Eighth Grade At a Glance Below are a few of the exciting experiences that await your eighth-grader in Langley’s Middle School:
The Langley School’s Arc of Development recognizes that the steepest part of a child’s development comes early, and that while every child’s path is unique, there are predictable cognitive, emotional, and social milestones. With this model, our students receive age-appropriate, inquiry-based instruction.
• Week-long capstone trip in which students immerse themselves in a different culture and develop leadership skills • Big Buddy program with kindergartners that fosters friendships and emphasizes being a good role model • In-depth high school placement assistance, including individual counseling for students and parents, SSAT test prep, and mock interviews • Graduation ceremony in which each eighthgrader reflects on his or her Langley experience through personalized speeches • Interdisciplinary units that help students develop empathy, critical-thinking skills, the ability to understand different perspectives, and their own identity
Learning in Action “In a social studies simulation, some eighth-graders serve as members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, while others present specific views regarding U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. Through this exercise, students gain a deeper understanding of how policy decisions are made, while also developing their research and persuasive argument skills and their ability to generate a thesis.” -Social Studies Teacher “Students take part in an entrepreneurial financial literacy project called ‘Shark Tank’ which puts a real-world spin on our exponential equations unit. The project begins with students using linear and quadratic function models to predict expenses and incomes of fictional companies. They then develop their own companies, using the math behind starting and running a business.” -Math Teacher “During an interdisciplinary unit with visual art, eighth-graders create an original ‘selfie’ performance. Students explore their past, present, and future by interviewing a family member, re-enacting a moment from their lives, and choosing a song that says something important about them. The project concludes with students filming a performance, complete with costumes, props, sets, and lights.” -Drama Teacher