Eighth Grade

The Form II English curriculum builds upon the practices of text analysis, writing in varied registers, and public speaking, each of which was introduced in Form I English and sixth grade English. In this course, students use texts to explore increasingly sophisticated notions of what it means to transition from adolescence into adulthood. Students delve deeper into the concept of subtext, and emphasis is placed on analyzing characters through motivation and action. Students are asked to make connections between the fiction they read and their own life experiences. They are also encouraged, through a year-long portfolio project, to recognize and reflect upon their reading and writing practices. As part of their development as young men of confidence and character, they will also engage in at least one oral reading of one of their selections from their writing portfolio and present a memorized scene from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Fundamental vocal and physical delivery skills are reinforced, while advanced skills—such as vocal variety, pacing, creation of character, and creative use of space—are introduced. In addition, attentive audience behavior is expected with the use of written and oral positive feedback and constructive criticism. There are several grammar, usage, and punctuation units throughout the year that equip students with the tools needed to work toward clarity and grace in their speech and writing.

The primary goal of the Health and Physical Education curriculum is to provide the boys with the framework necessary to develop and maintain a fitness plan that they can utilize for a lifetime. Through the health portion of the curriculum the boys are introduced to body systems, changes during puberty, male and female reproductive systems, pregnancy, childbirth and STDs. Through the physical education curriculum, we aim to provide the boys with a variety of lifetime sports and activities that will give the boys the sport skills necessary to establish a lifetime commitment to a healthy lifestyle. It is the department’s goal to improve students' physical fitness, overall well being, skill development and teamwork in a fun and learning environment.

• Trimester Fitness Testing: mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, resting heart rate, blood pressure and body composition.
• Gaelic Football
• Hurling
• Cricket
• Rugby
• Flag Football
• Soccer
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Squash
• Badminton
• Volleyball
• Weight Training
• Swimming
• Floor Hockey
• Basketball
• Climbing/Bouldering (also during split for double period for all indoor activities)
• Frisbee Golf
• Tennis
• Softball/smashball
• Lacrosse
• Track and Field

World Cultures is designed to grant students an understanding of the major players and events that shaped our contemporary world by examining the evolutions of various global cultures from pre-modern to modern times. The course explores the political, economic, sociological, and philosophical factors that contributed to such evolutions, and it thereby serves as a vehicle for introducing students to multiple disciplines in the social sciences and humanities. We augment that background information by studying the material products of each culture (such as artworks, artifacts, legends, and primary documents) to gain an appreciation of daily life throughout history. In order to contextualize this course content, the units also consider how each culture defines itself and how others define it, and we discuss the cultural biases that are associated with such definitions.

Throughout the year, each World Cultures student strives to develop his own sense of intellectual responsibility as he practices several tools of humanistic inquiry, such as engaging in critical discussion, conducting proper research, and composing logical and persuasive analyses.

ALGEBRA I, PART II

In the second part of this comprehensive Algebra I course students will build on their understanding of linear equations and systems of linear equations in two variables. In addition students will explore basic operations with polynomials, factoring, and the solution of quadratic equations using various methods. Considerable focus will be placed on multiple representations of these solutions, especially graphs. Students will become familiar with handheld technology tools, like the TI 83/84 family of calculators. Upon completion of this course, a student’s performance will be evaluated placement into Geometry or Honors Geometry in the Upper School.

GEOMETRY

This course emphasizes the development of visual/spatial thinking skills and students use the same curriculum that was developed by faculty in our Upper School. Beginning with the building blocks of geometry, students will investigate the properties of points, lines and planes, and their relationships to real-world models. With the use of concrete models and puzzles, the geometry student will investigate the unique characteristics of both two- and three-dimensional shapes and figures. Students will also learn how to justify major theorems of the course using mathematical proofs. Time will be spent on constructions with the use of math tools and the derivation of formulas and theorems. Students will gain valuable experience with dynamic math technology, like Geogebra, and the TI 83/84 family of handheld calculators.

LATIN

In Form II Latin, students continue their exploration of the language, culture, and history of the ancient Romans. The vocabulary and grammar learned builds on the foundational knowledge acquired in Form I. Students translate passages adapted from authors of the ancient canon. They also delve into aspects of Roman daily life, researching the Roman entertainment of the Colosseum and Circus Maximus, and discovering the organization and technology of the Roman army. Mythology makes up a key aspect of any Latin curriculum, and our Form II students build on their knowledge of the Greco-Roman pantheon by examining the familiar stories of Greek heroes and demigods. Through a mix of readings and projects, students leave Middle School Latin with a solid understanding of the language, mythology and daily life of the people of ancient Rome.

SPANISH

During seventh and eighth grade, students receive a solid foundation in the structure of the Spanish language as well as an understanding of the cultural background of Spanish speaking countries. These introductory levels are taught with an emphasis on basic vocabulary and fundamental grammatical concepts. In their Spanish classes, students will engage in easy conversation, as they work on speaking in complete and correct sentences. They will also read easy texts, summarize them in their own words and narrate a story in front of the class. We use DESCUBRE as a textbook to study all the grammatical concepts, and also supplement our curriculum with easy readers, online resources and fables.

Eighth grade music is the culmination of the Middle School curriculum. In small groups, students utilize the music literacy and performance skills gained over the previous two years to compose their own songs and prepare them for a final performance in front of their peers. Students write lyrics, choose chord progressions and strumming patterns, and compose melodies. Both singing and guitar playing are requirements for the songs, but students may also incorporate instruments on which they have achieved proficiency through private study – such as piano, electric bass or drums. During this time, study of music theory and history proceed through class guitar and group presentations.

In addition, all middle school boys are encouraged to join our performing ensembles: The Fantastic Fords Concert Band, The Haverford School Orchestra, Centennial Singers and The Haverford Boys Choir.

The Form II science course builds upon the skill development of 6th grade and Form I Science and the more rigorous content-rich nature of Form I Science. The boys revisit and master skills, design and execute their own demonstrations and experiments, gain background knowledge from a variety of texts, and complete several larger scale projects. While continuing to explore the systems and cycles as well as structure and function of Earth’s biotic and abiotic factors, the boys exit the Form II science curriculum and the Middle School experience as a whole well-prepared to fully engage in their Upper School science classes. A sampling of Form II Science topics includes:

• Scientific method
• Measurement
• Experimental design
• Taxonomy and classification
• Microbiology
• Evolution and natural selection
• Biodiversity and dissection
• Chemical reactions
• Dissolving properties of water
• Physical oceanography
• Marine biology
• Astronomy

The Middle School theater program is designed to equip our boys with skills that translate to all subject areas. Through the study of Theater Arts, our boys experience kinesthetic, project-based learning in public speaking, technical theater, playwriting, script analysis, acting, design, and production. In addition to these skills, theater fosters empathy, imagination, and understanding of the basic human condition. Each grade-level has its own project developed to simultaneously challenge and nurture the creativity, confidence, and compassion in our boys.

Performance opportunities are abundant in class as well as after school. Our Middle School boys are invited to audition and/or join stage crew for our annual winter musical. The boys have a chance to put together a fully realized production with a diverse production staff and young ladies from area schools. Our shows are carefully picked with the boys’ fun-loving spirits and high energy in mind. Past titles include "Peter Pan," "Aladdin Jr.," "Seussical," "Honk!," "Grease- School Edition," and "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown."

Students will walk away from this course with the knowledge of different methods and systems of acting from diverse cultures. They will create an ensemble and begin to perform as a troupe in sketch comedy, original works and in published dramatic plays.

Eighth Grade art builds on how humans use visual stories to connect their lives to the world around them. The program extends the students' experience of 2-D, 3-D, and multimedia techniques supplemented by examples in Art History. Projects tend to be more challenging in this course, as students are asked to follow specific guidelines and explore a variety of processes:

• The students use line and contrast both as function and metaphor while drawing and painting from life.
• They are presented with a set of 3-D problems to solve using woodworking and other innovative sculptural methods.
• The boys then take an in-depth look at film making. From script to screen they plan, produce, edit, and distribute their short films.

2D AND 3D

The eighth grade art program is a combination of two-dimensional and three-dimensional work with a sprinkling of art history thrown in. Projects tend to be more challenging in this course as students are asked to follow specific guidelines and processes. The 8th grade student may expect to be given a long-term sculpture project in clay, plaster or wood as well as an in depth self-portrait painting. One art project will be directly related to their academic study of World Cultures and History or Greek Mythology. Suggestions, from the art and photography teachers, will be made to the students and parents regarding art course decisions for Upper School.

VIDEO PRODUCTION AND MULTI-MEDIA

Eighth graders boys begin the year with an in depth unit in Video Production. They cover shot types, camera angles and movement, lighting, composition, and sound. The boys move through the three processes of video: Pre-production (scripting and storyboarding), Production (treatment and filming), and Post-production (sequencing, editing, and sound). Eighth grade boys then move on to a unit that blends the traditional arts (drawing, painting, and sculpting) with new media: Animation. Through animation the boys learn technical aspects like the math and science behind a film’s frame rate, its key frames, tweening, shots, and scenes. Both through video and animation the boys learn how to tell stories through sequence and montage. They will write and develop characters learning about arcs and linear / non-linear storytelling.