7th & 8th Grade Course Registration
2025-2026 SEVENTH Grade Course Registration Sheet
As the Maconaquah Middle School counseling department prepares student schedules for the 2025-2026 school year, we are proud to offer high school credit courses. These courses will count toward high school graduation requirements and the grades will be figured into your students' high school GPA. There are several advantages to taking high school courses while in middle school. Students will earn credits earlier which may allow flexibility in his/her schedule for more dual credit classes while in High School. Taking these courses may also provide some flexibility in a student’s schedule for taking CTE (Career and Technical Education) courses.
Your child will be scheduled for the courses listed below.
--------------------------Semester 1-----------------------------------------Semester 2-------------------------------
On Wednesday, February 26, 2025 your child will be sent a Google Form via email at noon to request courses that are listed below. Requests will be time stamped in the order that they are received and students will be placed in class(es) on a first come first serve basis. Any technical issues can be addressed by communicating with our tech department during school hours. Students should be sure to log-in to their google accounts to make sure everything is working correctly before course request day.
Elective courses offered with high school credit:
Course Descriptions:
SPANISH I (2 Semesters)
Spanish I, a course on Inidana’s Academic Standards for World Languages, introduces students to effective strategies for beginning Spanish language learning, and to various aspects of Spanish-speaking culture. This course encourages interpersonal communication through speaking and writing, providing opportunities to make and respond to basic requests and questions, understand and use appropriate greetings and forms of address, participate in brief guided conversations on familiar topics, and write short passages with guidance. This course also emphasizes the development of reading and listening comprehension skills, such as reading isolated words and phrases in situational context and comprehension brief written or oral directions. Additionally, students will examine the practices, products and perspectives of Spanish-speaking culture; recognize basic routine practices of the target culture; and recognize and use situation-appropriate non-verbal communication. This course further emphasizes making connections across content areas and the application of understanding Spanish.
SUPERVISED AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE (SAE 2 Semesters)
Supervised Agricultural Experience is designed to provide students with opportunities to gain experience in the agriculture field(s) in which they are interested. Students will experience and apply what is learned in the classroom, laboratory and training site to real-life situations with a standard-based plan for learning. Students work closely with their agriculture teacher, parents and/or employers to get the most out of their SAE program.
Elective courses offered without high school credit:
INTERMEDIATE OR ADVANCED BAND (2 Semesters NOT for high school credit):
Instrumental Music Grades Six-Eight Instrumental Music, Middle Level is based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Music and provides students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learned in the elementary music curriculum by beginning or continuing to play an instrument. The instrumental classes provide instruction in any of the following areas: strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, guitar, and keyboard instruments, including electronic instruments. Ensemble and solo activities are designed for students to develop basic elements of musicianship including tone production, technical skills, and intonation. Activities include improvising; composing; reading, notating, and sight-reading music; listening; analyzing; evaluating; and experiencing historically significant styles of literature. Students are given opportunities to participate in performances outside of the school day that support and extend the learning in the classroom. Along with the current academic standards, the Science/Technical Studies Content Area Literacy Standards are incorporated in the teaching of this subject with the expectation of a continuum of reading and writing skills development.
CHOIR (2 semesters NOT for high school credit):
Vocal Music Grades Six-Eight Vocal Music Middle Level is based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Music and provides students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learned in the elementary music curriculum by participating in choral ensemble classes. Ensemble classes provide group and solo activities and are designed to develop students' musicianship including vocal production, technical skills, and intonation. Activities and experiences listening to, analyzing, and evaluating music; and performing vocal literature of various styles, historical periods, and cultures. Students also participate in performance opportunities outside of the school day that support and extend the learning in the classroom. Along with the current academic standards, the Science/Technical Studies Content Area Literacy Standards are incorporated in the teaching of this subject with the expectation of a continuum of reading and writing skills development.
2025-2026 EIGHTH Grade Course Registration Sheet
As the Maconaquah Middle School counseling department prepares student schedules for the 2025-2026 school year, we are happy to offer additional courses that will be available to eighth grade students for high school credit. These courses will count toward high school graduation requirements and the grades will be figured into your students' high school GPA. There are several advantages to taking high school courses while in middle school. Students will earn credits earlier which may allow flexibility in his/her schedule for more dual credit classes as well as CTE (Career and Technical Education) courses while in high school.
All 8th grade students will take 4 (1) semester courses: Preparing for College and Careers, Personal Finance, PE, and Health and Wellness. In addition to taking these courses for a high school credit, some students will be provided with the opportunity to take Introduction to Computer Science- a required graduation course. Some students will also be given the opportunity to take Biology for high school credit.
Your child will be scheduled for the courses listed below.
--------------------------Semester 1-----------------------------------------Semester 2----------------------------------
On Wednesday, February 26, 2025 your child will be sent a Google Form via email at noon to request courses that are listed below to fill their open elective spots. Requests will be time stamped in the order that they are received and students will be placed in class(es) on a first come first serve basis. Any technical issues can be addressed by communicating with our tech department during school hours. Students should be sure to log-in to their google accounts to make sure everything is working correctly before course request day.
Course descriptions offered for high school credit classes:
Preparing for College and Careers (1 Semester)
Preparing for College and Careers addresses the knowledge, skills, and behaviors all students need to be prepared for success in college, career, and life. The focus of the course is the impact of today’s choices on tomorrow’s possibilities. Topics to be addressed include twenty-first century life and career skills; higher order thinking, communication, leadership, and management processes; exploration of personal aptitudes, interests, values, and goals; examining multiple life roles and responsibilities as individuals and family members; planning and building employability skills; transferring school skills to life and work; and managing personal resources. This course includes reviewing the 16 national career clusters and Indiana's College and Career Pathways, in-depth investigation of one or more pathways, reviewing graduation plans, developing career plans, and developing personal and career portfolios.
Physical Education (1 Semester)
The class emphasizes the elevation and maintenance of physical fitness, the appreciation of athletic games, the knowledge of various organized physical activities, and the exposure of needed physical skills. The student receives experiences of a variety of physical activities which enhance his/her physical well-being.
Health and Wellness (1 Semester)
Health education is a learning experience which furnishes information concerning proper decisions about the student and world around them. The class acquaints the student with proper guidelines concerning his/her physical, mental, and social well-being. Discussion of health topics and the revelation of students’ attitudes toward controversial attitudes are stressed. This class emphasizes decision making by the student and the social, economic, and psychological consequences of his decisions now and the ones he/she will encounter throughout his/her lifetime.
Personal Financial Responsibility (1 Semester)
Personal Financial Responsibility addresses the identification and management of personal financial resources to meet the financial needs and wants of individuals and families, considering a broad range of economic, social, cultural, technological, environmental, and maintenance factors. This course helps students build skills in financial responsibility and decision making; analyze personal standards, needs, wants, and goals; identify sources of income, savings, and investing; understand banking, budgeting, record-keeping and manage risk, insurance and credit card debt. A project based approach and applications through authentic settings such as work based observations and service learning experiences are appropriate. Direct, concrete applications of mathematics proficiencies in projects are encouraged.
Biology (2 semesters)
This is a two semester laboratory course. It includes the study of the structures and functions of living organisms and their interactions with the environment. Other topics that will be covered include the study of life at the cellular, chemical and molecular level, genetics, cellular reproduction, ecology, evolution, and metabolism. Students are required to take a state mandated standardized test.
Introduction to Computer Science and Digital Technology (1 Semester)
Introduction to Computer Science allows students to explore the world of computer science and digital technology. Students will gain a broad understanding of the areas composing computer science and digital technology fields. Specifically, there is a focus on the areas of computer programming, gaming/mobile development, and artificial intelligence/ robotics.
Elective courses offered without high school credit:
Intermediate or Advanced Band (offered 2 semesters NOT for high school credit)
Instrumental Music Grades Six-Eight Instrumental Music, Middle Level is based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Music and provides students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learned in the elementary music curriculum by beginning or continuing to play an instrument. The instrumental classes provide instruction in any of the following areas: strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, guitar, and keyboard instruments, including electronic instruments. Ensemble and solo activities are designed for students to develop basic elements of musicianship including tone production, technical skills, and intonation. Activities include improvising; composing; reading, notating, and sight-reading music; listening; analyzing; evaluating; and experiencing historically significant styles of literature. Students are given opportunities to participate in performances outside of the school day that support and extend the learning in the classroom. Along with the current academic standards, the Science/Technical Studies Content Area Literacy Standards are incorporated in the teaching of this subject with the expectation of a continuum of reading and writing skills development.
Choir (offered 2 semesters NOT for high school credit)
Vocal Music Grades Six-Eight Vocal Music Middle Level is based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Music and provides students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learned in the elementary music curriculum by participating in choral ensemble classes. Ensemble classes provide group and solo activities and are designed to develop students' musicianship including vocal production, technical skills, and intonation. Activities and experiences listening to, analyzing, and evaluating music; and performing vocal literature of various styles, historical periods, and cultures. Students also participate in performance opportunities outside of the school day that support and extend the learning in the classroom. Along with the current academic standards, the Science/Technical Studies Content Area Literacy Standards are incorporated in the teaching of this subject with the expectation of a continuum of reading and writing skills development.
Fitness and Weights
This fitness course introduces students to the fundamentals of strength training, personal fitness, and healthy body development. Students will learn safe, age-appropriate techniques for building strength, improving athletic performance, and understanding body mechanics.
Elective courses offered with high school credit
Spanish 1 (2 Semesters)
Spanish I, a course on Inidana’s Academic Standards for World Languages, introduces students to effective strategies for beginning Spanish language learning, and to various aspects of Spanish-speaking culture. This course encourages interpersonal communication through speaking and writing, providing opportunities to make and respond to basic requests and questions, understand and use appropriate greetings and forms of address, participate in brief guided conversations on familiar topics, and write short passages with guidance. This course also emphasizes the development of reading and listening comprehension skills, such as reading isolated words and phrases in situational context and comprehension brief written or oral directions. Additionally, students will examine the practices, products and perspectives of Spanish-speaking culture; recognize basic routine practices of the target culture; and recognize and use situation-appropriate non-verbal communication. This course further emphasizes making connections across content areas and the application of understanding Spanish.
Spanish II (2 Semesters)
Prerequisite: Spanish I
Spanish II reviews and advances the learning in Spanish I. Vocabulary and grammatical concepts are expanded. Short simple novels are read. Writing sentences in the past, present, and future tenses along with reading comprehension is emphasized.
Introduction to Computer Science (2 Semesters)
Introduction to Computer Science allows students to explore the world of computer science and digital technology. Students will gain a broad understanding of the areas composing computer science and digital technology fields. Specifically, there is a focus on the areas of computer programming, gaming/mobile development, and artificial intelligence/ robotics.
Introduction to Agriculture,Food and Natural Resources (2 Semesters)
Introduction to Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources is a two semester course that is highly recommended as a prerequisite to, and as a foundation for, all other agricultural classes. Through hands-on learning activities, students are encouraged to investigate areas of agriculture. Students are introduced to the following areas of agriculture: animal science, plant and soil science, food science, horticultural science, agricultural business management, natural resources, agriculture power, structure, and technology, careers in agriculture, leadership, and supervised agricultural experience. An activity and project based approach is used along with team building to enhance the effectiveness of the student learning activities.
Student Media ( 2 semesters)
This course explores the art of communications, particularly in the areas of news media and marketing. Students will work on a variety of written and broadcast communication exercises, while reporting MMS news! Students will plan and carry-out interviews, arrange photo and graphic layouts, and create marketing pieces for school functions. Throughout this course students will learn to create news with ethics. Students will earn one high school credit for this course. **Students enrolled in this course will be expected to work independently, self-start, and plan accordingly to meet deadlines.