Elective Courses for 8th Grade

R.C. Edwards Middle has a long history of excellence in academic achievement with test scores that consistently place our school among the top-performing middle schools in South Carolina. In addition to our excellent academic program, we are also proud to be able to offer a variety of elective courses to support student development in arts, athletics, and STEM. Unless noted, all courses are daily courses for a semester. Please complete your requests by Monday, April 13th. Please take a moment to explore the offerings listed below with your parents prior to completing Course Requests!

Many see band as a class where students learn to play an instrument, but it is much more than that! It also provides rather profound environmental influences, which will help foster success in all aspects of education, not just band. "Excellence Through Music" is our motto. We hold to the belief that the study of music improves social skills, communication skills, self-concepts, cooperative talents and a creative mind. This is a YEAR long course!

Eighth-grade students will work to reinforce the new techniques learned in earlier grades. Preparation for high school performance groups will provide students with a clear view of their growth and expectations. Students will have multiple opportunities to experience instruments through solo work, small ensembles, and large ensembles. Skill in following a conductor will be emphasized for 8th grade students prior to entering the high school performance groups. Upon leaving 8th grade, students will have acquired the technical skill to perform proficiently on the instrument of their choice. This is a YEAR long course!

If you enjoy music and singing, join our Chorus! The major emphasis of this course is on singing activities and vocal production. This class provides opportunities for growth in the understanding of musical elements such as rhythm, melody, form, harmony, dynamics, expression, timbre, articulation, and style. Choral students will also have opportunities to participate in performances throughout the year. This is a YEAR long course!

Students who completed American Sign Language 1 have the opportunity to gain another high school credit and continue learning sign language. This will be in person and yearlong!

Want to get a jump start on earning a foreign language credit for high school? This course is designed for the student who has a desire to study Spanish and focuses on learning the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The themes covered in this course are all about me, my school life, my community, and my world. Basic Spanish vocabulary and grammar are taught using conversation, listening activities, videos, games, songs, skits, and simple compositions. This is a YEAR long course!

Do you have family members or friends who speak German? Maybe you are interested in traveling to one of the many German-speaking countries in the world. You should take German 1 for your foreign language high school credit! This course will focus on the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Basic German vocabulary and grammar will be taught using conversation, listening activities, videos, games, songs, skits, and simple compositions. This is a YEAR long course!

8th Grade students will have the opportunity to take classes at the Pickens County Career and Technology Center. Please note that students will ride a bus to and from campus each day. Each of these offerings carries high school credit and will go on high school transcripts.

This semester course will be filled with projects and activities that grow creativity through making and talking about art. Students will explore a variety of artists, art processes, and materials such as drawing, painting, printmaking, and three-dimensional design. We will focus on exploring the world of art and how it is integrated into our everyday lives.

Interested in business, marketing, or being a leader? In this course, students will learn how to communicate effectively, work as a team, and think like an entrepreneur. Through hands-on activities, students will explore topics like advertising, budgeting, and presenting ideas while building real-world skills for the future.

This hands-on course is for students who enjoy creating, designing, and solving problems. Students will use technology and the design-thinking process to develop solutions to real-world challenges, build prototypes, and share their ideas. Along the way, they will collaborate with peers, give feedback, and connect their learning to real-world skills.

In this class, students will learn how the government works and why it matters. They will stay up to date on what's happening in the news and in their community, to then use what they learn to make real improvements in our school. Through group projects and leadership activities, students will develop skills like communication and teamwork that will help them become a confident leader who can inspire others and create positive change.

This course focuses on mechanisms, automation, and basic programming of automated systems, using virtual simulations such as VR VEX.

In our Library Assistant program students learn how to check in and out library books, how the shelving process works, distribute Chromebooks, and many other fun things that happen in the Media Center.

ProTeam is a hands-on course for motivated 8th graders ready to build leadership skills and plan for the future. Students will strengthen communication, explore teamwork with diverse groups, and take on leadership roles. They will also shadow teachers, observe classrooms, and explore careers in education while developing skills useful for any career path. This is a YEAR long course!

Released Time is a inter-denominational Bible study designed to teach morals using the Bible relating Biblical principles to everyday life. Staff members from Released Time will transport students from the school to a local church and back during the scheduled period.

In theater class, you’ll explore acting, improvisation, and stage production while building confidence, teamwork, and creativity. Whether you love performing in the spotlight or working behind the scenes, there’s a place for you in the world of theater. Get ready to express yourself, have fun, and discover the magic of the stage!

This course will focus on the technical skills required for video production, including videography, video editing, interviewing, and reporting. Student contributions will be featured in The Panther Broadcast. This is a YEAR long course!

This course will focus on the skills required to produce print publications, including photo composition, photo editing, page layout, writing copy, and editing. Student contributions will be featured in The Panther Yearbook. This is a YEAR long course!

This course is for all students to learn more about team sports, individual/dual sports, health, and fitness. All students will gain confidence in their ability to play and live a healthier lifestyle.

This course is for our athletes who want to learn an introductory program of lifting. Students will have the opportunity to learn proper technique and form for the major/auxiliary lifts, work on speed and agility, and be ready to compete at a high school level.

"Committed to Excellence"

Email: thomaspreisig@pickens.k12.sc.us
Website: rce.pickens.k12.sc.us
Location: 1157 Madden Bridge Road, Central, SC, United States
Phone: 864-397-4200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RCEMiddle
Twitter: @RCEMiddle