In their final year at Highlands Christian School, Eighth Graders will rise to the challenge and finish their time at Highlands with excellence. Learning valuable lessons from History, students will study in depth World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War up to present day. In Literature and Composition, students will study the classics Romeo & Juliet, Pride & Prejudice, Great Expectations, The Hiding Place, and Screwtape Letters. Mirroring their reading, students will learn the Socratic Method of discussion and teaching, compose an oral and research paper and present a cumulative report.
In their first year of Algebra, students will learn real life application to the material they have studied which will lead to practical applications for the rest of their lives.
Having a solid foundation of science studies thus far, students will jump into Physical Science where they will have an introduction to properties of matter, atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical bonds, reactions, motion, forces, energy, waves, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, Earth’s structure, weathering, atmosphere, chemistry and physics in the life sciences, and finally physical science research.
In their final year of Latin, our 8th graders will complete Third Form Latin. This year is more focused on translation skills. Grammar and syntax are taught systematically in order to facilitate retention and understanding, and the extensive workbook exercises ensure mastery and rapid recognition.
In Music and Art, students will continue to study the History of Art, with a focus on abstraction, photography and contemporary artists. Reflecting the more modern study of Art, students will study modern music, with a focus on Spanish and English Folk, and contemporary composers.
As part of the preparation and celebration as they launch into high school, eighth graders will take etiquette classes, plan and host social events, stage a student performance and go on a Washington D.C. class trip.
