The following subjects are considered to be elective.  Each eighth grade student will be required to take four semesters of electives.  Elective course will have a FEE assessed.  Price yet to be determined.

Art of Today
Units will include:

• Famous Artists and Artwork
• Graphic Design
• Art's Influence on Modern Cultures
• Computer Graphics
• Drawing Sculpture
• Painting

Final project may include:  Clay Vases with Famous Artwork, Acrylic Painting of Important Persons, Original Product Design Using Computer Graphics, Drawings from Life and Drawings from Photos, and several more units exploring painting and drawing, and sculpture techniques.  *Students who earn a grade point average of 3.8 or above in art will be able to elect "advanced" art classes in high school.  These students also must have completed a minimum of two semesters of art in either 7th or 8th grade.
Course Length:  1 Semester

Art and Cultures
Units will include:

• Latin American Art
• Advertisement
• Surrealism
• Realism
• Technical Drawing
• Various Drawing Techniques
• Sculpture
• Painting

Final projects may include:  Latin American Animal Sculptures, Color Pencil Drawing of Famous Art Turned into an Advertisement, Surrealist Watercolor Painting, Pointillism Marker Drawing of Famous Person, Computer Graphics Designed Logos, and several more units exploring a variety of methods and art techniques.  *Students who earn a grade point average of 3.8 or above in art will be able to elect "advanced" art classes in high school.  These students also must have completed a minimum of two semesters of art in either 7th or 8th grade.
Course Length: 1 Semester

Discovering Your Future
You will leave this class with a taste of the work world and the groundwork to discover your future.  This Family and Consumer Education course uses enjoyable hands-on activities and projects to help you develop your personal assets, plan a balanced life, explore future careers, and dabble with entrepreneurship.  Learning activities include working cooperatively in food labs and constructing one or more sewing projects.
Course Length:  1 Semester

Managing Me
What does it mean to manage yourself?  How can you become better at managing what you eat, the money you spend, the time you have, and your future?  This class will help you answer these questions while involving you in hands-on projects, food labs, and time management sewing project(s).  Take control of your life and prepare for the transition into high school by learning to Manage ME!!
Course Length:  1 Semester

TECH ED
The eighth grade Technology and Engineering class will utilize one of the most powerful 3D automation software available to the industrial setting.  The students will use Solidworks to design and develop their projects and virtually test the strengths and weakness of their project and make adjustments before they build the actual project.  In the near future, we will use CNC Machining techniques to create and build our projects.  A few of the projects the eighth grade will design and build will be Model Shed, Sumo Bots, CO2 car, and Solid Fuel Rockets.
Course Length:  1 Semester

French 8
French 8 is a continuation of French 7.  Students build upon what they learned in 7th grade to become more proficient at speaking, reading and writing the language.  These skills continue to be developed through conversational situations, role-plays, reading selections and written exercises.  Students will learn more about the cultures of people who speak French around the world with an emphasis on cities in Franc, the Ivory Coast and Martinique.  Students will participate in Foreign Language Week with a Foreign Food Fair and a variety of cultural activities.  *Students who successfully complete French 7 and 8 may be eligible to begin French II as high school freshmen.  Course Length:  2 Semesters

German 8
In German 8, students expand on the skills acquired in German 7.  Students practice their skills in speaking, reading and writing daily in class, as German 8 is taught largely in German.  Students will expand their knowledge of the geography and culture of German-speaking Europe, as well as follow patterns of German immigration in the United States.  Students in German 8 participate in Foreign Language Week, as well as the Foreign Foods Fair held at Prairie View. Students also have a chance to compete against other schools in an annual German Speaking Contest.  In addition to these events, students attend the annual German Day at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  German students from all areas of Wisconsin gather together at German day to celebrate the learning of German through songs, skits and contests.  *Students who successfully complete German 7 and 8 may be eligible to begin German II as high school freshmen.  Course Length:  2 Semesters

Spanish 8
Spanish 8 is a continuation of first-year Spanish and is open to students who have successfully completed Spanish 7.  Students review and continue learning the language through a variety of activities stressing reading and hearing, and more emphasis is placed on speaking and writing.  Students begin to read short stoies in Spanish and present plays as well as original skits and dialogues.  Activities offered to both Spanish classes include a Spanish Club and a Foereign Language Week with a Foreign Food Fair and a variety of cultural activities.  *Students who successfully complete Spanish 7 and 8 may be eligible to begin Spanish II as high school fresmen.  Course Length:  2 Semesters

Band 8
Band is offered at each grade level in the middle school.  The curriculum is based on a proven method by national and state standards that systematically develops a student's progress throughout the three years. Individual progress is enhanced by our special facilities (computer labs, recording studio, practice rooms) for those who need help to catch up or wish to advance ahead. Band meets daily. Students receive small group insturction once a week where assessment of the student's success is monitored and evaluated and written theory skills are developed. All bands perform six times throughout the year. Students signing up for the first time at the eighth grade will take extra instruction in order to learn fundamental music skills needed to be a part of the ensemble. Course Length: 2 Semesters
Requirements include:

• proper care and maintenance of your instrument, whether it is your own, the school's or a leased instrument;
• regular practice schedule to include 5 days per week;
• attendance and participation at all concerts, rehearsals, and small group instruction.

Chorus 8
Eighth grade chorus meets daily and continues to build upon the concepts of sixth and seventh grade chorus. It strives to provide students with the opportunity to learn and develop their individual musical skills as well as ensemble skills. Students will engage in the curriculum goals of healthy tone production, relaxed breathing, reading rhythmic notation and solfège, ear-training, and overall musical knowledge. These concepts are reinforced through singing a variety of music in several concerts throughout the year. Individual progress for chorus students will be enhanced through several small group lessons each quarter and the use of our special facilities. Attendance and participation in all concerts, lessons, and rehearsals is mandatory. Extra curricular activities include the district solo/ensemble festival and special ensembles for singers and choir chimes. Course Length: 2 Semesters

Orchestra 8
Orchestra is offered for eighth grade students who play violin, viola, cello, or bass. Orchestra meets every day and students also participate in small group lesson instruction. The course refines previously learned skills, introduces new technical skills, and continues to incorporate music theoery and music history. Students are required to practice. All students must rent or provide an instrument and purchase the required method book. Students perform a variety of music representing various musical styles including classical, pop jazz, and folk/fiddle tunes. There are several formal concerts during the year, and students may also participate in the Wisconsin School Music Association Solo and Ensemble Festival. The orchestra also performs at community functions upon request. Students with no previous experience playing a string instrument must have permission from the instructor to register for this class.  Course Length:  2 Semesters