The art curriculum will provide students with the ability to express themselves and create successful artworks by applying the elements of art and principles of design using a variety of artistic mediums. 

8th grade art students will create artwork with a focus on composition, proportion, and self-expression while applying the elements of art and principles of design.

In preparation for high school, the written research experience and oral Socratic Seminars are embedded in the curriculum. Students continue to be encouraged to take risks, embrace multiple viewpoints, read with a critical lens, speak with confidence and write for a variety of purposes. Careful selection of fiction and nonfiction texts are aligned to the theme of “ Society: Understanding your Voice and Responding to Conflict”. 

8th grade math will be an introduction to topics needed for Algebra I and future high school courses. Instructional time will focus on the following critical areas: 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; grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships; and analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem. There are eight units completed in 8th grade math: (1) Solving Equations; (2) Geometry (transformations); (3) Linear Equations; (4) The Real Number System; (5) Geometry (angles and triangles); (6) Systems of Linear Equations; (7) Exponents and Scientific Notation; (8) Functions..

Middle School Math Parent Resources 

BAND

Students in this class will have a foundational understanding of tone production, music reading, and instrument maintenance.  This course is designed to provide students with an advanced experience on band instruments. Curriculum for this course is an extension of the skills and concepts introduced in seventh grade band. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their learning at two concerts.

CHORUS

Students explore vocal production in an ensemble setting in order to:

• Develop proper posture, breathing and placement.

• Expand their musical background through performance of a variety of literature

• Develop self-awareness and awareness of others

• Develop their understanding of music through learning symbols, terms and reading skills

Students will have the opportunity to showcase their learning at two concerts.

ORCHESTRA

Students in this class will have a foundational understanding of tone production, music reading, and instrument maintenance.  This course is designed to provide students with an advanced experience on string instruments. Curriculum for this course is an extension of the skills and concepts introduced in seventh grade orchestra. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their learning at two concerts.

GENERAL MUSIC

Students experience a broad spectrum of music and musical experiences in order to:

• Explore how music is organized, created and experienced.

• Develop an appreciation of music of different cultures.

• Expand their musical background through exposure to a variety of styles of music.

• Create their own music, respond and connect to other people’s musical creations.

Physical Education

Our primary goals as a department are

• to motivate students to achieve a healthy and active lifestyle;

• to introduce a variety of activities that will foster participation for a lifetime; and

• to foster teamwork, responsibility, and sportsmanship while having fun

It is hoped that as a result of the middle school physical education experience, students will develop a positive attitude toward a lifetime of being physically active and understand and appreciate the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and cooperation. 

Activities include a number of team sports, individual sports, group/individual fitness, all while promoting proper social responsibilities. 

*Students will continue to build and develop skills that were taught and introduced in 6th/7th grade

Health

Health education teaches about physical, mental, emotional and social health. It motivates students to improve and maintain their health, prevent disease, and reduce risky behaviors. Health education curricula and instruction help students learn skills they will use to make healthy choices throughout their lifetime.

In 8th grade health students will be introduced to performance enhancing, over the counter and street drugs, stress and anxiety, labels and stereotypes, peer pressure, mental and emotional wellness, social skills, and human reproduction and sexuality.

Science
The eighth grade science program incorporates learning from previous years and addresses topics in physical, earth, and life science. Topics of study include States of Matter, Atoms, Mixtures & Solutions, Chemical Reactions, Rocks, Earth’s Layers, Plate Tectonics, Geologic Time, Evolution, Genetics and Human Impact on Global Systems. Students acquire content and practice skills through culturally sensitive, inclusive, and equitable instruction in science, technology, and engineering that prepare them for high school. In the spring, students participate in the MA Science, Technology and Engineering MCAS grade eight assessment.

Technology
The primary focus areas at this level are: both Robotics and Engineering Concepts - Lego SPIKE Prime Kits.

The objectives of the 8th grade Social Studies curriculum are: for students to understand the federal system of government in the U.S. and how government operates at the national, state, and local levels with a focus on the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights; to understand the role which the Supreme Court has played in U.S. history through the investigation of specific Supreme Court cases; to develop a sense of the importance of individual Civic Participation and engagement through “Civics-in-Action” projects; and to appreciate the ongoing struggle in the U.S. to realize the ideal of “Liberty and Justice for All”, with a focus on the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 60’s. 

French/Spanish 1b (8th grade - Full year class)

This course is a continuation of French or Spanish 1a.  Students will review concepts and continue to build a strong foundation in the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Strategies and techniques for language learning are taught via thematic units that appeal to the middle school student. Cultural products and practices, related to our thematic units, are integrated into the curriculum to help students understand perspectives of the French and Spanish speaking world.