Literature 8

Literature 8 is a comprehensive year-long course required of all eighth grade students. The course stresses a strong foundation in literary appreciation and analysis to create a life-long affinity for reading. Literature study includes the reading of novels, short stories, poetry, and drama. Additionally, the course focuses upon composition, the traditional study of grammar, vocabulary development, and oral speaking skills. Students develop competency with writing the five‐paragraph essay, while incorporating proper MLA citation procedure. The development of critical thinking and study skills is woven throughout the curriculum. In this advanced study of Literature, students will no longer just report, but must learn to analyze character, plot, and story structure. They must also learn to craft original claim statements and support their claims with textual evidence. A seminar classroom format requires all students to be active participants in discussions each day. Teachers encourage students to grow as readers and writers and to find their own voices. Word processing skills, research skills, and interdisciplinary connections are reinforced through coursework and projects.

Communication Skills 8

This is the second half of a two-year concentration on writing the perfect essay. The classroom is used as a forum to analyze and develop ideas, honing critical thinking skills in the exploration and discussion of topics for essay assignments. Students will work on computers in the classroom to outline, assemble, revise and finalize essays and creative writing assignments, consistently applying MLA format, with the end goal of completing a writing portfolio, publishing web articles and starting blogs. Students will focus on more complex topics in writing Cause and Effect Essays, Persuasive Essays, and Research Projects. What constitutes plagiarism will be explored in more detail, along with greater emphasis on citing sources and putting together a flawless works cited page. In-depth writing assignments will encompass the formulation of an effective thesis statement, reason and evidence, counterargument, rebuttal and concluding paragraph. Topics will integrate material they are learning in science, Spanish, literature, social studies and history, as well as relevant social topics that MS students will choose individually and as a group. Students will continue to write short stories, with an emphasis on character development, setting, conflict, resolution, as well as looking more closely at the meter and rhyme of poetry with a concentration on understanding the Shakespearean sonnet. Grammar reviews will include lessons on sentence structure, mechanics, word usage, and parts of speech. Again, SAT preparations, multicultural communications skill, and oral presentation skills will be incorporated into this course.

Algebra I (Honors)

This course covers the full scope of Algebra I curriculum. The terminology of algebra, solving equations and inequalities, solving systems of equations and inequalities, polynomial operations, factoring, applications of factoring, an introduction to functions, graphing in the coordinate plane, an introduction to irrational numbers, solving quadratic equations, and performing operations with rational expressions will be covered during the year. Calculators will become tools in problem situations where basic computations can be better facilitated by their use and when their use serves to supplement and enhance concepts being studied. (Honors students will investigate and perform a more in-depth application of these topics.)

Foundations Math 8

The Foundations course in Grade 8 will concentrate on pre-Algebra skills in order to build a framework for success in Algebra 1. Students will use variables to write and solve multi-step equations, use exponent and integer rules, solve problems involving rational numbers, write and graph linear equations and evaluate algebraic expressions and formulas. Students will apply these skills when solving problems in areas such as geometry, data analysis, measurement, ratios and proportions. Emphasis will be placed on application and higher order thinking skills in problem-solving.

Global Studies 1

The focus of Global Studies 1 is for students to learn the geography, history, and cultures of the world’s diverse countries. The year begins with a study of the world’s geography. Students will also explore various countries’ history, languages, and cultures. The course covers the regions of Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. PowerPoint presentations, research projects, and seminar discussions represent various instructional strategies used in this course.

Science 8

The eighth grade science course covers the essential topics in physical science and environmental science. Both are inquiry-based courses designed to teach students to explore various principles of biology, chemistry, and physics. These principles will be further developed in their respective secondary courses. Physical science is comprised of topics in matter and general chemistry, motion, forces and energy, and touches on electricity and magnetism. Also, students will investigate topics such as energy, air and water quality, resource use, food/agriculture, and sustainability. Students will tackle real world problems and use critical thinking skills to solve them. Experiential learning will be an important part of this course as students participate in field trips and field work. These courses provide the opportunity for students to refine their scientific literacy, implement the scientific method, and improve their critical thinking skills as they research topics, perform experiments, collect and analyze data, construct models, and pose explanations based on evidence in both writing and presentation.

Spanish1B

The purpose of this class is to complete the Middle School program of Spanish. At the conclusion of this course, students will take a placement assessment for Upper School Spanish. Success on this assessment will allow students to earn credit for Spanish 1 and begin Spanish 2 in the ninth grade. This course will emphasize conversational skills, grammar, and vocabulary. Rosetta Stone will be incorporated into the instruction of this course.

Upper School Electives

As eighth graders prepare for the rigors of the Upper School experience at Epiphany, these students experience the opportunity to take Upper School courses through electives. Limited to the fine arts and physcial education, eighth graders are able to take elective courses in choral music, art, instrumental music, drama, and physical education.