English
Independent and assigned selections reading, including Shakespeare, provide the basis for students to examine literary questions. Furthermore the students are challenged to respond to reading thoughtfully and meaningfully, and to experiment with various authors, subjects and genre. In our assigned reading, we will explore the author’s meaning and purpose, as well as various aspects of literature including theme, imagery, symbolism, irony, sarcasm and descriptive language.
The goal for the eighth grade English program is to provide students with rich, authentic, adult-like experiences of reading and writing for students. In writing, our goal is to use the written word to better understand ourselves and others. To this end, we will refine at a more adult level the real reasons to write and strive to compose frequently and fluently. Students will explore four basic genres—fiction, memoir, poetry, and exposition—to learn the elements of each. A writing workshop approach assures that students will engage in lessons on organization, voice, style and grammar.
Geometry
Geometry is an exploration of the essential elements of the oldest branch of formal mathematics. A central element of the study of geometry is the emphasis on proof and deductive reasoning, which is a distinguishing feature of math as a discipline. Students in geometry gain mathematical power by learning to conjecture and justify or refute their conjectures with appropriate and precisely stated mathematical arguments. In addition to classical synthetic geometry, coordinate geometry and connections with algebra are explored.
Science
Students will explore physics, electricity, magnetism and sound waves in this science course through inquiry-based learning: explorations, explanation, and extension. Students will develop their understanding of the major scientific concepts in the topics of this course. The study of food chemistry and respiration round out the course. Students apply their scientific knowledge and science skills to issues of daily life. Students will expand their scientific skill set, becoming independent inquirers and critical thinkers about the physical world.
Social Studies
Eighth Grade Social Studies focuses on the post World War II world. Students explore conflict and change in various regions of the world as well as an in-depth look at the development of the government under the U.S. Constitution. Students determine what it means to be a citizen of the United States through inquiry and examination of concepts essential to the development of this country. Among these are the influences of geography, democracy, nationalism, and individualism. In addition, students study the decision-making of government leaders and the role of compromise.
Mandarin or Spanish
Students are presented vocabulary and language structures through dialogues and readings depicting everyday life situations. Students learn to function appropriately, both linguistically and socially as they gain knowledge of the cultures of China or the Spanish-speaking world. Students successful in this course will be ready for the second level of high school foreign language.
Art
Eighth grade art continues the hands on approach, but begins to stretch the development of abstract thinking. There is a greater emphasis on direct observation and specifically on the human form. An analysis of four drawing systems, (axis, motion, measured, and grid) are examples of discrete elements that enable an individual to see other possibilities. The integration approach in eighth grade art is through late twentieth century art, photography and sculpture.
Music
The approach to music is a balance of general music unit studies, including non-western music, Classical music of Nationalists and Moderns, opera and American musical theater, and performance based activities that drive the curriculum. General music units are designed to take the student’s prior musical knowledge developed in previous music classes and apply it to cultural, historical, and societal musical topics.
Physical Education/Health
Physical Education offers a balance between academic, physical and personal growth. The emphasis is on improving individual fitness, skill acquisition and sport participation. Cooperative games, problem solving activities and small group work enable learners to achieve higher performance and improve social relationships. Study of health topics and fitness complement the physical education program.
Technology and Design
Students in the 8th grade begin to move towards more complex applications that support personal productivity, group collaboration, and communication skills. Each student will complete a series of assignments that require the use of appropriate tools and technology resources to solve problems and accomplish tasks. Also in this course students will develop skills in project design, which will be applicable in other courses.
Research Skills/Library
Students will continue to develop their research skills in eighth grade. The eighth grade speech is an opportunity for students to pose a significant question for which there are two opposing views. The speech must demonstrate the student's ability to define a thesis, analyze the data and persuasively present his/her conclusion.
Learning and Personal Advisory
The advisory program is designed to meet the personal, emotional, academic and social challenges of the young teenager. Course time will be used to respond to student and group needs in the context of our school community. Our mission themes of honesty, self-discipline and fair play will be exemplified in the class discussions. The student and advisor will also problem solve any academic challenges the student may be facing.
|
