Grade 8 course descriptions

Note: The following course descriptions represent the 2008-2009 academic year and are subject to change for the 2009-2010 year

Grade 8 Academic Program

Math
This course uses the Mathematics Carousel 2 textbooks (books 1 and 2). The significant focus of the course is to improve problem solving skills, develop mathematical reasoning and to communicate using mathematical reasoning. The following topics will be covered during this course:

various modes of representation
proportions
algebraic calculations
algebraic equations
percent and the circle

This course is designed to enable the students to:

use mathematical reasoning
solve situational problems
communicate using mathematical language
adopt effective work methods
cooperate with others
achieve one's potential
use creativity to solve problems
exercise critical judgement

English
The goal of the grade 8 English course is to improve reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Whenever possible we will integrate English skills with other subjects such as science, geography and moral education.

The following list highlights the core content of grade 8 English:

Reading: novels, drama, poetry, short stories, newspaper articles, internet articles, magazine articles, non-fiction books, work written by peers.
Writing: grammar, spelling, punctuation, writing using a variety of formats (such as essays, reports, newsletter articles, book and film reviews, letters, journals, stories and summaries).
Speaking: discussions, presentations, plays, debates, reading out loud.
Listening: note taking, debates, discussions, peer evaluations, following instructions, being read to.

This course is designed to enable the students to:

adopt effective work methods
monitor one's own development and set goals
use language to communicate and learn
represent literacy in different media
read and listen to written, spoken, and media texts
write a variety of genres for personal and social purposes

Science
The grade 8 science course is divided into three units:

Living World
Students learn about abiotic vs. biotic factors, physical and behavioural adaptation, evolution, the Linnean system of taxonomy, biodiversity, biomes, habitat, and ecological niche are some of the basic concepts covered. The students do an in-depth study of the tree diversity in the area surrounding Sedbergh. They observe, identify, and record their information in tree booklets that they create. They also study plant and animal cells. The focus is on getting a basic understanding of cell organelles through class discussions and activities, and by examining some sample cells under a microscope.

Material World
Concepts include: properties of matter, calculating volume and density, properties of gases, liquids and solids, The Particle Theory and changes of state. Some of the chemistry concepts covered include: the periodic table, elements, atoms, molecules, compounds, acids and bases.

Technological World
Students act as engineers and use their design and hands-on skills to build structures such as bridges.

This course is designed to enable the students to:

help students gain a strong foundation in science
encourage curiosity and intrigue
encourage students to become guardians and advocates of the Earth
develop note-taking skills

Beginner French 8
This is an introductory French course that allows learners to be exposed to and develop skills in the fields of speaking, listening comprehension, reading comprehension and writing. The course goal for those students who remain in the programme for more than one year is to acquire enough skills to eventually integrate into Core FSL.

The goal of the Beginner French course (from the Québec Education Program) is to develop the student's capacity for oral (speaking and listening) and written (reading and writing) communication so as to enable them to express their view of the world. They will then be able to communicate with young people and adults from near and far and acquire and transmit cultural knowledge.

French Second Language (FSL)
Objectifs

Le cours de français vise à aider l'élève à développer des compétences langagières, à communiquer de façon cohérente et structurée en exerçant les quatre compétences : l'oral, l'écoute, la lecture et l'écriture.
Un tel apprentissage vise à donner les outils nécessaires à l'élève pour devenir un citoyen capable de participer pleinement aux échanges d'idées et à l'évolution de la société.
Dans un second ordre, l'apprentissage de la langue englobe aussi la connaissance d'une société et d'une culture, de leur compréhension et au développement de celles-ci.

Comme aucun cahier d'exercices n'est requis dans le cours de français, l'élève a recours à l'utilisation de d'autres outils tel la recherche internet sur divers thèmes choisis par l'enseignante. On retrouvera aussi la lecture de livres, des dictées, des exercices divers, des exposés oraux, des jeux, des films de pays francophones, de la musique francophone, des projets, des sketches, des sorties culturelles, etc.

Physical and Health Education
The physical and health education course provides a fun and rewarding experience for all students. Content includes large and small group games, skills and drills, individual activities and related life-time sports. Students sports leadership skills are also developed throughout the course.

This course shall assist and encourage students to:

develop and maintain optimum physical and aerobic fitness
develop and improve motor skills
develop knowledge of human kinesiology and anatomy
practice positive health habits and safety knowledge
experience positive social interaction
develop and maintain a positive self image
develop and utilize skills, rules and strategies in sports
enjoy physical pursuits and fair play

Moral Education
The goal of this course is to enable students to choose how they express their individuality and gain a deeper understanding of who they are as a member of Sedbergh and global communities. Students will be actively involved in small group and class discussions as well as independent and group projects. Students are strongly encouraged to take part in the discussions by sharing their opinions and active listening.

There are five broad areas of learning: health and well-being, personal and career planning, citizenship and community life, environmental awareness and consumer rights and responsibilities and the Media.

This course will assist and encourage students to:

construct a moral frame of reference
gain a deeper understanding of cultural references
be actively involved in one's own culture
take a reflective position on ethical issues
engage in moral dialogue

Geography
Students in grade 8 geography will investigate a variety of global issues including: energy dependence, global warming, ozone depletion, fragile environments, national parks, sustainable development, water issues, ecological footprint, population growth and urban sprawl.

Reading, researching and critically analyzing current events will be a big focus of this course. Students are expected to locate newspaper, magazine and Internet articles dealing with issues of global concern. Throughout the year, students present their articles to the class informing and provoking a class discussion.

This course shall assist and encourage students to:

understand the organization of territories (urban, regional, agricultural, native and protective territory)
interpret territorial issues
construct a consciousness of global citizenship
examine human actions in terms of the future
show the global nature of geographic phenomena
evaluate solutions to global issues

History and Citizenship
This course is a survey of world history from prehistory to the twentieth century. As the second part of the course which was introduced in grade 7, it covers the period from 300 AD to the twentieth century. The examination of social phenomena involves critical thinking skills such as: identifying cause and effect, making inferences, generalizations and hypothesizing. It also involves further development of map skills including the interpretation of scale and legend, physical, political, historical and inset maps.

This course is supplemented by an analysis of primary sources, discussion of relative current events and examination of artefacts.

This course shall assist and encourage students to:

examine social phenomena from a historical perspective
interpret the social phenomena using the historical method
construct his or her consciousness of citizenship through history
present students with a clear, comprehensive treatment of world history
provide students with a global perspective on the forces and movements that have made the past continuous with and relevant to the present
develop critical thinking skills to make objective judgments of both historical and contemporary issues
help students sharpen map skills
help students realize the importance of history and their role in it

Art
The study of art at Sedbergh is the introduction to a discipline. The students will acquire basic technical skills necessary to the execution of art and be exposed to examples of historical art styles. Through this course they will develop a recognition and appreciation of the role of nature in art and the artist's role in society.

The overall objectives of the program are:

to develop familiarity with art vocabulary and studio procedures
to develop technical skills
to develop an understanding of the principles of good design
to promote an understanding of the part played by art in man's history

The units of drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture and media are designed to provide an exploration of the elements and principles of design through a problem solving process geared to the various age levels. Each student maintains a sketchbook throughout the year to monitor progress. The classroom work is supplemented with demonstrations by working artists and visits to the National Art Gallery, Ottawa and Le Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal.