8th Grade

Mrs. Dianna Pratt Science Room M225 email: dipratt*	Mr. Dan Chassagne Science Room M335 email: dchassagne*	Mr. Andy Donahue Math Room M123 email: adonahue*
Mrs. Becky Green RLA Room M332 email: bgreen*	Mrs. Vicki Rogers Social Studies Room M124 email: vrogers*	Ms. Katherine Hallam RLA Room M222 email: khallam*
Mr. James Ryan Science Room M127 email: jryan*	Mrs. Lisa Pizzi Math Room M221 email: lpizzi*	Mr. Ezra Alexander Math Room M331 email: ealexander*
Ms. Paula St. James RLA Room M126 email: pstjames*	Mr. James Villers Social Studies Room M224 email: jvillers*	Mrs. Kim Riemer Social Studies Room M334 email: kriemer*

Rohani Sujak Alpha Aide	Jun Yusof Alpha Aide

CORE CURRICULUM

Reading and Language Arts

The major components of the middle school Reading and Language Arts (RLA) program are reading, writing, listening, viewing, and public speaking.  Throughout the year, students are guided through a wide variety of literary works.  A strong emphasis is placed on use of the writing process consisting of planning, writing, revising, editing, and finally publishing written work.  Writing instruction and assessment occur through reading and writing in a variety of genres, classroom discussions, and analysis of student writing.  The skills related to Six Trait Writing are taught and reinforced throughout the middle school.  A school-wide presentation rubric is also used to provide students with consistent feedback on their speaking skills.

Eighth grade Reading and Language Arts is taught in a 90 minute block.  The primary text used is Literature and the Language Arts, EMC Paradigm.  Students are exposed to a wide variety of literature and well-known writers.  Units include short stories, poetry, historical fiction and contemporary literature.  Students continue to develop and learn skills in writing narratives, responses to literature and poetry.  Students’ speaking and listening skills are developed through class discussions, oral reading, presentations, and sharing of writing.

Mathematics

The mathematics program at the Singapore American School strives to empower students with an understanding and appreciation of mathematics in order to prepare them for the change from an industrial to an informational society.  Our students come from a broad range of nationalities, language groups, abilities, and learning styles.  It is the overall goal of the program to meet the needs of these students through a variety of teaching strategies and course offerings.    Placement in mathematic courses at the Middle School is dependent on past performance, standardized test scores and  placement test scores. The math department’s most important goal is to develop a positive attitude toward mathematics and a confidence that encourages subsequent learning.

Social Studies

Throughout the program, students are encouraged to develop higher level thinking skills.  Students learn how to locate information.  Individual and group activities, simulations, discussion, research and analysis are incorporated in the program.  The development of thinking, reading comprehension, writing, speaking, listening, studying and citizenship skills is an integral part of the program.  These skills are developed and applied in the context of examining social studies concepts.

The Social Studies curriculum in eighth grade is a chronological study of the history of the United States.  Special focus is given to America becoming a nation, the Constitution, the Civil War, the civil rights movement and the Twentieth Century.  Cause and effect of major events is investigated and special attention is paid to the economic, social and cultural factors, which helped shape, these events.  Emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking, research and primary source evaluation skills.

Science

The philosophy of learning in the middle school science program is inquiry-based.  At each grade level, the goal is to provide a hands-on environment that capitalizes on students’ natural curiosity and emphasizes the scientific approach to solving problems.  Students act as scientists and investigate a range of phenomena first hand.  An effort is made throughout the program to connect the immediate local experience with larger global issues.

The middle school science program is an enriching experience.  The courses provide challenging, enjoyable opportunities for all abilities and will ensure students are presented with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.

SAS has adopted the McRel Standards and Benchmarks ensuring sequential learning and conceptual development at the appropriate level.  Earth science, life science, and physical science strands are incorporated into the curriculum at each grade level.

A number of texts and resource materials are used to support the curriculum.  These include Prentice Hall: Science Explorer series; Holt: Science and Technology short-course series; Foundational Approaches in Science Teaching (FAST); and Holt: Science Plus.