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Reading: Reading is the primary focus of our work this year. We have developed a comprehensive reading workshop model that is aimed at fostering strong independent readers. Students will cultivate a number of important comprehension strategies and learn to think critically about literature as they develop their vocabularies along the way. Our classroom libraries have been leveled in order to ensure that students are reading appropriate books at their own level. Additionally, students will be exposed to rich short stories that will enable them to practice their reading strategies. Lastly, students will be held accountable for establishing and tracking their independent reading goals on a regular basis.
Writing: In addition to sharpening our writing mechanics (grammar, punctuation and spelling), the major writing project for module one is Memoir. Through writer’s workshop, we will be examining a variety of touchstone texts that model the genre, make connections to our immigration study in social studies and demonstrate the characteristics of highly descriptive writing. Every student will publish his/her own memoir at unit’s end. The memoir will focus on a particularly important, life-changing event.
Social Studies: As we kick-off our study of the 20th century, we’ll first embark on a mini geography unit. Students will sharpen their map reading skills as they develop an awareness of the political world. The study will next explore what was happening in America at the turn of the century. Why were so many millions of people determined to uproot themselves and endure the hardships of coming to a new land? We will be using such primary documents as: photography, journals and letters of historical figures, video, political documents and a field trip to Ellis Island. The major project will be an immigrant journal that students will create assuming the role of an immigrant in 1913. The journal will encapsulate the knowledge they acquired during the study.

Math Module One

We're off to a great start in Room 336. In the first module, there will be a great deal of work focusing on how patterns in linear relationships are connected through their different representations (pictures, algebraic rules, tables, graphs, and words). This will allow students to work towards our first module project-- comparing cell phone plans in the attempt to find the best deal. This project will combine all of the algebra that we'll be studying in the first few months. In addition to focusing on the 8th grade mathematical content, we will also place a strong emphasis on our yearlong focus: how students communicate their thinking, both verbally and in writing. Specifically, students will be developing ways to discuss different mathematical strategies and solutions to problems, as well as comprehending what constitutes proof when justifying the validity of their conclusions. If you need to help supporting your child with the math, or if you would like to get in touch with me, please go to my website: http://skyeflusser.googlepages.com. ~~Skye Flusser

Science Module One

What is everything made of? How does matter change? How can we identify an unknown substance? These questions will be investigated by 8th grade students this module in the study of Chemistry. Investigations will focus on the physical and chemical properties of matter. Topics include phase changes of matter, measurement and safety, elements and compounds, density, and chemical reactions. Students began the year discussing safety and exploring phase changes of matter. We are now beginning to learn how to use a variety of laboratory equipment to measure the length, volume, and mass of different items. These skills are very important for their state performance assessment that will be given in May, as well as being crucial in knowing how scientists conduct experiments. Density is another important topic studied and will help students identify different substances such as minerals-- which will lead into our study of matter on a molecular level as we study elements and compounds. And last, we will distinguish between chemical and physical changes. In our final module project, students will identify a variety of unknown substances based on a physical or chemical property (boiling point, density, or gas released in a chemical reaction).

Art Module One

Eighth grade artists are encouraged to define and discover their own artistic voices. This module, Ms. Root’s students are focusing on proportion, form and the effect of light on objects through observational drawing. Ms. Lackey’s students are exploring both the genre of Realism by creating representational drawings using a grid and the genre of Pointillism by using the stippling method to create a painting. All eighth graders will receive both curriculums, switching teachers after two modules. This provides a rich yearlong exposure to the visual arts. Both Ms. Lackey and Ms. Root encourage their students to develop their own style and to engage with the curriculum not only through project exploration but also by building on their journals, leading class critiques and by including Art History references in each of their lessons.

Spanish Module One

We are beginning this module with a review of Spanish and Spanish-speaking countries. In class, we will focus on honing our conversational and writing skills by using real-life situations. We will be using an array of authentic materials, which I will provide photocopies, from text-books to newspapers. Students will develop critical-thinking skills and make connections to their other academic subjects.

Technology Module One

During their first module Technology class, eighth grade students continue to build expertise in the applications they use in their academic work at TSMS. In a directed series of assignments and projects, students practice typing, learn how to properly format papers, create presentations, conduct Internet research, and write research papers. Additionally, students use our computer lab resources to express themselves creatively with graphic design, animation, and more advanced web design. Overall, students are encouraged to experience the computer both as an academic tool and as venue for active self-expression. Students are encouraged to see themselves as active creators of computer and web based media, not solely as consumers. The class aims to build skills that will allow students to create a web-based project during the second module.

Physical Education Module One

The 8th grade students are building on last year’s soccer experience. After a brief review, they are being introduced to new skills like juggling, and shooting a soccer ball that is in motion. In addition, the students are exploring various modes of conditioning including aerobic (like jogging and jumping rope) and strengthening exercises (like push-ups).

Eighth Grade Curriculum Archive