Seabury Hall Middle School
GRADE
EIGHT
The eighth grade curriculum provides a transition into the upper school by reinforcing the fundamental skills and concepts necessary for success in upper school coursework in all disciplines. In addition, a final synthesis of research skills is provided in the second semester eighth grade interdisciplinary project centered around a student chosen subject of personal interest. This project is required for graduation from the middle school. The interdisciplinary theme of the fall semester is archeology and stories of the past. The interdisciplinary theme of the spring semester is humans and industry.
Eighth Grade
Core Curricular Strands:
-Expansion
of expository writing, including a research paper with
references and works cited, following the MLA style book
-Expansion of literary analysis, notetaking,
outlining, synthesis, and summarization skills
-Using the materials and methods of archeologists and historians to
unlock
-Writing short, expository pieces in a second language
-Developing and using mathematical properties and
relationship in algebra
addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division as it
pertains
exponents, powers, and square roots
-Learning to graph linear and quadratic equations
-Application of algebraic concepts to real life problems
-Introduction of scientific processes in chemistry and biology
-Preparation for upper school final exams
English
8:
In
eighth grade English, as in seventh grade, students explore various genres of
literature including short story, drama, poetry, novel, and essay (narrative,
descriptive, expository, and persuasive). The curriculum is based on the study
of significant literary works such as To Kill a Mockingbird, The Joy Luck Club,
Lord of the Rings, and Romeo and Juliet. The core texts and other readings are
approached with the intent to improve reading skills in the areas of enjoyment,
comprehension, inference, analysis, summarization, and vocabulary. Students are
involved in activities which address a variety of learning styles, including
cooperative group work, interdisciplinary class work, drama, art, music, quiz
and test taking, and whole-class literary analysis. A greater emphasis is placed
on analysis than in previous years. For example, students are expected to
articulate themes, explain an author’s tone, and to interpret figurative
language, satire, and symbolism. In addition, a greater emphasis is placed on
analytic writing than in previous years. Students write literary analysis papers
using MLA guidelines, as well as an interdisciplinary research paper with
history, also using MLA guidelines. Students are also provided with a daily
engagement with the principles of grammar. A student CD, or electronic
portfolio, is the final product of the course. The CD contains at least ten
different pieces written across five different genres, including poetry,
fiction, and essay. In addition, student CDs also include digital photos, an iMovie
of the student as part of an acting group performing a Shakespeare scene, and a
PowerPoint show of their 8th grade projects.
Introduction
to World History:
This three-part course lays the foundation for the rise of major
civilizations in Mespotamia, Egypt, Greece, Hindustan, China, and Meso-America.
Students use fundamental processes of archeology and history combined
with original source material and discipline-based habits of thinking to unlock
the secrets of past societies. A
third segment of the course, comparative mythology, provides a vehicle through
which cultures of the past can speak to us through their stories. A fundamental
thread throughout the course is the relationship of human beings to their
cultural and environmental contexts. Research writing skills that lay the
foundation for the eighth grade project are reinforced in both history and
English throughout the year.
Algebra:
This course utilizes the Chicago Project Method which emphasizes the
reading and writing of mathematics, providing a wide variety of meaningful
problem-solving opportunities. Four
dimensions of understanding are incorporated to maximize performance:
carrying out various algorithms; developing and using mathematics
properties and relationships; applying mathematics in realistic situations; and
representing or picturing mathematical concepts.
The content of the course addresses algebraic equations, inequalities,
and coordinate geometry. It
includes detailed work on the mechanics of polynomials, rational expressions,
and factoring.
Earth
Science:
Using the fields of geology, astronomy, and meteorology, this earth
science course is designed to encourage students to find the basic principles at
work in the world around them and then apply these concepts to new areas of
investigation. Emphasis on
acquiring skills in the use of the tools of a scientist, from triple-beam
balances and laboratory glassware to Web page design and image processing,
prepares the students to carry on the investigation, analysis, documentation,
and presentation of results in future contexts. Activities and projects provide
a critical role in the development and application of both skills and content.
Spanish
8:
The second year of Spanish in the eighth grade is taught utilizing the same methodology as the first year and progressively reaches increasing levels of complexity. The course is taught principally in Spanish. (Successful completion of both Spanish 7 and 8 will constitute a high school credit in Spanish I.) Only those students who have completed Spanish 7 with a minimum grade of “C” will be eligible to take this course.
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