The American Year
The New World Year
Algebra I
Eighth grade students study Algebra I, covering topics such as functions, solving and graphing equations and inequalities, systems of equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, exponential functions, and multiplying and factoring polynomials. Graphing linear and quadratic equations is practiced both with and without graphing calculators. Students who are successful in Algebra I at St. Agatha Academy are well-prepared to enter Geometry or Algebra II as freshmen.
History
The eighth grade year provides students with an in-depth study of United States history from the New World through the 20th century. Beginning with life after the Civil War and Reconstruction, students will trace key events and their impact, including the connections between World War I and World War II and their global effects.
Literature and Composition
In Literature and Composition, students will study elements of literature such as plot, irony, and characterization while reading Treasure Island and The Hobbit. They will then explore westward expansion through The Bold Journey, followed by the study of poetry selections from Whitman, Poe, and Longfellow. Next, students will read The Diary of Anne Frank and examine the Holocaust, followed by C. S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. The year will conclude with The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. Throughout their studies, students will participate in debates, write journal entries, essays, persuasive pieces, newspaper articles, business letters, poetry, and complete a research paper.
Grammar
In Grammar, students will continue to build upon the parts of speech and sentence structure studied in seventh grade. The course includes daily practice in sentence editing and diagramming to strengthen writing and communication skills.
Latin
In Latin, eighth graders will review and strengthen their foundation by beginning again with Second Form Latin, revisiting irregular noun declensions and personal pronouns. They will then continue with the third and fourth verb conjugations, focusing on the indicative, present, and perfect systems.
Religion
In Religion, students will continue using the Faith and Life series with the text Our Life in the Church. They will study the Church founded by Jesus Christ, exploring the Apostles, the saints, the hierarchy, and the four marks of the Church. Discussions will include our role within the Church and as Christians in the world. Students will also reflect on their vocations and how to live holy, faithful lives with heaven as their ultimate goal.
Science
In Science, eighth graders will study Physical Science, exploring topics such as Chemistry, Forces and Energy, and Sound and Light.
