Curriculum Summary
Language Arts
- Use research skills to effectively locate information, document sources, and combine findings into a logical, well-written paper
- Read/write/listen to popular media messages, such as news, commercials, sitcoms, documentaries, movies, songs, and editorials to obtain information, recognize propaganda, detect false advertising techniques. Recognize the use of these forms of communication to document our life and time, the culture and trends
- Read, analyze, and appreciate varied creative literary forms from different world cultures, American subcultures and authors
- Write quality essays to persuade, inform, entertain and document
- Make major extemporaneous research-based presentations to inform, defend, persuade and entertain
- Evaluate oral/visual presentations
- Apply note-taking and study skills
- Use appropriate grammar in writing
- Correctly diagram sentences to demonstrate an understanding of parts of speech, and the role these words play in a sentence
- Correctly spell, use and understand words in writing and from readings
- Correctly use vocabulary words in writing
Mathematics
Algebra
- Evaluate algebraic expressions by grouping, simplifying, and factoring, and evaluate expressions with exponents
- Compare integers and compare rational numbers; use all four operations to simplify expressions with each group of numbers
- Utilize properties of addition and multiplication to solve equations; simplify equations containing absolute value, fractions, decimals, and percent
- Solve inequalities using properties of addition and multiplication; graph inequalities on a number line
- Multiply and divide numbers in exponential formal evaluate with monomials and polynomials
- Factor monomials and polynomials; recognize a difference of two squares; recognize a trinomial square; recognize common term
- Graph linear equations in two variables using a variety of methods; define and determine the slope of a line; determine the equation of a line
- Employ techniques to solve a system of equations using the substitution, addition, and multiplication methods
- Simplify rational expressions; multiply, divide, add and subtract rational expressions with like/unlike denominators; solve rational equations
- Find square roots of perfect squares; utilize a calculator to give an approximation for an irrational number
- To evaluate radical expressions using all four operations
- Solve triangles and problems using the Pythagorean theorem
- Write and solve a quadratic equation in standard form by factoring and the quadratic formula
- Use set notation and perform operations on sets
- Recognize functions; graph quadratic functions
- Use the distance and midpoint formulas
Geometry
- To apply the undefined terms point, line, and plane in discrete, synthetic, and coordinate geometries as well as in graph theory
- To express and apply the language and logic of geometry
- To apply the properties of angles and lines
- To recognize and apply reflections and congruence
- Apply congruence to proofs
- Recognize and apply properties of polygons and symmetry
- Identify and prove triangle congruence
- Determine perimeters and areas
- Recognize and apply properties of three-dimensional figures
- Find the surface area and volume of a solid
- Write indirect and coordinate proofs
- Recognize and apply properties of similar figures
- Apply theorems of similar triangles and basic trigonometric terms
- Recognize and apply properties and theorems concerning arcs, chords, tangents, secants, and inscribed angles of circles
Science
- Understand energy waves: characteristics shared by waves, differences, behavior
- Sound waves and their properties
- Electromagnetic spectrum
- Demonstrate and understanding of energy: relationship between work and energy, potential and kinetic energy, various forms of energy, energy conversion, and conservation of matter and energy
- Relate atomic bond-making and bond-breaking to energy changes
- Demonstrate an understanding of chemical reactions, ionic and covalent bonds, factors necessary for chemical reactions
- Use the Periodic Table to predict reactivity of elements
- Trace energy flow through an ecosystem
- Explain how the human body obtains and uses energy from food
- Alternative sources to fossil fuels
- Models of the universe that have been proposed over time
- Classify stars according to brightness and color
- Life cycle of stars
- Rock cycle, geologic time and processes that have changed the face of the Earth over time
- How organisms change over time
- Environmental resources: air, water, soil, their use and misuse
Religion
- Help students understand their growth from a Christian perspective while exploring what the Church is for young Catholics
- Recognize the Church as teacher
- Acknowledge the Sacrament of Initiation as that which brings religious maturity
- Compare and contrast society’s norms (laws/rules) with Church norms
- Explain nature of sin and how it interferes with personal growth and relationships
- Saint Thomas Chastity Curriculum for Eighth Grade
Confirmation
- Recognize and claim as fully their own the new life into which they were first initiated at Baptism
- Discover feelings and experiences as they review basic scriptures which relate to the celebration of Confirmation and the Holy Spirit
- Actively seek and acknowledge the spiritual gifts of wisdom
- Discover the actions of the Holy Spirit in Christian life within the community
History
- American History from the American Revolution to the Vietnam War
- Recognition of main historical events that have impacted American life will be stressed
- Economics will be taught to see how it affects American life
- Political parties and their influence will be encouraged to recognize a cause-and-effect relationship
- Catechism of the Catholic Church will be used as a support text
Social Studies
- Master an economic understanding on how the American free-enterprise system works
- Master how the American political government works
- Integrate the economic and political problems in each historical event studied
- Demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship for each historical event studied
- Study American History from the Civil War to the present
- Recognition of foreign historical events that have impacted American History
- Critical thinking and problem-solving will be introduced and stressed