8th Grade Curriculum

First quarter in 8th grade focuses primarily on building up independent reading habits and analyzing common text with short stories. Additionally, we review and build upon grammar skills from 6th and 7th grade.

Second quarter through fourth quarter primarily focuses on different forms of argumentative writing and defending what the students think in meaningful and impactful ways. Additionally, we will continue to look into new grammar concepts with which the students have not interacted.

8th Grade ELA Curriculum Map

The 8 mathematical practices are used as a foundation to becoming a better mathematician in eighth grade. Students will persevere when solving problems, think about numbers in a variety of ways, use mathematical thinking to explain answers, model/show work, select and use tools to solve problems, review work and strategies used for accuracy, use the structure of the problem when solving, and find and use mathematical patterns.

In addition to supporting the above foundation, instructional time will focus on three critical areas: (1) formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations; (2) grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships; (3) analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem.

Students will explore various content standards through a workshop approach to math instruction where emphasis is placed on developing a concrete understanding of a skill and transitioning to an abstract fluency.

OMS Math Department Curriculum Guide

In science, there are 8 total skills that are practiced throughout the course of the school year. These skills are practiced multiple times and occur in different units through the year. They are:

• • Develop and use models

  • Construct explanations and design solutions

  • Ask questions and define problems

  • Plan and carry out an investigation

  • Use mathematical and computational thinking

  • Analyze and interpret data

  • Obtain, evaluate and communicate information

  • Engage in an argument from evidence

Within each unit, we use different scientific concepts as a way to practice the skills listed above. Here is a quick rundown of the different concepts we discuss throughout the 8th grade school year.

In the first semester, students dive into the concept of energy. In unit one, they investigate how the change in mass of an object and its speed can change its overall force. During the second unit, students look at different types of potential energy and how changing various properties of an object will contribute to different amounts of potential energy. From here, students look at the impact gravitational energy has on us at a universal level, and use this information to form some conclusions about causes of seasons, eclipses, days and years. After this, students learn a little bit about the differences between electric and magnetic fields. Students learn how these two concepts can be merged together to produce a phenomenon known as electromagnetism. From here, we continue with the theme of energy by investigating the differences between mechanical and electromagnetic waves. Students learn about light behaviors and how we use this information to reflect, absorb or transmit waves for different purposes.

In the second semester, we change the direction of our learning and focus on living things. Firstly; students run a simulation to form conclusions about how species may change over time. On a microscopic level, students learn how genetic traits can be inherited, and how the dispersion of these traits plays a role in the physical, mental and emotional composition of an individual. To better understand the processes that may drive changes in a species, students then investigate the changes our planet has experienced over the years. Students take a deeper look at the daily processes that contribute to the large scale changes that can occur over time. Using the same investigative techniques used to discover information about our Earth’s past, students will learn how time has also captured valuable information about the history of life on our planet through a fossil record.

8th Grade Science Curriculum Map

Students will take part in four major thematic units during their 8th grade social studies. The first unit: America at War, includes a study of many of the major American conflicts starting with the American Civil War through current conflicts. During the second unit: The American Democracy, students will study the different aspects of the United States government system. The third unit: The American Economy students will learn about the history and structure of the American Economy. The last unit: Social change, will focus on the important movements, challenges, and changes in the areas of civil rights and social justice in United States history.

8th Grade Social Studies Curriculum Map

Students will show their understanding of the basics of art by completing artwork. Students will Apply complex color relationships to artwork. For this skill, students will know primary colors, secondary colors, complementary color pairs, tertiary colors, Analogous colors, Monochromatic colors, Color mixing with primary colors. Students will also expand art making practice and technique in 2D and 3D media. Next students will create artwork using a digital medium and by using non-traditional media. Students will Analyze how art reflects changing times, traditions, resources, and cultures and investigates personally relevant meaning for creating art. Lastly students will apply advanced techniques to create accurately proportioned artwork.

8th Grade Art

The 5 physical education and health standards are used to engage students through instruction and active participation. The first semester focuses on building character and mature fundamental patterns through various sport and skill units. The student centered goals/expectations that will be met during this time include: demonstrate mechanically correct movement during activities, games, or sports, apply cooperative strategies during physical activity and game play, identify and follow specific rules and guidelines for participating safely in specific activities, develop short-term and long-term health-related fitness goals, and share leadership and supportive roles during structured physical activity. The second semester will begin with a health unit centered around injury, illness, and other dimensions of wellness. The student centered goals/expectations that will be met during this time include: explain how positive communication can help build and maintain a healthy relationship, explain how all of the body’s systems interrelate and impact each other, and recognize the effects of personal health practices/choices on physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.

Business is an encore course that will begin to prepare students for life after high school in using an engaging and hands on approach. This course includes the review and development of skills necessary for life; these skills include but are not limited to: presentation creation, spreadsheet management, business plan building, and various types of written communication. The course will utilize Microsoft Office products as well as Google products. The semester is concluded with a Shark Tank competition to showcase and put to practice the aforementioned skills.

Additionally, students will focus on building their foundation for correct typing techniques by learning letter and punctuation keys, utilizing all ten fingers.

Students will continue to develop their music reading skills through exposure to more challenging repertoire, an emphasis on part independence, and a focus on various domains of artistic musical expression (refined attention to ideas including dynamics, phrasing, articulation) as voicing and instrumentation permits.

OHMS Choir