Donations of tissues are greatly appreciated as we start to enter the colder months. Believe it or not, students are already going through them fast!
ELA with Ms. Abbott
This week, students finished up their Loss of Innocence readings with a final project they are working on in class. I have also dedicated Monday and Tuesday of next week to continue this project work (due Fri. 10/9). We also watched the movie, "Shrek" after MAP testing, identifying different elements of satire, as well as various literary archetypes present in the movie.
SSR Update: By October 5th, students should have the first half of their book read, and their first one pager completed.
Math with Ms. Manheimer
Pre-Algebra: This week we continued our work with two step equations. We ended the week looking at how to simplify expressions using the distributive property and combining like terms to be able to solve multi-step equations next week. Skill Drill #3 was assigned and due Friday 10/9.
Algebra: With the shorter classes this week due to MAP testing and early release, students got a bunch of practice solving multi-step equations with variables on both sides. We ended the week with a quiz to check for understanding. Skill Drill #3 was assigned and due Friday 10/9
Civics with Ms. Morgan
The week was a little discombobulating due to several schedule changes but have no fear, students persevered and added to their civics knowledge. They learned more about the sometimes perplexing Electoral College in addition to preparing for the quiz on Monday October 5th. Some students were victorious in their quest to Win the White House in iCivics so kudos to them!
Civics Question of the Week
How many electors are there in the Electoral College?
a. 100
b. 270
c. 435
d. 538
Answer to last week's Question of the Week
How many electoral votes does Massachusetts have?
a. 2 Senators + 9 Representatives= 11 total electors
b. 2 Senators + 10 Representatives= 12 total electors
c. 2 Senators +15 Representatives= 17 total electors
d. 4 Senators + 40 Representatives= 44 total electors
Science with Ms. Finn
This week in Science class, we wrapped up our unit on Seasons. We completed a Gizmos simulation that helped us understand how Earth's tilted axis affects light intensity and daylight hours over the course of the year for different locations. We also completed season task cards and had a review session with a fun Blooket game. Next week, we will start learning about weather.
Spanish with Ms. Tetrault
This week in Spanish, the students created an alternate ending to the short video they watched last week called, "Toc Toc". The students used vocabulary they know to create a story and draw a picture of their alternate ending. The students also practiced questions verbally, which they will be quizzed on next Tuesday, 10/6.
French with Ms. DiRusso
This week French students began reading the novella Brandon Brown dit la vérité. We are practicing vocabulary in context and highlighting important expressions in each chapter. Students are showing understanding by following a reading with gestures and answering simple yes/no questions in French about what we read. Students are summarizing in French (and sometimes English) what they have read and recalling the story with comprehension questions.
Latin with Ms. Hicks
The 8th grade Latin students are reading Drusilla and will be working on an embedded comic next week.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL 8TH GRADE FAMILIES:
On Monday during lunch next week (9/28), a librarian from the Reuben Hoar Library will be coming to LMS to sign students up for Libby, a free digital reading app that lets you borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines from your local public library using a library card.
Please send your child to school on Monday with their library card, so they can take advantage of this awesome resource. If your child does not have a library card, the librarian can create one for them on the spot.
ELA with Ms. Abbott
This week in ELA, students reviewed some of their assignments from last week, had some vocabulary practice followed by a vocab quiz, and analyzed a poem that exemplifies "The Ages" archetype. Next week, we will begin exploring the "Loss of Innocence" theme through more mythology and poetry.
SSR Update: Students should have their books read halfway through at this point, and should be starting their first one-pager in the project packet.
Math with Ms. Manheimer
Algebra: Students have applied their mathematical thinking and algebraic reasoning skills to solving a variety of different equations this week. Grades will be updated this weekend, so please be sure to check ASPEN. The Module 2.1-2.4 Quiz will be on Friday, 10/2.
Pre-Algebra: Students took their first quiz this week on the real number systems. We then started looking at some vocabulary words that we will be using as we start our next part of the unit (inverse operations, solution, equation, etc.) Grades will be updated this weekend, so please be sure to check ASPEN.
Civics with Ms. Morgan
This week in can't stop won't stop civics the main focus areas was the Electoral College. There was some Electoral College math and a classwork activity to simulate the Electoral College that involved rolling dice. As Limp Bizkit sings "Keep rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin'. . ."
Civics Question of the Week
How many electoral votes does Massachusetts have?
a. 2 Senators + 9 Representatives= 11 total electors
b. 2 Senators + 10 Representatives= 12 total electors
c. 2 Senators +15 Representatives= 17 total electors
d. 4 Senators + 40 Representatives= 44 total electors
Answer to last week's Question of the Week
How many of the 435 districts in the House of Representatives are up for election when the midterm elections occur on Tues. 11/3?
a. 109 (25%)
b. 144 (33%)
c. 218 (50%)
d. 435 (100%)
Science with Ms. Finn
This week in Science class we began learning about the seasons, which just so happened to coincide with the Fall Equinox that occurred on Tuesday. We did a lab activity in which we investigated how light angle affects light intensity, and then we graphed how the sun's angle and daylight hours change throughout the year. We also started a Gizmo activity to further study the cause of seasons here on Earth.
Spanish with Ms. Tetrault
This week in Spanish, the 8th graders finalized a unit and began a new unit called, ¡Cierra la puerta! or Close The Door! The students did some writing and listening activities, practiced answering questions that included their new vocabulary, and they heard a new song called, "El reloj".
French with Ms. DiRusso
This week in French, students continued working with core vocabulary from our current unit using readings. We completed listening, speaking, and writing activities based on these stories to practice. We also reviewed our past horizontal conjugations and began working on our last horizontal conjugation this week which will serve as this unit’s summative assessment.
Latin with Ms. Hicks
The 8th grade Latin students are celebrating Polyphemus today. They are also reading Drusilla.
Civics
This week in can't stop won't stop civics the students continued thinking about various aspects of political parties in the U.S. and started to learn about the mystifying & unique Electoral College. In addition, the students read an article from August 2025 about lowering the voting age for teenagers. It's pretty interesting (to me at least) & could possibly lead to some interesting dinner table discussions if your 8th grader is willing to discuss.
Civics Question of the Week
How many of the 435 districts in the House of Representatives are up for election when the midterm elections occur on Tues. 11/3?
a. 109 (25%)
b. 144 (33%)
c. 218 (50%)
d. 435 (100%)
Answer to last week's Question of the Week
BC football has had a Red Bandana game since which year?
a. 2002
b. 2004
c. 2012
d. 2014
Science
This week in Science class we began discussing the Sun-Earth-Moon system and the patterns we can observe on Earth because of the interactions of objects in the system. We reviewed moon phases, eclipses, and tides with Gizmos activities and hands-on modeling. Next week, we will learn about the cause of Seasons here on Earth.
Math
Pre-Algebra: Students completed their real number line project in class this week where they demonstrated their understanding of how to order and compare real numbers on a number line. Next Wednesday, 9/23, will be the first quiz of the year (see google classroom for topics). Skill Drill #2 was handed out Friday and is due next Friday, 9/25.
Algebra: Students began writing and interpreting equations this week. We ended the week with students completing the initial knowledge check in our program aligned with the curriculum (ALEKS) to begin their individual learning path. Skill Drill #2 was handed out Friday and is due next Friday, 9/25.
Latin
The 8th grade Latin students are reading "Drusilla et Convivium Magarum and will have a translating quiz next week.
Spanish
This week in Spanish, the students learned about "El encierro de San Fermín", which is a traditional event in Pamplona, Spain. The activities the students did reinforced unit vocabulary, while learning about this fun, but dangerous tradition. At the end of the week, the students played The Fly Swatter game to practice what they learned.
French
This week French students practiced verb forms by rewriting a few short stories from different perspectives. We reviewed French words for body parts and read a story describing a bizarre person, retelling and answering questions about it as we went.
ELA with Ms. Abbott
This week in ELA, students took a Grammar pretest (not graded), which will give me a better idea where their strengths and weaknesses are. We also completed a two-day lesson on the appropriate vs. inappropriate use of AI in the classroom. On Friday, we started our first unit on "The Ages" archetype. Students analyzed Robert Frost's poem, "Nothing Gold Can Stay" for its literal and figurative meanings. Next week, we will dive in fully with our study of the archetype using Greek and Native American mythology stories.
SSR Update: At this point, students should be actively reading the first quarter of their books. By Sept. 17th, students should have the first quarter read and moving on to the second quarter.
Math with Ms. Manheimer
Pre-Algebra: This week we started with our curriculum. Students reviewed how to convert percents, decimals, and fractions. We also started looking at how to calculate perfect square and cube roots and then applied those perfect roots to estimating non perfect roots. Students received the first skill drill of the year today. This is due Friday, Sept. 18. Ask your child about this assignment!
Algebra: This week we started with our curriculum. Students reviewed how to evaluate expressions and apply order of operations. We also discussed the different properties and how they apply to the order of operations. Students received the first skill drill of the year today. This is due Friday, Sept. 18. Ask your child about this assignment! The first quiz of the year will be on Tuesday, Sept.15. This will be on sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4. We will review in class on Monday.
Civics with Ms. Morgan
We continued with some more back-to-school type items this week- signing up for Remind (optional), a scavenger hunt with Ms. Morgan's syllabus (with prizes for some lucky students), & thinking about positive classroom behaviors. Finally on Thursday we got to some civics topics and had a brief start to the first unit of the year- politics, elections, & voting.
On Friday, for the 25th year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the students watched some short videos about the man in the red bandana- Welles Crowther. The Boston College football team plays its Red Bandanna game tonight. It will be on ESPN2 starting at 7:30 p.m.
Civics Question of the Week
BC football has had a Red Bandana game since which year?
a. 2002
b. 2004
c. 2012
d. 2014
Answer to last week's Question of the Week
How many states have their primary election in September?
a. 3
b. 4
c. 5
d. 6
Science with Ms. Finn
This week in Science class, we continued learning about science and engineering practices. We completed a case study on the 2001 Minneapolis bridge collapse and ended the week with a lab activity in which students designed an experiment to test how fortune teller fish actually work.
Spanish with Ms. Tetrault
This week in Spanish, the students started their first unit in the SOMOS program. The students were introduced to vocabulary, listened to a song, and did some speaking with the unit vocabulary. Eighth graders will have their first speaking quiz on Monday!
French with Ms. DiRusso
This week French students rewrote stories from third to first person to practice verb forms. Students also wrote short descriptions using new vocabulary about body parts and familiar vocabulary about personality descriptions. Students read each others’ descriptions and guessed at what person or animal they were about.
Latin with Ms. Hicks
The 8th grade Latin students are reading "Drusilla et Convivium Magarum", Drusillan and the dinner party of the witches. They are also learning about Roman houses and dining.
Thank you to all of our 8th grade families who brought in paper towels, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, tissues, and even pencils!
ELA with Ms. Abbott
It's been so much fun getting to know your 8th graders these past three days. They seem like a great group, and I'm looking forward to making many fun memories with them. Our first days together consisted of a quick Google Slides project to help me get to know them, a review of the classroom rules and procedures, and a trip to the library to choose books for the first trimester reading project.
Next week, students will take a grammar pretest to help me gauge where to start my grammar instruction. Then we will spend a couple of days discussing the role of AI in our classroom, followed by an introductory lesson on "The Golden Age" archetype. Enjoy the long weekend!
Math with Ms. Manheimer
The start of a new school is underway and it has been great getting to meet and know all the 8th graders! This week we did a few activities to get us working in groups and talking about math. Students are expected to complete the "Me in Numbers" by Wednesday of next week. They have worked on this in school and should only have a little bit left to complete (if any). On Tuesday, we will be organizing and putting together our math binders, which will serve as our organizational tool for important math papers. This binder is for math only and can remain at school. Please make sure your child has a 3 ring binder, 5 dividers, and graph and lined paper. If your child needs any of these supplies, please email me to let me know (amanheimer@littlonps.org). Have a great long weekend!
Civics with Ms. Morgan
It was a short but sweet three days back to school. Students were exposed to little snippets of what's to come in civics class- through a civics scavenger hunt & a "What is Civics?" activity. Of course there's lots more in store for the can'tstopwon'tstopcivics classroom! Hope everyone enjoys the four day weekend. :)
Civics Question of the Week
How many states have their primary election in September?
a. 3
b. 4
c. 5
d. 6
Science with Ms. Finn
We had a great first three days back in Science class! We started off the year with some back to school science skill refresher stations, in which students revisited important skills such as how to read a graph, claim-evidence-reasoning, variables in experimental design, and evaluating scientific arguments. We also began a getting to know you activity, called "Elements of Me" that we will complete next week.
Spanish with Ms. Tetrault
The first few days in Spanish class, the students did some activities about cognates (words that are similar to one another in at least two languages), to reacclimate themselves with the Spanish language. The students practiced routines that they will continue over the course of the year. Next week the students will begin their first unit in the 8th grade curriculum.
French with Ms. DiRusso
I am excited to continue working with our eighth grade French students! This year we will continue learning some French language for communication and a bit about francophone culture. This week we reviewed classroom procedures as well as greetings and introductions in French using a reading about sports. We also began our first unit by naming body parts in French and listening to a song to review key vocabulary. Please email me at mdirusso@littletonps.org with any questions. I look forward to a great year!