Eighth Grade Curriculum
	Algebra I* Description: Students attend class no less than 50 minutes a day/five days per week in grade appropriate activities designed to develop higher order thinking skills, problem-solving skills, an understanding of mathematical concepts, and an ability to make appropriate, correct calculations. Text(s): Title: Algebra Authors: Smith, Charles, Dossey, Keedy, and Bittinger Publisher/Copyright Date: Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., 1992 General Objectives: 1. The student will learn to value mathematics, reason mathematically, communicate mathematically, develop confidence in the use of mathematics, solve problems using mathematics, and compute accurately. 2. The student will demonstrate effective usage of thinking skills and problem solving strategies, real number applications, operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, estimation, measurement with metric and English units, organizing data, ratios, proportions, percentages, exponents, basic probability, basic statistics, and basic geometry.   Physical Science Description: A study of physical properties of the earth and space. Students attend class for 50 minutes each day, five days a week. Text(s): Title: Exploring Physical Science Author: Maton, La Hart, Hopkins, Johnson, Warner, and Wright Publisher/ Copyright Date: Prentice Hall, 1999 General Objectives: The student will: 1. describe the properties and states of matter. 2. describe the chemistry of matter. 3. describe motion, forces and energy. 4. describe heat energy. 5. describe the properties and effects of electricity and magnetism. 6. describe the properties of sound and light.   Short title: Physical Science Laboratory Description: A practical application, in a laboratory setting, of physical properties of the earth and space. Students conduct a minimum of one laboratory exercise for each chapter covered from the course textbook, consisting of approximately one exercise each two weeks. Text(s): Title: Exploring Physical Science Author: Maton,La Hart, Hopkins, Johnson, Warner, and Wright Publisher/ Copyright Date: Prentice Hall, 1999 General Objectives: The student will: 1. describe the properties and states of matter. 2. describe the chemistry of matter. 3. describe motion, forces and energy. 4. describe heat energy. 5. describe the properties and effects of electricity and magnetism. 6. describe the properties of sound and light.   Literature/Composition* Short Title: English Literature Description: The student will participate in a study of literature and vocabulary. Text(s): Title: Elements of Literature, third course Author: Probst, Anderson, Brinnin, Leggett, and Irvin Publisher/Copyright Date: Holt, Rinehart, and Wilson, 2000 General Objectives: The student will: 1. strengthen comprehension and critical thinking skills through reading and writing. 2. increase vocabulary. 3. appreciate fine literature.   Grammar Description: The student will participate in the study of grammar and writing. Text(s): Title: Basic Language Workbook III Author: Yates, Delaney Publisher/Copyright Date: Glencoe Publishers, Inc., 1983 General Objectives: The student will: 1. demonstrate an understanding of correct versus incorrect grammar. 2. recognize and write descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive paragraphs.   Short title: SPELLING Description: The students will learn fifteen spelling/vocabulary words per week. Text(s): Title: Wordly Wise 3000 Book 5 Author: K. Hodkinson, S. Adams Publisher/Copyright Date: Educators Publishing Service, Inc., 1999 General Objective: The student will: 1. be able to increase vocabulary.   Latin II Description: A study of the Latin language and its influence on the English language. Text(s): Title: Jenny’s First Year Latin Author: Charles Jenny, Jr., Roger V. Scudder, Eric C. Badel Publisher/Copyright Date: Allyn and Bacon, Inc., 1987 General Objectives: The student will: 1. Understand numerous ways in which Latin has enriched the English language. Understand the many ways in which Latin is used in contemporary life.   Western Civilization (1450 to Present) Description: A focus on Western Civilization from 1450 to present. Students attend class not less than 45 minutes a day, five days per week. Text(s): Title: The Modern World 16th Century to the Present Author: Flory and Jenike Publisher/Copyright Date: Longman, 1992 Title: World History: Patterns of Civilizations Author: Burton F. Beers Publisher/Copyright Date: Prentice Hall, 1991 Edition: General Objectives: 1. The student will expand his/her knowledge of Western Civilizations. 2. The student will apply the expanding knowledge of Western Civilizations to current political, social, and economic issues. 3. The student will develop good study skills and organizational techniques.   Physical Education Description: A basic program designed to promote good physical health and encourage a lifelong interest in physical activity. Students attend class once a week for 50 minutes. Text(s): None General Objectives: The student will: 1. Demonstrate competency in many different movement forms and proficiency in a few movement forms. 2. Apply movement concepts and principles to the learning and development of motor skills. 3. Exhibit a physically active lifestyle. 4. Achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical fitness. 5. Demonstrate responsible personal and social behavior in physical activity settings. 6. Demonstrate understanding and respect for differences among people in physical activity settings. 7. Understand that physical activity provides opportunities for enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction.   Computer Science Description: To reinforce basic computer components and functions. To provide reinforcements of the skills taught in previous grades. The students will be exposed to Microsoft Word and Excel. Text(s Title: Century 21 Keyboarding & Information Processing Author: Robinson, Hoggatt, Shank, Beaumont, Crawford, Erickson, Graves Publisher/Copyright Date: South-Western Educational Publishing, Thomson Learning 2000 General Objectives: The student will: 1. become comfortable using a computer. 2. receive some exposure to keyboarding. 3. receive some exposure to drafting of formal business letters. 4. receive some exposure to typing book reports. 5. receive some exposure to typing term paper and reports with footnotes 6. receive some exposure to typing references for reports.   Music Description: Students will develop an appreciation of music through exposure, comparison, and discussion of various styles of music. Text(s): None General Objectives: The student will: 1. by listening, singing, and moving, the student will be able to: a. notate rhythms b. identify a broad level of dynamics c. refine pitch accuracy d. differentiate chord progressions e. compare and contrast different tone colors, styles and periods f. follow call charts and listening charts that outline form identify tempo changes   Art Description: Students attend class once a week for 50 minutes and study sequential and interdisciplinary studio and classroom experiences in the visual arts. Text(s): None General Objectives: The student will: 1. continue to develop and expand the knowledge of the fine arts through hands-on activities and classroom study. 2. enjoy the world of art and showcase personal abilities. 3. develop and expand fine arts knowledge. 4. develop and express skills related to the fine arts. 5. acquire knowledge of historical and cultural developments. 6. build a base from which to make informed aesthetic judgments.