Program of Studies Program of Studies 2018-19 | Page 9

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.
Physical Science
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.
Social Studies
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 your 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.
core curriculum in science. Health
units of study include:
• Mental, emotional, family, and
social health
• Drugs and alcohol
• Anatomy
• Current events related to health
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
Students connect world and local
based, political, economic, and
social events to their art practices,
through research in social studies
and ELA classes. This collaborative
approach allows students a broader
understanding of the concepts
studied and brings an awareness
of 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 challenged
with a deeper breadth of creative
problem solving.
Music & Performing Arts
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 Garage Band, 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.
Health/Wellness
Instruction is divided between
physical activity and health
classroom lessons. Physical
activities are often integrated with
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