• Patterns to Algebra
• Operations in Algebra
• Equations
• Proportional reasoning and statistics
• Linear functions
• Inequalities and absolute value
• Systems of equations and inequalities
• Exponents and exponential functions
• Polynomials and factoring
• Quadratic functions
• Rational functions
• Radicals, functions
• Coordinate geometry

• Review of reading strategies
• Review of the Active Reading Model and literary terminology
• Understand how literary elements and techniques are used to convey meaning with the traditional story structure
• Character development and vocabulary using the short story “Marigolds”
• Short story “Tales with a Twist” project and presentation
• Use the newspaper to form, explain, and support critical thinking and reading comprehension in non-fiction journalistic writing and advertising
• Literary elements, techniques, and themes are used to convey meaning through the autobiographical novels: Night, The Hiding Place and A Long Walk to Water
• Analyze the meaning of words and phrases in their context using all of the stories above
• Accelerated Reader
• Create interactive notebooks for all literary elements

• Build a solid Biblical worldview
• Help the student discern the various worldviews that drive much of what he sees and hears in the secular culture
• Genesis (chapters 1-11) will be the focus of the in-depth study since it is the foundation for the Christian worldview
• The origin of every doctrine of Christianity--Creation, Fall, Judgment, and Redemption--is found in Genesis
• Learn the principles of inductive Bible study
• Practice principles of Bible study that incorporate useful tools for observing, interpreting, and applying scripture

• Embedded Inquiry
• Physical and Chemical Properties
• Periodic Table
• Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
• Acids and Bases
• Biodiversity and Change

Grammar

Objective: Students will focus on advanced grammar concepts regarding the parts of speech such as identifying various types of pronouns and conjugating verbs. They will also practice more detailed techniques of sentence construction and mechanics. Finally, students will review and practice the new concepts introduced in 7th grade - the various types of clauses and phrases, infinitives, participles, and gerunds.

Topics covered:

• 1st Quarter – Advanced Parts of Speech practice
• 2nd Quarter – Advanced Parts of Speech practice (cont.)
• 3rd Quarter – Sentence Construction, Clauses, Phrases
• 4th Quarter – Mechanics: Punctuation, Capitalization & Advanced Concepts

Weekly Language Practice – Daily Grams

Objective: student will apply grammar concepts by correcting capitalization and punctuation mistakes.

Application: 2 per week – 60 completed per year

Journal

Objective: Journal - Students will practice writing skills and prepare for timed essay tests by creating interesting, proper paragraph responses to varied topics in a specific time allotment.

Application: Select weeks –timed paragraph responses

Spelling

Objective: Students will spell, define, and list the part of speech for all new vocabulary words focusing on roots, suffixes, and prefixes. Students will demonstrate understand of the word and its usage by creating sentences for each word. Words are chosen from ABeka, ACSI Spelling Bee words, and standardized test prep review word lists.

Application: 20 spelling lists – 200 new words mastered per year

Writing

Objective: Students will enhance writing techniques by practicing proper paragraph and essay construction working through the four main types of writing and utilizing the writing process for each assignment. Students will also be introduced to and practice proper MLA documentation.

Writing Projects:

1st Quarter

• Review the Four Types of Writing and the Writing Process
• Four Paragraph Project
• 5 Paragraph Persuasive Essay – Literary Analysis – in collaboration with 8th Grade Literature

2nd Quarter

• Continue 5 Paragraph Persuasive Essay – Literary Analysis – in collaboration with 8th Grade Literature
• Christmas Narrative - culminating in an oral reading of the essay to lower elementary students
• Oral Reading of Christmas Narrative

3rd Quarter

• Review Writing Structures in Expository Writing
• Create Descriptive Paragraph
• Create a Cause and Effect Paragraph

4th Quarter

• Review MLA Documentations
• Begin Research Paper Project
• Research Paper Project – students will learn how to research and organize information; create note cards with proper parenthetical citations and essay placement notations; learn how to avoid plagiarism; create drafts of subtopics inserting facts from note cards and including proper MLA Documentation; combine subtopics with transitions to form a cohesive essay; create a full outline page matching the order of information presented in the essay; and create a proper bibliography page and a title page
• Oral presentation and Possible PowerPoint based on research from the research paper.

American Republic traces American history from the discovery of the New World up to present day with a focus on values and government