8th Grade Humanities Class Overview
2025-2026 School Year
Typical class routine:
CNN10 and discussion to begin class
Go over upcoming assignments and due dates
Go over any homework assignments
Lesson or activity of the day
Independent work time with time for student-teacher conferences and status checks
Handwriting
All students are expected to write in cursive. Practice focusing on legibility and proper formation will be assigned as needed.
Wordly Wise
Wordly Wise is a vocabulary program that focuses on context, nuance of meaning, and proper usage. Each unit has a word list with five practice exercises. Exercises A, B, C, D will be independent work that we will go over together in class. Exercise E is a reading comprehension exercise that will be turned in for a grade. There will be a vocabulary test with each unit, and there are periodic review puzzles that will count as quiz grades. We will not have spelling tests, but spelling will count on the graded assignments.
LIterature
Each interim will focus on a specific humanities theme which will guide our reading assignments. We will use our reading selections to work on comprehension strategies, understanding of literary elements, and literary analysis. There will be a variety of responsive activities to accomplish this. All assignments, expectations, and project parameters will be based on individual student needs, interests, and specific educational goals. No two students will have the same exact plan. There will be regular student-teacher status meetings to go over progress, set goals, and provide feedback.
Responsive Activities include: class discussion using the Harkness method, book reports focusing on comprehension and personal opinion, book profiles focusing on literary analysis, research projects with presentations, descriptive or comparative essays, persuasive essays, biographies, infographics, group projects, or independent projects.
Writing Projects
For each project, students will be expected to complete all stages of the writing process (pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, publishing). When writing, students will also focus on citing textual evidence, avoiding plagiarism, and proper citation of sources. All papers will be graded by rubric with assessment based on individual progress and not compared to another student’s work. Progress will be gauged during student-teacher status meetings to help the student decide how to plan their time.
Humanities
Each interim will have a different social studies focus that will determine our reading selections, activities, and projects. Students will be introduced to a variety of note-taking methods, with emphasis placed on the Cornell Method. Class discussion will be based on the Harkness model that encourages active participation that is student led with the teacher as moderator.
Each humanities unit will generally include the following:
Geography assignments related to the area of study
Weekly annotations of poems or song lyrics focused on analysis
A research project that may include an annotated bibliography, visual aid, or oral presentation
A variety of writing assignments including Document Based Questions (DBQs) that focus on supporting claims with textual evidence
A debate on a class selected topic that includes a related persuasive essay and formal debate protocol
8th Grade Humanities Topics
Humanities in 8th Grade focuses on the relationship between innovative thinking, appreciation of the arts, and the development of the human condition.
1st Interim: Medieval Times and the Renaissance
Summer Reading: The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli
Class Novel: The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly
The geography of Europe, the Middle East, and Northern Africa, how geography shaped trade routes and the feudal system, and the impact it had on the Middle Ages and Renaissance
The important events of the Middle Ages including the fall of Rome, feudalism, the rise of Christianity and the expansion of Islam, the Crusades, the One Hundred Years’ War, and the plague
The Renaissance including its causes and how it spread, the important thinkers and innovators of the time period, and important topics such as humanism, alchemy, and the reformation.
2nd Interim: Intro to Philosophy
Class Novel: The Philosophy Resistance Squad by Robert Grant
Other Resources: various excerpts from important philosophical works, philosopher biographies
The growth of ideas and scientific learning
The basic tenets of philosophy and the early philosophers including Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle
Contrasting the views of Renaissance, Enlightenment, and other noted philosophers
The important events of the Age of Enlightenment including the scientific revolution, the beliefs underlying the American and French revolutions, and the growth of religious tolerance and legal reform
3rd Interim: Intro to Sociology with a focus on Collective Behavior, Social Movements, and Self Expression Through the Arts
Class Novel: Nation by Terry Pratchett
Other Resources: various excerpts from important sociological works, sociologist biographies
The basic tenets of sociology and the teachings of important sociologists
and the early philosophers including Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle
Social movements of the 20th and 21st centuries
Collective behavior, group dynamics, and the use of music and art as a form of social protest & self expression
The use of propaganda as a persuasive tool for social change, both positive and negative
4th Interim: 20th Century Decade Study
Class Novel: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Other Resources: Student selected resources related to specific decades
Research based look at important events, people, ideas, music, and art associated with specific decades of the 20th century
Comparison of historical events and connecting the past to current events
The relationship between historical events and the arts
The interim overviews are general outlines that are subject to change based on progress, student interest, and where our studies take us.
8th Grade - Ist Interim Overview
2025-2026 School Year
Warm Up Routine:
When you come into the classroom, check the board and make sure your planner is up to date. We will begin with CNN10 and a brief discussion of current events.
Getting to Know the Routine
The first few weeks will be spent focusing on classroom expectations. We will also go over the basics of the Cornell method for note taking and Harkness method for class discussion, both of which we will use throughout the year.
Wordly Wise
We will complete Units 1-5 this interim and the WW1-4 review puzzle.
Summer Reading
Discussion of Door in the Wall
Book Report Feedback
Dress as Favorite Character Presentation
The Middle Ages and the Renaissance
The Middle Ages Unit: We will start with the what and when of the Middle Ages to get background and then use discussion of our summer reading book to develop a deeper understanding. We will wrap up with a map activity and simulation of the Crusades.
Weekly Annotations: Each week a poem or song related to our studies will be posted in google classroom for students to analyze. The focus will be on literary themes, tone and mood, figurative language, and personal critique.
Geography Unit: In google classroom there is a geography assignment slide deck that includes a hyperdoc with links and instructions for multiple activities. Each individual assignment has a specific due date. This project includes:
Seterra practice quizzes over Europe, the Middle East, and Northern Africa
An interactive map of the Silk Road with written follow up
A fact sheet on geography and the feudal system with written follow up
IXL practice to learn about the Middle East
The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly: We will read this book together over the course of the interim and use the Harkness method to discuss the reading selections. You will be responsible for:
Completing the close read chart analysis while reading
Preparing your Harkness prompts and participating in the discussion
Completing activities related to the various literary elements as we read
Completing a book report or other assigned analysis project at the conclusion of the book.
Renaissance Project: We will learn about the causes of the Renaissance and how it spread throughout Europe. We will engage in trading and patronage of the arts simulations and also focus on the important thinkers and innovators of the time period. Students will select an important Renaissance figure to research and complete a written biography. The biography
Possible Debate: We will come up with a debate topic as a class and brainstorm both the pro and con sides of the chosen issue.
Preparation will include collaborative work and persuasive essays
You will be divided into two groups who will debate the topic using standard debate format which we will go over in depth at that time.
Possible Art / STEM Project: The Renaissance saw a rise in art and creativity. We will use stained glass, illuminated manuscripts, and printing press style block printing to create presentations of our research and learning.
8th Grade - 2nd Interim Overview
2025-2026 School Year
Warm Up Routine:
When you come into the classroom, check the board and make sure your planner is up to date. We will begin with CNN10 and a brief discussion of current events.
Wordly Wise
We will complete Units 6-10 this interim and the WW5-8 review puzzle. There will also be an open book “mid-term” that focuses on using the words from units 1-10 in proper context.
Introduction to Philosophy
Foundations of Philosophy: We will look at the big questions addressed by philosophy, the history of philosophical thought, and important philosophers throughout time. Projects will include a philosophical analysis of the Selwyn Mission Statement, a philosophical self portrait, and a comparison of selected philosophers.
Age of Enlightenment: During our study of the important events, people, and innovations from the Age of Enlightenment, we will look at changing belief systems and the development of individual rights. We will also explore the lasting legacy of the evolving social order, the growth of religious tolerance, and legal reform.
Scientific Revolution: Our focus will be on the growth of ideas and scientific learning, specifically the paradigm shifts and innovations that accompanied the scientific revolution. We will also look at the conflict this created with the Church and religious way of life prevalent at the time.
Weekly Annotations: Each week a poem or song related to our studies will be posted in google classroom for students to analyze. The focus will be on literary themes, tone and mood, figurative language, and personal critique.
The Philosophy Resistance Squad by Robert Grant: We will read this book together over the course of the interim and use the Harkness method to discuss the reading selections. You will be responsible for:
Completing the close read chart analysis while reading
Preparing your Harkness prompts and participating in the discussion
Completing activities related to the various literary elements as we read
Completing a book report or other assigned analysis project at the conclusion of the book.
Possible Debate: We will come up with a debate topic as a class and brainstorm both the pro and con sides of the chosen issue.
Preparation will include collaborative work and persuasive essays
You will be divided into two groups who will debate the topic using standard debate format which we will go over in depth at that time.
Midterm Exam and Semester Grade
At the end of the interim there will be a comprehensive midterm exam that includes information studied in both the first and second interims. You will be given a study guide with the relevant material, and questions on the midterm will be taken directly from the study guide. You will also be allowed to have one 3x5 flashcard of your notes that can be used during the exam. Your grade on the exam will be based on understanding and analysis of the course material as well as writing skills such as grammar and mechanics, sentence fluency and variety, clarity, and supporting details.
You will also receive a semester grade that is calculated based on the midterm and your two interim grades. The midterm will count as 10% of your overall semester grade, and each interim grade will count as 45%.
8th Grade - 3rd Interim Overview
2025-2026 School Year
Warm Up Routine:
When you come into the classroom, check the board and make sure your planner is up to date. We will begin with CNN10 and a brief discussion of current events.
Wordly Wise
We will complete Units 11-15 this interim and the WW9-12 review puzzle.
Introduction to Sociology
Nation by Terry Pratchett: We will read this book together over the course of the interim and use the Harkness method to discuss the reading selections. You will be responsible for:
Keeping a double entry journal while reading
Preparing your Harkness prompts and participating in the discussion
Completing activities related to the various literary elements as we read
Completing a book report at the conclusion of the book.
Sociology and Collective Behavior: This will include information and activities on the following:
Main theories and key concepts of sociology
Social norms and institutions
Social inequality and social change
Collective behavior and group dynamics
Social protest and social movements
Social Inequality Project: Students will research a specific social inequality, prepare an annotated bibliography, gather together tools to fight for social change on their topic, and present their work to the class.
Creating Societal Change: Students will create an infographic to showcase what they have learned about social protest and social change.
Weekly Annotations: Each week a poem or song related to our studies will be posted in google classroom for students to analyze. The focus will be on literary themes, tone and mood, figurative language, and personal critique.
Possible Debate: We will come up with a debate topic as a class and brainstorm both the pro and con sides of the chosen issue.
Preparation will include collaborative work and persuasive essays
You will be divided into two groups who will debate the topic using standard debate format which we will go over in depth at that time.
Possible Art / STEM Project: Students will create their own propaganda posters related to their debate topic.
8th Grade - 4th Interim Overview
2025-2026 School Year
Warm Up Routine:
When you come into the classroom, check the board and make sure your planner is up to date. We will begin with CNN10 and a brief discussion of current events.
Wordly Wise
We will complete Units 16-20 this interim and the WW13-16 and WW17-20 review puzzles. There will also be an open book “final” that focuses on using the words from units 1-20 in proper context.
The 20th Century
Decade Study: We will look at important events, people, ideas, music, and art associated with each decade from the 1920s to the 1990s. We will make connections between the past and present as well as explore the relationship between the arts and historical events, and the influence they have on each other.
Weekly Annotations: Each week a poem or song related to our studies will be posted in google classroom for students to analyze. The focus will be on literary themes, tone and mood, figurative language, and personal critique.
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster: We will read this book together over the course of the interim and use the Harkness method to discuss the reading selections. You will be responsible for:
Completing the close read chart analysis while reading
Preparing your Harkness prompts and participating in the discussion
Completing activities related to the various literary elements as we read
Completing a book report or other assigned analysis project at the conclusion of the book.
Possible Debate: We will come up with a debate topic as a class and brainstorm both the pro and con sides of the chosen issue.
Preparation will include collaborative work and persuasive essays
You will be divided into two groups who will debate the topic using standard debate format which we will go over in depth at that time.
International Week
Students will conduct research on our designated country and prepare a slideshow presentation to be presented on international night.
8th Grade Promotion Speeches
The 8th grade students will write and give a speech as part of the end of year promotion ceremony. Writing, revising, and practice presenting the speech will take place during Humanities as we get close to the end of the school year.
Final Exam and Semester Grade
At the end of the interim there will be a comprehensive final exam that includes information studied in both the third and fourth interims. You will be given a study guide with the relevant material, and questions on the midterm will be taken directly from the study guide. You will also be allowed to have one 3x5 flashcard of your notes that can be used during the exam. Your grade on the exam will be based on understanding and analysis of the course material as well as writing skills such as grammar and mechanics, sentence fluency and variety, clarity, and supporting details.
You will also receive a semester grade that is calculated based on the midterm and your two interim grades. The midterm will count as 10% of your overall semester grade, and each interim grade will count as 45%.