Last modified: April 1, 2021

Grade 8

Language Arts 8

Throughout this course, students engage in literary analysis and close reading of short stories, poetry, drama, novels, and informational texts. The course focuses on the interpretation of literary works, analysis of informational texts, and the development of oral and written communication skills in standard (formal) English. Students read “between the lines” to interpret literature and go beyond the text to discover how the culture in which a work of literature was created contributes to the theme and ideas it conveys. Analyzing the structure and elements of informational texts and media helps students develop the skills needed for academic success and navigating the world. Students continue to acquire knowledge and skills in grammar, usage, mechanics, and vocabulary. Setting goals, self-monitoring progress, and reflecting on successes and challenges help students become metacognitive learners. The course includes discussion activities that engage students in the curriculum while creating a sense of community.

Length: two semesters
Curriculum Provider: K12
Materials required: Printed items (book, workbook, etc.)

Science 8: Physical Science

The Physical Science curriculum introduces students to many aspects of the physical world, focusing first on chemistry and then on physics. The course provides an overview of the physical world and gives students tools and concepts to think clearly about atoms, molecules, chemical reactions, motion, electricity, light, and other aspects of chemistry and physics. Among other subjects, students study the structure of atoms; the elements and the periodic table; chemical reactions; forces, including gravitational, motion, acceleration, and mass; and energy, including light, thermal, electricity, and magnetism.

Length: two semesters
Curriculum Provider: K12
Materials required: Science lab materials

History 8: World History II

Continuing a survey of World History from prehistoric to modern times, K12 online lessons and assessments complement the second volume of The Human Odyssey, a textbook series developed and published by K12. This course focuses on the story of the past from the fourteenth century to 1917 and the beginning of World War I. The course is organized chronologically and, within broad eras, regionally. Lessons explore developments in religion, philosophy, the arts, and science and technology.

The course introduces geography concepts and skills as they appear in the context of the historical narrative. Major topics of study include:

The cultural rebirth of Europe in the Renaissance
The Reformation and Counter-Reformation
The rise of Islamic empires
Changing civilizations in China, Japan, and Russia
The Age of Exploration, and the civilizations that had been flourishing in the Americas for hundreds of years prior to encounters with Europeans
The changes that came with the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment
Democratic revolutions of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries
The Industrial Revolution and its consequences
Nineteenth century nationalism and imperialism
The remarkable transformations in communications and society at the turn of the twentieth century

Length: two semesters

Curriculum Provider: K12

Math 8

The Grade 8 Summit mathematics course prepares students for more advanced study in algebra as students solve linear equations and systems of equations, work with radical and integer exponents, gain conceptual understanding of functions, and use functions to model quantitative relationships. To prepare students for more advanced study in geometry, the course emphasizes the Pythagorean theorem and a deepening exploration of similarity and congruence.

Length: two semesters
Curriculum Provider: K12

Art 8: World Art II

The lessons in this course include an introduction to the artists, cultures, and great works of world art and architecture from the Renaissance through modern times. Students will study various works of art from the Renaissance and beyond; discover great works of art and see how they influenced later artists; compare and contrast works from many civilizations, from paintings to sculpture, architecture, book covers, prints, and more; and create artworks inspired by works they learn about.

Length: one semester
Curriculum Provider: K12
Materials required: Art supplies

Physical Fitness 8

Students will develop the knowledge and skills they need to make positive fitness decisions to stay active, safe, and informed, as teenagers and adults. The lessons and activities introduce important aspects of physical health and fitness and focus on helping students learn new fitness skills and stay active. Students will set fitness goals and assess their progress throughout the course. Students will use daily Fitness Plans to guide their physical activity and Fitness Logs to track their activity.

Length: one semester
Curriculum Provider: K12

Spotlight on Music 8

Explore and build foundational musical skills with Spotlight on Music. This course offers a variety of learning activities that include singing, dancing, virtual instruments, listening maps, authentic sound recordings and playing the recorder. The course is organized into nine units. Students learn about these musical elements: duration, pitch, design, tone color, expressive qualities and cultural context. Students explore beat, meter, rhythm, melody, harmony, tonality, texture, form, tone color, dynamics, tempo, articulation, style, and music background.

Length: full year
Curriculum Provider: K12
Materials required: Music supplies

Health 8

Designed for the eighth grade, Health 8 gives students the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. In this one-semester course, students learn health information and practices for understanding and managing many aspects of their physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional health throughout adolescence and into adulthood. Topics include nutrition; adolescent development; pregnancy and childbirth; the prevention of diseases, injuries, STDs, and AIDS; substances such as alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and steroids; anxiety disorders; relationships; responsibility; stress management; decision making; self-esteem; and consumer health. Vocabulary quizzes, discussion sessions with peers, interactive tutorials, lab activities, and interactions with the teacher supplement the instructional content.

Length: one semester
Curriculum Provider: K12