In the 8th grade, students begin implementing the Graduation Plan developed in the 7th grade.

Course selections in the 8th grade are important because the student’s high school journey begins. As students begin to select courses in the 8th grade, they need to be looking at the Foundation Graduation requirements, Endorsement areas of interest, how to receive an Associate’s Degree when the graduate from high school, and begin to understand the rank process for grades 9-12.

A planning sheet is available for parent/student use. During the Course Selection process, student and parents will work together to complete the student's 4 Year Graduation Plan and declare an Endorsement.

The following prerequisites will be used to place students in Honors ELA and/or in Honors Math 8 or Algebra 1.

  **Successful Completion of Accelerated 7th Grade Course Math and/or ELA (85 or better)

  **MAP Growth Scores

  **Math STAAR Scores

  **Common Assessment Scores

  **District Benchmark Scores

  **Staff Recommendation

8TH GRADE ELA

This course is designed to build upon prior knowledge from previous grades in the areas of reading, written language, research, thinking, and oral language. Students will be reading and writing on a daily basis and be exposed to various types of literature. Students will take a state mandated (STAAR) reading based assessment toward the end of the year. 

8TH GRADE HONORS ELA

Only students that have strong reading and writing skills should take this course. This course is designed to build upon prior knowledge from previous grades in the areas of reading, written language, research, thinking, and oral language. Students will be reading and writing on a daily basis and be exposed to various types of literature. Students will learn all of the same TEKS as a standard ELA course, but they will engage in additional challenges such as PBL projects, college-prep research, SAT/ACT preparation, and advanced crafting for writers. Participation in the course is based on a student’s 7th grade ELA course grades, district common assessments, district benchmarks, and STAAR performance

8TH GRADE MATH

In addition to strengthening prior learning in math, the primary focal points at Grade 8 are using basic principles of algebra to analyze and represent both proportional and non-proportional linear relationships and using probability to describe data and make predictions. Students will take a state mandated (STAAR) math assessment toward the end of the year.

8TH GRADE HONORS MATH

8th Grade Honors Math is a challenging course for high-achieving students who demonstrate a high level of math proficiency. The course will include math standards from both 8th grade and Algebra 1. Participation in the course is based on a student’s 7th grade math course grades, district common assessments, district benchmarks, and STAAR performance

ALGEBRA I (HS CREDIT)

8th Grade Algebra 1 is an accelerated course. The course consists of high school Algebra 1 standards. Participation in the course is based on a student’s 7th grade math course grades, district common assessments, district benchmarks, and STAAR performance.

8TH GRADE SCIENCE

The content in the 8th grade science course is heavily weighted on earth and space science. Students will be involved with investigations and field experiences at least 40% of the time. In addition to some content in the 6th and 7th grades course, the content in this course will appear on a state mandated assessment (STAAR) toward the end of the year.

8TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES

In Grade 8, students study the history of the United States from the early colonial period through Reconstruction.  The course also enables students to understand the importance of patriotism, function in a free enterprise society, and appreciate the basic democratic values of our state and nation. Students will also be taking a state mandated assessment (STAAR) toward the end of the year for this course.

BOYS’ ATHLETICS OR GIRLS’ ATHLETICS (HS PE CREDIT)

The athletic program offers three sports for young men - football, basketball and track. Three sports are offered for young ladies - volleyball, basketball, and track. The young men and ladies who choose to take athletics rather than Physical Education should be competitive, disciplined, responsible, and dependable. Too, they must make passing grades in order to participate. In order to participate in athletics a student is required by law to have a physical on file before the student can work out. Parents are expected to provide transportation to before or after school practices.

FITNESS AND WELLNESS (HS PE CREDIT)

Boys and girls will be divided into separate classes.

Classes meet every day and each student is expected to change into shorts, shirt, shoes, and socks every day. Students are expected to strive for 100% participation. Each student needs to set a fitness goal for the year. The students will be tested on the one-mile run in the fall and again in the spring. Various sports will be covered throughout the year. Education for life wellness will be incorporated for students.

PE DANCE FOR BOYS AND GIRLS (HS PE CREDIT)

This class is designed to teach students the basic technique and skills in Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip Hop. In each dance form studied, students will learn dance routines, have a few opportunities to learn how to create dance choreography in group assignments, as well as, become prepared for high school dance class or Drill Team.  Students are introduced to basic dance vocabulary, dance technique and movement. There is one dance performance opportunity in the Spring semester. Students are required to dress out and participate every day.

BAND (HS CREDIT)

Students enrolled in band will be placed into sections according to instrument and ability. Band placement will be based on results from auditions held in May. An emphasis is placed on rhythmic accuracy and note reading as well as tone production and technique for each instrument. Students with no prior band experience will be placed in a beginner band section. 

All bands will perform in a Holiday and Spring Concert as well as have an end of the year band trip. In addition, members of the band will perform at various football games and participate in the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest.

CHOIR (HS CREDIT)

Eighth grade choirs are divided into boys’ choir and girls’ choir, but opportunity is made to sing in a mixed choir. We continue the study of how to sing correctly, how to read music, and how to perform, and a higher level of excellence is expected of the eighth grade choir. We do a fall concert, audition for All-Region Choir, sing a Christmas concert, participate in Solo and Ensemble Contest, sing for Concert and Sight-Reading Contest, and perform a spring program. There are some outside rehearsals, but only a few, and all the programs are outside the school day. Eighth grade students are given many opportunities to perform in the community, and are encouraged to do independent singing.

THEATER ARTS 1 (HS CREDIT)

This course serves as an introduction to Theatre and further explorations of the skills needed for the theatre.

1. Perceptions – activities and exercises in developing characters based upon perceptions of
2. Creative expression and performance through movement, improvisation, original play production, and play
3. Historical/cultural heritage – study of timeline and progression of theatre over
4. Critical evaluation – Analyze and evaluate any kind of

ART 1 (HS CREDIT)

This course is designed to provide an appreciation for art and to emphasize techniques in problem solving and creative thinking. The major emphasis of the art program is individual development.

The art department participates in UIL competitions in the spring.

SPANISH I (HS CREDIT)

Spanish I will be a yearlong study in which reading, writing, and listening and speaking will be reinforced with daily practice. Students will acquire an understanding of basic grammatical structures. You must have passed the English portion of the STAAR test and have a recommendation from your language arts teacher to take this class. Successful completion of this class will take the place of Spanish I in high school.

8TH AVID ELECTIVE (HS CREDIT)

The 8th grade AVID elective class provides academic and leadership support for students entering rigorous coursework that prepares them for a pathway to university study. AVID students continue to refine WICOR (writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading) strategies in order to prepare them for rigorous high school courses and then vertically into the university setting. Students will be required to take at least one advanced course. Students will be attending field trips to universities and industry workplaces.

ADVANCED INVENTIONS AND INNOVATIONS (AI²) (GTT HS CREDIT)

This activity oriented, hands on program is designed to challenge and engage middle school students, preparing them for Career and Technology courses at the high school level. Instructors of this class have extensive training in Project Lead the Way curriculum units and modules. Each unit engages students in activities that develop creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and problem solving while building knowledge in computer science engineering and reinforcing math and science curriculum. Students will explore technology and hands-on learning through Computer Animated Design, Automation and Robotics, STEAM activities, and more. 

**INTRODUCTION TO INVENTIONS AND INNOVATIONS (I³) is recommended but not required for this course 

• Design and Modeling Students apply the design process to solve problems and understand the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. Using design software, students create a virtual image of their designs and produce a portfolio to showcase their innovative solutions.  

• Automation and Robotics Students trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics as tyen learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Students use the VEX Robotics platform to design, build, and program real-world objects.  

• Flight and Space The exciting world of aerospace comes alive through Flight and Space. Students explore the science behind aeronautics and use their knowledge to design, build, and test and airfoil.  

• The Science of Technology Science impacts the technology of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Students apply the concepts of physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology t osTEM activities and projects.  

• The Magic of Electrons Students are given the opportunity to explore the science of electricity, the movement of atoms, circuit design, and sensing devices.

For the latest news about members of PLTW’s Innovation Generation, visit the PLTW website, www.pltw.org.

GENERAL EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

This course will provide instruction in general employability knowledge and skills. Included in the skills are attitudes that allow employees to get along with their co-workers, make important work-related decisions, and become strong team members.  This course will also provide an overview of the GISD Programs of Study that are offered at Granbury High School. 

MATH INTERVENTION 

In this course, students will receive necessary math  intervention for meeting their individual needs to ensure success in the classroom and on mandatory assessment.

LLI - LEVELED LITERACY INTERVENTION

The intervention provides explicit instruction in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, reading, comprehension, oral language skills, and writing.  LLI helps teachers match students with texts of progressing difficulty and deliver systematic lessons targeted to a student’s reading ability.

MTA – MULTISENSORY TEACHING APPROACH

The MTA (Multisensory Teaching Approach) is the curriculum used by all the dyslexia interventionists in Granbury ISD. It is a sequential program designed specifically for students with dyslexia to develop their language skills. Only students that require this type of intervention will be chosen to be enrolled in this course. (High school credit will be awarded in the 8th grade.)