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8th Grade - Kitah Het - כיתה
ח
General Studies
English Language Arts
Students continue to develop and enrich all of the language arts
in the eighth grade. Grammar and mechanics remain an important part
of the curriculum. Students read selections from the literature
book along with outside materials. The class reads A Midsummer Night’s
Dream and selections from The Odyssey. Students also produce a variety
of creative and expository writing, including monthly book reviews.
A research paper of 8-10 pages for social studies and English is
also required.
Earth Science
This science course is an in depth study of the Earth, its many
geological components, and all the forces that have an effect on
it. The students study the earth’s materials including rocks
and mineral resources. Astronomy, which is the study of the structure
of the universe, the solar system, motions of celestial objects,
insulation and the seasons, and the motions of the earth and moon,
is also included in the curriculum. Meteorology, the study of the
atmosphere, weather, and climates is another fascinating area of
study. Additionally, the students learn about topographical maps,
plate tectonics, earthquakes, earth’s history, weathering,
erosion, deposition, and landscape development. This course may
be taken for Regents or school credit. Weekly lab participation
and written labs are an important requirement of this course.
Social Studies
This course 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 8
Students continue their two year study of the Spanish language.
Vocabulary and conversational Spanish are emphasized. This is the
second year of a two-year study preparing students to take the New
York State Spanish proficiency exam. 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 ll
in high school.
Math 8
Students enrolled in the eighth grade math program will work through
the standards set forth by the New York State eighth grade curriculum.
More challenging algebra, 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.
Intergrated Algebra
Our most accelerated eighth graders (and occasionally younger students)
take Integrated Algebra, which is the first of the high-school level
New York Regents courses in mathematics. The curriculum includes
number theory, algebraic equations, systems and inequalities in
two variables, quadratic and exponential functions, coordinate geometry,
right-triangle trigonometry, probability and combinatorics, and
equations involving radicals or rational expressions. The Regents
curriculum is enriched with a number of hands-on labs and concept
applications. Students completing this course take the New York
Regents Examination in Integrated Algebra in June and enter high
school having earned 2 of the required six credits for a Regents
diploma.
Judaic Studies
Hebrew - עברית
The NETA Hebrew curriculum continues to be linguistically sequential;
texts and tasks increase in length and complexity as the student’s
Hebrew improves. The curriculum consists of four levels. Lessons
are centered on themes of interest to students, ranging from computers
and sports to friendship and freedom. Each theme is presented from
three perspectives: Jewish tradition, modern Israeli culture and
general world knowledge, including art, science, mathematics, literature
and philosophy. Each unit of study incorporates art, music, prose,
poetry, news articles and Jewish texts, in layers of language ranging
from biblical Hebrew to current scientific Hebrew terminology and
common colloquialisms.
Chumash (Bible) - חומש
In Chumash 8, we return to the Book of Bereshit, Genesis,
now with a focus on the moral dilemmas presented in the text and
the emergence of monotheism. We explore the text accompanied by
rabbinic commentaries, analyze the material through extensive discussion,
and internalize the material while promoting a love of Torah through
many guided projects. In addition, the eighthth graders learn Shmuel
Bet and analyze the character of King David, his family, and the
struggling monarchy of Israel.
Mishna - משנה
Jewish identity and practice are rooted primarily in Torah Sheb'al
Peh, which is itself presented and detailed in the Mishnah, related
Tannaitic texts, and Amoraic and Talmudic texts. Kitah Het continues
the steps of a fully integrated curriculum for the study of Torah
Sheb'al Peh using the V'Shinantam curriculum.
Jewish History
The Jewish history 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 the year ends
with an exploration of our own Jewish identity in the Diaspora.
Prayer - תפילה
The focus of the prayer curriculum is to strengthen prayer
skills, as well as the understanding of the t’filot. T’filah
experiences include communal prayer blended with more intensive
learning of the prayers directed by the teacher. Students develop
the skills to lead prayer and read Torah.
Chesed Project
Kitah Het participates weekly in the ROAR (Reach Out And Read) program
with second grade children from Albany’s inner city, helping
them to increase their literacy skills.
Additional Curricular Activities
Library Information Center
Our Library Information Center is truly a learning center for the
entire school community. Staffed by a New York State certified library
media specialist, it is home to both flexible and scheduled library
and computer classes, as well as casual use. The spacious facility
includes a collection of Judaic and general studies books, both
to support the school curriculum and students’ individual
reading interests. The Library Information Center houses a computer
lab to accommodate whole-class, small group and individual use.
The Library Information Center prepares students to be lifelong
learners. It affords the students opportunities to find information
from many sources; provides the students with electronic access
to information; acts as a link to other libraries; assists in the
research process locating current research information; collaborates
with teachers to plan, teach, and evaluate instruction; and develops
systems to help provide access to internet resources.
Physical Education
Bet Shraga is fortunate to have a large, well equipped gymnasium,
as well as an extensive outdoor play yard including three separate
playing fields. During their two weekly classes of PE, students
have opportunities to engage in developmentally appropriate exercises,
team sports, gymnastics, and physically challenging games that develop
a sense of teamwork.
Art
Art classes emphasize good drawing technique, learning about the
elements of art and using the principles of art, practicing shading
and using values to emphasize realism, and gaining a sense of art
history and aesthetics. Middle school students learn about art in
ancient cultures such as cave painting, aboriginal bark painting,
x-ray painting, Egyptian tomb painting, Greek vase painting, Roman
mosaics, medieval gargoyles, Gothic rose windows and Renaissance
linear perspective. Judaic art lessons consist of wood burned challah
trays and silk painted challah covers. The works and movements of
Pop artist, Andy Warhol, and Op artist, Bridget Rilley, are studied
by creating linoleum prints and drawings. Middle school students
add to the beauty of the school’s hallways with group mural
projects.
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