EIGHTH GRADE

Bible

Eighth grade students will observe the life of Jesus as presented in the gospels using scripture and the Ray VanderLaan videos of the Holy Land. Bible memory and prayer will be stressed as part of class and daily life. Students will also study the beginnings of the church, specifically noting the journeys of Paul, and particular events occurring in various cities.

Math

Transition Math

The Transition Mathematics Curriculum is meant to supplement an emphasis on numbers and operations with an introduction to pure algebraic and geometric concepts. Students will be reviewing the foundational knowledge of integers, fractions, and decimals, and begin working with variables and abstract representations. This will aid students as they will also be solving simple linear equations and inequalities, as well as working with basic geometric concepts and some statistics.

• Order, compare, round, convert, perform arithmetic operations with, and understand rational numbers.
• Represent concrete, real-world patterns and relationships with variables, generalizations, expressions, equations, simple inequalities, if-then statements, and diagrams.
• Solve, and graph basic linear equations and inequalities using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division properties.
• Recognize and apply basic geometric properties to triangles, lines, and other simple shapes.
• Find the area of triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, and other 2-dimensional figures.
• Find the volume and surface area of 3-dimensional figures.
• Interpret and calculate statistical data and variability.

Algebra

The Algebra Curriculum asks students to analyze and represent real-life information and patterns with the use of numbers, variables, expressions, equations, and polynomials. It largely emphasizes the evaluation of expressions as well as the solving and graphing of linear, quadratic, and cubic equations and inequalities. Students will work with the concepts and properties of powers, roots, proportions, patterns of change and systems in order to utilize these tools when solving real-world problems.

• Utilize variables to describe patterns. Evaluate expressions.
• Recognize and apply algebraic properties of addition and multiplication.
• Solve, analyze, and graph linear, quadratic, and cubic equations and inequalities with and without technology.
• Utilize equations and inequalities to solve real-world problems.
• Solve problems involving rates, ratios, proportions, conversions of units, and probabilities.
• Use slope, lines, and intercepts to identify, graph, and write equations of a line in different forms.
• Examine, describe, and graph patterns of change.
• Identify and apply the properties of powers and roots to the solving of equations. Recognize and apply various strategies for solving a system of linear equations.
• Utilize properties and the four basic operations to classify, combine, simplify, or factor polynomials.

Social Studies

The Eighth Grade Social Studies Curriculum emphasizes United States History from the beginning through the 1920s. Throughout the year students will:

• Identify major Native American Indian groups.
• Describe early conflicts and cooperation between Native Americans and early European settlers.
• Use critical thinking skills to discover the influences different cultures had on one another.
• Explain the conditions, causes, consequences, and significance of the French and Indian War.
• Formulate historical questions by analyzing sources regarding issues confronting the United States in the past and present
• Explain the essential ideas of constitutional government expressed in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Northwest Ordinance, the Bill of Rights, and the Federalist papers.
• Identify and create maps showing physical growth and development of the United States from the thirteen original colonies through the Reconstruction Period.
• Discuss the causes and effects of all wars in the United States through World War I.
• Identify individuals who were and are influential in American society both socially and politically.
• Research and defend positions on issues in which fundamental values and principles of the American people are at stake.

Physical Education

The Eighth Grade Physical Education curriculum closely follows the CSI curriculum and its age-appropriate goals for students.  Middle School PE will prepare students for high school physical education by:

• Requiring students to demonstrate mastery of various types of movement and skill activities.
• Understanding and testing a wide variety of skills, activities, and rules for a wide variety of games and sporting activities.
• Demonstrating fundamental skills for some new activities and mastery of certain simple and advanced skills for some activities practiced for many years.
• Combining locomotor and manipulative skills into more specialized sport skills.
• Understanding the principles of skill development.
• Completing a health-related fitness assessment and understand how that relates to overall personal fitness and wellness for life.
• Demonstrating respect for differences, fair play, and sportsmanship in physical activity.
• Demonstrating an understanding of proper stretching exercises and muscle strength and endurance exercises.
• Assessing and monitoring physiological responses before, during, and after exercises.
• Setting goals for improvement in both personal fitness and overall health and wellness.

As a result of studying health and wellness at CPCS, students will:

• Develop an effective understanding of achieving and maintaining personal health and wellness standards that will inform decisions about good health throughout their lives.
• Investigate and assess the relationship between body composition, body type, nutrition, use of tobacco, family history, and levels of physical activity.
• Know and develop a greater understanding of being a steward of this great body God has given them and how to use it better for His glory

Literature

The Eighth Grade Literature Curriculum builds on previous years and works to prepare the student for high school. They continue to read and study a variety of fiction and nonfiction. They evaluate and analyze how literature reflects the author. They conduct research and deliver various types of presentations while correctly using Standard English conventions. Literature skills are also used in other subjects.

• Students parts of words and relationships between words, with context clues, to determine the precise meaning of words.
• A variety of nonfiction works are read and understood.
• Nonfiction works are read and analyzed.
• Lists and ideas for current and future writing are saved for future reference. proofreading, peer checking, and advising are part of preparing writing.
• Writing continues to demonstrate proper conventions and command of Standard English and understanding of audience.
• Standard English conventions including grammar, punctuation, capitalization and spelling.
• Students deliver well-organized oral presentations that continue to include proper conventions.

Science

The Eighth Grade Science Curriculum teaches students throughout the year to:

• Design and conduct scientific inquiry using the appropriate tools to gather, analyze, and interpret data.
• Develop critical and logical explanations, predictions, and models using evidence gathered.
• Communicate scientific procedures and explanations.
• Examine chemical reactions and elements using the periodic table and experimentation.
• Use knowledge and evidence to construct explanations for the movement and change in air and water that result in weather on Earth.
• Explore and classify the living organisms on Earth.
• Investigate the science and patterns of heredity.

Music

Students will have the opportunity to select band or choir during middle school.

Choral: Students sing two, three and four-part harmony. Vocalization, interval training, in addition to part reading is emphasized.

Band: Students play as an entire group and also by sections. Working on mastering their instrument with regards to tone and technique.

• Study careers in the music industry.
• Study American music style and performers.
• “The Beat Goes On” study of rhythm and percussion ensembles.
• Music theory—study of chords and progressions and music fundamentals.
• Singing in unison and parts.

Computer

The Eighth Grade Curriculum (standards from IDOE Math, Reading, and Technology Education Curriculum) for computer class:

• Consistently use home-row touch typing in daily work
• CMA projects
• Use Microsoft Office to complete classroom work
• Use Google Drive and its programs
• Use various presentation software
• Digital citizenship
• Reflect on Christian beliefs and relationship with God
• STEM activities
• HTML coding

Art

The Eighth Grade Curriculum for art will include:

• Learn the language of art and its connection to music and drama
• Learn ways art contributes to our lives
• Learn that art is a form of communication
• Experience different media and tools used in creating art
• Create art that relates to other subjects and cultures
• Recognize shapes, lines, color, texture, and value in two-dimensional artwork
• Recognize form in three-dimensional artwork as having height, width and depth
• Recognize the elements and principals of art in works of art
• Distinguish the characteristics of Modern art
• Distinguish the characteristics of Christian art
• Discern the difference between Christian art and non-Christian art
• Begin to explore the contributions of Christian art to culture, historically and in the current culture