Love
Students focused a bit on the attribute of love. The students worked on making Spanish cards for friends and family, expressing love. We also worked on learning the members in extended families.
Mr. Hernandez
Timeline
Together we constructed a timeline of events leading up to World War Two. Taking a big picture view, we traced events from World War One, the Great Depression, growing Nationalism, and even social Darwinism, and put them together to understand how the world became ripe for war in the early 1930’s. We talked about why dictators gain power, and how many people love them at first. This timeline helped us to look back and see how usually big events in history are a reaction against something else.
Miss Jensen
Propaganda
During our unit on World War Two, 8th grader Austin Ashton presented on U.S. propaganda directed at children during the War. He brought in Disney films produced during the 1930’s and 40’s, intending to education children about Nazism. They were funny to watch, but it made students think about how countries portray each other, in the way they are drawn, the way they speak, what they dress, eat, drink, sound like, etc.
Miss Jensen
The A Bomb
During our unit on World War Two, 8th grade student Keoana Arnett researched and presented on the creation and dropping of the Atomic bomb. She made her own powerpoint, showing pictures of the bombed cities, and describing the scenes in the words of firsthand witnesses. Her presentation, along with films watched in class, sparked discussions about when it is ethical to fight civilians, and whether there is a right and wrong way to wage war. Debates were heated, and the 8th graders proved their critical thinking abilities.
Miss Jensen
Students make their own movie
We began a long unit on World War Two with student projects. A few students visited New York’s Holocaust Museum, and created a movie to share their experience with the rest of the class. Using footage of what they saw, stories they heard there, and incorporating music into their short film, these students created a very moving presentation for the class to see.
Miss Jensen
Stock Market
During our unit on the Great Depression, students spent a long time discussing the Stock Market, and gaining insight into how markets function. During this time students worked together to develop their research and writing skills, helping each other understand and then write about the Great Depression. During this time students engaged in free-market vs. protectionist debates with each other. Some students were assigned their own businesses, and were given different scenarios to work with, developing understandings of supply-and-demand.
Miss Jensen
Roaring Twenties
During our unit on the Roaring twenties, students familiarized themselves with Jazz age performers, and the changing values of society. We watched films that showed how the Flapper girls defied social norms by cutting their hair short, smoking, and wearing dresses that showed their ankles. Students pretended to have conversations with their own children about new-fangled inventions like movies, Jazz music, and radios. Students gained an appreciation for how much technology changes everyday life.
Miss Jensen
Claymation
Working in groups they were assigned the following roles: Character Creator, Set Designer, Director/Playwright and Photographer. The Character Creator created at least 2 original characters out of clay and wire, the Set Designer made a miniature set out of cardboard boxes, paint and other miscellaneous objects, the Director/Playwright did the overseeing of the entire production as well as wrote the storyline and the Photographer took the pictures and selected the music. The entire group worked together to insert the pictures into movie maker and created a final product. Once all teams were done we will watched each Claymation as a class. Eighth is a creative and talented bunch this was an exciting project.
Miss Arnau
NHS and NJHS
On Tuesday, June 8th, we conducted our national Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society Ceremony. This ceremony is beautiful as students carry during the processional and recessional.WE are very proud to have inducted 63 new members to NHS and 13 new members to NJHS. We welcomed back 68 NHS members from last year and 53 NJHS members from last year. Both Societies worked very hard on their service project, raising money through bake sales and other means. Students were delighted to take what they had raised to the different institutions. What a blessing to be able to bless others. Please see Galleries for some great pictures of NHS and NJHS traveling to give what they had raised.
Here is a little history about the National Honor Society and the criteria for selection:
When the National Honor Society was founded in 1921, the hope was to create an organization that would recognize and encourage high school students’ academic achievement while developing other characteristics essential to citizens in a democracy. The National Junior Honor Society was founded shortly thereafter-in 1929 to recognize middle school students in the same areas. Now, over 80 years later, these Societies have become prestigious organizations with outstanding faculty members and students from the school community. Their reputation for excellence is the result of years of commitment on the part of everyone involved. Membership is thus both an honor and a commitment.
The NHS and NJHS recognize outstanding high school and middle school students who demonstrate excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The National Association of Secondary School Principals proudly sponsors these Societies.
For the selection of Members to the NHS and NJHS Chapters:
* Members must maintain a cumulative overall 85% average or higher for two consecutive semesters with 80% as the lowest grade in all subjects.
* Members must be in good behavioral standing.
* Members must demonstrate outstanding performance in areas of scholarship, service, leadership and character.
* The selection of each Member shall be reviewed and approved by the this School’s Administration and Faculty each school year.
Please click on the links below to view our NHS and NJHS Program.
Please go to “Galleries” for some wonderful piictures of this beautiful ceremony.
Keep on Learning
Students in computer class have been learning about Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Many of the students started these units feeling they pretty much knew everything about these programs. Many of them have been blown away by how powerful and complex these programs actually are.