The 8th graders have just finished up their study of birds and mammals. They completed their Chapter 4 test, which they will receive back on Monday. Today the students dissected owl pellets to learn about the owl's digestive system and to see some examples of what owls eat. We have cleaned and organized all of the bones and lab groups will be joining together to create a display of what we found on Monday. Overall, the students are doing very well at staying focused and on task during lab work. Our next area of study is animal behavior. The students received an article from a recent Time magazine article called "How Animals Think". It is a very fascinating look at how different animals process and understand the world around them. We will spend most of the week on this topic, comparing and contrasting many types of animal behaviors and interactions. I will also be sharing some video clips and other information from the Great Ape Trust.
It's been great working with your students! Have a wonderful weekend.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Math Mrs Cindy Streff
8th graders completed Chapter 2, Equations & Inequalities last week with the chapter test. This is a challenging chapter for many, but with hard work and lots of practice, most of the class did an awesome job! We will continue to solve equations throughout this year, so 8th graders will be able to practice and improve.
8th graders have started Chapter 3, Graphing in a Coordinate Plane. This chapter is completely different than the first two. Many students enjoy the break from "regular math" and like graphing points and the geometry that is involved.
Happy Halloween and enjoy the fabulous fall weather!
8th graders have started Chapter 3, Graphing in a Coordinate Plane. This chapter is completely different than the first two. Many students enjoy the break from "regular math" and like graphing points and the geometry that is involved.
Happy Halloween and enjoy the fabulous fall weather!
Social Studies
Hello Parents,
The students just finished their Colonial Puppet Shows. They took a quiz yesterday over the similarities and differences of the different colonial regions. The students should begin preparing this weekend for the Ch 3-4 Unit Test next Wednesday. They have a unit outline as well as a green review packet to help them study. Following this test the students will have a quiz and a speech to give before the end of the trimester.
In addition to the above resources, below is a URL for our textbook online where students can take self assessments for the chapters we are reviewing.
http://www.phschool.com/webcodes10/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.gotoWebCode&wcprefix=mfk&wcsuffix=1000
Next week students will enjoy a presentation by Tom Chapman, who works for the Council of Catholic Bishops. He will be presenting on the importance of Catholic citizenship.
The students just finished their Colonial Puppet Shows. They took a quiz yesterday over the similarities and differences of the different colonial regions. The students should begin preparing this weekend for the Ch 3-4 Unit Test next Wednesday. They have a unit outline as well as a green review packet to help them study. Following this test the students will have a quiz and a speech to give before the end of the trimester.
In addition to the above resources, below is a URL for our textbook online where students can take self assessments for the chapters we are reviewing.
http://www.phschool.com/webcodes10/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.gotoWebCode&wcprefix=mfk&wcsuffix=1000
Next week students will enjoy a presentation by Tom Chapman, who works for the Council of Catholic Bishops. He will be presenting on the importance of Catholic citizenship.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Social Studies
Hello Parents!
Your eighth grade students have enjoyed looking back at our roots from Europe to understand the religious founding of our country. They explored the effects of the Protestant and Catholic Reformation. The eighth graders are now preparing puppet show presentations for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday about an assigned region of the colonies. The should be prepared for a quiz early next week over the differences in the regions.
Students will finish studying representative government in the colonies next week and prepare for a test the following week. Please contact me if you have any additional questions.
Your eighth grade students have enjoyed looking back at our roots from Europe to understand the religious founding of our country. They explored the effects of the Protestant and Catholic Reformation. The eighth graders are now preparing puppet show presentations for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday about an assigned region of the colonies. The should be prepared for a quiz early next week over the differences in the regions.
Students will finish studying representative government in the colonies next week and prepare for a test the following week. Please contact me if you have any additional questions.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Science: Mrs. Louise Mistry
The 8th graders are continuing their study of animals. The last couple of weeks we have been studying vertebrates, concentrating on reptiles and amphibians. The students have studied the body systems and structure of various reptiles and amphibians. We have also watched some amazing clips and videos about these interesting animals. Last week was "Shark Week" and the students learned all kinds of information about sharks. The highlight of the last two weeks was probably our two dissection labs. We dissected frogs and dogfish sharks. Mrs. Hade even joined the students for their shark dissection! The students did an outstanding job of dissecting and examining the specimens. Their technique and attitude has been exceptional and I think we may have some future surgeons here at St. Francis. Next week we will move on to birds and mammals and finish up with animal behavior, an extremely fascinating topic. The 8th graders will have a test on Chapter 3 on Tuesday, October 11. I am enjoying working with your kids!
Math: Mrs Cindy Streff
8th graders are finishing up Chapter 2, Equations & Inequalities. The Chapter 2 test will be on Wednesday, Oct 19. Students can begin reviewing the concepts of Chapter 2: combining like terms, the distributive property (both positive and negative), solving one-, two, and multi-step equations, graphing inequalities, solving one- and two-step inequailties, problem solving, and the vocabulary. We are spending several days reviewing, but students need to spend time preparing on their own. After the test we will beging Chapter 3, Graphing in a Coordinate Plane.
On Thursday, Oct 13, the 8th graders had the opportunity to compete in the American Math Challenge. They were abe to spend their class time in the computer lab doing 1 minute math challenges against other students in the United Staes and the world, some times even competing against their own classmate sitting next to them! It was a fun way to practice math facts and see how they did against other students their age from other states. 8th graders enjoyed the expreience.
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the beautiful fall weather we are having.
On Thursday, Oct 13, the 8th graders had the opportunity to compete in the American Math Challenge. They were abe to spend their class time in the computer lab doing 1 minute math challenges against other students in the United Staes and the world, some times even competing against their own classmate sitting next to them! It was a fun way to practice math facts and see how they did against other students their age from other states. 8th graders enjoyed the expreience.
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the beautiful fall weather we are having.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Language Arts/Reading - Miss Mataloni
The 8th graders are currently in the middle of The Outsiders novel. I can honestly say this is THE MOST enthusiastic group of students I've ever taught this book too. To top off the unit, the 8th grade class is going to have an Outsider's Dress-Up Day on Thursday, October 20th. Student are encouraged to dress as either a Greaser or a Soc which are the two gangs from the book.
Although we are reading a class novel, the students are still responsible for their independent reading. On Monday, October 17th, their 2nd book report is due. They have the option of completing their written book report or doing an alternative book report option. The students have rubrics for either option. Their 3rd and final report is due November 4th.
We are also going to start a writing unit which encompasses the Knights of Columbus Essay Contest theme. The students will be working on the content in Religion and the organization and editing in my class. They will receive a grade in both classes prior to submitting their essays to the K of C. Last year, we had two essays from SFA place first and second in the state!
Thank you!
Although we are reading a class novel, the students are still responsible for their independent reading. On Monday, October 17th, their 2nd book report is due. They have the option of completing their written book report or doing an alternative book report option. The students have rubrics for either option. Their 3rd and final report is due November 4th.
We are also going to start a writing unit which encompasses the Knights of Columbus Essay Contest theme. The students will be working on the content in Religion and the organization and editing in my class. They will receive a grade in both classes prior to submitting their essays to the K of C. Last year, we had two essays from SFA place first and second in the state!
Thank you!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Social Studies - Ms. Nennig
Your children have been investigating exploration of the New World. Thank you for your support in helping the kids bring in their items for the Columbian Exchange. Our Columbian Exchange day went very well and the students enjoyed tasting the different foods the explorers may have experienced. We've take some time to investigate the Old World and what caused exploration.
The end of this week students will begin looking at the settlement of the colonies and how religion played a role in early colonization. Next week students will discover the difference in lifestyle based on where colonists settled. Your children can look forward to team presentations next week. Students should also prepare for a quiz at the beginning of the week.
The end of this week students will begin looking at the settlement of the colonies and how religion played a role in early colonization. Next week students will discover the difference in lifestyle based on where colonists settled. Your children can look forward to team presentations next week. Students should also prepare for a quiz at the beginning of the week.
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