8th Grade at L-Dub

English Language arts: Impact & change

8th Grade ELA is a space to build upon our skills and begin considering how we can use our voices to impact the world around us. Students read texts that challenge them to consider where they might fit into a story—or if they do at all. They begin to not only express themselves but also consider how to really use that expression to effect change through writing short memoirs, literary essays, poems, op-eds, and graduation speeches.

  • Key Texts: Animal Farm, The Poet X.
Social Studies: Civics, US history, & justice

Social Studies 8 uses primary sources, literature, and other texts to study civics, United States history, and Pacific Northwest history—all with an emphasis on how different groups in our society have sought and gained greater justice and more equal standing.

  • Civics: Government structure, US and WA Constitutions, treaties with native nations.
  • Case Studies: Post-Civil War African American experiences, WWII Japanese American incarceration, tribal rights/Fish Wars, and Civil Rights Era activism in Seattle.
Science: Physical Science

Eighth grade science focuses on physical science. Throughout the year, we will study motion and forces, energy, states and properties of matter, and chemical reactions. We will focus on making observations, modeling, and arguing from evidence to understand and explain the invisible forces and interactions going on between particles and substances.

 

math

Math 8: This course focuses on developing proportional reasoning through multi-step proportion and percentage problems that emphasize real-world applications. Students engage with topics that prepare them to tackle the more abstract concepts found in a high school Algebra course.

Accelerated Math 8: This course focuses on completing Algebra content and introducing topics covered in a high school Geometry course. Students expand their equation-solving knowledge from linear to quadratic equations, simplify rational expressions, and explore expressions with square roots, placing a large emphasis on justifying reasoning and proving answers.

Service Learning

Service Learning is a class where critical thinking, empathy, collaboration, and leadership come together in real-world applications. All 8th graders take Service Learning for the first two trimesters, and then the class continues as a project based class in trimester three. This course provides opportunities for students to put their skills and passions into action as we work with partner organizations throughout the city.

Spanish

Spanish 8 students spend the year gaining more confidence with and command of the language in multiple tenses. By the end of the year, students are able to have basic conversations, read a novel for level 2 learners, listen to instruction entirely in Spanish, and write multiple paragraphs of simple text. This course prepares them for the high school language classroom.

Mind, body, voice

MBV students will focus on building and/or strengthening community with classmates and learning about the importance of executive functioning skills. Students will set goals, learn about brain development during the teen years, and explore their identities. Topics focus on SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) such as self-awareness, emotional regulation, and responsible decision-making.

Physical education

In PE, students participate in activities that utilize large and small muscle movements that challenge them through strength, endurance, and mobility. In addition, they build skills in strategy and sportsmanship through games and sport-specific units. The goal is for graduates to recognize the value of these activities for health, enjoyment, challenge, and social interactions.

Visual Arts

Students will experiment with both two-dimensional and three-dimensional techniques while building craftsmanship, observation skills, and confidence in making and discussing art. We focus on at least four projects that explore an art skill and different materials: an element of art project, a color/value painting, a grid drawing project, and a self-portrait. Students learn new drawing and painting techniques as well as ways to express their own identity.

Drama

In Drama, students begin by preparing a monologue for auditions. Once the show is cast, students learn about the qualities that make up a strong ensemble—a collaborative spirit, flexibility, a willingness to take risks, and an ability to accept input from others. Students prepare a play for a fully realized production, supporting the show through acting, scene/prop construction, and tech roles.

music

This course helps students find a passion for creating music together. Students learn and try different instruments and genres, and prepare live performances for the L-DUB community. Basic skills like rhythm, melody, expressive qualities, and song structure will be acquired and practiced. Performances by professional musicians will be analyzed to help students design their own dynamic performances.

 

 

"I really love how L-Dub inspires us to use our voice to be loud, not proud. I feel comfortable with myself.”

 

"L-Dub teachers really take their time with the material to make sure everyone is on the same page. I used to hate math and science before I came to L-Dub but now I know I love engineering!"

 
 

"I changed A LOT at L-Dub! I never expected where I'd end up, but I like where I'm at!"