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Eighth Grade
Eighth grade at Saint Mary Catholic School is an exciting year for students as they prepare for entrance to high school. Students are challenged academically and given more opportunities for extracurricular activities, similar to what they will experience in high school. As the leaders of the school, eighth grade students are given the most responsibility. These students take many fond memories of this special year when they graduate from SMCS.
| The Eighth Grade Curriculum |
Religion |
The eighth grade religion program uses Faith First by Resources for Christian Living. The program provides a balance between Catholic Doctrine, scripture, church history and the liturgical year. The students also participate in an interdisciplinary Family Life Unit. In this unit, students study and discuss many of the moral issues faced by eighth graders. In addition classes attend daily Mass on a rotating basis. Students have an opportunity to plan and lead a school wide First Friday Mass. |
Language Arts |
Eighth graders continue to study grammar and usage, the writing process, essays, and short pieces of prose, novels, and a collection of world authors' short stories and plays. Vocabulary study emphasizes usage and context of new words. The writing process is a major component in the eighth grade language arts curriculum including several research opportunities. Students write narrative, expository, persuasive, and literary papers. |
Mathematics |
The goal of the middle school math program is to provide all students with a strong foundation in mathematics according to their academic abilities, needs, and motivation. Students in the middle school are placed in an appropriate level of instruction according to Archdiocesan standards to ensure both challenge and success.
Students are placed in either pre-algebra or algebra.
The Pre-Algebra curriculum is designed to bridge from the concrete, number-oriented mathematics in elementary school to symbol-centered algebra. This course emphasizes pre-algebra skills and concepts such as variable, equation solving, and problem solving. Precision in the use of mathematical terminology and concepts is emphasized. Assessment of material learned are measured by nightly homework, lesson quizzes, and chapter tests.
Algebra I emphasizes application of algebraic concepts, reasoning skills, and the use of geometric models. Assessment of material learned will be measured by nightly homework, enrichment problems, lesson quizzes, and chapter tests. This course is designed to prepare students for success in high school and for life inside and outside the classroom.
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Social Studies |
The eighth grade uses the text America: History of Our Nation by Prentice Hall. The units taught are Civil War and Reconstruction, Reform, Expansion, Wars, Turbulent Decades, and Modern America. Students present current events articles weekly, which are sources of class discussion. Students complete an independent project each trimester. Students participate in a social studies fair every other year. |
Science
Specials |
The eighth grade students study Physical Science. Topics include Motion and Forces, Acceleration and Momentum, Energy, Matter, Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table, Chemical Bonds, and Elements. The curriculum includes lab activities and reports based on the scientific method, worksheets, and the Glencoe text. The dissection of the frog is included in eighth grade. Students participate in a science fair every other year. Homework typically consists of completing vocabulary definition, lab reports or worksheets, and studying for quizzes and tests.
Eighth Grade students participate in weekly classes in Art, Computer, Library, Physical Education, and Spanish.
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