8th Grade
Welcome to 8th Grade!
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Mary O’Donoghue, Homeroom Teacher
Eighth grade is an exciting year. The students are preparing for the transition to high school. The development of analytical skills and becoming organized for upcoming high school challenges are emphasized. Learning to think independently and accept responsibility are part of the daily lessons.
There are many tests and auditions for high school, including the Test for Admission to Catholic High Schools (TACHS). Students can audition for performing arts high schools and take the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) for the specialized high schools.
8th Grade Religion
The topics covered in 8th grade religion:
- Church history
- Prayer
- Social teachings
- Liturgical seasons
- Holy days of obligation
- We also participate at Mass and at various prayer services.
- Students receive their Confirmation in 8th grade.
8th Grade Math
Topics covered in 8th grade math:
- Exponents and Scientific Notation: Students study patterns and structure to develop an understanding of the properties of exponents. Using this knowledge they will simplify complex exponential expressions to represent and operate with very large and very small numbers.
- Solving One-Variable Equations: Students first solved equations in sixth and seventh grades, and in eighth grade students will become more proficient in this area.
- Transformations and Angle Relationships: Students will strengthen their understanding of congruence and similarity in the coordinate plane through different transformations. Students also make informal arguments, which prepares them for more formal proofs in high school geometry.
- Functions: Students will analyze and compare the concept of function with a domain and range box. They will investigate the relationships between the inputs and outputs of the function and develop vocabulary to use to describe these relationships. They investigate real-world examples of functions that are both linear and nonlinear, and use functions to model relationships between quantities.
- Linear Relationships, and Systems of Linear Equations: Students make the connection between proportional relationships, functions, and linear equations. They deepen their understanding of slope, making the connection back to similar triangles.
- Pythagorean Theorem and Volume Applications: Students discover the Pythagorean Theorem, which is supported by a study of irrational numbers. Students will have a full picture of the real number system.
- Bivariate Data: Students analyze data in two variables using linear equations and two- way tables. They use these structures to make sense of the data and to make justifiable predictions.
Mary O’Donoghue
Science
In science class, the students will connect, investigate, synthesize, and demonstrate as they explore the following topics:
- Atoms and the Periodic Table
- Chemical Reactions
- Forces and Motion
- Genes and Heredity
- Natural Selection and Change Over Time
- History of Earth
- Energy in the Atmosphere and Ocean
- Climate
- Earth-Sun-Moon System
- Solar Systems and the Universe
The students will also explore new developments in science.
The New York State Science Test will be administered in spring 2024.
Mary O’Donoghue
Social Studies
This year your child will be learning about and discussing United States History during Social Studies class. 7th and 8th Grade will be sharing a textbook this year. The first half of the textbook will be covered by the 7th grade and the second half of the textbook will be covered by the 8th grade. The following topics will be covered in 8th Grade:
- Reconstruction
- The West
- New Industry and a Changing Society
- Expansion and War
- The 1920s and 1930s
- World War II
- The Cold War
- Civil Rights
- America since the 1970s. 1970-Present
Tests 20%; Quizzes 20% Homework 20%; Classwork 20% Projects 20%
By the end of the year the students will be able to identify cause and effect, organize information using timelines, answer document based questions, and relate our nation’s history to their current lives. A test will be given at the end of each chapter. I will let the class know at least a week in advance and review the test questions and answers with them during class.
Bryan Lewis (8th Grade Social Studies)