curriculum info graphic

EIGHTH GRADE CURRICULUM

Click on a link below to learn about the curriculum for our 8th grade students.

ESSENTIAL STANDARDS

ELA

I CAN…

  • present information with clarity: relevant evidence, valid reasoning, well-chosen details, eye contact, volume, pronunciation
  • introduce claim(s), acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically
  • support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text
  • use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts
  • cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text
  • determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text
  • analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision
  • determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts
  • analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor
  • determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text
  • determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints
  • delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced
  • form and use verbs in the active and passive voice
  • Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb voice and mood
  • use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break (ellipsis to indicate omission if possible)

SCIENCE

I CAN…

  • identify lunar phases, eclipses of sun and moon and explain the seasonal change
  • demonstrate how gravity helps with the motions within our solar system and galaxies
  • explain the energy that drives the cycling of Earth’s materials
  • explain how Earth’s surface has been changed by geoscience activities
  • explain how energy from the sun and forces of gravity allow the cycling of water through earth’s surfaces
  • explain that Earth’s mineral, energy and groundwater are distributed unevenly
  • graph to show how kinetic energy is related to the mass of and speed of an object
  • describe/ explain how the positions/arrangements of objects interacting at different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system
  •  show and explain a basic wave model showing how amplitude of a wave relates to energy in a wave
  • demonstrate/explain how waves reflect, absorb, or transmit through various materials

SOCIAL STUDIES

I CAN…

  • explain the major issues being debated at the Constitutional Convention.
  • summarize the compromises that settled the debates at the constitutional convention
  • summarize the major achievements in early American foreign policy
  • summarize the importance of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments

HEALTH

I CAN...

  • understand what adequate physical activity consists of
  • note the differences between activity type and intensity -Example: Personal Fitness Plan w/SMART Goals
  • identify short/long term effects of tobacco use
  • identify short/long term effects of vaping
  • identify strategies to remove myself from high risk situations
  • identify alternative activities to substance use/abuse
  •  identify healthy traits/characteristics
  • identify unhealthy characteristics 
  • demonstrate next steps when unhealthy traits are identified 
  • identify a bullying or harassment type of situation (negative, repeated, unwelcomed)
  • explain strategies to remove myself from risky situations
  • report things that I’m not comfortable with to a trusted adult or OK2SAY
  • identify risk factors for anxiety, depression and suicide
  • identify warning signs for anxiety, depression and suicide
  • identify protective factors for anxiety, depression and suicide
  • identify the different forms of communication
  • apply I-statements to real life situations correctly

 

MATH

I CAN…

  • know the properties of integer exponents
  • use properties of integer exponents to form equivalent expressions
  • write numbers in scientific notation
  • use similar triangles to explain slope
  • derive an equation of a line through the origin (y=mx)
  • derive an equation of a line intercepting the y-axis  (y=mx+b)
  • solve linear equations with one variable.
  • identify equations as having: one (x=a), infinitely many (a=a), or no solution(s) (a=b, where a ≠b)
  • understand that a solution to a system is the intersection.
  • solve systems of equations algebraically.
  • solve systems of equations by graphing
  • compare two functions represented in a different way
  • determine the rate of change & initial value of a function
  • interpret the rate of change & initial value in a situation
  • describe the effect of dilations on 2-D figures with coordinates
  • describe the effect of rotations on 2-D figures with coordinates
  • describe the effect of reflections on 2-D figures with coordinates
  • apply the Pythagorean Theorem to find a missing side length
  • construct and interpret scatter plots
  • describe patterns in scatter plots

ART

I CAN...

  • understand the varying qualities of materials, techniques, media technology, and processes at a developing level
  • develop the concept of proper use of materials and using tools safely and responsibly
  • develop a successful visual vocabulary
  • develop reflective thinking skills by observing, analyzing, and critically evaluating works of art for the purpose of improving technical quality
  • identify, design, and solve creative problems at a developing level
  • collaborate, communicate, and work with others to create new ideas at a developing level
  • demonstrate reflective thinking practices at a developing level
  • make knowledgeable choices about materials, techniques, media technology, organizational principles, and processes to articulate ideas and communicate intended meaning at a developing level
  • observe, describe, and analyze visual characteristics at a developing level
  • develop the ability to describe how the artist’s choice of materials, techniques, media technology, and processes influence the viewer
  • develop and defend informed aesthetic opinions about works of art using artistic vocabulary at a developing level
  • explore social and global issues through the application of the creative process

BAND

I CAN...

  • play several songs by myself
  • several songs with the band
  • learn to play a song by myself

Physical Education

I CAN....

  • catch a ball in a small sided game
  • throw a ball during a small sided game
  • dribble a soccer ball
  • strike a volleyball
  • perform multiple swim strokes for short distances

SEL

I CAN...

  • identify and manage their emotions and behavior constructively
  • demonstrate consideration for others and a desire to contribute positively
  • develop and maintain positive relationships

ACADEMIC RESOURCES & STANDARDS

Curriculum Resources
Content AreaGrade(s)ResourceUsed Since…
Math6-12CPM2019-2020
Science6-8Cereal City 

2019-2020

(rolling out 1 kit/year)

ALL (Embedded conversation and SEL)6-12

Reading Apprenticeship

Caring School Community

 2016-2017 

 2022-2023

 

Have Questions

Location: 550 Maple St., Manistee, MI 49660

Curriculum Director: Amber Kowatch

Telephone: (231) 723-3521

Email: akowatch@manistee.org