COURSE DESCRIPTIONS - GRADE 8

English
In Eighth Grade Language Arts, students engage in skill lessons that increase vocabulary and comprehension. They are responsible for obtaining copies of Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, and Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson. All three books are Newberry Award Books. Students also read and examine informational text including newspaper columns, editorials, and warranties. Writing requirements based on the writing process are expanded to include persuasive and expository writing. A research paper is required. Students develop and present a variety of speeches. (back)

Math
In eighth grade math, students will estimate, compute, solve, and judge reasonableness of problems with real numbers including ratio, proportion, percent, integers, rational numbers, numbers expressed in scientific notation, and square roots of perfect and non-perfect squares; solve a variety of real-world and multi-step problems; and convert, compare, and order size of US customary and metric units of measurement. In geometry, students will apply direct and indirect measurement techniques, tools, and derivation of formulas to determine perimeter, area, volume, and various attributes of plane and solid geometric figures; and use coordinate geometry to analyze properties of two-dimensional figures and perform translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations. They will explain and generalize patterns, sequences, and functions using tables, graphs, and symbolic algebra; solve and graph linear equations, inequalities, and systems of equations; determine slope, midpoint, and distance in the coordinate plane; compute with polynomials; and explore simple quadratic equations. Students will use measures of center and spread to analyze data; investigate and evaluate the change of data and display it appropriately in graphs; make predictions based on samples representative of a larger population; use permutations and combinations to calculate the number of possible outcomes recognizing repetition and order; and compute the probability of compound events, independent events, and simple dependent events. (back)

Social Studies
The historical sequence continues in the eighth grade with an in-depth study of the early years of our country. This study incorporates each of the seven standards into the chronology. While students are studying a particular historic event in the United States they also look at its geographic settings, economic implications, developments in government and the role of citizens. (back)

Science
Students in the eighth grade explore space and plate tectonics as they continue to draw conclusions from scientific evidence that support theories related to the change of Earth's surface. They acquire knowledge to describe how positions and motions of objects in the universe cause predictable and cyclic events. Students explain that the universe is composed of vast amounts of matter and that it is held together by gravitational force. They explore equipment to study the universe - telescopes, probes, satellites and spacecraft. Motion of objects, effects of forces on objects, and how waves (sound, water and earthquake) transfer energy are explored. Students will be able to explain how extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and its adaptive characteristics are insufficient to allow survival. Students design a solution to a problem or design and build a product, given certain constraints. Technological influences on the quality of life are also explored in this grade level. (back)

Rev. 01-13-05