Mandatory Classes

Eighth grade students read from a variety of genres. During the reading, students maintain active reading notes, engage in both informal and formal discussions, respond to various writing prompts, and study vocabulary. Following the reading of at least three core texts, students write a literary essay in which they use textual evidence, including quotations, to support a thesis. In addition to the core texts, eighth graders study several short stories, poems, and nonfiction works. Students also are expected to read a wide variety of self-selected books and practice research skills alongside each unit. As students build a portfolio of writing designed to help strengthen their skills, they work closely with teachers in individual conferences. 

Honors Geometry
Honors Geometry develops topics from plane Euclidean Geometry. Topics studied include parallel and perpendicular lines, congruent triangles, similarity, right triangles and trigonometry, quadrilaterals, transformations, circles, measurement of figures and solids.  A major emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking skills, both inductive (geometric pattern recognition) and deductive (formal proofs), and selected rules of inference used in the development of geometry as an axiomatic system.  Algebraic techniques are utilized to further the understanding of geometry. 

8th grade science students will complete the following units:

Humanity and the Environment: Students investigate the history and consequences of contemporary global environmental issues and historical examples of a similar issue. The essential questions of the unit are “How do humans impact the environment?” and “How does the environment impact humans?” Students approach these questions through current world issues of water availability, food security, deforestation, human population, and disease.  Students explore these issues through science and social studies and culminate in completion of individual and group components of a research project.

Climate Chemistry: Students study the effects of the changing global climate by gaining an understanding of climate science and chemistry. They investigate matter and its predictable nature, then apply this understanding to climate patterns on Earth. Students explore the factors and processes of determining climate and the causes and effects of global climate change. 

Ecology II: Students investigate how ecosystems and populations change over time by studying the relationships between organisms and their environment. Students will focus on factors and conditions that cause an ecosystem or a population to adapt and the consequences of those changes to the ecosystem. They will also investigate human involvement in impacting change to ecosystems, as well as in preservation, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems. 

Eighth graders will explore world history from the beginning of civilizations to 1600 C.E. Students will examine Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Indian, and Chinese cultures, as well as other African, American, Asian, and European civilizations. Primary source readings, research, and field trips to the art museum are critical components. The essential questions the students will address throughout the year focus on geography, government, economics, and religion and include: 

1) How did geography influence the development of early peoples and ancient civilizations?
2) What was the role of religion in ancient civilizations and what impact did it have on the development/growth of human societies?
3) How have various human societies developed tools, skills, knowledge and government to address their basic needs and maintain social order?

Health (1 Quarter)
The eighth-grade health curriculum promotes healthy decision-making and self-advocacy through a variety of lessons. The curriculum includes a unit on alcohol that covers both the immediate and long-term effects of alcohol use, the risks associated with binge drinking, and alcohol use disorder. Adolescent brain development is discussed and emphasized throughout this unit.  The Other Drugs unit addresses over-the-counter medications, supplements and vitamins, energy products, and cannabis. The focus of these units is on how these substances affect the body, the addiction process, and decision-making skills.  The Mental Wellness unit explores depression and suicide prevention. Students learn how to recognize warning signs and how to support someone who may be struggling.  Finally, students receive Relationships and Sexual Health lessons, which cover healthy versus unhealthy relationships, consent, an overview of sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDs/STIs), and information on both internal and external condoms. These lessons emphasize abstinence as the safest choice for teenagers and young adults. A letter will be sent home prior to the start of this unit to provide additional information and help parents prepare for potential discussions at home.