Course Descriptions

Table of Contents

English

180 ENGLISH 8

SIX BLOCKS PER CYCLE 

The 8th-grade curriculum builds on the foundation of students’ earlier years in ELA by challenging students to independently apply reading and analysis strategies using more complex text structures. Students engage in this deep study of literature which represents a variety of genres, cultures, and perspectives to meet grade 8 standards. By exploring the overarching essential questions of, “what kind of citizen do you want to be?” and “in what kind of society do you want to live?” students develop an understanding of the ways that literature shapes how we view the world in which we live and the conflicts that citizens might face. Students are challenged to consider authors’ purpose, choice of genre, and the craft moves that are used to engage a reader and express themes, while practicing these moves in their own writing. Cycles of independent reading, book groups, and two core novel studies (Animal Farm and All American Boys) allow students to build reading stamina and practice the analysis strategies that are required beyond middle school. Writing instruction focuses on developing essay structures that embed multiple pieces of evidence, well-developed analysis, and purposeful formatting while supporting students to write flexibly among real-world genres including argument, informative, and narrative.

Mathematics

The Connected Mathematics Project (CMP3) curriculum provides a solid foundation upon which students can build deep conceptual understanding and excellent computational fluency in mathematics.  CMP3 is a comprehensive, integrated mathematics curriculum for middle school students whose approach emphasizes the active exploration of complex problems and the development of oral and written mathematical communication skills.

380 ALGEBRA 8

SIX BLOCKS PER CYCLE 

Prerequisite: 37x MATHEMATICS 7  

The focus in eighth grade is squarely on algebra; students develop proficiency with algebraic reasoning in a variety of contexts and continue to make connections between mathematical topics and ideas.  While linear relationships are emphasized, students also study exponential and quadratic relationships.  They learn to represent and interpret relationships between variables in numerous ways--with equations, tables, graphs, and in verbal descriptions--and to understand the connections between the various representations.  Students expand their repertoire of skills to simplify expressions, solve equations, and apply their knowledge to solve a wide range of situational problems.  Students also study systems of equations; factoring and multiplying polynomials; and symmetry and transformations in geometry.

382 ALGEBRA 8R

SIX BLOCKS PER CYCLE 

Prerequisite: 37x MATHEMATICS 7 

382 Algebra 8R covers all of the same topics as 380 Algebra 8, going into more depth on some topics - such as exponential and quadratic functions. This course is designed for students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in Grade 7 mathematics and have been identified by their seventh-grade teachers for their strong understanding of mathematical concepts and excellent computational proficiency.  Students in this course are expected to be persistent and resilient problem-solvers and to use problem-solving techniques at a sophisticated level.  This course proceeds at a more rapid pace than Algebra 8 and includes a substantial amount of independent application of skills and concepts to novel and challenging problems.

381 CONCEPTS IN ALGEBRA

SIX BLOCKS PER CYCLE 

Prerequisite: 37x MATHEMATICS 7 or  or 370A MATHEMATICS 72

This course proceeds at a more measured pace than Algebra 8 and is designed to give students a strong foundation in core algebra topics, including linear relationships, systems of linear equations, simplifying expressions and solving equations, and applying algebraic skills to problem situations, before they begin geometry in grade nine at the high school.  The instructional model includes whole class instruction and discussion, problem-solving activities in small groups, and individual work with computer software that tracks students’ progress and tailors the work they do to their particular academic needs.  Students successfully completing this course will study Geometry in ninth grade at either the college prep or advanced college prep level.

370D MATHEMATICS 82

SIX BLOCKS PER CYCLE 

This course follows Math 62 and 72 and is designed for those students in eighth grade who still need intensive skills practice and foundational building of important mathematical concepts.  Emphasis is put on developing pre-algebraic skills and concepts to ready students for the study of algebra at the high school.  Placement in this course is by the recommendation of the classroom teacher in consultation with specialists, the school counselor, and parents.  Students who successfully complete this course will enroll in Foundations in Mathematics in grade 9, which is year-one of a two-year sequence of mathematics courses. 

383 GEOMETRY

SIX BLOCKS PER CYCLE 

Prerequisite: 382 ALGEBRA 8R

Students in this course will study Euclidean geometry with an emphasis on proof. This course will deepen a student’s understanding of plane figures and their properties. Students will generate conjectures based upon their observations. They will present convincing arguments using deductive reasoning to prove or disprove these conjectures and other propositions. Geometry and algebra will be integrated throughout the course. Students taking this course will be expected to have mastered the content of previous math courses, and should demonstrate a clear understanding of Algebra 1 topics. Both independent and cooperative work will be expected of all students. Students successfully completing this course will study Advanced Algebra in grade nine at the honors level. Placement in this course is determined by the WMS Math Department Head and Principal. 

Science

480 SCIENCE 8

SIX BLOCKS PER CYCLE 

Students in 8th grade science use the lab bench extensively to learn about the physical properties of matter, chemistry, weather systems, and Earth processes that lead to major events like earthquakes and volcanoes.  Students’ ability to understand the discoveries of others that led to scientific laws and theories depends on having real experiences themselves. They profit most by making their own observations and drawing their own conclusions; therefore, the course is designed such that students first collect evidence about a scientific concept that they then describe in their own words using the evidence they’ve collected. They then practice their nonfiction reading skills and notetaking strategies to learn about the discoveries of others and the vocabulary that is assigned to the concepts. Students continue to practice a variety of laboratory techniques and project-based learning principles and are expected to keep careful and accurate records of their laboratory work in a lab notebook. 

488 SCIENCE 8 ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS

SIX BLOCKS PER CYCLE 

Grade 8 Science - Essential Concepts is designed for students who have been recommended for the course. 

Meeting six times per cycle, the course covers the essential components of Science 8 at a pace commensurate with the students’ rate of learning. Emphasis is placed upon the essential learning standards of the course. Students will be involved with hands-on laboratory investigations with emphasis on highly structured support for qualitative and quantitative results.

Social Studies

280 CIVICS 8

SIX BLOCKS PER CYCLE 

The Grade 8 Civics course has students exploring these questions: What does a good government look like? What rights and responsibilities do members of a society have to the larger group? How can individuals in society make change? How and why has our system of government changed over time? What do students need to know to be informed consumers of news?  We begin this course examining how the framers of the Constitution used big ideas of rights and human nature to design a government they felt met the needs of the time after the Revolution. Then we will explore the essential features of our Constitutional system, including separation of powers, checks and balances, and clearly defined rights. We will look at times when  different groups of people advocated for the federal government to expand its definition of who was a citizen and how deserves equal protection under the law. Lastly the course is present-centered. There are lessons on media literacy, bias and trustworthy sources. In addition, students will experience a civics project, where they identify a community issue they think it is important for us to work on, and develop effective advocacy strategies. 

Reading, writing, presentation and research skills are integrated into each course. Note taking, text annotation and other skills essential to success in high school social studies classes are woven into the class throughout the year. 

Flex Period

190 FLEX 8

THREE BLOCKS PER CYCLE 

ONE SEMESTER 

As part of the Grade 8 teaming schedule, students will participate in a Flex block. Flex blocks, composed of smaller class sizes, will focus on reinforcement, extension, and enrichment experiences that develop important academic, social and emotional skills. Students will have opportunities to work with English, math, social studies, and science teachers and class peers on academic projects, to receive direct instruction and practice on subject-specific skills, receive individualized help on difficult tasks, connect with team teachers and classmates, and tackle challenging problems and projects. Flex blocks also encourage cross-team flexible grouping when appropriate and available.

Fitness and Health

004 FITNESS AND HEALTH 8

THREE BLOCKS PER CYCLE 

The goal of the eighth grade program is to assist students in taking responsibility for their personal fitness and choice of physical activities. There are opportunities for students to select a series of activities that best meet their fitness needs and interests. Instruction will focus on maximum use of the Fitness Center for the improvement of personal fitness goals, individual and team sports, aerobic activities and cooperative games. 

HEALTH: The emphasis of this class is placed on developing skills to address depression awareness and suicide prevention, substance abuse, CPR, and abstinence-based sexuality education. The goals are to inform, dispel myths, participate in meaningful discussion in class and at home and to further explore the complexities of these issues.