Social Studies - Nennig

Hello Eighth Grade Parents!

Students began studying the Civil War this week. Each day we’ve learned about different battles and tried to experience the Civil War through the eyes of the different characters of our American story. Next week, we will conclude our Civil War study and briefly explore the reconstruction of the South. The students seem to be very curious about what happens next. Students should expect a test late next week.

As mentioned at conferences, Miss Mataloni and I will be working on a cross-curricular World War II Unit during the month of April. We look forward to exploring this time period with the students as they will chose a specific topic to research.

Science: Mrs. Louise Mistry

The 8th graders are working hard on their science projects.  They are currently researching their topics and preparing two page background information reports.  They have received a packet with all kinds of information, including due dates and a review of scientific method.   During the project the students will design, perform and report on a controlled experiment.  Some upcoming due dates are:

Monday, April 2:  Select color of tri-fold board (no need to send money until they come in)
Wednesday, April 4:  Background Information Report Due
Wednesday, April 10:  Typed up hypothesis due
Wednesday, April 24:  Bring data and observations and be prepared to discuss your progress with Mrs. Mistry.
Tuesday, May 8:  Final Project Due/Projects available for viewing all day

Students will be given about one day per week in class to work on their projects.  They have done a great job so far of working well during this time.

We are also continuing our study of astronomy.  This week we are focusing on the solar system, learning about the characteristics of the various planets and our sun.  Next week we will be learning about stars and galaxies and the students will be creating starfinders and learning how to locate various constellations in the night sky.  The students are doing well in class and continuing to work hard.

I would also like to ask for your prayers for my husband Bomi.  He will be received into the Church during the Easter Vigil next Saturday.

Language Arts/Reading - Miss Mataloni

The 8th graders are beginning their World War II/Holocaust journey this week. After voting on their top books, each student was grouped according to their book of interest. The groups are their Book Clubs for this unit. The students have independently organized their reading assignments in order to finish by Friday, April 13th. The students have already participated in great discussions and posed interesting, in-depth questions about this time in history. The books will be a tool to guide their discussions and understanding.

In grammar we finished our last punctuation lesson. We will review next week and take the punctuation test Thursday.

Spelling and vocabulary are still being assigned weekly with assessments on Thursdays for vocabulary and Fridays for spelling.

Have a great weekend!

8th Grade Religion

Hello!

In 8th Grade we have been moving along through our Confirmation Unit. This Unit started with an overview of the Sacraments and established the function of the outward signs, when they each were instituted, and what it means to give grace.

Now we are working on the specifics of what transformation will take place in their own Confirmation. They have made up class songs to continue to understand the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that will be increased within them, they have reflected on ways they can prepare to receive the Sacrament, and we have discussed why having a prepared heart is so important. The students have wonderful ideas to strengthen their faith during this time. Some hope to go to Confession more regularly, others are trying to take more time to pray and the list of commitments goes on and on.

Many of the students have decided to participate in "The 5 Senses Lent" Challenge. This challenge is a great way for them to offer sacrifices and unite themselves closer to Jesus during this season in preparation for both Easter and Confirmation. For a lot of students they chosen to be challenged in their faith and have chosen some impressive sacrifices.

On April 11th the 8th graders will take a Confirmation Mastery Test DURING school. The RE students will take it in the evening. Please note that your students will not need to take this after school. Your students are already very close to being ready to take this and we will continue to deepen their understanding of their faith every day.

Math: Mrs CIndy Streff

8th graders completed Chapter 7, Powers & Exponents yesterday (March 8) with the chapter test.  Overall they did a great job.

Chapter 8, Geometry, was started today.  8th graders already know about the different types of angles--acute, obtuse, right, straight, complementary, supplementary, adjacent, and vertical (this is a review from last year).  More importantly, they are able to take what they know and find missing angle measurements from a diagram of intersecting lines.  They will learn about two new types of angles that are formed when parallel lines are cut by a transversal--alternate interior and corresponding.  8th graders will quiz over all of the angles next Wednesday, March 14 before heading off for Spring Break.

On Wednesday, March 14, 8th graders will also celebrate National Pi Day.  March 14 (3.14) are the digits used to solve math problems involving pi, which is the relationship between a circle's diameter and it's circumference.

Have a restful and relaxing Spring Break and come back ready for the last weeks of school!

Social Studies

For the past few weeks students have been traveling West in America History. We looked at the effects of the Louisiana Purchase, the Mexican American War and the Gold Rush which opened the West for exploration and settlement. This week we dove into setting the stage for the Civil War. Students are learning how we tried to prevent a war with many different compromises as well as the events leading to the Civil War. Students should expect a test next Thursday over chapter 16. We will be investigating the Civil War in more detail when we return from spring break.

Also if you have any suggestions or if you are willing to help organize the eighth grade Service Day we are looking for ideas and helpers. Please contact me. Thank you so much.

Science: Mrs. Louise Mistry

The 8th graders are continuing their study of astronomy, focusing the last couple of weeks on space exploration, including the history of the space race, the Apollo missions, the space shuttle program, space probes and the International Space Station.They will take a test on space exploration on Friday, March 9 and then will move on to a study of the planets and our sun.  We will be learning about the strong solar storm that is currently in progress and how this might affect us here on Earth.

Additionally, the students have started work on their science projects.  They have received a packet of information and have started the process of selecting their topics.  They will design, perform and report on a controlled experiment.  Project proposals, which require a parent signature, are due next Thursday, March 15.  Students will have project work days in the computer lab on Monday, March 12 and Wednesday, March 14.  They will be expected to work on their proposals and if they have completed their proposals to begin working on their hypothesis and background information reports.  Please see the packet for a timeline of due dates.  The final project is due on Tuesday, May 8 and the fair will be open for viewing from 8:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m. that day.   Looking forward to some great projects!

Student Council: Mrs. Louise Mistry, Sponsor

The SFA Student Council will be organizing a middle school food drive to benefit the DMARCC Food Pantry.  Students in grades 6, 7 and 8 may bring food items to their homerooms.  Please click on the link below for further information and preferred items. Our goal is to donate 3000 items of food by the end of the school year.  We are looking for parent volunteers to transport the food to the food pantry.  We will have students available to load your vehicle if you are able to help.  If you would like to help please contact Mrs. Mistry.  According to the DMARCC website, one in five children in Polk County is "food insecure".  We hope you will join us in this voluntary donation of food items.  Items may brought to homerooms any day.  We will have a giant thermometer in the area between the Science and Art rooms to track our progress. Thanks so much!

DMARCC Website

Language Arts/Reading - Miss Mataloni

First of all, it was great to see so many parents at conferences last week. It was nice to see returning faces as well as meeting new ones. Thanks for taking the time to attend!

In language arts, the 8th graders have recently turned in their short stories which they converted into picture books. I must say, the work ethic shown by the students was extraordinary. The final products turned out so well. The students are looking forward to sharing their work with a reading session with their Kindergarten buddies next Thursday. After they read aloud with their buddies, the 8th graders will take their books home. Be sure to ask about them so you can hear their stories and see their illustrations, too!

Currently, the 8th graders are in the middle of a punctuation unit. They just took a quiz over commas and quotations. We will finish the unit with semicolons, colons, hyphens, dashes, parentheses, and apostrophes.

They are also working on a technology piece in which they are taking their SSR book and creating a "Book Trailer" to advertise their book to the class. They've been spending many days in the lab in order to get their trailer ready for next week.

Safe travels to all on your spring break adventures!