Slovenia Osnovna šola 8. Razred Curriculum - Optional Subjects

Optional subjects are a way for primary schools to cater to the individual differences and interests of students. They provide an opportunity for students to emphasize and develop their strengths and abilities through their own choices. Students can also choose a particular optional subject based on their intended further education. Schools must offer at least three optional subjects from the social sciences and humanities and at least three from the natural sciences and technology. Within the social sciences and humanities, schools must offer a foreign language, non-confessional classes on religions and ethics, and rhetoric.

Students choose 2 hours of optional subjects, or 3 hours with parental consent. If a student chooses two hours per week, they can choose two one-hour subjects or one two-hour subject (foreign language is the only two-hour option). If they choose three hours per week, they can choose three one-hour subjects or one two-hour subject and one one-hour subject.

Optional subjects are graded numerically from 1 to 5. Attendance is compulsory, and students must pass all subjects, including optional ones, to progress to the next grade.

Students attending a music school with a publicly valid program can be exempted from optional subjects upon parental request.

Optional Subjects Offered in 8th Grade at OŠ Janka Kersnika Brdo

Social Sciences and Humanities:

• Film Education 2: Film Genres: This course covers film genres, viewings, and film history. Students try their hand at creating a short film.
• Music Project: This course focuses on music production across various genres. Students explore the organization and execution of concerts, musical performances, musicals, and music films, as well as non-musical elements like stage design, costumes, and choreography. They also investigate local music culture and organizations.
• Theatre Club: This course provides a deeper insight into theatre production. Students explore different types of theatre, experiment with various acting expressions, and learn about the roles involved in staging a play. They also try writing short dramatic texts or adapting poetry or prose into dramatic form.
• Art Design 2: This course complements the regular art curriculum, focusing on developing students' creativity through drawing, painting, sculpture, graphics, graphic design, and fashion design. Field trips are also included.
• German 1: This course introduces German language and culture, covering topics like school, free time, family, friends, city and countryside, dates, seasons, holidays, months, and colors.
• Discovering the Past of My Place: This course explores local history, including the founding and development of the town, the impact of historical events, the history of buildings, and notable local figures. Students use historical methodology to research and compile stories.
• Radio: This course explores the history and characteristics of radio, different types of radio stations, advertising, propaganda, and journalistic work. Students create their own radio programs.
• Religions and Ethics 1 & 2: These courses introduce students to various religions and ethical issues. They are non-confessional and aim to foster critical thinking and respectful discussion.
• School Journalism: This course develops writing skills through creating various journalistic texts like news, reports, interviews, and reviews. Students work on a school or class newspaper.
• Life on Earth: This geography course focuses on the relationship between humans and nature, exploring how people live in different environments around the world.

Natural Sciences and Technology:

• Math Workshop 8: This course covers the history of mathematics, different types of geometry, mind games, and origami geometry.
• Material Processing: Plastics: This course focuses on working with plastics, combined with other materials, to create various objects. Students learn about design principles, planning, processing techniques, and the properties of different materials.
• Experiments in Chemistry: This course reinforces and deepens knowledge of chemistry through hands-on experiments, model making, and studying the work of important chemists.
• Computer Science: Multimedia: This course covers using mobile devices for photography, creating presentations, making mind maps, processing videos, audio, and photos, using Canva, and creating GIF animations.
• Drawing in Geometry and Technology (3D Printing and Modeling): This course introduces 3D modeling software and 3D printing. Students design and print their own 3D models.
• Modern Food Preparation: This course focuses on healthy cooking methods, using herbs instead of salt, table setting, and developing healthy eating habits.
• Chess Basics: This course is for beginners and covers chess rules, openings, and general theory.
• Chess Combinations: This course builds on Chess Basics, focusing on developing chess skills, combination rules, and analyzing chess games.
• Sport for Health: This course focuses on various sports like basketball, football, volleyball, and swimming, emphasizing the importance of exercise and nutrition for health.