The Grade 8 Humanities program encompasses the stories, the thoughts, and the language that help us make sense of our reality and our world. Learning experiences will introduce students to people they have never known, places they have never seen, and ideas that may have never crossed their minds. By showing how others have lived and live, students will develop understanding about what is important and how they can improve life through a social lens. Through this connection with others, answers are available and the truth is achieved when it comes to awareness of other cultures. We blend the reading of literature, history, and writing in order to explore and learn about the human experience in a diverse world. Through the use of well-structured units that incorporate reading and writing, the 8th-grade humanities program will provide students with a rich opportunity to become objective readers, thinkers, and writers.
In our Grade 8 Mathematics class, students continue to develop mathematical proficiency that will prepare them for high school mathematics. The course covers key areas such as algebra, geometry, functions, and data analysis, emphasizing problem-solving, logical reasoning, and real-world applications. Through a blend of collaborative and individual learning experiences, students develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and their practical relevance.The Mathematical Practice Standards apply throughout each unit and, together with the content standards, prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations.
In grade eight, student’s learning is focused on these three critical areas:
formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, as well as solving linear equations and systems of linear equations;
grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships;
analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem.
Grade 8 Science, aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), offers a comprehensive exploration of both physical and life sciences, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate workings of the natural world. The first quarter focuses on atoms and chemical reactions, where students develop models to understand atomic structures, analyze data to identify chemical reactions, and engage in a thermal energy design project. Next, students delve into energy and waves, exploring the relationships between kinetic and potential energy, as well as wave properties and interactions. Students then investigate the effects of forces on motion and the impact of electric and magnetic forces. The fourth quarter introduces genetics and ancestry, where students analyze fossil records, anatomical and embryological evidence to understand evolutionary relationships, and explore asexual and sexual reproduction. The year concludes with a study of natural selection, focusing on genetic mutations, adaptation, and the influence of natural and artificial selection on populations. Throughout the year, students apply disciplinary knowledge, exercise critical thinking and curiosity, and build understanding about the interconnectedness of life and physical processes.
At each grade level, students are placed into the Arabic pathway and proficiency level that best matches their experience. Arabic 3 is designed for students who have established a solid foundation in the Arabic language. This course continues to build language proficiency across the four domains of communication. Students engage in sophisticated dialogues, debates, and presentations, honing their fluency in classical Arabic. Cultural immersion deepens, with students exploring Saudi Arabian geography and Arabic literature and media.