Eighth Grade Curriculum Overview

Download 8th Grade Summer Reading

• History / Geography

2011-2012: The Mystery of History Vol. 3- The Renaissance, 1455 to 1707
2012-2013: The Mystery of History Vol. 4- Modern History, 1708-Present

• Math

Saxon Math, Course 3 or Algebra 1

Our Math Program is designed to help students excel by:
- Giving students time to learn and practice skills throughout the year
- Developing higher-order thinking
- Helping students to become more confident problem solvers
- Focusing directly on math and eliminating distracters
- Integrating manipulatives for hands-on learning experiences

• Bible

Christian Worldview and Worldview Terms
Christian Cornerstones of Faith
Messianic Prophecies

Jewish Ceremonies or Celebrations and Connections to Christianity:

Yom  Kippur – Day of Atonement
Rosh Hashana - ‘Head of the Year’ (Day of Judgment)
Sukkot – Joyous Holiday
Chanukah – holiday of praise and thanksgiving
Purim  – Esther and the miraculous events
Passover – Protection of first born
Shavuot, a Major Festival – transmission of the Torah
Tisha B’Av – saddest day in the Jewish calendar – the Divine decree that the Jewish people remain in the desert for 40 years

Chapel Presentation

Inductive Study of the following New Testament books:

1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation

• Literature

Reading Strategies
Reading Vocabulary
Reading Comprehension and Test Taking Skills
Non fiction – Science Fair presentation
Poetry
Short Story Unit

Novel Units are selected from the following titles:

The King’s Shadow
Lord of the Flies
To Kill a Mockingbird
Witch of Blackbird Pond
Oliver Twist

Shakespeare Unit:

The Shakespeare Stealer
Shakespeare Scribe
Shakespeare's Spy
Tales From Shakespeare

• Language Arts

Level Writing
Focus
Support and Elaboration
Organization
Voice and Word Choice
Conventions
Writing techniques and Tools

Types of Writing
Expository
Persuasive
Narrative
Research Paper
Reading Response
Emulate Different Styles of Writing
Poetry
Creative Writing

Listening Skills

Oral Presentations

Spelling and Vocabulary

Grammar
Parts of Speech
Punctuation
Capitalization
Major Grammatical Terms
Kinds of Sentences
Sentence Structure and Variety
Agreement Issues
Usage

• Science

Scientific methods and process skills

Physical science topics

• Logic

Formal logic, Deductive or Inductive (alternates yearly in 7th & 8th grades)

• Music

Demonstrate knowledge of musical notation including notes, rests, accidentals, intervals, time and key signatures.
Summarize biographical info about Chopin, Stravinsky, Ives and Gershwin.
Explain the story of our National Anthem.
Explain the use of intervals in melody and harmony.