Language Arts

Eighth grade students will receive instruction in reading, writing, and listening, speaking, and viewing. By the end of the 8^th grade, students will be able to:

• Use oral and written language, media, and technology for expressive, informational, argumentative, critical, and literary purposes
• Extend appreciation of written and spoke language beyond the school setting
• Produce quality essays and narratives, as well as a writing drawn form research
• Use strong verbs, adjectives, and adverbs as they continue to develop personal writing styles
• Proof their own writing and edit to conform to basic conventions of Standard English
• Convey, both orally and in writing, a developing interest in discussing and debating social issues
• Apply specific guidelines to evaluate content and strategies in media

Back to Top

Mathematics

All students will be actively engaged in developing mathematical understandings in real and relevant contexts. By the end of the 8^th grade, students will be able to:

• Understand various numerical representations, including square roots, exponents, and scientific notation
• Use and apply geometric properties of plane figures, including congruence and the Pythagorean theorem
• Use symbolic algebra to represent situations and solve problems, especially those that involve linear relationships
• Solve linear equations, systems of linear equations. and inequalities in one variable
• Use equations, tables, and graphs to analyze and interpret linear functions
• Use and understand set theory and simple counting techniques
• Determine the theoretical probability of simple events
• Make inferences from statistical data, particularly data that con modeled by linear functions
• Solve problems, communicate mathematically, reason and evaluate mathematical arguments, make connections among mathematical ideas and in other contexts, and represent mathematics in multiple ways

Back to Top

Science

Eighth grade students will use inquiry, research, and investigation in a survey course to provide a smooth transition from elementary science to high school physical science. By the end of the 8^th grade, students will be able to:

• Collect, use, and analyze scientific data related to physical science
• Demonstrate a basic conceptual understanding of the laws of physical science related to conservation of matter, conservation of energy, and energy transformation
• Use their observations to explain the difference between physical and chemical changes
• Write instructions, describe observations, and report, in graphical form, information related to physical science
• Investigate relationships between force, mass, and the motion of objects
• Replicate investigations related to the laws of physical science and compare and contrast different results

Back to Top

Social Studies

Eighth grade students will study the history, geography, political structures, and economics of Georgia. By the end of the 8^th grade, students will be able to:

• Explain, analyze, and evaluate major historical developments leading up to Georgia statehood
• Explain, analyze, and evaluate the political, social, and economic history of Georgia
• Explain, analyze, and evaluate the role Georgia has played in significant historical events affecting the united states, including Georgia's role before, during, and after major wars
• Explain the impact of location, climate, physical characteristics, natural resources, and modes of transportation on Georgia
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of Georgia citizens, of the three branches of Georgia government, and of local governments in Georgia
• Explain, evaluate, and/or give examples of economic factors affecting Georgia, including factors related to revenue of stare and local government

Back to Top

Assessment

• Throughout the year, classroom teachers will assess each student's growth and progress toward achievement of the learning goals specified in the state curriculum (GPS or QCC if GPS has not been implemented).
• These classroom assessments will be used to guide instruction in order to provide every child with the opportunity to learn and to succeed.
• Students will be made aware of the performance expectations for 8^th grade and will acquire self-monitoring and self-assessing skills to help them maximize their achievement.
• In January, the Middle Grades Writing Assessment (MGWA) will be administered to 8^th graders.
• In the spring, Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) in Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies will be administered to 8^th graders in order to provide a standardized measure of student learning.
• Beginning in the year the Georgia Performance Standards are implemented for a content area, the CRCT will directly align with those GPS
• Georgia law also mandates the administration of a norm-referenced test to all 8^th grade students sometime during the school year. The state provides the Iowa Test of Basic Skills; a system may choose to administer an alternate norm-referenced test at the system's own expense.
• In addition, NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) is required be federal and state law in grade 8. Not all schools and students are administered the assessments. The selection of schools and student is determined by a random sample.

Back to Top