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EIGHTH GRADE
 
Religion
By the end of Grade 8, students will:
  • understand how the presence of Christ sustained the Church from the early Christian communities to the present time
  • know how Christianity quickly became the dominant religion of the Mediterranean world and the organizing principle of society
  • know that we are called to use contemporary media to proclaim our Catholic faith just as the medieval Church expressed its deep faith through glorious cathedrals and elaborate worship
  • understand the Protestant Reformation and the Church's Counter-Reformation during the Renaissance
  • know how the Gospel of Jesus Christ meets the challenges of contemporary life
  • deepen their knowledge of doctrine
 **An honors religion course is also offered to 8th grade students on an application basis. This course, called the Emmaus Seminar, encourages students to explore theological topics and different types of ministry. 
 
Language Arts
By the end of Grade 8, students will:
In Literature: 
  • recognize and evaluate authors’ points of view and writing styles in short stories, novels, and drama
  • use analytical reading skills to recognize plots and subplots
  • compare and contrast inferred relationships of major and minor characters
  • use foreshadowing to make predictions about stories’ outcome
  • read and critique historical fiction
  • critique authors’ uses of figurative language in prose and poetry
In Writing: 
  • apply writing, research, and organization skills to write term papers
  • write a research report of 5-10 pages that will demonstrate knowledge of content, outline, footnotes, and endnotes
  • use MLA format correctly in final written research work
  • apply the conventions of usage, mechanics, and syntax to writing pieces
  • apply ideas and information in well-developed compositions for various purposes -  descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive writing
  • use and correctly spell vocabulary appropriate for Grade 8
  • use neat cursive writing in final drafts of written pieces
In Grammar: 
  • recognize, apply, and evaluate functions of parts of speech, phrases, and clauses
In Vocabulary: 
  • use vocabulary appropriate for Grade 8 in oral presentations and writing
 
Mathematics (full year of algebra)
By the end of Grade 8, students will:
  • add, subtract, multiply, and divide real numbers
  • simplify and evaluate algebraic expressions
  • write, solve, and graph equations and inequalities in one variable
  • add, subtract, multiply, divide, and factor polynomials completely to solve polynomial equations
  • simplify, add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions to solve rational equations
  • identify, write, solve, and graph linear equations and linear inequalities in two variables
  • compute probability and odds
  • solve and graph quadratic equations and functions
  • simplify, add, subtract, multiply, and divide radicals
  • graph and interpret data
  • compute, estimate, and solve problems using decimals
  • write and solve equations using integers
  • graph functions
  • find and use patterns to solve problems
  • use geometric properties and theorems to solve problems
  • convert fractions and decimals to percents
  • use equations and proportions in percent problems
  • graph points and lines in the coordinate plane
  • solve and graph systems of equations and inequalities
 
Science 
By the end of Grade 8 Life Science, students will:
  • Conduct lab experiments and analyze data
  • Use critical thinking to create solutions to real world problems
  • Design, conduct, and present a science fair experiment
  • Describe characteristics and needs of living things
  • Identify and analyze evidence for evolution and the history of life
  • Describe how genetic mutations change characteristics of populations over time
  • Identify ecosystems and relationships among living things
  • Understand energy flow through organisms
  • Identify and describe the interactions of organisms in an ecosystem
  • Describe the functions and characteristics of cell parts, cell processes, and cell types
  • Investigate types of cell membrane transport
  • Explain and discuss importance of reproduction
  • Describe the structure of DNA and its importance in the cell
  • Predict the probability of organisms inheriting certain traits
  • Analyze and reflect on the bioethics of scientific discoveries
  • Identify levels of organization in the human body
  • Describe the organs and functions of the body systems
  • Create and analyze different types of graph for data analysis
  • Write lab reports
Social Studies
By the end of Grade 8, students will:
  • critically analyze and apply higher-order thinking skills regarding use of primary sources, cause and effect, bias, and propaganda
  • explain the causes and effects of continental expansion, immigration, and rise of industry
  • demonstrate knowledge of how the U.S. became a world power: WWI, WWII, and the Holocaust
  • investigate and explain causes of the Great Depression
  • explain the causes of the Cold War
  • explain the causes and effects of the Civil Rights Movement
  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a content-related topic by writing short papers and longer research papers
 
World Language – French
By the end of Grade 8, students will:
  • continue to build on the foundation established in Grade 7
  • possess additional skills of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and understanding on all three conjugations in the passé compose
  • discuss many aspects of teen life in French-speaking countries
  • engage in more complex linguistic patterns
  • expand conversational skills to include: planning meals, leisure activities, and narration and sequencing of events
  • learn regular –IR and –RE verbs
  • conjugate irregular verbs including vouloir, pouvoir, voir, prendre, etc.
  • use direct and indirect objects
  • memorize vocabulary relevant to topics covered
  • focus on three conjugations in the passé compose
World Language – Latin
By the end of Grade 7 and 8, students will:
  • be able to read basic sentences in Latin that consist of:
    • one or two main clauses
    • basic vocabulary of their Latin textbook
    • nominative, accusative, and dative cases of nouns
    • present, imperfect, and perfect tenses of verbs in the indicative mood
      • be able to pronounce classical Latin
      • respond orally in Latin to questions about the subject matter of their Latin textbook
      • gain an appreciation and understanding of the life and culture of ancient Rome in general and Pompeii in particular
 
World Language – Spanish
By the end of Grade 8, students will:
  • continue to build on the foundation established in Grade 7
  • possess additional skills of listening, reading, speaking, writing, and understanding of all three conjugations in the present tense
  • conjugate the verb "To Be" in the present tense
  • expand conversational skills to include:  self-description, description of others, possessions, opinions, getting around town, and describing where one lives and shops for clothes
  • learn regular AR, ER, IR verbs
  • conjugate irregular verbs:  conocer, saber, decir, ir, etc.
  • reinforce skills in negative and interrogative constructions
  • focus on adjective formation
  • memorize relevant to topics covered
  • learn about school life in Spanish-speaking countries
  • continue to discover similarities and differences between Spanish and American daily life
  • discuss many aspects of teen life in Spanish-speaking countries
  • engage in more-complex linguistic patterns
  • expand conversational skills to include: planning meals, leisure activities, and narration and sequencing of events
  • use direct and indirect objects
  • identify themes and main ideas in mini stories
  • receive introduction to the present-progressive tense
Computer Technology
By the end of Grade 8, students will:
  • evaluate software relative to specific criteria
  • apply trouble-shooting strategies to problem solve
  • model ethical behavior relating to security, privacy, passwords, and personal information
  • select technology tools to collect, analyze, and display data
  • use word processing and desktop publishing for content-related projects/assignments
  • apply search and sort strategies used in databases
  • use spreadsheets to explore various formulas/functions
 
Music
By the end of grade 8, students will:
  • be able to appreciate music from cultures and time periods other than their own
  • be able to write and perform pieces for various instruments
  • be able to aurally recognize virtually any instrument in any musical family
  • realize through analysis and listening that music can exert a great influence, positively and negatively
 
Art
Progressively from Grade 5 through Grade 8, students will:
  • expand the repertoire of 2D and 3D art processes, techniques, and materials with a focus on the range of effects possible within each medium, such as: 2D-transparent and opaque media, wet, dry, stippled, blended, wash effects, printmaking, etc.
  • create artwork that demonstrates an awareness of the range and purpose of such tools as pens, brushes, markers, etc.
  • use the appropriate vocabulary related to the methods, materials, and techniques students have learned and used previously
  • learn the elements and principles of design and be able to demonstrate knowledge of the following skills:
    • for color, use and be able to identify hues, values, intermediate shades, tints, tones, colors, etc. and demonstrate awareness of color by painting objective studies from life and free-form abstractions that employ relative properties of color
    • for line, use and be able to identify various types of line, for example in contour drawings, calligraphy, freehand drawings, etc.
    • for texture, use and be able to differentiate between surface texture and the illusion of texture (visual texture)
    • for shape, form and pattern, use and be able to identify an expanding and increasingly sophisticated array of shapes and forms, such as organic, geometric, positive and negative, or varieties of symmetry
    • for space and composition, create unified 2D and 3D compositions that demonstrate an understanding of balance, repetition, scale, rhythm, harmony and emphasis
    • create 2D and 3D representational artwork from direct observation in order to develop skills of perception, discrimination, physical coordination, and memory of detail
    • create symbolic artwork by substituting symbols for objects, relationships or ideas
    • create artwork that employs use of free form from symbolic imagery that demonstrates personal invention, and/or conveys ideas and emotions (e.g. conflict/cooperation, happiness/grief, excitement/repose)
    • produce work that show understanding of the concept of craftsmanship
    • demonstrate ability to describe preliminary concepts verbally, to visualize concepts in clear schematic layouts, and to organize and complete projects
    • maintain a portfolio of sketches and finished work
    • create and prepare artwork for group or individual public exhibitions
    • demonstrate a fundamental awareness of architectural styles and the ways that these have influences painting and sculpture
 
Physical Education
By the end of Grade 8, students will:
  • use combinations of manipulative locomotor and non-locomotor skills to develop movement sequences and patterns both individually and with others
  • demonstrate developmentally appropriate basic manipulative and advanced, specialized physical skills including throwing and catching different objects with both accuracy and force, hand and foot dribbling while preventing an opponent from challenging, and accurate striking proficiency
  • apply advanced-movement concepts and beginning-game strategies to guide and improve individual and team performance
  • develop an attitude that will contribute to a positive and healthy lifestyle
  • acquire knowledge that will equip students to be healthier, happier adults
Saints/Scholars