Menu Grade 8
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Grade 8 Seminar UnitsMain Units of Study A Break With Charity novel study (Literature with historical connection) As the 8th grade Social Studies curriculum is based on a study of early American history, this novel fits the time period. It sheds light on the Salem Witch Trials and the Puritan belief system, and lends itself to a discussion on the many types of persecution throughout American history, extending into the present day. This book will also be used with the students to explore the Socratic Method of questioning/thinking through discussion of the events in the story. The reader is confronted with conflicting and disturbing issues: lies masquerading as divine truth, courage, trust, and the terrifying power of a rising tide of hysteria, all of which will lend themselves well to an animated and educational discussion via this method. Revolution - Constructive Destruction (Social Studies) Through this unit, students will explore the many aspects of "revolution". Revolutions in Industry, Dress, Music, and Communications are all covered in some way in this unit. Students will complete activities for each major lesson in the unit. One example in this unit is Political Propaganda: Music has often been employed as a method of propaganda. Analyze the music of the late 1960's by listening to the following selections: "Revolution" (the Beatles), "Dusty Boots" (Phil Ochs), "We Shall Overcome" (Joan Baez), "Peace Train" (Cat Stevens), "Imagine" (John Lennon), and "I Am Woman" (Helen Reddy). Determine the kind of revolution to which each song referred. Evaluate the methods the composers used to sway people’s opinions. Study of Propaganda and Persuasive Tactics As a tie-in to the Constructive Destruction unit, students will explore all types of propaganda and persuasive tactics by studying how they are used in the media and throughout history. A study of posters from WWII will be studied in-depth to find how propaganda was used during that period of time in history. As a culminating activity, students will apply those tactics to a "Dilemma" scenario whereby they must convince their peers to do something using the tactics they have studied.
Creating a Socialist Utopian Society (Literature connection to 8th grade curricular novels The Giver and Animal Farm) Groups of students will create their own idea of a socialist utopia. They will then present their society to the rest of the students and discuss what are the advantages and disadvantages to living there. Students will then discuss similarities within each mock society and how these "ideals" relate to our current society. Future Problem Solving scenarios Students will solve problems concerning significant issues affecting their world using a six-step creative problem-solving process. Stories with Holes Activities These will be used during short periods of time - "story puzzles" the students must solve using critical thinking and analysis skills. GRADE 8 SPECIAL DESIGN PROJECTS Egg Drop Project - Students in grade 8 will design a vessel to protect a raw egg as it is dropped from the roof of the Maple Avenue Middle School building. Exactly 1/4 of the egg must be showing in the design. The students will learn about gravity, motion, power, inertia, and potential and kinetic energy through this design project. Marble Mazes - Students in grade 8 will design and construct a maze that will allow a marble to travel from point A to point B in the longest time possible. "Special" elements included in the design - and determined by class vote - will earn extra points. Extra Units - as time permits Debating Students will learn the steps to formal debating. They will then be divided into teams (negative and affirmative), do research on the subject, and present information on the chosen resolution through a debate to a selected audience. The audience will then score each teams’ arguments.
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