DATA 8th Grade Newsletter

ELAR

"What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?" 

- Robert H. Schuller

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts." 

- Winston Churchill

While everyday should be a fresh start, for many of us, there's nothing like starting fresh at the new year, and for those in that mindset we thankfully find ourselves in a new unit that should enhance our communication skills and make it applicable to some serious writing in the weeks ahead.  

But first ...

This week begins with finishing up course registration for HIGH SCHOOL! 

😩 or 😃?

We will get a visit this week from Mrs. Lockamy, the DATA HS counselor who will help us finalize course cards for next year and answer any lingering questions about high school credits.  Then we move into notes over effective communication and review of persuasive appeals.  We'll put our understanding of persuasive appeals into practice and then apply  that understanding to a personalized billboard (Families, be ready ... your student may be using their learning to try to convince you of something).

-Mrs. Burciaga

Tutoring

Tuesdays - after school until 4:30

Thursdays - before school beginning at 7:45*

Lunch tutoring available by appointment*

*Requires a pass - see Mrs. Burciaga

Questions or concerns?  

Email me:  jburci@neisd.net

MATH

"If people do not believe that mathematics is simple, it is only because they do not realize how complicated life is."

— John von Neumann 

Happy New Year everyone! Thank you all--parents, students, and my wonderful colleagues--for you grace, understanding, and support over the last couple of months of 2024. While a number of challenges remain, I think the most disruptive (to school, at least) hurdles are behind us. We somehow got through all of the material for both math classes that was on the fall schedule, and are primed for a solid finish to the school year!

Algebra 1: Our first 3 weeks or so of 2025 leave lines behind to focus on Exponential Functions. Students started with a study of number sequences, and will segue next week into this new family of curves and functions. I'm planning some class experiments to give them a concrete footing in how these processes occur in the the real world.

Geometry: Geometry has opened with introductory material on trigonometry. As we develop the mathematical basics I'm designing some applications to illustrate their utility in a hands-on way. For those in Architecture, this might be really helpful as the start working on roofs!

Please encourage your student to resolve to make a quick start on assignments, and to seek help as soon as they discover they're lost. The material of Week 1 has proved to be pretty easy, for those who have put in a little effort!

Welcome to 2025!

-Dr. Koepp

SCIENCE

EXPERIMENT. FAIL. LEARN. REPEAT. 

Our students are putting the finishing touches on their amazing science fair projects! From innovative experiments to creative problem-solving, their hard work and curiosity shine through. 

Next week, they'll present their projects to classmates, teachers, and high school students who will act as judges. Students will showcase their research and discoveries. 

We couldn’t be prouder of their dedication and enthusiasm for science. Stay tuned for highlights from their presentations! 

U.S. History through 1877

Ms. Malin's Classes

Mr. Lovett's Classes

Principles of Architecture: 

Architecture students have completely designed every room of their custom home. Next week we will learn how to combine rooms and begin learning about roofs. 

Digital Media 2:

Jan-HUE-ary is going strong. Students have learned how to use the adobe color wheel to make analogous, monochromatic, and triad color schemes to match a mood.  Next week they will continue in their discovery of color theory.