Grade Eight Curriculum

Eighth graders are filled with ideas and opinions; they offer unsolicited judgments and are eager for opportunities to test their powers. The inescapable step into adolescence, ushering the end of childhood is taken with varying degrees of enthusiasm. The teacher’s goal is to hold the promise and potential of the world before the minds of the students, as their hearts encompass its dreams and hopes and their hands reach out to its needs.

LANGUAGE ARTS
All grammar topics are reviewed and practiced. Vocabulary and spelling work is continued in the same format as sixth and seventh grades. The teacher may use testing to determine the students’ skills level.

Independent writing in main lesson books is part of most main lesson blocks. Students write in a range of styles, with an emphasis on revising several drafts. Instruction on note-taking and outlining is also reviewed. Writing assignments are related to the curriculum.

The writing in eighth grade focuses on structure. This begins with a review of the parts of speech, capitalization and punctuation. Word usage is important for how it affects proper pronoun use, altered parts of speech in a sentence, and enlivened writing. However, the purpose of the sentence and paragraph is emphasized. Writing compositions are increasingly evaluated for paragraph integrity and sentence clarity. Rough drafts are corrected and rewritten before final drafts are entered into main lesson books.

During morning recitation, the students memorize several poems, in addition to various speech exercises and practice tongue twisters. The students read several books as a whole class, and are also given a selection for independent reading. The book selections often augment the history of revolution or geography relating to Africa and Asia.

The eighth grade play provides an opportunity to look at the history of the English language in greater depth. The class teacher may choose a William Shakespeare comedy for this purpose. On their way to becoming young thespians, the students not only engage in the dramaturgy, but participate eagerly in the creation of the sets, costumes, music, lighting and programs. Often a specialist will help the class teacher direct and produce such a production.

MATH
Eighth graders undertake a comprehensive review of all mathematical study to date. This includes complex word problems, the order of operations, estimating answers and significant figures, scientific notation, and ratio and proportion.This ongoing work takes place during three dedicated math lessons each week.

In algebra, complex equations are given, including equations with an unknown using fractions, exponents and decimals. Students learn to apply algebraic expressions to situation problems and are introduced to the study of natural numbers, integers, rational numbers, and real numbers as well as number properties such as commutative, associative and distributive.

Polynomials are introduced and some basic operations are performed with them. Students continue to study bases, exponents and roots. They are introduced to the square root algorithm which leads to the study of radicals.

The study of geometry moves to the three-dimensional. The class constructs the platonic solids – the cube, tetrahedron, octahedron, icosahedron, and dodecahedron – and further explores the properties of a circle. The coordinate system may be introduced – depending on the class.

SCIENCES
The eighth grade sciences encompass human biology, physics, meteorology and organic chemistry. Human biology continues with the study of anatomy, including the skeletal and muscular systems and the sensory organs. The students draw intricate anatomical illustrations in their workbooks.

In physics, the students experiment with heat, light and electricity. They are also introduced to hydraulics, aerodynamics and electromagnetism.

The study of organic chemistry, which includes cooking, examines the relationship of sugars, starches, cellulose, proteins, fats and alcohol. The students record their detailed observations of all experiments in chemistry and physics into their main lesson books.

The study of meteorology strives to meet the fluctuating mood of the eighth grader. It includes clouds and atmosphere, the barometer, weather and, diurnal and nocturnal temperatures, as well as their effects on the movements of water and air, weather fronts, winds and storms. The students have discussions around the impact of human activity on the weather.

THE ARTS
Students carefully illustrate the subjects of every main lesson. Creating colored geometric constructions in two and three dimensions generates beautiful results. The students use calligraphy, Indigenous designs and cultural motives as decoration to enhance the appeal of their main lesson books. A specialist may be brought in to teach painting, drama, drawing in anatomy, or to teach music if the teacher needs the support. Recorder music and poetry recitation remain a part of daily morning work. Examining art history up to the presence may involve a trip to DIA Beacon, Storm King, the Noguchi Museum in Long Island City and the like.

In eighth grade, the students are required to bring an individual project for their Student Presentation. They choose a subject of interest to them and are required to work regularly with a mentor in the profession or skill of their choice. Students have presented vocal and instrumental performances, dance routines, shoemaking, instrument building, a fashion line etc. The evening is a celebration of their talents and is also a gift from the eighth grade to the entire Mountain Laurel School community. Teachers, families, parents, students and friends are encouraged to attend. The presentations are usually held at one of the SUNY New Paltz theaters.

GEOGRAPHY
In eighth grade, the students concentrate on the geography of Asia by drawing maps, creating research reports and travel diaries. By the conclusion of eighth grade, it is expected that the students have gained a strong sense of the location of the continents, their physical and cultural features and have developed an active interest in the world as a whole.

HISTORY
Revolution marches through much of this year’s history lessons. Through the Reformation, French, American, and Industrial revolutions, the class is led toward an understanding of our present time. American history is emphasized, from the founding of our nation, through the Civil War. The year concludes with American and Modern History topics such as suffrage, civil rights, the world wars, and the Cold war, which bring the journey up to the present era.

Much of the study is through biographies that offer contrasting views of the same event. For example, looking at the US Civil War from the perspective of the enslaved and plantation owners. Another approach is to look at the impact of the Industrial Revolution from the benefits to robber barons and the rise of workers unions.