Eighth Grade Curriculum

Carden Arbor View School is dedicated to providing an outstanding Middle School learning experience. Middle School students' days are spent with several teachers, each of whom is experienced in his or her subject area and trained in the Carden method of teaching. Students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades have a challenging eight period day, consisting of six core subjects and two center subject classes. To meet individual student needs better, we provide additional faculty for small group instruction in composition and math classes. Supporting this rich and diverse program is a teacher who serves as an advisor to a group of ten to twelve Middle School students. These teacher advisors meet with their individual group of students to provide guidance and support in achieving school success.

All Middle School students have the opportunity to participate in after school sports, electives, yearbook, and Student Council. Carden Arbor View School students are expected to take an active role in the life of the school by taking advantage of one or more of these opportunities.

Literature:

The mental image is expanded through the literature of Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe, William Shakespeare, and Mark Twain. These authors acquaint students with different styles of writing; teach an expanded vocabulary; help develop an appreciation of American and English folklore; and enable students to begin to understand the universality of such works. Writing is taught as a process: pre-writing, rough drafts, revisions, and editing. These steps help to develop critical thinking.

Textbooks: Julius Caesar, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Graduation Book 8: Washington Irving and Edgar Allan Poe, and Man Without a Country

Writing and Grammar:

In this class, which combines instruction in both writing and grammar, 8th graders begin the year introduced to a timeline of writing samples from an 18th century novel by Henry Fielding to the ultra modern David Foster Wallace. Students hone and expand their own writing skills with weekly assignments from prompts - including creative and expository writing of virtually every kind. Writing and grammar sections share equal billing in a challenging, high-level text that weaves into its lessons the fabric of proven literature.

Textbooks: Writing and Grammar (Prentice Hall)

Public Speaking

In this class, taken during the last trimester before graduation, 8th graders tackle the daunting challenge of public speaking. Composing their own speeches of increasing lengths, the students practice before their classmates, who serve as panels critiquing the speaker's performances. Finally the students each compose a two-minute speech in honor of their parents and deliver it at Carden graduation ceremonies in June.

U. S. History: Civil War to Present

Students start a thematic approach to studying U.S. History in Wars and their aftermath (Civil War to Iraq/Afghanistan). The Constitution is then studied in depth to help students understand its nuances and application to current times. Focus is placed upon identifying the difficulties involved in the decision-making process and developing the techniques to analyze statements critically in order to debate the issues America faces.

Textbooks: USA: The Unfolding Story of America, Enjoying American History, Magruder's American Government-2008, and student selected articles from newspapers and magazines

Honors Algebra:

Major topics covered are the language and symbolism of algebra, properties of the real number system leading to solution of algebraic equations, and inequalities with operations involving polynomials and exponents. Topics covered during the second half of the year include introduction to linear functions in two variables and their graphical representation, solution of systems of equations by various methods, operations with polynomials in two variables, rational algebraic expressions, development of second-degree equations and their solutions by factoring, completing the square, and using the quadratic formula.

Textbooks: Algebra by Scott Foresman

Algebra A:

This class is for those who will complete at least half of the Algebra program.

Textbook: Algebra 1 by McDougall Littell

Geometry

This course is for those students who have completed Algebra A. This Geometry course provides the fundamental concepts of basic geometry. The students will be led from the fundamental notion of a point to rays, lines, planes, angles, transversals, two-dimensional shapes, and three-dimensional figures. Topics covered include learning how to determine supplementary and complementary angles; identifying the relationships formed by adjacent angles, alternate interior angles, and vertical angles; and classification of triangles and quadrilaterals. The students will use a straight-edge and compass to create constructions of various geometric figures. Students will also write geometric proofs as well as prove basic theorems including the Pythagorean theorem. Ultimately, students will experience three-dimensional objects and learn how to classify them, figure their volumes, and determine their surface areas.

Physical Science:

Includes topics such as the chemistry of matter, heat energy, electricity and magnetism, and sound and light. Science is taught utilizing a dynamic, hands-on approach that allows students to gain experience in using the scientific process to generate questions, design investigations, collect data, and analyze results. Additionally, Smartboard Technologies, class discussions, and online activities compliment lab experimentation.

Projects and Experiments (click HERE for more info)

Books, Materials and Resources
• Prentice Hall, Physical Science
• PearsonSuccessNet

Physical Education:

Emphasis is placed on physical fitness activities, major muscle group recognition and their relationship with various physical activities, individual skill development, and participation in team games.

Students change to physical education wear for most activities. (See uniform information for current physical education dress.)

Spanish:

This is an introductory course, the equivalent of Spanish I at the high school level. Students will build listening, speaking, reading and writing skills needed to communicate in Spanish. In addition, student will develop an appreciation for Spanish speaking cultures around the world by exploring art, music and customs.
Textbook and workbook: Realidades 1, Prentice Hall

Computers:

Students will continue to perfect keyboarding skills while using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, spread sheets, PhotoShop and Internet for a semester project. Students will create a business, design a logo, create business cards, business stationary, business plan, business advertising, using our new program, InDesign. Finally, they will create a web site for their business using DreamWeaver. Click here to view their projects.

Music:

This class is designed to give students a greater understanding and appreciation of music. The different eras of music are studied and analyzed with emphasis on musical styles and forms. Students study styles of music from other cultures and from the U.S.

Art:

Students learn about selected famous artists including Rousseau, Grandma Moses, Chagall, and OâKeefe. Students will learn about contemporary painting and sculpture. Students continue to strengthen their drawing and painting techniques and increase their awareness of the elements of art (line, form, color, texture, value, and space).

Students are introduced to the conceptual approach to art (problem solving) and the class will participate in a school project to beautify the school.

Directed Studies:

Directed study provides the opportunity for students to receive concentrated assistance in the basic academic areas.

Outdoor Education:

Eighth grade students travel for a week on an east coast trip, visiting national and historical sites in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Williamsburg, and Jamestown.

We encourage you to learn more about our curriculum by grade level:

• Back to main curriculum page
• Kindergarten
• First Grade
• Second Grade
• Third Grade
• Fourth Grade
• Fifth Grade
• Sixth Grade
• Seventh Grade
• Eighth Grade
• Outdoor Education
• Athletics
• Computers
• Art

If you are not familiar with Miss Carden and the Carden Method, we encourage you to review the information we have prepared.