Orientation to 8th Grade

“You have to do your own growing no matter how tall you grandfather was.”

-Abraham Lincoln

May 30th, 2018

8th graders are . . .X Feeling more grown up . . . And wanting to be treated that way.

X Continuing to mature physically . . . . But impulse control and decision making are still developing.

X Ready to take on more responsibility and grow in independence . . . But still need a strong home-school partnership.

X Testing boundaries . . . And exceeding their own limits.

X Capable of critical and abstract thinking . . . And ready to build, create and make things.

X Getting ready for high school and beyond.

X Asking to make decisions and be heard.

Keys to Success in 8th Grade

XDiligence/Time ManagementXOpen mindedness – Attitude and Flexibility XResponsibility and Accountability “5-Day

Rule”XBalanced Academic and Social FocusXAttending and Participating in ClassXOrganization

The 8th Grade ProgramCoreX ELA

X Math

X Science

X Social Studies

X World Language or Resource Center

Related ArtsX Music

X P.E.

X Art or Computer Art

X Health

X Technology

Curriculum Areas & Assessments Measureable student outcomes in all curriculum areas

X ELA – State Assessment- 8th Grade Personal Project

X Math – State Assessment &/or Regents Exam –Budget Project

X World Language – Local Final Exam

X Science – State Assessment

X Social Studies – Local Final Assessment

Math 8X Students will take a NYS Math Assessment in April

X Curriculum follows Common Core State Standards:

X The Number System

X Expression and Equations

X Functions

X Geometry

X Statistics and Probability

X Focus on:

X Math Discourse

X Relevancy & Application

X Engagement

X Student Interest

Math 8X Authentic Learning Units for exploration, application and understanding

X Hands on learning

X Student centered classroom

X Individually paced

X High level of engagement

X Deeper exploration of content

X More opportunities for discussion

X Integration of technology

X Student choice

Algebra I

X “Mastery of algebra including attention to the Standards of Mathematical Practice is fundamental for success in further mathematics and on college entrance examinations”

X Algebra I and Algebra I Honors in 8th grade will be a compacted course (1.5 years of content is compressed, which requires a faster pace to complete, as opposed to skipping content)

X High School level courseX Final report card grade appears on HS transcript

X Algebra I Common Core exam in June (20% of final grade)

X A student must maintain an 80% test average to remain in the class.

Algebra IX Expressions and Equations

X Functions – Linear, Exponential, and Quadratic

X Function Transformations

X Systems of Equations

X Descriptive Statistics

MathBeyond Grade 8

X Recommended Sequence for High School ( will vary by student)

X Algebra I

X Geometry/Algebra

X Algebra II

X Calculus or College Algebra w/Trig

X Possible Point of acceleration in grade 10:

X Algebra II and Geometry taken concurrently

Science 8X General Science Skills

X Scientific Method, Measurement, Graphing, Density, Using Graduated Cylinders and Triple Beam Balances

X ChemistryX Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter, Periodic Table

X PhysicsX Classical Mechanics

X Earth ScienceX Geology and Meteorology

Science 8X Intermediate Level Science Test (ILS) – A comprehensive

exam which covers science curriculum grades 5-8

X Lab Practical – late May

X Written portion – Multiple choice/Short answer – Early June

ScienceBeyond Grade 8

X Recommended Sequence for High School (will vary by student)

X Biology Earth Science Chemistry Physics

X Honors Biology Option

X Chemistry in grade 10? X Class average of 85% or better in Algebra I and Biology

EnglishX Read novels, plays, short stories, poems; cite specific text in

support of all student responses and interpretations.

X Read non-fiction (informational) texts, including historical accounts, essays, speeches, articles; cite specific test in support of all student responses and interpretations.

X Build and present (in written or spoken form) argument citingtext support, while acknowledging counter-argument.

X Present original research, essays, poems, short stories, dialogues-de-emphasizing personal narrative.

X Respond to literature through improvisation, collages, reflections.

X Complete a Personal Project (counts as final exam.)

Social Studies 8Content Curriculum

o Social Studies 8 is a continuation of the 2-year U.S. History program. Curriculum will begin with the post-Civil War period and end with the present day.

o Focus on Historical Inquiry: Creating compelling questions and opportunities for students to engage with the content, providing interdisciplinary connections and connections to real life.

Social Studies 8Skills Curriculum

• Writing: recognizing historical themes and using documents as evidence

• Research: finding appropriate sources; synthesis of research; completing multi-step projects

• Presentation: making clear and engaging presentations to an audience; being able to respond to audience feedback

• Contextualization: recognizing historical patterns, cause and effect, comparison and contrast

• Civic participation: taking informed action, becoming a global citizen

9th Grade • History & Geography I (Honors, Regents or Collaborative)

10th Grade • Global History & Geography II (Honors, Regents or Collab)• AP World History• AP European History

GLOBAL HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY REGENTS

11th Grade • US History • AP United States History• Electives

U.S. HISTORY REGENTS

12th Grade • Participation in Gov't./Economics• Any AP, including Psychology and Macroeconomics• Electives

Social Studies High School Course Sequence

World Languages

X Project-enhanced thematic units with culture of French/Spanish speaking countries embedded in the lessons.

X Completion of three year course of study with an emphasis on listening and speaking skills, now adding more reading and writing skills appropriate for middle school students.

X Integration of Common Core, NYS and National Standards#1 – Students will be able to use a language other than English for communication

#2 – Students will develop core-cultural skills and understandings with Core Curriculum in Literacy

World LanguagesFinal Exam

XAssess speaking, listening, reading and writing.

X Increased emphasis on grammar and sentence structure in order for the students to develop and improve these skills.

XPassing this exam and the course earns a student 1 HS credit.

Health and Wellness

X Students will be able to: X Assess how internal and external

influences impact healthy decision making.

X Identify barriers that inhibit health decision making.

X Assesses, reflects, and adjusts the plan to maintain and enhance personal health and safety as needed.

X Key TopicsX Choices for Healthy Living

X Nutrition

X Fitness

X Drug Abuse and Prevention

X Responsible Sexuality

X Stress Management

Middle School Technology Education:Mini Course

XApplying math, science and other knowledge to solve practical problems.

Middle School Computer Science:Mini Course

XAn exploratory introduction to computer programming.

Visual ArtsX Structure:

X Computer Art or Art 8 Studio

X Key Topics: X Elements and principles of Art & Design

X Composition

X Working with a variety of art materials

X Refine and build technical skills (digital and traditional)

X Focus on using content related vocabulary

X Learning to reflect and critically assess one’s own artwork and that of others

X Expand understanding of Art as it relates to society and culture

DANCE • Get fit in a fun and non-competitive way.

• Warm-up, explore, and choreograph a dance.

• Perform in Winter and Spring concerts.

• Alternative to standard physical education.

• Alternate days opposite music classes.

• Earn points toward the BHS National Honor Society for Dance Arts.

• All levels accommodated.

• Boys encouraged, as well.

Music

X Performance Groups

X Orchestra

X Band

X Chorus

X Exploring Music

8th Grade Band

X Eighth Grade band is a continuation of skills acquired through seventh grade.

X Band rehearsals are designated for the concert band music and the instructional emphasis is on musicianship skills needed for large ensemble.

X Such skills include following a conductor, performing together using rhythmic and pitch realization within a pulse, blending, dynamics as well as appropriate rehearsal etiquette

Extra Musical Activities

Middle School Jazz Band

Rivertowns Honors Band

All County

NYSSMA Solo Festival

8th Grade Orchestra The Music

X Music we enjoy playing.

X Music that teaches us new skills and challenges us to improve our tone quality and ability to play in upper positions.

X Music that incorporates pop, blues, jazz, fiddle tunes in addition to the standard classical repertoire.

The Performances

X Winter and Spring Concerts

X Rivertowns Concert

X NYSSMA Evaluation Festivals

Thank you for being here tonight!!