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Ms. Matush
8th Grade Science
To begin the month of February, students have successfully completed their “Energy Transformations” unit. This unit tasked them with using different types of energy to create a simple machine, such as a catapult or a rubber-band car. Once their projects were built, students showed off their creations and explained how energy transformed throughout their projects. This unit is always a hit for the students, and they did a wonderful job this year!
Students will now use their background knowledge of energy to help our building principal determine the best method for heating Bellefonte Middle School. They will participate in laboratory experiments and simulation activities to decide if a groundwater or a water heater system would be the most efficient to heat our building! We look forward to seeing their findings.
Examples of Project Choices from the Energy Transformations Unit:
Mrs. Rogers
8th Grade ELA
As we turn the calendar to the New Year, we are shifting our focus from literary analysis to the art of argumentative writing. We split the argument unit into two sections, and January will focus on the use of ethos, pathos, and logos in modern media. To apply their learning, the students will have a chance to apply those skills by designing an advertisement or public service announcement on a topic of their choosing.
The goal of the unit is to increase students’ media literacy and become aware of how they may be persuaded to buy or believe something simply through the power of them having their heart tugged by sad puppy eyes, seeing a famous person drinking milk, or being presented with incomplete facts.
Mr. Friel
8th Grade Math
Now that it is February, 8th graders will begin the process of scheduling classes for 9th grade. Please look back to last month’s newsletter for details on 9th grade math classes. As this time approaches, please feel free to reach out to the 8th grade math teachers if there are questions or concerns. As we approach the end of winter and beginning of spring we are looking forward to the standardized testing windows. All 8th graders will take the PSSA and all Algebra 1 students will be taking the Keystone Exam. Look for more information on this moving into March and April.
As for now, the Intro to Algebra classes are finishing up linear relationships and will be progressing into the geometry portion of the course. This will entail volume of three dimensional shapes and the Pythagorean Theorem. In Algebra I we are discussing and solving systems of equations & inequalities.
Before we get into the busyness of “testing season” a reminder about Get More Math is probably due. Your students complete the majority of their math work in Get More Math, which is an online program for providing problems in place of traditional worksheets or book work. All students have a unique login and password and the program can be accessed from any device. If you need that login information please contact your student’s math teacher. Also, their homework is usually done in this program. The homework is usually achieving a certain number of points for the week, and if you have your student login to the program it will be easily viewed at the top left of the screen.This is an easy way to track progress for your student on a daily and weekly basis. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact your student’s math teacher.
Mr. Jones
8th Grade Social Studies
January recap: Students completed a unit on the Legislative Branch — including “How a Bill Becomes a Law.” They related to this topic by writing short responses proposing changes to school rules that would affect them.
Also in January: we began the Executive Branch unit, examining its characteristics, structure, powers, and limits.
February preview: We’ll finish the branches of government with the Judicial Branch, then shift to early American history. Topics will include: who the first Americans were, cultures of North American tribes, colonization and the English colonies, and a review of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
Finally: below is the end-of-semester email I sent as Quarter 2 closed and Quarter 3 began (clip below or link).
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