8th Grade

Reading and Language Arts

Students in seventh and eighth grade will utilize a reading resource called Prentice Hall Literature, Common Core Edition within their literacy block. This reading resource is fully aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Instruction within each lesson has been adapted to meet the demands of content standard and follow the progressions found within the Common Core. Furthermore, lessons within each unit have been designed to meet several standards across the key literacy domains. Students participate in Literary Analysis Workshops that break down the Common Core English Language Arts (ELA) standards, teach and model the standards through the use of increasingly more complex exemplars texts, and provide immediate opportunities for students to apply standards with independent practice. Children demonstrate mastery through completion of performance tasks at the end of each unit. Children will also participate in whole group, small group, and independent reading practice. In addition to Prentice Hall Literature, students will read, write, and discuss various novels during their reading block.

Common Core State Standards

Illinois, along with 45 other states, adopted the Common Core State Standards to be used to guide teachers in what students at each grade-level need to learn in English/Language Arts. Each set of grade-level standards consists of literature, informational text as well as listening and speaking standards. The primary grades have standards for foundational skills. Grade-level standards build on knowledge and skills learned the previous year and create a stair-step progression across the K-8 instructional years.

Reading: Literature

 

  • 8.RL.1 - Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
  • 8.RL.2 - Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
  • 8.RL.3 - Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
  • 8.RL.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
  • 8.RL.5 - Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot.
  • 8.RL.6 - Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.
  • 8.RL.7 - Compare and contrast the experience of reading a story, drama, or poem to listening to or viewing an audio, video, or live version of the text, including contrasting what they "see" and "hear" when reading the text to what they perceive when they listen or watch.
  • 8.RL.9 - Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics.
  • 8.RL.10 - By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

Reading: Informational Text

 

  • 8.RIT.1 - Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
  • 8.RIT.2 - Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
  • 8.RIT.3 - Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).
  • 8.RIT.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.
  • 8.RIT.5 - Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.
  • 8.RIT.6 - Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.
  • 8.RIT.7 - Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.
  • 8.RIT.8 - Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.
  • 8.RIT.9 - Compare and contrast one author’s presentation of events with that of another (e.g., a memoir written by and a biography on the same person).
  • 8.RIT.10 - By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

Writing

 

  • 8.W.2 - Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
  • 8.W.3 - Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
  • 8.W.4 - Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
  • 8.W.5 - With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
  • 8.W.6 - Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting.
  • 8.W.7 - Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.
  • 8.W.8 - Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources.
  • 8.W.9 - Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
  • 8.W.10 - Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and sequence.

Link to Common Core State Standards Website:  http://www.corestandards.org


Mathematics

Big Ideas Math is a complete middle school math program developed with the Common Core Standards for Mathematical Content and Standards for Mathematical Practice as its foundation. Additionally, Big Ideas Math has been developed using learning and instructional theory to ensure quality math instruction takes place as learners’ progress through aligned math pathways. A combination of direct instruction and guided practice allow students to gain a deeper understanding of math concepts by narrowing their focus to fewer topics at each grade level. Students master content through inductive reasoning opportunities, engaging activities that provide deeper understanding, concise stepped-out examples, rich thought-provoking exercises, real-life examples and application, and a continual building on what has been previously taught.  Big Ideas Math delivers a unique curriculum providing a balanced instructional approach of discovery and direct instruction through print and online supplementary materials. This approach opens doors to abstract thought, reasoning, and inquiry as students persevere to answer the Essential Questions that drive instruction.
 


Science


Life Science 

  • Genetics
  • Cells
  • Inherited Traits
  • DNA        
  • Current Genetic Issues

 

Physical Science

  • Interaction of Matter and Chemistry
  • Matter
  • Periodic Table of the Elements
  • Reactions
  • Acids and Base

 

Earth Science

  • Scientific Method


During the 2013-2014 school year, a science learning team will be launched to evaluate next generation standards.
 

By the end of 8th grade, students will be able to: 

  • Classify objects based on their physical and chemical properties 
  • Determine an unknown by analyzing its properties (i.e. mixtures, solutions, pure substances, acids, bases)
  • Formulate an explanation of the relationships among atoms, molecules, elements, and compounds
  • Investigate the properties of gases at varying temperatures, pressures, and volumes
  • Analyze the laws of conservation of mass and energy
  • Argue the placement of an element on the periodic table based upon its chemical characteristics
  •  Describe the effects of electromagnetic and nuclear forces includ­ing atomic and molecular bonding
  • Design and conduct a scientific procedure to determine the iden­tity of an unknown substance
  • Justify why DNA is referred to as the blue print of life
  • Analyze patterns of inheritance and probability of genes and traits being passed on using Punnett squares and pedigrees
  • Analyze the transmission of genetic traits, diseases, and defects
  • Compare and contrast meiosis and mitosis
  • Compare characteristics of organisms produced from a single par­ent with those of organisms produced by two parents
  • Conduct scientific experiments that control all but one variable

Social Studies

Using the five strands of a social system, students will develop a greater understanding of the world during the 20th and 21st centuries. Students will learn how the events of the last 110 years are connected and be able to explain the resulting changes in the world that are part of the over­arching themes.

Overarching Themes:

  • The formation of states and the redrawing of maps
  • The emergence of "Super Powers"
  • Man's inhumanity to man
  • The struggle among ideologies in modem society
  • The motivation of individuals to stand up for their convictions and their attempts to bring about change
  • The powers and limitations of the government and the rights of citi­zens

Units of Study: 

 

  • Five Strands of a Social System
  • WWI/Middle East
  • WWII/Genocide
  • Cold War
  • Political Movements
  • United States and Illinois Constitutions


 By the end of 8th Grade Students will be able to:

  • Explain the five themes of a Social System
  • Compare and interpret historical maps
  • Synthesize and propose a solution for a geographic conflict
  • Research and analyze a historical event
  • Compare and contrast forms of government
  • Interpret political cartoons
  • Research social and political  changes of the 20th and 21st centuries
  • Understand and explain the federal and state constitutions 

Physical Education

The physical education curriculum emphasizes fitness, movement, team­ building,  and safety.   Units of instruction  include soccer, fitness, cross-country,   challenge   education, team    handball, flag football, basketball, gymnastics,  line  dance,  floor  hockey,  creative lance, badminton, volleyball, circuit training, track and field, softball, and tennis. Health topics include chronic and communicable diseases, healthy relation­ships, sexuality, and media literacy.


Art 

Refining of basic skills and exploration of personal style are main areas of focus in the eighth grade visual arts program. Paint is the primary medium used within this course. Although projects continue to be based  on a wide variety of important elements, students are encouraged  to  move  beyond basic solutions and explore personal style on a more advanced level.


Drama

Students will develop skills by working in the genres of drama games, pan­tomime, improvisation, puppetry, children's theatre, and creation of original theatre pieces. They will gain confidence and skill in speaking, performing, collaborating, and providing constructive feedback to others.  They will
learn about the history of the theatre and the role of drama in our culture and the culture of others. Students will take risks and develop responsibil­ity in relation to their own role and as a member of a supportive ensemble.


Music

Students will discuss and defend their musical choices with respect to the elements of music. Particular emphasis will be on the only form of music that was developed solely in the United States: Jazz. Students will study the culture, history, development, and world influence of this unique, truly American music. Technological applications are incorporated.


Digital Literacy

Students will focus upon electronic business tools. Digital citizenship is reinforced as students research and prepare a small business plan. They will use Google Drive and Microsoft Office for productivity, as well as several web 2.0 tools for presentations.


Additional Student Services and Programs

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