8th Grade at L-Dub

The course content focuses on world religions as students explore the development of culture in world history. Beginning with ancient religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confusiansim, students explore the ideas of how religions develop and meet the needs of human experiences. 

Using the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, students engage in comparative studies of how religions are connected to each other while remaining distinct aspects of cultures and civilizations. Finally, through an examination of Pacific Northwest Native Tribes, seventh grade investigates the role of spirituality and religion in indigenous societies. The social studies curriculum teaches and practices skills in reading comprehension, writing, oral presentations, study techniques, and research assignments. Critical thinking skills are emphasized in all units especially when analyzing, examining, and writing about historical events. These analytic skills are honed with written assignments, group projects, oral presentations, and class discussions.

The focus of eighth-grade math is primarily on algebra topics, with an eye toward future work in geometry in high school. Students will build on their previous understanding about proportional reasoning in order to  begin using algebraic equations and inequalities to describe and model mathematical and real-world problems. They will also learn how to use nonlinear functions to model more complex exponential and quadratic relationships. By the end of the year, students will be prepared to begin high school in geometry class, which puts them on track to reach calculus by their senior year. They continue studying new ideas involving data and geometric figures. Students will be assessed regularly using exit tickets and checkpoint quizzes. Assessments in the form of tests and projects will occur in each unit as well.

The focus for eighth grade Spanish is to strengthen and expand language skills and to complicate and deepen an understanding of Spanish-speaking communities at both local and international levels. Students consider how language is treated socially, challenge definitions of language and literacy, and explore the relationship between language, power, and privilege. Students will engage in various units relating to the history and culture of the Spanish-speaking world, which include themes such as language prejudice and justice, colonization of the Americas, and the continued resistance of indigenous peoples in Latin America.

In eighth grade Spanish, students deepen, broaden, and strengthen their proficiency with oral and written communication. By the end of eighth grade, students engage in sustained discourse, reading, and writing, demonstrate comfort with day-to-day conversation and show a high level of accuracy with grammatical structures. Through the use of communication- and task-based activities, movement and games, songs, projects, and partner and group work, students practice and apply their Spanish. Students have regular homework practice and are assessed both formally and informally through regular class activities, skill checks, projects, performance tasks, and written unit assessments.  

The Theatre Arts program at L-Dub is an opportunity for students to work together as they build strong voices, strong minds, and strong bodies. Through script analysis, interpretation, and memorization, students develop strong minds; by learning to perform on stage, students develop strong voices; and finally, through learning to use physical movements to express emotion and meaning, students develop strong bodies.

The Theatre Arts program also provides opportunities for students to practice teamwork and leadership skills. As members of a cast and crew, the students must learn to work together and be responsible on both an individual level as well as for the entire group. In addition to performing as actors, students take on leadership roles in stage management, lighting, sound, set design, assisting the director, and choreographing musical numbers. Through two one-act shows, seventh-grade students take ownership in both the acting and technical aspects of the production and perform for the school community. The seventh-grade productions rely on teamwork and peer support for success; consequently, with every show, the students learn to work cohesively and collaboratively. The process of creating a show is filled with opportunities for social and emotional learning and the personal growth that results from meeting challenges and taking appropriate risks. Students are assessed based on their mastery of basic theatre skills such as memorization, projection, dictation, and audience awareness. 

The goal of the physical education (PE) program is to help
develop strong, confident, and well-balanced individuals. Students participate in a variety of physical activities and learn the role movement plays in their overall health and well being. Each student takes three terms of PE and may take additional fitness-related courses through L-Dub enrichment programs. Each grade level will progress from basic large motor skills to smaller motor skills utilizing more compound movements. Seventh grade is expected to learn form, body awareness, and a basic understanding of healthy behaviors. Students will be able to demonstrate and explain 

various activities and the role these movements play in building and maintaining healthy lifestyles, while creating and tracking their individual SMART goals. Students are assessed on learning behaviors in daily lessons as well as on the overall progress they have made for each skill.