Eighth Grade

Eighth Grade Curriculum

Catechism: Our students study the chief parts of Christian doctrine using Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, the Bible, and a weekly workbook that correlates with the chapters of the catechism. Pastor Van Kampen teaches the 8th graders this curriculum.

Religion: Students follow the “Growing in the Word” curriculum. They continue to develop their love for their Savior and discover ways to share God’s Word with others.

Memory Work: Each week, our students memorize Bible passages, parts of the Catechism, and hymns.

English Language Arts: Our students develop their reading and essay writing skills using Lucy Calkins curriculum. We also study forensics, speech, and creative writing.

Spelling: Students no longer take weekly Spelling tests. Instead, they find vocabulary in their reading of novels, essays, papers, etc, and discover their meanings and origins while working with those words in their daily life.

American History: Our students learn how our country rebuilt itself during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War to what it is today, going through such events as the World Wars, the Great Depression, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and the Civil Rights Movement. We use the text Creating America: 1877 to the 21st Century, published by McDougal Littell.

Spanish: Students explore this second language through individualized lessons. They learn greetings, day of the week, months of the year, colors, numbers, classroom vocabulary, and common phrases. They do this by following along with a Rosetta Stone online curriculum.

Science: Our students explore the workings of God’s creation by studying Biology. We use the McDougall Litell curriculum.

Math: Our students deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts through smaller, easily assimilated increments that are spread according to their skill level. We use Big Ideas curriculum.

Algebra: For those students who show a higher level of proficiency in math, we offer an algebra course using the Big Ideas curriculum. This course explores such concepts as graphing linear functions and inequalities; the use of exponential, polynomial, and quadratic equations; and data analysis.

Geometry: For those students who test higher than the level of algebra, we offer an online course through the Amazing Grace Virtual Academy (AGVA), in which students have daily lessons with a professor from AGVA.

Art: Our students learn about famous artists in our world’s history and current artists. Then, they mimic their styles of art in their own pieces. At the end of the year, students recreate a famous piece of art from any of the artists we studied.

Music: Our students participate in handbell choirs and perform in church, chapel, and the Lakeside Fine Arts Fair, among other opportunities. Students also learn how to read music.

Physical Education: Our students learn skills for different sports and physical activities that promote a healthy life. A few of our units include volleyball, dancing, track and field, aerobics and more. In conjunction with these things, students learn sportsmanship, teamwork, and the benefits of physical activity.