English
In addition to emphasizing the etymologies of key vocabulary words, Grade 8 English works in conjunction with Grade 8 History to examine topics of human rights. Students read, discuss, and respond to pertinent literature, including South African short stories about apartheid, Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, and poems from the Middle East. Using the guiding question "What can I do?" girls are encouraged to think about how they can improve the quality of life for others in the world. Grade 8 can be a time of tremendous growth in compassion and social awareness, so the idea of defending the human rights of others is a natural fit. The final term centers around Shakespeare: Students recite monologues for the Shakespeare Recitation Contest in April, and in May, they join more than one hundred city schoolchildren for a performance as part of Shakespeare in the City. This unique program has featured hundreds of school children from all over the city in Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, and Othello.
History: Global Citizenship & Human Rights
This focus of this course is world cultures and human rights. Particular areas of the world and their histories and human rights issues are studied in the context of current events and political environments. There is an emphasis on critical thinking and writing as well as organizational skills throughout each unit in preparation for Upper School and beyond. The class culminates in a Global Citizenship Program, in which the entire 8th grade travels to New York to visit the UN and learn about several human rights initiatives.
Units:
- Human Rights, Citizenship, Immigration
- South Africa
- South Africa-United States Comparison
- Brazil Case Study
- The Human Rights Research Project - Human Rights Defenders
- NYC Preparation
- UN Sustainability Goals (Racial, Gender, Environmental Justice)
Science
Physical science in Grade 8 explores the “whys” of how the world works. More specifically, what is the stuff that makes up everything on earth? How does that stuff interact? In this class students learn about chemistry: atoms, molecules, the behavior of substances made up of atoms and molecules, and how their behavior affects our lives. They will also study some of the rules of physics: how objects interact when they come into contact (even invisible contact!) with each other. Both of these principles will be used to examine human design and energy use.
We students to think the way scientists do: to observe and see things as if for the first time. The great scientists of history are great because they have questioned and thought about what they have seen. This class is highly laboratory- and activity-oriented, to familiarize participants with laboratory techniques, keeping laboratory records, and safety in the science lab.
Math
Students in the eighth grade take either Pre-Algebra or Algebra I.
Pre-Algebra
Grade 8 Pre-Algebra is a continuation of Grade 7 Pre-Algebra. Students sharpen their skills with fractions, decimals and percents, work with the rules for order of operations and for exponents, learn to simplify simple algebraic expressions and solve equations, and learn the skills needed to create circle graphs and graphs of linear equations. Students are expected to develop a strong, working mathematical vocabulary, preparing them to succeed in subsequent mathematics courses.
Algebra I
Algebra I is an introduction to the language of mathematics. Students study the properties of real numbers, solve equations (both linear and quadratic), perform a variety of operations on polynomials, factor quadratic expressions, work with rational expressions, graph straight lines, and learn various methods to solve word problems algebraically.
Exploring Technology
In this course, students to explore the working world with technology.They dive deep into different technology-related jobs and engage hands-on with robotics and coding. By taking a look at technology beyond the classroom, students become familiar with the working world and technology jobs in computer science, the arts, business, robotics, and beyond.
Physical Education/Health
Through exposure to a broad variety of activities, each student in the Lincoln School Physical Education program is encouraged to build her physical potential. The goal is to develop each student's competency and confidence in basic skills, her understanding of and appreciation for a variety of team and individual sports and her appreciation for physical fitness, fostering a desire to participate in physical activities throughout life.
Typical sports skill offerings include soccer, field hockey, football, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, team handball, badminton, and softball. The units emphasize skill development, game strategies, positioning and rules. Other activities include Fitness Center training, S.A.F.E. self-defense program, yoga, and Zumba. Recreational games, team-building activities, and intramural opportunities are included throughout the year.