Course Outline

8th Grade Core

Core class is an integration of Social Studies and Language Arts. The following is a list of the main components of the course:

• Daily Oral Language (DOL)

• Grammar Packets

• Spelling Units

• Accelerated Reader

• Accelerated Writer

• United States History to 1877

• Washington: A State of Contrasts

DOL is a daily drill where students examine two sentences containing errors

in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. The class works through the corrections together. On Fridays students take a quiz on the concepts covered during the week.

Grammar packets are given to students each Monday and are due on Wednesday. Students may refer to the Write Source 2000 grammar text. Most of the packets come with adequate examples for students to complete the work without having to use the text.

Spelling units start with a pre-test on Mondays. Students then have until Thursday to complete the unit’s lesson at which time we correct the unit and take the final test.

Accelerated Writer will focus students on effective writing. Students will evaluate writing samples and create written work based upon selected modes and qualities of writing.

Accelerated Reading is our library book reading program. Students are given goal points based on their reading levels. They then earn points by reading library books and taking quizzes. Each book is worth a certain amount of points based on its reading level and length. Students work toward their goal point each quarter.

Our social studies curriculum is divided between American History and Washington State History. The United States History to 1877 text is used for the first semester. Students will study the period from the Revolution to Reconstruction. Washington: A State of Contrasts text will be used for the second semester. Students will receive a credit waiver for successfully completing this portion of the course for their high school graduation requirements.