Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy

English Language Arts
Students continue to develop and enrich all of the language arts in the eighth grade. Students read selections from the literature book. The class reads A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Monthly book reviews are required. One research paper of 8-10 pages for Social Studies and English is also required.

Science
Earth Science. This course may be taken for Regents or school credit. The course of study will be the same as high school Earth Science and there is a Regents exam in June. Successful completion of the lab work and the exam will earn students one unit of high school science credit. Weekly lab participation and written labs are an important requirement of this course.

Social Studies
This is the second half of American history. Students read Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave. This begins the chronological study of American history from The Civil War through contemporary times. Using primary documents as sources of information and in the writing of essays is emphasized. One research paper of 8-10 pages is required for this class and English. Students also play the Times Union-sponsored Stock Market Game as part of this course.

Spanish
Students continue their study of the Spanish language. High school credit can be earned with successful completion of the New York State Spanish proficiency at the end of this course. Students can then enroll in Spanish 2 in high school.

Math
Students enrolled in the 8th grade math program will work through the standards set forth by the New York State 8th grade curriculum. More challenging algebra, working with polynomials, functions, coordinate geometry and transformations are among the topics taught. Also included is a study of geometry and measurement, data analysis and probability. Students enrolled in this course will be prepared for entry into a freshman high school math course (Integrated Algebra Regents course) the following year.

Bible
In Bible 8 we explore the book of Bereshit, Genesis, with a focus on the ethical and moral implications of the text utilizing several commentaries. Additionally we study Samuel I & II and the rise of the Jewish monarchy.

Jewish History
The Jewish History 8 curriculum is divided into three units. The year begins with the study of Jewish History from the early 1900’s through the establishment of the State of Israel. Next we focus on advocacy for Israel’s right to exist and we end the year with an exploration of our own Jewish identity in the Diaspora.

Rabbinics
This year the 8th graders are learning "Mostly Mishnah," starting with Mishnah Brachot. In addition to learning to read, translate and understand the concepts presented in each mishnah, they are challenged to think about what this ancient rabbinic text might have to say to them. This means they have to understand what it was trying to say in its own day, to get inside the Rabbinic world-view.

Along the way we occasionally get pulled into fascinating discussions of God, Torah, Judaism, belief, practice ... things that 8th graders love to argue and challenge authority about, and this "authority figure" loves to give them room to do so, in order to help them find their own Jewish answers.