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8th Grade Bible

Course Definition

Students will focus on the book of Proverbs, through a multitude of lessons that will teach them invaluable principles. Instead of a verse-by-verse study, these lessons approach the study of Proverbs topically. It will help students understand true wisdom and encourage them to apply God’s wisdom to all aspects of life. Students will also learn to defend their Christian faith through the study of various apologetics units throughout the year. Those units include Jesus the Messiah, Evidence for the Resurrection, Creation vs. Evolution and Christianity vs. Other World Religions.

Course Objectives

The students will (1) be challenged to follow Christ more closely; (2) be confronted with the origin of rules, conduct, and character; (3) apply the Word by practicing the principles taught and improving their character through an active, vibrant personal relationship with Jesus Christ. (4) memorize scripture that may be applied to daily life; (5) learn to defend their faith. These objectives will be achieved through many in-class activities that include group activities, research papers, projects, tests and quizzes, as well as the use of online resources. The course is designed to take head knowledge of Christ and be transformed by the Word through the Holy Spirit to live out those principles of wisdom in daily life.

Homework and Tests

Much of the materials on the texts will be covered in class together, either in small groups or presented by the teacher.

• Students will have a weekly memory verse quiz and have a test at the end of each unit.
• Weekly journaling based on meditation and application of the Word will be required in class.
• Each quarter, students will be required to live out the Word through serving others through opportunities provided by the school, church, or community.
• The majority of our work will be covered during class time; however, the students will sometimes be asked to do homework or projects for class.

Written Work and Homework

• Route 66: This text is designed with a variety of activities: lecture fill-ins, student fill-ins, quizzes, charts, maps, creative projects and definition boxes.  Students will be encouraged to use Bible study tools such as Bible dictionaries, handbooks, and encyclopedias.
• Picture This Binders: Students will learn out each book of the Bible in a picture format which will compile into a binder that will become a pictorial Bible for personal reference.
• Journals: Weekly journaling will be based on meditation and study of specific books of the Bible.  Students will read a passage and interact with the application of that passage.
• Serving Hours: Students will be required to live out the Word through serving others each quarter through opportunities at school, church or in their communities.
• The majority of our work will be covered during class time; however, the students will be asked to do homework or projects for class.

Textbooks

• Holy Bible (2011 New International Version)
• Wise Up: Wisdom in Proverbs (Published by Positive Action for Christ)
• Wrecking Crew Apologetics (Lessons 4 Youth)

8th Grade English

Course Objectives

Students will continue their study of the English language and its literature.  The course will focus on four main areas:  grammar, literature, vocabulary, and composition.

Grammar

Students will study such things as parts of the sentence, phrases, clauses, sentence combining and revising, capitalization, punctuation, subject/verb agreement, principle parts, spelling and study skills.  The study of grammar in junior high is almost always done in conjunction with student writing.

Literature

Students in junior high focus on literary analysis.  They can already recognize what went on in a story; now they will be asked to examine character, motives, plots, conflicts, etc.  The goal is for students to come away with a love of the written word.  We hope to achieve this by giving them high-interest stories and poetry and by showing the love we ourselves have for literature.  The eighth graders will complete five book reports during the year, reading books from our reading list on their own and then reporting on them in class.

Vocabulary

Each unit of our vocabulary book introduces the students to twenty new words with their definitions.  It then has the students work through a series of exercises in which they complete sentences, give antonyms and synonyms, choose the correct word, and read a short passage in which selected words are used.  Students are also introduced to analogies, word families, word roots and enrichment vocabulary in the review sections.

Composition

Writing is a major part of 7th grade English. Students will begin by learning to write a proper paragraph and then move on to writing 5 paragraph essays. They will also be given assignments in creative writing such as poetry, mythology, and descriptive writing. The students will also be required to do one research paper in the year. This will be a joint venture with their history and English classes.

Written Work and Homework

Students receive points for all written work and homework.  Students should expect homework often, as it helps to solidify concepts learned in class.  It also helps them to develop their skills in writing and analysis.

Tests and Quizzes

Tests and quizzes will be given to allow the teacher to see how the student is progressing.  These also provide the student with opportunities to raise his/her grade.  Every effort will be made to give the students at least a week’s notice of an upcoming test and at least two days' notice of an upcoming quiz.  Pop quizzes are given very rarely.

Textbooks

• Prentice Hall Literature, Silver Level
• Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop, Level C

8th Grade Honors English

Course Objectives

The goal of the class is to prepare the students for Honors English in high school.  To that end, honors students can expect to work on four aspects of the English language, namely, literature, composition, vocabulary, and grammar, just as they have in 7th grade English, and just as they would in the regular 8th grade English class.  Honors English differs from regular 8th grade English in its focus:  we will be reading more, doing MUCH more literary analysis, and writing MUCH more.

Grammar

Students will review such things as parts of the sentence, phrases, clauses, sentence combining and revising, capitalization, punctuation, subject/verb agreement, principle parts, spelling and study skills.  The study of grammar in Honors English is almost always done in conjunction with literary analysis and student writing.

Literature

Students in junior high focus on literary analysis. They can already recognize what went on in a story; now they will be asked to examine character, motives, plots, conflicts, etc.  Those in Honors English really must have (or quickly develop) a love for good literature.  All 8th grade students will be required to complete five book reports on works they have chosen from our junior high reading list.  In addition, the honors students will read prescribed works (namely, Romeo and Juliet, Out of the Dust, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and The Screwtape Letters) and discuss these as a class. They will be required to do some sort of project for each in which they show their abilities to analyze and communicate in written (and, possibly, artistic) form.

Vocabulary

Each unit of our vocabulary book introduces the students to twenty new words with their definitions.  It then has the students work through a series of exercises in which they complete sentences, give antonyms and synonyms, choose the correct word, and read a short passage in which selected words are used.  Students are also introduced to analogies, word families, word roots and enrichment vocabulary in the review sections.

Composition

Students will be required to express themselves clearly in their writing.  They will be given assignments in formal and creative writing such as short stories, poetry, persuasive, expository, and descriptive paragraphs and essays.  The students will also be required to do one research paper in the year.  This will be a joint venture with their history and English classes.  Honors students will be held to a higher standard in all their writing.

Written Work and Homework

Students receive points for all written work and homework.  Students should expect homework often, as it helps to solidify concepts learned in class.  It also helps them to develop their skills in writing and analysis.

Tests and Quizzes

Tests and quizzes will be given to allow the teacher to see how the student is progressing.  These also provide the student with opportunities to raise his/her grade.  Every effort will be made to give the students at least a week’s notice of an upcoming test and at least two days' notice of an upcoming quiz.  Pop quizzes are given very rarely.

Textbooks

• Prentice Hall Literature, Silver Level
• Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop, Level C

8th Grade Algebra

Course Definition

Algebra is a branch of mathematics in which symbols, usually letters of the alphabet, represent numbers or members of a specified set and are used to represent quantities and to express general relationships that hold for all members of the set. A strong grasp in Pre-Algebra is a pre-requisite to the course.

Course Objectives

Pearson Algebra 1 Common Core Edition is a blended print and digital curriculum that is built on a foundation of problem solving and visual learning.  The components of learning integrated in the text are Problem Solving, Visual Learning, Big Ideas, Interactive Learning, and Differentiated Instruction.  These components are skillfully interwoven throughout the text which offers students a rich, conceptually rigorous, and visually engaging program. The topics covered in this  Algebra 1 course are solving equations and inequalities, introduction to linear functions, systems of equations and inequalities, exponents and exponential functions, polynomials and factoring, quadratic equations and functions, radical expressions and equations, and rational expressions and functions.  Data Analysis and Probability will be introduced if time permits.

Homework and Tests

• Homework will be checked by the teacher daily. The student will be issued a 0, ½, or 1 each day.  

Attendance

Attendance is a vital part of success in Algebra. The daily in class discussions are designed to expand depth of understanding that is very difficult to accomplish alone.

Textbook

• Algebra I Common Core, published by Pearson

8th Grade Geometry

Course Definition

Geometry is the mathematics of the properties, measurement, and relationships of points, lines, angles, surfaces, and solids.

Course Objectives

The Prentice Hall Geometry Textbook covers all content standards mandated by the state of California.   Geometry is truly a class of discipline.  Students are expected to acquire understanding of not only math vocabulary and terminology, but also understanding and application of theorems and postulates. Students will spend the first two quarters submerged in proving relationships among parallel lines, triangles, and parallelograms.  Being able to understand and apply math vocabulary, theorems, and postulates in a logical constructive way is the toughest part of the course.  It takes a great deal of discipline to be able to memorize, understand, and apply vocabulary words, theorems and postulates.  Quarters 3 and 4 focus more on Algebraic concepts applied in a geometrical setting such as the Pythagorean Theorem, ratio and proportions, area and volume formulas, and coordinate geometry.

Homework and Tests

• Homework is collected once a week and is worth 10 points for each packet.  Students need to have the assignments in order that they were given with their name, page number in text, and the items assigned.  The assignments can be stapled or paper-clipped together.
• Quizzes and/or Chapter tests will be given every 1-2 weeks depending on where the natural break in the chapter occurs. At the beginning of each week, the teacher will post all homework assignments and scheduled tests on the whiteboard in the classroom and on the school website for students and parents to view.

Attendance

Attendance is a vital part of success in Geometry. The daily in class discussions are designed to expand depth of understanding that is very difficult to accomplish alone.

Textbook

• Geometry published by Prentice Hall
  (The text is designed for use in a regular high school geometry class.)

8th Grade Physical Science

Course Description

At the heart of any course taking place in the Christian school classroom is the Bible.  This course is designed not only to encourage students to become actively involved in scientific discovery and develop concepts of physical science, but to lead students to a deeper knowledge of God and his design in everything around them.  The materials and activities are filled with interesting concepts that serve as a basis for scientific learning and relate them to everyday life.

Course Objective

Students will learn and develop concepts of physical science through discussion, hands-on activities, labs, and projects.  These learning experiences will be based upon God’s word and will enrich the student’s knowledge of creation, affirm their faith in the Creator, and enable them to use science to the glory of God.  Matter, Substances, Interactions with Matter, Matter in Motion, Energy at Work, and Electricity and Magnetism are the specific units of study.

Grading Policy

Grades will be based upon homework, class participation, lab reports/spirals, quizzes, tests and exams.  Additionally, during the third and fourth quarter, each student will be required to conduct and present an experimental science project.

Required Materials

• Physical Science, Christian Schools International
• TextbookLab Manual, Spiral bound

8th Grade US History

Course Definition

This social science course is designed to present the history of the United States from a Christian perspective as part of a well-rounded program that includes current events, critical thinking, and geography of the Western Hemisphere. 

Course Objectives

The student will: (1) know the major events in United States history, as well as the major eras from a Christian perspective; (2) gain experience researching and writing a research paper (a joint English/History project); (3) relate current events to what is happening in the United States today; and (4) increase his or her knowledge of United States geography.

Tour the United States Capitol and New York City

The students will travel to Washington DC, the Gettysburg battlefield, and New York City as part of their overall appreciation of the history of the United States. Some of the highlights of the trip include laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, visiting Mount Vernon, touring the Capitol Building and Pentagon, and touring Ellis and Liberty Islands.

Written Work

All written work will be done on the iPad from questions in the digital textbook. The research paper will be typed as well. From time to time, current event articles will be submitted and discussed.

Homework and Tests

The objectives will be accomplished through homework assignments, class discussions, tests and other assignments. Students will take a semester test at the end of the year to be better prepared for high school cumulative testing.

Textbooks

• American Republic, Third Edition published by Bob Jones Press, (2010) digital version