2/25/2008

 

Dear Families,

 

Welcome to one of the busiest times in the school-year for eighth graders.  They are playing Spring sports, practicing the play and preparing a term paper.  WOW!!

THIS IS A REPEAT BECAUSE WE NEED TO REPLENISH OUR PAPER SUPPLY:  We have run out of paper towels and Kleenex.  If kids with student numbers 1 – 15 will bring 1 roll of paper towels and numbers 16 - 30 will bring one box of tissues, we should make it through allergy season and the end of the school year.  Thanks to those who have already sent supplies.

REMINDERS: All-School Mass March 7 – half-day but uniforms required; March 14 – full day of school; March 14 – 2nd trimester ends; March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day, Free Dress and Annual Potato Bake; March 24 – 28 - Spring Break.

Each student needs to turn in a Family Life Consent form.  I have attached a form for you to sign.  Forms are due back this week.  Please make sure you make a selection – there are three choices.  Our Family Life education begins in March.

I have started to plan the Southwest Washington trip.  It’s time to confirm chaperones.  Mr. Loutsis and Mr. Flanigan will attend for sure.  Please let me know by Friday, Feb. 29 if you are interested.  The dates are May 5 – 6.  With a class of 29, we will need a few more chaperones than we have had in the recent past.   

 

 

ť ACADEMICS

HISTORY

We have made the switch to Washington State history.  Students are reading the first chapter in the text and preparing a personal family history.

 

We finished the Civil Rights unit.  Although it was short, I am glad to have at least exposed kids to this period in history. 

 

Our last activity in US history will be a map test.  I have not yet set a date.


RELIGION

Chapter 6 test is on Wednesday; Chapter 7 worksheet due Tuesday, 2/26.

 

Student-led prayer service reminders:

 Monday- Conor

Tuesday - Brianna

Wednesday – Kylie

Thursday – Gabe

Friday - Jake

Remember that I keep the candle until we return from Mt. St. Helen’s.

 

LANGUAGE ARTS

Spelling -  Lesson 19 – tough words!!  Remind kids to study.  In place of the workbook, students are to use 10 spelling to write 10 interesting sentences – 6 complex and 4 compound.  Sentences are due Wednesday.

 

I have returned term paper topics. Most students need to do more reading so they are able to develop stronger supporting ideas. 

 

Today I introduced the term paper working bibliography.  The working bibliography allows students to keep track of sources and coordinate sources with notes.  It is initially a labor-intensive process. However, the benefits of a working bibliography are monumental.

 

Tuesday I will present criteria for the rough outline, show the kids a sample and give them time to work.

 

Please encourage your student to use the term paper time I give them here at school.   

 

As we prepare for the term paper, we have been reviewing and learning some old-fashioned grammar.  The better kids understand the structure of our language, the better writers they become.

 

LITERATURE

We have begun our short story unit.  So far we have read “Raymond’s Run” and “Tears of Autumn.”  There has been a short writing assignment for each of the stories.  The “Tears of Autumn” assignment is due Friday 2/29. 

 

On Wednesday, students will begin short story lit circles.  Students are reading stories of their choice with other students who also chose the story.

 

Students need to be sure to have a Silent Reading book here at school.

 

 

     

MATH

Both classes have their tessellations projects due Thursday, February 28.

 

The algebra class will be working on solving inequalities.

The 8th grade class will be working on the following:

·        Using proportions to solve percent problems

·        Writing equations using proportions

·        Ratios in geometry

·        Comparing fractions, decimals and percents.

 

Progress reports will be sent home on Wednesday.  These need to be signed and returned by Friday, February 29.

 

 

SCIENCE

Updates about Science are posted in the Science section of school web page.

 

 

COMMUNITY UPDATE

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATE

Please join me in congratulating the 24 students who applied and were accepted at a Catholic High School.  Many are facing decisions and I have encouraged them to talk with YOU, their parents and to gather as much information as possible.    

 

Three students deserve extra congratulations as they were honored with scholarships:

Shannon - $2500 High Placement Test Score - Blanchet

Natalie - $1200 Academic Scholarship – Holy Names

              $2000 Merit/Leadership Scholarship Award – Blanchet

Derek - $5000 Pastor’s Scholarship Award – Eastside Catholic

 

High School is just around the corner now and I continue to remind our students to savor these last few 8th Grade months.

 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

Ann Christianson

annc@saintbrendan.org