8th Grade

8th Grade Religion

  • The foundation and structure of the Church, its nature and mission in the world, and their place in it. 
  • Early Church as outlined in the Acts of Apostles
  • Communion of Saints
  • Ecumenical Councils
  • Canon law
  • Pentecost
  • Liturgy, Liturgy of the Hours
  • Doctor of the Church
  • Gifts of the Holy Spirit
  • Interreligious dialogue, heresy
  • Confirmation preparation will be part of the structure of the class and will entail a review of Catholic truths and practices

8th Grade Language Arts

  • Literature (materials covered)
    • Prentice Hall Literature(anthology)
    • Murder on the Orient Express
    • The Pearl
    • The Hound of the Baskervilles
    • The Importance of Being Earnest
    • D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths (selected myths)
    • Shakespeare mini-unit, introduction with a focus on Romeo and Juliet
    • Units on O. Henry, John Steinbeck, Mark Twain
    • Poetry
  • English (comprised of grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and writing)
    • Voyages in English: Writing and Grammar
    • Focus on writing clear, coherent and focused essays and the five stages of writing (drafting, proofreading, editing, revising, publishing)
    • Business Letter
    • Compare and Contrast Essay
    • How to Article
    • Descriptive Writing
    • Expository Essay
    • Personal Narrative
    • Persuasive Essay
    • Research Paper on The Victorian Era
    • Vocabulary in Action
    • Preparation for HSPT

8th Grade Math
Students are placed in Math classes.  Each section ranges in size from 10 - 12 students per class. Smaller classes allow for more individualized instruction. 

Algebra I
The program is accelerated to include Algebra I curriculum. Our Algebra I - Holt, McDougal books and resources are fully adapted for all kinds of math learners. Smaller classes allow for more individualized instruction. Each 40-minute class covers a Warm-Up, Homework Check, New Lesson Concept, Lesson Practice Problems, and a jump-start into Homework. 

Curriculum Concepts

  • Equations and Inequalities
  • Linear Functions
  • Systems of Equations and Inequalities
  • Factoring Polynomials with Exponents
  • Quadratic Functions and Equations
  • Exponential Functions
  • ​Data Analysis and Probability

Standard

Math in Focus is an authentic Singapore Math® curriculum—with problem solving as the center of math learning and concepts taught with a concrete–pictorial–abstract learning progression through real-world, hands-on experiences.

Content:

Chapter 1: Exponents
Chapter 2: Scientific Notation
Chapter 3: Algebraic Linear Equations
Chapter 4: Lines and Linear Equations
Chapter 5: Systems of Linear Equations
Chapter 6: Functions
Chapter 7: The Pythagorean Theorem
Chapter 8: Geometric Transformations
Chapter 9: Congruence and Similarity
Chapter 10: Statistics
Chapter 11: Probability

8th Grade Science

  • Heredity and Genetics
  • DNA
  • Elements and Atoms
    • Molecular Compounds
    • Electron Configuration
  • Properties of Matter
  • Balancing Chemical Equations
  • Solutions and Solubility
    • Acids and Bases
  • Gas Laws
  • Newton's Laws of Motion
  • Speed/velocity/Acceleration/Momentum
  • Vectors
  • Energy Transformation
  • Electricity and Magnetism
  • Sound and Light
  • Electromagnetic Spectrum
  • Writing a Lab Report
  • Significant Figures (Scientific Notation)

                  

8th Grade Social Studies - American History

  • European Explorers of North America
  • Native American Culture
  • American Colonies
  • American Revolution
  • The Structure of the Government
  • Manifest Destiny
  • Civil War and Slavery
  • Reconstruction