Eighth Grade
Curriculum Overview
Biomedical Science Course - Bioprocessing
In addition to their core content classes (listed below), students will take the 8th grade biomedical sciences course. This elective course builds off the knowledge gained from the past two years to explore bioprocessing.
Students will investigate the human body system, vaccines, cells, antibodies, infectious diseases, hereditary disease, chromosomal mutations, and aspects of cloning.
Students will be learning the ins and outs of Bio-Processing by doing hands-on activities and labs, studying through exploratory methods, and discovering through in-depth teacher and student lead research.
By completing the 3rd year of the program, students will have successfully earned the “Triple Crown”.
Mathematics
As an 8th grader, magnet students who took 7th grade advanced math will continue into Algebra 1. This will earn students one high school credit as an 8th grader.
If students tested out of 6th grade math and continued to take Algebra 1 for high school credit as a 7th grader, 8th grade students may be eligible to take Geometry. Students will earn an additional high school credit for Geometry.
Mebane’s goal is to provide a strong foundation in the accelerated curriculum in order to prepare students for 8th grade Algebra or Geometry.
World History
Students in 8th grade world history will explore and track the culture and impact of ancient civilizations such as Egypt, China, the Greeks, Romans, and Empires of the Americas.
English Language Arts & Reading
Magnet students will continue in ELA & Reading advanced courses. Our 8th grade ELA and Reading teachers work together to support the skills needed in both writing and reading comprehension. In an 8th grade ELA or Reading course, students focus on:
active reading of varied texts for what they say explicitly, as well as for the logical inferences that can be drawn.
analysis of literature, novels, and informational texts from varied literary periods.
Writing for varied purposes
Mini-projects
Effective use of grammar
Effective use of typing and computer skills to meet language arts standards
Effective listening, speaking and viewing strategies
Collaboration amongst peers
Science
Most Magnet students will continue 8th grade in an advanced science course. The curriculum throughout all three years of middle school science is set up as a spiral review to include the following 4 bodies of knowledge:
The Nature of Science
Earth and Space Science
Physical Science
Life Science
Each year, students learning will build on knowledge learned in prior years to expand on each body of knowledge.