Grade 8
English
Focus on literature that helps strengthen empathy
Emphasis on literary analysis and discussion
Examination of written and spoken-word poetry
Use of personal experience in expository and creative writing and presentation of personal narrative speech
Development of creative writing through figurative language and descriptive vocabulary
Refinement of outlining, researching, and essay-writing
Review of irony with emphasis on dramatic irony
Introduction to Shakespearean plays and sonnets
Expansion of vocabulary through study and reading with focus on word derivations
Review of grammar and writing mechanics
Emphasis on proofreading and revising
Algebra 1
Review of skills such as combining like terms, distributive property, absolute value
Integration of equations skills with setting up and solving word problems
Continued study of inequalities, specifically solution of combined inequalities including those with absolute value
Development of an understanding of linear equations on the coordinate plane
Focus on solving systems of equations including those derived from word problems using graphing, elimination and substitution
Development of simplifying skills with exponents and polynomials
Emphasis on factoring skills
Application of fractions skills to algebraic rational expressions
Focus on all operations and equations involving radicals
Study of quadratics including graphing, completing the square and the quadratic formula
Geometry
Introduction to logic, proofs, definitions, postulates, and theorems
Review of Algebra I woven throughout the course
Study of circles, quadrilaterals, triangles, and polygons, and there places in geometry
Emphasis on justifying triangle concurrency
Development of understanding of right triangle math including Pythagorean Theorem, trigonometry and special triangles
Application of previous content of the course to finding area, perimeter, surface area and volume
Social Studies / History
Focus on U.S. history (Civil War to present)
Engagement in current events discussions/activities
Emphasis on group/partner work
Use and creation of maps to bolster understanding of content
Practice in paraphrasing
Stress on answering essay questions (short and long)
Practice on answering open ended questions
Enhancement of ability to take notes from auditory sources (lecture)
Science
Emphasis on scientific method
Emphasis on analysis of results and formulation of accurate/logical conclusions
Expectation of increased focus and purpose in scientific investigations
Integration of hands-on labs with real-world applications
Integration of technology
Study of atoms, periodic table, chemical reaction, force, and motion
Introduction of genes, heredity, and natural selection
Focus on the history of the Earth
Introduction to climate science and space science
Spanish 1B
Continued development of awareness of cultural differences found in the Spanish-speaking word
Emphasis on the complexity and importance of heritage and traditions in the Spanish-speaking word
Emphasis on building writing and structured conversational skills
Continued enlarging language structure in present tense, and regular and irregular verbs
Introduction to past tense verb conjugations and sentence construction
Opportunities to build vocabulary in daily situations
Latin 1B
History of Roman Alexandria
Introduction to the pluperfect tense
Focus on relative pronouns and relative clauses
Study of neuter nouns
History of Aquae Sulis/Bath, England
Study of the Romanization of the provinces
Reading of Pyramus and Thisbe from Ovid’s “Metamorphoses”
Art
Incorporation of Photoshop and desktop publishing
Creation of the Mariner (yearbook)
Focus on photography as a vehicle for the elements and principles of design
Emphasis on art appreciation
Creation of a variety of multimedia, interdisciplinary projects
Music
Music is not a required course in Grade 8, but students are encouraged to participate in performing ensembles
Technology
Integration of laptops or tablets in all academic classes
Practice in determining website validity
Use of Google Slides to create presentation to accompany eighth-grade speech
Physical Education
Enhancement of sports skills
Participation in formal interscholastic sports leagues
Emphasis on game skills and strategy
Emphasis on sportsmanship
Main Campus: PK4 - Gr. 8
Gulf Stream Campus
3600 Gulf Stream Road
Gulf Stream, FL 33483
Phone: 561.276.5225 Fax: 561.276.7115
Gulf Stream, FL 33483
Phone: 561.276.5225 Fax: 561.276.7115
DBC: PK1, PK2 & PK3
Delray Beach Campus
2515 North Swinton AvenueDelray Beach, FL 33444
Phone: 561.278.7735
