Program of Studies Program of Studies 2019-2020 | Page 9

Grade 8 Academics
English Language Arts (ELA)
Grade 8 English Language Arts focuses on developing
students’ writing skills through a critical look at a
variety of texts and writing genres. Four thematically
driven quarters focus on teaching students to
approach literature and information analytically,
through close, purposeful reading. Through high
frequency writing and revision, students learn to
distinguish the elements of craft in the three common
genres of academic writing, argument, informative,
and narrative, and employ these specific strategies in
their own pieces. Whole-class novels include: The
Outsiders, The Giver, The Other Wes Moore, and The
Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.
Mathematics
The eighth grade mathematics curriculum includes
real numbers and algebra, percent, geometry and
measurement, probability and statistics, and linear
and nonlinear functions. Acceleration, extension
and enrichment opportunities are offered within the
classroom. Honors Algebra I is offered (in place of
8th grade math) to students who demonstrate a high
level of competence with the mathematical concepts
listed above. Honors Algebra I is taught at the Upper
School.
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Mental, emotional, family, and social health
Growth and nutrition
Personal health and safety
Drugs and disease prevention
Community and environmental health
Anatomy
World Languages
The World Languages program provides students with
a foundation for future
language study and promotes awareness of cultures
related to world languages.
Spanish and French are taught in a two-year loop
so that students are able to achieve maximum
exposure to the structures of a language. The course
is organized around thematic units that integrate
vocabulary, grammatical structures, culture, and
communication. For eighth grade students, listening,
speaking, reading, and writing skills are strengthened
with more advanced language learning. Themes such
as clothing, food, travel, and sports provide the basis
for learning. Popular culture, food, art, music, and
other content areas are regularly connected to lessons.
Skills in participation, tolerance, and cooperation are
also strongly emphasized in the course.
Visual Arts
Eighth grade students learn and use scientific
inquiry to explore and discover answers to key
questions posed at the beginning of each activity.
Major topics include scientific method, interactions
and energy, forces, and chemistry. Students will
work collaboratively to carry out hands on STEM
experiments that will help them answer the key
question of the activity. Students focus on the overarching theme of “Art
for Change” throughout the year. Students connect
what they are learning about world events, through
research in social studies and ELA classes, with
integrated visual arts projects. This collaborative
approach allows students to better understand
the concepts studied and analyze how the practice
of creating can bring about innovative solutions.
Students work with a variety of two-dimensional
and three-dimensional art media and are encouraged
to make creative choices in their work whenever
possible.
Social Studies Music & Performing Arts
Physical Science
The focus of eighth grade social studies will be on the
United States of America and the Global Community.
Students will examine questions such as: What is the
United States of America? What does EVERY human
being have the right to? How are consumer choices
connected to the world around you? What does
the world need from YOU? We will explore many
facets of social studies including history, geography,
economics, government, anthropology and sociology.
Health/Wellness
Instruction is divided between physical activity and
health-oriented classroom lessons. Physical activities
are often integrated with core curriculum in science
and social studies. Health units include:
Applying music to our world is the 8th grade theme.
Students will learn to play the ukulele, investigate
historical composers and discover why their music
is still remembered today, as well as create original
songs and podcasts on Garageband, a program used
on their laptops. Our dance unit starts with the 50’s
and 60’s and goes back to the 40’s, teaching students
how to dance with a partner and learn first hand what
the American Swing Era was all about. The elements
of music are reviewed and used to help students
articulate what they hear. Students are invited to
demonstrate skills learned throughout the year at the
annual Music Concert.