12/10/2007

Dear Families,

We begin this week without a flood…what a relief. Our hearts and prayers go out to those families affected by the flood.

Christmas vacation is nearly here and with it comes a flurry of activities: academic projects, a performance, guest speakers, an advent retreat and a Christmas party.

The 8^th graders will perform the traditional nativity tableau at the Christmas concert this Friday, December 14, 2007. The “non-costumed” - speakers, readers and candleholders - need to be in their “Sunday best” clothes. I am hoping boys, especially the four candleholders, Chas, Rowan, Patrick and Eric can wear ties. Girls need to be modestly dressed for a church event – no short skirts, lingerie-type shirts or spaghetti straps. ALL 8^th GRADE students need to be in the classroom by 6:15. When the concert is over, ALL 8^th graders need to carry props back to the classroom before leaving for the evening.

NOTE: Are there two parent volunteers who could help with make-up and costumes Friday evening? Thank you in advance!

First trimester report cards will be distributed THIS Friday, December 14.

� ACADEMICS

HISTORY

We have been reenacting the Constitutional Convention. Heated debate ignited between the large and small states over representation. It was fun to see your kids argue as their characters. The convention will probably go for one or two more class periods. Students will write a paper and take a test about the Convention.

Next up in history is an in-depth look at the result of the Convention – the Constitution. Students learn the Bill of Rights and then examine Supreme Court cases to figure out how the justices ruled.

RELIGION

We are working through chapters 4 and 5 in the Religion text this week. The test students took last week IS included in the first trimester religion grade.

There is an all-school Mass Wednesday, December 12.

2^nd and 8^th grades attend Daily Mass Thursday – WEAR A RED sweatshirt, vest, sweater both Wednesday and Thursday.

Father Jim visits the classroom on Thursday.

The Divine Praises prayer needs to be memorized by tomorrow, Tuesday, 12/11.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Students are hard at work on the last newspaper article – an editorial commentary. They created an outline and are working to revise and focus the content. A revised outline is due Wednesday.

Later this week the students will begin to lay out a newspaper front page. They will do a draft the old-fashioned way – cutting articles to size and manipulating them on paper. The final will be produced using the computer.

No Spelling this week but we will do Lesson 12 next week.

A reminder that the first book review is due January 25, 2008. The form to complete can be downloaded from the 8^th grade page on the St. Brendan website.

LITERATURE

We began reading The Staircase by Ann Rinaldi. Students should have read to page 57 by Tuesday, 12/11

MATH

8^th Math

All the students received progress reports last Wednesday (December 5).  These need to be signed and returned by Tuesday (December11).

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

· Multiplying and dividing rational numbers

· Working with formulas

· Chapter 3 review

· Order of operations

The Algebra class will be working on the following:

· Solving equations with multiplication and division

· Problem solving: working backwards

· Solving equations with more than one operation

SCIENCE

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

ü CLASSROOM COMMUNITY

The students are practicing the Nativity Tableau. Each student has a role to play. The production is coming together – I know your kids will shine come performance night.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

Ann Christianson

annc@saintbrendan.org