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
Units of Study: These units of study are examples of how we build age-appropriate, interdisciplinary lessons. The goal is to challenge, expand thinking, and inspire students to act on their curiosity, ask good questions, and solve problems. Social Studies: Reconstruction Essential Question: What responsibility does a government have to its people? Skill/Activity: Write a thesis-based essay using primary sources to argue whether the end of Reconstruction was brought about by the actions of Northern Republicans or Southern Democrats Science: Flint Water Crisis/Environmental Toxicology Essential Question: How are decisions made about controlling substances that might harm human health? Skill/Activity: Use a serial dilution of salt water to test toxicity using a lettuce seed bioassay and analyze the results Math: Measuring Length and Area Essential Question: How is the ratio of the areas of two similar polygons related to the ratio of corresponding sides? Skill/Activity: Investigate the impact of dilations on figures in the coordinate plane Language Arts: Memoirs Essential Question: What is the value in sharing your story? Skill/Activity: Explore the structure of a memoir, then compose a personal memoir focusing on the people and experiences that have shaped your identity
Sample Schedule 8:00-8:25 a.m…...................................Advisory 8:25-9:25 a.m........................……Social Studies 9:25-10:25 a.m…....................................….Math 10:25-10:45 a.m…....................….Snack/Recess 10:45-11:30 a.m……...............................Elective 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m….....................SSAT Prep 12:30-1:10 p.m….................……..Recess/Lunch 1:10-2:10 p.m……………......…….Language Arts 2:10-3:10 p.m……………...............………Spanish 3:15 p.m………….............................…..Dismissal
What Elective Choices Will My Child Have? Middle Schoolers choose from a wide range of electives in which they participate four times per week, such as: Advanced Art: Students explore mural painting, graphic art, illustration design, and public art as they develop their critical-thinking, collaboration, and artistic skills. STEM Challenges: While competing in a variety of STEM challenges, ranging from building Lifesaver cars to engineering balsa wood structures, students fine-tune their creative problem-solving skills. Green Good Group: Empowering students to take action as leaders, community advocates, and problem-solvers, this elective addresses global and local issues with project-based, peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
Since we believe educational programs should continually evolve to meet the needs of our students, all curricular lessons and schedules referenced here are examples and may change.