8th Grade – August Curriculum Overview
Welcome to 8th Grade! This month is about critical thinking, personal growth, and preparing for high school and beyond. Our curriculum blends Earthschool, Montessori, Waldorf, and project-based learning—keeping things practical, flexible, and focused on real-world skills and self-discovery. Activities are hands-on, open-ended, and encourage both independence and collaboration.
Weekly Subjects
- Language Arts (Mon–Thu)
- Week 1: Read and analyze a classic or contemporary short story. Discuss themes, character choices, and connections to your life.
- Week 2: Start a reflective journal—write about personal strengths, goals, and challenges.
- Week 3: Research a topic of interest and present findings as a slideshow, article, or podcast.
- Week 4: Write a persuasive essay or speech about a real-world issue or cause you care about.
- Spelling:
- Week 1: analyze, character, theme, conflict, resolve, decision, connect, reflect, evidence, summary
- Week 2: journal, goal, strength, challenge, growth, mindset, habit, reflect, progress, action
- Week 3: research, topic, source, cite, organize, present, explain, explore, share, synthesize
- Week 4: persuasive, argument, claim, reason, evidence, speech, issue, impact, solution, voice
- Reflection Prompt: What story, idea, or skill challenged or inspired you this month?
- Math (Mon–Thu)
- Week 1: Review pre-algebra concepts—practice with real-world numbers and problem-solving.
- Week 2: Fractions, decimals, and percentages—apply to budgeting, measurements, or science experiments.
- Week 3: Geometry and graphing—find, draw, or build examples of shapes and patterns.
- Week 4: Data analysis—collect and interpret data from surveys, experiments, or current events.
- Science (Mon–Thu)
- Week 1: Physical science: Explore properties of matter or energy with hands-on experiments.
- Week 2: Life science: Study cells, genetics, or ecology—create diagrams or models.
- Week 3: Earth science: Research a local or global environmental issue and propose solutions.
- Week 4: Conduct a science fair-style project—design, test, and present your findings.
- Reflection Prompt: What did you learn about science and your world this month?
- Social Studies (Mon–Thu)
- Week 1: U.S. or world history: Research a historical event or figure and present creatively.
- Week 2: Civics: Explore rights, responsibilities, and community involvement.
- Week 3: Geography: Map skills, landforms, and cultural studies.
- Week 4: Current events: Discuss news stories and their impact on your life or community.
- Art & Music (Mon–Thu)
- Week 1: Create art inspired by a historical event or cultural theme.
- Week 2: Build a model, sculpture, or collage related to your studies.
- Week 3: Explore music from different cultures or eras.
- Week 4: Free choice: finish a project, learn a new song, or try a new technique.
- Movement & Outdoor Play (Mon–Thu)
- Each Week: Daily outdoor play, hiking, yoga/stretching, or sports. Try a new physical challenge or nature activity this month!
- Life & Study Skills (Mon–Thu)
- Each Week: Practice goal-setting, time management, basic budgeting, and communication skills. Prepare a simple resume or portfolio of your work.
Recommended Free Resources
- Khan Academy – Math, science, and humanities lessons.
- CK-12 – Free digital textbooks and interactive lessons.
- National Geographic Kids – Science, geography, and world exploration.
- Smithsonian Kids – Science and history videos and resources.
- Code.org – Free computer science and coding lessons.
August in 8th grade is about critical thinking, self-discovery, and preparing for new challenges. Choose what inspires you, and celebrate your growth!