Eighth Grade Curriculum

Literature 

• Text: The Language of Literature - McDougal Littell Inc. 
• Includes: Works from various genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, science fiction

Literary Focus: Justice

• Textbook: The Diary of Anne Frank

Novels:

• Romeo and Juliet - Folgers Edition - William Shakespeare
• Twelve Angry Men - Reginald Rose
• This Is My America - Kim Johnson
• Student Choices for Independent Reading and subsequent book talks

Writing 

Poetry, persuasive essays, descriptive paragraphs, narratives, letter writing, formal research paper, nonfiction and fiction essays, proper email content.

Vocabulary 

• Latin and Greek roots are studied.  Specific vocabulary words are extracted from the selections read in class.

 Grammar 

• Consumable Workbook - Simple Solutions Standards Based English                

Includes: parts of speech, sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, clauses, capitalization, punctuation, diagramming sentences, verb conjugation, verbals       

Test Taking Strategies 

Major emphasis from the beginning of school until the High School Entrance Exams are completed, then continued focus as the situation arises.

Study Skills 

Students will review how to study for each individual type of assessment. They will be encouraged to share their own "tricks" and  procedures with their peers.

Note: These skills are revisited throughout the year

TRIMESTER 1: Test Taking Practice for High School Entrance Tests

• The Diary of Anne Frank
• Criteria for Compare/Contrast Essay
• Root Words and vocab from trade book
• Basic Diagramming - review parts of speech
• Paraphrasing
• Proofreading
• Twelve Angry Men
• Research Paper

TRIMESTER 2: This Is My America

• Continuing Test Taking Skills
• Grammar - build on parts of speech
• Introduce verbals
• Root Words and vocab from trade book
• Paraphrasing
• Proofreading
• Research Paper

TRIMESTER 3: Romeo and Juliet

• Continuing Test Taking Skills
• Grammar
  • Dependent clauses
  • Diagramming
• Vocab
  • prefixes and suffixes
  • Words from trade books
• Paraphrasing
• Proofreading

Written homework is assigned every night from Monday through Thursday.  The weekend should be used to reinforce new concepts learned, complete make-up work from absence, practice basic skills, and spend time reading a book of the student's choice.

• Writing Assignments - 30%
• Tests - 30%
• Projects - 20%
• Quizzes - 10%
• Homework/Class Participation - 10%

• Independent Reading Book Talks
• Formal Email Writing
• Perspective Essay
• Compare/Contrast Essay
• Narrative Essays
• Scale Drawing of Secret Annex
• Choice Board Projects to Wrap Up Trade Books
• Study Guides for Trade Books
• Vocabulary Presentations and Quizzes
• Friendly Letter/Thank You Note
• Formal Research Paper
• Final Book Tests
• Elizabethan Street Fair
• Sonnets 
• Grammar Quizzes and Tests

• The Diary of Anne Frank - Anthology
• Twelve Angry Men - Reginald Rose
• This Is My America - Kim Johnson
• Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare
• Other Trade Books - Student Choices (8th grade level and above)
• Exercises in English - Level H

• IXL

This Algebra I course pushes students to take passionate ownership of their learning, persist through challenges, and show independence as they prepare for high school. Students develop a positive relationship with themselves and mathematics through the various components of math class. Students are introduced to variables, expressions, equations, inequalities, and functions. This course lays the foundation for mathematical literacy that will help students be successful in every subsequent course in mathematics.

TRIMESTER 1

• Solving linear equations and inequalities, graphing linear functions

TRIMESTER 2

• Writing linear functions, solving systems of linear equations, and exponential functions

TRIMESTER 3

• Polynomial equations, factoring, quadratic functions and equations and participating in the Stock Market Game

Students will be assigned various questions to complete daily. These questions may be reflective of the lesson taught that day or the current or past chapters. Students are also expected to review the lesson of the day and past lessons by looking at their notes and doing problems on their own. Programs like Prodigy and IXL can also be done for supplemental resources for studying.

• Tests and quizzes
• Stock Market Game Project
• Midterm at the end of January

Total Points Grading System

• Big Ideas Math: Algebra I, A Bridge To Success 
• Big Ideas Math: Algebra I Recoournal

• Prodigy and IXL

Religion classes at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy are designed to support our students in their growth as faith-filled persons in Catholic tradition. Weaving SSJ spirituality and history through our lessons, students become rooted in the mission of our Sisters and the importance of unity;  a unity that unites neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God and includes a strong emphasis on care for our Earth. Grade level SSJ infused themes provide a lens for our students to understand their role in being anti-racist and ways in which they can actively advocate for social justice. Opportunities to participate in Service-Learning and Outreach Projects, students are able to embody a spirit of service as they build relationships with our Dear Neighbor, while also growing in their ability to show empathy, respect, and compassion. Time in our Centennial Chapel rounds out the religion classroom experience.

• The History of the Church
  • Life and Ministry of the Church 
  • The Role of the Apostles as the Foundation of the Church 
• The Influence of and the Intersection between Church History and the Formation of the Sisters of St. Joseph
• Chapel Focus - Student Led Prayer Services centered around the Parables

• Response to reading content 
• Preparation for class
• Longterm assignments
• Projects
• Study guides
• Follow up with classwork

• Student Led Prayer Services centered around the Parables
• Reflections
• Discussion
  • Current event topics explained by students and connected to Catholic Social Teaching

• Projects - 30%
• Quizzes/Tests- 20%
• Classwork/Participation - 30%
• Reflections(Written/Oral) - 20%

RCL Benziger’s Blest Are We: Faith in Action - The Story of the Church

Pflaum Sacramental Preparation Confirmation Candidate Lessons

In conjunction with Pennsylvania State Standards, 8th Grade Science is a focus on Physical Science, experimentation within labs and an understanding of the world around them. Through interactive lessons, laboratory work and scientific procedures, students will strive to master and become more aware of the nuances in the scientific community.

• Introduction to Matter
  • Describing and Classifying Matter
  • Measuring Matter
  • Changes in Matter
• Solids, Liquids, Gases
  • Intro to Solids, Liquids, and Gasses
  • Gas Behavior
  • Changes of State
• Thermal Energy
  • Thermal Energy, Heat, and Temperature
  • Heat Transfer
  • Kinetic and Potential Energy
• Waves
  • The Doppler Effect
  • Sound Waves
  • Wave Properties
  • Light
• Electricity
  • Electric Force
  • Static Electricity
• Magnetism
  • Magnetic Force
  • Electromagnetism
• Information Technology
  • Electric Circuits
  • Transmitting Signals
  • Communication and Technology
  • Series and Parallel Circuits
• Newton’s Law 
  • Newton’s Laws
  • Speed and Velocity
  • Forces of Motion

Study/Review of material two nights a week.

• Test/Quizzes
• Semester Project
• Lab Work
• Participation

• Tests 30%
• Quizzes 25%
• Labs 20%
• Projects 20%
• Participation 5%

• Elevate Science Textbook

https://www.savvasrealize.com

Students will continue the second year of their examination of United States History.  Students will examine the root causes and details of the Civil War, Reconstruction and political policies, westward and global expansion and the call for reform, the impact of economic growth and depression, and the growth of the United States into a global power. 

TRIMESTER I

• Society and Culture Before the Civil War (1820 - 1860)
• Sectionalism and Civil War (1820 - 1865)

TRIMESTER II

• The Reconstruction Era (1865 - 1877)
• Industrial and Economic Growth (1865 - 1914)
• The Progressive Era (1865 - 1920)

TRIMESTER III

• Imperialism and World War I (1853 - 1919)
• Prosperity and Depression (1919 - 1939)
• World War II (1935 - 1945)

Skills

• Analysis
  • Cause & Effect
  • Data Models
  • Images
  • Resources
• Developing a Clear Thesis
• Distinguishing Fact and Opinion
• Identification
  • Bias
  • Evidence
  • Main Ideas
• Reading
  • Charts and Graphs
  • Maps
  • Primary Sources
• Research
• Supporting Ideas with Evidence

Homework will be assigned two or three times a week. Students are asked to complete independent reading, response to content, review notes, or practice the required material for that particular course of study via notetaking or culminating assignments or projects throughout the year.

• Journal Responses
• Map Quests
• Biographical Research
• Open Book Research
• Trimester Homework 
• Mid-Chapter Quizzes 
• Mid-Chapter and Chapter Tests
• Mid-Term and Final Examinations
• Projects
• Cross-curricular Research Paper

Total Points Grading System

Savvas Realize “My World Interactive"

Teacher recommended materials

NFA 8th graders continue our acquisition-focused language program to build on skills learned throughout their 6th and 7th grade years. Spanish learning will take place naturally through immersive activities based on reading and listening comprehension skills. Expectations for interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication skills increase. Students learn about international cultures and communities through Spanish stories, music, food, and conversation.

Trimester 1:

• SOMOS Spanish Curriculum Unit 6
• Garbanzo Reading Program Core 50 Path

Trimester 2: 

• SOMOS Spanish Curriculum Unit 7
• Garbanzo Reading Program Core 50 Path
• Student Led Cultural Projects

Trimester 3:

• SOMOS Spanish Curriculum Unit 8
• Garbanzo Reading Program Core 75 Path

Garbanzo reading paths for continuous and sustainable language input and interaction.

• Varied formative and summative assessments aligned with curriculum
• Various holiday activities and projects
• Particular focus on Día de los Muertos project

Total Points Grading System

• El Mundo En Tus Manos: Comprehensible Current Event Articles published by The Comprehensible Classroom 
• Spanish-Language Music and Artist Biographies aligned with curriculum themes

The middle school art curriculum is centered around a TAB based philosophy.  TAB, or Teaching Artistic Behaviors, is a pedagogy through which students learn to think like artists.  It develops critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity skills.  The teacher's role in this pedagogy is to work as a coach, often with individual students, and to introduce the class to new concepts through mini lessons which begin each class period.  These mini lessons include demonstrations on how to use different art mediums, or discussions on various artists and art concepts.  Students use class time to experience the process of making art, fully immersing themselves in the creative journey from conceptualizing a piece to evaluating the final product.

Physical Education at the Middle School level is an avenue for engaging in developmentally appropriate physical activities designed for children to develop their fitness, gross and fine motor skills to enable them to participate in lifetime sports and activities. They learn essential skills to become physically literate. Physical Education at the Middle School level allows students to explore team and individual sports. They learn game history, playing techniques, strategies and how to play the game at an accelerated level.

The middle school Media Advocacy/STEM class is an exciting and innovative course that empowers students to explore and address global issues through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The curriculum seamlessly integrates STEM learning, the engineering design process, and media literacy to create a dynamic and comprehensive learning experience. Throughout the course, students engage in hands-on activities and collaborative projects that challenge them to identify real-world problems related to the SDGs. They use STEM principles to analyze, design, and propose sustainable solutions, applying critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Media literacy plays a pivotal role in the class, as students learn how to effectively communicate their ideas and advocate for change. They study various forms of media, including digital media, social media, and journalism, to understand their impact on society and develop persuasive communication strategies. Students create engaging multimedia projects, such as videos, podcasts, and social media campaigns, to raise awareness and inspire action around the SDGs.

The Social-Emotional Learning curriculum at the Middle School Level is designed to support students in learning the skills and attitudes needed to develop healthy identities, self-awareness, and social awareness. It also teaches students the important skills needed for managing emotions, feeling and showing empathy for others, establishing and maintaining supportive relationships, and making responsible and caring decisions. Through this work, students begin to deepen their understanding of themselves and others,  take pride in their identity, foster inclusivity, and become a productive member of the community.