Academics

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Below are summaries of our curriculum that supports the academic growth of students in conjunction with the hands-on, land-based skills. The academic curriculum ensures students are prepared for whatever their next step may be by keeping pace with math standards, writing skills, and middle school-recommended content. We maintain a level of flexibility throughout the year that allows us to follow our enthusiasm.

Academic Curriculum 2024-2025 

Math

Math practice and learning are consistent throughout the year. We follow the Colorado state standards for math and keep pace with public school peers.

Grade 8 Math will cover:

1. Ratios and Proportional Relationships:
   • Understand and apply proportional relationships.
   • Solve problems involving percentages and unit rates.
2. The Number System:
   • Work with rational and irrational numbers.
   • Use properties of exponents.
   • Perform operations with numbers in scientific notation.
3. Expressions and Equations:
   • Understand the connections between proportional relationships, lines, and linear equations.
   • Analyze and solve linear equations and systems of equations.
   • Grasp the concept of functions and use functions to model relationships.
4. Geometry:
   • Understand congruence and similarity using physical models, transparencies, or geometry software.
   • Apply the Pythagorean theorem to determine unknown side lengths in right triangles.
   • Solve real-world problems involving volume of cylinders, cones, and spheres.
5. Statistics and Probability:
   • Investigate patterns of association in bivariate data.
   • Summarize and describe distributions.
   • Understand that random sampling tends to produce representative samples and support valid inferences.
6. Mathematical Practices:
   • Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
   • Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
   • Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
   • Model with mathematics.
   • Use appropriate tools strategically.
   • Attend to precision.
   • Look for and make use of structure.
   • Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

This curriculum is designed to help students develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts, as well as the ability to apply mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills in various contexts.

Science

Anatomy and physiology (4 weeks)
This year’s anatomy and physiology block immerses the students in the fascinating world of sense organs, exploring the intricacies of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. Beginning with an introduction to the senses, students delve into the structure and function of each sense organ, including the eye, ear, taste buds, olfactory receptors, and tactile receptors. Through hands-on activities, laboratory experiments, and discussions, students deepen their understanding of sensory perception and neural pathways. The curriculum culminates in a comprehensive exploration of sensory integration in the brain, allowing students to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios and consider the profound impact of sense organs on human experience and behavior.

Physics – Electricity and Magnetism (4 weeks)
This year our physics block centers on electricity and magnetism, covering foundational concepts such as electric charge, circuits, Ohm’s Law, electrical energy, and magnetism. Students explore the principles of electric current, resistance, power, and magnetic fields, with a focus on understanding practical applications in everyday life. Through hands-on activities, laboratory experiments, and culminating projects, students deepen their comprehension of electromagnetism and its relevance in modern technology.

Watershed Ecology – Colorado River Watershed (4 weeks)
This watershed ecology unit delves into the intricate ecosystem of the Colorado River watershed, highlighting its vital role in providing water resources and supporting diverse life forms in the southwestern United States. Throughout the unit, students explore the concept of watersheds, learn about the hydrological processes shaping the Colorado River’s flow, investigate water quality issues impacting its health, and examine the critical importance of riparian ecosystems for ecosystem health. They also analyze human impacts on the watershed, including water usage and pollution, and explore conservation strategies aimed at preserving and restoring its ecological integrity. Through hands-on activities, research projects, and discussions, students develop a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of natural systems and the importance of sustainable stewardship of water resources in the Colorado River watershed.

English and Language Arts (ELA)

Comparative Literature and Diversity (Two 3-week units)
This English Language Arts unit immerses students in the rich tapestry of comparative literature and cultural diversity, inviting them to explore folktales, contemporary fiction, poetry, and plays from diverse cultural traditions around the world. Through comparative analysis of texts, students examine common themes, character dynamics, and cultural perspectives, gaining insight into the universal human experiences that unite us while celebrating the unique voices and narratives that shape our global community. Through critical inquiry, empathy, and reflection, students deepen their understanding of the complexities of cultural identity and develop the skills to engage thoughtfully with diverse texts and perspectives, fostering empathy, understanding, and appreciation for the rich diversity of human experience reflected in literature.

Social Studies

Discovering Our World: A Journey Through Geography (4 weeks)
In our study of geography we will look at the spatial patterns of physical and human phenomena across the Earth’s surface as well as the events and processes that created them. Geography gives us a perspective that enables us to investigate and answer questions about our environment.

In this unit, students will embark on a journey to explore the diverse landscapes, cultures, and environments of our planet. Through a variety of activities, investigations, and projects, students will develop a deeper understanding of geographic concepts and skills.

Struggles for Human Rights in U.S. History (4 weeks)
In this unit, students will explore the historical struggles for human rights in the United States, with a particular focus on women’s suffrage, religious freedom, and civil rights. Through readings, discussions, multimedia resources, and projects, students will gain an understanding of key events, movements, and individuals who have fought for equality and justice from the 19th century to the present day.

The Rise of Buddhism (4 weeks)
In this unit, students will delve into the origins, beliefs, and spread of Buddhism. Through a variety of activities, readings, discussions, and projects, students will gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural contexts in which Buddhism emerged and flourished.

Art

Exploring Perspective Drawing (4 weeks)
In this unit, students will learn the fundamental concepts and techniques of perspective drawing. They will explore one-point, two-point, and three-point perspective, as well as atmospheric perspective, to create realistic and dynamic drawings. Through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and projects, students will develop their spatial reasoning skills and artistic abilities.

Academic Curriculum 2023-2024

Math

Math practice and learning is consistent throughout the year. We follow the Colorado state standards for math and keep pace with public school peers. We also strengthen our real-world math skills through baking, canning, medicine, soap, and salve-making, and weaving. These processes constantly require the four operations (adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing), fractions, ratios, converting units of measurement, etc.

Science

Anatomy and physiology
The main hands-on experience during this unit is animal processing. Through this process the students can see, touch, and experience the anatomy of animals. We compare this with human anatomy and learn about the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, reproductive, and endocrine systems. We draw and write about our experience and what we learned and write a compare and contrast essay about human anatomy versus the animal processed. This process extends into hide tanning which gives a thorough look at the properties and structure of our biggest organ, our skin! Hide tanning also exposes children to chemical reactions, giving an introduction to chemistry.

Physics
Physics is SO fun! We have a kinetic physics unit and build simple machines. This works outdoors with natural materials or indoors in the winter with perpetual motion machines, roller coasters out of toilet paper rolls, etc. This is a great way to build students’ group working skills and abstract thinking.

Chemistry
In this unit, students will investigate the chemical properties of natural dyes extracted from various sources such as plants, fruits, and spices. Through experimentation and observation, students will learn about the chemical processes involved in dyeing and explore the connections between chemistry and everyday materials.

Botany
Throughout the year (mostly in Fall and Spring) we observe our local flora, learn to identify plant families through patterns, identify edible, medicinal and toxic plants, and where they grow.

English and Language Arts (ELA)

English Literature and Creative Writing
This is a perfect winter block to cozy up with good literature next to the fireplace and focus on creative writing. We utilize the Paonia Library to check out seventh grade level books. Creative writing is developed through understanding theme, plot, and story arcs as well as different structures of poetry. We explore these through the books and poems we read and use our understanding to develop our own writing.

Journaling
Throughout the year, students write their experiences in a journal. We will use these journal entries as material for short stories, expository essays, and persuasive writing.

Social Studies

Research (Expository) Writing Project(s)
Students write research papers connected to some of the naturalist skills that we explore, such as weaving, basketry, hide tanning, herbalism, natural dye, wild foods, etc. They can choose another area in the world that they are curious about or something closer to home. They research the history and cultural significance of the craft. This is an opportunity to gain sound research skills online and through books, cite sources, quote, paraphrase, etc, while gaining an understanding of the topic they are writing about and broaden their worldview.

History
Government, U.S. history and the constitution and possibly the Renaissance and Reformation.

Art

Perspective Drawing and/or Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. Pattern making within weaving and knitting. Opportunities for nature art will be ongoing throughout the year.