CURRICULUM

7th Grade Electives

8th Grade Electives

English: The English curriculum is designed to combine writing, grammar, and literature using a variety of texts, materials, and teaching methods.

Mathematics:  Seventh grade students are offered a standard course of mathematics that stresses preparation for subsequent courses in mathematics, algebra, and geometry in grades 8-12.  Eighth grade students are offered courses in mathematics with emphasis similar to, but more advanced than, the seventh grade course of mathematics and Algebra I.

Science:  The science program provides a multidisciplinary science curriculum in seventh and eight grade that is targeted to the needs of early adolescents.  The total science program fosters scientific thinking and cultivates the ability to translate knowledge into wise action.

Social Studies:  The seventh grade program includes one semester of world geography and one semester of citizenship.  The eighth grade program covers world history and geography from pre-history to 1500 AD.

Physical Education:  The physical education program offers a curriculum which is co-educational with heterogeneous grouping.  Students are required to wear shorts, t-shirts, and tennis shoes or sweat suits and tennis shoes.

PJHS utilizes a levelized curriculum in order to meet the needs of all the students at our school. The curriculum includes remediation classes to get every student on grade level as well as advanced curriculum to help children who learn at an accelerated rate. The placement of a child is done on previous GPA, standardized test scores, and a placement test for each subject (some class use additional methods for assessment of a child's placement).

ELECTIVES

7th Grade

Band:  Beginning band serves students who have little or no musical background.  Students are taught either a wind or percussion instrument and learn basic music literacy (theory) that will provide a background for future advanced studies.  These students perform publicly twice during the year-long course.

Keyboarding: This course is designed to enable students to develop the touch method in operating keyboards using computers.  Emphasis is placed on formatting skill for producing letters, reports, manuscripts, tables, and outlines.  Students will be oriented to Microsoft Office and use of the internet.

Language Arts:  The language arts program offers enrichment in reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary, listening, and speech.  The program promotes independent thinking, develops study skills, and provides students the opportunity to express creativity both orally and in written format.

8th Grade

Art:  The eighth grade visual arts program is a one-semester course which emphasizes the elements of art and the principles of design.  Students are encouraged to think creatively and explore ways to express themselves through art.

Band:  The eighth grade year serves students who have completed one year of beginning band (7th grade).  The focus is on musical growth and development.  The students perform in a Christmas concert and in a Spring concert.  This group also tours different city schools to play concerts for the younger students.

Speech/Drama:  This one-semester course stresses the importance of communication as a process, focusing on the basic elements of communication, and the comprehension of expression of verbal, nonverbal, and written ideas.  The program is activity oriented, allowing students opportunities to apply concepts presented and taught in the course.  A school play is presented each spring.

Technology:  Explorations in Technology is a one-semester instructional program designed to help students become technologically literate and career oriented.  Modules and learning areas are set up to allow students to work with high-tech equipment.  Modules and areas include Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), Computer Numeric Control (CNC), Graphics Communications, Meteorology and Weather, Multimedia Production, Research and Design, Robotics, Structural Engineering, Television Broadcasting and Video Production.