DATA 8th Grade Newsletter

ELAR

"In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you." 

- Mortimer J. Adler

We start the week continuing work on summer reading projects.  With some shifting in our schedule with MAP testing and a meeting Mrs. Vallente will have with 8th grade through this class, there may be some adjustment to our timeline with work on the summer reading project.  BUT, as soon as we're done with this project, we move on to Unit 2 ... INFORMATIONAL!  As Sergeant Friday would say, "Just the facts, please."

-Mrs. Burciaga

Tutoring

Tuesday after school, 3:45 - 4:15

Thursday before school, 7:45 - 8:15

Lunch tutoring is available upon request

Questions or concerns?  Feel free to email me:  jburci@neisd.net

MATH

What is mathematics? It is only a systematic effort of solving puzzles posed by nature.

                                       — Shakuntala Devi 

We've started personal Data Trackers for 8th grade math classes. Students have already entered their STAAR performance results from last year, and their brand-new MAP results with predictions for the 2025 STAAR. They've also set some performance goals for STAAR achievement.

UIL Number Sense (mental math) and Mathematics start on Monday, September 9, after school. Both are open to all interested students. I encourage students who can't work after school on it to let me know, so we can bring them on board!

Algebra 1: We have pretty much finished up coverage of Unit 1, on Linear Equations and Inequalities. The Unit 1 Exam isr Tuesday, September 10. After the test students will put their results in their Data Tracker, and reflect on what worked and what needs improvement. If your student is struggling, please encourage them to reach out for help. I can set up a tutoring time they can work with, if they cannot meet the timeslot listed below.

Geometry: We are finishing up Unit 1 (Coordinate Geometry & Proof), with the End of Unit Exam scheduled for Thursday, September 12. I'm excited to see how they will do on the district unit test, which will be the first exam score they enter into their Personal Data Trackers. We'll engage in some reflection over the challenges in the exam, with an eye toward keeping habits that foster success and replacing those that don't. Our next unit will be over Lines and Angle Relationships, and will have us getting into the meat of Geometry as a discipline.

-Dr. Koepp

SCIENCE

EXPERIMENT. FAIL. LEARN. REPEAT. 

Last week we finished cells. Students identified key structures of the plant and animal cell and defined the function of each of the organelles. They also identified similarities between both plant and animal cell. They described how organelles work together to maintain life's processes. 

This week our focus will shift to genetics. We will predict how traits are inherited. We will use Punnett squares to determine the probability of offspring inheriting specific traits. Focus words for this week: alleles, genotype, phenotype, heterozygous, homozygous, dominant, recessive. 

U.S. History through 1877

Mrs. Malin's Classes

Mr. Lovett's Classes

Principles of Architecture: 

Architecture students have been exploring how they might fit into a career in architecture. Next week they will be going further as we look into what it takes to become a licensed architect. 

Digital Media 2:

Digital Media students have started Septymetry!!! Each month we focus on a design principle, research its effective use, and then apply it to various projects. This month it is symmetry. I'm looking forward to seeing their creativity shine!