8th Grade Curriculum NightWelcome Parents and Students

General Expectations

Aim: To prepare students for success on EOGs and Final Exams and to facilitate a successful transition to high school by providing a challenging curriculum aligned to Common Core Standards, developing strong study skills, and encouraging student responsibility for learning.

A Successful 8th Grade Student• Comes to class on time prepared to work• 8th Grade Tardy Policy :• 1st Offense-warning• 2nd Offense-warning• 3rd Offense-parent contact• 4th Offense-administrative referral

• Completes assignments by due dates• 8th Grade Late Work Policy:• Ten percent daily deduction to earned grade • Work accepted up to 5 days late

•Completes homework regularly•Uses an agenda to stay organized•Communicates effectively with teachers• Is responsible for learning and actions•Positively participates in the learning community

MathematicsConcepts covered in the class:•A. Number Sense•B. Solving Expressions and

Equations•C. Geometry•D. Functions•E. Probability and Statistics

Keys to Success

•Organization and work ethic

•Homework completion: reinforces skills covered in class, given on a regular basis, and is factored into the student’s grade.

Integration of Technology

•Students will use School Net computer-based problem solving beginning in the second nine weeks. The practice and assessments will aid readiness for the EOG and will be graded assignments.

English Language Arts

Integrated Reading & Writing Curriculum• Rigorous examination of fiction and non-

fiction texts• Units organized thematically rather than

by text type• All genres of literature covered• All students will complete an MLA

formatted Research Paper incorporating in-text citations and a Works Cited page

• Writing activities tie to texts covered in class

• Concentration on Academic Vocabulary development

• Emphasis on using textual evidence to support writing claims

• Focus on Product/Project –Based learning

• Application of skills/concepts/knowledge to new situations

SpringBoard Program• Produced by College Board—makers of the PSAT exam, SAT exam,

and Advanced Placement (AP) programs• Uses a consumable workbook or online format that allows marking

the text, answering questions, and completing activities• Students preview learning objectives and assessments before

beginning each unit

• Students assessed (tested) twice each unit—Called “Embedded Assessments”

• Lessons build on knowledge and skills leading to Embedded Assessment

• Tests are product or project-based; require students to apply learning to create essays, projects, etc.

• Emphasis on collaborative learning

8th Grade Science

• 8th Grade Science Curriculum includes:• 1st nine weeks - Hydrology• 2nd nine weeks - Chemistry• 3rd nine weeks - Molecular Biology• 4th nine weeks - Earth History, Evolution and Genetics

• Students tested on the North Carolina State End of Grade (EOG) exam.• Cumulative online exam during the last 10 days of the school year.

8th Grade Science

• Students will:• study relevant evidence• use logical reasoning• use imagination to devise hypotheses•make sense of collected evidence• participate in traditional laboratory

experiences• develop problem-solving skills

Donors Choose

• Several teachers have Donors Choose projects that help our students and TMS gain tools we need for education.

• Examples include microscopes, beakers, calculators, etc.• Please check our teachers’ webpages during the school year

as new projects will be posted.• Donations are tax deductible

Social Studies

Skills Developed:•Ability to analyze historical primary sources.•Reading comprehension skills•Ability to defend a viewpoint with evidence.•Make connections from past to present events.•Create critical thinkers.

Technology Resources

•Study Island•Discovery Education Tech Book•Teacher Websites•Chrome books and Google Docs

1st Quarter Topics of Study

•Topic 1: Colonization

•Topic 2: Revolutionary War

•Topic 3: America as New Nation

2nd Quarter

•Topic 1: US Expansion and Reform

•Topic 2: Civil War and Reconstruction

3rd Quarter

•Topic 1: Industrial Revolution

•Topic 2: The World Wars and the Great Depression

4th Quarter

•Topic 1: Vietnam and Civil Rights

•Topic 2: Modern Times