PIMPLES ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH
Pressure builds, the cap may explode, red stuff flows… I’m talking about a volcano. 8th grade will never forget how one works, and now, neither will you. You are probably familiar with dramatic explosive eruptions, but they are actually quite rare. For instance, magma is constantly welling up at the bottom of the ocean, creating new land. There are several different types of volcanoes, and even different types of lava and the formations they make. Did you know that a single eruption can affect the entire globe? The gas, ash, and dust resulting from the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo affected the global climate!
Miss Kleinschuster
SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL
Remember when we talked about tectonic plates? Well, when they interact and stress builds up in rock, eventually it will snap and trigger seismic activity. Now, we as New Yorkers are used to low-level magnitude: all we have to do is feel a subway rumble beneath our feet. But in other places, that’s cause for panic. Eighth grade is learning how scientists pinpoint the focus and epicenter of an earthquake and will become familiar with some ways to strength buildings and remain safe during an earthquake.
Miss Kleinschuster
TALKIN’ DIRT
We are charged to be stewards of the Earth, and 8th grade is learning about the importance of soil. Soil isn’t like any other dirt. Soil can actually support vegetation. Since it can also be moved around or depleted, it’s important to maintain it. It takes a long time to form, after all. Students learned about different types of weathering (the breakdown of rock) and some methods of how to slow down erosion.
Miss Kleinschuster
WE’RE GONNA CRASH!
Slabs of the Earth’s crust are always moving. Sloooowly, but moving, nonetheless. Eighth grade, having learned that there are several layers of the Earth, are also learning that the crust, or lithosphere, is floating on molten rock (magma). The continents are like boxes on a supermarket’s conveyor belt, carried along. Some of these conveyor belts will lead to collisions; others will separate. Others may travel alongside each other in different directions. When this happens with rock, mountains or new land can form. So can natural disasters.
Miss Kleinschuster
Newbery medal winner
Students read the Newbery medal winner, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, about a family and their struggles with racism during the pre-Civil Rights time period of the 1930’s. The realistic characters and their Southern dialogue captured the students’ attention and kept them turning pages. Eighth graders participated in great discussions about prejudice and stereotypes. In addition, students read Eric Liddell: Something Greater Than Gold, about the inspiring story of the Scottish Olympic Gold Medalist, who gave up his career to answer God’s call to minister in China.
Mrs. Foster
The Great Debate
The ultimate activity of the year, after much discussion, research, and essay-writing, was the Eighth Grade DEBATE on the controversial issue of professional athlete’s salaries. Selected students battled their peers in a live debate before an audience of students, teachers, and judges. Each debater had to prepare an argument supported with research, as well as cross-examination questions. There were many impressive and even humorous moments that captivated the audience. At the conclusion of the debate, audience members gave words of encouragement, and debaters self-reflected on their performance. It was definitely the highlight of the year!
Mrs. Foster
Student Treasures
Using their learning about the many kinds of poems and figurative language, seventh and eighth graders drafted their own, original ten poems. After editing and revising, students produced their final poems, along with illustrations or photos, in Nationwide’s Student Treasures program kit. Within a few weeks, students excitedly received their individual, hardbound, laminated book of poems.
Mrs. Foster
Have a great summer
As the end of school nears we get teary eyed reflecting on the accomplishments of many of our students – especially when making out the end of the year awards we’re glad to see so much progress in so many ways. [They] can do all things through Christ who strengthens [them] Phil 4:13. We hope that you find the last Food for Thought Quotation that we shared with the students meaningful: An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest
It’s the final stretch!
The end of the year finds the Resource Room very busy as students finish all their unfinished work, refresh their study skills, do preps for tests, and work on review sheets. Diligence is finally taking over for some of the students. Many have improved in study habits and the self-managing skills that will make test taking go a little smoother.
International Students
Our International Students have added so much to the class’s exposure to different cultures and the challenges of improving conversational English skills. Some of our students even tried to learn some words and phrases in Chinese, Korean and Tagalong. The international students have become more involved with computer assisted instruction language skill building activities, which they seemed to enjoy. They also improved their pronunciation skills, vocabulary and increased their knowledge about the United States.