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Curriculum Overview

Eighth grade is a year of highly visible progress in reading, writing and language arts. By the end of eighth grade language arts, students should:

  • Develop age appropriate writing skills
  • Accurately apply punctuation, grammar, and syntax skills
  • Develop complex grade appropriate vocabulary
  • Read with fluency while applying comprehension strategies

Eighth grade is also a year of visible math skill development. By the end of eighth grade math, students should:

  • Accurately apply ratio, proportion, and percent
  • Have a solid understanding of algebraic principles
  • Understand beginning concepts of geometry
  • Be able to apply data and statistics to everyday situations

Middle school science is organized into three primary courses that correlate to state standards: Earth/Space Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. 

  • The Science curriculum focuses on the principles of physical science
    • mass and matter, force, energy, sound, light, color, electricity, magnetism, and mechanics.
  • Emphasis is placed on preparing the student for more advanced science 
  • Require the student to conduct experiments, perform mathematical calculations, and report on their findings.

Eighth grade social studies introduces students to

  • the history of the United States from the Articles of Confederation to the end of the 19th century. Using primary and secondary sources, they explore time and place in nineteenth century America.
  • In studying the Civil War and Reconstruction, students evaluate multiple causes, key events, and complex consequences of the war and its aftermath.
  • Examine contemporary public issues during the course, they explore connections to issues of the past.
  • Students learn to use historical evidence to both support historical arguments and to construct historical narratives.