8th Grade Assignment Blog

8th Reading

WHOLE LANGUAGE
Weekly vocabulary (spelling and definitions)
Whole Language also consists of critical thinking, developing language skills through the process of writing, and using prior knowledge/building background.

WRITING
Persuasive, Narrative and Expository

NOVEL UNITS
The Outsiders -S.E. Hinton
The Giver -Lois Lowry
My Brother Sam is Dead-James and Chris Collier
Other various novels used in literature circles

OTHER UNITS
Spelling
Choices
Speech/Demonstrations
Short Stories (mystery, drama, survival)
Book Reviews (minimum of 6)

8th Language Arts

Below you will find a list of the units we will cover this year from our textbook. In addition to covering the units in our textbook, we will also be doing a continuous unit on prefixes, suffixes, and roots to help with vocabulary and comprehension.
Text: Literature and the Language Arts: Responding to Literature
Units: In each unit we will be focusing on reading comprehension, vocabulary, literary terms and concepts, and developing higher order thinking skills. Students also compose several reflection, fiction, and nonfiction writing pieces throughout the year.
• Themes in Literature
“Working Toward Your Dreams”-Theme: dreams and life goals
“Family Ties”-Theme: family issues
“Going Down the Road”-Theme: traveling and life journeys
“Understanding Conflict”- Theme: historical conflicts
• Genres in Literature
“Folklore of the Americas: The Oral Tradition”
“Stories to Tell: Fiction”
“Telling It As It Is: Nonfiction”

8th Science

The topics investigated are (1) light and sound, (2) structural geology, the study of earth’s layers and the forces that shape the earth, (3) the dynamic earth, the study of plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes, (4) chemistry, the behavior and composition of matter using hands on activities, and (5) astronomy, the study of the planets, the universe, space travel and ending the year with the building and launching of model rockets (6) forensics, using scientific techniques and deductive reasoning to solve a mystery.

8th Social Studies

Students will study governments past and present. This will include the major forms of government. They will be studying the history of democracy and the establishment of democracy in the United States. Students will study our United States Constitution, the three branches legislative, executive, and judicial. In each branch they will learn about how government impacts our lives at all levels, federal, state, and local. Student teams will produce four major projects during 8th grade. Other important units taught include “Economics 101″, Voting and Elections, Selling yourself and your community, and Equity issues.

8th Grade Computer

The students will continue to work on Microsoft Office using Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The Word features studied will be Tables. While using Excel, the students will learn to use formulas and to create Charts. They will produce a PowerPoint slide presentation and will incorporate transitions and animations. They will continue to work on their keyboarding skills to become more accurate and faster typists.

8th Band

This ensemble provides a transition from the basic techniques emphasized in middle school to the advanced techniques required for high school. Students are not only given the opportunity to prepare technically demanding music, but they are also challenged to make increasingly sophisticated decisions about the interpretation of the music. Qualified 8th grade band students are eligible to participate in extra curricular instrumental ensembles (Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble). The final grade is based on performance in group lessons, so regular lesson attendance is required for continued enrollment in the program. Events involving all 8th grade band students include marching in the annual Maquoketa Octoberfest of Bands Parade, a winter and a spring concert, plus small group and large group festivals.

8th Math

Eighth grade math covers 5 units. The first unit is called real numbers and algebra. Within unit one, topics that are covered include: integers, rational numbers, real numbers and the Pythagorean Theorem. The second unit is called proportional reasoning, which includes proportions and percents. Unit three is called Geometry and Measurement. This unit includes basic geometry along with finding area and volume. The fourth unit discusses probability and statistics. The last unit of the year is Algebra: linear and nonlinear functions. This unit hits the topics of equations, inequalities, linear functions, nonlinear functions, and polynomials to help students prepare for Algebra in high school. Problem solving strategies are taught and used within each chapter.

Pre-Algebra I

The following requirements are considered to be place in 8th grade Algebra:

1. High scores on the ITBS and Algebra Aptitude tests in 7th grade.
2. Maintaining a B or higher during 7th grade.
3. Contributes to class discussions and turns assignments in on time.

Concepts in Algebra include: real numbers, solving and graphing linear equations, functions, systems of linear equations and inequalities, exponential functions, quadratic equations, polynomials, rational expressions and equations, and radicals.

8th Art

The eighth grade art course encourages students to develop their visual art talents. Students expand upon their talents, develop an appreciation and awareness of the visual world through the production of artwork. Projects include drawing, painting, printing, design, and ceramics on the potter’s wheel.
Pencils, eraser, colored pencils, and markers are the students responsibility to provide. No fees will be charged for other materials provided. They will be encouraged to be responsible with the materials provided.
Students will also work on silent reading for 20 minutes at least three days a week during the exploratory time.

8th Grade Spanish

The purpose of this class is to explore the Spanish language and culture. Below you will find a list what we cover in each unit.
Language
•    Greetings
•    Commands
•    Classroom Objects
•    Numbers
•    House
•    Family
•    Occupations
•    Colors
•    Days and Months

Culture
•    Spanish Speaking Countries
•    Famous Hispanic-Americans
•    Hispanic Holidays and Celebrations
•    Spanish Artists
•    Spanish Musicians

8th Family Consumer Science

This exploratory allows the students to get creative with sewing machines. In the beginning two weeks the students will become familiar with their sewing machines by sewing on paper with and without thread. Next, the students will start their sewing journey by creating a t-shirt pillow. Each student will bring a favorite t-shirt and will follow a rubric to create it into a pillow.

Following the t-shirt pillow, the students will spend the majority of their time creating a patch-work quilt. The students will be able to pick out and purchase the material of their choice for their quilt. Again, they will follow a rubric.

Finally, the students will use the left over material from their quilt to make a matching pillow.

The estimated cost of materials ranges between $30.00-55.00.

8th Grade – Music Technology

8th Grade Industrial Technology

The purpose of Industrial Technology is to provide a wide range of experiences that further the awareness, and development of each student’s career potential, technical abilities, judgment, self-reliance and resourcefulness and knowledge of self to succeed as an effective producer and/or consumer in our technological society. In the eighth grade class the student will explore the metal working industry and are required to do a foundry project, using metal working tools.

8th Second Chance Reading

Second Chance Reading is a class designed to assist students who struggle with reading. Independent reading, comprehension exercises, and reading skills will be emphasized in this class. Our mission is to provide student with both instruction and opportunity to improve their reading ability.