• Identify and explain patterns of inheritance • Grow, measure, cross-pollinate and harvest Wisconsin Fast Plants, an organism that illustrates cellular growth, photosynthesis and genetic inheritance • Ask testable questions and design experiments to answer these questions • Collect both quantitative and qualitative data • Use technology for data collection, organization, analysis and sharing • Use evidence to draw conclusions • Read, understand and present current biology articles and make specific connections to concepts studied in class • Work collaboratively with peers in a variety of activities, including discussions and lab investigations World Language (Latin, Spanish) The study of language becomes more complex and rigorous in the culminating year of middle school. Students will continue their study of either one or two languages in eighth grade, studying Spanish in addition to Latin, or Latin alone. Eighth grade students participate in the National Spanish and Latin Exams each March and exhibit their deep cultural understandings in a World Language assembly. Latin Eighth grade coursework further develops and refines reading skills begun in seventh grade. Students develop and gain a greater command of vocabulary, derivatives and grammar. The readings and cultural studies in eighth grade Latin focus on the empires of the Mediterranean and the impact of the Punic Wars. Students learn about the heroes of the Republic, the rise of Caesar and Octavian and the shift from Republic to Empire. Students will also have exposure to authentic texts in the form of inscriptions and selected poetry of Martial and Catullus. Upon successful completion of the course, students are expected to be able to place into Latin II in secondary school.
• Comprehend, translate, summarize and evaluate Latin stories through the history and culture of the ancient Roman world • Discuss and argue about the cultural relevance of Roman history and culture • Develop and expand Latin vocabulary and English derivatives • Identify and parse nouns in all five declensions and in all forms of the nominative, genitive, dative, accusative and ablative cases, including specialized uses of the ablative case • Recognize, form and translate pluperfect and future perfect indicative verb tenses • Form and translate the passive voice of all verb tenses • Identify and translate relative, demonstrative, indefinite and interrogative pronouns and adjectives • Form and interpret passive infinitives • Differentiate present, perfect passive and future participles and their uses • Begin the study of the subjunctive mood verbs in the active voice Spanish The goal of the Spanish curriculum in eighth grade is to reinforce and refine linguistic and cultural proficiency. Students enhance written and oral communication as they continue to acquire more sophisticated vocabulary and supporting grammar within the context of culture. Emphasis is placed on writing more complex sentences at paragraph level while extending reading, listening and speaking skills. Students complete at minimum the equivalent of the Spanish I curriculum and are expected to be able to place into Spanish II or beyond in secondary school upon successful completion of this course. • Express understanding of passages and conversations • Communicate in interactions related to Hispanic art and music, vacation and travel, commerce and technology, food and dining experiences, celebrations and holidays
• Recognize and apply grammatical concepts such as regular and irregular verbs in present, preterite and imperfect tense, present progressive, reflexive verbs, the passive voice, informal commands, introduction to the future and present perfect tense • Master key language agreement rules • Continue to practice speaking skills leading to social participation with native Spanish speakers locally and globally • Participate in immersion experiences outside the classroom • Access and evaluate authentic texts to discuss current events, culture and interdisciplinary topics Spanish – Advanced Level In eighth grade, Advanced Spanish continues to progress at an accelerated pace with the goal of refining students’ listening, reading, writing and speaking skills while developing deeper connections to Hispanic cultures. Conversation is emphasized, aiming to stimulate spontaneous speech in common language interactions. Students are encouraged to express opinions orally and in writing about appropriately chosen current events from local and international news. Placement will be determined by academic performance in seventh grade and teacher recommendation. The more intensive approach to language acquisition facilitates higher placement expectations in high school. • Expand usage of vocabulary topics • Extend application of grammatical functions • Advance proficiency in listening comprehension and oral expression • Extend use of Spanish outside the classroom through special assignments • Access authentic materials to connect learning to current events and other disciplines • Research, write about and discuss historic events and contributions of prominent Hispanic figures • Investigate, compare and contrast aspects of Hispanic and U.S. culture
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