S	M	T	W	T	F	S
29	30	31	1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30	1	2

Curriculum

TCCS Curriculum and State Requirements

The curriculum is described in Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format) files which can be read on Windows, Macintosh, UNIX, and Linux computers using Adobe Acrobat Reader, Preview, or similar programs. These files contain the charter school curriculum with notes on state requirements.

8th Grade Exit Requirements

Language Arts:

Students will have to present a writing portfolio which shows proficiency in writing in narrative, persuasive and expository writing. These portfolios will be presented to an exit interview committee for review. In addition to these writing samples, students will be given a topic and one hour to successfully write an essay displaying knowledge and application of the writing process. Finally, students must be able to produce 3 tests taken on books read this year with an 80% accuracy rate.

Math:

Pass with 70% proficiency a Grade 8 Mathematics Multiple Choice Test. The NJ Core Curriculum categories to be tested include Number and Number Sense, Computation and Estimation, Measurement/Geometry, Probability/Statistics, and Patterns, Functions, and Algebra. Complete an end-of-year unit project in which students apply their understanding of mathematical concepts in a real-world situation. The project provides students with an opportunity to think more deeply about concepts learned throughout the year. Students are to investigate a situation, collect and analyze data, and look for pattern and make a report/presentation.

Social Studies:

All 8th graders must show proficiency in writing a 3 to 5 page research paper on a historic event. They must site at least 3 sources, 2 book sources and 1 internet source. They must present their paper in a creative way. They must be able to answer questions, relating to their topic and presentation, by exiting committee. Paper needs to be typed (Times Roman), 14 font, doubled spaced, with a bibliography MLA style. By the end of the 8th grade all students should know the following :

The seven continents and the major oceans
All states in the US (85% proficient)
3 branches of government
Name of the current President and Vice President of the US
Name of the current Governor of New Jersey
Must be able to explain how our government works (general)
What are the Bills of Rights (not specific but what is their use)
Must have general knowledge of US history from Colonial Times through WWII*
This will be an oral quiz given by the exiting committee. It will require 80% proficiency.
The general knowledge of US History will be on paper using a fill in timeline. *

Science:

Each student is asked to perform the following experiment using the Scientific Method. The student must choose a Title, determine a problem, propose a hypothesis, (materials are listed below as is the procedure), make a data table for two bars of soap in addition to the ivory soap and then compose a conclusion. Thorough familiarity with the use of this methodology will determine the student’s exit requirement grade.

Materials
•        bar of Ivory™ soap
•        paper towel or microwave-safe dish
•        microwave oven
•        2 other brands of soap for control purposes
Procedure
•        Unwrap a bar of Ivory™ soap.
•        Place the bar of soap on a paper towel or microwave-safe dish.
•        Microwave the soap. Observe carefully to see what happens.
•        Depending on microwave power, your soap will reach its maximum volumewithin 90 second to 2 minutes. If you microwave the soap longer (I went up to 6 minutes) nothing bad will happen, but the soap won't continue to grow.
•        Allow the soap to cool for a minute or two before touching it.

Repeat this procedure for the other two soaps. Observe what happened in a data table. Make good scientific observations. Mass, volume, density, texture, color change etc.

About Foams
A foam is any material that traps a gas inside a cell-like structure.
Examples of foams include shaving cream, whipped cream, Styrofoam™, and even bone. Foams can be fluid or solid, squishy or rigid. Many foams are polymers, but the type of molecule isn't what defines whether or not something is a foam.
Conclusion: Research what happened to your Ivory Soap! This is necessary to make a proper conclusion! FOLLOW UP!
• Place a bar of Ivory™ in a bowl of water. Does it float? Try this with other brands of soap. Do they float or sink?
• Cut or break off a piece of Ivory™ and examine it. Do you see pockets of air? Why do you think it is less dense than water? Find Ivory Soap’s density!

Health & Physical Education:

Before an 8th grade student can graduate TCCS they must have a general knowledge in Physical Education and Health. Students must demonstrate knowledge (80% proficiency) of the benefits of physical fitness and ways physical fitness can be tested. They must know the benefits of good nutrition, the components of the food pyramid, calorie counting as it relates to weight control, and they must give an example of a balanced meal. Students must also demonstrate understanding of the physical and mental dangers of substance abuse, types of drugs, common side effects of substance abuse and an explanation of the term addiction. They must choose a sport and explain the necessary skills, rules, strategy, and equipment. The final assessment will be a fitness test that will be administered twice a year students must show marked improvement in five of the seven areas by the final test.

Music:

Identify four major units of study for the year. Provide culminating activity and list skills that this activity demonstrates. Singing Year long unit that requires practice and self discipline, Rhythm, Feeling Beats and use of rhythmic notation, Music Appreciation, Listening and responding to music from different eras. Composition / Music Theory Process for creating songs using standard notation Research paper on a Composer from the Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, Contempory and Jazz Periods.

Art:

At the conclusion of 8th grade and in a culminating presentation, all students will be required to demonstrate knowledge, comprehension and use of skills, while viewing examples in each of the following areas:

Paints and Painting Students will define and discuss the properties of at least three types of commonly used paints as well as explain and/or demonstrate the process and techniques or steps required to complete an art piece using these materials. This includes mixing colors, modeling shapes, showing depth, representing an object or theme realistically or abstractly.
Drawing Students will explain the (5 Basic) elements and some principles of design needed to create a drawing. This includes understanding line, shape, foreground, mid- ground and back ground, shading, highlighting, etc. They will also identify at least three or more materials that can be used in drawing
Sculpture Students will identify at least three types of sculpture, including the materials which are commonly used in each type, as well as those materials which can be substituted. They will also describe and demonstrate how to construct a simple clay sculpture using coiled, slab and/or pinch pot techniques.
Performing Arts Students will describe three types of performing art modalities, as well as the various roles which can be part of each modality. In addition, students will write, arrange or choreograph and perform one of the three forms in a short piece from beginning to end.

Spanish:

Students will be taking a two part final exam in Spanish. One part will be a written and the other will be oral. The written section will determine if the student can translate vocabulary, conjugate verbs, read a brief story in Spanish and answer questions related to the story in Spanish and answer open ended questions on cultural Holidays. The oral section will evaluate if the student can hold an every day life conversation in Spanish. Mrs. Brownridge will ask questions like: Where are you from? What is your phone number? Do you have siblings? The student will hear her read a passage from a Spanish book and they will have to explain what she read. The passing score will be 70.