10/29/2007

Dear Families,

The busy season is upon us! Your kids are working hard in each subject. Help them to use their time wisely and to take care of themselves.

Mr. Schwartz, your students and I walked through the Earthquake drill on Friday, October 26. The students performed well. Tomorrow, Tuesday October 30 is the “real” drill.

Mid-trimester reports will be sent home THIS Friday, November 2.

� ACADEMICS

HISTORY

Students began working on a history project to create a PowerPoint slide show about the Colonists “path” to independence. The final product will be one slide show with each small group contributing “a piece” of the whole. Research notes are due Thursday 11/1.

There will be a history quiz on Wednesday, October 31.

Students continue reading the historical fiction novel, My Brother Sam is Dead by James and Christopher Collier.

RELIGION

The students have a Religion test Friday, November 2. The test covers Chapter 1 in the Religion text and class notes about St. Francis.

We had a pet/animal blessing Thursday, October 25. It was a joyful way to honor and learn about St. Francis.

The students have their second experience with contemplative prayer on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

LANGUAGE ARTS

The students worked as newspaper editors to review feature article Outlines. They are learning that it can be more challenging to write a feature article than to write hard news. A draft of the article will be due at the end of the week.

Spelling Workbook for Lesson 7 is due Tuesday, October 30. Spelling test on Friday.

Students will complete two book reviews during this school-year. One is due January 25, 2008 and the other May 18. 2008. NO late Book Reviews will be accepted. The form to complete can be downloaded from the 8^th grade page on the St. Brendan website.

LITERATURE

Students completed the first draft of the Light in the Forest original endings.

MATH

Computer issues...no Math update this week.

SCIENCE

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

ü CLASSROOM COMMUNITY

The students are working to revise the upcoming Thanksgiving assembly. Although some students are reluctant to change, the majority of the eighth graders want to try something new. The assembly is scheduled for Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 10:30.

There will be an all-school Mass Thursday, November 1 – All Saints Day.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

Ann Christianson

annc@saintbrendan.org