Through the assessment process your advisor will help you...

icon
Choose a Historical Cycle

Cycle selection based on your child's composition and reading skills, and aligning your family's studies.

icon
Choose a Science

Science selection based on aligning your family's studies.

icon
Choose a Math Program

Program selection based on math skills mastered and learning style.

icon
Select English Mechanics

Personalize the study of skills that complement composition instruction: reading skill, grammar, spelling, and penmanship.

icon
Select a Language

We prefer students study Latin, but gladly accept German, Italian, French, or Spanish.

Grade 8 - Cycle I: World History & Science Literacy

Typical course of study for Grade 8. Appropriate for Grades 7 - 8.

The following lists our core recommendations for students in Grade 8. You will not be buying every book or only the books listed. Students have a wide variety of abilities and aptitudes; schooling — especially homeschooling — needs to be adapted to different children in different ways. Your advisor will work with you to (a) match each child’s strengths and weaknesses to specific materials; (b) combine your students in texts and subjects as often as possible; (c) choose a religion, history and science focus for the family for the year; and (d) weave materials you may already have or would prefer to use into your family’s course plan. 

LANGUAGE ARTS

Intermed Gram II [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Easy Grammar Plus, Teacher Edition, Wanda C. Phillips
  • Easy Grammar Plus, Student Workbook, Wanda C. Phillips
 

Creative Wrt III [Semester 1 and 2]

  • WriteShop: Student Workbook 2 (5th Edition), Kim Kautzer and Debra Oldar
  • Optional: The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation, Jane Straus
  • Optional: WriteShop 1 Starter Bundle (5th Edition), Kim Kautzer and Debra Oldar
 

Penmanship G [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Better Handwriting for Young Catholics, Seton Staff
 

Spelling 8 [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Spelling 8 for Young Catholics,
 

MATHEMATICS

Thumbnail example of the packet of recommendations prepared for each student by the planning advisor.

Pre-Algebra (Sxn) [Semester 1 and 2]

Semester 1 and 2, Key Course 2. Math placement determined through the skills assessment and discussion with teaching-parent. St. Thomas Aquinas Academy regularly uses Saxon, Jacobs Algebra, Jacobs Geometry, and Math U See. VideoText, Teaching Textbook, and community college courses are also accepted.
  • Saxon Algebra 1/2 Homeschool Kit, 3rd Edition, John Saxon
 

RELIGION

Religion 8 [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Faith and Life 8: Our Life in the Church (Student Book),
  • Faith and Life 8: Our Life in the Church (Activity Guide),
 

SOCIAL STUDIES / WORLD HISTORY

European History I (EH1-B) [Semester 1]

  • Semester 1: European Studies IB Study Guide, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
  • Christ the King, Lord of History: A Catholic World History from Ancient to Modern Times, Anne Carroll
  • Rand McNally Historical Atlas of the World, 6th Edition, Rand McNally
  • STAA Student Zone, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
  • Optional: Fall Live Class: European History IB, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
 

European History II (EH2-B) [Semester 2]

  • Semester 2: European Studies IIB Study Guide, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
  • Christ the King, Lord of History: A Catholic World History from Ancient to Modern Times, Anne Carroll
  • Rand McNally Historical Atlas of the World, 6th Edition, Rand McNally
  • A Man for All Seasons, Robert Bolt (Director: Fred Zinnemann)
  • STAA Student Zone, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
  • Optional: Spring Live Class: European History IIB, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
 

LITERATURE

American Literature (AL1-B) [Semester 1]

Use "The Hobbit" in Quarter 2 instead of "Huckleberry Finn."
  • Semester 1: U.S. Studies IB Study Guide, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
  • Teaching the Classics DVD and Workbook, Adam Andrews and Missy Andrews
  • Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (The Ignatius Critical Editions), Mark Twain, edited by Mary R. Reichardt
  • DOWNLOAD: Exploded Story Chart, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
  • Index Cards, 4" x 6",
  • STAA Student Zone, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
  • Optional: Fall Live Class: American Literature, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
 

World Literature [Semester 2]

  • A Landscape With Dragons: The Battle for Your Child’s Mind, Michael O’Brien
  • Paideia Program, Mortimer J. Adler
  • Let the Authors Speak: Guide to Worthy Books [ORDER USED], Carolyn Hatcher
  • Christ the King, Lord of History: A Catholic World History from Ancient to Modern Times, Anne Carroll
 

FINE ARTS

Old World Art (App&Prac) [Semester 1]

Semester 2 sections this year.
  • Ever Ancient, Ever New/Level 1 (Text), Bethany Pedersen
  • Ever Ancient, Ever New/Level 1: ART Pad, Bethany Pedersen & AnneMarie Johnson
 

Classical Music Apprec [Semester 2]

  • Music Appreciation I, Patrick Fata
  • Music Appreciation 1 2-Disc Audio CD, Patrick Fata
 

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

science study guideScience Literacy II (SL2-B) [Quarters 2 - 4]

  • STAA Study Guide: Science Literacy IB and IIB, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
  • Developing Critical Thinking through Science, Book 2, Paul Eggen and June Main
  • Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia, 4th Edition,
  • FORM: Science Activity Equipment Chart worksheet, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
  • FORM: Student Summary of Science Activity worksheet, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
  • STAA Student Zone, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
 

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Introductory Latin I [Quarters 2 - 4]

  • First Form Latin "Complete Set",
 

Learn more...

What questions can we answer for you?

We would love to hear from you!  Please reach out with your questions by phone or email, schedule a courtesy telephone consultation with an advisor, or submit an enrollment application if you are ready to start planning for the upcoming school year.

 

Free Telephone Consultation Send an Email Call us at 209-863-8400 Enroll Today

We have all enjoyed the way STAA ties the courses together for the whole family.

Alyse M.

California

Thanks for all you do on your end to help make our homeschooling academically, intellectually, spiritually, and morally enriching!!

Denise

Michigan

My advisor helps me to understand what needs to be done and how to make it really fun for the kids. What I really like are the tips she gives me for dealing with the little ones while trying to school the older ones.

Amber

Texas

This is our first year homeschooling. STAA and [our advisor] have made this a very easy transition. We have had a great year!

Gwen H.

Kansas

I really don't know what I would do without your kindness, and very helpful advice. You are a blessing to our family.

Pat

Idaho

The assessment testing was quick and easy to do, so I didn't expect much valuable feedback. Boy was I wrong!!! It was like my advisor had met my kids and spent hours/days with them.

Mary Ellen

Maryland

We have been so very happy with our first year with STAA! Thank you for walking me through it and for all the fantastic resources and materials we are using. There is not one we don't like!

Elizabeth

California

Our family so enjoyed our wonderful relationship with STAA as our [son] worked his way through high school. It was a wonderful and outstanding experience for him and we continue to suggest your program to all those who are looking for an excellent homeschool experience.

Debra S.

Colorado

Since I am writing, I will also sing more praises of the Greek Studies plan. [My daughter] moaned over the timed-essay and then did very well. So easy to implement with the choose one reflection topic from each subject and then get ready, get set, go! Apparently the school also gave suggestions for the process essay in "Format Writing." Thank you! For a mom of many this is real time saver.

Alisa from Indiana

mother of 9th grade daughter and several STAA graduates

The academy works as a team to accomplish for your family specific ideas or needs for education, but more importantly, what each individual in your family needs, even Mom.

Anne

Illinois

God bless you for the job you are doing -- the peace you have helped us find as a family is priceless!

Cerita

Texas

We can’t imagine going without these wonderful, enhanced lesson plans! Thank you!

On the STAA Study Guides

Anonymous

I especially appreciate the advice and wise counsel I receive from the St. Thomas Aquinas Academy staff during our phone appointments and their understanding of my children's needs.

Stephen T.

Illinois

It is a thrill to receive the delightfully arranged weekly guidelines from STAA that keep us on track but allow for flexibility.

Dee Dee C.

Florida

I can honestly say that our children have blossomed into well rounded individuals because of your program.

Diane B.

California