levels. This class
emphasizes self-directed learning, greater performance components
and high standards of achievement.
8040 Pre-AP EARTH SCIENCE 8
This course is the foundation for promoting Advanced Placement
(AP) access to more students. It will prepare students for success
when they take AP and other challenging courses. The major units
presented are astronomy, geology, meteorology, and oceanography.
Earth Science provides learning experiences which develop
precision in measuring and observing, experimenting and
understanding of earth science concepts; and acts as a stimulus for
curiosity in science and natural phenomena.
8030 ALGEBRA 8
This course focuses student learning on Minnesota’s grade 8
mathematics standards which are designed to develop mastery in
understanding linear algebra. Heavy emphasis is placed on problem
solving, reasoning, and algebraic thinking through proportional
relationships. The mathematic concepts and skills are learned
through real-life experiences and applications. Topics of study also
include probability, statistics, geometry, data analysis and discrete
mathematics.
8032 INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA 8
This course focuses student learning on a blend between
Minnesota’s grade 8 and high school standards for mathematics.
Emphasis is placed significantly on developing student
understanding of linear functions as well as moving into
understanding systems of equations. This course begins with the
study of algebra and functions, basic statistics and probability, and
continues through quadratic equations, all the while demonstrating
real life applications of these areas. It will emphasize symbolic

manipulation as well as use the technology of graphing calculators as a
tool for problem solving. Students with a MAP RIT score 240-244 should
consider taking this course. Students will receive two high school
credits for successfully completing this course. The grade will not
be factored into the high school grade point average.
8033 GEOMETRY 8
This course focuses student learning on Minnesota’s high school
standards within the geometry and measurement strand. We live in a
world made up of shapes. Geometry is the study of the properties of
geometric figures. Triangles, circles, parallel lines, similarity, area,
volume, planes, spheres and pyramids are everyday figures that have
properties that control their features. These properties will be studied to
better understand the world in which we live. Emphasis is placed on
learning geometric concepts and applying previously learned algebraic
concepts to geometric problems. Intermediate Algebra is a pre-requisite
to this course. Students with a MAP RIT score +/= 245 should consider
taking this course. Students will receive two high school credits for
successfully completing this course. The grade will not be factored
into the high school grade point average.
8090 PHYSICAL EDUCATION 8
Physical education meets on an alternating day basis for the year. The
curriculum emphasizes an advancement of the skills introduced in
seventh grade. The class promotes a healthy and physically fit body.
Units offered include soccer, tennis, volleyball, basketball, badminton,
Fitness Center (weight training, DDR, Wii, Elliptical, Bikes), archery,
softball, and flag football.
REQUIRED TRIMESTER
COURSES
8070 ART 8
In this class students build upon experiences and techniques learned in
the seventh grade art program. In addition to more advanced drawing
techniques utilizing a range of mediums, students will be producing an
acrylic painting on canvas. Students will also have a pottery sculpture
experience and will be introduced to the potter’s wheel.
8050 FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE 8
FACS 8 focuses on safety and sanitation, nutrition, making healthy food
choices, evaluating personal food decisions, and simple but healthy meal
planning. Students learn basic cooking skills to help them prepare
nutritious meals both at school and at home. Technical reading,
organization, measuring, and direction following are a major part of this
course. Students will also relate wise consumer skills to label reading,
food advertising, comparison shopping and some basic money
management.
8075 TEEN ISSUES 8
Teen Issues class follows the National Standards for Health Curriculum.
The class changes according to the issues that are important to teens for
that time. There are nine thematic units covered. They include: becoming
a life-long learners, body systems, fitness and nutrition, the cycle of life,
social and emotional, disease illness and prevention, safety, injury, and
violence prevention, substance abuse prevention, and consumer,
community, and environmental health. In 8 th grade some of these units
are explored more in-depth than in 7 th grade.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION/ ELECTIVE COURSES
FULL YEAR ALTERNATING DAYS
8071 ART STUDIES 8
FULL YEAR ALTERNATING DAYS
With emphasis on student choice and interest students will work on a
variety of areas not covered in the required trimester long class. For
example: design; three dimensional drawing; printmaking using multiple
formats; non-objective, representational, and abstract painting; clay
experiences with sculptural forms and the potter’s wheel; and different
areas of jewelry such as metal fabrication with enameling.
8051 CHOICES, CHOICES, CHOICES 8
FULL YEAR ALTERNATING DAYS
Are you becoming more independent? Do you want to get ready for
that first part-time job? Are you ready to use your creativity by
completing more advanced sewing projects and exploring interior
design? Do you like children and want to know more about them as it
relates to preschool and child-care programs? Then this class is for
you.
8082 BAND 8
8084 ORCHESTRA 8
8086 CHORUS 8
FULL YEAR ALTERNATING DAYS
Students may select one music class from band, orchestra, or
chorus. These classes are performance classes and will require
attendance at several concerts during the year. Band and orchestra
students must have two years experience on their instrument. Small
group pull-out lessons are part of the curriculum for band and
orchestra. Chorus students must enjoy singing and demonstrate the
ability to match pitch. Students in choir continue work on reading
music and sing 3-part music. Students who are enrolled in one of
these music classes may participate in extracurricular music groups
such as Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Band or Morning Choir.
8091 PERSONAL EXERCISE PLAN (PEP) 8
FULL YEAR ALTERNATING DAYS
Students will be active every day when they register for PEP.
Students will have the opportunity to work out in the Fitness Center
(weight training, DDR, Wii, Elliptical, exercise bikes). Throughout the
course there will be opportunities for students to choose individual or
team activities that they would like to participate in for a daily
workout. Students will increase strength and cardiovascular levels
through a variety of activities. Students will develop their own
strength training plan and learn how muscles and bones function
together. It is a great class for students who love to be active.
8061 TECHNOLOGY EXPLORATION 8
RESEARCH AND DESIGN
FULL-YEAR ALTERNATING DAYS
This course is a more in-depth look at the technologies introduced in
Industrial Technology 7. Students interested in combining art,
science, and creative problem solving to design and make things will
enjoy this class. Students will experience first-hand the research and
design (R&D) processes and techniques used in architecture,
engineering, and industry. Students will strengthen individual skills
and develop teamwork competence using a fun, hands-on, projectbased
approach. Class activities may include the egg drop
challenge (Splatterfest ’09), mouse-trap vehicles, speed boat hull
design, hockey stick production and testing (boot hockey tourney),
and hot air balloon flight.
TRIMESTER COURSES
8110 INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY 8
TRIMESTER CLASS
(REQUIRED – IF NOT TAKING A LANGUAGE)
In this class, students will explore a wide range of technologies
including: computers, robotics, lasers, research and design, audio
and video broadcasting, electronics, rocketry and flight, energy
systems, transportation, graphic communications, etc. Paired
students work at their own rate as they rotate through technology
topics at workstations using computers, videos, hands-on activities,
text and other multi-sensory experiences.
8081 AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE 8
TRIMESTER CLASS
Attention all readers! The African-American literature class is right for
you. In this class, students will read fiction, narrative non-fiction, and
poetry written by African American men and women. Students will be
exposed to literature from different periods in American History,
beginning with slave literature. Class texts will also include pieces
from the turn of the nineteenth century, Harlem Renaissance, etc.

The focus of the class will be on reading and discussing literature, but
there will also be written assignments. If you love to read, this is your
opportunity to join other readers to discuss different books.
8101 ART EXPLORATION 8
TRIMESTER CLASS
This class will expand upon the mediums and techniques taught in the
required art classes offered at RAMS. In addition to such areas as
drawing and painting, students will be offered bookmaking; beginning
jewelry techniques such as enameling; different sculpture methods;
computer graphics; fibers work using a weaving loom, printmaking
techniques; and mixed media painting techniques.
8102 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 8
TRIMESTER CLASS
Computer applications class covers a wide range of computer related
skills. Students will learn the basics of such programs as word
processing and database, and the use of presentation software and
other relevant programs. A large component of the class involves
appropriate Internet usage, creation and development. At the end of the
class each student will have a substantial knowledge in basic computer
operations while also having the skills for both educational and
professional development.
8103 CREATIVE WRITING 8
TRIMESTER CLASS
This course will teach students how to write in a variety of creative
genres. Students will create short stories, poetry, personal narratives,
and scripts. The class will function as a writer’s workshop. Peer review
will be a key component. Students will be provided with opportunities to
have their work published.
8104 CSI: CRIME SCIENCE INVESTIGATIONS 8
TRIMESTER CLASS
Are you a fan of CSI? This course will provide an introduction to the
study of forensic science. It will focus on the study of physical evidence
found at a crime scene. We will investigate forensic anthropology and
the mystery of DNA. Do you like mystery stories?
8105 EATERY ELECTIVE 8
TRIMESTER CLASS
Tired of the same old food? If you enjoy making and eating food, then
Eatery is the course for you! This basic foods course focuses on
selecting, preparing and serving foods based on knowledge of the Food
Pyramid Guide. Also included in the class is a mini cultural goods and
snack shop unit.
8107 GUITAR - BEGINNING 8
TRIMESTER CLASS
This is an introductory course to playing the guitar. This class will include
group guitar lessons. Students will learn string and chord names, how to
hold, strum and play chords with strumming patterns. Students with prior
guitar experience are welcome. We will study the history of the guitar
and some great guitar legends. Students will also work in the computer
lab using Garage Band to learn how to create musical compositions. If
you have ever wanted to play the guitar here is your opportunity!
8108 GUITAR II 8
TRIMESTER CLASS
Guitar II is for the student who has completed Guitar I, or the student
with previous personal guitar experience/lessons. Guitar II will continue
chord and single note melodies. Students will work further into
strumming patterns, bass strum techniques, finger picking and power
cords. Students must meet with teacher to bypass Guitar I.
8109 VIDEO PRODUCTION 8
TRIMESTER CLASS
In this course, students will learn the process of video production by
planning, writing and producing a bi-weekly news report, RAMS
Report, and other video media which may be broadcast to the
community over the public-access cable station in Roseville. RAMS
Report consists of student-produced news stories, interviews,
investigative pieces, and creative taped segments. By working on a
student crew, class members will have several opportunities for oncamera
experience and work behind-the-scenes in video
photography, editing, and sound.
8111 WORLD DRUMMING 8
TRIMESTER CLASS
This class will give students a chance to learn authentic drumming
techniques of West African and Latin cultures. A variety of cultural
drumming and rhythmic instruments will be used. The class will focus
on technique and ensemble playing. No previous drumming
experience is required.
FULL YEAR ELECTIVES
8014 SPANISH 1 - Introductory Conversational 8
Students will learn to speak, read, write, and understand the Spanish
language with an emphasis on everyday conversational situations.
Many aspects of Latin American and Spanish culture will be studied
such as daily life, geography, cultural values and national
celebrations. Students will receive two high school credits for
successfully completing this course. The grade will not be factored
into the high school grade point average. Students will receive two
high school credits for successfully completing this course. The
grade will not be factored into the high school grade point
average.
8010 FRENCH 1 - Introductory Conversational 8
Students will learn to speak, read, write, and understand French at
an introductory level. The focus is on communicating in everyday
situation about topics such as school, shopping, food, and hobbies.
Students will also begin exploring the geography and cultures of the
French-speaking world. Students will receive two high school
credits for successfully completing this course. The grade will
not be factored into the high school grade point average.
8900 ADVANCEMENT VIA INDIVIDUAL
DETERMINATION 8
AVID is a college preparatory elective course for selected students
at RAMS. Students/families may go to our website
www.isd623.org/edc/AVID/ to view eligibility requirements and
download and complete an AVID application form. You may also
contact your student’s School Counselor for additional information or
Tana Bogenholm, RAMS AVID Site Coordinator.
8106 PRODUCTION / COMMUNICATION 8
TRIMESTER CLASS
Did you enjoy using the power tools to create the Jewelry box in 7 th
grade I.T.? Do you want to design and print your very own custom t-
shirt? Production/Communications may be the class for you! We explore
advanced woodworking and safe power tool operation by creating a
valuable shaker mantel clock, in addition to making several different t-
shirts through the screen-printing process. Students interested in
learning how production technology can make their creative visions a
reality in a fun, fast paced, hands-on environment will enjoy the projects
in this class.