8th Grade Curriculum

Religion: In 8th grade we use, Voyages: Exploring God’s Word; Contemporary Issues developed by Concordia Publishing House.  Throughout the year, we explore and discuss various current topics and issues.  Discussion often centers around real life experience, and Biblical references are used throughout.  Throughout this study and the work of the Holy Spirit, students will grow in their faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  In recent years, we have also added Enduring Faith: Apologetics Study to help fortify students in defending their faith.

Memory Work is now integrated into “Religion” class.  Luther’s Small Catechism is used for students to memorize doctrinal essentials and Bible verses which are essentials of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Not only will students expand their knowledge of Bible verses and Doctrine, but students will also train their brains to memorize material for future use.

Confirmation is now integrated into “Religion” class.  Students will learn basic doctrines of Zion Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. The six Chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism are the basis for this class. Students, through the work of the holy spirit, will grow in their faith and understanding of the Bible. This class is taught by one of the pastors or a DCE (or equivalent) of Zion Lutheran Church.

Math: Students in 8th grade are placed in either Pre-algebra or Algebra 1 based upon performance, achievement test scores, teacher recommendation, and mathematical aptitude.

Math: Modeling Real Life by Big Ideas Math is the Pre-Algebra book used for 8th grade. This is a transitional math book designed to help students move from the concrete concepts of arithmetic to the abstract concepts of algebra. Primary topics include: equations, transformations, angles and triangles, graphing and writing linear equations, systems of linear equations, data analysis and displays, functions, exponents and scientific notation, real numbers and the pythagorean theorem, volume and similar solids.

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Algebra 1: A Bridge To Success by Big Ideas Math is the Algebra 1 Book used for 8th grade. Algebra is an advanced class and uses a high school textbook. The students will use the text and supplemental materials to learn and compute operations and functions using fractions, decimals, variables and like terms. Students will also explore area, volume, geometry, numbers, scientific notation, and polynomials. Students successfully completing this course we ate will be able to advance to the next level of math in high school.

English/Literature/Vocabulary: We use Glencoe McGraw-Hill Writer’s Choice Grammar and Composition for the structure of the year.   Eight  graders apply writing and grammar skills including parts of speech, sentence types, capitalization, punctuation, speaking and listening.  Students recognize and use simple, complex and compound sentences in weekly journal assignments.  They recognize and use standard editing symbols in numerous written projects.  This year we are not using the textbook.  Instead we are utilizing the grammar portion of our Literature textbook,  I also supplement with “Classroom Cereal” and other online editing review sheets. 

Literature: Collections by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is our Literature series.  Students read and analyze works of Literature focused on the following themes: Culture and Belonging, The Thrill of Horror, The Move Toward Freedom, Approaching Adulthood, Anne Frank’s Legacy, and The Value of Work.  Students will focus on critical thinking and analysis when reading, with the purpose of helping them connect literary works to real world themes.

Also, each student will have the opportunity to visit the school library once per week to further their reading opportunities.

Vocabulary: Spelling words are taken from the  stories taken out of  the Literature series Collections and novels that are read in class.  In google classroom, students weekly define twenty specific words and use them in a sentence that matches how the word was used in the given story.  Students take weekly Spelling tests.

Science: The students use the curriculum from Kesler Science.  The 7th & 8th graders alternate their yearly topics between Life Science and Physical Science. The Life Science curriculum is made up of three main sections: Structure of Life, Body Systems and Interactions in an Ecosystem. The Physical Science curriculum focuses on Force & Motion, Chemistry, and Energy. 

History: US History: American Stories by National Geographic/Cengage is our textbook. The students learn about the history of the United States beginning with the first people to migrate to the Americas all the way to the present day.  Students also take the Illinois and Federal Constitution tests, and multiple units emphasize knowledge of our government.

Art: Arts Attack DVD Series is used for art class. The teacher May supplement with a variety of other projects as well. The students will study and practice the six elements of art. Projects will focus on the use of lines, shapes, textures, space, light, and color. Students will also study famous artworks such as Kandinsky, Hockney, Bierstadt, and Michelangelo.

Music: Students have three choices for their middle school music class. They can choose to do 2 or 3 of them. The choices are below. 

Choir: Students sing in parts and as a whole. They learn a wide variety of songs and hymns, and join in Zion Lutheran Church Sunday worship services.  

Music Class: We use Hal Leonard’s Essential Elements Music Class Curriculum.  Our music curriculum focuses on grade leveled music concepts, standards, and SEL competencies.  Each lesson has supporting songs and resources delivered in a flexible and adaptable format.

Band: Band students have a small group class with the band director for 20 minutes a week, and a large group band time with all of the 6-8th graders in band for 40 minutes a week. 

Physical Education: Students have Physical Education twice a week. Students continue to advance physical skills, participate in individual and team sports, and describe strategies and rule concepts.  Christian sportsmanship and lifelong fitness is always emphasized.  Eighth graders are eligible to participate in after school athletics in cross country, volleyball (boys and girls), basketball (boys and girls), and track.  

Computer: Students have a computer class twice weekly to work on advanced computer terminology, digital citizenship, web page design, publishing, coding with CS First by Google, and Lego Robotics. They are also issued a Chromebook to use in all of their classes. We utilize Google Classroom as our online learning platform. 

Spanish: Students use Duolingo to guide them through learning the Spanish language. There are many different topics and levels available to them. They also get to use Blookets to help them learn Spanish vocabulary.  Students also have access to education espanola from Northern Arizona University.