LBC Grade Eight Teaching Guide & Resources

Grade Eight completes a two-year cycle of studies begun in Grade Seven. In in this period of study a student will survey ancient civilizations to the modern age in world history and in American history early explorations to the modern day. Primary documents and original source material are used as much as possible. The goal of both history studies is to solidify understanding and give a sense of the great flow of events. Grade Eight also continues the exploration of great literature with Shakespeare' Hamlet, English Literature for Young People, the poetry of Robert Frost and William Wordsworth, Picture Study and Composer Study.

We also include an optional review of basic grammar, for those who are first-time users of our curriculum. For science, we continue with the Apologia series by adding Exploring Creation with Physical Science. Grade Eight Resource CD comes with each Teaching Guide. It includes ebooks, nature journal template, year-long planner, maps for each history study, articles on Charlotte Mason ed.

Print version: 144 pages, wire bound
Digital version: direct download

Detailed Description of Grade Eight

Booklist and Overview

Sample Weekly Lessons

Grade Eight Suggested Schedule

A 136-page guide which includes substantial notes for the parent on each subject, a term-by-term overview and the new 4-weeks-at-a-glance format. Included are many helps and instructions for applying Charlotte Mason’s principles of education. This grade covers:

• Christian Studies – Scripture readings, A closer Look At the Evidence -- a devotional with a science emphasis, and practical work, each according to Charlotte Mason’s guidelines.

• Language Arts – English Literature for Young People -- a survey of the history of English Literature, Shakespeare’s Hamlet, poetry studies of Robert Frost and William Wordsworth, and an optional grammar review.

• Geography - A Book of Discovery , provides an historical context for exploration and geographical knowledge that excels most geography text s because it uses rich literary descriptions of peoples and places; Also includes map work and Book of the Centuries focusing on the places and events mentioned in the histories, science and geography literature. This book continues from Grade Seven.

• Science - Exploring Creation with Physical Science A course is designed to be the last science course the student takes before high school biology. The text discusses such topics as the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, weather, the structure of the earth, environmentalism, the physics of motion, Newton’s Laws, gravity, and astrophysics. The author especially concentrates on the myths generated by the hysterical environmentalist movement.

• Nature Study - regular work in your student’s Nature Journal. Using the Handbook of NatureStudy. The areas of focus for each term are: 1) Climate and Weather, Water Forms, 2) Minerals, Soil, 3) Trees II, 4) The Skies

• World History - Our Empire Story covers the principal events in the building of the British Empire and traces the development of the British colonies from days of discovery and exploration through settlement and establishment of government. Includes stories of the five chief portions of the Empire: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India. Because Our Empire Story takes the reader to the Twentieth Century, from that point students will study of twentieth century history and current events.

• American History - This Country of Ours is continued from Grade Seven, The eras of study are from the Civil War to Post World War I. Original documents are used as supplementary materials to make history come alive. The Modern Age is studied through readings in current events.

• Composer Study – Continued from Grade Seven, a review of the great composers and their music, their biographies as well as a CD for listening are included.

• Picture Study - Come Look with Me: Exploring Modern Art pairs quality art reproductions with thought-provoking questions, the works of twelve artists are studied, from Henri Matisse's The Red Room (Harmony in Red); to Pablo Picasso's Horse Head Mask with a firespitter mask from the Ivory Coast; and Diego Rivera's The Flower Vendor (Girl With Lilies).