Jr. High Newsletter
8th Grade News
March 19, 2010
LANGUAGE ARTS UPDATE
We had an excellent week as we began the 4th quarter. It was the ladies’ turn to attend ASU for three days for the opportunity to study Mars. Again, what a wonderful opportunity! Here is a recap of what we accomplished this week and what next week will look like in the classroom:
Literature
What we accomplished:
• Began our review of Vocabulary Units 1-15
• Started our literature study of The House of the Scorpion
What’s ahead:
• Continue our literature study, The House of the Scorpion
• Continue a review of Units 1-15 in Vocabulary and continue with Root Words #1-125; introduce prefixes
• Fourth quarter’s two Literature Projects details will be posted this weekend-the books are Tales of the Greek Heroes by Roger Lancelyn Green and 10 Days: Anne Frank or 10 Days: Martin Luther King, Jr. by David Colbert
• Fourth quarter’s mid-point AR goal is 17 points due April 21; 35 points due May 12
Language Arts
What we accomplished:
• Completed the King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table Essay in which students discussed the qualities of knighthood and the Medieval Shield-the students appeared to enjoy this project!
• Wrapped up Science Fiction/Fantasy Presentations
What’s ahead:
• Continue Chapter 19 Sentence Structure
• Continue basic sentence diagramming
• Unit 16 Spelling
• DLP Week #29
Please have a blessed and peaceful weekend!
Upcoming Dates:
Unit 16 Spelling Test and #1-125 Root Word Test-Thursday, March 23
Units 1-15 Vocabulary Review Test-Friday, March 19
MATH UPDATE – Mrs. Byrnes and Mrs. Silver
This week there will be tutoring after school on Monday and Wednesday in Mrs. Byrnes’ room and/or Mrs. Silver’s room (6th grade) for any 7th or 8th grade students who would like some help.
There will be no Mathcounts meeting this week.
Problem of the Week:
Come on folks - let’s get some responses to this week’s problem! Last week’s answer was: working together, the guys could paint the fence in 2 days. Please email me your answers…and don’t worry, it’s not graded!! (kbyrnes@sjbosco.org)
Here is this week’s question: Kaylee has seven different colors of nail polish. In how many different ways can she arrange them on top of her dresser?
A reminder that as of 4th quarter, in order to be eligible to do corrections on an assessment, the score must be lower that 75%.
• Pre-Algebra – 8O: This week was our first week in the fourth quarter. We had several students missing for the Mars project, but we were able to start Ch 11 which entails Applying Algebra to Geometry. The students participated in "Math Minutes", completed several exercises regarding angles, sides, measurements and even had time for a quiz. We also completed our Mathematician presentations. For next week, .... we're looking forward to sections 11.3 thru 11.5 with a Quiz/Test anticipated for next Thursday, March 25. Please have the students read ahead (if they so choose), complete some online Math exercises. (Mrs. Silver has mentioned www.aaamath.com as well as www.glencoemath.com)
• Algebra – 8A1: This week we had one day with everyone here to learn more about factoring. We also continued work on our SCAMP project (Story about a Cultural Artifact from a Mathematical Perspective). I can’t wait to hear the presentations the students have been working on! Please be sure to ask your child about what theirs is all about! Next week we will begin their presentations, and also spend some time wrapping up factoring trinomials, including special factors. With a week and a half before Easter break, I would like to finish all of the presentations and finish Chapter 10 as well. Look for a Test on Chapter 10 probably Wednesday of Holy Week.
• Algebra – 8A2: This week we had one day with everyone here to learn about polynomials. We also continued work on our SCAMP project (Story about a Cultural Artifact from a Mathematical Perspective). I can’t wait to hear the presentations the students have been working on! Please be sure to ask your child about what theirs is all about! Next week we will begin their presentations, and also spend some more time learning about polynomials, binomials and trinomials. With a week and a half before Easter break, I would like to finish all of the presentations and spend some more time on Chapter 9. We may have a quiz sometime during Holy Week – I’ll keep you posted.
RELIGION AND SOCIAL STUDIES UPDATE
In the 8th Grade:
In Social Studies this week we finished the Holocaust Unit in class portion, with a terms quiz we took today. The ABC Holocaust research project has been explained and assigned, and is due no later than April 1st. Next week we pick up again in Chapter 21, with notes and discussion in Section 3 (Americans at War).
Next week in Religion we will be going back to the Call to Faith textbook and work in Chapter 16 (Worship and Grace).
Sunday (March 21) Mass Readings:
Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:8-14
John 8:1-11
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me…. (Irish Prayer) taken from St. Patrick’s Breastplate.
SCIENCE UPDATE
The girls completed their Mars trip. They were the masters at collecting data. They had 10 graphs to analyze for their oral presentation. They answered questions that the Scientists gave them very professionally. Good Job Girls! Next week we will be back in the plant world with many activities on Plant Processes.
Due Dates:
March 26 - Plant Activity Packet
March 30 - Current Event TBA
Week of March 29 - Plant Test
TBA - Lab
SPANISH UPDATE
The first part of "El Credo" was due this past week. The second part is due on April 13th. Make sure you continue to practice this prayer. In class, we have been putting movements with the Creed. Some of us have been recorded and some of us have not yet been recorded. The goal is that all 8th graders will be recorded by the end of next week. Remember to keep looking at the facts for the Spanish speaking countries also.
Students have been very good about coming to find out what they have missed when they are absent. Make sure this continues through the end of the school year.
7th Grade News
March 19, 2010
LANGUAGE ARTS UPDATE
It was a great week. Here is a recap of what we accomplished this week and what next week will look like in the classroom:
Literature
What we accomplished:
• Continued our literature study, A Wrinkle in Time
• Continued our review of Vocabulary Units 1-15
What’s ahead:
• Continue our literature study, A Wrinkle in Time
• Continue a review of Units 1-15 in Vocabulary and continue with Root Words #1-125; introduce prefixes
• Fourth quarter’s three Literature Projects details will be posted this weekend-the books are: student’s choice; Tales of the Greek Heroes by Roger Lancelyn Green and 10 Days: Abraham Lincoln or 10 Days: Benjamin Franklin by David Colbert
• Fourth quarter’s mid-point AR goal is 15 points due April 21; 30 points due May 26
Language Arts
What we accomplished:
• Wrapped up Science Fiction/Fantasy Presentations
• DLP Week #28
What’s ahead:
• Continue Chapter 27 in Writing and Grammar Book-Punctuation
• Martin Luther King, Jr., “I Have a Dream” Writing Assignment using analogies
• Unit 16 Spelling
• DLP Week #29
Please have a blessed and peaceful weekend!
Upcoming Dates:
Unit 16 Spelling Test and #1-70 Root Word Test-Thursday, March 23
Units 1-15 Vocabulary Review Test-Friday, March 19
MATH UPDATE – Mrs. Byrnes and Mrs. Silver
This week there will be tutoring after school on Monday and Wednesday in Mrs. Byrnes’ room and/or Mrs. Silver’s room (6th grade) for any 7th or 8th grade students who would like some help.
There will be no Mathcounts meeting this week.
Problem of the Week:
Come on folks - let’s get some responses to this week’s problem! Last week’s answer was: working together, the guys could paint the fence in 2 days. Please email me your answers…and don’t worry, it’s not graded!! (kbyrnes@sjbosco.org)
Here is this week’s question: Kaylee has seven different colors of nail polish. In how many different ways can she arrange them on top of her dresser?
• Course 2 – 7O: This week we continued with percents - changing percents to decimals and visa versa, and solving percent sentences. I have been talking to the students at length about how they need to take the effort to make sure this knowledge “sticks” in their head. Although they have had some of this material for a few years (like how to change a decimal to a percent or a fraction to a percent) they don’t always remember it until I re-teach it. Please dialogue with your child about their effort in taking responsibility for their learning. Next week we will finish up the Chapter by reviewing the material. We will have our Chapter 8 Test Wednesday, on Tuesday, March 16.
• Pre-Algebra – 7A: This week we finished up the chapter by writing and solving inequalities, and reviewing the metric system of measurement. We also took our Chapter 7 test. I wanted to mention that I have noticed some of the students slacking off in their work, assignments, and class participation. If you have a little time this weekend, please dialogue with your child about their effort in taking responsibility for their learning. Next week we will begin Chapter 8 - learning about functions, scatter plots and graphing.
RELIGION AND SOCIAL STUDIES UPDATE
In the 7th Grade:
In Social Studies this week we finished in Chapter 8 with active outlining and discussion of section three (Troubles at Home and Abroad) and section four (The Presidency of John Adams). We took our section 3-4 quiz today, and due to seventh grade schedule constraints will take our Chapter 8 test on Monday.
This week in Religion we worked in Chapter 16 (Christ with Us). We completed the review questions at the end of the chapter and went over them in class. Additionally, we also worked on a scripture activity in groups and matched several bible verses to the seven various sacraments. Students who did not finish in class need to complete this as a homework assignment.
Sunday (March 21) Mass Readings:
Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:8-14
John 8:1-11
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me…. (Irish Prayer) taken from St. Patrick’s Breastplate.
SCIENCE UPDATE
Mr. D'Souza has been our guest teacher this week teaching us Magnetism. It is so great to learn from an expert! Next week we will review cells then move on to the Human Body.
Due Dates:
March 30 - Field Trip APS/SRP Power Plants - We need Chaperones
SPANISH UPDATE
Our field trip to Arriba's Mexican Grill is this Wednesday. Students created menus in preparation for their trip. They also made a "cheat" sheet to bring with them in helping them order while we are at the restaurant. Students are encouraged to use as much Spanish as they can while we are on our trip. We will leave campus at 11:15 and return when our meal is finished.
The first part of "El Credo" was due this past week. The second part is due on April 13th. Make sure you continue to practice this prayer. Remember to keep looking at the facts for the Spanish speaking countries also.
Students have been very good about coming to find out what they have missed when they are absent. Make sure this continue through the end of the school year.
