8th Grade Curriculum

 

Humanities in grade 8 is an interdisciplinary experience combining Language Arts and Social Studies. Students in grade eight study the ideas, issues, and events from the framing of the Constitution up to World War I, with an emphasis on America’s role in the war. After reviewing the development of America’s democratic institutions founded on the Judeo-Christian heritage and English parliamentary traditions, particularly the shaping of the Constitution, students trace the development of American politics, society, culture, and economy and relate them to the emergence of major regional differences. They learn about the challenges facing the new nation, with an emphasis on the causes, course, and consequences of the Civil War. They make connections between the rise of industrialization and contemporary social and economic conditions.

 

Students in grade 8 Humanities will analyze novels, short stories, poetry, and primary source documents. They will go on field trips and meet guest speakers. This humanities course will integrate visual arts, dramatic arts, music, politics, philosophy, history, literature, and current events.

 

Symbolic reasoning and calculations with symbols are central in algebra. Through the study of algebra, a student develops an understanding of the symbolic language of mathematics and the sciences. In addition, algebraic skills and concepts are developed and used in a wide variety of problem-solving situations.

In this course, students will learn about the physical world, our natural resources and ways in which we can preserve them. Students will learn how human interactions with the environment affect ecosystems and the sustainability of natural resources. Students will explore strategies to prevent and or slow down the deleterious effects of toxins, air pollutions, global warming, waste, use of non-renewable energy sources, destruction of habitats and changing human environments. Through an exploration of a changing world, students will be able to make better choices in relation to the environment.