Grade 8 Curriculum

Religious Education

Our mission as a Catholic school is to pass on the Catholic faith so that it is understood, valued, and integrated into the whole student’s life. Throughout the curriculum, students are taught the Gospel values of love, forgiveness, honesty, compassion and service, as well as the difference between right and wrong. Through instruction, worship, prayer, and service, we hope that each child will grow in their relationship with our loving God.

Our text for Grade Eight is Blest Are We, The Story of Our Church (Silver Burdett Ginn) . It is divided into five units with the following themes:

1. The Marks of the Church. The first Christians built their communities around the celebration of the Lord’s Supper and the Gospel message. Their belief in the kingdom and in the ongoing presence of Christ sustained them through many times of trial and persecution.
2. The Growth of Christendom. Having survived persecution and internal strife, Christianity became the dominant religion of the Mediterranean world and the organizing principle of society. Great cathedrals and basilicas showed Christianity’s spirit of faith and optimism.
3. An Age of Faith and Beauty. The medieval Church expressed its deep faith through glorious cathedrals and elaborate worship. We are called to use the media of our time to proclaim our Catholic faith.
4. Reason, Rebellion, and Reform. The Renaissance brought strong calls for reform in the Church. The Protestant Reformation and the Counter-Reformation.
5. Returning to the Roots of Christianity. Grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our faith is expressed in new ways in every age to meet the challenges of contemporary life

Our school worships together at Mass each month on Holy Days and on particular Saint’s Feast Days. Eighth graders assist at a monthly Mass as readers, servers, and gift bearers . We gather together for prayer on occasions of thanksgiving, celebration, sadness and joy. Each morning, we begin our day with prayer, scripture reading, and respect for our country led by students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades.

As the family of St. Mary School, an important goal is to help students to be aware of the opportunities and needs of others around them. We encourage them to follow Jesus’ call to serve one another. Some of the ways that children have served others are: donating food to St. Anne’s Food Pantry; collecting winter coats, hats, and mittens for people in need. During Lent, students have earned, saved and donated money to ‘adopt’ students in Haiti to provide them with the opportunity to attend school and to receive one meal a day. One class has made and given baskets of personal items to patients at the Notre Dame Nursing Home as well as making birthday cards for the residents. Another class does the school wide paper recycling. Last year, students collected items and sent Care Packages to people serving in the military overseas.

Social Studies

Eighth grade students begin the year with study of the years leading up to the Civil War. This study of decades and administrations leading up to the Civil War will reveal not only the launching of our government but the gradual development of deep rifts in our nation which lead to the great conflict. As part of the students’ learning experience they will research and write a research project on this watershed event in American history.

Following the close study of the Civil War, students will learn about the Progressive Era, the Great Depression, World War I and II, the Korean War and Vietnam.

Equipped with this understanding of our history, the year-end trip to Washington D.C. will bring our study of American history to a conclusion.

Social Studies Syllabus

The following is a brief overview of the material we will cover in United States History during the eighth grade year:

We will begin our year with a review of the years leading up to the Civil War. As part of your learning experience, Grade 8 students will complete a research project on the Civil War that will help you realize the pivotal nature of this watershed moment in American history. We will continue the year with the study of World War I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War as well as units on the Progressive Era and the Great Depression. Our year-end trip to Washington D.C. brings our studies to a powerful conclusion.

American history comes alive in the Grade Eight classroom!

Text: The American Nation, Prentice Hall

Expectations for Home and School Assignments:

1. Every assignment must be turned in on time. If an assignment is late, then the possible grade is based on a score of 89 instead of 100. Therefore, an “A” grade will not be possible with a late assignment unless you have been absent or excused by the school.
2. Each student will be given a chapter study guide to aid in comprehension and help the student target the pertinent points from each selection.
3. Notes must be taken on each chapter section and will be checked the following day as a completed homework assignment. A section quiz will usually be given ensuring that the material has been read and that the appropriate notes have been taken. Classroom discussion is always a part of a student’s grade assessment.
4. At the conclusion of each chapter, an expository essay is written in class on a predetermined topic relating the chapter’s main idea. This exercise gives the student an opportunity to think critically and display the full depth of his/her understanding of the material covered.
5. Oral presentations as well as some expository writing assignments will count as test grades. Short in-class writing assignments and section quizzes will count as quiz grades. Homework and class notes on reading assignments will be checked. Class participation is graded as well. Keep a notebook, please.

English and Literature

In English class, 8th grade students are learning to write a five-paragraph essay concerning how Atticus Finch, the main character in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, demonstrates courage.

All parts of the writing process are covered. Students will understand topic sentence, body paragraph, introductory, and concluding paragraph construction. Students will learn how to cite sources. This process is a multi-week process involving pre-write, draft, revisions and final draft. Subsequently, 8th grade will continue our writing with a Book Check and accompanying oral presentation. Students are expected to choose an appropriate book and prepare for this assignment with outside reading during the quarter.

During the first quarter students will gain an in-depth knowledge of nouns and pronouns. Following our study of nouns the 8th grade will learn about verbs and verb forms.

Spelling and vocabulary lessons are an important part of the 8th grade English curriculum. Students will broaden their vocabulary by incorporating new words into their writing assignments.

This year our class will be reading selections from our new Holt Elements of Literature – Second Course anthology. During the first unit students will explore and comprehend the Short Story genre. Students will work together in “literary circles” whose members will be assigned to analyze a specific literary aspect. Student insights will be incorporated into whole group discussions. Writing assignments will be coordinated with discussions of the “literary circles”.

As we continue through the school year, students will continue to strive for excellence and improvement in grammar, spelling, vocabulary and writing.

Literature Syllabus

The following is a brief overview of the material we will cover in Literature during the first half of the seventh grade year:

Review and test on summer reading (1st week):

• To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
• Anne Frank Remembered, Miep Gies
• A Mango-Shaped Space, Wendy Mass

The objectives of the Eighth Grade Literature curriculum are to encourage a love of reading, to develop vocabulary, comprehension and analytical skills, and to expose students to a range of literature. Using the Holt, Rinehart and Winston anthology, Elements of Literature – Second Course the eighth grade will read targeted selections of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Class assignments and discussions will provide practice in identification and analysis of key components and forms of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

Writing assignments aligned to literature being read and discussed will be assigned. All phases of the writing process will be reviewed from pre-writing, through to draft, revisions and final copy. Students will be asked to create a variety of written pieces, all of which will reflect the classroom readings.

There will be two Independent Reading Assignments and Oral Presentations. Students will read books of their own choice and report on them following specific guidelines. These assignments will also incorporate an oral presentation where students will practice speaking in front of an audience. Tentative due dates, October 20 and December 5. (Select from attached Reading List).

Expectations for Home and School Assignments:

1. Every assignment must be turned in on time. If an assignment is late, then the possible grade is based on a score of 89 instead of 100. Therefore, an “A” grade will not be possible with a late assignment unless you have been absent or excused by the school.
2. Except for at-home reading assignments, much of your Literature work will be done during class time. I want to observe your writing process to better help you to refine your writing skills. No classroom assignment may be done at home unless specifically assigned by me.
3. If you have worked on a classroom assignment at home, you must bring a copy back to school on a CD or USB drive so that you can continue to work on it at school. DO NOT LEAVE ASSIGNMENTS AT HOME ON YOUR HOME COMPUTER!
4. Classroom behavior matters. When you have shown that you can control your own behavior in class, you will be assigned to do group assignments. Some students will earn this privilege before others.
5. Oral presentations as well as some lengthier writing assignments will count as test grades. Short in-class assignments will count as quiz grades. Homework and class notes on reading assignments will be checked. Keep a notebook, please!

English Syllabus

The following is a brief overview of the material we will cover in English during your eighth grade year.

Vocabulary and Spelling:

Workbooks: Vocabulary Development – Second Course, Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

Eighth Grade students will use both the workbook and vocabulary word from literature and SAT Prep materials to expand their comprehension of more challenging vocabulary as well as assess their spelling ability. Each week, students will be assigned a new spelling and vocabulary list in addition to the exercises from their workbooks. At the end of the week, students will be tested in spelling, parts of speech, and definitions of each word. New vocabulary will be incorporated into writing assignments.

Grammar:

Workbook & Text, Writing and Grammar Silver Level, Prentice Hall

• Parts of Speech:
  • Nouns
  • Pronouns
  • Verbs
  • Adjectives
  • Adverbs
  • Prepositions
  • Conjunctions
  • Interjections
• Parts of a Sentence:
  • Direct and Indirect Objects (Subject Complements)
  • Predicate Nouns and Predicate Adjectives (Subject Complements)
  • Adjective and Adverb Clauses
  • Kinds of Sentences – Declarative, Interrogative, Exclamatory, Imperative
  • Tenses and Forms of Verbs: Participles, Infinitives, and Gerunds
  • Pronouns and Antecedents
  • Capitalization and Punctuation

Writing Skills:

• Styles – Narrative, Descriptive, Expository, Persuasive
• Process – Pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, publishing
• Background skills – research on and off the web
• Standardized test preparation – short response and long essay, analyzing prompts

Expectations for Home and School Assignments:

1. Every assignment must be turned in on time. If an assignment is late, then the possible grade is based on a score of 89 instead of 100. Therefore, an “A” grade will not be possible with a late assignment unless you have been absent or excused by the school.
2. Classroom behavior matters. When you have shown that you can control your own behavior in class, you will be assigned to do group assignments. Some students will earn this privilege before others.
3. Oral presentations as well as some lengthier writing assignments will count as test grades. Spelling and vocabulary tests will count as quiz grades. Workbook assignments, homework, and class work will be checked. Keep a notebook, please!

Math

Eighth grade math is provided at three different levels, to best meet students' needs as they prepare for high school. Homework will be assigned each class and is extremely important to developing an understanding of the material. The students will use math notebooks to record work or rules as needed, calculators when appropriate, manipulatives that apply, and technology as needed.

Algebra I with Mrs. Ethier

Objectives:

• reinforcement of the foundations of Pre-Algebra
• introduce and investigate concepts of Algebra I

Expectation:

• students have a fundamental knowledge of Algebra 1

Focus

• Connections to Algebra
• Properties of Real Numbers
• Solving Linear Equations
• Graphing Linear Equations and Functions
• Writing Linear Equations
• Solving and Graphing Linear Inequalities
• Problem Solving
• Writing in Math

Methods and Materials:

Text: Algebra 1 Concepts and Skills (McDougal Littell) Supplemental worksheets Hands on approach using manipulatives Calculators Computers

Grades:

Grades are based on chapter tests, quizzes, and homework, Homework assignments are given daily and are a follow-up of the day’s lesson. Class participation is an integral part of each lesson. Students should come to class prepared to answer and ask questions.

Algebra I with Ms. Lordan

Text: Algebra I, Concepts and Skills, McDougall-Littell

Topics:

• Problem solving
• Solving linear equations
• Graphing linear equations
• Linear inequalities
• Simple systems of equations
• Powers and exponents
• Exponential functions
• Quadratic equations
• Polynomials

Accelerated Algebra I with Mrs. MacDonough

Text: Algebra I, McDougall-Littell

Topics:

• Problem solving
• Solving and graphing linear equations
• Linear inequalities
• Simple systems of equations
• Powers and exponents
• Exponential functions
• Quadratic equations
• Polynomials
• Comparing different types of functions
• Simplifying radical expressions
• Using a computer spreadsheet for graphing and calculations
• Writing in math

Grades:

Grades are based on chapter tests, quizzes, homework, projects, and class participation. Projects reinforce a math concept, are long-range and are to be completed at home. Homework assignments are given daily and are a follow-up of the day’s lesson. Class participation is an integral part of each lesson. Students should come to class prepared to answer and ask questions.

Science

The Middle School Science Program here at St. Mary School is designed around scientific understanding of the physical world and the process that is used to gain this understanding. The goal is to provide each student with the opportunity to understand and explore the physical world that we have before us. I look upon science as a tool for discovery, and not an end result. Science is more about asking the right questions, than getting the expected answers. Science cannot answer all questions, but it is willing to ask them. This is the approach that I take into the classroom.

The science curriculum for grade eight is to consist of multiple units. For each unit, the students will use one of the Prentice Hall Science Explorer series texts.
The first unit also involves a study in physics. The students will be using the text "Motion, Forces, and Energy." They begin with the study of motion, and how it is measured. The next section covers the nature of force, including mass and acceleration, friction and gravity, as well as action and reaction. Following this is a section on applying this to fluids. They then will move onto a section on work and simple machines, and finish the year with the study of energy, power, and the nature of heat.

In the second and third units the students will be using the texts "Chemical Building Blocks" and "Chemical Interactions" as they explore the basics of chemistry. The first unit is an introduction to matter. In this unit the students will learn about the basic atomic structure, the different states of matter, and the behavior of gases. They will also become acquainted with the periodic table of elements including the properties metals, nonmetals and metalliods. They complete the unit with an introduction to organic and biochemistry. In the following unit, the students begin to study chemical reactions including ionic and covalent bonding. This is to be followed by a section on acids, bases, and solutions. The unit ends with the students studying materials such as polymers, composites, alloys, and radioactive elements.

They will then move into the unit using the text "Cells and Heredity." The text begins with a review of the scientific process, and how to be a student of science. They then begin a study of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells. This is followed by an introduction to the science of genetics. This section will cover the science, math and mechanics of nucleic acids and inheritance, protein construction, and genetic diseases. They finish the section with a look at evolution.

The next unit text will be "Human Biology and Health." This will be a study of human anatomy and physiology that is going to cover all of the major body systems, from the skeleton to the skin, and most of what is found in-between. It is during this unit that the students will be covering smoking awareness, CPR, and nutrition. The school nurse, Kathy Deknis, will be joining me in teaching some of the classes during this unit.

If the schedule allows us, I hope to finish the year using the text "Inside Earth" to study a unit of earth science. The unit begins with plate tectonics, continental drift, and sea floor spreading, earthquakes and Volcanoes. They will learn about mineral formation and properties, and end the unit developing an understanding of rocks.

The students will have handouts to support the texts. Homework assignments are given weekly and along with the labs. The lab work is mostly data collection and recorded in a log book, with the analysis and conclusions portion completed at home. The students are expected to read the current section in the text each night for fifteen minutes and take some form of notes (the bulk of the notes are taken in class). No assignment should take more than 30 minutes on a given night, some of the labs may have involved questions, but they are given multiple nights to complete these assignments. If a student requires greater than 30 minutes, they should stop and see me in the morning or at the beginning of class. They will be quizzed weekly, to assess the students progress and retention of material and their comprehension of the terminology. Tests will come at the end of each unit. Labs will be bi-weekly and are intended to support the material that is being covered in the text.

Each quarter the students should expect about 10 homeworks (20%), 10 Quizzes (40%), 5 Labs (20%), 2 Tests (20%).

Spanish

The Middle School Spanish program at St. Mary’s has been designed to create a solid foundation for entry into H.S. Spanish. In Grade Eight Spanish we review and build upon the introduction the students received in previous years. After a brief period of review at the beginning of the year the students will continue their study.

The students will learn how to :

• discuss pastimes, schedules, chores and daily routines using reflexive verbs
• go shopping, make purchases and ask and give directions
• go to a restaurant and order food & request and pay a bill
• describe locations using prepositions, describe their house and identify belongings
• conjugate irregular and stem changing verbs in the present tense
• say things in the past using the preterite
• use the present progressive (estar + -ando,-iendo)
• utilize direct and indirect object pronouns
• use possessive and demonstrative adjectives

The above concepts are complemented with instruction in prayers and meditations including El Padre Nuestro, El Salve Maria, El Oracion de San Miguel, Tres Cosas.

Technology

Technology is integrated across the curriculum in Grades PreK-8. The Massachusetts Department of Education Recommended Instructional Technology Standards can be found here. The following is a sampling of technology use and is subject to change based on new applications and curriculum. Students in Grade 6 through 8 use desktop computers in their classroom and have weekly technology classes using the wireless computer lab. Weekly Computer Activites:

• Write autobiography using Power Point; create a slide show of 8 slides using all the features of Power Point including sound.
• Create a newspaper on Word with a heading, ruling lines, reset margins, 3 columns, imported graphics including those scanned.
• Internet research to create a travel book on Word with pictures, of all the sites to be visited on class trip to Washington D.C.
• Using Word create a page about self for yearbook, scanning and importing 5-6 pictures, using picture toolbar to edit pictures. Create other picture pages for the yearbook.
• Create a slideshow for graduation ceremony; add music and set timing.

Grades

Grades are based on chapter tests, quizzes, homework, class participation and various projects assigned throughout the year. Generally, class time is reserved for listening and speaking activities therefore class participation is critical.

Homework

Students receive homework almost every night to reinforce concepts covered in class. If there is no written homework, students should expect to spend 15-20 minutes reviewing vocabulary and current concepts.

Text/Worbook: En Espanol!, McDougal Littlel.