Our Eighth Grade Program focuses on children that are thirteen to fourteen years old. Our program has a Social Studies course that starts with a unit on geography, then covers exploration and settlement of both the United States and Canada through modern times. Science begins with focuses on geology and rocks, volcanoes, earthquakes, light, sound, storms, clouds, weather, laws of thermodynamics, and much more – even a few extra surprises such as how to brew kombucha (probiotic-filled tea), a bit on essential oils, and how to prepare for a marathon and for natural disasters!
Students continue to grow in their reading and math skills, including a focus on essential principles of algebra, coordinate graphing, probability, statistics, functions, and other important areas of mathematics!
8th grade includes:
Principles of Mathematics – Book 2
In Book 2, the focus is on the essential principles of algebra, coordinate graphing, probability, statistics, functions, and other important areas of mathematics.
Reading – Where Roads Diverege
Based on the reader Where Roads Diverge, this course centers around life choices. Many of the stories present eighth graders with examples of people who faced diverging roads, and how their choices affected themselves and others.
The five major themes are “The Right Kind of People,” “Every Good Gift,” “The Gifts of Love,” “Hold Fast Your Dreams,” and “Integrity.” Two or three lessons a week provide work for the whole year.
Language Lessons for the High School Student: Grammar Review and More
Covers picture study, dictation, instruction in different forms of creative and free writing, and a complete review in elementary and secondary grammar. Complete language arts curriculum for one academic year includes the U.S. Constitution as copywork and a study of the Bible and how it applies to everyday life.
Spelling – Book 8
34 weekly lessons. Regular lessons present 20 new words, 5 review words, and 4 sections of exercises.
Part “A” acquaints the student with some Latin or Greek roots and their appearance in our words. Etymologies are studied with the help of a dictionary included in the back of the textbook. Near the end of the course, a few lessons teach words that show Spanish, German, and French influences in our language. Part “B” of each lesson exercises building words with affixes. Part “C” practices phonics details taught in earlier courses of this series. Part “D” is a series of studies on semantics and the history of the English language.
Bible – God’s Redeemed Family
Grade 8 covers the New Testament from Romans to Revelation. Outlines are given for each of these books. This course emphasizes the value and necessity of the church and how God’s people are to serve Him and relate to others. Solutions to problems are outlined, and edification and encouragement are presented. Subjective questions require students to think carefully.
Understanding North American History
Understanding North American History starts with a unit on geography, then exploration and settlement of both the United States and Canada through modern times.
Art With a Purpose
Artpac 8 is focused entirely on pen and ink techniques, and includes instruction in the following art skills:
- Using short lines to create a fuzzy effect
- Creating woodgrain with wavy lines
- Shading by varying both the density and frequency of the lines
Eleven-year-old Elijah lives in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves near the American border. Elijah is the first child in the settlement to be born free, so he grows up without the firsthand experiences of slavery that his parents and the other settlers had to endure.
Freckles (Evergreen Classics)
In this companion book to the much-loved classic A Girl of the Limberlost, an orphaned teenager longs to find his place in the world. Freckles was discovered on the doorstep of a Chicago orphanage, badly beaten and missing a hand. He yearns for the fulfillment of useful work, and at Indiana’s Limberlost Swamp, his grit and determination win him the difficult, dangerous job of guarding a valuable stand of timber. Faithful and brave in his daily tasks, Freckles comes to appreciate the beauty and majesty of the natural world amid the wetlands’ sights, sounds, and silences.
As nature works miracles in the boy’s lonely, starved heart, Freckles meets a kind and gentle girl who collects specimens for a wildlife photographer. Despite his growing love for his Swamp Angel, Freckles feels himself far below her station until the opportunity arises for him to prove his true worth.>
Let the Rocks Cry Out
This volume, for junior high students, focuses on geology and rocks, volcanoes, earthquakes, light, sound, storms, clouds, weather, laws of thermodynamics, and much more – even a few extra surprises such as how to brew kombucha (probiotic-filled tea), a bit on essential oils, and how to prepare for a marathon and for natural disasters!
Explore Geology Rocks & Minerals Collection
This set contains 24 different specimens in four classifications (minerals, metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous), these rocks are not affixed to anything, allowing them to be handled, carefully examined and thoroughly explored! This set offers an excellent way to test rock knowledge – simply remove the rocks from their plastic container and ask your student to match up the specimens with the attached chart found in the lid. Kit includes the following: Quartz, Feldspar, Talc, Olivine, Pyrite, Calcite, Slate, Gneiss, Anthracite, Quartz, Marble, Schist, Conglomerate, Sandstone, Shale, Gypsum, Limestone, Dolomite, Granite, Rhyolite, Basalt, Pumice, Obsidian, and Gabbro. Rock samples measure ½”-3/4″ in length. An excellent educational tool for the aspiring geologist in your family!
Story of Chopin in Words and Music CD
No quality education would be complete without a study of the greatest names in musical history.
Story of Dvorak in Words and Music CD
DID YOU KNOW…
Dvorak was and important representative of nationalism, though his works have universal appeal.
Success did not spoil Dvorak. He remained a basically simple man all his life and usually added ‘Thank God’ at the end of his scores.
Dvorak was passionately fond of railroad trains ad spent much time studying locomotives. He also took a great interest in ocean-going ships.
Dvorak spent two years as a director of the National Conservatory in New York City.
8th grade with alternate math includes:
Algebra 1 Kit
Algebra 1 covers graphing, simultaneous equations, exponents, polynomials, unit multipliers, and more.
8th grade with alternate science includes:
Exploring Creation with Physical Science
The text discusses such topics as the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, weather, the structure of the earth, environmentalism, the physics of motion, Newtons Laws, gravity, and astrophysics. The author especially concentrates on the myths generated by the hysterical environmentalist movement. There are many hands-on experiments to do, and they all use household chemicals and supplies. It is an excellent course for preparing the student to take a college-prep high school science curriculum.
Physical Science Lab Kit
This kit contains: safety goggles, baking soda, 9-volt battery, insulated wire, scissors, clear tape, yarn, pencils, antacid tablets, cotton balls, thermometer, candles, plastic bags, matches, yeast, balloon, test tubes, paper towels, Epsom salts, paper cup, comb, pens, sugar, table salt, cooking oil, olive oil, paper clip, toilet paper, dish soap, wax crayon, white cotton string, cornstarch, 1.5 volt battery, 3-inch nail, cardboard, stopwatch, measuring tape, index card, aluminum pie pan, marble, eraser, small block of wood, sandpaper, ruler, rubber stopper, aluminum foil, black marker, thread, washers, balls, Styrofoam cup lip, plastic wrap, rice, flat mirror, protractor, white paper, flashlight w/batteries, and black construction paper.
You will still need to gather some items to round out the supply list, but this kit makes the shopping easier.
Feed My Sheep DVD Bundle
This bestselling 4-year curriculum is a comprehensive art text and workbook containing over 250 generously illustrated step-by-step lessons. While over 100 lessons deal with drawing, Barry has branched out into other areas as well, including color, penmanship, art appreciation, measurement, and painting. Most of the student’s work is done in the book, but the painting lessons use sturdy posterboard cards (referred to as “paint packs”) which come with the book. Includes book with paint cards, 7-DVD set and art supplies including: acrylic paint set w/ brushes, pen, kneaded eraser, 12 colored pencils w/ sharpener, and 4 drawing pencils.
This item is recommended for grades 5 – 12 and can count as high school credit for high school students.
Tuition billed seperately ($28 a month for 10 months).