8th Grade Curriculum

Religion

The theme of the eighth grade curriculum is “The History and Mission of the Roman Catholic Church.”  It includes:

  • How we nourish God’s gift of faith
  • Who are our ancestors in faith
  • How the Church’s heritage gives us hope
  • What is means to be Catholic
  • Applying our Catholic teachings to daily life
  • An overview of the world’s major religions
  • Study of the Articles of Faith as contained in the Apostles’ Creed

 English/Language Arts

Language

  • Formulate and differentiate among adjective and adverb clauses
  • Recognize infinitives, participles, and gerunds
  • Analyze language structure through diagrams
  • Restructure poorly constructed sentences
  • Use direct and indirect quotation marks in addition to previously learned punctuation

Composition

  • Compose three paragraph essays using examples, reasons, comparison and contrast, cause and effect, and explanations
  • Employ mood, tone, and figurative language in creative writing
  • Recognize and utilize the elements of protagonist, antagonist, conflict, and resolution
  • Explore and compose different forms of poetry such as haiku, cinquain, limerick, lyric, and free verse
  • Consult thesaurus to make alternate word choices to enhance writing
  • Write reports with parenthetical documentation and bibliography

Literature

  • Analyze various genres and purposes such as narrative essays and diaries
  • Relate the relevance of the literary experience to personal experience
  • Identify and interpret different forms of poetry
  • Recognize stanza format, rhyme schemes, and meter in order to enhance understanding of poetry
  • Analyze author’s position and critique ideas
 Algebra

Real Numbers

  • Employ appropriate vocabulary
  • Perform arithmetic operations, use exponents and order of operations
  • Identify and apply properties
  • Apply concept of absolute value
  • Simplify integers and rationals

Algebraic Expressions

  • Employ appropriate vocabulary
  • Evaluate expressions
  • Evaluate formulas
  • Simplify using order of operations
  • Translate verbal to expressions

Linear Equations

  • Employ proper vocabulary
  • Solve any one variable linear equation using properties of equalities
  • Translate word statements to equations
  • Solve a one variable equation involving absolute value

Polynomials

  • Employ proper vocabulary
  • Perform arithmetic operations with polynomials
  • Factor polynomials

Graphing

  • Employ appropriate vocabulary
  • Plot a point on coordinate plane
  • Graph solution set of one-variable equations and inequalities
  • Graph two-variable linear equations and inequalities
 Science

Eighth graders continue to build on science skills from previous years.  The focus is on Physical Science, which is composed of half a year of Chemistry and half a year of Physics.  Emphasis continues on hands-on learning, with more independent research required.

Science Skills

  • Design and conduct scientific investigations using the scientific method
  • Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data
  • Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence
  • Apply critical thinking skills to relate evidence and explanations
  • Communicate scientific procedures and explanations
  • Use metric measurement and appropriate math skills in scientific inquiry
  • Read and construct data tables and graphs
  • Further develop content area reading skills

Chemistry

  • Describe and measure matter
  • Identify atoms as the smallest parts of elements
  • Identify the subatomic particles and their charges
  • Compare and contrast elements, compounds, and mixtures
  • Differentiate and compare the particle motion of solids, liquids, and gases
  • Relate changes of state to changes in particle motion
  • Explore the periodic table elements
  • Compare and contrast ionic and covalent bonds
  • Observe and describe chemical reaction

Physics

  • Define and calculate speed, velocity, and acceleration
  • Describe and give examples of Newton’s Laws
  • Experiment with Newton’s Laws through projects
  • Examine pressure, density, and buoyancy
  • Explore work and simple machines
  • Identify the different forms of energy and use energy principles to build a model roller coaster
  • Explore waves and wave motion, especially related to light and sound waves
  • Investigate the relationship between magnetic fields and electric current
  • Create electric circuits to solve problems
  • Explain electric safety
  • Explore the balance of forces
  • Experiment with bridge geometry
 Social Studies

Emphasis is on United States History, 1860 to present.  Students will work to meet the following objectives:

Social Studies Skills (further development of skills emphasized in Grade 7)

  • Read and interpret information represented in bar graphs, line graphs, and circle graphs
  • Identify and interpret symbols, tone, and message in paintings, drawings, photos, posters, and political cartoons
  • Further develop the reading skills of summarizing, sequencing, identifying cause and effect, drawing inferences and conclusions, distinguishing fact and opinion, comparing and contrasting, analyzing primary sources, recognizing bias, and identifying point of view
  • Locate and evaluate the reliability of information
  • Analyze and combine information to draw conclusions and/or create a presentation
  • Present evidence or reasoning to support an opinion

Geography

  • Use map skills to interpret special purpose and historical maps
  • Explain the relationship between geography and historic events

Civics and Government

  • Describe the changes in our state and federal governments over time
  • Recognize the importance of involvement in the political process

Economics

  • Describe factors leading to economic growth in the United States
  • Explain the causes and effect of the stock market crash
  • Analyze the effect of recession and depression on American society

History

  • Explain, study, and discuss the events and results of the Civil War
  • Discuss the impact of Reconstruction on the South
  • Describe the cause and effect of increased European immigration in the 1800’s
  • Investigate the people, inventions, and events of World War I
  • Explain the societal changes that occurred after World War I
  • Investigate the people and events of World War II
  • Compare and contrast the evolution of warfare over the years
  • Examine current events and issues
 Spanish

One-half hour 2 days per week

Review and reinforce material covered in Grade 7

Introduce:

  • Regular “AR/ER/IR” verbs
  • Numbers above 100 & ordinals
  • Telling time
  • Direct object pronouns
  • Demonstrative adjectives
  • Prepositions
  • Stem-change verbs

Special Projects:

  • 12 page vocabulary booklet
  • El Anuario/yearbook write-up
  • Mi Familia/detailed report of
  • Family members (written/oral)
  • El Horario/class schedule
  • El Menú/design & produce menu

Enhance:

  • Vocabulary
  • Verb conjugation
  • Comprehension
  • Speaking in front of class
 Information Computer Technology

The Technology Curriculum is designed to ensure that the student has mastered the appropriate beginning and intermediate computer knowledge and skills as defined by New Hampshire state ICT standards. Learning/usage of skills is integrated into the classroom curriculum and instruction is taught in the lab. Students will learn:

  • Technology operations and concepts
  • Intermediate word processing skills with a focus on written communication, research, and critical thinking
  • Creativity and innovation skills with a focus on visual and verbal communication
  • Analytical skills with a focus on critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making
  • What is means to be a good digital citizen
 Physical Education

The Physical Education Curriculum is designed to focus on the growth of each individual to reach his/her fullest potential.  Through a variety of activities in the gymnasium and outdoors, the children will grow physically, cognitively, and socially.  The objectives of our curriculum include the following:

  • Sport skills, team concepts, rules, and safety
  • Decision making
  • Principles of training and conditioning
  • Demonstration of responsible conduct
  • Beginning game strategies
 Art

The Art Curriculum is centered on self-expression.  Students solve many artistic problems through creative critical thinking.  They use a variety of drawing and sculptural materials including colored pencils, oil pastels and charcoal, papier mache, plaster and clay.  Students begin to examine the inter-and intrapersonal ramifications of visual expression and self-reflection.  Students understand how to translate their thoughts and feelings into the visual language through the use of symbols, theme, and attention to craftsmanship.

Students also learn about the artwork of many cultures in the world, with a focus on ancient societies.  Through a concentration on design work, the student will hone drafting skills, resulting in familiarity with geometric shape, rhythm in pattern, delineation of space, and visual depth.  The curriculum encourages students to take risks, overcome fear of judgment, and to take ownership of their personal expression.

 

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