Grade 8

Foundations is designed to challenge and support students as learners and self-advocates as the pace and complexity of the Upper School curriculum increases. This course reinforces the foundations of good student skills as they relate to executive functioning, reading, writing, assessment prep, and multi-step work.  This class uses routines and strategies to promote increasing student independence. 

Building on a strong foundation, eighth grade students read a variety of target texts, including memoir, creative nonfiction, drama, poetry, and fiction. Guided reading units are comprised of high interest selections to build reading independence. Utilizing texts as models, students write poetry and personal narratives, as well as traditional literary essays. Grammar instruction focuses on sentence structure, organization, mechanics and style. Vocabulary study is drawn from class literature.

The curriculum covers American history from the pre-Revolutionary War period to the Civil War. This course emphasizes political and social history. This is largely a discussion class, which teaches children to attend to, understand, and appreciate others’ viewpoints. Students also work on note-taking skills throughout the year and an extensive research paper in the winter term.

The 8th grade math program is a rigorous, traditional high school Algebra 1 course.  Topics include a thorough study of one and two variable equation solving (including inequalities), multiplying and factoring polynomials, and solving systems of linear equations and inequalities in one and two variables. Students are expected to master solving and graphing of linear, absolute value, exponential, quadratic, radical and rational functions. As 8th graders, students apply the problem solving strategies learned through the Math in Focus program (the American publication of Singapore Math), and are encouraged to explore mathematical functions through the use of the Ti-84 handheld calculators. There is a focus on the relationship between graphs and algebraic solutions as well as advanced problem solving.

Eighth grade science immerses students in the scientific method through the study of chemistry and physical science. Students explore how atoms interact, the results of these interactions, and the fundamental principles behind chemical reactions. They also investigate magnetism and apply engineering concepts through LEGO Robotics challenges.

Emphasis is placed on experimental design, careful observation, data analysis, and clear lab report writing. Through hands-on experiments and collaborative projects, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific communication skills, preparing them to tackle complex scientific questions and real-world applications.

Students continue to build their speaking, listening, reading, writing and culture skills in the student's target language (French or Spanish), with nearly all classroom interactions conducted in the target language. Students move to more sophisticated language structures, including the past tense. Extensive and frequent peer interaction in the target language is central to the curriculum.

Eighth grade theatre is a collaborative playmaking project. During this process, students participate as playwrights, directors and actors. They also participate in at least one technical role. Students have the opportunity to choose from many different technical roles, such as lighting, sound, set or poster design, costumes, props, set building, assistant stage manager, backstage crew and crew leader. This concludes with two grade-wide performances of their original work for the Pike community. 

While the sixth and seventh grade curriculum focus on developing performance skills through the medium of cover songs, the eighth grade music curriculum has students creating their own pop and rock songs. Students learn how to write lyrics that are meaningful to them as well as craft melodies and chord progressions. Once they have created their song, they then record it and mix/master it until they have a polished final project. The curriculum effectively synthesizes the skills developed in sixth and seventh grade and ultimately allows them to create a complete song from beginning to end.

In the Upper School visual arts program, emphasis is placed on balancing fundamental skill development, individual creativity and hands-on experience with a wide variety of materials and techniques, aimed at opening as many creative and inspirational doors as possible. In the eighth grade, that continues with an exploration of digital photography and design. Students will build upon their existing knowledge of art elements and design principles as they explore new concepts aimed at developing the visual impact of their work. These concepts are introduced and practiced through a series of exercises and brought together in a culminating work of art that will require students to apply their developing visual insights and personal creative ideas in a series of images that responds to a self-selected prompt. The development and evolution of this work will continue to challenge students to further develop their capacity for creative problem solving and constructive critical thinking. All students’ finished work will be showcased in the annual art show.

*Work with visiting artists may at times, replace this project to take advantage of special creative opportunities. 
 

Students continue to apply and expand upon the conceptual models developed and reinforced throughout their seventh-grade year. The curriculum branches from the concrete core principles of the Latin language to more complex and abstract grammatical concepts. The course content continues to be supplemented with film and readings pertaining to classical mythology, Roman culture, and Roman history.

The goal of this course is to cultivate students’ critical thinking skills through the art of formal debate. Debate class explores a variety of debate formats including Public Forum and Lincoln Douglas, as well as projects that develop students’ persuasive communication skills through a variety of media. Students will strengthen their leadership, teambuilding, group problem solving, and oral presentation proficiency. During the course of the year, students will develop strong analytical skills, research experience, and persuasive writing practice. Additionally, students will improve their listening abilities by questioning and responding specifically to arguments made by their classmates.

The goal of the curriculum is to develop versatile movers with the confidence to learn new skills and the desire to engage in physical pursuits on a lifelong basis. Areas of focus include lifetime fitness and activities, traditional sports and an outdoor challenge course unit. Activities include flag rugby, ultimate Frisbee, basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, and badminton. As a culminating activity in the challenge course, students gain the technical skills and confidence to run the high ropes course and challenge themselves to take appropriate risks.