Departmental

Religion
Students primarily contemplate, study and discuss the text called Creed. This course leads the students through considering what the gift of faith means in their lives and how God has revealed Himself throughout time to His people, first the Israelites and now us, His church. Students discuss the Person of Jesus, Second Person of the Blesses Trinity who through His perfect sacrifice has provided for our salvation. The year continues with our study of Mary and the communion of the saints and life everlasting. The students also discuss Life Skills. Topics range from peer pressure to challenges presented by drugs, and becoming responsible young adults. Also discussed are issues related to our human sexuality.

Language Arts
Grade 8 Language Arts involves study, reading, writing, and recitation of a variety of both fiction and non fiction genre. Students practice the skills of English grammar and word study using a grammar workbook and a vocabulary workbook. Students use a literature textbook, interactive literature textbook, and Read magazine to study all the genres of our language. Writing, reading and speaking are intertwined to make each student an excellent communicator.

Science

Physical Science (Semester 1)
Group 1
Solids, Liquids and Gases
Classification of Matter

Group 2
Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
Chemical bonds
Elements and Their Properties
Organic and Biological Compounds
Solution
Chemical Reactions
Acids, Bases and Salts

Group 3
Radioactivity and Nuclear Reactions
Energy Sources

Life Science (Semester 2)
Group 1
Cell Reproduction
Heredity

Group 2
Introduction to Animals
Mollusks, Worms, Arthropods and Echinoderms
Fish, Amphibians and Reptiles
Birds and Mammals

Group 3
Bacteria
Protists and Fungi

Group 4
Evolution

Math
All students will be proficient in numbers and operations, algebraic thinking, geometry, probability, and problem solving. Grades will come from homework, quizzes and tests.

History
Social studies for grades 7 and 8 meet daily, and is a two-year course. Eighth graders cover the period from the Civil War to present.

Geography
This is a two year course. The same book is used in both seventh and eighth grades.