Objectives for Grade 8

Religion

By the end of Grade 8, students will be able to:

  1. Proclaim with Paul that, trusting in God’s power, we are strong in our weakness.
  2. Acknowledge God as provider of all blessings physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
  3. Identify ways in which the love of material things can keep us from fully following Jesus and accepting His offer of eternal life.
  4. Identify the Biblical events recorded as evidence of the resurrection.
  5. Demonstrate a desire to serve the Lord as faithful disciples and messengers of the Good News, trusting that the Holy Spirit will work to transform the lives of others.
  6. Explain the importance of having people with differing talents and abilities in the church and rejoice in the diversity God provides.
  7. Demonstrate reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit to keep us in God’s grace until we join those who already live with Christ in our eternal and happy home in glory.
  8. Demonstrate a desire to worship God in thought, word, and deed.
  9. Consider how God desire people to deal with dependency and the means by which He enables people to remain dependent on Him alone.
  10. Demonstrate a desire to glorify God in their sexuality.

Mathematics

By the end of Grade 8, students will be able to:

    1. Read, write, round, compare and order, and use whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and mixed numbers.
    2. Estimate and find the sum, difference, product, or quotient of any two decimals.
    3. Convert between whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents mentally, and on paper.
    4. Estimate and find sums, differences, products, and quotients of fractions and mixed numbers.
    5. Use the concepts of ratio, proportion, and percent to solve application problems
    6. Use a calculator to perform all arithmetic operations, including work with percents, square roots, powers, and use of calculator memory.
    7. Identify a real number as rational or irrational and find a real number that lies between any two distinct real numbers.
    8. Describe some properties of rational, irrational, and real numbers.
    9. Multiply and divide large numbers and small numbers using scientific notation.
    10. Find the perimeter and the area of two-dimensional figures and find the volume and surface area of prisms, pyramids, cones, cylinders, and spheres.
    11. Convert from one unit of measure to another unit of measure within the same measurement system.
    12. Describe the difference between the accuracy and the precision of a measurement and determine the amount of error possible in a measurement given the precision of the measurement.
    13. Graph relations of real numbers in order to determine whether the relation represents a function.
    14. Solve a formula for any given variable.
    15. Translate word phrases and sentences into algebraic expressions and evaluate algebraic expressions.
    16. Find horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lengths in the coordinate plane.
    17. Systematically collect, organize, and summarize data; construct, read, and interpret tables, charts, and graphs; and find the mean, the median, and the mode of a given set of numbers. (Students need to be able to interpret and display data from frequency tables, bar graphs, line graphs, circle graphs, histograms, scattergrams, stem-and-leaf plots, and box-and-whisker plots.)

Algebra

    1. Distinguish between useful and misleading graphs and between useful and misleading statistics.
    2. Find the number of permutations and the number of combinations using factorial notation.
    3. Use SSS, SAS, and ASA to identify congruent triangles.
    4. Identify transformations of given figures.
    5. Construct congruent line segments, congruent angles, the perpendicular bisector of a line segment, an angle bisector, the perpendicular from a point to a line, and the perpendicular to a point on a line.
    6. Construct a geometric figure congruent to a given geometric figure.
    7. Construct a model of a three-dimensional figure shown from different perspectives.
    8. Identify similar triangles and find the missing parts of similar triangles.
    9. Graph similar figures, reflections, and translations in a coordinate plane.
    10. Identify a chord, a tangent, and a secant of a circle and complementary or supplementary angles.
    11. Discover and describe the relationships between angles formed by two lines and a transversal.
    12. Evaluate expressions written in exponential form which have integral exponents and find the product of two powers which have the same base.
    13. Multiply large numbers and small numbers, using scientific notation.
    14. Use a calculator to find the square root and the square of a given number.
    15. Graph ordered pairs on a four-quadrant grid.
    16. Find the sum, difference, product, or quotient of any two integer s and the absolute value of any integer.
    17. Solve simple linear equations and solve simple linear inequalities. (Students should also be able to graph the solution on a number line.)
    18. Systematically collect, organize, and summarize data (students should be able to use box and whisker graphs, stem and leaf plots, and histograms to display information); construct, read, and interpret tables, charges, and graphs; and compute measures of central tendency (mean, median, and mode) and the range.
    19. Use radical notation and fractional notation to write square and cube roots.
    20. Find the nth term in an arithmetic or geometric sequence.
    21. Find the product or quotient of two powers that have the same base.
    22. Identify and give examples of well-defined sets, equivalent sets, equal sets, and the empty set.
    23. Find subsets of a given set, perform the operations of intersection and union on sets, and find the complement of a given set of the universal set.
    24. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the measure of one side of a triangle, given the measure of the other two sides, and to determine whether a triangle is a right triangle.
    25. Solve word problems involving direct or inverse variation or applications of the Pythagorean Theorem or which require writing and solving a simple linear equation or inequality.
    26. Find the slope, the x-intercept, and the y-intercept of a linear equation in two variables.
    27. Add and subtract polynomial expressions.
    28. Solve a system of two equations in two unknowns.

Science

By the end of Grade 8, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the skin and list examples of its function
  2. Explain the structure of bones and how pairs of muscles help the bones to move.
  3. Name the structures and functions of the parts of the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, and reproductive systems.
  4. Tell how the nervous and endocrine systems control and regulate the body.
  5. Evaluate the effect of drugs and alcohol on human systems and commit to their control.
  6. Discuss and practice elements of good nutrition.
  7. Write chemical sentences for observed chemical changes.
  8. Distinguish between evolutionary theories and creation.
  9. Identify common gases.
  10. Describe the behavior of heat.
  11. Use the ideas of chemistry to explain the changes in everyday things kitchen chemistry; air, land, and water pollution; the ozone problem; organic molecules.
  12. Measure heat lost or gained in a chemical reaction.
  13. Demonstrate the electrical nature of matter and static electricity.
  14. Identify the layers and characteristics of the Earth’s Interior.
  15. Identify major earth land masses and characteristics.
  16. Identify location and cycles of the Earth’s fresh water.
  17. Identify organic systems and organs of a frog.
  18. Identify layers and list characteristics of the earth atmosphere.
  19. Identify and list characteristics of ocean life zones.
  20. Identify ocean features.

Language Arts

By the end of 9th Grade, the student will be able to:

  1. Read, comprehend, and respond to a variety of age appropriate materials that might include magazines, poetry, show stories, plays, novels, and textbooks, and recognize their individual characteristics. Present a variety of written or oral responses to materials.
  2. Demonstrate problem-solving skills and analyzing skills through discussion, writing assignments or dramatization.
  3. Recognize propaganda techniques in written selections and speeches.
  4. Identify the use and purpose of symbolism in a selection.
  5. Evaluate an author’s style on the basis of established criteria.
  6. Read, discuss, and write varied forms of poetry.
  7. Identify and discuss differences in the behavior of two characters or the handling of the same topic by several authors.
  8. Learn about and appreciate the past and present contributions of diverse groups and individuals.
  9. Explore how people of diverse groups express similar values and goals.
  10. Demonstrate an understanding of literary terms such as allusion, hyperbole, idiom, rhythm, rhyme, style, symbolism, and tone.
  11. Recognize universal themes in literature.
  12. Continue to use the writing process to include rough draft, revision, editing, and final draft, being able to do more of the revision on their own; proofread their own writing to check mechanics and revise it.
  13. In writing, provide examples, reasons, evidence, anecdotes.
  14. Examine word choice for vividness and to achieve precision in meaning.
  15. Correctly spell words they use when they revise their writing.
  16. Meet an acceptable level of proficiency in conventional grammar, usage, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.
  17. Use all available resources to gather information (library, technology, other outside resources), evaluate the resources and information to narrow a topic for a research topic.
  18. Summarize and take notes from at least five sources (three different types of sources, no encyclopedias).
  19. Organize notes into an outline with three levels.
  20. Write a research report (reports and interprets information), giving credit for other’s ideas or information.
  21. Demonstrate problem solving skills and analyzing skills through discussion, writing assignments or dramatization.
  22. Use vocabulary appropriate to audience and purpose.
  23. Use a variety of writing modes that include but are not limited to narrative, expository, persuasive, and creative/imaginative.
  24. Read a children’s book to an audience of young children.
  25. Participate in a readers’ theater performance.
  26. Choose books that are of interest to read in leisure time.
  27. Participate in a group dramatization of a familiar story.
  28. Use compound and complex sentences in writing and speaking.
  29. Interpret abbreviations and acronyms.
  30. Understand the functions of parts of speech in sentences. Parts of speech include nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, gerunds, and participles.
  31. Understand and use parallel construction in their writing.
  32. Recognize slang, idioms, and jargon.
  33. Apply conventions of standard written English in writing including capitalization, quotation marks and dialogue, sentence punctuation, comma, semicolon, colon, hyphen, dash, apostrophe, and paragraph indention.
  34. Conduct interviews and write up the results.
  35. Present speeches including impromptu and informative.
  36. Plan a speech/talk knowing how to focus and limit the topic, gather and organize the information, and draft the speech.
  37. Understand and evaluate nonverbal cues such as eye contact, gestures, facial expressions, and movement in an oral presentation.
  38. Participate in a debate.
  39. Participate in an interview, including a job interview.
  40. Understand and learn basic parliamentary procedure.
  41. Understand and participate in listening for a variety of purposes, including information, entertainment, appreciation of literature and language, and directions.
  42. Demonstrate appropriate balance between listening and speaking behavior without being overly dominant or reticent.
  43. Participate effectively in partner and group discussions.
  44. Expand his/her reading vocabulary and use appropriate grade-level vocabulary. Use context clues for word meaning.
  45. Use dictionaries effectively for word meaning and spelling.
  46. Recognize multi-meaning words.
  47. Expand vocabulary using structural analysis.
  48. Use etymologies/word origins – find word origins in the dictionary.
  49. Understand connotations, denotations of words.
  50. Understand analogies.
  51. Recognize root words, expand vocabulary using structural analysis.
  52. Understand and use a thesaurus.
  53. Apply reading strategies to content area reading.
  54. Understand and parts of a newspaper, and read one for information.
  55. Write entries in a journal.

Music

Handbells
Elective: Band

    Rhythm

  1. Be able to recognize and play increasing complex rhythmic patterns on Handbells and be able to count the correct pattern.

Melody

  1. Be able to follow a written melody. Play a variety of songs and hymns.

Dynamics

  1. Be able to make choices for the level of loudness or softness, tempo, and mood expression.
  2. Be able to recognize notation for dynamics.

Harmony

  1. Be able to play more complex harmonies on the Handbells.

Reading

  1. Be able to follow written music, recognizing where notes live on the staffs.
  2. Be able to recognize different note and rest values and rhythmic patterns.

Comparing

  1. Be exposed to music from a variety of composers and periods, and begin to recognize the similarities and differences between them.
  2. Be able to determine the differences between eighth notes, quarter notes, etc.

Performance

  1. Play from a variety of books, sheet music and hymnals.
  2. Good posture and ringing techniques will be stressed.
  3. Participate by playing in chapel and/or church 2 or 3 times during the school year.
  4. Participate in the Advent program in December and the spring musical in May.

Social Studies

    By the end of Grade 8, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the functions of the three branches of the federal government.
  2. Define components of culture and causes of culture clash.
  3. Demonstrate benefit of diversity and the necessity of cohesion within a culture.
  4. Construct reasoned judgments about human issues.
  5. Analyze causality, change, and conflicts regarding historical events.
  6. Use critical inquiry to interpret history.
  7. Describe how human growth and development affect actions.
  8. Explain how individual rights and cultural norms may conflict.
  9. Assess how institutions impact life.
  10. Analyze and evaluate how public policy is made, (e.g., the Civil Rights Act of 1964).
  11. Explain current issues in respect to historical events.
  12. Explain the role of international institutions in forming policy.
  13. Describe how to affect and shape public policy.
  14. Analyze their responsibility for citizenship.
  15. Describe the importance of the Civil War in American history.
  16. Analyze the American colonies as an economic effort.
  17. Explain why people came to America.
  18. Understand different roles of state and national government.
  19. Explain why the balance-of-power concept in the Constitution is important.
  20. Analyze how an issue may be seen from various points of view.
  21. Demonstrate the ability to compromise.
  22. Use bibliography cards to write a report.
  23. Develop a plan for a model community.
  24. Interpret editorial cartoons.
  25. Use biographical information to contrast and compare historical figures.
  26. Describe causes of conflict between nations.
  27. Appreciate the impact of the Enlightenment on western thought.
  28. Make hypotheses based on past events.
  29. Recognize bias in literature and media.

Physical Education

By the end of Grade 8, students will be able to:

Combine skills, concepts, strategies, and knowledge of rules and procedures for competent participation in the following:

  1. Personal defense activities.
  2. Modified versions of team and individual sports.
  3. Recreational relays, games, and activities.
  4. Acquire fitness skills and behaviors

  5. Participate in some form of physical activity in and/or out of school on a daily basis.
  6. Participate in physical activity at a target heart rate for a minimum of 20 minutes.
  7. Sustain an aerobic activity, maintaining personal target heart rate, to achieve cardiovascular benefits at least three times per week.
  8. Use correct technique to avoid injury during participation in physical activities.
  9. Identify and follow rules while playing sports and games.
  10. Practice and participate in physical activities using strategies appropriate for learning new skills and activities on their own.
  11. Acquire cognitive elements related to movement experiences.

  12. Describe principles of training and conditioning for specific physical activities.
  13. Describe personal and group conduct, including ethical and moral behavior, appropriate for engaging in physical activity.
  14. Analyze offensive and defensive strategies in games and sports.
  15. Demonstrate responsible personal and social attitudes and behaviors for movement experiences.

  16. Feel satisfaction when enjoying physical activity.
  17. Enjoy the aesthetic and create aspects of performance.
  18. Accept and respect limitations and restriction of physical performance on self and others.
  19. Improve physical ability and performance through own desire.
  20. Respect the role that regular physical activity plays in life-long health and well-being.
  21. Insure that all members of a group have equal opportunity to participate.
  22. Apply conflict resolution skills as needed during activity participation.
  23. Accept the responsibility as a child of God to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.