READING 8

Students scoring at Level I or II on the on FCAT SSS Reading and/or 60th percentile and below on the FCAT NRT will be placed in a Reading class instead of an elective.

The purpose of this course is to provide continuous instruction in the acquisition of developmental reading skills through an integrated reading, listening, speaking, and writing program using a variety of texts. The content should include, but not be limited to, the Sunshine State Student Performance Standards. The course will focus on students’ independence, confidence, and a lifelong desire to read, providing ample opportunities for independent and instructional reading. Students are placed in this course based on 7th grade FCAT scores.

LANGUAGE ARTS 8

The purpose of this course is to provide instruction in literature, reading, writing, and oral communication. The content should include, but not be limited to, analysis of literature, application of the writing process for a variety of purposes and audiences, reading, spelling, listening, critical thinking, study skills, and career information related to language arts.

LANGUAGE ARTS 8, ADVANCED

Criteria for placement in advanced language arts classes:  

(Students must satisfy 3 of the 4 requirements)  

1. 3.5 average in previous language arts class  

2. 85% reading score on FCAT NRT (previous year)  

3. Score of "4" on mock FCAT writing practices  

4. Teacher recommendation

The purpose of this course is to promote academic excellence in English language arts through enhanced experiences in literature, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking. The content should include, but not be limited to, traditional and contemporary literature, application of the writing process for a variety of purposes and audiences, use of higher-order reading skills, advanced vocabulary, practice of formal and informal speaking and listening activities, utilization of critical thinking skills, and career information and opportunities related to language arts.

LANGUAGE ARTS 8, GIFTED

The purpose of this course is to promote academic excellence in Language Arts through enriched experiences in literature, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking. Study skills and student responsibility are paramount. The course content will include, but not be limited to the study of traditional and contemporary literature, application of the writing process in expressive and academic modes, the utilization of the higher-order reading skills, intense vocabulary exercises, and the practice of formal and informal speaking and listening activities.** Summer reading and coursework may be assigned. Critical thinking is integrated into all components of the course. The course incorporates the goals and objectives contained in the "Resource Manual for Gifted Programs" and is available only to students staffed into the Gifted Program.

INTENSIVE MATH 8

The purpose of this course is to provide remedial instruction and practice in mathematics skills and concepts. The content will be identified by diagnosis of the student’s needs based on his/her performance on the SSS Math test. At the end of this course the student should be prepared to continue their math education at a non-remedial level.

Prerequisite: Students who scored Level 1 on the FCAT Math SSS test.

MATHEMATICS 8

The purpose of this course is to complete the transition from arithmetic skills to higher-level mathematical skills involving critical thinking, problem solving, and math reasoning. It is a general math course that is based on the Math Strands of the Sunshine State Standards and continues to build on the math skills from the previous year. Providing preparation for Algebra IA and Algebra IB in high school, this course has a moderate pace, requires 15-30 minutes of homework daily, and makes use of single concept test questions building towards multi-concept questions. Upon completion of this course, these students should be able to solve problems presented in a variety of formats, including short and extended response.

Prerequisite: successful completion of grade 7 math.

MATHEMATICS 8, ADVANCED

This course is designed to develop mathematical content fundamental to high school level course work, specifically Algebra I Honors. Focusing on the use of algebraic skills for problem solving, this course has a fast pace, requires 30-45 minutes of homework daily, and involves independent work. The sequence of the lessons builds in-depth coverage of concepts and makes use of multi-concept questions on tests which involve the application of skills learned. A text different from the 8th grade regular math text is used and often has a higher reading level. These students should be highly motivated, academically self-disciplined, and self-directed. At the end of this course students should be fully prepared for Algebra I at the high school level having a solid background in working with rational numbers and equations, without calculators.

Prerequisite: Students will be considered for placement in this class if they meet at least 3 of the following criteria - 90th percentile Math NRT and 80th percentile Reading NRT, Level 4 SSS Math, 3.5 math GPA, Placement Test score at least 47 out of 63, Teacher Recommendation.

ALGEBRA I HONORS

This is a high school level course. This year it is the continuation of the Algebra course offered to 7th graders last year. The purpose of this course is to provide a rigorous and in-depth study of algebra, emphasizing deductive reasoning skills, as a foundation for more advanced mathematics courses. The content should include, but not be limited to: operations and properties used within the real number system, algebraic and graphical solutions to first-degree equations and inequalities in one and two variables, operations with polynomials, rational and irrational algebraic expressions, quadratic equations, quadratic inequalities, and quadratic functions. Throughout this course students are expected to develop the skills needed to solve mathematical problems. There is a strong emphasis on algebraic problem solving. This course has a fast pace, requires 30-45 minutes of homework daily, and involves independent work. Students should be highly motivated, responsible, self-directed, and committed to spending the time required to gain proficiency with the content skills. Tests involve questions requiring the application of skills learned. These students should be ready for Geometry at the high school level.

Prerequisite: Students will be considered for placement in this class if they meet at least 3 of the following criteria - 90th percentile Math NRT and 85th percentile Reading NRT, Level 4 SSS Math, 3.5 math GPA, successful completion of the Algebra course offered at Tequesta in 7th grade last year, Teacher Recommendation.

ALGEBRA APPLICATIONS

Algebra Applications is a high level rigorous, critical thinking type of course that will transition students from Algebra 1 Honors to all future high school math courses. It is designed for the students who have passed the Algebra 1 Honors course ,but are not quite ready or do not feel confident enough in their algebra skills to take on the more abstract and difficult course of Geometry Honors. The course will use, refine, and expand upon the skills learned in Algebra 1 with a strong emphasis on problem solving. At the conclusion of this course the students will have strengthened their algebra foundation and confidence in preparation for future math courses.

Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 1 with a passing grade and teacher consultation.

GEM 8

The specific course of study for GEM 8 is Geometry Honors. Students qualify for the course only if they have successfully completed GEM 7. These should be A/B students who have demonstrated mastery of algebra skills as evidenced by their grades and exam scores. This course is a rigorous and in depth high school course which helps lay the foundation for higher level math work. The emphasis is on methods of proof, the formal language of mathematics, the fundamental properties of gemometry, the understanding of deductive and inductive reasoning, solving real world problems by applying the geometric properties and algebraic skills, and using transformational and coordinate geometry.

This course has a fast pace, requires 45-60 minutes of homework daily and involves a good deal of independent work, since the approach to the course is the discovery method. Students should be highly motivated, responsible, self-directed, and committed to spending the time required to gain proficiency with content skills. It is highly recommended that students have a strong working knowledge of algebra for this class. Tests involve questions requiring the application of skills learned.

COMPREHENSIVE SCIENCE 8

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to continue to build on their experiences as it relates to the study of science. Interactions in the physical world, including physics and light, as well as inorganic chemistry will be covered. Earth’s minerals and rocks are also covered. Mendelian genetics are investigated as well. The Theory of Evolution is covered at this level, as well as bodily systems. Additionally, students will be expected to complete projects and demonstrations. External resources, such as the Internet and current articles from scientific literature will be used to broaden the student’s knowledge.

COMPREHENSIVE SCIENCE 8, ADVANCED

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to continue to build on their experiences as it relates to the study of science. Interactions in the physical world, including Newtonian physics and light, as well as inorganic chemistry will be covered. Earth’s minerals and rocks are also covered. Mendelian genetics are investigated as well. The students will be expected to complete projects and demonstrations that are consistent with a rigorous, academically challenging program. External resources, such as the Internet and current articles from scientific literature will be used to broaden the student’s knowledge. Because this course requires advanced thinking skills and an enhanced curriculum utilizing math and formula solving, to be eligible for placement in the Advanced Science class, students must meet the following requirements: 1. Be enrolled in either the GEM math program or have been placed in the Advance Math program. 2. The student must have scored at least a level 3 on their FCAT tests in both Math and Reading in 7th grade.

COMPREHENSIVE SCIENCE 8, GIFTED

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to continue to build on their experiences as it relates to the study of science. Interactions in the physical world, including Newtonian physics and light, as well as inorganic chemistry will be covered. Earth’s minerals and rocks are also covered. Mendelian genetics are investigated as well. The Theory of Evolution is covered at this level, as well as bodily systems. Because this course requires advanced thinking skills and an enhanced curriculum utilizing math and formula solving, students should be enrolled in either the GEM math program or the Advanced Math Program. Additionally, students will be expected to complete projects and demonstrations that are consistent with a highly rigorous, academically challenging program. External resources, such as the Internet and current articles from scientific literature will be used to broaden the student’s knowledge. Students should be enrolled in Gifted Language Arts and Gifted United States History classes as well.

UNITED STATES HISTORY 8

The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of the political, economic, technological, and social development of the United States from Exploration to the present. Students will examine the connections to the past, and prepare for a future as participating members of a democratic society.

UNITED STATES HISTORY 8, ADVANCED

The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of the political, economic, technological, and social development of the United States from Exploration to the present. Students will examine the connections to the past, and prepare for a future as participating members of a democratic society. Emphasis is placed on technical writing, research, and technology. This advanced course emphasizes critical thinking and application skills. Additionally, students will be expected to complete projects and demonstrations that are consistent with a rigorous, academically-oriented course.

UNITED STATES HISTORY 8, GIFTED

The purpose of this course is to provide students the opportunity to acquire a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the United States and its relationship to the present. The content should include, but not be limited to, the political, economic, technological, and social development of the United States from its historical beginnings through the present. An overview will include those major social, geographical, political, and economic issues which made a significant impact upon contemporary United States. Students will utilize the content areas of this course to increase growth in evaluation skills, investigative skills, problem formulation skills, decision making skills, creative thinking skills, planning skills, and social skills. This course incorporates the goals and objectives in the "Resource Manual for Gifted Programs" and is available only to students staffed into the Gifted Program.

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