Curriculum Objectives Eighth Grade

Language Arts

• Grammar: review of the parts of speech, sentence structure, complements, verbals, subordinate clauses, common problems in usage, and frequently confused words
• Vocabulary: definitions, usage, spelling, word origins, changes in English language through time
• Writing: structure, process, thesis, and supporting evidence
• Literature: classic works of American literature
• Literary analysis, forms and genres, narrative points of view
• Poetic language, forms, devices, explication
• Poetry writing

Mathematics (Algebra 1, Part 2)

• Quadratic expressions and equations
• Quadratic functions and equations
• Radical functions and geometry
• Rational functions and equations
• Statistics and probability

Mathematics (Geometry)

• Tools of geometry
• Parallel and perpendicular lines
• Congruent triangles
• Relationships in triangles
• Quadrilaterals
• Proportions and similarity
• Right triangles
• Circles
• Areas of polygons and circles
• Extending surface area and volume
• Trigonometry
• Proofs

History

• English colonies in North America
• Other European cultures in North America
• American colonial culture
• Prelude to independence
• American Revolution
• Creation of a new nation
• Constitutional analysis
• Federalist era
• Republican control
• Growing nation
• Jacksonian period
• Expansion to the Pacific
• North and South
• Civil War
• Reconstruction

Science

• Lab-based investigations
• Introduction to physical science
• Chemistry: the nature of matter
• Chemistry: patterns of matter
• Chemistry: interactions of matter
• Physics
• Light and sound
• Electricity and magnetism

Modern/Classical Languages

French

• Listening comprehension
• Pronunciation skills
• Vocabulary: hairstyles/cosmetics, accidents, air travel, driving, care of clothing, Paris transportation, holidays, wedding, musical instruments, high school
• Grammar: four sentence patterns, present, passé composé, tenses, imperatives, directions, expressions, object pronouns, direct and indirect pronouns, negatives, spelling
• Dialogue, conversation
• Culture
• National French Exam

Latin

• Vocabulary: household items, relatives, buildings, weapons, transportation, government offices
• Grammar:  verbs, nouns, declensions, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions, infinitives, parallel construction
• Reading comprehension
• Translation
• Literature
• Etymology
• Roman history/culture
• Literary devices: anaphora, asyndeton, ellipsis, chiasmus
• Latin abbreviations and expressions
• National Latin Exam

Geography

• The five themes of geography
• Map and cartography skills
• Regions of the United States: their major political and physical features (New England, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, North-Central, South-Central, Rocky Mountains, Pacific, Alaska/Hawaii)

Physical Education

• Daily P.E. class in uniform
• Fitness and conditioning, including endurance, strength, balance, flexibility
• Healthy lifestyle
• Social dancing:  waltz, jitterbug, fox trot, line dances, dance parties, etiquette
• Game skills/strategy: soccer, football, basketball, softball, whiffle ball, field/floor hockey, volleyball, bowling, track and field, frisbee, lacrosse
• Intramural opportunities
• Sports teams opportunities (all students may play)
• Responsibility, self-control, team work, good sportsmanship

Visual Arts

• Drawing: pencils, eraser, colored pencils, oil pastels, pastels, graphite sticks, charcoal pencils and sticks
• Painting: tempera paints, watercolor paints, acrylic paints
• Sculpture: polymer clays
• Printmaking: silk screen, linoleum block
• Ceramics: clay, glazing
• Self-expressive portraits
• Perspective and shading
• Drafting
• Collaboration
• Annual, school-wide art contest

Field Trips

Several field trips per year; recent examples include:

• Inner Quest (outdoor challenges)
• Sheridan Mountain Campus (overnight camping & activities)
• American Indian Museum
• Jamestown Settlement/Colonial Williamsburg (overnight)
• Woodlawn Plantation
• Kennedy Center
• Folger Shakespeare Theater

Performing Arts

Music

• Media of musical design
• Forms: sonata, symphony, concerto, suite, overture, concert overture, counterpoint
• Styles: romantic, baroque, absolute, program
• Study of two operas (story and musical highlights)
• Lives and work of selected composers
• Choral speech
• Choral singing
• Performance:  two music programs; production of a musical play

Drama

• Significant role in class musical play
• Develop acting skills
• Ensemble/solo singing
• Ensemble choreography
• Backstage responsibilities
• Creative teamwork
• Imaginative use of costumes/props
• Public speaking, confidence, poise

Library

• Selecting/checking out books independently
• Librarians acts as a support for the classroom teachers
• After-school help/research sessions

Technology

• Star Boards in each classroom
• Rolling computer cart for computer use in classroom
• Regular schedule of technology instruction
• Touch typing
• Advanced word processing skills
• PowerPoint, intermediate skills
• Excel, intermediate skills
• Office
• Internet skills
• Integration within academic classes

Enrichment:

• Class bonding activities
• Character affirmation/improvement
• Personal presentation
• Social graces
• Extemporaneous speaking
• Mock interviews
• Noblesse oblige
• Planning for personal growth
• Drama critique
• Workshop in music/poetry/art
• Graduation preparation