8th Grade Courses

Due to the expectations and rigorous demands of several eighth grade courses, students receive upper school credit towards graduation requirements for successful completion of certain specified courses.

English I- Honors (Upper School Equivalent- 1 credit)

Eighth grade grammar and composition is a course designed to provide students with extensive opportunities to master grammar and composition skills. Throughout this course, students receive intense daily instruction and practice opportunities in areas of grammar, punctuation, capitalization, mechanics, spelling, sentence structure, and vocabulary. Particular emphasis is placed upon repeated expository writing. Students examine their work with attention to unity and coherence. By providing students with carefully constructed writing activities, opportunities for students to discover and to continue to apply new knowledge is fostered in a challenging, yet safe, exciting, and positive learning environment.

 

Biology I-Honors (Upper School Equivalent- 1credit)  

“La Chaim!”  To LIFE!  Welcome to the amazing world of living things!  As far as we know, our small blue planet is the only one with life.  Life can be as miniscule as microscopic bacteria, and as immense as a blue whale.  And never let anyone tell you that there is such a thing as a “simple life-form.” 

While the subject of biology can be difficult and possibly intimidating, this class intends to have FUN while we learn.  There will be many lab experiments, surprising research topics, we’ll toss in some games, and hopefully squeeze in a field trip or two along the way.  Be prepared to get dirty sometimes, smelly frequently, and to have a blast while doing it!

We will be introduced to the wide variety of living organisms on our planet, and possibly meet a few critters live, up-close and personal.  We will dive into the cell itself and see how it functions, from energy-production to waste management.  We’ll unravel the intricacies of DNA, and learn how a simple 4-letter code is responsible for every aspect of life.  We will also see what happens when something “goes wrong” in that code.   

As important as learning facts and figures is, however, it is meaningless without applying it to our daily lives.  An emphasis on conservation and stewardship, global citizenship and compassion will be made throughout the year.  In this light, the class will be doing a project on the topic of malaria.  By the end of the project, several families in a third-world country will be protected from this dreadful disease, and the students at Hale Academy will see that they really CAN make a real difference.

It is also important to know how to identify “good science” from “bad science”, how to discuss controversial or sensitive issues properly and logically.  We’ll be taking a look at a few of these issues,  and discovering the right way and the wrong way to debate them.

So, fasten your seatbelt, take a deep breath,  and get ready for LIFE!

Spanish I-Honors (Upper School Equivalent-1 credit)

The focus of Spanish I Honors  is to strengthen students’ existing proficiency of Spanish with continuous reinforcement. Students practice their conversational skills, provide and receive information, express feelings and emotions through written or spoken language. Students present information, concepts and ideas to audiences. Higher levels of vocabulary expand their possibility in reading and conversation. In Spanish grammar, students review concepts introduced in previous years. Students read newspapers and magazine articles that open the opportunities to further explore the Spanish culture.

Algebra I-Honors (Upper School Equivalent- 1 credit)

Algebra I covers topics such as linear functions, linear inequalities, real numbers, and solving real-world problems using algebraic expressions and equations.  Students  learn factoring, trigonometry, matrixes, complex numbers, and graphing of functions.  After completion of this course students will be prepared for Algebra 2, geometry, and pre-calculus.

Studio Art

 A variety of genres are explored and assignments in painting, drawing, sculpting, photography, and digital graphics are completed.  An area of concentration will be chosen by the student and will be based on his or her individual interest in a particular idea expressed visually and  is focused on a process of investigation, growth, and discovery that shows the development of a visual language appropriate for the concentrated area.. The portfolio exemplifies a unified theme by an underlying idea that has visual and/or conceptual coherence; and clearly grows out of a coherent plan of action or investigation. Students will develop a personal plan of action steps for the year to accomplish their portfolio.

Drama

Drama is a survey course in which students study the history of theatre from the early Greeks through the classics to modern day productions. Students explore stage, set and costume design, blocking, character analysis, characterization, directing/production, improvisation, interpretation, masks, pantomime, scene analysis, stage make-up and script writing. The purpose of the course is to give students the foundations of performance to enhance oral presentation skills. The course includes interpretation and performance of classic scenes, monologues, and soliloquies. Bunraku is Japanese traditional puppet theatre, and students will learn about the genre, design and make puppets, as well as prepare and perform a production for an audience.

Life Management– Course Description Coming Soon!

Grammar & Composition–Course Description Coming Soon!

World Geography– Course Description Coming Soon!

Physical Education– Course Description Coming Soon!