Eighth Grade
Curriculum Update :: January, 2014
Debate & Public Speaking
Design Studio
English
Latin
Math
In December, each student surveyed at least five people, collectively surveying about 150 people. With the data now inputted in excel, students will create graphs, analyze data and make predictions about the sample. We will also be working on solving linear systems by graphing, substitution and elimination. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the scenario. Students will determine when it is best to utilize each method and apply their understanding of linear systems by designing a presentation on which is the better buy based on the consumer.
Math app of the month: Sector 33
Become an air traffic controller and as the planes merge into the same traffic stream, you have to adjust the speeds of the planes and routes to make sure the planes are spaced appropriately from each other and land on time. Each minute one plane is late all of the other planes flying behind it are also affected. Logic and reasoning are used to play this and the best part is, the app is free!
P.E.
In Upper School PE we will continue to develop our physical fitness and work on muscular strength with a focus on core. PE continues with our basketball unit, as students will participate in a 3 on 3 basketball tournament. Each student was placed on a team based on skill level and teams will compete against the other teams in the class, standings will be kept as well as playoffs and a championship game. We will also begin to focus on jump rope in class as we prepare for the 3rd annual Jump Rope for Heart event in February.
Science
Eighth graders go to outer space during January with their study of Astronomy/Space Science. Students will create scale models of systems to understand the enormity of space and Earth’s place in our solar system, galaxy, and universe. Ultimately, each student will “adopt” a constellation and celestial object for which they will give a presentation during a “star party."
Social Studies
In addition, we will begin our research paper unit. Each student will be guided in selecting a topic and formulating a question related to the Holocaust or World War II. A series of mini-lessons will provide them with directions and modeling as to how to tackle researching a weighty historical topic: developing questions, locating valid primary and secondary sources, reassessing questions, formulating draft theses, assembling outlines, drafting, citing, revising, and publishing. An email to 8th grade parents regarding this project will be sent out within the next week or two.
Spanish
8th grade Spanish students continued to improve the use of the conditional tense in various contexts. They will view and read the transcription from a video from Spain. The video presents a narrator describing the trip of his dreams; the audio and visual description will assist student’s understanding and application of this tense. Utilizing graphic organizers, students will brainstorm and record ideas of places and things they would like to do. They will organize their ideas, write and present orally, El viaje de sus sueños (the trip of their dreams).