Students finished up chapter 2, equations. This week we'll be starting chapter 3 which focuses on graphs, tables and equations. During this chapter students will learn how to generate rules from tables and situations as well as how to graph these rules.
*Iready diagnostic 1/12 and 1/13
*Homework is posted on Monday, due on Friday .
*My office hours are Wednesdays at lunch.
*Many resources are on google classroom. Here are the codes.
*Did you know? Quizzes are returned to students every Tuesday and the answer keys are posted on google classroom.
*New this year: Mathematician Projects! Check it out.
Students are working on sequences. Next week we'll be generating explicit and recursive equations for arithmetic and geometric sequences. There will be 2 quizzes before the chapter tests. CH5 Test 1/27.
*Iready diagnostic 1/12 and 1/13
*Homework is posted on Monday, due on Friday.
*My office hours are Wednesdays at lunch.
*Many resources are on google classroom. Here are the codes.
*Did you know?? Quizzes are returned to students every Tuesday and the answer keys are posted on google classroom.
*New this year: Mathematician Projects! Check it out.
- There are many aspects of learning a language. In Spanish-1 we mainly focus on the "basic skills" of learning Vocabulary and the basics of Verb Conjugations and Grammar. In Spanish-2 we continue expanding the basics of the language but we begin to focus more on the four advanced skills of the language: Oral Communication, Listening Comprehension, Reading and Writing. These skills take several years to master, but everyday in our classroom we incorporate activities that are helping us getting more comfortable communicating in Spanish.
- This week we are practicing our Oral Communication and sharing with each-other our adventures these last two weeks of vacation.
To extend our practice from the classroom to home, I'd like to encourage you to ask your child to share with you (in Spanish) his/her recollection of the holidays.
This past week, we wrapped our unit on Agatha Christie's 'The Mousetrap'. Students scripted, produced, and created a 'true crime' podcast to reflect their understanding of the events, characters, and themes. Students practiced citing evidence, character analysis, and identifying themes.
Next week, we begin Module 2 of the 8th grade EL Education curriculum. Students will explore the complex systems behind the food we eat by analyzing Michael Pollan’s "The Omnivore's Dilemma" (Young Readers Edition). The module focuses on the four food chains. It requires students to evaluate the environmental and health impacts of each.
Throughout the unit, students identify central claims and supporting details while considering the conflicting information presented by different stakeholders in the food industry. The module culminates in a performance task where students synthesize their research to take a stand on which food chain best feeds the world. By the end, learners are challenged to become critical consumers who understand the hidden costs of their dietary choices.
GENETICS!
Genetics! We are off and running with Unit 2 and understanding Who We ARE! Students are taking a deep-dive look at how our GENES determine our TRAITS? Last week, before break, we made DNA out of candy to learn the vocabulary and mechanism of DNA as well as how protein is made and the role that DNA plays in determining who we are!
We have paused this week for Family Planning and will pick up GENETICS again 1/12 by looking at the role mutations play in beneficial and harmful traits.
By Mid-Winter break, students should have interviewed you and other family members to answer the big question, WHO ARE YOU?!
Hope everyone had a great break! We wrapped up mousetrap cars pre-break with our SPEED and DISTANCE challenge and then de-constructed our projects. We have officially moved on to our last challenge for this session which is the designing and construction of our cube puzzles! Students will work in teams to make a cube as difficult as possible and will have a class competition next week to see who made their cube the hardest to solve!
Physical Education
Taylor
Our 8th grade PE classes are excited to begin our Gymnastics & Dance unit! Students will build strength, balance, coordination, and creativity through a variety of movement activities. In gymnastics, students will practice basic tumbling skills such as rolls, balances, and introductory handstands, with an emphasis on safety and proper technique. We will also explore acrosport, a partner and small-group activity that combines balances, pyramids, and transitions, encouraging teamwork, communication, and trust. To round out the unit, students will receive an introduction to ballroom dance, learning basic steps, rhythm, and respectful partner skills. This unit promotes physical fitness, confidence, and cooperation while giving students the chance to try new and engaging forms of movement.
Corbolotti: Students did a great job during our Nutrition and Fitness unit, showing strong effort and understanding. This week, we are transitioning into table tennis, where students will focus on basic skills, rules, and sportsmanship while building hand–eye coordination and quick reactions.
I continue to be so proud of, excited about and love teaching this class of students. For me, to offer up grade 3.5 pieces, means that I have a very high level of respect for the group I'm teaching and I believe that they can rise to the occasion and play challenging high school level music. We started, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," and I can't wait to hear our growth throughout the month.
Our art students are finishing the semester with an exciting self-directed final project! Using the skills and lessons they’ve learned so far, each student is designing a unique piece of artwork that reflects their own creativity and interests. I’m really excited to see what they come up with!
It has been a wonderful first semester here at Hall, and I’ve truly enjoyed getting to know our middle school artists. We’re proud of their hard work and can’t wait to see what the future holds as they continue on to STEM classes!
This week in 8th Grade U.S. History, we are finishing up learning about Thomas Jefferson's presidency by learning about the Lewis & Clark expedition. Towards the end of the week, we will be learning about James Madison & the War of 1812.
Next week, we finish up our unit on the first five presidents by learning about James Monroe and the "Era of Good Feelings" before reviewing for and then taking our unit test!