Grade 8 Curriculum

English Language Arts

 

ELA Core Standards Overview

• Citing the evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what is explicitly stated and/or implied from a book, article, poem, or play
• Analyzing where materials on the same topic disagree on matters of fact, interpretation, or point of view
• Learning how authors support their ideas through word choice, sentence and paragraph structure, and other methods
• Building writing around strong central ideas or points of view; supporting the ideas with sound reasoning and evidence, precise word choices, smooth transitions, and different sentence structures
• Planning and conducting research projects that include several steps and use many credible and documented print and digital sources
• Analyzing the purpose of information presented in diverse media (e.g. print, TV, web) and evaluating its social, political, or commercial motives
• Presenting findings and claims to others, emphasizing key points with relevant evidence and sound reasoning, adapting speech to the audience and the formality of the setting, and responding to questions and comments with relevant observations and ideas
• Using strong, active verbs to create a clear picture for the reader (e.g. walk, skip, meander, lurch, limp)
• Interpreting figures of speech (e.g. irony, puns) and developing a large vocabulary of general academic words and phrases

 

Mathematics

 

Expressions and Equations

• Work with radicals and integer exponents
• Understand the connections between proportional relationships, lines, and linear equations
• Analyze and solve linear equations and pairs of simultaneous linear equations

 

Functions

• Define, evaluate, and compare functions
• Use functions to model relationships between quantities

 

The Number System

• Know that there are numbers that are not rational, and approximate them by rational numbers

 

Statistics and Probability

• Investigate patterns of association in bivariate data

 

Geometry

• Understand congruence and similarity suing physical models, transparencies, or geometry software
• Understand and apply the Pythagorean Theorem
• Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving volume of cylinders, cones and sphere

 

Science

 

Science is a way of knowing, a process for gaining knowledge and understanding of the natural world. Students will participate in a hands-on active curriculum where they "do" science, not simply read about science to emphasize the importance of science in their daily lives. Students will work through the scientific process by observing, inquiring, questioning, formulating and testing hypotheses, and analyzing, reporting, and evaluating data. Eighth grade science is a pre-physics and pre-chemistry study.

 

Scientific Methods

• Experimental Design
• Study of measuring systems
• Students participate in data collection, graphing/technology of their findings
• Students learn and participate in laboratory techniques
• Using SI units
• Conversions

 

Exploring Motion and Forces

• Motion and speed
• Velocity and acceleration
• Forces and safety
• Connecting motion with forces
• Friction
• Gravity
• Balancing forces
• Inertia
• Newton's First Law

 

Acceleration and Momentum

• Acceleration motion
• Newton's Second Law
• Air resistance
• Projectile and circular motion
• Satellites
• Newton's Third Law
• Action and reaction
• Conservation of momentum

 

Energy

• Energy and work
• Potential and kinetic energy
• Temperature and heat
• Thermal pollution
• Measuring thermal energy
• Specific heat

 

Using Thermal Energy

• Thermal energy on the move
• Conduction
• Convection
• Radiation
• Heat
• Insulators and conductors
• Using heat to do work
• Radiators, forced air, and electric heating systems
• Solar energy: passive and active
• Engines: internal and external combustion

 

Machines

• Mechanical advantage
• Ideal machines
• Six simple machines
• Mending with machines
• Compound machines
• Efficiency
• Power

 

Classification and Behavior of Matter

• States of matter
• Changes of state

 

Atomic Structures and the Periodic Table

• Protons, neutrons and electrons
• Atomic mass
• Periodic table

 

Elements and Properties

• Metals
• Nonmetals
• Mixed groups

 

Chemical Bonding

• Ionic bonding
• Covalent bonding
• Describe the chemical and physical properties of various substances
• Observe and evaluate evidence of chemical and physical change
• Identify the observable feature of chemical reactions, acid base chemistry/oxidation reduction

 

Applied Physics and Chemistry

• Introductory Petrology: rock cycle/elementary chemistry and physics of rock formation

 

Social Studies

 

Students will study United States history with an emphasis in the 18th and 19th centuries on the Age of Exploration through Reconstruction and the western movement. There will be ongoing studies of current events in the United States as time permits.

 

• Native American lifestyle and culture prior to exploration and colonization
• Review of the development of the thirteen colonies
• Study of the events leading up to, during and post Revolutionary War
• Development and the principles of the U.S. Constitution
• Study of the events leading up to, during and post Civil War
• Western expansion of the United States: Louisiana Purchase, Industrialization, and Immigration

• Mastering note-taking by identifying essential information from textbook and lectures without being explicitly directed by teacher
• Understanding and utilizing chronological reasoning for historical analysis
• Evaluating historical events through cause and effect
• Comparing and contrasting to analyze historical events
• Identifying the difference between a primary and secondary source
• Identifying visual and graphic data and interpreting it accurately 

Religion

 

Religion is an integral part of the entire school day. Through religious education, students' experiences of living and learning achieve their deepest meaning. Relationship to Catholic theology and worship will enhance the spiritual life of all the students. Eighth grade theology is a rotating curriculum shared with the Seventh grade year.

 

Church History

• The human search for meaning and purpose
• Faith
• The early Church
• The persecuted Church
• The Roman Church
• Medieval/Reformation Church
• The Modern Church

 

Introduction to Sacred Scripture: The New Testament

• The Gospels
• The Letters of Paul
• St. John/Revelation

 

Sacraments, Worship and Prayer

• Sacraments of Initiation
• The Eucharist
• Penance
• Anointing of the Sick
• Matrimony
• Holy Orders
• Rite of Holy Week

 

The Apostolic Creed-Understanding the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church

Morality

Introduction to Sacred Scriptures: The Hebrew Scriptures