See below for the Grade 8 Information Package & Program Planning Form attachments.

 

French 8 (MFR--08)

Workbooks (Approx. $12) are available to purchase or borrow.

French 8 reviews and deepens the understanding of basic concepts presented in the elementary program. Through listening and viewing, students will develop confidence in French and learn how to express themselves both orally and written. Authentic tasks will help students to not only explore, communicate ideas, acquire new language and language structures, but to also view the world and other cultural communities from a new perspective.

 

Humanities 8A (English) (MEN--08HUA)
Humanities 8A (Social Studies) (MSS--08HUB)

Students will take two blocks of Humanities 8, an integration of the Language Arts’ English and Social Studies curricula. This course builds upon the foundation laid in Grade 7 with a continued focus on the skills of reading comprehension, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and representing. The course emphasizes the writing process and explores the pleasure and satisfaction that come with the ability to write with confidence. Students will read widely and respond both personally and critically to a variety of literature, including novels, short stories, drama, poetry, and non-fiction.

Students will develop research and inquiry skills to use a range of resources, make effective notes and determine main ideas and supporting details. Humanities 8 examines world history and the factors that contribute to development of civilizations, including indigenous civilizations from the 7th Century to 1750 C.E., the years that saw the formation of the modern western world. Within that historical context, students will learn about change and development in society and culture, politics, law, economy and technology and learn how exploration, contact, conflict, expansion and colonization had varying consequences for different groups.

 

Mathematics 8 (MMA--08)

This course builds on skills developed up to Grade 7 while introducing students to secondary mathematics. Areas covered in this program include Representing Data; Ratios, Rates and Proportional Reasoning; Pythagorean Relationship; Percent; Surface Area; Fraction Operations; Volume; Integers; Linear Relations and Equations; Probability; and Financial Literacy. Problem Solving will be related to real-life experiences to make the application of Math more meaningful, and will be integrated throughout the program. On top of this Content, students will be expected to show learning and growth through the Core Competencies of Communication, Thinking, and Personal and Social Responsibility.

 

Physical & Health Education 8 (MPHE-08)

The goal of Physical and Health Education 8 is to provide students with foundational knowledge and skills required to maintain physical health throughout their lives. Our goal is to have students appreciate the importance of physical well-being and its relationship to physical, emotional, and social health. Students will actively participate in a wide variety of recreational physical activities and learn how to monitor their personal fitness level. In addition to active participation, some curricular time will be spent in the classroom developing a holistic understanding of personal health.

 

Science 8 (MSC--08)

The curriculum allows our students to develop their knowledge and learning skills through our science competencies. This course helps develop the positive attitudes, communication and skills that will help our students learn to be successful. The course will equip students with the necessary scientific skills and processes, encouraging critical thinking, and increasing scientific knowledge. Grade 8 units include: Life Science (defining life, cell theory, and immune system), Physical Science (atoms, light, and waves), and Earth Science (plate tectonics and geological events).

 

Visual Arts 8 (MVA--08)

Visual Arts 8 provides a foundation in art media, methods and appreciation – focusing on creative/critical thinking, communicating/documenting and exploring/creating. Students will be introduced to - and experiment with - both 2D and 3D skills and techniques in drawing, painting and sculpture. Emphasis will be placed on skill building, development of imagery and exploring new perspectives of expression. This runs as a part of the Grade 8 Wheel rotation, which is one of three courses in our yearly schedule.

 

Fine Arts and ADST (Applied Skills) Elective Wheels

All students in Grade 8 participate in the wheel. This is an opportunity to explore seven areas of learning for students. Some students may not participate in all sections of the wheel if they are taking ELL courses or need extra learning support from the learning Centre. The wheel typically occupies two blocks of a student’s 8 block timetable. Students will move from one area of the wheel to the next, each section usually occupies one Quarter of the school year. It is usually organized in the following manner:

 

Early Morning Band 8 (AM Band 8) (MMU--08)

Requirements:

· Concert band instrument (brass, woodwind, drums) owned or rented ready by September

· At least one (1) year of playing experience on the same instrument

Note:

· Interested piano, guitar and bass players will need to meet with the music teacher in January, space is limited for these instruments

Course description:

Early Morning Concert Band is tailored for musicians with a minimum of one year of playing experience on a band instrument. Wi focus on playing Concert Band music, which can include genres in classical, movie soundtrack, pop, jazz, and rock music arranged for a large ensemble. In this welcoming environment, we celebrate mistakes as stepping stones to growth and improvement, fostering a mindset that helps reveal the potential of every musician.

Special note: All interested students are encouraged to apply regardless of ability and playing experience – minimum 1 year of playing the same band instrument. Experienced or returning students wanting early morning band must apply to this course. Once we have the list of interested students, there will be a meeting with Mr. Bonifacio in January to determine student groupings and rehearsal days (Day 1 or Day 2).

Using guiding principles that Music is for everyone:

ALL students will learn to hear and play:

· loud and quiet parts of a song

· fast and slow parts of a song

· notes that go up or down for a song or piece

· in ways that make notes sound different (short, smooth, loud, etc)

Students seeking a challenge or formal approach to music will:

· Review and master foundations of rhythm

· Play a full major scale, modes and cadences

· Develop and master fine motor and articulation control for their instrument

 

Drama/Dance 8 (MDR--08)

This is a brief and fun introduction to dance and drama required by all Grade 8 students as part of their Fine Arts rotation. Half our time will be designated to Drama and half to Dance. Skill development in Dance and Drama supports and enhances other academic subjects. This course helps students to interact comfortably and confidently with others in class. Topics include: team building, concentration/focus during performance, proper stretching and warm-up techniques, choreography development, movement, voice, improvisation, and characterization.

 

Foods 8 (MADFS08)

This exploratory course introduces students to foods, and nutrition. Students learn about the basic principles of food preparation, cookery, and the nutritional value of a wide variety of products and simple meals. Recipes will be prepared for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, and dessert. This is a one term course as part of the Grade 8 wheel rotation.

 

Music Introduction 8 (Grade 8 Wheel) (XLDCD08)

This is a one term course as part of the Grade 8 elective wheel rotation. Students will have an opportunity to learn to play the guitar. The class has a campfire feeling where teacher and students play together. The course will highlight many popular songs so that students gain experience in understanding the meaning and intent behind the music they enjoy listening to. Modern music history and knowledge will be a focus alongside guitar skills.

**Please note that this course is only a single term and does not coincide with Band 8. Students who wish to participate in concerts and trips with the school band should also take Band 8.

 

Passion Projects 8 ((XLDCE08)

“You are a genius and the world needs your contribution!”

In this course students choose a topic of inquiry based on a passion (e.g., something they are good at, excited about, love to do or want to learn more about). They work through the inquiry process of: pitching their idea to refine their project focus, developing an action plan to guide their research, documenting their research and learning, creating or designing a product or solution to share with others, and reflecting on the process. Creativity, inquisitiveness, risk-taking, and persistence are developed through the exploration of their passion. This is part of the Grade 8 elective wheel rotation.

 

Technology Education 8 (MADGE08)

This class is available to all grade 8 students as part of the Applied Skills rotation. Students will be introduced to the following disciplines:

i) Technical drawing and design

ii) Aerodynamics, the properties of basic mechanics and physics

iii) The designing and building of “Mousetrap” powered cars or CO2 powered dragsters

iv) Introduction to bike repair. The student will fully dismantle a bike and then re-assemble it for use

In this course, the students will learn to use woodworking tools as well as mechanics tools. This course is part of the Grade 8 elective wheel rotation