8th Grade

The leaders of University School of Milwaukee’s Middle School student body are its 8th graders. The 8th grade stairs in the Middle School lobby, connecting the first and second floors of the Middle School, are a visual reminder of both the privileges and responsibilities that come with students’ elevated status in their last year of Middle School.

The 8th grade faculty focus heavily on the three key components of the Portrait of a USM Graduate—how their students are developing as learners, leaders, and citizens ahead of their move to the Upper School. As 8th grade students begin to more independently balance their academics with their extracurricular and social responsibilities, they also gain additional accountability and responsibility. They are supported by a caring community of their teachers and peers, and when they reach the special 8th Grade Closing Ceremony, they are well-prepared to take on the new challenges and opportunities that await them in high school.

Capstone Experience

As the final grade level in Middle School, USM’s 8th grade includes a unique capstone experience, the Tower Project. As one of the only capstone experiences of its kind in the entire country for this age level, students create artifacts with maker tools or select their own passions to investigate. Tower Project students have the freedom to investigate topics or identify problems. Whether experimenting, performing, or undertaking other endeavors that require them to take action, create a prototype or an artifact, execute a design, or construct something, this is a time for students to assess their own work, adapting and developing it to suit their own goals and objectives. Students are also able to lead service projects to serve their communities and actively contribute to them.

8th Grade Curriculum

As 8th graders enter their final year in USM's Middle School, their curriculum expands and becomes more diversified. Subject-area outcomes are an important part of how our curriculum is developed and how our students are evaluated. The following list of core subject courses offers a glimpse at the strong academic programming offered in 8th grade. In addition, 8th grade students are able to take elective courses for the first time, and a current list of those courses can be found in the section below.

A single asterisk (*) indicates an elective course in the core subjects, while a double asterisk (**) indicates a course that also offers an Honors option.

English Language Arts

A student smiles while talking to her classmates.

In 8th grade, English Language Arts focuses on the analysis of texts through written expression. Major goals include research, close reading, empathy building, questioning, and writing in a variety of genres with different purposes for specific audiences. The curriculum has anchors that all students study and experience, while offering choice in content and product, allowing for differentiation based on student interest and ability. Students are encouraged to extend their learning and interests beyond the classroom. With project-based learning in mind, the National History Day project offers experience with synergistic integration of research, analysis, and writing from both a language arts and a historical perspective. This major undertaking continually develops skills in teamwork, creativity, curiosity, resilience, ethics, and time management. The trip to Washington, D.C. stands as a culmination of learning in both English Language Arts and American History, with a myriad of connections made between class content and concepts and our shared journey to the nation’s capital.

History

In 8th grade, History offers a survey, “America’s Story,” from independence until the present day. Students become young historians as they examine the trials and tribulations of the United States, utilizing primary and secondary historical sources, literature and poetry, photographic and video media, and each other to make sense of the past, make connections to the present, and make a difference in the future. The course has anchors that all students will study and experience, but it also offers a choice in content and product, allowing for differentiation based on student interest and ability. Students are encouraged to extend their learning and interests beyond the classroom. With project-based learning in mind, the National History Day project is central to the course. Students’ experiences with National History Day are greatly enhanced by the synergistic integration of research, analysis, and writing from both a language arts and a historical perspective. This major undertaking, among many other projects students encounter throughout the year, continually develops skills in teamwork, creativity, curiosity, resilience, ethics, and time management. The trip to Washington, D.C. and our shared journey to the nation’s capital stands as a culmination of learning in American History, with myriad connections made between class content and concepts.

Algebra**

In 8th grade, all students study algebra. There are two levels: Algebra and Honors Algebra. In every course, problem-solving is stressed along with understanding the concepts and processes of algebra. Real-world applications motivate the study of exponential growth and decay, the use of polynomials, solving systems of linear equations, investigating linear patterns, and solving the quadratic equation. Students also make connections among three ways of representing these patterns: graphs, tables, and equations. The goal of all courses is to develop a deep understanding of the language of mathematics and the ability to apply algebraic skills to real situations in order to solve problems. Most students enrolled in the regular or honors-level course complete the first year of algebra and take Algebra II in Upper School, though some may be placed in Algebra I. In the honors sections, topics are covered more rapidly and in greater depth than the regular classes. In addition, students in the honors sections study rational expressions and apply them in problem-solving contexts.

Algebra Support*

Students use their iPads to help solve math problems.

The Algebra Support class runs concurrently with Algebra I. In this yearlong class, students enhance their foundational math skills including basic operations and order of operations, fractions, decimals, and integers. Students will review pre-algebra concepts to supplement their concurrent Algebra content including solving multi-step equations. Students are required to take this course when they have a demonstrated history of challenges with math concepts throughout 5th, 6th, and 7th grades or when recommended by the 7th grade Pre-algebra teacher. The Algebra Support class takes the place of one of the 8th grade elective classes. The Algebra I and the Algebra Support classes will meet on alternate days, thereby giving the student daily math instruction.

Science

A Middle School student places a marble at the top of a rollercoaster during a physics lesson.

The 8th grade continues to highlight research and experimentation during the 7th and 8th grade Science Symposium in the fall. The common theme is “Our Changing Planet.” In addition to this project, semester one covers rocks and minerals and graphing practice. During the second semester, students study matter and the periodic table. Students also use LEGO robots and Sparkfun Arduino kits to explore robotics at the end of the year. In addition to learning content, students develop lab, writing, and collaboration skills through a variety of lab activities and challenges. Target-based learning helps them develop important skills, grow more cognizant of the learning process, and recognize their own progress in class.

World Languages

Students in colorful ethnic clothing pose for a photo at the Global Enrichment Festival.

Building on skills learned in 7th grade, students are now identified as intermediate speakers. They can ask and answer many different kinds of questions and are comfortable talking about a broader scope of familiar topics. They can generate original language drawing on previously learned material to express new ideas outside of any memorized phrases. They speak in strings of sentences using language connectors. Intermediate speakers begin to sound more confident, fluid, and less rehearsed. Cultural curriculum is embedded in each lesson.

Introduction to Spanish courses are offered to students in 7th and 8th grades who are new to USM and also new to Spanish.

Art*

Students visit the art gallery to view recycled art.

The curriculum includes instruction in aesthetics, art history, art criticism, and art production. Goals include conceptual understanding, understanding the content of art, valuing creative behavior, self-exploration, and craftsmanship. Exploring, learning, and applying both the elements and principles of art are emphasized. A working vocabulary about the tools, materials, and art-making processes is established and reinforced. Students are expected to maintain a working art binder that includes assignments, notes, preliminary sketches, critiques, and reflections. As students proceed through the Middle School grades, expectations and skills are further refined appropriately from grade to grade.

Band*

A student plays the flute during a concert.

Band is designed to expose students to the joy of music through the performance of brass, woodwind, or percussion instruments. Students learn the technique and tone production of the instrument they choose to study, as well as music-reading skills and the basic elements of playing in an ensemble, as they study music from a variety of genres in the band repertoire. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Wisconsin School Music Association’s (WSMA) Solo and Ensemble Festival. Students are expected to practice their instruments regularly and take private or group lessons in addition to attending band rehearsal. In 8th grade, students may also participate in Jazz Band.

Chorus*

A group of students sing during a choir concert.

Chorus students develop their musical skill, vocal technique, expressive performance, and creative thinking, as they also develop a lifelong appreciation of singing and the ability to sing. Students study the basic techniques of healthy singing, further develop their music literacy, study music theory and history, and explore their personal connection to the musical repertoire. Music includes Western repertoire from the Medieval to current times as well as music of many different world genres and styles. In 8th grade, students also have the opportunity to participate in the Wisconsin School Music Association's Solo and Ensemble Festival.

Orchestra*

In Middle School, Orchestra continues to offer students great variety and challenge in musical performance. Students will continue the advanced development of instrumental technique, music reading and comprehension skills, independent musicianship, and critical thinking skills, and perform orchestral literature of different genres and cultures. Students will also study basic music theory, composition, and music history. The orchestra performs two regular concerts. All 8th grade students also have the opportunity to participate in the Wisconsin School Music Association's Solo and Ensemble Festival. All orchestra students are required to take private or group lessons in addition to attending orchestra rehearsals.

Digital Music*

Semester-long course

In Computer Music Composition, 8th grade students use the same technology that professional composers use to create and edit their music. Students use computers, electronic keyboards, and multiple software programs to compose and arrange songs. A variety of projects are completed, from percussion loops to a full-fledged arrangement of a favorite song.

Library

The Middle School library skills program is designed to familiarize students with the library, which is a model for other libraries. In 8th grade, students receive library instruction on an as-needed basis, either one-on-one or with class groups. The program strives to promote knowledge and appreciation of literature by building and expanding interest in books and reading, and to teach skills needed for effective use of the library for information, research, study, and leisure reading activities. The use of databases, and reference materials is also covered. The skill of how to select and evaluate information is stressed on a continual basis. Research and study skills are reinforced and reviewed.

Physical Education

Physical activity is critical to the development and maintenance of good health. The goal of physical education is to develop physically-educated individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity. Students continue to participate in individual and team sports as well as fitness activities that are added to expand their knowledge of the many varieties of physical activities. Students are instructed in proper warm-up procedures, skill techniques, game strategies, and cool-down. The skills that were learned in previous years help students move to the next level in active game situations and help enhance individual physical fitness. In the 8th grade, PE classes are gender-specific. Fitness and health meet once a cycle for one semester in 8th grade. Health will be delivered as a unit during the school year. The course is a combination of laboratory, lecture, and discussion. Students are instructed in the area of wellness and mindfulness. Each grade has a skill focus for health, and in the 8th grade, it is on advocacy skills in relation to health-enhancing topics.

Advising

Through a comprehensive advising program, the Middle School aims to develop students socially, academically, and emotionally with an emphasis on responsibility and growth. Some of the areas covered are goal setting, accepting and following rules, decision making, study skills, peer relations, understanding differences, conflict resolution, stereotypes, creative thinking, and values. In addition to following this curriculum, advisees meet individually with their advisors throughout the school year to discuss academic performance. The advisor maintains regular contact with parents through parent-teacher conferences and phone calls. The advisor also maintains regular contact with other teachers of each advisee regarding the academic, behavioral, and social adjustment of each student.

Additional Electives

All 8th grade students are encourage to follow their passions or try learning about something new through elective courses, offered for the first time at USM in this grade level.

Unique elective courses may change each year to match student interests. Electives currently available to 8th grade students include:

Algebra Support
Controversial Conversation/Debate
Filmmaking
Improv
Lego Robotics
Introduction to Robotics
Makerspace
Outdoor Education
Rube Goldberg
Speak Up!
Take Action!
Tower Project
What's the Big Idea?

Special Events and Activities

There are two transformational projects which serve as key rallying points in USM’s 8th grade, the science symposium and National History Day demonstration of learning. In addition, all 8th graders participate in the class trip to Washington, D.C., with five highly scheduled days of hands-on learning. This event, which takes place in April each year, brings to life USM’s spiraling curriculum in our nation’s capital, culminating in some of the final development pieces for leaders, learners, and citizens who are ready for 9th grade. Our 8th grade students also take the lead in planning and coordinating the annual, school-wide March to the Memorials event, when the USM community joins together to walk the equivalent number of miles between Milwaukee and Washington, D.C. to raise money for veterans and veteran programming. Students also raise money on Veterans Day each year to send veterans on Honor Flights to visit the memorials in Washington, D.C.

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