GRADE 8

RELIGION

By the end of grade 8, students will be able to

1. Identify the author, date and place of writing, audience for

which it was written, and purpose of each of the gospels.

2. Demonstrate appreciation for the gospels, together with the

rest of the Bible, God's Word, the means through which God brings

and sustains the saving faith.

3. Express confident trust in Jesus, the Promised One, their

Savior and King, who restored the broken relationship between God

and people and enables them to restore broken relationships

between themselves and others.

4. Proclaim with Paul that, trusting in God's power, we are

strong in our weakness.

5. Acknowledge God as provider of all blessings physical, mental,

emotional, and spiritual.

6. Recognize and be moved to serve God and others with their

whole hearts.

7. Identify childlike qualities that God would have us treasure

as we rely upon His strength in our lives and relationships.

8. Identify ways in which the love of material things can keep us

from fully following Jesus and accepting His offer of eternal

life.

9. Recognize Jesus as a servant king who came not to establish an

earthly kingdom, but rather to earn forgiveness, life, and

salvation for us.

10. Identify the biblical events recorded as evidence of the

resurrection.

11. Demonstrate a desire to serve the Lord as faithful disciples

and messengers of the Good News, trusting that the Holy Spirit

will work to transform the lives of others.

12. Express reliance on God's Word as God's answers to our

questions and concerns regarding the new life that is ours

through faith.

13. Explain the importance of having people with differing

talents and abilities in the church and rejoice in the diversity

God provides.

14. Demonstrate reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit to keep

us in God's grace until we join those who already live with

Christ in our eternal and happy home in glory.

15. Anticipate Christ's second coming, confident of His saving

<*dv_4*>love and care for us.

16. Identify the marks of a disciple.

17. Demonstrate a desire to worship God in thought, word, and

deed.

18. Demonstrate a desire to serve and honor God in whatever

vocations or daily activities they undertake.

19. Consider how God desires people to deal with dependency and

the means by which He enables people to remain dependent on Him

alone.

20. Demonstrate a desire to glorify God in their sexuality.

21. Demonstrate a godly desire to honor God with their

possessions.

22. Identify the fruit of the Spirit and evidence of it in their

lives.

LANGUAGE ARTS

By the end of grade 8, students will be able to

1. Examine the poetic form (rhyme and meter) of a favorite hymn

or worship song.

2. Use a Bible map, time line, and concordance to aid

interpretation of the Scripture.

3. Identify and discuss differences in the behavior of two

characters or the handling of the same topic by several authors.

4. Select a job and search the classified section of a newspaper

to discover possible options.

5. Suggest realistic and logical solutions to a problem.

6. Identify different genres of literature such as the poetry of

Psalms and the narrative of Luke.

7. Write entries in a diary or personal journal.

8. Write a letter to the editor on a current issue, using good

mechanics, a logical flow of ideas, and strong evidence for their

personal reaction.

9. Write a letter of application for a summer job they would like

to have.

10. Write a two- to four-page science-fiction or adventure story.

11. Contribute to sentence-combining exercises.

12. Select important words from content areas and spell them

correctly.

13. Read and interpret diagrams, charts, tables, maps, graphs,

and time lines.

14. Convert a rhymed poem such as a hymn to free verse.

15. Read fluently a story they have written for a group of

younger children.

16. Write a research paper, using three to five sources and

documenting them correctly.

17. Participate in a readers' theater performance.

18. Make use of facial expressions, physical movements, and

symbols as aids in gaining meaning from nonwritten communication.

19. Write accurate descriptions of their favorite Bible

characters.

20. Explore common elements in the same word in different

languages (e.g., father, Vater, pater, padre, päre).

21. Prepare a speech and adapt it for two different audiences or

purposes.

22. React to an author's use of language and word pictures.

23. Choose books that are of interest to read in leisure time.

24. Participate in a group dramatization of a familiar story for

younger students.

25. Use compound and complex sentences in writing and speaking.

26. Interpret abbreviations and acronyms.

MATHEMATICS

By the end of grade 8, students will be able to

1. Read, write, round, compare and order, and use whole numbers,

decimals, fractions, and mixed numbers.

2. Estimate and find the sum, difference, product, or quotient of

any two decimals.

3. Convert between whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and

percents mentally, and on paper.

4. Estimate and find sums, differences, products, and quotients

of fractions and mixed numbers.

5. Use the concepts of ratio, proportion, and percent to solve

application problems.

6. Use a calculator to perform all arithmetic operations,

including work with percents, square roots, powers, and use of

calculator memory.

7. Identify a real number as rational or irrational and find a

real number that lies between any two distinct real numbers.

8. Describe some properties of rational, irrational, and real

numbers.

9. Use radical notation and fractional notation to write square

and cube roots.

10. Find the nth term in an arithmetic or geometric sequence.

11. Find the product or quotient of two powers that have the same

base.

12. Multiply and divide large numbers and small numbers using

scientific notation.

13. Identify and give examples of well-defined sets, equivalent

sets, equal sets, and the empty set.

14. Find subsets of a given set, perform the operations of

intersection and union on sets, and find the complement of a

<*dv_0*>given set of the universal set.

<*dv_2*>15. Find the perimeter and the area of two-dimensional figures

and find the volume and surface area of prisms, pyramids, cones,

cylinders, and spheres.

16. Convert from one unit of measure to another unit of measure

within the same measurement system.

17. Describe the difference between the accuracy and the

precision of a measurement and determine the amount of error

possible in a measurement given the precision of the measurement.

18. Graph relations of real numbers in order to determine whether

the relation represents a function.

19. Solve a formula for any given variable.

20. Translate word phrases and sentences into algebraic

expressions and evaluate algebraic expressions.

21. Use the Pythagorean theorem to determine the measure of one

side of a triangle, given the measure of the other two sides, and

to determine whether a triangle is a right triangle.

22. Solve word problems involving direct or inverse variation or

applications of the Pythagorean theorem or which require writing

and solving a simple linear equation or inequality.

23. Find the slope, the x-intercept, and the y-intercept of a

linear equation in two variables.

24. Add and subtract polynomial expressions.

25. Solve a system of two equations in two unknowns.

26. Find horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lengths in the

coordinate plane.

27. Systematically collect, organize, and summarize data;

construct, read, and interpret tables, charts, and graphs; and

find the mean, the median, and the mode of a given set of

numbers. (Students need to be able to interpret and display data

from frequency tables, bar graphs, line graphs, circle graphs,

histograms, scattergrams, stem-and-leaf plots, and

box-and-whisker plots.)

28. Distinguish between useful and misleading graphs and between

useful and misleading statistics.

29. Determine the probability of independent and dependent

events.

30. Determine the empirical probability of simple events and

compound events by conducting experiments and determine the

theoretical probability of simple and compound events by

constructing sample spaces for the sets of all possible outcomes

and the sets of all favorable outcomes.

31. Find the number of permutations and the number of

combinations using factorial notation.

32. Use SSS, SAS, and ASA to identify congruent triangles.

33. Identify transformations of given figures.

34. Construct congruent line segments, congruent angles, the

perpendicular bisector of a line segment, an angle bisector, the

perpendicular from a point to a line, and the perpendicular to a

point on a line.

35. Construct a geometric figure congruent to a given geometric

figure.

36. Construct a model of a three-dimensional figure shown from

different perspectives.

37. Identify similar triangles and find the missing parts of

similar triangles.

38. Graph similar figures, reflections, and translations in a

coordinate plane.

39. Identify a chord, a tangent, and a secant of a circle and

complementary or supplementary angles.

40. Discover and describe the relationships between angles formed

by two lines and a transversal.

SCIENCE

By the end of grade 8, students will be able to

1. Observe and compare plant and animal cells.

2. Explain diffusion and osmosis and give examples of each.

3. Discuss cell division and mitosis and state what happens to

chromosomes during mitosis.

4. Describe the skin and list examples of its function.

5. Explain the structure of bones and how pairs of muscles help

the bones to move.

6. Name the structures and functions of the parts of the

digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, and reproductive

systems.

7. Tell how the nervous and endocrine systems control and

regulate the body.

8. Identify interrelations among organisms in nature.

9. Evaluate ways in which man affects the state of the biosphere.

10. Analyze several current problems in the biosphere.

11. Evaluate the effect of drugs and alcohol on human systems and

commit to their control.

12. Discuss and practice elements of good nutrition.

13. Use the atomic molecular model to explain the behavior of

acids and bases.

14. Write chemical sentences for observed chemical changes.

15. Examine the evidence for the atomic molecular model (definite

proportions, conservation, etc.).

<*dv_3*>16. Learn to produce, collect, and identify common gases.

17. Use the ideas of chemistry to explain the changes in everyday

things kitchen chemistry; air, land, and water pollution; the

ozone problem; organic molecules.

18. Demonstrate the electrical nature of matter circuits, static

electricity, dissociation of water, etc.

19. Order the behavior of waves from ripple tank observations.

20. Observe and explain light and sound behaviors as wave

phenomena.

21. Compare wave and particle behaviors in nature.

SOCIAL STUDIES

By the end of grade 8, students will be able to

1. Describe the functions of the three branches of the federal

government.

2. Define components of culture and causes of culture clash.

3. Demonstrate benefit of diversity and the necessity of cohesion

within a culture.

4. Construct reasoned judgments about human issues.

5. Analyze causality, change, and conflicts regarding historical

events.

6. Use critical inquiry to interpret history.

7. Demonstrate an understanding of map reading regarding place,

size, and location.

8. Compare and propose a natural-resource use plan.

9. Describe how human growth and development affect actions.

10. Explain how individual rights and cultural norms may

conflict.

11. Assess how institutions impact life.

12. Analyze and evaluate how public policy is made, (e.g., the

Civil Rights Act of 1964).

13. Explain current issues in respect to historical events.

14. Explain the role of international institutions in forming

policy.

15. Describe how to affect and shape public policy.

16. Analyze their responsibility for citizenship.

17. Describe the importance of the Civil War in American history.

18. Explain how the Great Depression changed the role of the

federal government.

19. Analyze the American colonies as an economic effort.

20. Explain why people came to America.

21. Understand different roles of state and national government.

22. Review the rationale behind the policy of Manifest Destiny as

pursued by the United States in the 19th century.

23. Explain why the balance-of-power concept in the Constitution

is important.

24. Analyze how an issue may be seen from various points of view.

25. Demonstrate the ability to compromise.

26. Use bibliography cards to write a report.

27. Develop a plan for a model community.

ART

By the end of grade 8, students will be able to

Art History

1. Demonstrate an increased ability to describe the connections

between art and the events of history.

2. Match a given set of artwork with artists, styles, and

historical periods.

3. Compare and contrast architectural styles from selected

periods of history.

The Creation of Art

4. Show increased skill in using drawing and painting techniques

to create compositions, depict space, and communicate feelings.

5. Demonstrate an increased ability to create the illusion of

space in painting and drawing through the conventions of one-,

two- and three-point perspective, atmospheric (aerial)

perspective, overlapping, and light and dark.

6. Demonstrate a knowledge of physical proportions in drawing and

painting.

7. Show increased skill in using printmaking techniques to create

compositions, depict space, and communicate feelings.

8. Explore through research and studio work, alternative methods

and forms in clay. Students could use a school or public library

to research contemporary ceramic techniques and forms. There are

many books on contemporary crafts along with periodicals on the

subject to supply many exemplars.

9. Design a greeting card utilizing image and text.

10. Use plaster and/or wood to carve a sculpture.

11. Use a potter's wheel to form clay.

12. Assist in the loading and firing of a kiln.

13. Design and create ecclesiastical art. Students should engage

in research and discussions about ecclesiastical art (e.g.,

paraments, stoles, vestments, banners, processional crosses, and

other chancel furnishings) prior to designing an object of their

choice.

14. Demonstrate proficiency in creating unified three-dimensional

structures from mixed media, fibers, paper, and cloth.

15. Create mobiles, stabiles, and other contemporary sculptural

forms.

16. Produce an art video. Production teams could be formed and

brainstorming sessions initiated to put together story boards,

art ideas, etc., prior to the actual filming.

17. Utilize advanced techniques of lettering, calligraphy, and

font design.

18. Develop social skills and Christian character as he/she works

with others.

Art Criticism and Analysis

19. Explain how the visual and sensory qualities of a work of art

evoke emotive responses.

20. Discuss graphic design and messages utilized in greeting

cards and advertisements.

<*dv_1*>21. Describe how the elements of art can be used to express

concepts such as tension, peace, power, and praise.

22. Employ art vocabulary when discussing works of art.

Aesthetics

23. Compare and discuss the emotion and feeling of two different

artworks and give reasons for their observations.

24. Improve his/her ability to consider the meaning and

definition of art from a Christian perspective.

25. Describe the role of art within the culture of a people; how

it reflects and transmits values, beliefs, and a way of

perceiving the world.

MUSIC

By the end of grade 8, students will be able to

Singing

1. Continue to sing increasingly advanced quality songs from a

variety of cultures, styles, and genres in three-part harmony

expressively and with good technique.

2. Sing simple melodies at sight without accompaniment from the

treble and bass clef.

3. Boys continue to exercise light voice during voice change.

4. (Those in choral ensembles) begin simple four-part music with

appropriate vocal ranges.

5. Sing intervals of sixths and sevenths in tune (use sol-fa

syllables to distinguish major, minor, augmented, and diminished

intervals).

Playing (Instruments)

6. (Those in band or orchestra) continue with instruction in

band/orchestra instruments and playing concerts as a full group

and in small ensembles.

7. Find intervals of sixths and sevenths on a keyboard.

8. Play simple melodies at sight on a keyboard and recorder from

the treble and bass clefs.

9. Play I, IV, and V chords in C major, G major, and F major on a

keyboard.

10. Continue class guitar (playing 5 6 chords to accompany songs

rhythmically and harmonically).

Moving

11. Conduct with variation in style, articulation (staccato,

legato, marcato), and tempo.

12. Learn simple waltz and two-step dance patterns.

Listening

13. Hear representative art music of the West from around 1000 AD

to the present (i.e., Gregorian chant to 20th-century art music).

14. Hear representative art and folk music from around the world

(European folk songs, Native American, African, Middle Eastern,

Latin American, Asian, Oceanian, Australian).

Improvising

15. Improvise instrumental embellishments (alterations) of a

given melody.

16. Play guitar or piano chords by ear to accompany a given

melody.

17. Vocally improvise bass line harmonies to a given melody.

Reading

18. Know and understand all whole, half, quarter, eighth,

sixteenth, triplets and dotted notes and rests in 2/4, 3/4, 4/4,

6/8, 3/8, and cut time (2/2). Know difference between compound

meters (each beat divided into three parts, as often happens in

6/8 with two beats of three subdivisions) and simple meters (each

beat divided into two equal subdivisions).

19. Know and use all standard terms for tempo (including the

meaning of metronome markings), dynamics, articulation, and

expression.

Composing

20. Assign simple appropriate chords to harmonize a given melody.

21. Write a melody for a given text, then assign chords to

harmonize it and instruments and/or voices to perform it.

Comparing

22. Review the history of Western music by studying

representative music from various periods (Gregorian chant A.D.

600 1000; medieval A.D. 1000 1450; renaissance A.D. 1450 1600;

baroque A.D. 1600 1750; classical A.D. 1750 1820; romantic A.D.

1820 1900; 20th-century). Study will include relating music

history and its role in the world to fine-art history and world

history.

23. Review the great variety of world music by studying and

comparing representative music. Relate music history and its role

in the world to fine-art history and world history.

24. Analyze and compare how Western and non-Western music use the

different elements of music. (How are they the same? different?)

25. Relate the history and role of music in the world to its use

in the church in the past, the present, and the future.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

By the end of grade 8, students will be able to

A. Combine skills, concepts, strategies, and knowledge of rules

and procedures for competent participation in the following:

1. Personal defense activities.

2. Modified versions of team and individual sports.

3. Intermediate folk, country, and square dance; beginning social

dance.

4. Juggling beanbags and small balls.

5. Recreational relays, games, and activities.

B. Explore basic outdoor recreation activities, such as the

following:

6. Camping, climbing, cross-country and downhill skiing (adapt to

local options).

C. Acquire fitness skills and behaviors.

7. Participate in some form of physical activity in and/or out of

school on a daily basis.

8. Participate in physical activity at a target heart rate for a

minimum of 20 minutes.

9. Sustain an aerobic activity, maintaining personal target heart

rate, to achieve cardiovascular benefits at least three times per

week.

10. Use correct technique to avoid injury during participation in

physical activities.

11. Identify and follow rules while playing sports and games.

12. Practice and participate in physical activities using

strategies appropriate for learning new skills and activities on

their own.

D. Acquire cognitive elements related to movement experiences.

13. Recognize the effects of substance abuse on personal health

and performance in physical activity.

14. List long-term physiological, psychological, and cultural

benefits that may result from regular participation in physical

activity.

15. Describe principles of training and conditioning for specific

physical activities.

16. Describe personal and group conduct, including ethical and

moral behavior, appropriate for engaging in physical activity.

17. Analyze and categorize activities and exercise according to

potential fitness benefits.

18. Analyze offensive and defensive strategies in games and

sports.

19. Evaluate the roles of exercise and other factors involved in

regulating body composition.

E. Demonstrate responsible personal and social attitudes and

behaviors for movement experiences.

20. Feel satisfaction when enjoying physical activity.

21. Enjoy the aesthetic and creative aspects of performance.

22. Accept and respect limitations and restrictions of physical

performance on self and others.

23. Improve physical ability and performance through own desire.

24. Respect the role that regular physical activity plays in

life-long health and well-being.

25. Insure that all members of a group have equal opportunity to

participate.

26. Apply conflict resolution skills as needed during activity

participation.

27. Accept the responsibility as a child of God to maintain an

active, healthy lifestyle.