Grades

Seven & Eight

Grade Seven

English 7

This course will focus on writing in clear, concise, organized language for different audiences and purposes. Together with an intense study of writing of sentences, paragraphs, and compositions of at least five paragraphs, stress is also placed on grammar and vocabulary development. This course is designed to help each student explore literature. They will also learn to understand the meanings of words; interpret and analyze information and ideas; evaluate and make judgments; develop cognitive operations; display good reading behaviors; develop oral language; recognize story elements; recognize and respond to types of literature; understand and appreciate literary language and author’s craft; read content area texts; develop listening skills in reading; develop personal insights from reading; organize information; and develop creative/dramatic skills.

All students will be exposed to concepts about print and text. Students will focus on decoding and word recognition, fluency, reading strategies, vocabulary and concept development, comprehension skills and response to text, as well as inquiry and research.

Writing 7

The goal of this course is to enhance student writing skills. In order to achieve this goal, Writing 7 will focus on many of the aspects that make a good writer. Some topics that will be covered include grammar, author’s craft, syntax, and the different types of academic writing. Writing 7 is run as a “survey” class, meaning students will be introduced to numerous forms of writing in shorter spans of time. In Writing 7, we will cover multiple units throughout the year which will typically last from 2-3 weeks in length. Each unit will end with a 5 paragraph essay, or other writing output appropriate for the individual student. Students will work through all steps of the writing process, including prewriting, researching, drafting, editing, revising, and publishing.

Global Exploration: Culture, Literature and Geography 7

The seventh grade social studies course begins with early life continues through the growth of various civilizations like the Ancient Egyptians and the Phoenicians. The use of timelines, biographies, excerpts, maps, civics, primary and Internet sources, makes history real to today’s student.

Math 7

This course contains comprehensive content developed for the academically oriented seventh grade student. The course is a review and extension of basic math concepts including expressions and equations, operations with fractions, statistics, probability, basic geometry, rations and proportional relationships and pre-algebra. The full range of course content necessary for NJSLA is presented.

Fundamentals of Math 7

This course is offered to all seventh grade students and is taken in addition to their full-year mathematics course. Topics to be covered include algebraic expressions, ratios, the rational number system, one-step equations and inequalities, multiplying and dividing fractions, and dependent and independent variables.

Science 7

Seventh grade science is interdisciplinary and covers a broad range of topics which include the study of microorganisms, light and sound waves, astronomy, geology and water systems. Hands-on activities and investigative labs are stressed throughout the year. Student’s grades are determined by a combination of tests, quizzes, lab reports and notebook keeping.

Science 7 Honors

This 7th grade honors science course will cover the key science concepts as outlined in the New Jersey Academic Standards for Science. This course covers a wide range of materials, which includes the study of Earth science, biology, chemistry and engineering and design. Honors may also cover additional topics or some topics in greater depth. The main goal of this course is to develop an understanding of modern science and technology through experimentation and inquiry. Students will participate in labs and projects that will develop the following skills: writing, math, inquiry, time management, cooperation, and presentation skills that will help students to prepare for honor physics.

Physical Education 7

Classes are coeducational. All classes are planned to promote motor skills and physical fitness. Physical education classes meet five days a week with health education requirement scheduled during this time period. Activities include individual and team sports as well as lifetime activity sports.

Health Education 7

Class content includes safety and first aid, personal health, community health, consumer health, food and nutrition, disease prevention, family life and the structure and function of the human body. Units on drugs, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, smoking, and sexually transmitted diseases are also included to meet the New Jersey State requirements. Parents may remove their students from Family Life units.

Elective Cycles 7 & 8

Seventh and Eighth grade students participate in a full year or half year elective cycle of courses.

Seventh:

Spanish or French
Minecraft
Theater
Band
Chorus

Eighth:

Band
Culinary
Engineering
Theater
French or Spanish

Grade Eight

English 8

English focuses on composition writing to compose clear, concise, organized language that varies in content and form for different audiences and purposes. Students will write narrative, expository, persuasive, and descriptive compositions, focusing on writing as a process.

Writing 8

The goal of this course is to enhance student writing skills. In order to achieve this goal, Writing 8 will focus on many of the aspects that make a good writer. Some topics that will be covered include grammar, author’s craft, syntax, and the different types of academic writing. Writing 8 focuses a full marking period on each style of academic writing, including Narrative Writing, Persuasive Writing, Informational Writing, and Research Writing. This allows students to study each form of writing extensively and with great detail. Each unit will end with a 2-3 page paper, or other writing output appropriate for the individual student. Students will work through all steps of the writing process, including prewriting, researching, drafting, editing, revising, and publishing.

Civics & Economics 8

This course begins with American life during the Civil War, continues through Reconstruction, World War I and II, the Holocaust, Civil Rights, culminating in the Vietnam Era. Through the use of timelines, biographies, literature, maps, civics, New Jersey and Weehawken references, political cartoons, primary sources as well as Internet information, history is made relevant to today’s students.

Math 8

This course contains comprehensive content developed for the academically oriented eighth grade students. There is an emphasis on pre-algebra skills and concepts, such as expressions and equations, functions, geometry, statistics and probability, and problem solving. The full range of topics needed for the successfully study of algebra is presented.

Fundamentals of Math 8

This course is offered to all eighth grade students and is taken in addition to their full-year mathematics course. The topics include whole numbers, operations with rational numbers, fractions, decimals, ratios, and rates, and proportions. Students learn the computational procedures and apply the skills to problem solving in applications.

Math 8 Honors

Building upon elementary school concepts, Math 8 Honors combines grade eight and pre-algebra objectives to complete the generalized math course of study. In this course, students develop fluency writing, interpreting, analyzing, and translating between various forms of linear equations. Honors Math 8 is taken concurrently with Honors Algebra 1. Following successful completion of this course, students are placed in Honors Geometry as Freshmen.

Science 8

Eighth grade science is interdisciplinary and covers a broad range of topics which include the study of basic chemistry, cells, genetics, simple organisms and ecology. Hands-on activities, investigative labs and NJASK review are stressed throughout the year. Student grades are determined by a combination of tests, quizzes, lab reports, and note taking.

Physical Education 8

Health Education 8