Cause and Effect
During the week of Oct. 13-16, our new list of spelling words was introduced; the focus was words ending with the suffix –tial or –cial or –cian. We also began our unit on Cause & Effect. I gave some notes and showed students my own example essay about the causes of financial debt. Then, students began brainstorming ideas for their own essay: 3 causes and 3 effects.
Mrs. Foster
Reading Class
After reading a few short essays and a poem in the “Taking the High Road” workbooks, the students had a great discussion and brainstorming session as we listed ways that we tend to stereotype people. Additionally, students learned more about types of characters (dynamic & flat) and the elements of plot: exposition, characters, setting, conflict, rising action, climax, falling actions, resolution, and theme.
Mrs. Foster
Sparkle
In the beginning of October, students learned about compound subjects, helping verbs, and infinitives. They had to identify them in context in their Easy Grammar workbooks. We also played “Sparkle” to review for the Spelling & Vocab. quiz.
Mrs. Foster
Paint Like Picasso
Students were shown a power point on Picasso and not only did we discuss the two main techniques he used but they also came to my third point on their own (all of Picasso’s portraits besides the one of himself were of women). Every portrait he painted was a picture of a women that was close to him
A close-up photo was taken of each student; I allowed them to decided how the photo was taken (side profile, front view, covering one eye, mouth open, etc.) I then printed out their pictures and they were asked to create their own self portrait in Tempera paint using Picasso’s techniques. They are currently working on this now. It is going to be veryinteresting to see their final products.
Ms. Arnau
Spanish Class
Students have been learning about popular Hispanics in the Arts and famous Latino American landmarks. They have also been learning about medical terms used in a Doctor’s office and pharmacy jargon.
Mr. Hernandez
Enrichment Class
Researching, writing, and thinking… oh my. Every class is learning a lot of information about each groups “technology.” The students will be researching their technology in the areas of history and current technology. The groups will be writing interesting paragraphs to further finish their projects. After that, the teams will continue on to the areas of breakthroughs and consequences. Each student is thinking of ways to further their project into a thing worthy of each persons ability. Here’s a fun and easy riddle: What is it that someone has to take before you can get it? … The answer is: Your picture.
Dustin Penland
Integers
8th Grade Math Class is currently working on a unit of Integers. Students will be engaged in activities that will require them to add, subtract, divide and multiply using integers. The students will write everyday examples of how integers are used in our lives.
Mrs. Christian
Pre-Civil War America
Continuing to review Pre-Civil War American history, we examined the early debates between the Loyalists and the Patriots; both those who wanted to break away from England, and those who wanted to remain loyal. We also looked at the debates between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists as America tried to decide how to organize their brand new government. We also began to see sectionalism develop, even in the early stages of American history, which would eventually lead to the Civil War.
Miss Jensen
History Review
We reviewed ancient American history, beginning with the Bering land bridge, the advanced North Central, and South American civilizations, the coming of the Europeans, and the beginnings of the American Colonies. Because 7th grade primarily focuses on American history up until the Civil War, September served as a review period to set the stage for 8th grade material.
Miss Jensen
Minerals
This month we started to learn that the Earth’s crust was made of minerals. We learned, on an atomic level, what makes a mineral different than the other natural substances found in nature. We also learned how to identify the different types of minerals that are known today. In class we got to test our learning skills by using the identification markers like, color, luster, streak, and harness. The class will be studying more about how we mine for these minerals and what their uses are.
Mr. Lamb