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Pre-Algebra and Algebra
8th Grade Mathematics picked up working with ratios and dimensional analysis to solve problems and to introduce concepts such as proportions, equivalent rates, and scale factors. We also worked with equivalent percents, decimals, and fractions. Using percent increase or decrease to solve percent problems involving commission and taxes. Probability was used to make estimates and calculate the odds of specified outcomes. We will be continue to work with equations and inequalities building on prior knowledge to solve multistep equations and inequalities and to solve systems of equations. We will also be working on graphing linear equations and inequalities with two variables, writing linear equations in slope-intercept form, and plotting two-variable data.
Social Studies
This year’s eighth grade was the first to use our new social studies textbooks covering the years 1865 to the present. Students looked at their family background as we studied immigration and Ellis Island. We also did a very extensive investigation of the painful history of child labor in the United States. By incorporating the text with videos, novels, and pictures, students gained a real understanding of the horrors of World Wars I and II, as well as the tensions of the cold war. The 8th graders really enjoyed watching videos on the smart boards of the rock and television stars of the 1950s.
The tragic earthquake in Haiti provided the 8th grade with a “real life” lesson in social studies. Responding to the horrific scenes captured by the media, the class combined its great love of film with an action plan to help the Haitian survivors. In co-operation with the 1st grade class of Ms. Farwell, the classes presented a very successful event called “Hats for Haiti.” To promote the event, the 8th graders created a public service announcement which was posted on the Green Woods website. In addition, the 8th graders donated the proceeds of their yearbook ads, museum night, and the class gift to the fund. By the time the Red Cross visited on June 10 to pick up their check, it totaled $2,000. This experience in service learning greatly affected all who participated.
Language Arts
8th grade enjoyed many novels this year including The Outsiders, The Misfits, and The Lightning Thief. We did many exciting activities tied to the novels including making an original movie based on The Outsiders in tech class. This involved writing a script and many opportunities to shoot video. The Misfits provided an open forum for discussion of homophobia and gay issues as they affect adolescents, while The Lightning Thief provided pure mythological fun. 8th grade spent May working on research papers on a topic of their choice. The class did excellent work as they explored topics including the Beatles, vegetarianism, the Mummers and more. These research papers were intended to be a bridge to the higher-level language arts work which they will be facing next year in high school.
Human Ecology
8th Grade spent their year investigating how humans fit into, and affect, Earth’s natural systems. We learned where our water comes from, how it is cleaned before and after we use it, and how our activities affect river and ocean health. As a part of this unit, we had a fantastic field trip to one of Philadelphia’s waste water treatment plants. We investigated the sources of the energy used in our homes and in school, the effects of obtaining the raw materials, the electricity generation process, and the effects of disposing of the wastes. We looked up close at food production by reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and learned how our food is grown (by both organic and industrial methods), and the effects of food production on natural systems. We finished our year by getting involved in “Citizen Science” while assisting with the local toad DETOUR project.
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