8th Grade Curriculum

Eighth Grade Language Arts

Eighth grade students use oral language, written language, and other media and technology for expressive, informational, argumentative, critical, and literary purposes. They continue to refine their study of language and grammar in order to speak and write effectively. Although emphasis in eighth grade is placed on using information for a specific task, students also:

Express individual perspectives through analysis and personal response.
Refine understanding and use of argument.
Critically analyze print and non-print communication.
Use effective sentence construction and edit for improvements in sentence formation, usage, mechanics, and spelling.
Interpret and evaluate a wide range of literature.

The learner will use language to express individual perspectives through analysis of personal, social, cultural, and historical issues.

The learner will use and evaluate information from a variety of sources.

The learner will continue to refine the understanding and use of argument.

The learner will continue to refine critical thinking skills and apply criteria to evaluate text and multimedia.

The learner will respond to various literary genres using interpretive and evaluative processes.

The learner will apply conventions of grammar and language usage.

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Eighth Grade Mathematics

Major Concepts:

Computation with rational numbers
Conversions among fractions, decimals, and percents
Pythagorean Theorem
Surface area and volume
Linear equations and inequalities
Box plots and scatter plots
Probability of independent and dependent events
Theoretical probabilities and experimental results
Students will create and solve relevant and authentic problems using appropriate technology and applying these concepts as well as those developed in previous years.

Computational Skills to Maintain:

Compute with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions
Use order of operations
Compute with integers
Identify, explain, and apply the commutative, associative, distributive, inverse, and identity properties

The learner will understand and compute with real numbers.

The learner will demonstrate an understanding and use of the properties and relationships in geometry, and standard units of metric and customary measurement.

The learner will demonstrate an understanding of patterns, relationships, and fundamental algebraic concepts.

The learner will demonstrate an understanding and use of graphing, probability, and data analysis.

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Eighth Grade Science

Constancy and Change

Learners will study the constancy and change of natural and technological systems. The strands provide a context for teaching content throughout all goals. In-depth studies include:

Hydrosphere
Population Dynamics
Evolution Theory
Motion and Forces

The learner will build an understanding of the hydrosphere.

The learner will build an understanding of population dynamics.

The learner will build an understanding of evidence of change or constancy in organisms and landforms over time.

The learner will build an understanding of motion and forces.

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Eighth Grade: North Carolina History

Eighth grade students examine the roles of people, events, and issues in North Carolina history that have contributed to the unique character of the state today. Building on the fourth grade introduction, the time frame for this course emphasizes revolutionary to contemporary times. The organization is primarily chronological and reference is made to the key national phenomena that impacted North Carolina throughout these periods. Although the value and methods of historical study as a way of learning about people are stressed, key concepts of geography, civics, and economics are incorporated throughout the course for a fuller understanding of the significance of the people, events, and issues. Inherent to the study of North Carolina history is a continuing examination of local, state, and national government structures.

The learner will analyze important geographic, political, economic, and social aspects of life in the region prior to the Revolutionary Period.

The learner will trace the causes and effects of the Revolutionary War, and assess the impact of major events, problems, and personalities during the Constitutional Period in North Carolina and the new nation.

The learner will identify key events and evaluate the impact of reform and expansion in North Carolina during the first half of the 19th century.

The learner will examine the causes, course, and character of the Civil War and Reconstruction, and their impact on North Carolina and the nation.

The learner will evaluate the impact of political, economic, social, and technological changes on life in North Carolina from 1870 to 1930.

The learner will analyze the immediate and long-term effects of the Great Depression and World War II on North Carolina.

The learner will analyze changes in North Carolina during the postwar period to the 1970's.

The learner will evaluate the impact of demographic, economic, technological, social, and political developments in North Carolina since the 1970's.

The learner will explore examples of and opportunities for active citizenship, past and present, at the local and state levels.

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