Learning Expectations
Eighth Grade

Language Arts

Reading :

• Uses a variety of decoding and word analysis strategies
• Uses a variety of comprehension strategies
• Makes inferences
• Summarizes main ideas and key points
• Understands story elements and their effect on the piece of literature (theme, characters, setting, plot – conflict, obstacles, climax, resolution)
• Identifies literary techniques and devices and their effect (assonance, free verse, symbol, tone)
• Comprehends a variety of genres and understands their defining characteristics (legends, historical fiction, poetry, autobiography)
• Applies criteria to evaluate literary works
• Makes interpretive responses using text to text, text to self, and text to world connections
• Infers author’s audience and purpose

Writing:

• Writes expository (informative) pieces
• Writes persuasive pieces
• Writes personal narratives
• Writes fictional narratives
• Writes for a variety of audiences
• Applies the trait of idea in writing
• Applies the trait of organization in writing
• Applies the trait of word choice in writing
• Applies the trait of sentence fluency in writing (complete and compound sentences)
• Uses pre-writing strategies
• Revises and edits own writing
• Applies parts of speech correctly in writing (noun, verb, adverb, adjective, pronoun, conjunction, preposition, interjection)
• Uses spelling strategies to spell unfamiliar words correctly

Speaking & Listening:

• Delivers oral presentations
• Adapts oral communication for a variety of audiences and purposes
• Comprehends oral communications
• Uses active listening behaviors
• Participates effectively in discussion

Research:

• Uses a variety of informational resources
• Evaluates information while researching
• Organizes information

Mathematics

The following benchmarks reflect the Pre-Algebra curriculum. If your child is in Algebra or Grade 8 Math, please contact your child’s teacher for a copy of the assigned benchmarks.

Problem Solving:

• Uses a variety of problem solving strategies for real world problems and situations
• Communicates and defends solution and process
• Reads and understands mathematical texts

Number Operations and Relationships:

• Understands the relationship between various rational numbers
• Reads and represents mathematical notation
• Adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides integers
• Adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides fractions
• Uses mathematical notation with operations
• Understands inequalities among rational numbers
• Understands and uses percents, ratios, rates, and proportions
• Solves problems involving number-theory concepts
• Selects and uses appropriate computational procedures with rational numbers
• Applies the skill of estimation
• Selects effective algorithms in problem solving situations

Geometry:

• Understands two- and three-dimensional figures
• Understands the transformation of figures
• Understands and uses a rectangular coordinate system

Measurement:

• Calculates geometric probability
• Understands basic measurement facts, principles, and techniques
• Selects and uses appropriate units and tools to find measurements for real-world problems
• Determines measurements indirectly using estimation
• Converts units within a system

Statistics and Probability:

• Organizes and displays data on tables, graphs, and charts
• Interprets and analyzes information from organized data
• Compares data to generate, test and confirm/deny hypotheses
• Evaluates data for validity
• Understands the concept of probability and conducts probability experiments

Algebraic Relationships:

• Uses appropriate symbolism with algebraic expressions
• Identifies and evaluates algebraic expressions
• Understands that a function is a relationship between independent and dependent variables
• Writes linear equations and inequalities to represent problem situations
• Adds and subtracts to simplify algebraic expressions
• Uses linear and nonlinear patterns
• Recognizes and uses algebraic properties
• Solves and graphs inequalities
• Writes and evaluates formulas

Matter:

• Knows the structure of the atom
• Understands the concept of gravity
• Knows how the history of the atomic theory has evolved
• Understands how to apply the periodic table to gather information about the structure of the atom

Chemistry:

• Knows how the structure of the atom affects its chemical bonding
• Knows how chemical interactions and behaviors lead to new substances with different properties
• Writes and balances simple chemical equations
• Knows how energies are involved in causing chemical interactions

Cycles:

• Knows the daily, monthly, and yearly cycles of the earth

Ecology:

• Understands the interdependence of living and non-living things in an ecosystem
• Knows that current use of resources and population growth can influence the conditions of the environment
• Knows how to evaluate media sources for credibility

• Uses scientific evidence to defend or take a position on an issue

Science and Technology:

• Knows the positive and negative impact of science and technology
• Uses a variety of sources to research scientific discoveries
• Knows the relationship between science and technology

Science Connections:

• Knows how things studied in science can be classified by common themes, models, and/or systems
• Knows historical people that have influenced major discoveries
• Understands how theories and models discovered in the past can be used to predict and impact future occurrences

Science Inquiry:

• Uses the scientific method to conduct investigations (PHEOCA)
• Communicates results from scientific investigations

Social Studies

World History (1650-1870)

Map Skills:

• Knows the location of the regions, states, and countries, major bodies of water and mountain ranges
• Creates maps
• Uses a variety of maps, globes, and pictures to gather and compare information

Road to Independence:

• Understands democracy’s basic principles
• Understands the role of political parties and interest groups in American politics
• Understands the role of military alliances and trade associations
• Knows about the independence among individuals and nations

Expansion Westward:

• Knows the natural resources bases of the world
• Knows how major discoveries in science and technology impact the physical and human environments
• Knows how bias, prejudice, and stereotypes cause conflict in society
• Knows how socio-economic factors may lead to conflict among people
• Knows how capital investments affect the standard of living and quality of life

Native Americans:

• Knows the history, culture, tribal sovereignty, and status of the American Indian tribes in Wisconsin

Civil War:

• Knows the factors that influence the wages of workers
• Knows that differences in cultures may lead to understanding and misunderstanding among people
• Knows how perspectives of historical events vary based on the role of the individual
• Knows how the media influences decision-making of society

Reconstruction:

• Knows the need for laws and policies

• Understands services provided by the government

America Developed:

• Knows how the past can be interrupted using a variety of sources
• Knows significant event in the major eras of United States history
• Knows significant people in the major eras of United States history

• Understands important political documents and their functions in the American political systems