8th Grade – September Curriculum Overview
September in Eighth Grade is all about gratitude, critical thinking, and exploring the world—past and present. Our learning journey this month connects history, science, language arts, and geography, with hands-on projects and opportunities for independent exploration. Activities are designed to spark curiosity, build research skills, and encourage students to see connections across subjects and cultures.
Weekly Subjects
- Language Arts (Mon–Thu)
- Week 5: Write a gratitude journal entry and reflect on a family or cultural tradition. Practice spelling words about the Renaissance and humanism.
- Week 6: Research a major world event or movement (e.g., Reformation) and present your findings. Summarize and discuss nonfiction texts.
- Week 7: Interview a family member about their favorite autumn memory or tradition. Write a descriptive narrative using new vocabulary.
- Week 8: Explore the concept of revolution and change in societies. Write a letter or editorial about a change you'd like to see in your community.
- Spelling:
- Week 5: Renaissance, humanism, patron, perspective, fresco, apprentice, guild, manuscript, innovation, invention
- Week 6: reformation, protestant, indulgence, heresy, doctrine, martyr, edict, excommunication, denomination, council
- Week 7: voyage, navigation, longitude, latitude, caravel, astrolabe, circumnavigate, colony, conquistador, expedition
- Week 8: revolution, constitution, independence, declaration, amendment, federalism, ratify, sovereignty, confederation, bill
- Reflection Prompt: What does gratitude mean to you? How do you see change—big or small—in your community or in history?
- Math (Mon & Wed)
- Week 5: Review estimation, place value, and comparing numbers in historical contexts.
- Week 6: Work with fractions and percentages in real-world scenarios (trade, population, etc.).
- Week 7: Explore map scales and geographic coordinates.
- Week 8: Analyze data related to historical revolutions or cultural changes.
- Science (Mon & Wed)
- Week 5: Investigate inventions and innovations from the Renaissance and beyond.
- Week 6: Explore the scientific method—how did past thinkers challenge old ideas?
- Week 7: Study navigation and early exploration—how did science shape discovery?
- Week 8: Discuss how revolutions in science changed societies.
- History (Tue & Thu)
- Week 5: Dive into the Renaissance—art, philosophy, and cultural rebirth.
- Week 6: Learn about the Reformation and its global impact.
- Week 7: Explore the Age of Exploration and key explorers.
- Week 8: Study the roots of revolution and independence around the