8th Grade

Eighth graders at Parkway Heights Middle School are taught a curriculum of language arts, math, social studies, science, and physical education that builds on that of the previous year.

Most eighth grade students also take one elective that meets every other day for 83 minutes.

Language Arts 8

Language Arts 8 is based on the California Common Core State Standards. This class covers reading, writing, grammar, spelling, vocabulary development, speaking, and literature.

The program is enriched by novels that build upon this study and help develop a love of reading and literature.

Through the use of various materials, students study setting, plot, character development, theme, forms of fiction, poetry, biography and autobiography, expository critique, and literary criticism.

Students are placed in one of two levels: Core (grade level) or Intensive (Read 180 - a program designed to bring a student's reading level up to grade level).

Placement is based on teacher recommendations, prior grades, and district benchmark testing scores.

Classes meet daily for 83 minutes.

Visit the California Department of Education's website for a complete listing of the state's Common Core State Standards at: https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/.

Math 8

Math 8 is based on the California Common Core State Standards. This class covers is designed for grade level eighth graders to prepare them for algebra in ninth grade.

Students are placed in one of two levels: Core (grade level) or Strategic (grade level with additional support in basic math concepts).

Placement is based on teacher recommendations, prior grades, and district benchmark testing scores.

The typical math pathway for middle school students is Math 6, Math 7, and Math 8 with algebra in ninth grade.

Classes meet daily for 83 minutes.

Visit the California Department of Education's website for a complete listing of the state's Common Core State Standards at: https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/.

Algebra

Students on the advanced math track will take Algebra.

This standards-based class covers the second half of Math 8 as well as high school-level Algebra I and is designed to prepare students for geometry in ninth grade.

Placement is based on prior grades, teacher recommendations, and district benchmark testing scores.

Classes meet daily for 83 minutes.

Science 8

Science 8 is a standards-based course that introduces students to physical science and health.

Topics of study include matter, motion, force, energy, the atom, interactions of matter, and astronomy.

Labs, activities, and projects supplement and reinforce the concepts presented.

Also included in the program is a unit on health that includes topics such as substance abuse prevention, family life, self-esteem, protecting one's health, and decision-making skills.

Classes meet every other day for 83 minutes.

U.S. History

U.S. History is a standards-based course that introduces students to American history from the period of the American Revolution to World War I.

Areas of study include geography, economics, political science, history, anthropology, sociology, and technology.

Specifically, the units of study concern U.S. geography, creation of the U.S. government, settlement of the West, Civil War and Reconstruction, U.S. industrial growth, and the development of the U.S. as a world power.

Students complete the second half of U.S. History in eleventh grade.

Classes meet every other day for 83 minutes.