Eighth Grade Overview
The task of elementary education is to give children an understanding of humanity and the world they live in, to offer them knowledge so rich and warm as to engage their hearts and will as well as their minds. Such an understanding is the basis of all real learning in later years. With the completion of the eighth grade the students should have a well-rounded general picture of human life and universe. This last year of elementary school should not only bring all previous experiences to a new peak, but enable the students to enter fully and potently into the life of their own time.
8th Grade Curriculum at a Glance
MAIN LESSON BLOCKS
Case Study: Amundsen & Scott Race to the South Pole: How to Set Up for Success
History: US History from pre 1492 to Modern Day delivered in 3-4 blocks
Science: Physics, Meteorology, Organic Chemistry, Physiology II (Health & Nutrition)
Geography: Arctic & Antarctic; Middle East & Asia
World Religions II - Eastern Religions
Drama: 8th Grade Play
8th Grade Curriculum in Detail
LANGUAGE ARTS
Short stories & novels from read as a class or independently, 6-8 books total
Writing & Grammar
Practice with different paragraph modes: informative, explanatory, argument, and narrative; five-paragraph essays; creative writing. Continued work with proofreading, diagramming, and editing skills
Vocabulary
Oversees student work in completing Vocabulary Workshop Series, Level C
Writing Conventions & Study Skills
Note-taking, editing, research using Internet/library; test-taking strategies
FOREIGN LANGUAGE - SPANISH
Weekly class. Uses Junior Scholastic and other news articles to practice several skills including reading for information, synthesizing, distinguishing opinion from fact, understanding differing points of view, identifying bias, and debating sides of an issue. Incorporates introduction to civics
8TH Grade Project Presentations
MATH (Algebra I)
Review of systems of equations
Slope of a line, parallel and perpendicular lines
Factoring parabolic equations and graphing parabolas
Solving and graphing Inequalities
Completing square roots
Simplifying rational expressions
Laws of exponents
MUSIC
Middle School Choir
Blocks: African drumming; American musical history-colonial to modern times; Singing Valentines
Soprano, alto, tenor, bass recorders
GAMES/PE
Team sports: street hockey, handball, flag football, softball
Fitness & the One-Mile Run
Ballroom dancing
Yoga
Cooperative games and activities
Sportsmanship
ARTS BLOCKS
Study of the Impressionists
Portraiture
HANDWORK
Students learn to use a sewing machine & do prep work involved in
