English 8

English 8 broadens the skills students acquired in previous years of English instruction. Throughout the program of instruction, teachers integrate and emphasize reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Writing assignments become more complex in the eighth-grade program, but a process approach to writing is retained. Students continue to confront ethical and moral issues in literature, while requirements for substantial in-class and supplementary reading are sustained. Interdisciplinary and authentic assessment projects develop critical thinking skills. All eighth-grade students will take the New York State English Language Arts Assessment. Students who need additional support in English language arts will also be assigned to Literacy Lab 8.

Math 8

Although Algebra for all is offered in grade 8 to all students, this course is an option for students who choose to select out of Algebra 1 in grade 8. Students in Math 8 will be exposed to an enriched NYS Grade 8 Curriculum, which will help prepare them for the Regents examination in Algebra 1 in grade 9. The year will focus on formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations. Students will have support in understanding the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships, analyzing space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, also applying the Pythagorean Theorem. Students in Math 8 will take the New York State Grade 8 Mathematics Assessment.

Algebra 1 Accelerated

Students will study the New York State Algebra 1 Common Core curriculum and take Algebra 1 Common Core Regents examination in June. The units that will be addressed are Numbers and Quantity, Algebra, Functions, Statistics, and Mathematical problem solving. Students must pass the course and the Regents examination in order to earn one high school Regent’s credit. The Regents test grade and the final course grade will become part of the student\’s high school transcript. Students in Algebra 1 will potentially take the New York State Grade 8 Assessment in Mathematics.

Algebra Research Honors

Students recommended for this rigorous research honors option will be selected by a committee of mathematics faculty members based on standardized test scores, the PARA Exam, 6th and 7th report card grades, 7th Grade Midterm, and performance on selected math contests such as the Math Olympiad and the American Mathematics Competition. (Updated on 4/9/2013) Students in this research level course will study an enhanced version of the New York State Regents Algebra 1 Common Core curriculum and take the Regents in June. Students must pass the course and the Algebra 1 Common Core Regents examination in order to earn one high school credit. The Regents grade and final course average will become part of the student\’s high school transcript. In addition to the high academic standards to which students in this honors research course will be held, they will also be required to write mathematics research papers on topics approved by their teachers. Exemplary papers will be entered into the Long Island Math Fair, held at Hofstra University. Students enrolled in Algebra 1 Research Honors will potentially have to take the New York State Grade 8 Assessment in Mathematics.

Science 8

Science 8 reviews, reinforces, and extends the science skills developed in grades 5, 6, & 7. The primary emphasis will be on earth science topics. Topics will include: physical geology, climate, and astronomy. Science 8 is taught in a fully equipped laboratory facility. All Science 8 students must take the New York State Intermediate Level Science Assessment in June. Earth Science Honors Offered: Full Year Meets in double and single periods on alternate days. Type of Course: Required High School Course Prerequisite: Students will be recommended based upon a selection rubric and teacher recommendation. Earth Science Honors is an accelerated course offered to those students who demonstrate outstanding ability and achievement in science 7. Students enrolled in this course must be prepared for enriched studies in celestial motion, plate tectonics, insolation, the rock cycle, the water cycle, meteorology, and the interpretation of geologic history. Student success will depend upon a high degree of ability, motivation, and effort. Students will be required to complete several projects during the school year. The course culminates with the Earth Science Regents Examination in June and students must pass the course and the Regents Examination in June and students must pass the course and the Regents examination in order to earn one high school credit. The Regents grade and final course grade will become part of the student\’s high school transcript and will be calculated in the student\’s high school grade point average.

Social Studies 8

The 8th grade social studies course explores the major events that shaped America in the 19th and 20th centuries. Students will study the U.S. as an industrial power at the end of the Civil War and as a major force in the world’s balance of power at the beginning of the 20th century. Two world wars and the Holocaust will also be analyzed as underpinnings of the role of the U.S. in the second half of the 20th century. Current events will be an ongoing component of the curriculum. One of the major goals of this course is to have students understand whole culture.