ELA with Ms. Abbott
This week in ELA, we studied NOUNS: common nouns, proper nouns, collective nouns, count nouns, non-count nouns, compound nouns, concrete nouns, abstract nouns. The kids loved every second of their grammar instruction. Lol! We will have a quiz on all these different kinds of nouns on Tuesday, 10/27.
SSR Update: By November 2nd, students should have the first two pages of their packet completed and should have their book completely read to the end.
Math with Ms. Manheimer
Algebra: We have completed our unit on relations and functions. Our next unit will be on linear and nonlinear functions. There is no skill drill assigned this week but students should complete 6 topics in ALEKS by the end of the week.
Pre-algebra: We have completed our Pythagorean Theorem unit this week. We will begin talking about proportional relationships and rate of change/slope. There is no skill drill assigned this week.
Civics with Ms. Morgan
In civics class this week we continued focusing on restrictions to voting rights in the U.S. Students primarily learned about the struggles of women's suffrage. Perhaps your 8th grader can tell you about the drawings of women holding kitchen utensils in a menacing manner or the "ducking stool."
Civics Question of the Week
At one point some Americans had to pass a literacy test in order to register to vote. Literacy tests were outlawed in
a. 1900.
b. 1920.
c. 1945.
d. 1965.
Answer to last week's Question of the Week
Which state was the first to give U.S. women full voting rights in 1869, 51 years before the 19th amendment was passed?
a. Massachusetts
b. Idaho
c. Wyoming
d. Colorado
Science with Ms. Finn
This week in Science class, students completed a lab in which they created an air pressure indicator in a jar. They also learned more about weather fronts, pressure systems and how they can be used to forecast weather. At the end of the week, students began learning about and investigating tornadoes.
Spanish with Ms. Tetrault
This week in Spanish, the students listened to two new songs in Spanish. One song was a pop song by a Spanish artist, and the other was a children's song about different professions. The students learned the names of different professions in Spanish. The eighth graders also listened to a story about a boy named Justin who went to the university, took classes, and the story took an interesting turn at the end. The students wrote their own story telling about a student who goes to a university and takes classes.
French with Ms. DiRusso
This week in French we finished reading Brandon Brown dit la vérité. We are using the context of this book to highlight and reinforce core vocabulary structures (j’ai besoin de I need to; envoyer and recevoir un texto to send and receive a text), and past tense (passé composé). We continued to use the past tense as we read and summarized the story.
ELA with Ms. Abbott
In ELA this week, students brainstormed ideas for, and then wrote an essay about "The Mentor" Archetype. They had to analyze one of the mentors we read about in a short story, and then compare that character to another mentor character they have read about in a book or seen in a movie.
Next week, we will do a grammar unit on NOUNS, and after our noun quiz (on 10/27), we will start our To Kill a Mockingbird unit.
SSR Update: By October 15th, students should have the first half of their books read, the first one-pager done, and the first written page done. They should be moving on to reading the 2nd half of their books.
Math with Ms. Manheimer
Algebra: Students this week have been working with relations and functions. Students also participated in a functions auction activity to further their understanding of what makes a relation a function. They have classified tables, graphs, mappings, and equations as relations or as functions. We ended the week with a function value puzzle. Skill Drill #4 is due Friday 10/23 during flex block (due to the Nashoba Tech Field Trip). Module 3 Test is Thursday 10/22.
Pre-Algebra: Students started the week discovering the Pythagorean Theorem through a jelly bean activity. We then looked at the different uses of the theorem and how it can help us find missing side lengths of right triangles, help us determine if a triangle is a right triangle, and to find distance. Skill Drill #4 is due Friday 10/23 during flex block (due to the Nashoba Tech Field Trip). The Chapter 2 Test on Pythagorean Theorem is Tuesday 10/20.
Science with Ms. Finn
This week in Science class, we reviewed the variables scientists measure to help predict and understand weather and the tools they use to measure them. We also began learning about air masses, how they form, and also how they interact to produce weather fronts.
Spanish with Ms. Tetrault
This week in Spanish, the 8th graders took a reading assessment to wrap up their unit. The students also did some informal speaking by telling the events of a story strip, using vocabulary that they have learned and practiced in class. They did great!! The student began a new unit on professions and taking classes at the university. Next week, they will delve more into these topics.
French with Ms. DiRusso
This week in French, we continued reading the novella Brandon Brown dit la vérité. We followed the reading with different listening activities, using gestures throughout the class to demonstrate understanding. We highlighted the passé composé (past tense) and practiced identifying verb tense in context. We worked with vocabulary using mad libs in French, then read them out loud to each other while drawing what we heard.
Civics with Ms. Morgan
In civics class this week, students learned about restrictions on voting rights throughout US history and ways that different groups tried to earn voting rights. In addition, the 8th graders learned a little bit about mail-in voting, which has been around officially since the Civil War!
Thank you to families who have sent in tissues. We could still use more, so if you get a minute over the long weekend, maybe pick up a box or two and send them in next week.
ELA with Ms. Abbott
This week in ELA, students did some work on their archetype projects and turned in their completed work on Friday. We also took notes on our third and final focus archetype, "The Mentor." We read two Greek myths, as well as a poem and a short story by Langston Hughes, all demonstrating the Mentor Character. Next week, students will write an essay about "The Mentor" archetype.
SSR Update: By Thursday, October 15th, students should have their book read halfway through, their first one-pager completed, and their first written response page done.
Math with Ms. Manheimer
Algebra: Students have completed our second unit on solving equations. We ended the week with the module 2 test. Students are expected to complete 6 topics in our ALEKS program this week (replaces the skill drill).
Pre-Algebra: Students have completed our first unit on real numbers. We ended the week with a test on solving linear equations. There is no skill drill assigned this week. Next week we will begin our unit on Pythagorean Theorem.
Science with Ms. Finn
This week in Science class, we began our new unit on Weather. Students spent the week learning about weather variables and how we can measure them. Next week, we will learn about how air masses form and interact and how this impacts our weather.
Spanish with Ms. Tetrault
This week in Spanish, the students took a speaking and translation quiz on their unit, ¡Cierra la puerta! The students learned to tell time in Spanish, and practiced grammar with a silly story about a disobedient girl named Tiffany who doesn't like to close the door.
French with Ms. DiRusso
This week in French, we continued reading the novella Brandon Brown dit la vérité. We followed the reading with different listening activities, using gestures throughout the class to demonstrate understanding. We highlighted the passé composé (past tense) and practiced identifying verb tense in context. We worked with vocabulary using mad libs in French, then read them out loud to each other while drawing what we heard.
Latin with Ms. Hicks
The 8th grade Latin students are having their last quiz on "Drusilla et Convivium Magarum" on Tuesday. Then they will start reading "Familia Mala". This is the story of Saturn and the Olympians. Our classroom is running low on tissues and paper towels. We would appreciate donations! Thank you.
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!