Eighth Grade Curriculum

The eighth grade humanities curriculum in Social Studies and Language Arts is based on an investigation of United States history. The curriculum emphasizes a personal, humanistic approach to literature and social studies, with the underlying intent that students will see clearly the relationship between their own lives and the material they are reading/discussing. Eighth graders study literature and social studies as a forum for questioning, analyzing, and decision-making, building skills in discussion, writing, critical thinking, problem solving, vocabulary, and grammar. The students examine different sources of history as well as the art, architecture, literature, and music of the periods they are considering.

Some of the Essential Questions within the social studies curriculum are: Why and how do people form societies? How do societies resolve conflict? The units covered in depth are The Salem Witch Trials, The Bill of Rights, Controversial Debates in Landmark Supreme Court Cases, Revolutions in America, World War One, The Great Depression, World War Two, A Bipolar World: The Cold War.

Emphasis is continually placed on development of reading and writing skills, including carefully structured work in expository and analytical writing. Work in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary is ongoing and is directly related to what the students read or write. Assessment includes analysis of essays, creative writing, speaking projects, and dramatics, as well as rubrics, quizzes and occasional tests.

All eighth grade students study earth science. This is the curriculum that is conventionally offered to ninth graders in a public school setting. Parker students who plan to attend a public high school take the Earth Science Regents Exam at Parker in June. Our students typically score in the top percentiles on the exam.

All eighth grade students participate in the regular eighth grade math curriculum, using the text Connected Math. Those who are ready to take on the challenge attend twice weekly math seminars that lead toward the Math A or Math B Regents Exams. Our students who took the Regents Exam in 2006 scored between the 91st and 99th percentile.

Spanish classes are determined by the number of years the student has been studying the language and the level of proficiency they have achieved. Students can opt to take the eighth grade proficiency exam at Parker in June. They then can move into Spanish II in ninth grade.

The Arts, Physical Education, and Health
All eighth graders take art, music, physical education, and health in mixed grade sections with sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. All subject areas are integrated with the humanities curriculum as much as possible.

After School Opportunities
After school activities include sports, such as soccer, basketball, archery, flag football, baseball; drama; chess; circus theatrics; jewelry making; Italian language.

Highlights of the Eighth Grade Year

Thesis Project
Eighth graders complete a semester long thesis project on a topic of their choice. The librarian, the social studies teacher and the language arts teacher support this project. The end product is a 15 – 25 page paper that is presented on Project Night.

Community Service
Within the school day, eighth graders are involved in recycling, composting, and cleaning classroom and common areas. They work with their lower grade buddies on writing, reading, and other projects. Eighth graders are responsible for being the leaders of our weekly assemblies. They organize an annual hunger awareness evening: Oxfam Hunger Banquet or Empty Bowls. They are also involved in other community projects as dictated by their interests, such as reading to children at a local hospital and supporting Joseph House.

Clubs
Clubs include yearbook, video yearbook, school newspaper, and outdoors club, as student interest dictates, and may vary from year to year.

Eighth Grade Trip
Eighth graders take an annual spring curricular trip. For the last few years they have traveled to Philadelphia for 5 days.

Public Speaking and Drama
Students take turns leading and planning weekly all school assemblies. The Salem Witch Trial is a highlight of the fall. Eighth graders adapt a scene or play from Shakespeare for the annual Shakespeare Night. Each eight grader presents a speech at graduation.

After Eighth Grade
Approximately half of our students go to public schools and half to independent schools. They do extraordinarily well! As our graduates return to visit, the reports are inspiring. They find a place in their new environment with relative ease, and are more than well prepared for the challenges they meet. Their college record is exemplary, with students attending top colleges and universities throughout the country.