EIGHTH GRADE

In their last year of middle school, eighth graders assume a leadership role at Saint Helena School.  They serve as Safety Patrol monitors for younger grades and lead daily morning prayers.  At the same time, they immerse themselves in preparing for high school, strengthening the foundation skills they have acquired, and learning new and more complex skills.  During this year of transition, students focus on leadership, communication, study and organizational skills, responsibility, community, and service.  This is a year of planning, hard work, celebration, reflection, and friendship.  

Religion

Religion studies in Grade Eight focus on the history of the Church as well as preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation.  Students uncover how the Roman Catholic Church has survived social systems, political systems, and persecutions.  The Holy Spirit, the four marks of the Church, and Mary’s role are also presented.  Students participate in and complete a Service Project which culminates during the third marking period.  This includes twenty hours of volunteer work in the community and a reflection on the experience.  Students engage in a variety of reflective and active experiences during class to guide them in their lifelong goals of stewardship, service, pursuit of wisdom, and moral decision making.  Religion studies also include opportunities for students to explore and develop their communication, leadership, character building, and teamwork skills.  

Language Arts

The Language Arts curriculum in eighth grade includes an in-depth study of all genres of literature, plus comprehensive writing assignments to sharpen students’ skills.  Students read and analyze informational material. Vocabulary and grammar exercises are reviewed and reinforced as are the skills needed for research and reporting information.

Algebra

The eighth grade Algebra course is designed to provide students with the foundation skills required for all future mathematics courses in high school.   Through differentiated instruction, student-centered learning, and a curriculum infused with technology, students uncover concepts while developing their abstract reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.  

During eighth grade Algebra, students are introduced to algebraic concepts including (1) relationships between quantities; (2) linear relationships; and (3) exponential and quadratic relationships.  Students learn the math behind the math with an emphasis on strengthening foundation skills and explaining the reasoning behind mathematical concepts.  Students use equations, tables of values, and graphs to explore connections between multiple representations of data.  Students uncover the characteristics of functions and use technology to explore the behavior of functions.  

Accelerated Algebra is offered to students that have demonstrated the highest achievement in seventh grade Pre-Algebra and standardized testing.  This course typically builds from the Accelerated Seventh Grade Pre-Algebra program, demands a faster pace, and explores concepts in greater depth.  In addition to concepts presented in the traditional Algebra course, students in the accelerated program study advanced functions and equations, factoring, statistics and probability, quadratics and the Cartesian plane. 

Science

The eighth-grade course of study is Physical Science.  The year is divided into two components: physics and chemistry.  Physics content includes forces and motion, as well as measuring and calculating related variables, and simple machines, and their advantages and efficiencies. Chemistry content includes properties and interactions of matter, atomic theory and the periodic table.  All students will understand that physical science principles, including fundamental ideas about matter, energy, and motion, are powerful conceptual tools for making sense of phenomena in physical, living, and Earth systems science.  Scientific explorations and discussions, particularly in the development of theory, are an essential component of the class, and proper protocol and safety are emphasized. Students will be required to use the internet.  One major project is assigned each marking period, including one STREAM project of a school-wide theme.

Social Studies

The eighth grade United States History class covers American History from the beginning of the Civil War to present times.  Students focus on the Amendments to the Constitution of the United States from the Civil War Amendments to the 27^th Amendment.  The Holocaust and Civil Rights are also an important part of the curriculum as well as the Presidential elections.  

Penmanship

The eighth-grade students complete weekly handwriting exercises, as studies show that learning to write in cursive improves brain development in the areas of thinking, language, and working memory.  All students are required to write in cursive, and proper formation of letters is expected at this level.  All students compete in a National Handwriting competition each year.