8TH GRADE PROGRAM OF STUDY
2026-27 School Year
LANGUAGE ARTS
Mastering their language arts skills, Eighth Graders develop a strong understanding of grammatical structures and mechanics of the language through frequent opportunities to write and examine writing. They read a variety of texts, both fiction and non-fiction, with an emphasis on understanding a variety of themes and historical contexts, including conflict and courage. Students analyze short stories for characterization, point of view, plot, and theme, as well as satire, dramatic irony, and allusion. Eighth Graders master parts of speech, types and parts of sentences, and the basics of writing conventions, including proper capitalization and punctuation Eighth Graders apply research writing skills as they research a topic of their choice, producing a comprehensive, MLA-style research report as their capstone essay. The presentation of the 8th grade internships is another capstone experience.
READING
Eighth Graders read (both independently and through listening) a variety of thematic texts, both fictional and non-fictional, mastering fluency and comprehension as they analyze written work.
Exit Outcomes
Acquires intellectual curiosity to enhance vocabulary usage
Deduces meanings and implications of vocabulary in literature and vocabulary book based on context, roots, prefixes, and suffixes
Analyzes literature and interpret poetry
Understands and identifies allusions, paradox, mood, satire, symbolism, bildungsroman, and allegory in literature
Experiences that Support Learning
Collaborative discussions
Independent reading and writing
Shared reading
Interactive read-aloud
Apply reading for meaning skills
Project work
STAR Reading assessment
Accelerated Reader (A/R) testing
LANGUAGE ARTS
WRITING
Eighth Graders write frequently on a variety of topics with an emphasis toward providing evidence from the text in reading responses. They undergo the writing process from developing an idea to drafting, revising, and finally publishing written work. They develop writing beyond the single paragraph, paying attention to the organization of ideas and developing sentence fluency.
Exit Outcomes
Writes critical and persuasive paragraphs based on literature (poetry, novels, short stories) studied in class
Writes a research paper in MLA format with bibliography which includes introduction to documentation and research techniques
Integrates appropriate literary quotes to effectively enhance a five paragraph essay
Improves clarity of syntax, usage, and effective transitions when writing Masters all basic and some advanced word processing and spreadsheet
Experiences that Support Learning
Collaborative discussions
Flexible groupings
Independent writing
Note-taking
Secure a 3-day internship at local business by learning email/phone etiquette as well as note writing
Internship Fair develops public speaking and presentation skills
Opportunity to share writing
LANGUAGE ARTS
GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY
Eighth Graders master grammar rules beyond parts of speech, including sentence structure (complements, phrases, clauses, sentence types), punctuation, and capitalization in order to follow formal writing conventions in their own writing Students use both ending punctuation and capitalization and apply skill in understanding of correct punctuation within the sentence.
Exit Outcomes
Develops strategies to better understand new vocabulary words, both in context and from direct instruction
Masters parts of speech, parts of the sentence, phrases, clauses, verb and pronoun agreement, using pronouns correctly, capitalization, abbreviations, end marks, commas, colons, semicolons, and apostrophes
Deduces meanings and implications of vocabulary in literature and vocabulary text, based on context, roots, prefixes, and suffixes
Experiences that Support Learning
Collaborative discussions
Flexible groupings
Small-group instruction
Independent writing
IXL
Interactive vocabulary practice using digital resources
SPEAKING & LISTENING
Eighth Graders have frequent and varied opportunities to present in front of an audience, including a capstone speech in front of the entire school and the presentation of their Eighth Grade Internships.
Exit Outcomes
Masters various presentation techniques Acquires a three-day internship, writes business letters/envelopes, reviews phone call techniques, thank you notes, creates a poster, and gives a presentation Writes, prepares, and presents a capstone presentation
Experiences that Support Learning
Collaborative discussions
Flexible groupings
Small-group instruction
Independent writing
Interactive vocabulary practice using digital resources
MATH
Eighth Graders expand their knowledge of algebraic relationships. They gain a conceptual understanding of the difference between rational and irrational numbers. Students study and apply square roots, cube roots, and scientific notation. They delve deeper into the use of linear equations, including systems of equations, and functions Students also apply geometric concepts such as the Pythagorean theorem, transformations, and formulas for three-dimensional figures to solve real world applications.
Exit Outcomes Numbers and Operations In Base Ten
Develops an understanding that numbers that are not rational are called irrational Understands informally that every number has a decimal expansion; for rational numbers show that the decimal expansion repeats eventually or terminates, and convert a decimal expansion which repeats eventually or terminates into a rational number
Uses rational approximations of irrational numbers to compare the size of irrational numbers locating them approximately on a number line diagram
Estimates the value of irrational expressions such as π²
Experiences that Support Learning
IXL
Small-group instruction
Flexible groupings
Math talks
Collaborative discussions
Manipulatives
MATH
Exit Outcomes Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Expressions and Equations
Knows and applies the properties of integer exponents to generate equivalent numerical expressions
Uses square root and cube root symbols to represent solutions to equations of the form x² = p and x³ = p, where p is a positive rational number
Evaluates square roots of small perfect squares and cube roots of small perfect cubes
Knows that √2 is irrational
Uses numbers expressed in the form of a single digit times an integer power of 10 to estimate very large or very small quantities and to express how many times as much one is than the other
Performs operations with numbers expressed in scientific notation, including problems where both decimal and scientific notation are used
Uses scientific notation and choose units of appropriate size for measurements of very large or very small quantities
Graphs proportional relationships, interpreting the unit rate as the slope of the graph
Compares two different proportional relationships represented in different ways
Uses similar triangles to explain why the slope m is the same between any two distinct points on a non-vertical line in the coordinate plane; knows and derives the equation y = mx for a line through the origin and the equation y = mx + b for a line intercepting the vertical axis at b
Analyzes and solves linear equations and systems of two linear equations
Solves linear equations in one variable
Analyzes and solves systems of two linear equations
Functions
Defines, evaluates, and compares functions
Understands that a function is a rule that assigns to each input exactly one output & the graph of a function is the set of ordered pairs consisting of an input and the corresponding output
Compares properties of two functions each represented in a different way (algebraically, graphically, numerically in tables, or by verbal descriptions)
Knows and interprets the equation y = mx + b as defining a linear function, whose graph is a straight line; give examples of functions that are not linear
Uses functions to model relationships between quantities
Constructs a function to model a linear relationship between two quantities; determines the rate of change and initial value of the function from a description of a relationship or from two (x, y) values, including reading these from a table or from a graph; interprets the rate of change and initial value of a linear function in terms of the situation it models and in terms of its graph or a table of values
Experiences that Support Learning
Differentiated instruction to support concept development
Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts
Small-group instruction
Flexible groupings
Math talks
Collaborative discussions
Manipulatives
MATH
Exit Outcomes Measurement and Data
Investigates patterns of association in bivariate data
Constructs and interprets scatter plots for bivariate measurement data to investigate patterns of association between two quantities; describes patterns such as clustering, outliers, positive or negative association, linear association, and nonlinear association
Knows that straight lines are widely used to model relationships between two quantitative variables; for scatter plots that suggest a linear association, informally fit a straight line and informally assess the model fit by judging the closeness of the data points to the line
Uses the equation of a linear model to solve problems in the context of bivariate measurement data, interpreting the slope and intercept
Investigates chance processes and develops, uses, and evaluates probability models
Experiences that Support Learning
Differentiated instruction to support concept development
Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts
Small-group instruction
Flexible groupings
Math talks
Collaborative discussions
Manipulatives
Exit Outcomes Geometry
Understands and describes the effects of transformations on two-dimensional figures and use informal arguments to establish facts about angles
Verifies experimentally the properties of rotations, reflections, and translations
Describes the effect of dilations, translations, rotations, and reflections on two-dimensional figures using coordinates
Uses informal arguments to establish facts about the angle sum and exterior angle of triangles, about the angles created when parallel lines are cut by a transversal, and the angle-angle criterion for similarity of triangles
Understands and applies the Pythagorean Theorem
Solves real-world and mathematical problems involving volume of cylinders, cones, and spheres
Experiences that Support Learning
Differentiated instruction to support concept development
Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts
Small-group instruction
Flexible groupings
Math talks
Collaborative discussions
Manipulatives
SCIENCE
Exit Outcomes
Focus on the foundations of chemistry as well as an introduction to physics
Compares physical properties of dry ice and water, focusing on atomic structures
Observes oxidation of steel wool
Learns to balance equations
Explores different types of chemical reactions
Tests pH of various acids and bases
Learns difference between distance and displacement with different types of movement
Experiences that Support Learning
Differentiated instruction to support concept development
Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts
Small-group instruction
Collaborative discussions
Conduct Fluffiest Pancake Lab
Use MEL chemistry kits
Conduct lab to increase the “glow” of a glow stick
Create Rube Goldberg machines
SPANISH
Eighth Grade Spanish is a continuation of the Seventh Grade curriculum. Students learn additional verb tenses and vocabulary to expand their depth of conversation thereby increasing their proficiency level in written communication. Students are expected to devote significant time for practicing and studying the target language outside of class. This coursework is correlated with the second semester of Spanish 1 in high school. Students take the National Spanish Exam level 1 in March.
Exit Outcomes
Learns vocabulary for hobbies, sports, vacations, travel weather, seasons, months, clothing, and shopping
Learns commonly used stem-change verbs as well as verbs with irregular 1st person conjugation
Reviews present tense conjugation of verb estar to state conditions/emotions
Compare verbs “ser” and “estar”
Identifies direct object pronouns and placement in sentences
Learns use and formation of present progressive tense
Identifies direct objects and replace with correct pronouns
Identifies differences between “saber” and “conocer”
Identifies and use indirect object pronouns
Conjugates regular verbs in preterite tense
Incorporates demonstrative adjectives and pronouns in to writing
Culture focus: compares Barca and Real Madrid soccer clubs, constructs Day of the Dead altars, learns about Cuba and its culture; watches Spanish movie La Vida Loca
Experiences that Support Learning
Create Day of the Dead altars
View Spanish movies and fotonovelas and respond to prompts in Spanish webquests
Group and partner projets
Play review games such as Kahoot, Conjuguemos, and Quizlet
National Spanish Exam
Answer discussion questions in Spanish
LATIN
Eighth Grade Latin continues students’ study of the Latin language through vocabulary, grammar, and reading lessons, and Roman culture as it existed in first century Roman Britain and Alexandria.
Exit Outcomes
Recognizes 1st -5th noun declensions
Recognizes present, imperfect, perfect, and pluperfect tenses
Understands more advanced Latin sentence structure including subordinate clauses
Infers definitions of English derivatives based on knowledge of Latin vocabulary
Differentiates between verb conjugations
Compares and contrasts life in a “traditional” Roman city to life in Roman Britain and ancient Alexandria
Recognizes and understands the use and translation of all Latin cases (Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative, and Ablative)
Recognizes the translation of all degrees of Latin adjectives (regular and irregular)
Reviews basic and learns more in-depth Roman mythology
Experiences that Support Learning
Differentiated instruction to support concept development
Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts
Flexible groupings
Collaborative discussions
Consistent practice in both new and learned concepts to reinforce a cumulative understanding of the language
Projects relating to cultural topics
Celebratory Latin feasts
HISTORY
This course explores the history of America from the Civil War through modern times. Students study the events of this time period with the goal of reaching a conceptual understanding of how the past has shaped present day America
Exit Outcomes
Students will be able to:
Effectively compose essays that demonstrate historical knowledge and critical thinking skills
Successfully evaluate historical cause and effect
Understand the geography of history
Utilize strong notetaking skills
Confidently present on historical topics
Productively collaborate on historical topics with peers
Experiences that Support Learning
Image analysis
Reading and analysis of primary sources
Differentiated instruction to support concept development
Collaborative discussions and projects
Map reading Independent notetaking
Research-based assignments
Creative writing to display historical knowledge
Exit Outcomes
ETHICS
This capstone class for Eighth Graders helps students consider the world around them
Increases student understanding of complex problems faced by society as well as examine and consider the array of perspectives around issues
Learns about and practice understanding of these perspective while learning and modeling civil discourse
Experiences that Support Learning
Small-group and partner projects
Group presentations hone public-speaking and presentation skills
Collaborative discussions
Strengthen research, writing, and presentation skills
ART
The guiding principles of the Middle School visual art curriculum are the four Cs of 21st Century Learning: Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, and Critical Thinking.
Students develop these skills through artmaking, visual problem solving, discussion, and analysis of important artworks. Their artwork is hung for display at the end of each marking period with an opening reception for family and friends.
Eighth Grade artists create a capstone project that incorporates both traditional and digital art media. They participate in the artistic process through research, planning, sketching, and development of technique.
Experiences that Support Learning
Watercolor technique development and review of art elements of principles
Choice-based watercolor paintings
“Tradigital” project that incorporates watercolor painting and type layout.
Digital self-portrait for the annual auction project
Exit Outcome
PERFORMING ARTS
In response to several writing prompts, develops, writes, and delivers a capstone speech to be given in front of the student body
Experience that Supports Learning Strengthen research, writing, and presentation/public speaking skills
PE
The focus of the Middle School Physical Education Program is to foster an interest in and enjoyment of physical activity while promoting positive group interaction, good sportsmanship, and fitness. These concepts are developed through a wide variety of activities with a progression of instruction based on age and skill complexity. The Middle School Physical Education Program incorporates skills and strategies for team and individual participation. The students are introduced to lifetime sports and fitness with skills being taught and developed through participation, practice, and game and fitness scenarios. Eighth Grade students continue to build fitness with a progression from grade to grade in the complexity of aerobic and anaerobic exercises. At this level skills and game rules are emphasized for participation in team and individual sports.
SPECIAL 8TH GRADE EXPERIENCES AND PERFORMANCES
Internship
Eighth Grade Chapel Talk speech
Athletic Banquet
SK Buddies
Co-curricular research paper in English and history
High school placement process
Downtown Scavenger Hunt
Continued leveled math
Special volleyball and basketball games
Special Eighth Grade privileges
Hands-on science projects
Eighth Grade Portrait project
Class trip to Nantahala