The 8th graders are continuing their study of chemistry, focusing recently on physical and chemical change and states of matter. We had a great day experimenting with dry ice and observing sublimation. We also did a viscosity lab, analyzing the viscosity of various liquids. Our next area of study will be the organization of the periodic table and we are continuing to learn the names of the elements. Students have a quiz on 10 elements each Wednesday. The students have also learned to balance chemical equations and did very well on their recent quiz. Overall, the 8th graders are doing a good job of following directions and safety procedures in their labs and they are working well together in their lab groups.
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Social Studies - Nennig
Hello Parents,
I pray that your Advent season has allowed you time to prepare for blessings of the next few weeks.
Both the seventh and eighth grade students participated in an amazing day at the Iowa History Museum last week. They learned much about the culture during the 1940s and what life was like during war time. The historic play we watched opened their eyes to the many different pieces and events of WWII. Students had many questions in our discussion following the day at the museum, which will hopefully help spark their research in the spring. Thank you for supporting this field trip!
In social studies, students tested over the American Revolution last week. Many of them saw the fruits of their hard work and study. We celebrated the success of the class as a whole. We took a day to regroup and then began our Constitution Unit. The students began reading a role-play and discovering the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Upon returning from break students will explore the Constitutional Convention and the specifics of how our government works. This will be an exciting way to begin the new year.
As a reminder, please mark your calendars for January 15th, when all Confirmation Candidates at St. Francis Parish will come together for their first Sunday evening gathering. These evenings often inspire and build faith within our young Church to prepare them to enter as full members of the Church. Please also note that the Rite of Enrollment, a requirement for all candidates to begin their Confirmation process, will be celebrated at the weekend masses January 21-22.
Have a blessed and holy holiday season.
I pray that your Advent season has allowed you time to prepare for blessings of the next few weeks.
Both the seventh and eighth grade students participated in an amazing day at the Iowa History Museum last week. They learned much about the culture during the 1940s and what life was like during war time. The historic play we watched opened their eyes to the many different pieces and events of WWII. Students had many questions in our discussion following the day at the museum, which will hopefully help spark their research in the spring. Thank you for supporting this field trip!
In social studies, students tested over the American Revolution last week. Many of them saw the fruits of their hard work and study. We celebrated the success of the class as a whole. We took a day to regroup and then began our Constitution Unit. The students began reading a role-play and discovering the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Upon returning from break students will explore the Constitutional Convention and the specifics of how our government works. This will be an exciting way to begin the new year.
As a reminder, please mark your calendars for January 15th, when all Confirmation Candidates at St. Francis Parish will come together for their first Sunday evening gathering. These evenings often inspire and build faith within our young Church to prepare them to enter as full members of the Church. Please also note that the Rite of Enrollment, a requirement for all candidates to begin their Confirmation process, will be celebrated at the weekend masses January 21-22.
Have a blessed and holy holiday season.
Math: Mrs Cindy Streff
8th graders are completing Chapter 4, Real Numbers, next week with a 2 day chapter test. This chapter covered a lot of different concepts--everything from prime factorization to addition, subtraction, multiplication, & division of fractions to the Pythagorean Theorem. By taking the test over 2 days, students have to time to work carefully and are not rushed to finish. 8th graders will be able to leave next Wednesday and enjoy the Christmas break with no Math to worry about. Even with some many concepts the 8th graders have been doing a good job understanding and mastering the problems.
After Christmas break 8th graders will begin Chapter 5, Application of Proportions. You and they can look forward to rates, ratios, and proportions in the new year.
Have a blessed Christmas season and enjoy family and friends.
After Christmas break 8th graders will begin Chapter 5, Application of Proportions. You and they can look forward to rates, ratios, and proportions in the new year.
Have a blessed Christmas season and enjoy family and friends.
Language Arts/Reading - Miss Mataloni
In the 8th grade, the students just completed the novel, The Giver in which we explored the themes of individuality, choice, and the importance of memories. When we read The Outsiders, this group was extremely motivated and wanted to read faster and faster. Again, the same motivation occurred while reading this novel. I love that this group of students enjoys reading so much!
In addition to reading, the students have been plugging away at their weekly vocabulary. We recently took a review test over the past 40 words. The students did amazingly well which shows their preparation.
Lastly, we're wrapping up a grammar unit on capitalization. It was a short unit, so we'll take a short test on Monday prior to the students taking off for break.
After Christmas, more information will come as far as the author skyping goes and what the student timeline will look like for the book requirements they'll need to complete.
Thanks for a wonderful first half of the school year. Have a very merry Christmas!
In addition to reading, the students have been plugging away at their weekly vocabulary. We recently took a review test over the past 40 words. The students did amazingly well which shows their preparation.
Lastly, we're wrapping up a grammar unit on capitalization. It was a short unit, so we'll take a short test on Monday prior to the students taking off for break.
After Christmas, more information will come as far as the author skyping goes and what the student timeline will look like for the book requirements they'll need to complete.
Thanks for a wonderful first half of the school year. Have a very merry Christmas!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Social Studies - Nennig
Hello Parents,
Your students are preparing for a test later this week. They will be tested over the American Revolution and the events surrounding it. Each students was given their unit outline today to help guide their study. I will be hosting a review session Wednesday in class and would be happy to work with students outside of class if they feel weak in a certain area. Please have them set up an appointment with me in the next few days.
Our next unit will explore the Constitution Era, looking specifically at the events, people,and thoughts that developed the American Constitution. The following are the units we hope to tackle the second half of the year: The Movement West, The Civil War and Reconstruction, Progressive Era & WWI, The Great Depression, WWII. Students at Dowling begin their study of U.S. History at Reconstruction so we will be sure to prepare them for their study ahead.
Finally, as you know your children will be participating in History Through the Arts Program: WWII In Their Own Words at the State Historical Building of Iowa on Wednesday, December 7th. Be sure to ask them about their field trip!
Your students are preparing for a test later this week. They will be tested over the American Revolution and the events surrounding it. Each students was given their unit outline today to help guide their study. I will be hosting a review session Wednesday in class and would be happy to work with students outside of class if they feel weak in a certain area. Please have them set up an appointment with me in the next few days.
Our next unit will explore the Constitution Era, looking specifically at the events, people,and thoughts that developed the American Constitution. The following are the units we hope to tackle the second half of the year: The Movement West, The Civil War and Reconstruction, Progressive Era & WWI, The Great Depression, WWII. Students at Dowling begin their study of U.S. History at Reconstruction so we will be sure to prepare them for their study ahead.
Finally, as you know your children will be participating in History Through the Arts Program: WWII In Their Own Words at the State Historical Building of Iowa on Wednesday, December 7th. Be sure to ask them about their field trip!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Math: Mrs Cindy Streff
8th graders are busy working in Chaptert 4, Real Numbers. After spending time working with prime & composite numbers, prime factorization, GCF, LCM, writing decimals as fractions & fractions as decimals; 8th graders are adding, subtracting, multiplying, & dividing fractions. The fractions are not just ordinary fractions, but both positive and negative fractions! It makes it more challenging, especially when they have to "borrow". They quizzed over it today, Dec 2. We will continue working in Chapter 4 and finish the chapter before Christmas break.
It was wonderful to see and talk with so many of you at conferences. I will continue to keep communication open after the Christmas break as the 8th graders take the Dowling Placement test and register for classes next year.
It was wonderful to see and talk with so many of you at conferences. I will continue to keep communication open after the Christmas break as the 8th graders take the Dowling Placement test and register for classes next year.
Language Arts/Reading - Miss Mataloni
The 8th graders are starting to read a new class novel this week, The Giver. They are already engaged and full of questions as we discuss the idea of a Utopian society and how it differs from our current society. We will be reading multiple chapters a day with this novel in order to get it done before Christmas break. I even heard from the students that a few parents are reading it along with us! How fun!
In addition to the reading unit, we are doing a short capitalization unit in grammar. The students are reviewing the many rules of capitalization in hopes to accurately and consistently demonstrate it in their own writing.
In addition to the reading unit, we are doing a short capitalization unit in grammar. The students are reviewing the many rules of capitalization in hopes to accurately and consistently demonstrate it in their own writing.
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