Class 8

Curriculum Snapshots

List of 14 items.

English 8
- Reading and analyzing To Kill a Mockingbird supported by a deep investigation into historical context
- Exploring the novel and ourselves with a focus on identity, empathy, and justice
- Peer-to-peer teaching of a specific chapter of To Kill a Mockingbird through a slide presentation
- Learning and applying comma rules
Algebra I-8
- Solving and graphing simple and compound inequalities
- Graphing linear inequalities and systems of inequalities
- Simplifying rational expressions
- Multiplying, dividing, adding, and subtracting rational expressions
- Solving rational equations
Algebra I Advanced 8
- Introducing rational functions and their domain
- Applying operations with fractions to rational expressions
- Solving rational equations
- Reviewing and expanding the concepts underlying operations with radical expressions
Geometry-Trigonometry (H) 8
- Exploring all properties of circles, angles in and around circles, and segments in and around circles
- Analyzing and applying transformations and inverses of graphs, especially functions
- Reviewing basic triangle trigonometry concepts
- Introducing unit circle trigonometry
United States Civics 8
- Building our knowledge of the Bill of Rights and Civil Liberties: How are our rights defined and protected under the Constitution?
- Diving into research:
Physical Science 8
- Continuing our study of energy by taking a deeper dive into thermal energy, heat, and temperature, with a
- Starting our study of chemistry by analyzing the different states of matter and phase changes
- Expanding our investigations through labs and activities, such as the “Expansion of Nothing” debate, freezing point depression, and dry ice!
French I-C
- Exploring the significance of celebrations in a culture in our next unit
- Becoming familiar with everyday expressions about the big and smaller moments of life
- Learning how to use demonstrative adjectives
- Applying our new knowledge to create an invitation to a party
Latin I-C
- Playing the Mala Contra Mala game created for our midterm project
- Learning the Perfect/Deponent Active Participle (DAP) to complement the Present Active (PRAP) and Perfect Passive Participles (PPP)
- Reading about the love triangle of Vilbia (the innkeeper’s daughter), Modestus (the boastful soldier- whose name means modest), and Bulbus (The man who truly loves Vilbia- whose name means onion)
- Continuing our exploration of Roman history
Latin II
- Reading and discussing stories about the Roman army and politics surrounding Roman imperialism
- Continuing to build vocabulary base with help from English derivatives
- Expanding forms and constructions of the subjunctive mood
- Introducing and practicing the gerundive of obligation
- Exploring the advantages and disadvantages of Roman imperialism for the provinces
- Discussing the differences between the active and passive voice in Latin
Spanish I-C
- Reading Agentes Secretos y el Mural de Picasso and learning cultural and historical lessons tied to the book’s story about France and Spain -- completely in Spanish
- Writing and presenting an additional chapter to Agentes Secretos
- Gaining a stronger understanding and using effectively regular and irregular verb ending in the preterite tense - in particular: ir, ser, hacer, tener, estar, y poder
- Understanding and practicing the use of direct object pronouns
- Discussing vocabulary having to do with shopping, errands, and where people go and what they buy
- Enriching our knowledge of the popularity of open-air markets in the Spanish-speaking world through articles and authentic videos
Impulse 8
Impulse 8
- Learning, executing, and retaining set choreography for concert performance
- Refining basic technique
- Focusing on body placement and alignment
- Enhancing awareness of space, time, and energy/dynamics
- Toning, stretching, and conditioning as part of daily class warmup
- Understanding proper performance and stage etiquette
Instrumental Music 8
Beginning Band
- Continuing to learn and read the 5-note pattern for the 1st Major Scale
- Developing music-reading skills with songs from the book “Best In Class”
- Practicing fingerings for the notes on the instrument
- Developing a strong embouchure for the instrument
- Listening to each other and fitting their sound into the entire ensemble.
Intermediate Band
- Using the Major scale in various rhythmic patterns
- Practicing music-reading skills by sight-reading different pieces of music suitable for middle school band
- Working on selections for the Fall Band Concert in November
Beginning Strings
- Expanding note reading skills as they are presented in Essential Elements
- Refining bow hold and left hand position
- Building bow distribution skills and tone production using the Open String Cycle
- Continuing work on precise intonation skills through Finger Patterns 1 & 2
Sinfonietta
- Building tone production and bow use skills as they apply to scales and repertoire
- Refining bow holds and left hand position
- Beginning shifting to third position with violins and violas
- Refining fourth and second position shifting with cellos
- Working on intonation using Finger Patterns 1, 2 & 3
- Starting preparation for learning vibrato
- Working on repertoire for Holiday Chapel performance
Camerata
- Working on upper positions (fifth position and above) and shifting through three octave scales
- Refining intonation in less common keys using Finger Patterns 3, 4, & 5
- Practicing left hand facility using increasingly fast tempos on scales
- Working on repertoire for Holiday Chapel performance
Music 8
- Reviewing basic music theory principals: intervals, chords, harmonic progression, musical form, and major and minor triads
- Composing and Remixing MIDI sound files into the D.A.W. Soundtrap
- Editing and manipulating audio files
- Understanding and implementing song form
- Understanding and recognizing elements of music: rhythm, harmony, and melody
- Composing an original four chord song
Dramatic Art 8

Beginning our course of Theatre study.
Visual Art 8
Concepts & Techniques in Art 8
- Introducing printmaking techniques and linocut printing
- Enhancing use of line, space, and shape with design layouts
- Experimenting with color inks and printing
- Artist in Residence workshops February 17-21
- Big Bend February 22-28
Digital Design 8
- Introducing 2D and 3D modeling techniques
- Beginning to create unique artwork for web and print
- Working with Inkscape and Fusion 360