8th Grade Weekly

May 18-22

2009-05-18T08:39:00.000-07:00

** All 8th graders will be going to Transition Day on Wednesday. Students should wear old clothes and tennis shoes. We will go rain or shine.

Language Arts:
We are reading Greek myths, and students will be writing a script for their play based on the Greek myth they read. Students are also working on their Greek God book that will be due at the beginning of June. No spelling this week. Journals are due May 26th and book jackets are due May 29th.

Science:
We have finished chapter 2 and will have a test on Tuesday. Wednesday is a transition day and we will be at the LUHS school forest for the day. We will begin our final chapter, focusing on light and color, on Thursday.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Finishing chapter 11. Test next week.
6th hour: Working on chapter 10. Quiz on Friday.
7th hour: Revisiting parts of chapter 5.

History:
We are in the research phase of the affirmative action case University of California Davis vs. Bakke. We will have the opportunity to look at Vietnam durng this early 70's case and discuss the dilema the nation faced with the implications of righting past wrongs in the realm of civil rights.

May 11-15

2009-05-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
Students are finishing up their biographies, and they are due Tuesday. Students will create a biography box related to the person they wrote their biography on. We are also working on spelling unit 27. A few important due dates- Journals are due May 26th and book jackets are due May 29th.

Science:
Students will be presenting their projects this week. They should be practicing at home. When all presentations are done, we will continue with chapter two, Sound.

History:
We will be finishing our look at the United States in WWII as seen from the view of the people and how it changed life and America's role in the world. We will move on to a free press case in the Southeast Asian conflict.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Continuing work on chapter 11. Quiz on Friday.
6th hour: Starting work on chapter 10. (We're skipping chapter 9 because we already did graphing.)
7th hour: Chapter 11 test on Wednesday.

May 4-8

2009-05-04T09:06:00.000-07:00

** Reminder to all parents: There is a parent meeting next Monday, May 11th at 5:30 in the multipurpose room to discuss graduation.

Language Arts:
Students will be conducting an interview and writing a biography on that person. We will also be working on how to use semi-colons and colons. No spelling this week.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Starting work on chapter 11.
6th hour: Finishing chapter 8. Test on Thursday.
7th hour: Continuing work on chapter 11. Quizzes on Monday and Friday.

Science:
Students are working on their project PowerPoints this week. All project work should already be done. Classes will spend the week in the computer lab working on their presentations. They will begin presenting early next week.

April 27- May 1

2009-04-29T08:34:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
We will finish reading The Lottery Rose and take the test for the novel on Friday. We are also working on spelling unit 26.

History:
We are into the Second World War asking the question on how this event could have happened? What made it possible? We will look at strategy, the outcome and internment camps.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Chapter 10 Test is on Friday.
6th hours: Continuing work on chapter 8.
7th hour: Starting work on chapter 11.

Science: Students should be finishing their work on their projects. Work on the PowerPoints will begin on Monday.

April 20- 24

2009-04-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
Students are completing their spring writing assessment. We will pick up with The Lottery Rose the rest of the week. Students will be reading and creating discussion questions. No spelling this week.

History:
We have significant background built up to understand the context of the hallmark New Deal case Schechter v. USA. Our Great Depression study continues as students argue the case out and gather its impact on the economic crisis.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Continuing work on chapter 10.
6th hour: Continuing work on chapter 8.
7th hour: Finishing chapter 10. Test on Monday.

Science:
We are starting a new unit this week. It focuses on waves, sound, and light. Students should be starting to wrap up their research and/or experiments for their science projects. We will be working on their PowerPoint presentations during the week of May 4-8. The presentations will begin on Monday, May 11.

March 30- April 3

2009-03-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
The students are turning in their research paper today. Students are creating a PowerPoint related to their controversial issue to share with the class on Thursday. We are also working on spelling unit 23.

History:
We are taking a quick look at the 1920's focusing mainly on the transition from folk culture to the mass culture ushered in with technological innovations.

Science:
This week we begin looking at machines and how they help us do work. We will be doing several labs on simple machines later in the week.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Finishing chapter 9 this week.
6th hour: Continuing work on chapter 7. Quiz on Wednesday.
7th hour: Continuing work on chapter 10. Quiz on Wednesday.

March 23-27

2009-03-23T08:47:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
Students are writing their research paper this week. They will organize and sort notes and write paper. Journals are due Wednesday and book jackets are due Thursday.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Starting chapter 9 this week.
6th hour: Starting chapter 7 this week.
7th hour: Finishing a few lessons from chapter 9 with a quiz on Wednesday. Starting chapter 10 on Thursday.

Science:
We will be finishing chapter four this week. There will be a test on Thursday.

History:
We are wrapping up the first first amendment supreme court case Schenck vs. USA. We will then head for the Argonne Forest and the AEF's role on the Western Front.

March 9-13

2009-03-09T08:36:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
We are beginning to research controversial issues. Students will be be using print and on-line sources to gather information. We are also working on spelling unit 22.

Science:
We will be starting chapter four this week. The focus is on work and energy. Students have an assignment due this Friday for their science projects. If they are doing research, they need to have their subcategories to research. If they are doing an experiment, they need their hypothesis, materials, and procedures as well as the variables they will use in their experiment.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Chapter 8 test Tuesday. Review packets for the rest of the week.
6th hour: Chapter 6 test Thursday.
7th hour: Chapter 9 test Tuesday. Review packets for the rest of the week.

History:
We are working on casesheets for Schenck vs. the USA a hallmark free speech and press case in time of war. We will then prepare for oral arguments and hear the case in a supreme court venue.

March 2-6

2009-03-02T08:36:00.000-08:00

Language Arts:
We are writing and creating our non-fiction interactive books in the computer lab. They will finish those on Wednesday. We will then begin our controversial research paper at the end of the week. We are working on spelling unit 21.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Finishing chapter 8 this week. Quiz on Wednesday. Chapter test next Tuesday.
6th hour: Continuing work on chapter 6.
7th hour: Finishing chapter 9 this week. Chapter test next Tuesday.

Science:
This week we will finish chapter 3. There will be a test on Thursday.

History:
We are heading into the First World War with the hallmark free speech case Schenck vs. USA
and the remarkable efforts of the AEF on the western front.

***Permission slips for Oliver are due tomorrow!

Feb. 23-27

2009-02-23T08:40:00.000-08:00

Language Arts:
We are taking The Giver test today. On Tuesday, we will be starting our non-fiction unit. Students will pick a topic, research their topic, and write an interactive non-fiction story for elementary students. We have no spelling this week.

Science:
Last week, students chose topics for their science projects. The projects are not due until May, but students have a timeline they need to follow throughout the process. This week we are investigating gravity and friction with chapter three in our textbooks.

History:
We are working on the events and issues of the turn of the century Age of Imperialism. We will look at "TR", global leadership, competition and responsiblity as we move towrd World War I.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Quiz on 8-1 to 8-4 on Wednesday.
6th hour: Starting on chapter 6. Quiz on Friday.
7th hour: Chapter 8 Test Monday. Starting chapter 9. Quiz on Friday.

Feb. 9-13

2009-02-09T08:38:00.000-08:00

Language Arts:
We continue to read and discuss theThe Giver. We are also working on spelling unit 20.

History:
We are transitioning from the Ion Web of the late 19th century into the Ism Prism of the early 20th century. Progressivism is this weeks focus as we move through the Lochner Era of juriprudence.

Science:
We have now finished chapter 2 and we'll have a test on Tuesday. We will be starting our research/experiment project very soon. Students will have some time in class to select topics, but most of the work will be done outside of class.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Finishing chapter 7. Test on Friday.
6th hour: Chapter 4 test Monday, then on to chapter 5.
7th hour: Continuing work on chapter 8. Quiz on Wednesday.

** Note: All LUHS paperwork needs to be returned to Miss Stinemates by Friday, February 20th. Thank you.

Feb. 2-6

2009-02-02T08:40:00.000-08:00

Language Arts:
The persuasive essay is due tomorrow. We will begin reading The Giver this week. We are also working on spelling unit 19.

History:
Progressivism, a turn of the century phenomenon requires a serious look and a great case, Lochner vs. New York regarding maximum hours in bakeries...we will be after it in our two class this week.

Science:
We are continuing to study Newton's Laws of Motion. There will be several labs this week. There will be a chapter test next week.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Quiz on Wednesday. Continuing work on chapter 7.
6th hour: Finishing chapter 4. Test on Friday.
7th hour: Quiz on Wednesday. Continuing work on chapter 8.

** All 8th graders need to return completed LUHS materials to Miss Stinemates by Friday, February 20th.

Jan. 26-30

2009-01-26T08:32:00.000-08:00

Language Arts:
We are starting our advertisement unit. Students will create a product, make an ad for the product, and write a persuasive essay selling their product. We are also working on spelling unit 17.

Science:
We will be starting chapter two in our books. The chapter is about forces.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Starting chapter 7.
6th hour: Working on chapter 4.
7th hour: Finishing chapter 7. Chapter 7 test on Thursday.

History:
Through the Anti-trust law Standard Oil case, we wonder about regulation and oversight, bail-outs and free markets then move on to another Progressivism Age case and theme, maximum hours assigned by management

Jan. 19-23

2009-01-19T08:37:00.001-08:00

REMINDER: Permission slips for Friday's field trip to LUHS were mailed last week. Please sign and return to Miss Stinemates by Friday (1/23). Waiver forms for upcoming trips were handed out on Monday (1/19). These need to be filled out and returned as soon as possible. Thank you.

Language Arts:
We will be finishing our unit on the 6+1 traits of writing. We will finish writing our short fictional story. The story will be due on Thursday at the end of class. No spelling this week.

Science:
We have finished chapter one. We will be working on a lab early in the week and will have a chapter test Thursday.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: The chapter 6 test has been pushed back to Monday, January 26th, so it will be the first grade for third quarter.
6th hour: The chapter 3 test will be on Tuesday and is the last grade for second quarter.
7th hour: We are continuing work on chapter 7.

History:
The peaceful transition of power is a remarkable hallmark of the American Way. It is not the case for many if not most of the world's most powerful nations over time. We will pay attention
as we continue our case study on the growth of the oil market with it's critical importance to the following centuries.

Jan. 12-16

2009-01-12T08:43:00.001-08:00

Language Arts:
We are working on the 6+1 writing traits and while we discussing the traits, students will be writing a short fictional story. We are also working on spelling unit 16.
*Journals are due the 15th and book jackets are due the 19th.

Science:
We will continue with chapter 1 this week. We are studying velocity and acceleration. Students will need to have calculators for class. New books need to be covered this week.

History:
Geography Bee, information and prep for Standard Oil vs. USA and oral arguments on friday.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Continuing work on chapter 6. The chapter test will be next Wednesday.
6th hour: Finishing and reviewing chapter 3. The chapter test will be next Monday.
7th hour: We are taking the semester exam Monday and Tuesday this week. We'll start chapter 7 on Wednesday.

REMINDER: There is an Early Release this Friday, January 16th. The end of the quarter is Thursday, January 22nd.

Jan. 5-9

2009-01-05T08:40:00.000-08:00

Language Arts:
We will be finishing and reviewing for The Invention of Hugo Cabret test that they will be taking on Tuesday. We will also be starting a 6+1 traits of writing unit. We are working on spelling unit 15.

Science:
Welcome back! Students will be turning in their old textbooks and getting new ones this week. We will now be looking into motion and forces.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Starting chapter 6 this week. Quiz next Monday.
6th hour: Starting chapter 3. Quiz on Thursday.
7th hour: Revisiting parts of chapter 6. Preparing for and taking a mid-book test.

History:
We are beginning to look at a portion of David Yergin's documentary on the growth of the oil industry in preparation for our Standard Oil vs. the USA case.

Dec. 15-19

2008-12-15T08:34:00.000-08:00

Language arts:
We will finish reading and discussing the novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret and taking a test on the novel Friday. We are also working on spelling unit 14.

History: The development of the modern corporation, trusts, monopoly, oligopoly and industrial take-off are our next mission with Standard Oil vs. USA as our hallmark case.

Science: We have now finished chapter 4. Our test will be Tuesday. Textbooks will need to be turned in by the end of the week.

Math:
1st and 2nd hours: Chapter 5 Test Tuesday, December 16th. Enrichment activities for the rest of the week.
6th hour: Chapter 2 test Wednesday, December 17th. Enrichment activities for the rest of the week.
7th hour: Chapter 6 test Wednesday, December 17th. Enrichment activities for the rest of the week.

Dec. 8-12

2008-12-08T09:02:00.001-08:00

Language Arts:
We are reading and discussing The Invention of Hugo Cabret. We are also working on spelling unit 13.

Science:
We are wrapping up chapter 4 this week. There is a test scheduled for this Friday.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: We will complete chapter 5 by Friday and will have the chapter test next Tuesday.
6th hour: Quiz on Tuesday and chapter 2 test next Wednesday.
7th hour: Chapter 6 will be complete by the end of the week. The chapter test will be next Wednesday.

History:
We are hearing Dawes Act case arguments, looking at the Ghost Dance events including Wounded Knee and writing about the collapse of the Horse culture.

Dec. 1-5

2008-12-01T08:42:00.000-08:00

Language Arts:
We will be working on a mini unit on the 8 parts of speech. There will be a test on the 8 parts of speech on Thursday. We will be working on spelling unit 11, and we will be working on proper and common nouns with a quiz on Thursday.

Science:
We will start the week building roller coasters and investigating potential energy. After that, we will begin chapter 4, Temperature and Heat.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Starting chapter 5. Quiz on Thursday.
6th hour: Starting chapter 2.
7th hour: Starting chapter 6. Quiz on Thursday.

History:
We are approaching Custer's Last Stand to be followed by a case of assimulation on the Dawes Act 0f 1887. We will then move to the development of the industrial state.

Nov. 17-21

2008-11-17T08:37:00.000-08:00

Language Arts:
We will be finishing our compare/contrast essay. It is due at the end of class on Tuesday. We will begin reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret. We are also working on spelling unit 10.

History: From separate but equal to the Great Plains for the Dawes Act, we continue to tune up critical-thinking skills.

Science: We have finished chapter three and will be having a chapter test Wednesday.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Chapter 4 test on Wednesday. An enrichment unit on map coloring will take us through until break.
6th hour: We are finishing chapter 1 this week with the chapter test on Monday (24th).
7th hour: The chapter 5 test will be on Friday (21st).

Nov. 10-14

2008-11-10T08:35:00.000-08:00

Language Arts:
We will be reading and discussing folktales. Students will be reading two folktales and writing a compare/contrast essay. We are also working on spelling unit 9.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: We will finish chapter 4 by the end of this week. The chapter test will be next Wednesday (11/19)
6th hour: We finished the 7th grade textbook before the state testing week and began working on the 8th grade math book on Friday. We have a quiz on the first half of chapter 1 on Thursday.
7th hour: We are working on chapter 5 and have a quiz on Thursday.

History:
We will be uniting the country east to west with the transcontinental railroad while altering the horse cultures that preceded the iron horse.

Science:
We will be starting chapter three, Energy, this week. There will be comprehension questions for homework from each section of the chapter.

2008-11-03T08:39:00.000-08:00

All 8th graders will be taking the WKCE (state tests) this Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Please be sure that your child gets enough sleep and eats breakfast each morning.

Regular classes will resume on Friday.

Today (Nov. 3rd) is the last day of 1st quarter. Parent/Teacher conferences are this Thursday from 4:15-7:30 in the gym. Report cards may be picked up at that time, otherwise, they will be mailed home on Friday. Please note that Miss Hanson will be leaving conferences at 7:00. If you miss seeing her, please contact her to set up an alternate meeting time.

Oct. 27-31

2008-10-27T08:38:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
We will be reviewing for the WKCE tests next week. We will also be working on spelling unit 8. Journals are due today, and book jackets are due this Thursday.

Science:
Preparing for the WKCE tests next week.

History:
We are moving into the second half of Reconstruction and to the ushering in of Jim Crow laws with the hallmark case Plessy vs. Ferguson.

Math:
All classes are preparing for the WKCE tests next week.

Reminders for all 8th graders:
* Orders and money for the poinsettia sale is due on Thursday.

* Kindergarten and baby pictures are due by the end of this week.

* The end of the quarter is Monday, November 3rd.

* This Friday, Halloween, is an early release. Students may come to school in costume.
Guidelines for costumes:
- no masks
- no gore
- students must come to school in costume, not get dressed here
- if costumes are in poor taste, students will have to change

Oct. 20-24

2008-10-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
Students will receive their fall writing assessment, and they will work on revising and editing their assessment. Students will also write their mini-newspaper related their a short story read last week. We are also working on spelling unit 7.

Science:
We will be wrapping up chapter two this week. There will be a test on Thursday.

History:
We are in the Reconstruction Period 1865-1877 and headed for the Plessy vs. Ferguson land mark case.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: We are starting chapter 4 this week and will have a quiz next Monday.
6th hour: Test on chapter 8 on Tuesday. We'll do a few lessons from chapter 9 after that.
7th hour: We're finishing chapter 4 this week and will have the chapter 4 test next Monday.

All 8th graders:
Please continue working on the 8th grade fundraiser. Orders and money (or straight donations) are due Thursday, October 30th.

Also remember to send in a Kindergarten and baby picture to Miss Hanson by the end of next week.

Oct. 13-17

2008-10-14T08:33:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
We will continue reading short stories with groups and working on activities related to the stories. We will be working on spelling unit 5.

Social Studies: Now that the South has given up, its time for Reconstruction (1865-1877)

Science: We will be continuing with chapter 2 this week. Students will have safety contracts they should be bringing home and going over with parents. These should be signed and returned as soon as possible.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: We will complete chapter 3 by the end of the week. The chapter test is on Monday, October 20th.
6th hour: We will complete chapter 8 by the end of the week. The chapter test will be on Tuesday, October 21st.
7th hour: We are continuing our work on chapter 4 this week.

For all 8th graders:
Fundraiser materials were passed out on Monday. Please look over the materials and start selling poinsettias. All orders and money are due on Thursday, October 30th. Please address any questions to Miss Stinemates.

Remember to send in baby and Kindergarten pictures by the end of October.

Oct. 6-10

2008-10-06T08:41:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
We are starting a short story unit. Students are in small groups, they read the short stories assigned, and complete activities related to the story. Students will be working with their group and independently. We are also working on spelling unit 4.

History: We are in the Emancipation Proclamation and transformation of the purpose of the war. We are headed for Gettysburg and Sherman's March.

Science:
This week we will be starting chapter 2, Properties of Matter. There will be several textbook assignments and several labs that go along with this chapter.

Math:
1st and 2nd hours: Took chapter 2 test Monday. Starting work on chapter 3 on Tuesday. Quiz on Friday.
6th hour: We started chapter 8 on Friday and will continue working on it this week.
7th hour: Chapter 3 test is Tuesday. Then we'll start work on chapter 4.

Please remember to send in Kindergarten and baby pictures to Miss Hanson.

Sept. 29- Oct. 3

2008-09-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
We will be writing the fall writing assessment Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday and Friday we will be watching The Outsider movie. There will be no spelling or journals this week.

History;
We are into force structure, tactics and strategy in the Civil War and will look at Gettysburg and Sherman's March to the Sea for evidence of each.

Science:
We have now finished our reading for chapter 1. The questions for 1.3 and 1.4 are due on Tuesday. We will have a quiz on 1.3 and 1.4 on Wednesday. There will be a test on chapter 1 and all other materials covered in class to date on Friday.

Math:
1st & 2nd hours: We are finishing chapter 2 this week. The chapter test will be next Monday (Oct. 6th).
6th hour: The chapter 7 test is Wednesday (Oct. 1st).
7th hour: We will finish chapter 3 this week. The test will be next week.

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!
The yearbook needs a baby picture from each 8th grader to be used in a collage in the yearbook.
Miss Stinemates also needs a Kindergarten picture from each 8th grader to be used later in the year. All pictures should be labeled with the student's name and turned in to Miss Hanson by the end of October. Pictures will be returned at the end of the year.

Sept. 22-26

2008-09-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
We will be finishing up The Outsiders, reviewing, and taking the final test on Friday. We will also be working on spelling unit 3.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Quiz on lessons 2-1 to 2-3 on Tuesday. Quiz on lessons 2-4 and 2-5 on Thursday.
6th hour: We will finish chapter 7 on Thursday and start reviewing for the chapter 7 test next week.
7th hour: We are continuing work on chapter 3 and will have a quiz on lessons 3-1 to 3-5 on Wednesday.

History:
We are heading into war studying race, secession, causes of war and strategy and tactics implemented.

Science:
We will continue our investigation of matter this week. This includes a lab on mass and volume and sections 1.2 and 1.3 in the textbook.

Sept. 15-19

2008-09-15T08:36:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
We will continue reading The Outsiders. We will also be writing a persusive essay to start preparing for the fall writing assessment that will take place in a few weeks. We are also working on spelling unit 2.

Math:
1st and 2nd hours are finishing chapter 1 and will take the chapter test of Thursday.
6th hour is continuing to work on chapter 7.
7th hour will take the chapter 2 test on Tuesday. On Wednesday, we will begin direct instruction with chapter 3.

History:
We will hear arguments in Dred Scott vs. Sanford and research the significance of the decision and its impact on the coming of the Civil War.

Science:
Persuasive essays are due on Tuesday. Students will be getting their textbooks this week and we will begin studying matter.

Sept. 8-12

2008-09-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
We are reading The Outsiders. Students will be reading and working on discussion questions. We will also be working on spelling unit 1 with a spelling test on Friday.

Science:
This week we will finish up our measurement practice. We will be doing an inquiry activity in the middle of the week and will wrap up our week by writing a persuasive essay on hunting rights.

Math:
1st and 2nd hours are working on chapter 1 which is a review of basic calculation skills.
6th hour is working on chapter 7 which covers subtraction with some geometry skills mixed in.
7th hour did chapter 1 independently at an accelerated pace and will use the same process for chapter 2. When we get to chapter 3, we will begin a lesson-a-day approach with direct instruction.

History:
We are in the run-up period to the Civil War doing a study of causes. We will be presenting arguments in the Dred Scott case Monday.

Welcome to the 8th Grade Weekly Update

2008-07-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

The eighth grade team has created this blog as a weekly update for parents and students. We'll update the blog weekly to give you an idea of what will be happening for the week in our classrooms. Our plans are subject to change due to varying circumstances. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please email us individually.

May 5-9

2008-05-05T09:17:00.001-07:00

Language Arts:
We will beginning our Greek Mythology unit that will last until the end of the year. We will be reading a myth and breaking into groups, and they will be reading another myth. We are also working on spelling unit 27.

Math:
All classes are taking the math placement test this week.

Science:
We have finished our unit on Earth's Interior. This week we will begin the last unit of the year. It is called Change Through Time. We will be working on chapter 11 this week.

** All 8th graders need to bring in a Kindergarten picture to Miss Stinemates by Monday, May 19th. Pictures will be returned before the end of the year.

April 28- May 2

2008-04-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
Students will be finishing their biographies, and they are due on Wednesday. They will also be creating a biography box that they will work in class on Wednesday and Thursday. They are due Friday. We are also working on spelling unit 26.

Math:
During the first few weeks of May, all 8th graders will be preparing for and taking the math placement test. This test is one component for placement in a freshman math class. (Quarter grades, their WKCE score, and teacher recommendation are the other components.) This test will be scored, but it will not be a part of the 4th quarter grade. It is important that students do their best on the placement test.

Social Studies:
We are moving through the ideological underpinnings of Fascism heading into American participation in the second World War and the impact on the homefront.

Science:
We will be wrapping up chapter 10 and will be having a quiz on Monday. Students will be doing a writing about plate tectonics on Tuesday and will take a unit test on Thursday.

*Attention all parents: There will be an 8th grade parent meeting this Thursday, May 1st at 5:30 in the MHLT library. We will be discussing plans for graduation and signing up to help. Contact Miss Stinemats (kstinemates@mhlt.org) with questions about the meeting.

April 21-25

2008-04-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
We will take The Lottery Rose test Monday. We will begin our biography unit Tuesday where students will interview a person and write a biography on that person. No spelling this week.

Social Studies:
We are continuing with our work on the rise of twentieth century totalitarian ideologies as we head into World War II.

Science:
We will be working on chapter 10, plate tectonics.

Mathematics:
1st and 2nd hours: Starting chapter 11.
6th hour: Taking chapter 4 test on Wednesday.
7th hour: Continuing work on chapter 11.

Attention all parents: There will be an 8th grade parent meeting on Thursday, May 1st at 5:30 in the MHLT library to discuss graduation plans and sign up to help.

There is early release on Friday at 12:30

April 14-18

2008-04-14T08:44:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
We will finish reading The Lottery Rose this week. Students will continue to create discussion questions, vocabulary, and answer key with their groups. The test for The Lottery Rose will most likely be next Monday. We will be working on spelling unit 25 this week.

Social Studies:
We are embarking on a study of the ideology of fascism as we approach World War II. It is a difficult push in the realm of critical thinking vital to their success in high school.

Science:
This week we will be working on chapter 9. We will also be wrapping up our earthquake mapping project and looking at Google Earth.

Math:
1st and 2nd hours: Finishing chapter 10. The test is on Friday.
6th hour: Working on chapter 4. Quiz on Wednesday.
7th hour: Starting chapter 11. Quiz on Friday.

*Coaches and advisors from LUHS will be here Thursday afternoon to talk to all 8th graders about fall sports and clubs.

April 7-11

2008-04-07T08:36:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
We are reading The Lottery Rose and groups are taking turns creating discussion questions for each chapter. We are also working on spelling unit 23.

Math:
1st and 2nd hour: continuing work on chapter ten. Quiz on Thursday
6th hour: beginning chapter 4. Quiz on Friday.
7th hour: finishing chapter 10. Test on Friday.

Social Studies:
We are into the Schechter New Deal case and the causes of the Depression and will write an essay at the beginning of next week.

Science:
This week we will be wrapping up the chapter on earthquakes. There will be a quiz Tuesday on chapter 8. Mid week we will continue our earthquake mapping project. Maps should start to show patterns after this week. Later in the week we will begin chapter 9 on volcanoes.

March 31- April 4

2008-04-02T08:54:00.001-07:00

Language Arts:
We will begin reading The Lottery Rose. Students will be preparing discussion questions for certain chapters for their peers to complete. We are working on spelling unit 22. Late work is due to me by April 3rd.

Science:
We will continue to study earthquakes this week. In class we will use globes to locate epicenters of particular earthquakes. We will also be using the USGS website to help us map earthquakes as they happen.

History:
We are hearing Schechter vs. USA friday looking for an answer to the question of constitutionality of New Deal legislation. We will then finish our study of the Great Depression and head for the Second World War.

Mathematics:
1st and 2nd hours: We took the test on chapter 9 this week and will start 4th quarter with chapter 10.
6th hour: We are finishing chapter 3 this week and will take the test next Monday.
7th hour: We are continuing work on chapter 10 and will take the test sometime next week.

2008-03-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
This week we are working on poetry. We will be reading, comparing, and writing poetry. Book jackets are due Friday.

Science:
This week we will be starting a unit on Earth's Interior. The unit will start with earthquakes. We will be reading chapter 8 in the Science Voyages textbook.

History:
We are into the Great Depression sorting out causes and moving toward a classic New Deal Supreme Court challenge case dealing with the Interstate Commerce clause.

Mathematics:
1st and 2nd hour: We are continuing work on chapter 9. The test will be next week before the quarter ends on Thursday.
6th hour: We started chapter 3 this week and will have a quiz on Friday.
7th hour: We started chapter 10 this week. Students should be working towards an INDEPENDENT understanding of the material in this chapter.

March 10-14

2008-03-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

Language Arts:
This week students will be working in groups to create a PowerPoint to present to the class related to their controversial issue. No spelling this week. Journals are due March 25th and book jackets are due March 28th.

Science:
This week we will be wrapping up our unit on simple machines. We will have labs on pulleys and gears Monday through Wednesday. There is a test scheduled for Thursday.

Math:
This week, all classes are working on an exploratory unit on map coloring. The rules for coloring a map state that regions that border each other must be colored with different colors. If regions touch only at a single point, they can be the same color. Map makers have long accepted the fact that any map can be colored using 4 or fewer colors. Mathematicians have been trying to prove this theory for over a hundred years. Students will learn about the history of the theory and practice coloring some simple maps.

History:
We are reading up on mass culture and putting together an outline to organize film and reading materials from the 1920's. We will then write an outline based essay describing the mood and developments of the 1920's.

March 3-7

2008-03-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

Language Arts:
We will be writing our research paper using the research that was gathered last week. Students will be in the computer lab writing their research paper. The paper will be due at the end of the day on Friday. We are also working on spelling unit 21.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Starting chapter 9.
6th hour: Chapter 2 test is on Friday.
7th hour: Chapter 9 test is on Wednesday.

Science:
We will be exploring the different classes of levers early this week. Later in the week we will be learning about pulleys and other simple machines that turn.

Social Studies
We are in the 1920's looking at the mood of the nation coming out of WW I and heading into the growth of mass culture.

February 25-29

2008-02-26T08:35:00.000-08:00

Language Arts:
We are in the middle of our controversial research paper. Students will be researching their topic using print and online sources. Students must take notes, cite sources, and organize their information. They be using this research to write a controversial research paper. We are also working on spelling unit 20.

Science:
We are working on a simple machines unit. This week we will be reading about inclined planes and levers. We will follow that reading up with labs on inclined planes and the different classes of levers later in the week.

Math:
1st/2nd hours: Chapter 8 test Thursday. (Classes will be held in the afternoon.)
6th hour: Continuing work on chapter 2.
7th hour: Continuing work on chapter 9.

Social Studies:
We have wrapped up our free speech case and are completing the first world war and are heading for the influenza pandemic of 1918. Then we will move into mass culture as it emerges in the Roaring 20's.

Feb. 11-15

2008-02-11T09:04:00.000-08:00

Language Arts:
We will be reviewing for The Giver test Monday and taking The Giver test Tuesday. For the remainder of the week, students will be picking a topic to write a non-fiction book. Students will research and create an interactive non-fiction book for first or second graders. There is no spelling this week.

Science:
On Monday, we will be working on science fair projects. This will be our last day in the computer lab. Tuesday and Wednesday will be spent studying and building simple machines. Thursday and Friday will be spent finishing science fair projects. The projects are due next Tuesday.

Math:
1st/2nd hours have the chapter 7 test on Monday and will be working on chapter 8 for the rest of the week. 6th hour has the chapter 1 test on Tuesday and will be working on chapter 2 after that. 7th hour has the chapter 8 test on Wednesday and will start chapter 9 on Friday.

Social Studies:
As we gather the Big Picture of why World War I, we will be working through Schenck vs. USA the hallmark supreme court case on free speech in time of war. We will then move to the Argonne Forest and discuss the politics of war and its real impact on the battlefield.