New Hope Academy Middle School

Eighth Grade Curriculum Outlines

(Compiled from all faculty who teach 8th grade subjects)

Language Arts (English 8: Novels)

Texts:

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The Old Man in the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

Literature and Language Arts by EMC Paradigm—A comprehensive text covering the short story, drama, nonfiction, autobiography, and poetry. Critical thinking skills such as analyzing, understanding, predicting and supporting your opinion are emphasized.

Vocabulary: Vocabulary Workshop, (Sadler and Oxford).

Grammar: English Grammar Guidebook with an emphasis on essay writing.

Students also participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Mathematics

Texts: Saxon Math (see below)

Students in grades 5-12 are tested and placed in the level of math they will be most successful in. Students who are accelerated will be tested and given the opportunity to take more advanced math levels. Saxon is a comprehensive system through pre-calculus, which emphasizes learning in small increments and review of all previously learned concepts throughout the year. Each night's homework consists of many different types of problems from all previous lessons.

Math 8/7 (Saxon Publishers, Inc.)

Algebra 1/2 (Pre-Algebra) (Saxon Publishers, Inc.)

Algebra 1/Geometry (Saxon Publishers, Inc.)

Algebra 2/Geometry (Saxon Publishers, Inc.)

Advanced Math - Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus (Saxon Publishers, Inc.)

AP Calculus - Advanced Trigonometry, Analytic Geometry (Saxon & Wang)

Practical Math - Consumer Applications (Holt, Rinehart, Winston, 1998)

Science (Lab Science: Active Physics)

Text: Active Physics (Arthur Eisenkraft)

This is a hands-on practical physics course to which students can relate. Active Physics is a solid, inquiry-based physics course designed to be relevant for all students. It is a "Physics First" approach to learning, which allows students of all levels to grasp physics concepts. It introduces physics concepts; which can then be further developed in biology and chemistry.

The students are provided with content in a way that they learn best. This will enable the students to:

Understand and retain physics contents
Realize that they can succeed in science
Be able to apply science principles in real-world settings
Be more likely to continue on with math and scienceÊ

Active Physics adopts a thematic approach to physics. Students learn about physics on a need-to-know basis, through hands-on exploration of topics of interest. The four thematic units used at New Hope Academy are:

Communication: students learn how light and sound signals are generated, propagated, and interpreted
Predictions: this unit provides a solid foundation in science skills and philosophy; including measurement, probability and the distinction between facts, opinions and theories.
Sports: students gain knowledge and understanding of potential and kinetic energy as they collect and analyze data collected in investigations of speed, acceleration, velocity projectile motion and gravity.

Social Studies: Geography

Text: World Geography: Building a Global Perspective (Prentice Hall 2002)

The aspects of physical, cultural, urban, political, economic geography will be studied. Students will learn about the earth and the countries within North America, South America, Africa, Europe, the former Soviet Union, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Students will be able to identify and read different types of maps, define and identify the major cultures, languages, economies and political systems of the world, thus broadening their view. They will learn about climate and different physical environments of the world (landforms). They will come to understand the importance of transportation, communication and its effects on society. They will see our interdependence with nature and fellow man and how this redefines us as a people of a global community.

Students participate in the National Geography Bee.

Foreign Language: Korean

The Korean language program is designed for students to develop and polish their skills in reading, writing, and speaking the Korean language. In addition, students will be able to identify Korean language and culture through a variety of special activities.

All students in middle and high school will have a chance to learn Korean in conversational dialogues and will be engaged in various activities throughout the year. The activities will include songs and projects that will give students the opportunity to make creative expression.

Middle school students are organized into two levels: beginner and intermediate. The lessons are oriented to teach more useful expressions in various situations.

Intermediate (8th grade): students will attend class three times a week. They will learn basic conversation and develop their speaking, reading, and writing of the Korean language. They will learn from Korean Reading II. They will study Korean cultural values, together with different cultural aspects between Korea and the USA.

Foreign Language: Spanish

Seventh and Eight Grades: The students will learn the basic structure of the language and acquire the skills necessary for oral and written communication in Spanish by using Spanish in meaningful contexts. They will be taught the cultural similarities and differences within the context of learning a second language, and understand the influence of other cultures in shaping America. Students will be able to use the language within and beyond the school setting. Materials used: Textbooks: Paso A, Paso A and B, published by Prentice Hall; Spanish/English dictionary; visual aids and worksheets.

Information Technology

7th and 8th Grade

Programs used:

Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Power Point
Adobe Photo Shop
Office 97 step by step (textbook)
HTML

Units and Topics:

Keyboard skills appropriate to grade level
Designing and creating multimedia projects using a variety of sources
Advanced word processing skills
Electronic encyclopedia
Spreadsheet function
Power Point Presentation
Design and creation of database, Photo Editing, and Html Programming

Go to the "get to know the middle school teachers" page.
Take a look at the curriculum for other grades in high school, middle school, or elementary school.
Go to the main New Hope Academy page.