GRADE 8 PROGRAM

In Grade 8, integration of the curriculum is common, and the use of Information Technology in the classroom is transparent. Students are on a partial rotary timetable.

INTEGRATED ARTS

This course will integrate the study of visual arts, music and drama as students develop their creativity, ability to communicate, appreciation of the arts, critical-thinking skills and selfconfidence. The course will culminate in a class production, which will demonstrate each student’s artistic skill development in these three disciplines.

Students will learn to express themselves in visual ways and sharpen their powers of observation. In developing the ability to analyze and describe works of art from various historical periods and in different styles, they will also learn to understand and appreciate a wide variety of art works. The program will include studio activities in drawing, rendering, painting, sculpture, pottery and other three-dimensional construction, printmaking and design. The students will be introduced to various materials, media, techniques and subject matter.

Students will develop their conceptual understanding of music, critical listening skills and instrumental and vocal skills. Performance and composition will be the major focus. Explorations include those in music notation and terminology, manipulating the elements of music, conducting a variety of meters, technical and interpretive skills in solo, duo and ensemble performance, ear training, an overview and critical analysis of music history with a focus on music from the Romantic era and consideration of the contributions of the music industry to society.

In drama, role-playing will be the key component of the course. Students will live through the experiences of others, learn to clarify their own point of view and develop their ability to think carefully. Students will create presentations in which they communicate their interpretation of situations and the motives of various characters. Students will engage in creating and critiquing works of drama and learn about ways in which the arts are interconnected.

Students will work both in a co-operative learning framework and on an individual basis. Information Technology will be utilized as a resource tool, as a means of expressing responses to music and as a tool for composition. Assessment/evaluation, based primarily on a four-level achievement rubric, will include input from the instructor, student peers and self-assessing portfolios.

FRENCH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

The aim of the Core French Program is to develop basic communication skills in French and an understanding of the nature of the language, as well as an appreciation of French culture in Canada and in other parts of the world. The Core French Program offers students a valuable educational experience and the opportunity to develop a basic usable command of the French language that can be expanded through further study or contact with French-speaking people. The Core French expectations are organized into three strands, which correspond to the three main areas of language use: oral communication, reading and writing. Grammar, language conventions and vocabulary expectations will be developed in the context of oral communication, reading and writing activities.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

This physical education course exposes students to a variety of enjoyable activities and experiences that relate to and encourage a healthy lifestyle.Team, dual and individual sports and activities are offered at this grade level. In addition to the various sports skills being taught throughout the units, the social environment will encourage the development of desirable attitudes and behaviour through cooperation with peers. The following units of activity are offered which build on the skills developed in the Grade 7 physical and health education course: soccer, basketball, aerobics/dance, volleyball, badminton, fitness, low-organization games and outdoor games. In health education, three specific programs are delivered that focus on healthy living, growth and development, substance use and abuse and personal safety. Both the physical and health education components of the course allow the individual student to develop an awareness of their own health and the importance of their decision-making related to their physical, social, intellectual and emotional development. The division of the units encompasses the strands of Healthy Living, Fundamental Motor Skills and Active Participation as outlined in the Ontario Curriculum: Grades 1-8.

HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY

The history component covers the development of Canada from the 1860s to 1918. Topics studied are: Confederation, The Development of Western Canada and Canada: A Changing Society. Students will analyze the various stages in the growth of Canada, evaluate historical evidence and gain an understanding of different points of view. The geography component of this course examines global patterns. Topics include Patterns in Human Geography – population distribution and characteristics, Economic Systems – the economic relationship between Canada and the global community and Migration – factors affecting human mobility.

LANGUAGE

Students will read a selection of literary genres: short stories, plays, novels and poetry. Works include Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and Austen’s Emma. A field trip to Stratford in October will give the students the opportunity to experience live Shakespearean theatre. Students will participate in co-operative reading groups using the Literature Circle model. Poetry, media, fairy tales and micro-dramas will all be completed on-line. Some of the modes of writing will be: personal responses to literature, reflection pieces on group activities, letter writing, script writing and review writing. Grammar and vocabulary lessons are designed to improve both the style and form of student writing. Public speaking, acting and directing will provide students with the opportunity to express themselves orally.

MATHEMATICS

The Grade 8 Mathematics course consists of five strands: Spatial Sense and Geometry; Patterning and Algebra; Number Sense and Numeration (decimals, integers, fractions, ratios, per cent); Data Management and Probability and Estimation and measurement (length, area, volume, surface area).

The first term will review and extend basic algebraic and number skills. During the second and third terms, students will apply their knowledge and their problem solving skills to the other three strands. Information Technology will be an integral part of solving, demonstrating and communicating, as well as the critical thinking process.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

In this course, the students will develop their understanding of the basic concepts of science and technology. As well they will develop the skills, strategies, and habits of mind required for scientific inquiry and technological design. Finally, they will relate scientific and technological knowledge to their peers and to the world outside the classroom.

The course material will be divided into the following five strands: Life Systems: Cells, Tissues, Organs and Systems; Matter and Materials: Fluids; Energy and Control: Optics; Structures and Mechanisms: Mechanical Efficiency and Earth and Space Systems:Water Systems.