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 Thursday April 17th. Please take a moment to explore the offerings listed below with your parents prior to completing Course Requests!

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.

If you enjoy music and singing, join our Chorus! The major emphasis of this yearlong 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!

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. Opportunities will be provided for students to write about his or her musical experiences. The emotional and social development of students at this age can allow students to express feelings and emotions in a safe and secure environment. This is a YEAR long course!

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. There is an application process you must complete by April 17th.

The Panther Application

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. There is an application process you must complete by April 17th.

Panther Yearbook Application

This is a synchronous learning opportunity through ElevateK12 where students will learn about the following throughout the school year from an off-campus instructor: the history and ethics of cyber security, how computers think, digital safety, encryption, securing personal digital presence, and other cyber security topics. Students will earn a high school credit toward graduation in this course.

This course is an introduction to the engineering process. We will touch on breadboard circuitry, Arduino coding of circuits using Tinkercad, sketching (isometric, multi-view, dimensioning) using CAD software, and creating prototypes. There is also a course on energy and the environment. You learn how water, wind, and other factors work in our environment. A trip to a local golf course might even be in your future. The goal of these courses is to increase collaboration and critical thinking.

A continuation of Fundamentals of Computing I, this course offers students an opportunity to delve deeper into real-world computing topics. With a focus on fostering creativity and innovation, this course encourages students to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the creation of projects that resonate with their experiences and interests. As they explore these advanced topics, students will further their understanding of computer science, enhancing their ability to tackle real-world challenges through the fundamentals of business and computational solutions. Completing this course awards students a 0.5 credit hour towards the high school computer science requirement.

The IT Fundamentals course includes IT literacy, environmental and safety concepts, operating systems, software, hardware, networking, alternative technologies, security, and computational thinking. Students utilize the skills and qualities of the S.C. Profile of the Graduate to analyze and solve problems within the IT industry.

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!

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

Want to get a jump start on earning a foreign language credit for high school? This year long course is designed for the student who has a desire to study Spanish. The course 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.

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 Intro to German! 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 course is for a high school credit.

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. Students will also need to maintain a 75 average or higher to continue in the program each quarter.

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.

Students at RCE are provided time and space to complete coursework through VirtualSC during related arts periods. Our guidance department will touch base with students who are interested in participating to assist with the process. Please see this link for course offerings and information.

Students who completed American Sign Langauge 1 have the opportunity to gain another high school credit and continue learning sign language. This will be a year long course.

Interested in becoming an active citizen in your community, state, and country? A civics class can provide you with the tools you need to become an active citizen working to promote change at the local, state, and national levels. You will experience hands-on activities to deepen your understanding of the inner-workings of the government.

This course is for our athletes who want to take their game to the next level. Students will have the opportunity to learn proper technique and form for Olympic style lifts, work on speed and agility, and be ready to compete at the 4A 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