Grade 8
Welcome to St. Michael’s 8th Grade, at our Bethlehem Campus. Our mission is to provide a loving, nurturing and safe environment for our children. In this environment, the children can develop and grow creatively, physically, emotionally, cognitively and spiritually.
Religion
Priority topics for the Grade 8 Religion Curriculum are: the life and history of the God’s People, the Church. In this year of many blessings, all students discover the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers and celebrate it in their lives. Catholic students prepare to complete their initiation into the Catholic Church in the Sacrament of Confirmation. Students consider their call to witness to Jesus Christ in words and actions in the present and in the future as they explore the lives of significant witnesses to Jesus and become familiar with key persons and events in the history of the Catholic Church.
Literature/Language Arts
Students read and analyze literature for elements of literature such as characterization, figurative language, conflict, and theme. They build their vocabulary by taking ownership of unfamiliar words in context.
Students write for understanding and learn the challenging art of writing through writer’s workshop and the writing process. Teachers provide frequent and specific feedback to students about their writing. Students have multiple opportunities to revise their drafts.
The eighth grade students’ literary exploration includes reading novels, short stories, poetry, and nonfiction. Selections include:
- Hound of the Baskervilles
- A Monster Calls
- The Hobbit
The literature teacher adds to the list of possible selections as new appropriate middle school novels and nonfiction become available; all new selections are read and approved by the teacher.
During the third and final trimester, students explore the world of William Shakespeare. They study his language, his life, and their own humanity revealed in his plays. Students immerse themselves in Much Ado About Nothing and segments from other plays like The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and others. This unit culminates in the performance of a chosen passage from a selection of Shakespeare’s plays.
Literature/Language Arts
The focus for Literature is the use of novels to instruct reading. Some of our choices include, “The Hounds of the Baskervilles”, “A Light in the Forest”, “The Pearl”, and “The Diary of Anne Frank”. Students complete projects based on the required reading as well as books of their own choosing. An Anthology is also used in the course.
The Language Arts curriculum focuses on the following:
- grammar usage and mechanics
- writings of various types including essay, expository, letter, and poetry
- communications including oral recitation and listening skills
Pre-Algebra & Algebra 1
Pre-Algebra a wide range of topics designed to prepare students for Algebra 1. Algebra 1 is consistent with Honors Algebra 1 taught in Diocesan high schools including properties of equality, real number system, solving single variable equations and inequalities, polynomials, factoring, solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities, rational expressions, and radicals.
Science
The curriculum for eighth grade focuses on Earth Science. Topics include plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and other forces that affect our earth. Additionally, students review rocks, minerals, and their formation. Astronomy and space exploration — both history and present work is also discussed. All classes are held in the laboratory with hand-on experience at least twice per week.
Science
The curriculum for eighth grade focuses on Earth Science. Topics include plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and other forces that affect our earth. Additionally, students review rocks, minerals, and their formation. Astronomy and space exploration — both history and present work is also discussed. All classes are held in the laboratory with hand-on experience at least twice per week.
Social Studies – American History
This course will explore, analyze, and interpret the events in American History that shaped our country from the beginning until the end of Reconstruction. The students will also continue to develop and strengthen research skills and broaden their own historical literature base. Students also prepare and present a project for the National History Day competition. The instructor enhances the curriculum with Discovery Education. Classroom computers are used for student research.
Specials
Students attend an art, music, gym, and computer class once per week. In art students experience an in-depth concentration and development on drawing and painting skills. They learn value shading and color blending techniques at a more sophisticated level as well as the manipulation of brushes and drawing tools. Lessons are related to past, renowned artists and their works along with styles in art history and cultural art practices. At this level, several art lessons are inter-related with the lessons of the social studies curriculum.
An art show is held annually during Catholic Schools Week
All students participate in the diocesan art contest
Other optional art contests are announced by the instructor
In music the curriculum for fifth through eighth grade covers music history of Antiquity, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque Music, Classical and Romantic Periods, Music of the 20th Century including the composers and different styles, as well as American Music from the 1900’s to present. The elements of music and definitions including melody, rhythm, genres, dynamics, tempos are learned. Students review and continue to learn about note values and staff placement including treble and bass clefs. As a culmination of their musical learning, eighth grade students create a song with lyrics, melody, rhythms, harmonies, and chord progressions.
Students are also offered an opportunity to join the middle school choir. They sing at the school masses and at the spring concert.
In addition to choir, students may elect to participate in the instrumental music program complete with weekly lessons. A concert is held annually for the school community to enjoy.
In PE, instruction emphasizes the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle through participation in team oriented games, activities, and sports with the continuing theme of fair play and sportsmanship.
Specials
Students attend an art, music, gym, and computer class once per week. In art students experience an in-depth concentration and development on drawing and painting skills. They learn value shading and color blending techniques at a more sophisticated level as well as the manipulation of brushes and drawing tools. Lessons are related to past, renowned artists and their works along with styles in art history and cultural art practices. At this level, several art lessons are inter-related with the lessons of the social studies curriculum.
An art show is held annually during Catholic Schools Week
All students participate in the diocesan art contest
Other optional art contests are announced by the instructor
In music the curriculum for fifth through eighth grade covers music history of Antiquity, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque Music, Classical and Romantic Periods, Music of the 20th Century including the composers and different styles, as well as American Music from the 1900’s to present. The elements of music and definitions including melody, rhythm, genres, dynamics, tempos are learned. Students review and continue to learn about note values and staff placement including treble and bass clefs. As a culmination of their musical learning, eighth grade students create a song with lyrics, melody, rhythms, harmonies, and chord progressions.
Students are also offered an opportunity to join the middle school choir. They sing at the school masses and at the spring concert.
In addition to choir, students may elect to participate in the instrumental music program complete with weekly lessons. A concert is held annually for the school community to enjoy.
In PE, instruction emphasizes the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle through participation in team oriented games, activities, and sports with the continuing theme of fair play and sportsmanship.