Eighth Grade

Language Arts: 

SPCC School's Language Arts program integrates listening, reading, speaking, grammar, mechanics, and writing skills so that every student has strong communication skills in a technological age. Reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills are also emphasized. Students read a variety genre of books throughout the year from fiction to non-fiction, biography to autobiography, inspirational to motivational, as well as science-fiction and mystery. Throughout the year, students write a variety of essays to enhance their imagination and critical thinking skills.

 Math:

8th grade students learn to understand various numerical representations, including square roots, exponents and scientific notation. They use and apply geometric properties of plane figures, including congruence and the Pythagorean theorem. They also can use symbolic algebra to represent situations and solve problems, especially those that involve linear relationships. Students work to solve linear equations, systems of linear equations and inequalities. They use equations, tables and graphs to analyze and interpret linear functions. They also use and understand set theory and simple counting techniques. They are able to determine the theoretical probability of simple events and make inferences from statistical data, particularly data that can be modeled by linear functions.

All students are expected to complete a Math Fair project at the end of the school term.

 Religion: 

Students outline the major periods of Church history and cite important movements, developments, leaders, heroes/heroines, and saints within each period. 8th graders are able express  a comprehension of the Church year cycle. They know and define the following: blasphemy, catechumenate, cathedral, Church, conscience, conversion, Dark Ages, ecumenism, evangelization, four marks of the Church (one, holy, Catholic, apostolic), Gospel, grace, holiness, Immaculate Conception, Incarnation, infallibility, martyr, Mary, ministry, monastery, oath, ordained minister, People of God, Reformation, social sin, encyclical, theology, tradition, Trinity, and virtue. Eighth grade also introduces a overview of World Religions. Students continue to demonstrate stewardship by completing class or school sponsored service projects. Throughout the year they plan and participate in various types of worship and prayer services;

 Physical Science:

The purpose of 8th grade Physical Science is to give all students an overview of common strands in physical science including, but not limited to, the nature of matter, laws of energy, matter, motion and forces, and energy transformation. 8th grade Physical Science covers the following topics:  nature of matter, atomic theory/periodicity, conceptual acid/base—phase changes Law of Conservation of Matter, Law of Conservation of Energy, Conceptual Laws of Motion and Forces, Conceptual Energy Transformation wave properties and electrical/magnetic forces.

 Social Studies:

In Social Studies, we will be studying Georgia’ geography, history, government, and economics. This curriculum will provide for in-depth study of the Georgia and the historical events that lead Georgia’s role in the history of the United States. 

Topics listed:                

*Exploration and Colonization: 1516-1763         *Statehood and Government: 1763-1837           *Antebellum Georgia: 1838-1860                       *Civil War & Reconstruction: 1861-1877             *New South: 1877-1918                                       *20th Century: 1919-1945                                   *Georgia Today: 1946-Present