What’s Happening in January for Eighth Grade?

8th Grade – January Curriculum Overview

Welcome to January! Our theme this month is Renewal—a time for fresh starts, new goals, and building on what we’ve learned. We have four instructional weeks this month, with no school on Monday, January 19, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Use this time to learn about Dr. King’s vision for justice and equality, and reflect on how you can contribute to a kinder world.

Week 21 (Jan 5–8): New Year, New Goals

• Language Arts
  • Reading: Read a story or article about someone who made a fresh start or overcame a challenge.
    Reading Log: Read daily and record title, author, minutes, and a short reflection. Submit logs in Google Classroom at the month’s end.
  • Writing/Grammar: Write about a goal you want to achieve this year and the steps you’ll take to reach it.
  • Spelling (Renewal Words):
    • Week 21 words: renewal, ambition, determination, optimism, adapt, progress, challenge, opportunity, commitment, vision
    • Weekly spelling routine (Mon–Thu):
      • Daily: Study flashcards or use StudyStack for practice.
      • Monday: Write definitions for each word.
      • Tuesday: Use each word in a sentence.
      • Wednesday: Copy each word in cursive or type it three times.
      • Thursday: Take the online spelling quiz or submit a written test in Google Classroom.
• Math: Review and practice solving equations and expressions.
• Science: Explore cycles in nature—how ecosystems renew themselves.
• Social Studies/History: Learn about New Year’s traditions and celebrations around the world.
• Music: Listen to or learn a song about new beginnings. How does music inspire you?
• Art: Create an artwork that represents your hopes or goals for the year.
• PE: 30+ minutes of movement most days. Log activity in Google Classroom.

Week 22 (Jan 12–15): Setting Intentions

• Language Arts
  • Reading: Read a biography of someone who made a difference through perseverance.
    Reading Log: Continue daily entries and reflections.
  • Writing/Grammar: Write a letter to your future self about what you hope to accomplish this year.
  • Spelling (Intentions & Growth):
    • Week 22 words: intention, perseverance, initiative, improvement, resilience, focus, resourceful, achieve, mindful, progress
    • Weekly spelling routine (Mon–Thu):
      • Daily: Study flashcards or use StudyStack for practice.
      • Monday: Write definitions for each word.
      • Tuesday: Use each word in a sentence.
      • Wednesday: Copy each word in cursive or type it three times.
      • Thursday: Take the online spelling quiz or submit a written test in Google Classroom.
• Math: Practice operations with fractions and decimals in real-world contexts.
• Science: Investigate plant life cycles and renewal in nature.
• Social Studies/History: Study a leader who set and achieved meaningful goals.
• Music: Try composing a short melody or rhythm that represents a “fresh start.”
• Art: Make a vision board or digital collage of your intentions for the year.
• PE: 30+ minutes of movement most days. Log activity in Google Classroom.

Week 23 (Jan 19–22): Dreaming Big (No School Monday – MLK Jr. Day)

• Language Arts
  • Reading: Read about Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement.
    Reading Log: Continue daily entries and reflections.
  • Writing/Grammar: Write about your own dream for your community or the world. What actions can you take to make a difference?
  • Spelling (Dream & Justice):
    • Week 23 words: dream, justice, equality, inspire, speech, courage, unite, peace, respect, legacy
    • Weekly spelling routine (Tue–Fri):
      • Daily: Study flashcards or use StudyStack for practice.
      • Tuesday: Write definitions for each word.
      • Wednesday: Use each word in a sentence.
      • Thursday: Copy each word in cursive or type it three times.
      • Friday: Take the online spelling quiz or submit a written test in Google Classroom.
• Math: Explore patterns, sequences, and predictions.
• Science: Learn about inventors and innovations that shaped society.
• Social Studies/History: Discuss MLK Jr.’s legacy and the impact of the Civil Rights Movement.
• Music: Listen to or perform a song from the Civil Rights era.
• Art: Create a poster or mural about your dreams for a better world.
• PE: 30+ minutes of movement most days. Log activity in Google Classroom.

Week 24 (Jan 26–29): Growth & Reflection

• Language Arts
  • Reading: Choose a book or article that inspires you to try something new.
    Reading Log: Complete and submit your January reading log in Google Classroom.
  • Writing/Grammar: Write a short story about a character who faces a challenge and grows from it.
  • Spelling (Growth & Hope):
    • Week 24 words: growth, hope, challenge, adapt, future, learn, support, imagine, succeed, renewal
    • Weekly spelling routine (Mon–Thu):
      • Daily: Study flashcards or use StudyStack for practice.
      • Monday: Write definitions for each word.
      • Tuesday: Use each word in a sentence.
      • Wednesday: Copy each word in cursive or type it three times.
      • Thursday: Take the online spelling quiz or submit a written test in Google Classroom.
• Math: Review and practice key math concepts from this month.
• Science: Reflect on how science helps us solve problems and innovate.
• Social Studies/History: Share something new you learned about a person or place this month.
• Music: Create a playlist or journal entry about music that inspires you to grow.
• Art: Make a “January Reflections” collage or sketchbook page.
• PE: 30+ minutes of movement most days. Log activity in Google Classroom.

Fun Fridays (Jan 9, 16, 23, 30)

• Jan 9 – New Year’s Art: Create a vision board or digital collage for 2026.
• Jan 16 – Kindness Challenge: Do a random act of kindness and share your story.
• Jan 23 – MLK Reflection: Watch a video or read about Dr. King. Reflect on what “dream” means to you.
• Jan 30 – Winter Nature Walk: Go outside and notice signs of renewal in nature.

Recommended Free Resources

• Khan Academy – Literature & Writing
• Purdue OWL – Writing & Grammar
• ReadWriteThink – Middle School ELA
• iCivics – Government & Social Studies

January is all about fresh starts, setting intentions, and believing in your ability to grow. Let’s renew our energy and curiosity together!