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Eighth Grade Curriculum 

St. George School presents a challenging, relevant and student-friendly academic program in an environment of acceptance, support and humor. Eighth grade is a preparation year for high school.  Students focus on writing high school essays and prepare to take the high school placement tests.  During the spring, they participate in a class retreat that has them reflecting on their time at St George and anticipating their future high school years.   

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Religion

St. George teachers follow the religion standards put forth by the Archdiocese of Seattle. Standards are tied to the 6 tasks of Catechesis:

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1. Knowledge of the Faith
2. Liturgical Education
3. Morality/Life in Christ
4. Prayer
5. Life, Community, and History of the Church
6. The Church’s Missionary Life and Service

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All students have the opportunity to participate in daily prayer, weekly Monday morning prayer services and in weekly all school Mass.

All K-8 students are divided into cross-grade Faith Families that meet monthly and focus on a Catholic Social Teaching Principle and works of service to our community.

 

The guiding principles of Catholic Social Teaching are taught and put into practice through community service each trimester. Students also learn about the history of the Catholic Church. We reinforce ethical decision-making skills.

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Reading

The theme for the eighth grade curriculum is justice today.  Students read a variety of works and reflect on what is justice and how do we ensure justice for all.  This class has cross-curricular activities with language arts.  Students will engage in a mystery analysis unit,  class novel studies, independent reading projects, oral book reports, weekly nonfiction reading practice (Achieve 3000 program), and vocabulary building (Wordly Wise program).

 

Achieve 3000 is an online program for reading skills. Students are assigned articles each week and are allowed unlimited access to leveled articles on a variety of topics. Students read mostly nonfiction texts and answer questions about the main idea, supporting details, context clues, inferences, vocabulary, and other comprehension questions.  Students’ Lexile level growth is measured each month.

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Language Arts

Students in eighth grade study grammar (Exercises in English and Daily Grammar Practice programs) and write in a variety of styles (narrative, expository and persuasive essays, poetry, and literary analysis with a specific emphasis or persuasive writing and oratory.  This class has cross-curricular activities with the reading curriculum.

 

95 Percent Phonics is our advanced phonics and word study program for upper grades.  Students are offered instruction in multisyllabic decoding, morphology, Latin roots and affixes. Students are learning to identify syllable types, apply spelling rules, and use Latin vocabulary to identify the pronunciation and meaning of more complex words to increase their vocabulary, accuracy, and comprehension.

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Math/Adv Math

Students in 8th grade math build on skills from previous years focusing on drawing conclusions from data, solving variable equations with inequalities, graphing on the coordinate plane, solving for proportions, solving for perimeter, area, and volume within geometry, writing and solving functions, and exploring probability. 

 

8th grade advanced math studies algebra I.  Successful completion of the course allows students to take algebra II or geometry as freshmen.  

 

Students use iReady Math, an online mathematics program, as a way to connect, reinforce, and extend topics covered in math class. The program also tracks students' growth week-to-week.  I Ready subjects include algebra, measurement, statistics, and geometry.

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Science

8th Grade science begins with an Exploration of Space and Astronomy. Students build on their learning of the Earth and Physics from 7th grade to look beyond our world. Students are then introduced to Chemistry as a means of preparing them for deeper understanding in High School. We finish the year with a study of Human Anatomy and Physiology, focusing on the internal systems.

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Social Studies

The social studies curriculum in 8th grade follows U.S. history from the Jefferson Presidency through the Civil War, with a strong focus on; Major Supreme Court, decisions, Louisiana Purchase, War of 1812, Jackson Presidency, Trail of Tears, Sectionalism, and the Civil War. 

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Technology

We use many different websites to enhance learning. 

  • Google Classroom For posting online materials and assignments

  • Google slides and docs- For essays and presentations 

  • Achieve 3000- Individualized reading instruction.  

  • iReady Math - Individualized Math Practice 

  • Quizlet -  Online Vocabulary Practice 

  • Powerschool- Online Gradebook

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Field Trips

Field Trips will vary year to year as opportunities arise.

  • NatureBridge: Students spend a week at camp on the Olympic Peninsula exploring nature and science.

  • MOHAI: Students will visit the Museum of History and Industry as a complement to topics studied in social studies class.

  • ACT Theater or other theater venues: Students will attend plays as a complement to topics studied in social studies or ELA class.

  • MoPop: Students will visit the Museum of Pop Culture as a complement to topics studied in ELA class.

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​Music

See Music page for details.

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Physical Education

See PE page for details.

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Art

See Art page for details.

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Co-Curricular

Students are given multiple options for extra curricular activities provided twice a week. Classes offered in the past include: Crafts, Theater, Financial Literacy, Gardening, Chess, Trivia, Drums, Academic Support, Athletic Training, Readers Club, and so much more!

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