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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

The 8th grade Mathematics classroom is off to a great start in the first module, challenging students to look at studies in real world contexts. There is a major focus in the 8th grade year on making students into problem-solvers, whether this is inside the classroom or out. We are also going to spend time on our students’ ability to work out Mathematics problems that at first seem confusing and too difficult to them. In terms of the curriculum for the first module, there will be a great deal of work focusing on linear relationships, moving students in the direction of our first module project-- comparing cell phone plans in the attempt to find the best deal. This project will pull together all of the Algebra that we’ll be studying in the first few months. It is a great opportunity to work with your children this year and I am very much looking forward to it. If you need to get in touch with me, my email is forman32 at hotmail.com. --Eric Forman

Science Module One

What forces shape the surface of the Earth? How does the Earth’s surface change? These geological questions are now being explored by our 8th grade students. We began the module by developing map-reading skills for latitude and longitude coordinates that will be used throughout the module. Next, we transitioned these skills into a unit on the cause of seasons. Our main focus for module 1 is on the forces that shape our Earth’s surface: plate tectonics and erosion. Topics that will be investigated include earthquakes, volcanoes, and rivers. We will study how these processes work and their social impacts. In addition, we’ll explore the evidence of the Earth’s changing surface by examining rocks to study environments of the past. Some examples of this are sandstone, which could indicate a desert environment, and basalt, which would indicate a volcanic environment. By studying rocks and the processes that form them, students will be able to answer the essential questions in the module’s final assessment; Analyzing and Interpreting Geologic Cross-Sections.

Art Module One

For our returning eighth graders this year, they will receive art class for four days a week for half a year. With eighth grade, the focus is on art history. We begin the year learning about realism, pointillism, expressionism and impressionism. They have begun work on pencil drawings for their realism project using a grid system to enable them to learn to draw more easily. There is already a great deal of success and amazement in the room as our more hesitant students are discovering that they actually can draw!

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.

Theater Module One

In this class, students are both actors and writers. Through structured theatrical improvisations and writing exercises, students will explore their individual creativity, deepen interpersonal skills, and understand how theater relates to their own lives. By the end of the module, each student will have written dramatic monologues and scenes, both individually and in groups, and have developed performance skills, such as vocal projection and physical gesture. 50% of students’ grades will be based on performance and behavior and 50% on written assignments.

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