Month 1 of 10 · Weeks 1–4
September: Welcome / My Nation and Maps
We open the year by building strong routines, learning how a story carries a theme, and picking up the academic words that eighth graders see on every page. In math we sort the real numbers, work with roots and exponents, and write very large and very small numbers in scientific notation. Science starts with atoms and the particles that make up all matter, while social studies maps the United States from its regions and rivers to its cities and people.
Goals this month
Reading & writing
Determine a theme and track how it develops; write objective summaries; learn Greek and Latin roots; use academic vocabulary in discussion and writing.
RL.8.1, RL.8.2, L.8.4b, L.8.6, W.8.10
Math
Tell rational from irrational numbers, approximate square roots, apply the properties of integer exponents, and use scientific notation to compare and compute.
8.NS.1, 8.NS.2, 8.EE.1, 8.EE.2, 8.EE.3, 8.EE.4
Science
Model atoms and molecules, connect particle motion to temperature and states of matter, and measure density to identify substances.
MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-4
Social studies
Read and build maps of the United States; explain how landforms, climate and resources shaped where people settled.
C3 D2.Geo.1.6-8, D2.Geo.2.6-8, D2.Geo.4.6-8
Weeks
- Week1Mapping the NationGreek roots geo, graph, metr · Rational and irrational numbers · Atoms and elements · U.S. regions · 5 day plans
- Week2Rivers, Ranges and RootsLatin roots aqua, hydr, terr · Square and cube roots · Molecules and models · Physical geography of the U.S. · 5 day plans
- Week3Powers of TenGreek roots tele, scop, micro, macro · Properties of exponents · Particle motion and states of matter · Climate and resources · 5 day plans
- Week4Big Numbers, Small NumbersRoots chron, temp, ann · Scientific notation · Mixtures and density · Human geography and data maps · Review week · 5 day plans
Student games this month
Rational Roundup Root Words: Geo U.S. Regions Map Square Root Trail Atom Builder Theme Detective Exponent Express Particle Party Landform Lookup Scientific Notation