Eighth Grade Curriculum
REQUIRED COURSES
LANGUAGE ARTS
The language arts program is divided into two separate areas;
English and Literature. The student are graded separately for each area.
The language arts program, with its focus on collaborative learning, helps
students develop as readers, writers, and thinkers.
English
- Students are using the Write Source 2000 Language Series,
which is a complete writing-based language learning program. The series
addresses every aspect of language learning with a variety of writing units,
language workshops, prewriting strategies, thinking workshops, and more.
Computers in the classroom enhance the process, and publishing is encouraged
in and out of class.
Literature
- Students are using the Elements of Literature series.
This literature anthology combines the talents of novelists, poets, dramatists,
mythologists, and scholars to create a unique collection of works for students.
A response approach is used in reading literature as students explore different
genres and literary techniques. Skills are taught in context not isolation.
the emphasis is on becoming an active, critical reader as well as a reader
for life. Students are also using the Vocabulary Workshop, which meets
national and local testing standards in vocabulary using testing practices
found on the new Scholastic Achievement Test-1. As Eighth graders, part
of their literature grade is the reading of a required number of novels.
This list is handed out on the first day of school.
ALGEBRA 1
An Integrated Approach
This course is designed to help the student who is very strong
in mathematical skills to understand the basic structure of Algebra and
to acquire facility in applying algebraic concepts to equations of one
variable. Students also work with linear equations and the concept of slope.
In addition, students study polynomials and their factors, quadratic equations,
and rational expressions. Irrational numbers are be introduced. The pace
and depth of Algebra 1 requires homework and study almost every night to
reinforce the topics presented. This course contains units dealing with
lines in a plane, congruent triangles, properties of triangles, polygons,
transformations, right triangles, circles, plane measurements, space measurements,
and loci. Students are required to provide and use a scientific/graphing
calculator (Texas Instruments TI-83, TI-30, Casio fx-7700G, or fx-300H).
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
This course is designed to familiarize students with physics
(energy) and chemistry (matter). Students are introduced to an extensive
science vocabulary, scientific procedures and techniques, problem solving
strategies, measurements and computations. Units include motion, forces,
and energy, heat, electricity and magnetism, waves, sound, and light, identifying
matter, changes in matter, elements, compounds, and mixtures, the periodic
table and the atom, chemical interactions and chemical systems. This course
has a science lab which is be part of the students grade.
World History (to 1000 A.D.)
World History is a two-part course, according to the Virginia
Standards of Learning. Students will cover early world history to the year
1000 A.D. in the eighth grade and continue until the present in the ninth
grade. Students study the origins of much of our heritage using texts, maps,
pictures, stories, diagrams, charts, chronological skills, inquiry/research
skills, and technology skills. The student will begin with early development
of mankind from the Paleolithic Era to the revolution of agriculture and
the formation of societies. Ancient river civilizations will be studied,
ancient Greece, ancient Rome, conflicts between the Muslim world and Christendom,
the history of Byzantine Empire, Asian, African, and American civilizations,
and the Middle Ages. Students will also learn the geographical significance
of history with emphasis on the five themes of geography; culture, natural
resources, economics, politics, and of course history.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Students have PE time everyday. General fitness activities
are stressed and include Volleyball, Basketball, Horseshoes, and Croquet.
We also have an outdoor education class, which is be held at local State
and County Parks.
ART
Art is offered every Thursday. We explore the use of different
mediums, such as oils, acrylics, and watercolors. We are also making different
crafts and learning about different artists. Opportunities are provided
to encourage independent thinking, decision making and self-expression.
Some of our art projects continue throughout the week, due to the medium
we are using at the time. Art projects are incorporated into other subjects.
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Word Processing, Database, Spreadsheets and Desktop Publishing
The students learn Word Processing, the development and use
of Databases and Spreadsheets and basic keyboarding skills. Databases and
Spreadsheets are a fundamental part of our computer use instruction. The
students learn how to create and use Spread- sheets and Databases in real
world applications, such as glossaries, inventories, and mathematical equation
graphing. The students use Word Processing and Desktop Publishing to produce
Reports, Pamphlets, Brochures, Newspapers, etc. Web Page programming in
HTML is required in the eighth grade curriculum.
ELECTIVES
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
Computer Programming in C, and C++ is offered as electives.
The classes will cover the use of compilers, editors, and libraries. We
cover such subjects as program development, input and output, program control,
data storage and graphics. We stress reusable code and Object Oriented
Programming.
Colonial Preparatory School does not discriminate on the basis of Sex,
Race, Color, Religion, Disabilities or National Origin in Employment or
in its Educational Programs and Activities.