Grade 8 Guidelines - Saint Teresa of Avila School

Grade 8

Course Title:
Religion

Faculty Name: Mrs. J. Mueller

Textbook: We Live Our Faith

Publisher: Sadlier

Copyright: 2007

Website: www.weliveourfaith.com

Explain the Apostles’ Creed/Nicene Creed

Define faith as a supernatural gift received through free cooperation with God’s grace
Examine the sources and beliefs of the other religions and ascertain what the Catholic Church teaches about other religions
Internalize the truth that God’s deepest self is revealed in Jesus Christ
Analyze the characteristics of faith
Recognize God as eternal, almighty, all-knowing, and all-present
Reexamine the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity as the central teaching of the Christian religion
Elaborate on the Church’s teaching about evolution and other matters of science and faith
Explore the effects of original sin
Compare historical records that support the existence of Jesus
Present Jesus as a historical person
Explore the relationship between the Holy Spirit and Jesus
Understand the meaning of advocate and paraclete
Examine other New Testament images of the Church
List and distinguish the four marks of the Church
Analyze the ways bishops succeed the apostles in their office of teaching, governing, and sanctifying in the name of Christ
Recognize that our human struggle to make good moral choices is based on Gospel principles and a well-informed conscience
Generate a decision-making process for confronting moral dilemmas
Explain the basic rights of all people
Analyze some global and local social injustices e.g. hunger, poverty, discrimination, sexism, war and violence
Portray the concern for the well-being of others by practicing the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy
Evaluate the dignity of human life in the midst of social abuses, medical practices, and scientific practice

Teaching Strategies Used

· Large group instruction

· Small group instruction

· Oral presentations

· Class discussions

· Prayer services

· Guest speakers

o Priests

o Youth testimony

· Written responses to questions

· Quizzes

· Tests

Special Features

· Confirmation service projects

· Patron saint research

· Participation at parish festival (at the end of August)

· Participation at parish fish fry (during Lent)

· Patron Saint report

· Church “Buddy” program with kindergarten

· Individual participation at Mass as altar servers, lectors, commentators

Evaluations

· Class participation

· Class work

· Quizzes

· Chapter tests

· Patron saint reports

Course Title:
Literature

Faculty Name: Mrs. J. Mueller

Course: Literature 8

Textbook: Elements of Literature, Second Course

Publisher: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston

Copyright: 2007

Website: http://my.hrw.com (textbook log-in address--password needed)

Significant Curriculum Guidelines
Students will:
• recognize methods of characterization (first person, point of view, action, dialogue and description) while applying criteria for judging character
• identify and analyze the formal elements of a short story form
• recognize and explain examples of allusions in given selections
• illustrate irony, satire, allegory, onomatopoeia, imagery, hyperbole, personification, and plot
• critically evaluate the viewpoint, bias, and/or objectivity of a given news article, editorial, or other written work
• determine the validity of inferences evaluating them as probably true, probably false, or uncertain
• identify figures of speech (simile, metaphor, and idiom)
• explain the mood, tone, and themes of a given selection
• identify and evaluate point of view
• read, interpret, and discuss a play

Teaching Strategies Used
• Large group instruction
• Small group instruction
• Oral presentations
• Class discussions
• Written responses
• Quizzes
• Tests
• Internet activities
• Guided reading
• Annotating text strategies
• Daily language activities
• Guided reading of novels with critical evaluation

Special Features
*Accommodations for gifted learners
• Close reading
• Literary/discussion circles
• Additional vocabulary study

*Accommodations for struggling readers
• Adaptations of selected reading selections
• Additional instruction and practice in remedial reading skills and strategies

Standardized test preparation
Independent reading
Oral interpretation of literature

Evaluations
• Diagnostic assessment tools
• Class participation
• Class work
• Quizzes
• Chapter tests
• Summative tests for each unit
• End of the year test for cumulative assessment opportunities
• Book reports and summaries

Other descriptions

Students are encouraged to use the Holt, Rinehart and Winston website as well as other literature-oriented sites for supplemental materials that will enhance their reading experiences.

Course Title:
English

Faculty Name: Mrs. J. Mueller

Course: English 8

Textbook: Writing and Grammar

Publisher: Pearson Prentice Hall

Website: Criterion.ets.org (writing) www.pearsonsuccessnet.com (textbook log-in with password)

Significant Curriculum Guidelines

Students will:

· Recite the rules for correct grammar and usage in sentences

· Apply the rules for correct grammar and usage in various writing assignments

· Write a summary of a story

· Write a character analysis

· Write an informative report

· Write a personal narrative and then evaluate peer narratives

· Sort notes taken from research materials into a logical arrangement

· Write a two-paragraph composition treating both sides of a controversial question

· Make necessary revisions in given sentences in which the structures are not appropriately parallel

· Write and present a multimedia poetry performance

Teaching Strategies Used

· Large group instruction

· Small group instruction

· Homework

· Diagramming/Smart Board/Internet class work

· Daily proofreading exercises

· Written responses

· Quizzes

· Tests

Special Features

· Participation in the Diocesan Writing Assessment

· Participation in various Diocesan-sponsored writing contests

· Publication of writing in and outside of class (outside of class publication is contingent upon student interest)

· Multi-media poetry performance (contingent upon class interest/ability)

· Preparation for standardized test
Utilize Criterion Online writing evaluations to improve writing skills

Evaluations

· Class participation

· Class work

· Quizzes

· Chapter tests

· Writing assignments both in English class and literature class

Course Title:
Math

Faculty Name: Mrs. Brungo and Mrs. Kalish

Course Title: Accelerated Algebra 8 and Algebra 8

Textbook: Prentice-Hall Mathematics: Algebra

Publisher: Prentice Hall

Workbook: Prentice-Hall Mathematics: Algebra Practice Workbook

Publisher: Prentice Hall

Website: www.PHSchool.com www.pearsonsuccessnet.com (textbook log-in)

Significant Curriculum Guidelines

Students will:

Utilize the rules of the order of operations
Identify and apply mathematical properties to justify solutions
Understand properties of different types of functions
Identify and interpret functions by analyzing data
Understand and utilize polynomials
Apply knowledge of solutions and graphing of linear equations with one or more variables
Apply knowledge of solutions and graphing of linear inequalities
Demonstrate the calculation of rates of change using slopes and lines
Utilize operations with positive, negative and zero exponents
Solve quadratic equations and square roots
Demonstrate a knowledge of factoring of binomials and trinomials
Use mathematical models to represent and understand quantitative relationships
Apply and adapt a variety of appropriate methods to solve problems
Solve real-world problems by creating a mathematical model

Teaching Strategies used

Large group instruction
Practice by example
Board work
Small group instruction
Individual class work
Daily homework
Reviews
Computation skills for speed and accuracy
Standardized test preparation
Skills practice utilizing the internet
Problem solving discussions
Question and answer sessions
Quizzes
Tests

Special Features

Assess mastery and diagnose weaknesses before, during, and after each concept
Challenge abilities with both speed of instruction and problem solving of varying difficulty
Emphasize vocabulary used in Algebra
Prepare students for high school mathematics
Tutoring available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM

Evaluations

Periodic grading of homework
Class work
Internet assignments
Quizzes
Tests

Other Descriptions

Accelerated Algebra moves through the concepts at a faster pace than Algebra

Course Title:
Pre-Algebra 8

Faculty Name: Mrs. Leibach

Course Title: Pre-Algebra

Textbook: Prentice-Hall Mathematics: Pre-Algebra

Publisher: Pearson Prentice-Hall

Workbook: Prentice-Hall Mathematics: Pre-Algebra Practice Workbook

Publisher: Pearson Prentice-Hall

Website: www.PHSchool.com www.pearsonsuccessnet.com (textbook log-in)

Significant Curriculum Guidelines

Students will:

Master computations and applications of integer operations, rates, ratios, proportions, and percents
Master computations with exponents, including scientific notation
Use mental math and estimation to solve problems and judge reasonableness of computations
Utilize properties of numbers to simplify computations and understand relationships
Differentiate and use double bar graphs, double line graphs, circle graphs, histograms, stem-and-leaf plots, and box-and-whisker plots
Develop probability concepts for compound events utilizing tree diagrams and organized lists
Analyze survey techniques for bias, group data into intervals, and create scatter plots to analyze relationships between two sets of data
Use models, tables, graphs, and symbolic notation to represent algebraic relationships
Solve multi-step equations and use equivalent forms for expressions involving parentheses, like terms, and exponents
Relate rate of change, slope, and y-intercept to graphs, tables, and symbolic forms
Explore nonlinear relationships through tables, graphs, and equations
Use two-dimensional representations to explore three-dimensional relationships
Draw inferences about lengths, areas, and volumes of similar figures
Analyze congruent and similar figures, as well as transformations on a coordinate plane
Use dimensional analysis to convert units within the customary and metric systems
Apply formulas for rectangles, triangles, and trapezoids to find areas of irregular figures
Develop the formula for area of a circle and use formulas to find surface areas and volumes of prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones, and spheres
Apply scale factors in similar figures to find changes in lengths, areas, and volumes
Use more than one strategy to solve a problem and compare strategies to determine which is most appropriate for the given situation
Utilize inductive reasoning to make and investigate conjectures
Explain mathematical work and justify conclusions with logical arguments
Understand the language and notations of mathematics

Teaching Strategies used

Large group instruction
Practice by example
Board work
Small group instruction
Individual class work
Daily homework
Reviews
Computation skills for speed and accuracy
Standardized test preparation
Skills practice utilizing the internet
Problem solving discussions
Question and answer sessions
Quizzes
Tests

Special Features

Assess mastery and diagnose weaknesses before, during, and after each concept
Challenge abilities with both speed of instruction and problem solving of varying difficulty
Tutoring available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Initiate instruction in Algebraic concepts

Evaluations

Periodic grading of homework
Class work
Internet assignments
Quizzes
Tests

Other Descriptions

Accelerated Pre-Algebra moves through the concepts at a faster pace than Pre-Algebra

Course Title:
Science

Faculty Name: Charlotte Leibach

Textbook: Physical Science and Science Plus Supplemental Text

Publisher: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston

Copywrite: 2007

Website: Go.hrw.com and www.scilinks.org

Significant Curriculum Guidelines

Students will:

· Demonstrate an understanding of the property and states of matter

· Identify symbols and correct formulas in chemistry

· Display knowledge of the periodic table, chemical bonding and chemical reactions

· Explain factors related to force and motion

· Complete activities related to work, machines, and energy

· Explore electricity waves, sound, and light

· Complete a project related to scientific method

· Review of concepts mastered in grades six and seven

Teaching Strategies Used

Students will:

· Attend lectures, small group assignments

· Cooperative learning groups

· Note taking, group projects and evaluations

Special Features

Students will:

· Conduct experiments, record data, prepare charts and graphs interpretations and findings presented in written and oral form

· Special projects completed for display to demonstrate an understanding of the lesson

Evaluations

Classroom participation, completion of assignments and projects, quizzes and tests

Other descriptions

· Review of biological science concepts such as the cell, heredity factors, reproduction and human body systems

· Review of main concepts from sixth and seventh grade

· Participation in an assigned project or Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science