Classes for High School Credit

English I Honors*

Grade Level: 8

Students will develop an understanding of key literary elements and forms, as well as a common vocabulary for discussing them. In alignment with Common Core Standards, significant concepts will be targeted with the reading and thorough analysis of each individual text. The student is introduced to the technique of interpreting literature with special emphasis on reading strategies and skills, such as inference and main idea. In-depth study of recurrent themes will also be an integral part of the course. Students will be exposed to independent reading expectations and writing requirements. An accelerated sequential writing program is included in this course with an emphasis on writing well-constructed multi-paragraph themes.

*This is an accelerated course. Students are selected for the class based on predetermined criteria relating to current academic achievement. Criteria include common assessments, standardized assessments, trimester grades, student behaviors and teacher recommendations.

Core-Plus Mathematics I*

Grade Level: 8

Core-Plus Mathematics (CPM) is a four-year integrated mathematics program for accelerated high school students. Recommended Elm students may take the first of the four yearlong courses while still in middle school. The curriculum builds upon the theme of mathematics as sense-making. Through investigations of real-life contexts, students develop a rich understanding of important mathematics that makes sense to them and which, in turn, enables them to make sense out of new situations and problems. The first course in the Core-Plus series covers topics regarding patterns in data, patterns of change, linear models, graph models, patterns in space and visualization, exponential models and simulation models.

*This is an accelerated course. Students are selected for the class based on predetermined criteria relating to current academic achievement. Criteria include common assessments, standardized assessments, trimester grades, student behaviors and teacher recommendations.

Biology I Honors*

Grade Level: 8

Biology I Honors is an introductory course in the life sciences. The basic concepts stressed, the group and individual learning, and the use of available technology are similar to that of Biology I. The Biology I Honors curriculum is designed to challenge the science student who is highly motivated and academically mature enough to handle a teaching method that incorporates problem-solving, analysis and inquiry.

*This is an accelerated course. Students are selected for the class based on predetermined criteria relating to current academic achievement. Criteria include common assessments, standardized assessments, trimester grades, student behaviors and teacher recommendations.

Civics

Grade Level: 8

In 8th-grade social studies, students will practice skills and gain knowledge in the following areas, with an emphasis on civics (understanding political systems, especially in the United States):

• Constructing questions to guide inquiry
• Gathering and evaluating sources
• Developing claims and using evidence to critique and communicate conclusions
• Taking informed action
• Civic and political institutions
• Participation and deliberation — applying civic virtues and democratic principles
• Processes, rules and laws

Civics is part of the required social studies curriculum for all Elm students. Although this is not an accelerated class, each student will earn high school credit upon successful completion.

Spanish I

Grade Level: 8

Emphasis is placed on developing each student's listening and speaking skills. These skills are developed through conversations and daily oral and written work. In addition to speaking and understanding the language on an elementary level, the students who successfully complete the course will also be able to compose simple paragraphs employing present and preterite tenses and read basic selections with comparative ease. Throughout the year various aspects of the culture are also discussed.

Although Spanish I is not an accelerated course, this is a high school-level class that will earn credit toward high school graduation upon successful completion.