ENGLISH: short stories; grammar; Maud Martha; poetry; Twelfth Night; formal introduction to narrative structure; critical and creative writing.
MATHEMATICS
ALGEBRA I: development of problem-solving skills and conceptual understanding of algebra; review of equations, inequalities and applications; polynomial and rational expressions; radicals; solutions of linear, quadratic and rational equations; quadratic functions and models; computer programming with Arduino boards; graphing utilities used as needed; guided problem solving throughout the year to reinforce and deepen conceptual understanding.
ALGEBRA I EXTENDED: development of problem-solving skills and conceptual understanding of algebra; review of equations, inequalities and applications; polynomial and rational expressions; radicals; functions; solutions of linear, quadratic, rational and radical equations; quadratic models; geometry topics including coordinate geometry, algebraic proofs, constructions and locus; computer programming with Arduino boards; graphing utilities used as needed; integrated challenges and active problem solving throughout the year to reinforce and deepen conceptual understanding
HISTORY: global history from 1500 to the late nineteenth century. Topics focus on the emergence of globalization including the European conquest of the Americas; the Ottoman and Mughal Empires; Ming and Qing China; Tokugawa Japan; the American, French and Latin American Revolutions; the Industrial Revolution; nineteenth-century European imperialism; and the Meiji Restoration in Japan.
SCIENCE: the second year of a two-year physical science program on matter, energy and the earth. Topics include an introduction to concepts of chemistry and geology and study of the conservation and sustainable use of the Earth’s resources.
MODERN LANGUAGES
BEGINNING FRENCH: for students who began in Class VII, development of listening, speaking, reading and writing through structured class conversations, skits, student-created videos, the reading of French texts and poetry, the study of grammar and the writing of narrative paragraphs using the past, present and future tenses.
FRENCH: for students who began in Class V, emphasis on more advanced grammar skills through class conversations, written compositions, the reading of an extended narrative and the viewing of selected scenes of films.
MANDARIN: continued development of skills through supplementary audio and video materials that present students with real-life situations and exercise their ability to listen and speak; further practice in character writing and enrichment of vocabulary; exploration of Chinese culture.
SPANISH: continued development of listening, speaking, reading and writing; expansion of vocabulary and knowledge of syntax. Emphasis on the use of past tenses in narrative; introduction of the subjunctive. Students read a short novel.
WRITING WORKSHOP: continuation of the program from Class VII.
LATIN: continuing study of vocabulary and syntax, with attention to uses of the participle and subjunctive in subordinate clauses, in the Cambridge Latin program.
MUSIC: see Class V.
STUDIO ART: drawing and painting from direct observation of the natural world. Techniques may include collage and mixed media. One museum study assignment is required.
PUBLIC SPEAKING: introduction to formal and extemporaneous skills of presentation and exchange, with applications in several disciplines throughout the year.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION: a continuation of the program began in Class V, with the addition of one trimester of West African dance and spring electives designed by the students.
HEALTH: discussion of health-related topics through the Middle School advisory program. Articles from periodicals serve as background, and the girls are encouraged to bring their questions to the groups. Topics include nutrition, body image, healthy diet, decision making, relationships with parents and peers, human sexuality and substance abuse. This course fulfills the New York State requirement for health education.