Eighth Grade

Two teachers guide our eighth grade - one specializing in literature, language arts and history, the other in math and science. These teachers work seamlessly to stimulate the children’s desire to learn, to foster their love of learning, to impart information and, more importantly, to learn processes that will help them find answers to their questions and communicate their thoughts to others. Students learn to work together as a group, but at the same time are allowed to develop their individual voice. Focus is placed on ensuring students have gained the skills that will allow them to successfully enter the high school of their choice.

In our language arts lessons, independent critical thinking skills are developed further as students continue to interpret and analyze literature read in class and individually. Online blogs about self-selected readings allow students to discuss their interpretations and students gain access to peer views on a variety of reading material. Expectations for written expression, vocabulary words and literary analysis are increasingly sophisticated to prepare students for the rigors of a high school curriculum. Our eighth grade also enjoys our “Shakespeare Festival” - ending with the study and dramatization of Shakespeare’s play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. The final written project of the year is a highlight of eighth grade- the individual graduation speech written and delivered by each graduating student to an audience of staff, parents and guests. This is a truly moving event that reflects the strength of our students emotional, spiritual and intellectual development during their time at this school.

Our history curriculum includes the study of American government from the Constitution to the Civil War. Research skills become more sophisticated as students learn how to write compelling reports, complete with a variety of sources and footnotes. This curriculum culminates in an independent history research project focusing on an aspect of American history of particular interest.

Our week long field trip to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore M.D., allows our students’ studies to come to life.

The eighth grade is divided into two groups for math during the year - one beginning the study of Algebra I, whilst the other commences a more advanced Algebra curriculum. Regardless of the group a child is in, our objective is to ensure they build their understanding of patterns in math to enable them to problem solve for themselves. The Algebra I group works on a comprehensive introduction to algebra, from basic simplifying of algebraic expressions to solving and graphing linear inequalities. The advanced Algebra students are expected take each algebraic concept and develop a much deeper understanding by solving more complex problems, including quadratic equations and functions, and simplifying rational expressions. Students will focus on thinking abstractly, developing organizational skills in mathematics, and using their accumulated knowledge in realistic application problems.

Eighth grade science emphasizes the study of Chemistry and the process of scientific experimentation. This includes a focus on the physical and chemical properties of matter and the atom and its various subatomic particles. The Periodic Table, electron configurations, Lewis Dot structures and formation of compounds are incorporated in a lab-based program. Experiments and student-generated procedures are performed in order to support and emphasize the scientific concepts, and lab reports are written to communicate students’ results and analysis. Students are encouraged to think about advances in science and technology and the social responsibility they entail.

Our eighth graders also enjoy lesson time every week with our French and Latin teachers, and in addition, they attend computer studies, art, music and physical eductaion - these subject areas are fully integrated into the themes we are covering in our study units.

A particular highlight in eighth grade is the linkage of our language arts, social studies and computer studies curriculums - our students have completed novels linked to the Civil War, and then created blogs to discuss the literature on-line.

Eighth grade’s service projects include clean-up work at Palmyra Cove and the Holiday Gift Program Throughout the school year, students participate in the removal of litter from along the Delaware riverbank at the nature park. During the months of November and December, the eighth grade class, with the help of the seventh grade class, will collect, sort, and pack gifts for the needy contributed by the Westfield community. It is during this time that the eighth grade also develops and delivers the school Christmas Play, incorporating every other grade into their show. This is always an annual highlight for the school.

Our Eighth graders are also Journal Buddies with the First Grade class. Students meet together several times during the year to enjoy story time, crafts, and friendly interaction. Thoughts and ideas are shared, using journals, throughout the year.

At the end of the eighth grade, we are proud to see our students go on to a variety of excellent schools, fully equipped to face the academic challenges ahead of them. As importantly, our eighth graders leave Westfield Friends School with a wonderful sense of who they are, ready to contribute to, and be a valued member of, any community of which they become a part.

8th Grade Curriculum Overview:

Reading/Language Arts

• Provide students with interesting and challenging materials across a variety of genres.
• Provide opportunities for developing higher level thinking skills by reading multiple types of material across the curriculum.
• Analysis of literary devices used to create setting, characterization, theme, rising action, climax and resolution.
• Writing focused on precise and descriptive writing; development of different tones; adaptation of style to suit nature of assignment; character diaries; essays; reports and poetry.
• Vocabulary and spelling focus on expanding vocabulary and retaining work meanings.
• Grammar focuses on use of colons and semi colons; identification of simple, compound and complex sentences; correct use of verbs; transient and intransient verbs; accurate use of modifiers; and voice.

Mathematics

Algebra I - Basic
• Review of the usage of the order of operations to evaluate variable expressions and expressions containing exponents.
• Review of algebraic expressions for problem solving.
• Evaluation and simplification of variable expressions organization of data in a matrix, and the addition and subtraction of matrices.
• Solving linear equations, exploration of functions, and formulas that use algebraic procedures and rules.
• Drawing of diagrams, tables and graphs.
• Solving decimal equations, formulas and rewriting equations in function form.
• Writing and graphing of linear equations.
• Solving and graphing of linear inequalities.
• Problem solving.

Algebra I - Advanced
• Solving and modeling a system of linear equations and linear inequalities.
• Use of exponents and exponential functions.
• Solving quadratic equations and graphing quadratic functions; including real life application.
• Addition, subtraction, multiplication and factoring of polynomials and solving of polynomial equations by factoring.
• Solving of rational equations.

Science

• Chemistry - and scientific processes.
• Characteristics and classification of atoms; historical models of atoms; sub-atomic particles.
• Laboratory safety, metric measurement, data analysis and writing up of lab reports reviewed.
• Motion of and attraction between particles.
• Thermal energy.
• Behavior of fluids.
• Introduction to the periodic table; physical and chemical properties of elements; and electronic configurations Ionic and covalent bonds compared and contrasted; Lewis diagrams created.
• Types of chemical reactions identified, described, and balanced equations written.
• Experiments covering comparison of various substances and substance and element identification.

History

• The Constitution and the development of the United States federal government.
• Washington’s administration; John Adams presidency.
• The development of the two-party system.
• President project- reports on individual’s favorite President.
• The war of 1812 - events, effects, the Peace of Ghent; the Monroe Doctrine.
• America from 1790 to the Civil War - physical, social and political growth; The Industrial Revolution; the age of Jackson; Manifest Destiny; Slavery and Abolition.