Friday, September 30, 2011
Science: Mrs. Louise Mistry
The 8th graders are currently studying vertebrates, especially fish, amphibians and reptiles. Next week we will be having our first annual SHARK WEEK. As part of our study of fish we will be focusing on the shark, one of the most fascinating creatures alive! We will be using video, readings, websites, etc., all to help us learn more about sharks. Following shark week we will be dissecting a dogfish shark and a frog, examining in detail both internal and external structures, as well as discussing organ body systems. Our first two dissections went very well and the students' dissection technique is coming along nicely. The 8th graders are doing a great job of focusing in class and serving as the leaders of the school. Keep up the good work!
Math: Mrs Cindy Streff
8th graders are working in Chapter 2, Equations and Inequalities. We quizzed today, Friday, September 30 on solving equations. It was the culmination of two weeks of solving one-step, two-step, and multi-step equations. For the students, it is a grand feeling when they figure out how to combine like terms and use the distributive property to solve a multi-step equation and get the right answer! Everyone is working hard to master the concept. It will be one that we continue to work on and use throughout the year.
Solving equations requires all math basic operations to be used--addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division--so continued practice of all the math facts is helpful for all students.
Enjoy the beautiful weekend ahead with family and friends.
Solving equations requires all math basic operations to be used--addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division--so continued practice of all the math facts is helpful for all students.
Enjoy the beautiful weekend ahead with family and friends.
Language Arts/Reading: Miss Mataloni
The 8th graders took a figurative language writing test yesterday. Throughout the unit the students researched figurative language in song lyrics, practiced creative writing, and completed a "Growing Up" poem in which they had to incorporate examples of figurative language into it. I look forward to reading their poems this weekend.
Next week, we'll begin our first class novel, The Outsiders. Each student will have their own copy of the novel during the unit in which they will be assigned nightly reading. The unit will consist of independent and small group reading, literature circles with roles, class discussions, and a study of the 1960s era of fashion, music, and icons. I am excited to start a class novel with this group of 8th graders!
FYI: Students should be around the 1,000 reading minutes mark! Keep reinforcing independent reading at home.
Thank you and go Hawks!
Next week, we'll begin our first class novel, The Outsiders. Each student will have their own copy of the novel during the unit in which they will be assigned nightly reading. The unit will consist of independent and small group reading, literature circles with roles, class discussions, and a study of the 1960s era of fashion, music, and icons. I am excited to start a class novel with this group of 8th graders!
FYI: Students should be around the 1,000 reading minutes mark! Keep reinforcing independent reading at home.
Thank you and go Hawks!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Math: Mrs Cindy Streff
We are off to a great start to the new school year! I enjoy seeing how the students have grown and matured over the summer.
We just completed Chapter 1, Integers and Algebraic Expressions, with the Chapter 1 test on Thursday, Sept 15. This is a chapter which reviews a lot of concepts and most students did a wonderful job. Be sure to check Infinite Campus and talk with your child about how they are doing.
We have started Chapter 2, Equations and Inequalities. I told the students that this is one of my favorite chapters, as it is the basis for a lot of Algebra. They will learn how to solve multi-step equations and use this knowledge throughout Algebra next year. It is fun seeing the light bulbs go off as we work through the chapter.
Enjoy the beautiful autumn weather we are having.
We just completed Chapter 1, Integers and Algebraic Expressions, with the Chapter 1 test on Thursday, Sept 15. This is a chapter which reviews a lot of concepts and most students did a wonderful job. Be sure to check Infinite Campus and talk with your child about how they are doing.
We have started Chapter 2, Equations and Inequalities. I told the students that this is one of my favorite chapters, as it is the basis for a lot of Algebra. They will learn how to solve multi-step equations and use this knowledge throughout Algebra next year. It is fun seeing the light bulbs go off as we work through the chapter.
Enjoy the beautiful autumn weather we are having.
Language Arts/Reading - Miss Mataloni
Welcome back to the blog. I'll use this post to do a quick run-through of a few standard items for 8th grade reading and language arts.
First of all, spelling is a weekly subject. Each Monday students have a pretest; all students take a post test on Fridays. If they get 100% on the pretest they do not have to do the homework, but they are still required to take the test again on Friday.
Second, we started our first list of vocabulary this week. The students get their word list (10 words) on Mondays. We practice throughout the week and test on Thursdays.
The next requirements I want to remind you about are the reading requirements. Again, the 8th graders need to read 2,000 minutes per trimester which are logged on bookmarks that the student must have signed by a parent in order to be acceptable. Students also are required to report on their independent reading novels by presenting one book talk, one alternative project, and one written report. These reports need to be on three different books unless the book is over 400 pages in length, then it may count for two book reports.
Lastly, our writing unit is revolving around poetry at this time. We are studying poetry terminology as well as figurative language and sound devices. The students will be responsible for quizzes, a final test, and a few poetry pieces to model the information they have learned.
Have a great weekend. Go Hawks!
First of all, spelling is a weekly subject. Each Monday students have a pretest; all students take a post test on Fridays. If they get 100% on the pretest they do not have to do the homework, but they are still required to take the test again on Friday.
Second, we started our first list of vocabulary this week. The students get their word list (10 words) on Mondays. We practice throughout the week and test on Thursdays.
The next requirements I want to remind you about are the reading requirements. Again, the 8th graders need to read 2,000 minutes per trimester which are logged on bookmarks that the student must have signed by a parent in order to be acceptable. Students also are required to report on their independent reading novels by presenting one book talk, one alternative project, and one written report. These reports need to be on three different books unless the book is over 400 pages in length, then it may count for two book reports.
Lastly, our writing unit is revolving around poetry at this time. We are studying poetry terminology as well as figurative language and sound devices. The students will be responsible for quizzes, a final test, and a few poetry pieces to model the information they have learned.
Have a great weekend. Go Hawks!
Social Studies
Hello Parents!
It has been a joyful start to school this fall. I have really enjoyed the maturity and laughter your children. We've been working on setting the ground work for our American story. The students have studied about the ancient cultures in the Americas as well as the trade routes and culture in Europe before Colonization. They should be studying this weekend for their test on Tuesday. Their notebooks will also be due on Tuesday. Our next unit of study will be Exploration and Colonization.
Please continue to speak to your students about current events as well as social and political issues. They can learn a lot from just listening to your adult conversations.
Peace,
Erin Nennig
It has been a joyful start to school this fall. I have really enjoyed the maturity and laughter your children. We've been working on setting the ground work for our American story. The students have studied about the ancient cultures in the Americas as well as the trade routes and culture in Europe before Colonization. They should be studying this weekend for their test on Tuesday. Their notebooks will also be due on Tuesday. Our next unit of study will be Exploration and Colonization.
Please continue to speak to your students about current events as well as social and political issues. They can learn a lot from just listening to your adult conversations.
Peace,
Erin Nennig
Student Council
8th Graders received letters today about student council for the 2011-12 school year. Applications are available from Mrs. Mistry and are due on Wednesday, Sept. 21. Take advantage of this great leadership opportunity!
Science: Mrs. Louise Mistry
The 8th graders have had an awesome start to the school year. They are doing a good job of staying focused in class. We are starting out the year with a study of animals. We have covered simple invertebrates, such as sponges, worms and corals and more recently worms, arthropods and crustaceans. We have completed dissection labs for worms and clams so far. The 8th graders did very well on their first test and other graded work. All summative graded work is posted on Infinite Campus. Next week we will be starting our study of more complex invertebrates, such as fish, reptiles and amphibians. Students will have a chance to dissect a frog and a dogfish shark, which they are looking forward to. Thanks for a wonderful couple of weeks and I am looking forward to exploring science with your kids!
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