Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your families! The 8th graders are continuing their study of chemistry. Our focus is currently the periodic table (history, organization, etc.). The students recently completed their test on solids, liquids and gases and they did a great job! We are also continuing to learn about physical and chemical change and physical and chemical properties. Students are working on a mystery powder lab, identifying similar white powders by using their knowledge of the powders' properties.
After break students will be working on their element project. Each student will select an element and we will be preparing posters and a class powerpoint project on the periodic table. The 8th gradrs are doing an outstanding job in class. They are doing well at functioning as indepedent learners in their lab work and also in creating their own notes and study guide. I am really pleased with their effort and attitude in class. Keep it up!
Enjoy your break!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Language Arts/Reading - Miss Mataloni
The 8th graders are presenting their final projects for The Outsiders novel this week. They worked extremely hard during class all of last week to get the projects finished prior to leaving for Christmas break. The students had the option of making a soundtrack to the book, reenact scenes and present the video to the class, or create a model of the various settings within the book and connect it to the main events that happened there. The students worked with a variety of technology programs to fulfill the objectives (PPT, AVS editor, Movie-Maker, etc) They did alternative projects instead of a written test for this novel. Their hard work will be rewarded with watching The Outsiders movie Tuesday/Wednesday.
When we return from break, we'll dive into a fiction writing unit in which each student will be responsible for going through the writing process to create a fictional piece with all the elements of a short story. They will then be converting their story into a picture book to read with the kindergartners. In grammar, we'll work on sentence structure, fragments and run-ons to help improve their writing pieces.
Happy Christmas!
When we return from break, we'll dive into a fiction writing unit in which each student will be responsible for going through the writing process to create a fictional piece with all the elements of a short story. They will then be converting their story into a picture book to read with the kindergartners. In grammar, we'll work on sentence structure, fragments and run-ons to help improve their writing pieces.
Happy Christmas!
Religion/Faith Formation
Hello Parents!
Your students took an Apostles and Nicene Creed Test today. We began in the middle of the Creed and worked through the meaning of the words through the end. The students were very curious about the Christian understanding of the afterlife and the resurrection of the body. I encourage your family to continue to study the Creed at home as it includes the basic tenets of our faith. Below is a link to the USCCB website that might help guide you through the Creed. It becomes helpful when we are called the teachings of our faith with others.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/partone.shtml
The Digital Nativity Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkHNNPM7pJA
Enjoy the Holidays with your family.
Your students took an Apostles and Nicene Creed Test today. We began in the middle of the Creed and worked through the meaning of the words through the end. The students were very curious about the Christian understanding of the afterlife and the resurrection of the body. I encourage your family to continue to study the Creed at home as it includes the basic tenets of our faith. Below is a link to the USCCB website that might help guide you through the Creed. It becomes helpful when we are called the teachings of our faith with others.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/partone.shtml
The Digital Nativity Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkHNNPM7pJA
Enjoy the Holidays with your family.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Math: Mrs. Cindy Streff
After what seems like a long time working in Chapter 4, Real Numbers, 8th graders will test over the chapter on Monday, December 21 and Tuesday, December 22. This was a chapter filled with a lot of different concepts and too many to test over in 1 day. This will allow 8th graders to leave for Christmas vacation with nothing to worry about in Math. Chapter 5, Application of Proportion will be started after the new year.
A friendly reminder that a pencil is needed every day for Math and dry erase markers are needed for review days. Many students need to replenish their supply of markers and pencils from the beginning of the year. Thanks for your help with this.
Have a wonderful holiday season with family and friends!
A friendly reminder that a pencil is needed every day for Math and dry erase markers are needed for review days. Many students need to replenish their supply of markers and pencils from the beginning of the year. Thanks for your help with this.
Have a wonderful holiday season with family and friends!
Mrs. Wallace-Social Studies
The 8th graders have been busy presenting their glogs over events from 1800-1850. Ask your student if you can see their presentation on http://www.glogster.com/ . They could insert pictures, text, video, and sound into their presentation. I am expecting for them to be done with their presentations by Christmas break. When they return in January, we will start to study the Civil War.
I also spoke with the 8th graders about the National Geography Bee. You can access the information at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/teachers-and-parents. This year, each class will be holding its own bee and those winners will then move on to the final SFA geography bee. We will be doing reviews in class and they can also do daily quizzes on the website.
The students also have the opportunity to participate in the National History Day project: http://www.nationalhistoryday.org/. This year's topic is Debate and Diplomacy. They can work individually on a project or in groups up to 5 people. Working with Mrs. Larson, we are going to try to give them some time to work during class time on their projects. I think that this is such a great activity to get involved in and that the students would really enjoy it. Have your student contact myself or Mrs. Larson if they are interested.
I also spoke with the 8th graders about the National Geography Bee. You can access the information at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/teachers-and-parents. This year, each class will be holding its own bee and those winners will then move on to the final SFA geography bee. We will be doing reviews in class and they can also do daily quizzes on the website.
The students also have the opportunity to participate in the National History Day project: http://www.nationalhistoryday.org/. This year's topic is Debate and Diplomacy. They can work individually on a project or in groups up to 5 people. Working with Mrs. Larson, we are going to try to give them some time to work during class time on their projects. I think that this is such a great activity to get involved in and that the students would really enjoy it. Have your student contact myself or Mrs. Larson if they are interested.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Science: Mrs. Louise Mistry
The 8th graders have completed their study of animals and are moving into chemistry. We have started with the basics such as physical and chemical properties of matter, the difference between elements, compounds and mixtures and the relationship between energy and changes in matter.
Next week we will be learning about the three states of matter and will focus on characteristics of each state, as well as changes in state. This Monday, students will be participating in a fun and interesting lab using dry ice to observe submlimation. Following states of matter, we will learn about gas behavior and understanding Boyle's and Charles's laws. The students are no longer receiving a study guide but are creating their own notes, which are then reviewed in class. Most students are doing very well with this. Generally, as we move through the year I am looking for more depth and detail in their work (notes, labs, daily work and tests) but I am pleased with their progress so far. The 8th graders have demonstrated excellent behavior and participation in class!
Next week we will be learning about the three states of matter and will focus on characteristics of each state, as well as changes in state. This Monday, students will be participating in a fun and interesting lab using dry ice to observe submlimation. Following states of matter, we will learn about gas behavior and understanding Boyle's and Charles's laws. The students are no longer receiving a study guide but are creating their own notes, which are then reviewed in class. Most students are doing very well with this. Generally, as we move through the year I am looking for more depth and detail in their work (notes, labs, daily work and tests) but I am pleased with their progress so far. The 8th graders have demonstrated excellent behavior and participation in class!
Religion/Faith Formation
Our week this week was dedicated to conversion. We have been talking about the purpose and meaning of Advent. In the spirit of Advent, your children reflected, prepared, and celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation today. We were all so proud at how maturely they conducted themselves throughout the time in the chapel today.
Your children also finished watching St. Peter a film describing the life of the apostles and the early days of the Church. Your children are currently preparing for a graded discussion on Monday and Tuesday regarding how we can live out our faith more like the apostles. Also next week the students will begin their Creed Unit, investigating first, what our ancestors passed on to us about the end of life. Students will have a Creed Quiz before they leave for Christmas break.
Attached below are two websites that might add to your family's Advent growth and transformation.
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/videos/ (Watch "Enter the Story" video)
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/ (Advent Prayer Resources)
Advent Service Opportunities:
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
http://desmoinessa.volunteerfirst.org/public/search_pro_featured.asp?ID=11
Jolly Holiday Lights (Make a Wish Foundation)
http://volunteer.truist.com/icovs/org/opp/10427550449.html
Gigi's Playhouse
Contact Lisa Prey: lisasprey@aol.com
Gigi's Playhouse is a Down syndrome Awareness and Educational Center that provides resources, specialized teaching and support to individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community.
Over two weekends, they are in need of volunteers to sell Gigi's Playhouse calendars at Hy-Vee and Dahl's, with adult supervision.
Hy-Vee on 86th & Douglas
December 10th from 5:00 - 7:00
December 11th from 9:00 - 11:00
December 12th from Noon - 2:00
Your children also finished watching St. Peter a film describing the life of the apostles and the early days of the Church. Your children are currently preparing for a graded discussion on Monday and Tuesday regarding how we can live out our faith more like the apostles. Also next week the students will begin their Creed Unit, investigating first, what our ancestors passed on to us about the end of life. Students will have a Creed Quiz before they leave for Christmas break.
Attached below are two websites that might add to your family's Advent growth and transformation.
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/videos/ (Watch "Enter the Story" video)
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/ (Advent Prayer Resources)
Advent Service Opportunities:
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
http://desmoinessa.volunteerfirst.org/public/search_pro_featured.asp?ID=11
Jolly Holiday Lights (Make a Wish Foundation)
http://volunteer.truist.com/icovs/org/opp/10427550449.html
Gigi's Playhouse
Contact Lisa Prey: lisasprey@aol.com
Gigi's Playhouse is a Down syndrome Awareness and Educational Center that provides resources, specialized teaching and support to individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community.
Over two weekends, they are in need of volunteers to sell Gigi's Playhouse calendars at Hy-Vee and Dahl's, with adult supervision.
Hy-Vee on 86th & Douglas
December 10th from 5:00 - 7:00
December 11th from 9:00 - 11:00
December 12th from Noon - 2:00
Math Mrs. Cindy Streff
I enjoyed talking with many of you at conferences. Thank you for taking the time to discuss your son/daughter and their education.
8th graders are busy working in Chapter 4, Real Numbers. We have spent some time with prime factorization and using it to find the GCF (Greatest Common Factor) and the LCM (Least Common Multiple). We are also working with fraction--simplest form, comparing & ordering, and now adding, subtracting, multiplying, & dividing. We will explore square roots and use the Pythagorean Theorem in the coming weeks. We should complete the chapter before Christmas break.
As we continue through the year it is always a good idea to review math facts. Spending a little time with both addition and multiplication facts will help prevent mistakes on quizzes and tests.
8th graders are busy working in Chapter 4, Real Numbers. We have spent some time with prime factorization and using it to find the GCF (Greatest Common Factor) and the LCM (Least Common Multiple). We are also working with fraction--simplest form, comparing & ordering, and now adding, subtracting, multiplying, & dividing. We will explore square roots and use the Pythagorean Theorem in the coming weeks. We should complete the chapter before Christmas break.
As we continue through the year it is always a good idea to review math facts. Spending a little time with both addition and multiplication facts will help prevent mistakes on quizzes and tests.
Social Studies- Mrs. Wallace
This week the 8th grade students are finishing up their unit over the Constitution. Their test will be on Monday, December 6th. Also, their notebooks are due on Monday, December 6th. The students should review their notes and also should visit my website: http://www.wix.com/jmwallace/mrs-wallace to do some review games.
The students will next be studying the time period of 1800-1850. The students will choose an event and then will create a page about that event on http://www.glogster.com/. They will then present their pages to class and explain the significance about their chosen event.
Have a great weekend with your families!
The students will next be studying the time period of 1800-1850. The students will choose an event and then will create a page about that event on http://www.glogster.com/. They will then present their pages to class and explain the significance about their chosen event.
Have a great weekend with your families!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Language Arts/Reading: Miss Mataloni
The 8th graders have just finished Chapter 6 in The Outsiders. They have done a wonderful job working in their literature circles and participating in meaningful conversations about Ponyboy and the Greasers. We will be finishing the book prior to Christmas break. The students will take a comprehensive test December 16, and they will complete an extension project of their choice by Dec. 22. The 8th graders have a vocabulary test this Friday, December 3rd over their 2nd word list. A comprehensive test over all 40 words will be the week of December 13th.
In Grammar, the 8th graders will be reviewing the parts of speech to start off the 2nd trimester. The students will take control of teaching a part of speech to the class.
Thank you and enjoy your weekend!
In Grammar, the 8th graders will be reviewing the parts of speech to start off the 2nd trimester. The students will take control of teaching a part of speech to the class.
Thank you and enjoy your weekend!
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