Introductory Art
Grade: 7
18 weeks
Explore a variety of art media, develop art techniques, and use creative thinking skills to express ideas and viewpoints about personal experiences and observations of the outside world. Produce meaningful and unique drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures, and ceramics in a studio setting. Study artists and their works to gain understanding of the artistic process and learn about art produced at different times and in diverse cultures. Make interdisciplinary connections based on the Virginia Standards of Learning for all disciplines.

This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

Intermediate Art
Grade: 8
18 Weeks
Students refine their ability to communicate visually. Emphasis is placed on making interdisciplinary connections based on the Virginia Standards of learning for all disciplines. Students work with a wide range of tools and materials to achieve quality, style, and craftsmanship in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and crafts. Students study art history and culture and they evaluate and critique their own artwork and the work of others.

Advanced Art
Grade: 8 ONLY
36 Weeks
Advanced art offers an opportunity to eighth grade students with interest and above average performance in art to refine their artistic skills and techniques. Emphasis is placed on making interdisciplinary connections based on the Virginia Standards of Learning for all disciplines. Students interpret and express personal feelings, experiences, and observations in advanced level art projects. They work with a variety of media and tools including technological applications in drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture and they evaluate and critique their own and other students’ artwork. Students study art history and culture and analyze the works of great artists.

Prerequisite:  Above average grade in Introductory Art or Exploratory Wheel Art and teacher recommendation or portfolio review.

This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

Theatre Arts Appreciation
Grade: 7 & 8
18 Weeks
Students develop an appreciation of theatre and the ability to perform through an introduction to the basic concepts and skills of acting. Through viewing and participating in a variety of performance activities, students will enhance imagination, poise, and confidence. Students will use the skills and knowledge obtained to appreciate and understand the purpose of theatre arts in school and other activities.

This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

Advanced Theatre Arts Appreciation
Grade: 8
36 Weeks
Students who are continuing the study of theatre arts for a second year will be able to apply and expand the skills developed in the preceding class.  They will participate in a variety of dramatic activities and perform for various audiences.  This course is designed for students who are interested in an expanded study of theatre arts and oral communication.

Prerequisite:  Theatre Arts course in grade 7 and/or recommendation of the theatre or speech arts teacher.

This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

Literary Arts:  Journalism
Grade: 7 & 8
18 Weeks
Students learn basic publication and journalism skills focusing on writing articles and designing layouts for sample pages of a newspaper, yearbook, and literary magazine. Students explore the role of the school journalist and careers in journalism.

Literary Arts:  Journalism
Grade: 7 & 8
36 Weeks
Students learn basic publication and journalism skills focusing on writing articles and designing layouts for sample pages of a newspaper, yearbook, and literary magazine. This course introduces students to the basic skills needed for the production of a school publication. Students will learn about the school yearbook, newspaper, and literary magazine, and participate in the production of them by writing articles and designing layouts. Students will experiment with news articles, feature stories, editorials, reviews, essays, letters to the editor, biographies, photography, graphic design, and desktop publishing. Students explore the role of the school journalist and careers in journalism.

Family and Consumer Sciences 7
Grade: 7
18 Weeks
This semester course uses higher order thinking skills that will help students develop responsible and positive attitudes toward their societal roles. Through lab experiences and simulated activities with peers, students will develop basic skills in sewing, clothing care, food management, care of others, and management of space and self.

This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

Family and Consumer Sciences
Grade: 8
18 Weeks
This semester course uses higher order thinking skills and simulated life experiences that enable the student to meet challenges in clothing and food management, career awareness, fitness and wellness, personal development, and relationships with others. Career exploration activities assist students with high school course selection. 

This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

Technology Exploration 7
Grade: 7
18 Weeks
Students are provided active learning situations and higher-order thinking skill development through practical problem-solving experiences; experience with technology; and exploration of personal interests, aptitudes, and abilities. The goal of the course is to prepare students to be technologically literate through the study of resources, processes, systems, and impacts of technology. The modular “synergistic” lab (at Cooper only in the 8th grade) provide active learning situations that allow students to explore technology and related careers. In this class, students learn about technology through completion of various hands on projects.

This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

Technology Explorations
Grade: 8
18 Weeks
Technology Exploration is the concluding technology education experience at the middle school level. By simulating technological systems and assessing their impacts as well as applying and expanding what they have learned in academic subjects and previous technology education courses, students acquire a global view of technology.  Schools with modular “synergistic” labs provide active learning situations that allow students to explore technology and related careers. The content covered in all modular labs is designed to reinforce the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) in math, science, language arts, social studies, and technology.

This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

Computer Solutions: Business and Information Technology
Grade 7 & 8
18 Weeks
Computer Solutions teaches concepts in database, spreadsheet, presentation, publishing, and Internet skills. The Computer solutions course extends student expertise in a project-based curriculum. The Computer Solutions course is intended to serve as a bridge to the high school business department curriculum.

Peer Helping I
Grade: 8
18 Weeks
This is an elective course designed to train and facilitate a peer helper program in the middle school.  The course provides an opportunity for students to develop their support and leadership skills in assisting others.  Students are taught to help peers by learning to be more effective listeners, developing friendship skills, becoming group leaders, and being positive role models.  Course topics include self-esteem and self-exploration, communication skills, peer refusal skills, substance abuse prevention, decision-making, and problem solving techniques.  Student activities include friendly support to peers, orientation of new students, elementary outreach, and community service programs.

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of the selection procedures including application, recommendations, and interview.  Approval by the peer helper instructors and the guidance director.

Introduction to Foreign Language (IFL)
Grade 7 and 8th grade students new to Cooper
18 Weeks
Students are introduced to one or more foreign languages and cultures. The languages most often studied are French, German, Latin, and Spanish – Chinese, Japanese and Russian may also be included. Students learn the most basic structures, vocabulary, and expressions in each language and study the culture of the people who speak them. They are exposed to the basic steps and study habits necessary to learn a foreign language. Students are made aware of how knowledge of a foreign language enriches a person’s life and expands the option career goals. The 18-week course can include as many as four languages. This course does not count as a foreign language credit.