LANGUAGE ARTS The central focus of language arts is to learn what it means to have a voice in American literature. We read poetry, short fiction, essays and novels from a variety of backgrounds and try to make connections about what American Literature might mean. Our authors are ones whom the parents remember, but some may be new to both student and parent. We also write from our own voice trying to add our experience to what it means to be American. We also look at both reading and as writing as art forms, perfecting our own strategies for making reading and writing better and more enjoyable. Vocabulary, analogies, comprehension assessments, portfolios and journals help us to make this learning happen. WRITING WORKSHOP Writing workshop is a time set aside within the language arts curriculum to study the writing process in depth. We use this class time to learn all the steps in the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and even some publishing. From writings inside and outside of class, students put together a portfolio each semester which is used for writing evaluations in language arts. In the first quarter students concentrate on a book review and an autobiographical essay; the latter will help some to construct their high school entrance essays. In the second quarter, students move from the autobiographical essay to the five paragraph essay learning how to write both historical and literary commentary. The rest of the year focuses on various other genres: poetry, fictional narrative, and other types of non-fiction with the students having the opportunity to explore their own personal favorites in depth. AMERICAN HISTORYStudents learn to be hands-on "investigators" of history as we delve into the following themes: The first quarter introduces the girls to the newest theories of the original ancient peoples to come to America. We then explore the American colonies and slavery. During the second quarter, students delve into the Revolution, Independence, and the forming of Ameican government. They study the Constitution and the BIll of Rights. They learn how America grew through industrialization and the addition of westward territories. The third quarter foceses on the Civil War and Reconstruction. The girls research their personal familly histories as we study immigration and modernization. Finally, in the fourth quarter, students explore America's world domination in an expanding economy and imperialism. Throughout the year, students continue to challenge themselves with the following questions: What does it mean to be an American with respect to democracy, diversity, freedom, leadership and discrimination? How have the challenges and victories that our ancestors encountered helped to hape the events of today? MATHEMATICS The 8th grade mathematics class focuses on Algebra I concepts and skills. The course is integrated with the 8th grade physical science class whenever topics are complimentary. Units cover graphing linear equations and inequalities, solving a system, exponents, polynomials, rational expressions and equations, radicals, and functions. Throughout the year, graphing calculators are used as a tool for application problems. PHYSICAL SCIENCE The goal of 8th grade physical science is to provide students with a basic understanding of fundamental scientific concepts, to encourage thoughtful scientific inquiry through use of the scientific method and to inspire the girls to be curious about the world around them. We cover a wide range of topics in both physics and chemistry, including motion, force, energy, the nature of matter, sound and light. Emphasis is placed on hands-on activities, experimentation and collaborative creative projects. Students use tools for building and measurement, construct computer programmed Lego robots, educate the community about energy conservation and create an invention based on science concepts for a culminating “Invention Convention.”
TECHNOLOGYStudents learn iMovie as they film themselves in mock interviews in preparation for the high school interview process. In second quarter, working with science, students learn robotics. The second half of the year is spent learning more about programming using a program called Microworlds. Students use this program to create visuals that complement research done in the American History curriculum.
SEMINAR8th Grade Seminar is a weekly class that supports the American History curriculum. It gives students the opportunity to delve deeper into American History topics. Seminar focuses on developing strong oral presentation skills during the first three quarters. Fourth quarter is dedicated to graduation preparation.ARCHITECTUREIn Architecture Art Elective, 8th graders design a house and draft floor plans. Students learn the design process through drawing bubble diagrams or visual plans; they learn basic drafting skills; and they choose an architectural style for their structure, culminating in creating floorplans using architectural tools. Using these plans, which they have drawn to a 1/4 inch equals 1 foot scale, they construct a model of the house.
ARTS ELECTIVE PROGRAM As 8th graders, girls can choose from a variety of Arts Electives. These include both the visual and performing arts. Arts Electives course offerings have included:
Yearbook Entitled "Zeen" last year, this class focuses on the creation of the JMSG Blueprint (our yearbook). From an artistic point of view, the class is about learning elements of design and graphics and a software program called InDesign in order to carry out those ideas and make our yearbook beautiful and functional. From a business end, the class is about learning how to manage a business: market research, solicitation, budgeting, and distribution. Art of Leadership From hands on outdoor activities to intense discussions on the definition of leadership, students in this class are exposed to a variety of “palettes” and “canvases” with which to examine their own leadership styles. The first few weeks of the course are lead by the teacher to show what can be done and learned when working with leadership. However, by the end of the course the students will be leading class time and creating and coordinating a leadership program for the 8th grade class trip in the spring. Students taking the Art of Leadership during the fall are expected to meet again briefly in spring before the class trip to finalize their plans for facilitating part of the class trip. Photography As a class, we read The Camera by Joseph Wallace as background to the history of photography. Each girl works with a Holga 2.25” negative camera, shooting 5 rolls of black and white film. Time is spent looking at photography from around the world and analyzing what makes a good photo. We spend approximately 9 hours working in the darkroom printing from the negatives we develop in class. At the end of the course, each girl will have produced 3-4 images she thinks are worthy of being shown to the public. Word and Image The goal of this course is to create a book that incorporates our writing with images in various mediums (e.g. printmaking, painting, pen and ink, collage). We spend some time looking at one-of-a-kind books that successfully combine text and image. Each student creates her own book and will select her favorite piece to be part of a separate book that represents all of the participants in the class. Free 2 Sing Choir This class is part workshop, part drum/percussion class. Students learn to make various percussion instruments to play them! Gourds, bamboo, drum skins, film containers, seeds, beans, wood, metal, and string are all part of the media used. The girls come away with a deep appreciation for instruments and their makers and learn about rhythms from around the world in the process. PHYSICAL EDUCATION The physical education program of Julia Morgan School inspires and challenges girls of all physical talents to develop confidence, flexibility, strength, endurance, grace, and athletic skill. Our goal is that each girl leave the School: - feeling confident and comfortable in her body
- having participated in a wide variety of physical activities including games, dance, yoga, sports, movement, self-defense and martial arts
- with a life-long commitment to movement, exercise, and healthy nutrition
- with a recognition and respect for women and men who are positive role models of physical fitness and health
Physical Education course offerings have included:Basketball Students are exposed to a variety of basketball techniques, skills, and drills. We work on developing coordination, strength, and agility while working on team building skills on a variety of levels. Students learn to challenge themselves both mentally and physically while having fun! Cross Country The cross country class is focused on developing endurance, speed, and strength for distance running. Endurance is increased by running progressively longer distances. Uphill challenges, interval style exercises, and practice running up the many stairs of the Holy Names campus will build speed and strength. Girls are also introduced to the joys of distance running at their own pace, with plenty of opportunities to challenge themselves in a fun, noncompetitive situation. Dance Around the World This class explores many dances from around the world. We always start with warming up the body, by stretching and isolating parts of the body, to gain greater awareness of movement, flexibility and skill. Some of the dances we explore are the following: Brazilian samba, Cuban salsa, Romanian dance, Egyptian belly dance, western Renaissance dances, body percussion and many folk dances. Flag Football
Students play flag football games. They first learn the basic skills necessary to play the game: kicking, throwing, passing, catching, and running. Girls learn how to build a team and develop plays.Soccer Students are exposed to a variety of soccer techniques, skills, and drills. We work on developing coordination, strength, and agility while working on team building skills on a variety of levels. Students learn to challenge themselves both mentally and physically while having fun! Volleyball Students are exposed to a variety of volleyball techniques, skills, and drills. We work on developing coordination, strength, and agility while working on team building skills on a variety of levels. Students learn to challenge themselves both mentally and physically while having fun!
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