Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Grade 8 curriculum

Here is our eighth-grade course of studies, based on the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. The list of textbooks is included under each subject. This curriculum has been approved by our local public school district:

ARTS*
Dance: Jazz & Tap, Musical Theatre
Music: piano and music theory or voice
Theatre: Basic Acting and Improvisation, playwriting or other
Visual Arts: two-dimensional and three-dimensional art
Field trips: attend a theatrical performance, attend a concert and visit an art museum
*courses taken as available through local organizations

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Word origins, vocabulary, spelling, grammar

Texts: The 100+ Series Grammar by Mark Dressel, Grades 7-8
Using the Standards: Building Grammar & Writing Skills, Grades 7-8
Spelling Puzzles, Grades 6-7

Composition
Autobiography, biography, process analysis, comparison/contrast, persuasion
Test essays
Researched report with proper documentation
Poems
Script (see ART above for playwriting)
(All composition instruction will include discussion of grammar, usage, mechanics, research, spelling and vocabulary.)

Texts: Notebook Writer’s Guide by American Educational Publishing
Using the Media: Fact, Fiction and Opinion, Milestone

Study skills
Developing strong study habits, taking notes and outlining

Text: Note Taking & Outlining, Grades 6-8

Reading
American authors, Colonial through Civil War
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Poetry
Short stories

Analysis of language styles in literary works using selections outlined in the Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum Framework, page 102

Discussion of genre

MATH
Number sense and operations
Patterns, relations and algebra
Data analysis, statistics and probability
Measurement
Geometry

Texts: The 100+ Series Standards-Based Math, Grades 7-8 by Harold Torrance
The 100+ Series Mixed Skills in Math, Grades 7-8, by Marge Lindskog
Spectrum Math, Grade 8
Math Twisters by Joseph A. Kunicki, Ph.D., Grade 8
Skill Builders Geometry, Grades 6-8
Skill Builders Algebra I, Grades 6-8
Algebra Made Simple by Theresa Kane McKell, High School

SCIENCE
Scientific Method (including experiments with lab reports)
Physical Science
Life Science
Earth and Space Science
Science and Technology
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
History and Nature of Science

Texts: Spectrum Science, Grade 8
Science Up to Standards, Grades 5-8, by Pam Walker and Elaine Wood
Inexpensive Science Experiments, Grades 5-8, by Pam Walker and Elaine Wood
50 Terrific Science Experiments, Grades 5-8, by Pam Walker and Elaine Wood

SOCIAL STUDIES
World History, 1500 to present
American History, Colonial Era through Reconstruction

Texts: The Complete Book of World History, Grades 4-8, American Education Publishing
U.S. History People and Events, 1607-1865 by George Lee
Highlights in American History from its beginnings to 1850 by Grace Kachaturoff
Highlights in American History from 1850 to present by Grace Kachaturoff

FOREIGN LANGUAGE: FRENCH
Stage 2: Student uses sentences, strings of sentences and recombinations of learned words, phrases and expressions with frequency of errors proportionate to the complexity of the communicative task.

Texts: The Ultimate French Review and Practice with CD-ROM by David M. Stillman, Ph.D. and Ronni L. Gordon, Ph.D. (audio modules included)
Easy French Reader by R. de Roussy de Sales

HEALTH
Human life cycle and body functions
Genes and heredity
Diet and nutrition, nutrition labels, safe food handling, eating disorders
Sexual education
Sexual discrimination and harassment
Feelings and self-esteem
Peer pressure and relationships
Hygiene
CPR
Addictive behaviors
Environmental and ecological health
Public health and safety

Text: Instructional Fair’s Health and Safety Curriculum, Intermediate

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Tennis, swimming, golf, dance or other instruction as available

Good to go

Does the school district check in periodically with homeschoolers during the academic year? No. Once you receive approval to homeschool, you are largely on your own. During the summer, we received a letter from our school district’s director of learning and teaching stating that we had met the requirements for the 2009-2010 school year and that our application to continue home education for the 2010-2011 school year had been approved. We are required to submit eighth-grade assessment information, including objective test results, by June 30, 2011. Any substantial changes to the educational plan we submitted last June require pre-approval by the school district, according to the letter. “It is the responsibility of the homeschooling parent/guardian to maintain a homeschooling program consistent with the application submitted and approved, including requesting approval for any substantial changes,” the letter states. The school district’s responsibility involves merely reviewing and approving the educational plan and the student’s end-of-year portfolio. The rest is up to you.