EIGHTH GRADE OVERVIEW LANGUAGE ARTS
Eighth Grade Language Arts offers a literature-based curriculum that emphasizes oral and written communication as a preparation for High School. It stresses the theme of the individual going against the odds. Utilizing an analytical approach of the readings (novel, drama, memoir, short story, and poetry), students not only comprehend the material, but also discover how it relates to their own world. Literary concepts, figures of speech, grammar, writing principles, public speaking, and vocabulary are a natural outgrowth of the literature. By the end of the year, students apply all the principles learned in the production of Visions, our school’s literary magazine. SOCIAL STUDIES The Eighth Grade history course includes a brief review of the Stone Age, Early Civilization, The Persian Empire and the Egyptians. In addition, Eighth Grade focuses on the origins of Judaism, the geography and culture of India and China and the history of the Ancient Greek Civilization. The Roman Empire, Early African Civilizations, The Middle Ages, The Crusades and Medieval Times are studied in depth. We conclude with learning the history of WW I, The Depression, WW II and the conflicts in today’s world. In Eighth Grade Social Studies, students learn about the history and development of modern Israel from the early years of Zionism to the present. Topics include the Five Aliyot, the Balfour Declaration and World War I, the Holocaust, the establishment of the State of Israel, Israel’s wars and leaders, and the Arab/Israeli conflict. There is a strong emphasis on analysis, discussion, problem-solving, and writing. MATHEMATICS Eighth Grade mathematics is a study of Algebra that can prepare students to begin high school math with Geometry. Recognizing that students’ math skills develop differently, and to ensure that all students can continue to grow in mathematical understanding, two strands are offered. Both strands utilize the Glencoe Algebra curriculum - Algebra I is structured as a high school level Algebra class. Students learn to recognize, factor, and solve multivariate polynomials representing linear, quadratic, exponential and radical functions. Students apply these concepts to real-world situations, such as growth and decay modeling, compound interest calculations, and weighted averages. Explorations emphasize the interrelationships between equations and their graphs, and students frequently use an online graphing calculator program to visualize and manipulate these interrelationships. Core Algebra uses the same curriculum and covers most of the same topics as Algebra I, but begins with review of skills and Pre-Algebra concepts. The course proceeds at a pace geared to the learners, builds confidence and understanding, and keeps students on a path of continuing math development.
ANN & NATE LEVINE ACADEMY
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