Eighth Grade
Eighth Grade signifies the end of the class teacher years. At Spring River, many of our 8th Grade students have been with the same teacher since 1st grade, as part of the founding class of our school. This relationship and the curriculum of the middle school years will be brought to a culmination over the course of this final year before high school.
A new stage of development is beginning, one in which critical thinking will be the primary learning mode and where the generalist teacher of the grades will give way to the specialized instruction required by the high school student. In many ways Eighth Grade is a bridge, completing the second seven-year stage of childhood and establishing a foundation for the third seven-year stage which will lead into adulthood.
The end of the Middle School years is generally marked by a series of culminating events that may include individual project reports, a significant drama production, and a class trip.
At the end of 8th grade, students will be reach to launch into High School with skill, poise, and intention.
Depending on the needs of an individual child, and the homeschooling plan the family is following, more study may be needed at home to complement the classes chosen at Spring River. Talk to your teacher or the program director for more information. At Spring River, the parents are ultimately in charge of their children's education, and the school is here to supplement and support.
In eighth grade, the following curriculum components are introduced:
Main Lesson Subjects: covered daily (5, 3, and 2-day options)
-
Special Project: 8th Grade students will be doing a self-guided project with a mentor they choose, completely self-driven and self-initiated.
-
Math: Algebra & Geometry (charcoal drawing combined with Geometry)
-
Language Arts: Independent writing in a range of styles with an emphasis on revising through several drafts; The Short Story; structure and parts of speech; critical thinking through the study of literature and informational texts; class books and independent reading; Literature Analysis.
-
Science: Chemistry, Meteorology, Anatomy; biography work
-
History & Social Studies: The French, American and Industrial Revolutions; biography work
-
Geography: Study of Africa
-
Class Play: Each class will practice and perform a class play or presentation tied to the curriculum shared with class families.
Special Subjects (weekly)
-
World Language: Continuing Spanish instruction through art projects and developing a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture and artists. Learning new Spanish vocabulary, language structure, and simple sentence patterns. Grammar is taught in the context of oral communication.
-
Visual & Performing Arts: Clay modeling; sculpting; perspective drawing; watercolor painting. Music to include drumming.
-
Handwork: 2 days per week; knitting, making stuffed animals, macrame, machine sewing - making of clothing to support the Industrial Revolution Block
-
Nature Immersion: Primitive Skills
