8th grade core courses

The English 8 course uses the StudySync Grade 8 Curriculum.  Each of the six units (Everyone Loves a Mystery, Past and Present, No Risk No Reward, Hear Me Out, Trying Times, and Beyond Reality) include lesson sequences and materials structured to meet the Common Core State Standards in meaningful ways and to provide flexibility for a range of learners.  Formative assessments in each unit are designed to measure student progress towards mastering focus indicators for the processes and content of English. StudySync is a comprehensive English Language Arts curriculum that is designed for all 21st century learners.  StudySync combines print books with a digital platform for reading and writing. Students will have their own online digital binder where they will receive their assignments, store their writing, and receive teacher and peer reviews. 

The English for Emergent Multilingual courses use a version of the StudySync Grade 8 Curriculum that is slightly modified for students who are learning English. Each of the six units (Suspense!, In Time of War, A Moral Compass, The Civil War, Moment of Truth, Test of Time, and The Power of One) include lesson sequences and materials structured to meet the Common Core State Standards in meaningful ways and to provide flexibility for a range of learners. Formative assessments in each unit are designed to measure student progress towards mastering focus indicators for the processes and content of English. StudySync is a comprehensive English Language Arts curriculum that is designed for all 21st century learners. StudySync combines print books with a digital platform for reading and writing. Students will have their own online digital binder where they will receive their assignments, store their writing, and receive teacher and peer reviews. Students will be scheduled into one of two classes based on their language needs.

English 8 for ELs 1 & 2

Double period class that focuses on StudySync 8th grade curriculum coupled with English Language development in order to meet the Common Core State Standards. .

English 8 for ELs 3

Single period class that uses the StudySync 8th grade curriculum and language supports in order to meet the Common Core State Standards.

ENG1005 Adv English 8

ESL1016 ESOL English 8 for Eng Learners I (double period)

ESL1019 ESOL English 8 for Eng Learners II (double period)

ESL1022 ESOL English 8 for Eng Learners III 

In this course,  eighth graders tackle exciting new ideas and concepts in preparation for work in high school. They extend earlier understandings of proportional relationships to study linear relationships and work with linear equations in one and two variables. Among other things, they are also introduced to the idea of functions and have their first encounter with irrational numbers. This course unfolds across 9 units that range in length from about 16 to 22 days. 

Curriculum 2.0 (C2.0) Algebra 1 is designed to analyze and model real-world phenomena. Exploration of linear, exponential, and quadratic functions forms the foundation of the course. Key characteristics and representations of functions – graphic, numeric, symbolic, and verbal – are analyzed and compared. Students develop fluency in solving equations and inequalities. One- and two-variable data sets are interpreted using mathematical models. 

Curriculum 2.0 (C2.0) Geometry formalizes and extends students’ geometric experiences from the elementary and middle school grades. Students explore more complex geometric situations and deepen their understanding of geometric relationships, progressing towards formal mathematical arguments. Instruction at this level will focus on the understanding and application of congruence as a basis for developing formal proofs; the relationship among similarity, trigonometry, and triangles; the relationship between two- and three-dimensional objects and their measurements; exploration of geometric descriptions and equations for conic sections; and application of geometric concepts in modeling situations. Students successful in this course will go on to take Honors Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 the following year. 

Students in the Investigations in Physical Science course will develop understanding of physical science concepts related to the following topic areas: Forces and Motion, Energy and Waves, Chemistry, and Astronomy.  While each of these concepts will be taught in isolated units, Investigations in Physical Science will also revisit related concepts throughout the school year to show the interconnected nature of the physical sciences. 

Students in the Investigations in Physical Science will experience an interdisciplinary approach to science content, exploring two of the three domains of science (Physical & Earth Science) through hands-on explorations, productive discourse, and purposeful reading and writing.  The curriculum is problem/project-based where students apply their understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to propose solutions to real world phenomena/problems.  Students will take the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) during March to assess their knowledge of the concepts learned throughout the middle school science curricular program. 

Students learn about the rich culture and history from the earliest human settlements of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and China to great civilizations of the year 1000 CE. Students are challenged to analyze archeological evidence, ask questions to further their knowledge, and understand history as an ongoing investigation.  They are introduced to historical thinking skills including sourcing, close reading, corroboration, and research as they analyze primary and secondary documents.  This course lays a foundation for students to understand key principles of cultural, political, economic and geographic systems both in the past and today. 

Students explore the history of the United States from colonization to post Civil War Reconstruction and Industrialization while extending their understanding of political, economic, geographic and cultural systems. Throughout the course students analyze multiple perspectives and study how the diverse populations of Americans, including Native Americans, African Americans, women, immigrants, and Mexican Americans contributed to and were impacted by events. Connections to current issues help students identify patterns and themes that have shaped America in the past and continue to shape the nation today. Students extend their literacy practices by using the historical thinking skills learned in Grades 6 and 7 to build effective, evidence based historical arguments. This course prepares students for continuing their study of U.S. History in Grade 9. 

The daily physical education program offers a comprehensive and well-balanced series of instructional activities. At each grade level there are six focus areas: Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Personal and Social Responsibility, Fitness, Physical Activity and Motor Learning. The six focus areas are taught throughout the year in the following units: net games, invasion games, striking activities, conditioning and physical fitness, and dance. Team sports and individual sports game tactics and fundamental skills are taught throughout the units. *Each student is expected to change into approved P.E. attire, i.e., shorts, t-shirts, sweats/warm-ups, and proper shoes. Students are assigned a locker with a lock for their clothes. 

Comprehensive health education is taught for a term of 9-weeks during Grade 8. Knowledge, concepts, skills, and strategies essential to making healthful decisions are presented promoting lifelong health and well-being. Certified Health Education teachers implement a variety of learning activities to promote and practice wellness skills and health literacy. The development of lifelong positive health-related attitudes and behaviors are emphasized to promote self-reliance and self-regulation. Skills include accessing information, decision-making, goal setting, communication skills, analyzing influences, and advocacy.

Key Concepts

• Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs—accessing information about tobacco and marijuana; accessing information about addiction, and community treatment resources.

• Personal and consumer health—accessing information about the identification of food borne illnesses, preventing the spread of food borne illnesses.

• Family life and human sexuality—decision making about appropriate use of social media; sexual behaviors and limits, decision making and contraception; teen pregnancy and parenting; accessing information about maternal changes occurring during pregnancy.

• Safety and injury prevention—using decision making and interpersonal communication skills to use technology responsibly.

• Nutrition and fitness—analyzing influences on body image; managing weight; accessing information about eating disorders.

Parents of grade eight students will receive information about the opt-out unit of Family Life and Human Sexuality at the beginning of the school year through an evening meeting. Parents wishing to opt their child out of this unit may check “No” on the permission form sent out during the first week of school. If no permission form is returned, the student will receive this instruction. Students opted out will receive an alternate independent study unit to be completed in an alternate location.