Weekly Updates

Week of 3/9

8th-grade updates:

T2- Finals this week:
- Monday 3/9 - ELA and Science
- Tuesday 3/10 - Religion and Mrs. Carlberg- Math, Mrs. Mang- Spanish
- Wednesday 3/11- Mrs. Carlberg-Spanish and Mrs. Mang-Math
- Thursday 3/12 - Social Studies, Music
Trimester 2 ends this Friday, March 13th. Please check FACTS with your student to go over their grades and check their progress.
Make up work, quizzes, and tests. Moving forward if your student misses a quiz or a test we will be holding makeup or missed work tutorials on Tuesday mornings 7:15 am in room 7A and Thursday afternoons in 8B.
Washington DC trip parent meeting- Monday, March 16th 1:45 pm in room 8A. If your child is going on the DC trip please plan on attending the parent meeting on 3/16. If you are unable to make it please let Mr. Landero know by emailing him at rlandero@olqa.org so that he can provide you with the important information from the meeting.

Religion- Students will be preparing for their final which will be on Tuesday. The final covers Chapters 5-9 and a study guide is posted on Google Classroom. Students are allowed to create one page (front and back)of handwritten notes and use it on the test. No Gospel reflection this week.

Math

Mang- We are finishing Unit 6 and our study of exponents and exponential functions. We will conclude with simplifying radicals and reviewing for the final on Wednesday. Students are expected to complete the study guide and ALEKS unit 6 review by Wednesday. No ALEKS topics this week. Thursday we will begin our study of Polynomials: naming and classifying them, as well as, adding and subtracting.
Carlberg- We are finishing our unit on Systems of Equations. Our unit test that will serve as the final exam is Tuesday, 3/10. Students should refer to the study guide that was given out last week. There is a review ALEKS assignment that students may complete for extra practice. No ALEKS topics this week.

ELA:

Literature: students will continue our Holocaust Literature unit study. This week the students will read through Chapter 5 in The Boy in the Wooden Box. Students have completed a propaganda webquest and this will lend to our in class discussion on how these images, stereotypes, and false accusations influence and propelled the events during Nazi occupation of Poland.
Read Across America and Author Visits: To further promote reading and to celebrate Read Across America Day, we are excited to share that an author will be visiting OLQA! Author C.W. Trisef will present to students in grades 4-8 on Wednesday, March 18th. Mr. Trisef has offered to sign books purchased by our families/students.

Social Studies: The students will be preparing for their 2nd Trimester Final, which is scheduled for Thursday, 3/12. The final will cover topics such as the 3 branches of government, 7 principles of the Constitution, and the law making process. All notes have been posted in google classroom.

Spanish: Students will have their final this week. They have been working on reading comprehension activities and listening activities in class. These activities mimic the final and they will help the students prepare for the test.

Music: Listening Journals are due on Tuesday, March 10. We will listen to the final selection on the listening list, then students will turn in their journals after completing their writing. On Thursday, we will have our final assessment on musical instrument families. TV theme projects are also due this Thursday. Friday, March 13 is the last day any music projects assigned during 2nd trimester will be accepted, all work must be submitted by 2:30 Friday afternoon.

Science - This week the students will share their project reports about an experimental investigation they have been working on for the last 5 weeks. They will learn about solutions, solvents, ionic and molecular solutes, and classification of mixtures. They will design experiments to observe the characteristics of solutions, colloids and suspensions. They will also experiment with the electric conductivity of solutes

Week of 3/2

8th-grade updates:

T2- Finals week: 3/9-3/13.
- Monday 3/9 - ELA and Science
- Tuesday 3/10 - Religion and Mrs. Carlberg- Math, Mrs. Mang- Spanish
- Wednesday 3/11- Mrs. Carlberg-Spanish and Mrs. Mang-Math
- Thursday 3/12 - Social Studies
Trimester 2 ends Friday, March 13th. Please check FACTS with your student to go over their grades and check their progress.
Make up work, quizzes, and tests. Moving forward if your student misses a quiz or a test we will be holding makeup or missed work tutorials on Tuesday mornings 7:15 am in room 7A and Thursday afternoons in 8B.
Charging iPads: students are responsible for bringing a fully charged iPad at the beginning of every school day. Lately many students have not followed this practice and your support of ensuring their iPads are fully charged is much appreciated.
Read Across America and Author Visits: To further promote reading and to celebrate Read Across America Day, we are excited to share that an author will be visiting OLQA! Author C.W. Trisef will present to students in grades 4-8 on Wednesday, March 18th. Mr. Trisef has offered to sign books purchased by our families/students.

Religion- This week we will be studying Ch. 9 “One in Christ” focusing on how the universal Catholic Church is united by common beliefs and practices. There is a Gospel reflection due this Tuesday on Google Classroom. The T2 religion final will be next Tuesday, 3/10 and will cover Chapters 5-9. Students will be allowed to use a page of notes on the exam written using a study guide.

Math

Mang- We will continue our study of exponents and exponential functions. This week we will learn to graph exponential functions, calculate exponential growth and decay, as well as, geometric sequences. We will have a quiz this Friday to check student understanding before the Unit test/Final Wednesday 3/11. There will be a Simple Solutions lessons 33-36 quiz on Tuesday 3/3. ALEKS this week is 5 topics and an 80% or better assignment due by Sunday.
Carlberg- This week we will learn how to solve systems of equations using elimination. We will discuss more about possible solutions, while inspecting equations. A quiz will be given on Wednesday 3/4. It will cover graphing, substitution, and elimination. Simple Solutions lessons 33-36 quiz will be on Friday 3/6. ALEKS this week is 5 topics and an 80% or better assignment due by Friday 3/6.

ELA:

Writing: This week students will focus on their academic language choices, paraenthincal quotations, and final revisions and edits for their argumentative writing project. This Writing Project will be due Friday March 6th, this writing project will be submitted digitally through the writing by design platform.
In Literature, students will continue reading and annotating our Holocaust novel The Boy on the Wooden Box. Students are encouraged to re-read and re-annotate nightly.
ELA Final: the study guide for the Trimester 2 ELA final has been posted in the students ELA Google Classroom. This study guide helps the students prepare for the final as well as the in class literary analysis essay.
Museum of Tolerance field trip: Wednesday March 25th we as an 8th grade class will be taking a bus to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. More information to follow.

Social Studies: The students will continue to examine the US Government. They will be preparing for the QUIZ, which is scheduled for Friday, 3/6. They began working on their study guide today and will be doing review activities on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Spanish: This week students will continue to work on activities that will help them prepare for the final. They will work on reading comprehension passages (in Spanish) and listening activities. The study guide for the final has been posted in google classroom.

Music: This week, 8th grade students will continue to work on their TV theme projects using their Garage Band app. They will also have the opportunity to make-up any projects they have not completed so far this trimester. On Friday, we will listen to selection #11 on their list so they can continue to write in their Listening Journal. Listening Journals are due on Tuesday, March 10.

Science - This week the students will measure the amount of carbon dioxide released in a chemical reaction and they will determine the mass of the gas produced. They will design an experiment using the process of electrolysis to decompose water using electrical energy, they will finish their science projects and they will begin chapter-6 “Acids, Bases, and Solutions”and lesson 6-1. They will learn about solutions, solvents, solutes, colloids and suspensions.

Week of 2/24

8th-grade updates:

NO LATE START this Wednesday 2/26. Ash Wednesday Mass at 8:30. Please remember no sweatshirts can be worn to Mass.
T2- Finals week: 3/9-3/13. Schedule will be sent out soon
Trimester 2 ends Friday, March 13th. Please check FACTS with your student to go over their grades and check their progress.
Make up work, quizzes, and tests. Moving forward if your student misses a quiz or a test we will be holding makeup or missed work tutorials on Tuesday mornings 7:15 am in room 7A and Thursday afternoons in 8B.

Religion- Students will be completing Ch. 8 “Life in Christ”. The focus of this chapter is that through Jesus’ saving act on the Cross, God offers us forgiveness and eternal life. The Ch. 8 test will be this Friday 2/28. There is a Gospel reflection due this Tuesday on Google Classroom. We will also be discussing the season of Lent which begins this Wednesday.

Math

Mang- We are beginning Unit 6- Exponents and Exponential Functions. This week we will focus on the properties of exponents and take quiz 6-1 on Friday. We are covering Simple Solutions lessons 33-36 which are due Monday 3/2 and we will take the quiz on Tuesday 3/3. ALEKS this week is 5 topics and an 80% or better assignment due by Sunday. Please be on the lookout for an important email from Mrs. Mang regarding high school math and placement testing.
Carlberg- We continue to study Systems of Equations. This week we will learn the steps to solving a system of equations using the substitution method. We will review how to change the way an equation is written from standard form to slope-intercept form. We will also discuss the different types of solutions and what they mean. There will be a mini-quiz on the substitution method on Friday 2/28. ALEKS this week includes 5 topics and an 80% or better assignment due Friday.

ELA: This week students will continue to formulate and add evidence to enhance their argumentative writing project. They will continue to develop reasons and evidence to support their thesis statement. This Writing Project will be due Friday March 6th. In Literature, students have begun our Holocaust novel The Boy on the Wooden Box today. Students are encouraged to re-read and re-annotate nightly.

Museum of Tolerance field trip: Wednesday March 25th we as an 8th grade class will be taking a bus to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. More information to follow.

Social Studies: The students will continue learning about our nation’s government this week. They will examine the 3 branches and the duties and responsibilities of each. They will conclude this lesson with a stop motion movie project.

Spanish This week students will be working on speaking, listening and writing activities. The test has been moved for finals week. Our goal will be to review the material that will be on the test. There will be a study guide posted in google classroom for additional practice. All pamphlets are due this week.

Science: The students will begin to review chapter-5 and they will take chapter-5 chemistry test on February 28. This week the students will continue working on their science projects and they will begin the last chemistry chapter. They will learn about Acids, Bases, concentration of solutions and they will identify the factors that affect solubility. The students will design experiments to prepare solutions with different concentrations and they will test the properties of acids and bases.

Week of 2/10

8th-grade updates:

Valentine’s day- please do not send in any food or candy. Thank you.
Winter break/Ski week next week 2/17-2/21. Be safe and enjoy!
Pictures- Reminder all pictures for the 8th grade memory video are due March 1st.
Supplies: please ensure that your student has the following school supplies: black/blue pens, 3 glue sticks, and pencils. Additional optional supplies (student preference) colorful post-its/flags (for annotating) and highlighters.
Student Planners/Agendas: As an effort to continually develop our students organizational time management skills, each day in each class students are given important assignments and assessment dates. They are instructed to write and track these dates while utilizing their planner. We strongly encourage you to check your student’s planner on a daily or weekly basis.
Weekly Homework website: moving forward in hopes to streamline communication and instill autonomy in students we will not be utilizing the homework tab on the 8th grade website. We strongly encourage you to check your student’s planner and keep these weekly updates.

Religion- We will be finishing Ch. 7: Encountering Christ. All chapter work is due Tuesday and The Ch. 7 test will be Tuesday, 2/11. There is a Gospel reflection due this Tuesday on Google Classroom.

Math

Mang- Students will finish their study of systems this week with learning to solve systems of inequalities. We will spend the rest of the week reviewing in preparation for the Unit 5 test on Friday, 2/14. ALEKS this week is a unit 5 test review due Friday and 5 topics due by Sunday.
Carlberg- This week we will be solving systems of equations by graphing. This will consist of two different parts. Part 1 will be graphing in slope-intercept form. Part 2 will discuss different types of solutions within given equations. We will end the week solving systems by substitution. Simple Solutions Quiz Lessons 28-32 will be on Tuesday, 2/11. There will also be a systems of equations quiz on Friday 2/14. ALEKS this week is an 80% or better assignment and 5 topics due Friday.

ELA:

For the next month, we will be learning about the Holocaust in Language Arts. We will be reading The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson. Leyson was the youngest survivor on Schindler's List. His story about the love of his family and the will to survive is truly inspiring! Not only will we be learning about the Holocaust through literature, but we will also talk about how we view it as Catholics. Our faith will help drive class discussions as we apply this to today’s world and how we should be tolerant and respectful towards others. Feel free to share your own knowledge of this topic with your student or ask them to share Leyson’s story that we’ll begin next week.
Due to the upcoming Winter/Ski Week Break we will begin our Literature Focus: The Boy on the Wooden Box starting Monday February 24th. Students will be provided a copy of the text so that they can annotate as we read.
This week students will formulate a rough draft for their argumentative writing project. They will continue to develop reasons and evidence to support their thesis statement.

Social Studies: The students are finishing up their Preamble video projects on Tuesday, 2/11. The QUIZ is scheduled for Thursday, 2/13. The Students will then begin working on a poster regarding the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights.

Spanish: Students are working on a research project. Students were assigned to a Spanish speaking country and they were given a list of things they needed to research about their country. Their final product will be a brochure/pamphlet due on 2/24. This week we will compare and contrast the education system in the US to the education system in Spanish speaking countries. There will be a test on 2/24 and I will post a study guide iin google classroom on 2/14.

Music: Students will continue to work on their 12 bar Blues chord progression project in Garage Band. This assignment is due on Thursday 2/13. The objective of this assignment is to improve their skill of playing consistently in time along with a more complex beat and to experience playing what is an important standard chord progression.

Science: The students will continue learning about how to identify different types of chemical reactions. The students will work gathering research for their science projects and they will identify the variables they will include in their project design. On Tuesday February 11 the students will have a quiz about lesson 5-2 related to balancing chemical equations and identification of chemical reactions. They will begin lesson 5-3 “Controlling Chemical Reactions”. In this lesson they will learn how reactions get started and they will identify the factors that affect the rate of a chemical reaction.

Week of 2/3

8th-grade updates:

Supplies: please ensure that your student has the following school supplies: black/blue pens, 3 glue sticks, and pencils. Additional optional supplies (student preference) colorful post-its/flags (for annotating) and highlighters.
Student Planners/Agendas: As an effort to continually develop our students organizational time management skills, each day in each class students are given important assignments and assessment dates. They are instructed to write and track these dates while utilizing their planner. We strongly encourage you to check your student’s planner on a daily or weekly basis.
Weekly Homework website: moving forward in hopes to streamline communication and instill autonomy in students we will not be utilizing the homework tab on the 8th grade website. We strongly encourage you to check your student’s planner and keep these weekly updates.

Religion- We will begin Ch. 7: Encountering Christ. The focus of this chapter is how we can look to Jesus as an example of friendship and respect for others. Students should be working on the Ch. 7 pgs. 131-142 activities and notes page. The Ch. 7 test will be Tuesday, 2/11. There is a Gospel reflection due this Tuesday on Google Classroom.

Math

Mang- This week we will learn our third method for solving linear systems: elimination. Students will work on application of their skills to write equations and solve systems through word problems. We are looking at a quiz Friday, 2/7. There will be a Simple Solutions lessons 29-32 quiz Tuesday, 2/4. ALEKS this week is an 80% or better assignment and 5 topics due by Sunday.
Carlberg- This week we will be completing our unit on Linear Equations. Unit Test is Tuesday, February 4th. Later in the week we will open our new unit and learn about Systems of Equations. ALEKS this week is 10 Topics due by Friday. (No 80% or better assignment this week)

ELA:

For the next month, we will be learning about the Holocaust in Language Arts. We will be reading The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson. Leyson was the youngest survivor on Schindler's List. His story about the love of his family and the will to survive is truly inspiring! Not only will we be learning about the Holocaust through literature, but we will also talk about how we view it as Catholics. Our faith will help drive class discussions as we apply this to today’s world and how we should be tolerant and respectful towards others. Feel free to share your own knowledge of this topic with your student or ask them to share Leyson’s story that we’ll begin next week.
This week in writing, students will continue to learn how to write an argumentative essay. The students have chosen their topic of interest and this week will create an outline to assist as they form their thesis statement as well as their first draft.

Social Studies: The students will continue to examine our government and learn about the 6 goals and 7 principles used to create the Constitution. They will also take a look at the Bill of Rights, or the first 10 amendments. We will be creating a short movie/slideshow project to illustrate the important ideas and concepts about the branches of our government.

Spanish: This week we will be talking about Latin American countries. Students will learn about their culture, traditions, music, food and the indigenous dialects that people in these countries still use as a way of communication.

Science: The students will describe chemical reactions, they will determine what information does a chemical equation contains as well as how is mass conserved during a chemical reaction. They will identify the three types of chemical reactions and they will write formulas of familiar compounds. The students will learn how to write and balance chemical equations. They will keep working in their group experimental investigations.

Week of 1/27

8th-grade updates:

No School Mass on Thursday, please make sure your student is in proper Mass attire for Friday January 31st. We will be attending a school wide Mass on Friday for Special Persons Day.
The Book Fair will take place this week. Our time slot to visit the Book Fair is Wednesday January 29th. Please note the Book Fair will be open on Special Persons Day as well as Open House.
Happy Catholic Schools’ Week
- Monday- Student Appreciation Day
  - Out- of- uniform dress for students
- Tuesday- Parent Appreciation Day
  - THANK YOU for partnering with us in your child’s education!
  - All of our wonderful parents are invited to a Kean Coffee & Cest Si Bon Croissants Tailgate in the MAIN A parking lot, and you’ll receive a small token of appreciation during carpool morning drop off. (7:45 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.)
- Wednesday- Community Appreciation and Outreach Day
  - Make a Difference With Denim. Students who bring in a canned good may wear jeans for SPIN (Serving People in Need) and Helping Hands.
  - 8th Grade will visit the book fair
- Thursday- Staff, Faculty, Priests, Administration, and Parish Staff Appreciation Day
- Friday: Special Person’s Day
  - Mass at 8:30 with their special person
  - Breakfast provided on campus after Mass
  - All students can be checked out any time after Mass but must be checked out from the classroom. Reminder it is a 12:10 dismissal.
- Sunday- OPEN HOUSE
  - Mass at 8:30am
  - Please join us for Open House at 9:30 a.m. The classrooms will be on display to

showcase and highlight the accomplishments of our students.

Religion- We will be writing thank notes and inspirational letters to the Newport Beach City Council to thank them for all they do for our community. This is part of our school-wide outreach project for Wednesday’s community appreciation day. We will also be wrapping up Unit 2.

Math

Mang- Last week we began learning to solve linear systems by graphing and using the substitution method. This week we will continue to solve systems using those methods and elimination. There will be a quiz on graphing and substitution on Wednesday, 1/29. We will work on Simple Solutions lessons 29-32 this week. Simple Solutions quiz will be Tuesday, 2/4. ALEKS this week is an 80% or better assignment due by Sunday. No topics this week.
Carlberg- We are nearing the end of our Linear Equations Unit. We will work on a study guide in class later this week. ALEKS this week is an 80% or better assignment due by Friday. No topics this week.

ELA:

For the next month, we will be learning about the Holocaust in Language Arts. We will be reading The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson. Leyson was the youngest survivor on Schindler's List. His story about the love of his family and the will to survive is truly inspiring! Not only will we be learning about the Holocaust through literature, but we will also talk about how we view it as Catholics. Our faith will help drive class discussions as we apply this to today’s world and how we should be tolerant and respectful towards others. Feel free to share your own knowledge of this topic with your student or ask them to share Leyson’s story that we’ll begin next week
Chapman University Holocaust Contest deadline for the Chapman Contest is January 31st.
Tomorrow and Wednesday is the “Flowers For Algernon” Socratic Seminar (test). Next week students will conduct a Socratic Seminar to discuss specific topics about the text.
This week in writing, students will continue to learn how to write an argumentative essay. The students have chosen their topic of interest and this week will create an outline to assist as they form their first draft.

Social Studies: The students will continue to look at our Government and the separation of powers. They will create posters that outline each branch’s duties, powers, and limitations. They have received a study guide that will be due on Wednesday, 1/29 the day of the QUIZ.

Spanish: Students will continue to work on their short stories in class; they will use the vocabulary from the family unit to complete them. They will be turning in their family tree projects this week.

Music: This week, students will finish their rap projects as part of learning how to record using Garage Band.

Science: This week the students will work in lab activities related to properties of ionic and covalent compounds. They will begin chapter 5 and they will learn how to describe changes in matter and they will identify a chemical reaction. They will conduct experiments to observe a precipitate, gas production, color change and energy changes in chemical reactions.

Week of 1/20

8th-grade updates:

Next week is Catholic Schools Week. Mrs. Tipton will send more information home, but here are some days with extras for your student:
- Book Fair- 8th grade will go on Wednesday
- Monday: students may wear free dress (follow free dress guidelines) for student appreciation & In n Out lunch for those who ordered it.
- Friday: Special Person’s Day
  - Mass at 8:30 with their special person
  - Breakfast provided on campus after Mass
  - All students must be checked out from the classroom at 12 (half day today)

Religion- This week we will be finishing up Unit 2 with the Fruits of the Holy Spirit project, which is due this Friday, 1/24. Project guidelines are on Google Classroom.

Math

Mang- This week we will begin Unit 5- Linear Systems. This week we will be learning to solve systems by graphing and substitution. “Pet House” Linear Function project are due Tomorrow, Wednesday, 1/22. Project guidelines can be found on Google Classroom.
Carlberg- This week we will continue to solve multi-step equations. We will use critical thinking skills to solve equations with variables on both sides. We will also write equations to represent certain situations. ALEKS is 5 topics this week and a short 8 question 80% or better assignment that are both due Friday 1/24.

ELA: Last week the students were introduced to Chapman University’s Holocaust Contest. Students have chosen a Holocaust survivor (we provided some options or they were given a resource to explore with their parents to find another choice). Over the next couple of weeks students will have some class time for this contest, but will need to work some at home as well. The deadline for the Chapman Contest is January 31st.

This week we will finish reading “Flowers For Algernon”. Next week students will conduct a Socratic Seminar to discuss specific topics about the text.
This week in writing, students will be starting to learn how to write an argumentative essay. They should choose a topic by Thursday.

Social Studies: The students will be looking at the people and ideas that influenced the Constitution. They will also look at the system of checks and balances to learn the duties and limitations of each branch of the government. The QUIZ for this lesson is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, 1/28.

Spanish: We will continue working on family and family members. Students will be working on their writing by using all the vocabulary they have learned so far to create short stories. The family tree project is due next week.

Music: We will continue working on our bucket drumming skills. Students will also continue working on their rap (spoken rhythm) project. Instructions are on the T2 8th grade general music google classroom. The project is due Friday, January 24.

Science: This week, the students will learn about metallic bonds. They will learn the structure of the metal crystal, the properties of metals and the characteristics of alloys. They will study examples of luster, malleability, ductility, thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity. They will review chapter-5 and the test will be on January 24.

Week of 1/13

8th-grade updates:

Please make sure students bring headphones to school each day. They were on the supply list and students are expected to have them in their backpacks for when they are needed for in class activities.
Reminder- 8th graders are not allowed to wear their class sweatshirts to Mass on Thursdays. It can be chilly during these winter mornings so we suggest they bring their navy, Vicki Marsha sweater to wear to and from Mass. Once we are back from Mass, they are allowed to put their sweatshirts back on.
STAR testing will take place this month. The 8th graders will be taking STAR reading on Tuesday, 1/14 (10:25-11:00) and STAR math on Tuesday, 1/21 (8:15-9:00 am)

Religion- Gospel reflection due Tuesday on Google classroom. This week we will finish Ch. 6: Temple of the Holy Spirit. All Ch. 6 work should be completed by Tuesday so that we can review in class. The Chapter 6 test will be Friday, 1/17. Students should be working on their Fruits of the Holy Spirit project which is now due Friday, 1/24. Project guidelines are on Google Classroom.

Math

Mang- This week we will finish Unit 4 part 2 and learn how to graph linear inequalities. There will be a Unit 4- part 2 test this Thursday, 1/16. ALEKS unit 4 part 2 review due Thursday. Simple Solutions lessons 25-28 quiz will be Tuesday, 1/14. This week there will be no ALEKS topics, students should be working “Pet House” Linear Function project due Tuesday, 1/21. Project guidelines can be found on Google Classroom.
Carlberg- This week we will continue solving multi-step equations. Equations will involve distribute and have variables in both sides. We will discuss critical thinking skills and how to solve problems. Students will have a mini-quiz on solving one and two-step equations on Tuesday 1/14. The full quiz on multi-step equations will be Friday 1/17. Students must complete 5 ALEKS topics and 80% or better ALEKS assignment by Friday 1/17.

ELA: This week we are continuing our short story, “Flowers for Algernon”. There is a quiz on part one of the story on Wednesday, January 15th. We are also winding down our extended writing project - Summary of Informative Text. This summary is due on Friday, January 17th. Last week the studetns were introduced to Chapman University’s Holocaust Contest. Students have chosen a Holocaust survivor (we provided some options or they were given a resource to explore with their parents to find another choice). Over the next couple of weeks students will have some class time for this contest, but will need to work some at home as well. The deadline for the Chapman Contest is January 31st.

Social Studies: The students will continue to watch “A More Perfect Union” to learn about important government principles and concepts that were implemented into our Constitution. They will also continue to demonstrate their comprehension of the material by writing a rap about the Constitution, which will be due on Friday.

Spanish: We will continue to work on the family unit. Students will take a quiz this week. Students need to check google classroom for important information and updates.

Science: The students complete chart about oxidation number and they review how to draw chemical bonds. They will complete a questionnaire about covalent bonds and they will create a digital presentation including the main concepts in lesson 4-3. The students will study metallic bonds and they will begin to review the entire chapter.

Week of 1/6

8th-grade updates:

Happy New Year! Thank you for all the wonderful cards and generous Christmas gifts. The Jr. High team feels so blessed this holiday season to be a part of the OLQA family and teach your children. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday break with your families and we wish you many blessings in this new year!
During the month of January, we will be welcoming Miss Grace Edwards, a Connolly High School student who will join us as an intern teacher 1/7-1/28. Grace is interested in becoming a teacher and is looking forward to observing and helping in the Jr. High classrooms and learning all about the wonderful world of teaching. If you have any questions about this internship, please contact Mrs. Mang.
Reminder- 8th graders are not allowed to wear their class sweatshirts to Mass on Thursdays. It can be chilly during these winter mornings so we suggest they bring their navy, Vicki Marsha sweater to wear to and from Mass. Once we are back from Mass, they are allowed to put their sweatshirts back on.
STAR testing will take place this month. The 8th graders will be taking STAR reading on Tuesday, 1/14 (10:25-11:00) and STAR math on Tuesday, 1/21 (8:15-9:00 am)

Religion- Students will be working on some 2019 reflections and 2020 goals. There will not be a Gospel Reflections this week. We will begin learning Ch. 6: Temple of the Holy Spirit. We will focus on how God the Holy Spirit lives within each of us individuals and in the Church as a community. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, as is the Church. The Chapter 6 test will be Friday, 1/17. Also, during this chapter students will be looking closely at the Fruits of the Holy Spirit and completing an in-class project on each Fruit due Friday, 1/17.

Math

Mang- Unit 4 tests went home today. Test corrections are due Wednesday for a daily work grade. This week students will be continuing their study of linear functions. Students will review graphing linear functions in their various forms, learn to write an equation for the line that is parallel or perpendicular to a given line passing through a given point and applying their knowledge of linear functions to solve various word problems. There will be a quiz this Friday, 1/10 on these skills. This will be a short unit, focusing on a couple skills needed to move on to Unit 5. There will be a Unit 4- part 2 test next Thursday, 1/16. Simple Solutions lessons 25-28 are due Monday, 1/13 and the quiz will be Tuesday, 1/14. ALEKS this week is 5 topics and 80% or better due by Sunday night. Students will also be working on a Linear Function project entitled “Pet House”. This will be due Tuesday, 1/21 and is a summative project. Students will not have ALEKS next week to allow time to work on this project.
Carlberg- This week we will open Unit 5: Linear Equations. We will review how to combine like terms to simplify expressions. We will use the distributive property and begin to solve one and two-step equations. Students must complete 5 ALEKS topics and 80% or better ALEKS assignment by Friday 1/10.

ELA: We are starting the New Year by composing a Growth Mindset writing activity. This also lends to the themes of the students next piece of literature-Daniel Keyes’ “Flowers for Algernon”. In addition to the literary elements students will analyze symbolism and the theme of acceptance. Students have been assigned a January reading goal, please ensure that students are reading a minimum of 20 minutes every night.

Social Studies: The students have begun a new lesson about the Constitutional Convention. We will examine the weaknesses of the government under the Articles of Confederation. The students will be watching a movie about the Convention and learn about how the principles of government were created and implemented into our Constitution. They will finish off the lesson by creating a Constitution Rap/Poem.

Spanish: This week we will work on the past tense (preterite vs. imperfect) We will talk about family and family members and this will lead to our “family tree” project. We will also be covering grammar and practicing “word of the week”. Students will practice the word of the week which will be their password to come in to class every time we meet. Students will have a quiz the week of 1/13 on reading comprehension with vocabulary words they already know (nothing new).

Week of 12/16

8th-grade updates:

High School Recommendation- the teachers worked hard last week to complete all requested recommendations. Please log into your high school websites and see that all your requests have been fulfilled. If you have not yet requested your child’s recommendation, please do so ASAP through the desired high school’s website.
Toy donation drive extended: please bring an unwrapped toy for a child age range 2-10 to the homeroom (not the table out front). The last day for the toy drive will be Tuesday December 17th.
On Thursday the 8th graders will be performing a service project to benefit the families of Helping Hands. Students will be wrapping presents that have been donated for the families. We look forward to putting our faith in action and helping the Parish is this wonderful ministry.
Reminder Friday is a 12:10 dismissal with no extended day.
It would be a good idea to check grades on FACTS with your child before we go on break so as to tie up all loose ends.
With the winter weather please ensure that you student is wearing sweatshirts, sweaters, or any Vicky Marsha outwear to school.

Religion- This week students will be finishing their week of Advent journal reflections. Students will share their Random Acts of Kindness and complete the Advent work in their book.

Math

Mang-This week we are finishing part 1 of unit 4. The Unit 4 test will be on Thursday, December 19th. The test will be on all the material we cover up until that date. ALEKS this week is a Unit 4 review due Thursday in preparation for the test. Please have students log into FACTs and make up any missed work or assessments before we leave for break.
Carlberg- This week we will finish Unit 4. The Unit 4 test will be on Wednesday, December 18th. The test will cover student and homework handouts 1-6: identifying functions, comparing functions, linear vs. non-linear functions, writing equations from tables, graphs, ordered pairs and analyzing functions and graphs. Click HERE to be taken to our topics list and pacing guide. Students must complete the Unit 4 Test Review in ALEKS by Wednesday.

ELA:

Students have completed our A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens study. Their Character Inventory and Guided Notes (in their interactive notebook) will be due on Wednesday, December 18th.
Students are in the final stages of revising their personal narrative writing. This writing piece will be due on Thursday, December 19th.

Social Studies: This week the students will examine America as a new nation. We will study the Articles of Confederation and look at its strengths and weaknesses. The quiz for this lesson is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17th.

Science: The students will learn how do Ions form and how do ionic bonding leads to the formation of ionic compounds. They will list the variety of ionic compounds they use or consume daily. The students will complete the electron dot diagram for atoms before and after the electron is transferred. As a consequence of the electron transfer, they will understand that an atom that loses one of its electrons becomes a positively charged ion. The atom that gains the electron becomes a negatively charged ion. The students will create cartoons to represent two atoms talking before the electron transfer takes place.

Spanish: This week we will be working on christmas activities and short stories.

Week of 12/9

8th-grade updates:

TOMORROW- the 8th graders will be serving at the Christmas breakfast. We ask that students be in formal uniform and looking sharp! We will ask the students to not wear their sweatshirts while they are serving, therefore if they are going to be cold, please bring a navy school sweater. They will be given a santa hat with their name on it to wear while they serve. Students do not need a lunch this day. The room moms and school will be providing their lunch as a thank you for their help with the breakfast.
Please email Mrs. Mang if your child would like to read at the Christmas Program on Thursday, 12/12 at 7pm. All who would like to read are welcome. This is an OLQA tradition for 8th graders. I currently have the following students signed up:
- Daniel Hoskins, Athena Wardy, Ava Hunt, Kate Vanis, Isabella Montano, Katie Parker, Gabriella Britt, Cooper Reedy, Olivia Reedy, Alex Lallande, Kate Boyd, Kylie Hughes, Brooke O’Brien, Emily Rodosky, Jack Phelan & Emma Chaix.
High School Recommendation- the teachers are working this week to complete the requested recommendations. We know that the Mater Dei early admissions deadline is this Friday. Most of the high schools require an online form to be filled out. To request a recommendation, please log onto the high school website and fill in the desired teacher’s email address. The school will then send us the form to complete. In most cases the recommendation is an online form, not an actual letter. Many of you have emailed asking if we will complete one and we are always happy to do so but we need the online form from the high school.
Volunteer opportunity: The Stand Up For Kids Christmas Party is a long-standing and beloved tradition of GEN 1 Youth Ministry here at OLQA. If interested please reach out to Jen - (949) 219-1418 or jlautenbach@olqa.org
On Friday, December 13th, student council will host a spirit rally. Students are encouraged to wear a Christmas sweater with out of dress code compliant bottoms to be entered into a competition.
We are collecting unwrapped toys for children ages 2-10 who are in need this Christmas. Please send toys into homerooms by 12/16.

Religion- We will continue to discuss Advent this week. Students are finishing Ch. 5 this week. There will be a Ch. 5 test on Friday, 12/13. Gospel Reflection due Tuesday, 12/10. Please make sure your child is completing these weekly assignments. Also, students should be thinking about and completing their Random Act of Kindness.

Random Acts of Kindness project: During this busy holiday season, it is easy to get caught up with buying presents, parties and spending time with friends. It is important to remember that during this Advent season we are preparing our hearts and minds for Jesus’ coming. We know that one of the best ways to live our faith is to serve others and spread love and kindness. This Advent we would like our students to choose a Random Act of Kindness from the list provided tomorrow or create one of your own and do it. This project is due on Monday, December 16th.

Math

Mang- This week we will continue to learn about linear Functions and their graphs. We will learn about x- and y-intercepts, horizontal and vertical lines and point-slope form. Students will have a Simple Solutions lessons #21-25 quiz tomorrow, Tuesday, 12/10 and a 4-1 quiz Wednesday. Reminder I plan to have the Unit 4 test on Thursday, December 19th. The test will be on all the material we cover up until that date. I will be sure to give the students a study guide before the test and review problems on ALEKS. This week’s ALEKS is 5 topics and 80% or better due by Sunday night.
Carlberg- This week we will learn to write equations from tables, graphs and ordered pairs. We will discuss slope-intercept form. Students must complete Simple Solutions Lessons 21-24. These lessons are due in class by Thursday 12/12. Instructions on which problems to complete are on Google Classroom. There will be a Simple Solutions lessons 21-24 Quiz on Friday. The Unit 3 test will be Wednesday, 12/18, please plan for your student to be in attendance to take the test. ALEKS this week is 5 topics and 80% due FRIDAY! Please talk with your student about their participation and involvement in math. Your child should be doing math every night and coming to math help on Tuesday or Thursday mornings with specific questions. The material is becoming more complex and builds off previous skills. It is crucial that the students are continuing to review and retain information to succeed in math.

ELA: Students were introduced to our new novel, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. We will be reading the play version of this classic novel as we focus on the themes of change of heart, social inequality, and suffering. The students will have a test on the story on Tuesday, December 17th. We are also continuing our personal narrative writing. This writing piece will be due on Thursday, December 19th.

Science: The students will complete the electron dot diagrams for several atoms. They will learn how to use the periodic table to determine the valence electrons and the reactivity of different groups such as noble gases, metals, nonmetals, metalloids and hydrogen. They will learn how Ions form and they will write the formulas and names of Ionic compounds. They will complete the electron dot diagrams of atoms before and after the electron is transferred. They will learn the difference between mono-atomic ions and polyatomic ions.

Spanish: This week we will be working on christmas stories and we will talk about how Christmas is celebrated in the US and in Mexico. We will specifically talk about posadas.

Week of 12/2

8th-grade updates:

Please email Mrs. Mang if your child would like to read at the Christmas Program on Thursday, 12/12 at 7pm. All who would like to read are welcome. This is an OLQA tradition for 8th graders.
Friday, December 6th is St. Nicholas’ feast day. In celebration, students may wear school appropriate pajamas. Please follow the dress code for pajamas and footwear (no slippers or Uggs).
Volunteer opportunity: The Stand Up For Kids Christmas Party is a long-standing and beloved tradition of GEN 1 Youth Ministry here at OLQA. If interested please reach out to Jen - (949) 219-1418 or jlautenbach@olqa.org
On Friday, December 13th, student council will host a spirit rally. Students are encouraged to wear a Christmas sweater with out of dress code compliant bottoms to be entered into a competition.
We are collecting unwrapped toys for children ages 2-10 who are in need this Christmas. Please send toys into homerooms by 12/16.
See’s candy orders went home today. Thank you to all those who sold and bought candy in support of our 8th grade class. Also thank you to all the parents who helped organize and sort all the candy.
Today Coach B handed out the OLQA Socks to those who ordered them. Students may wear these socks to school except on Thursdays because of Mass.

Religion- Students will be learning about Advent this week and thinking about their Random Act of Kindness.

Today we discussed the season of Advent and what that looks like in our lives. Throughout the month students will be reflecting on a bible verse every morning in religion to help prepare their hearts in hopeful waiting for Jesus’ birth. Here’s an Advent video that was shown today to the class.
Random Acts of Kindness project: During this busy holiday season, it is easy to get caught up with buying presents, parties and spending time with friends. It is important to remember that during this Advent season we are preparing our hearts and minds for Jesus’ coming. We know that one of the best ways to live our faith is to serve others and spread love and kindness. This Advent we would like our students to choose a Random Act of Kindness from the list provided tomorrow or create one of your own and do it. This project is due on Monday, December 16th.

Math

Mang- This week we will begin Unit #4- Linear Functions. We will be looking to complete this unit before Christmas break and the Unit 4 test will be Thursday 12/19. This week we will learn about slope, slope-intercept form, standard form and learning how to graph a linear function in slope-intercept form. 4-1 quiz will be Friday, 12/ 6. We will work on Simple Solutions lessons #21-25 which are due Monday 12/9 with a quiz on Tuesday 12/10. ALEKS- 5 topics and 80% or better due by Sunday night. Students should be working on their ALEKS during the week and not waiting until the weekend. Students should have math homework every night whether it be practice problems, ALEKS, simple solutions or review. This is a fast pace class. Students need to be reviewing and completing practice problems each week.
Carlberg- This week we will begin Unit #4 - Functions. We will identify functions, compare functions, and discuss linear vs. non-linear functions. We will work on Simple Solutions lessons #21-24 this week. New for Trimester 2, all ALEKS assignments will be due on FRIDAY. ALEKS - 5 topics and 80% or better due by FRIDAY night.

ELA: Students were introduced to our new novel, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. We will be reading the play version of this classic novel as we focus on the themes of change of heart, social inequality, and suffering. We are also continuing our personal narrative writing. This writing piece will be due on Thursday, December 19th.

Social Studies: The students have been examining the American Revolution. We will explore the battles, the significant people, and their effect on the outcome of the war. They will also look at the political principles that were included in the Declaration of Independence.

Science: This week the students will study radioactive decay. They will begin chapter four about chemical bonding. They will learn how chemical bonding determine the properties of a substance. They will create a graphing organizer including the main concepts included in lesson-1, they will identify valence electrons and how they affect the stability of the chemical elements and they will complete electron dot diagrams.

Spanish: This week we will be focusing on commands (affirmatives and negatives) as well as some grammar and conjugations.

Week of 11/18

8th-grade updates:

Trimester 1 Final schedule- 8th grade

Tuesday, 11/19- Religion
Wednesday, 11/20- ELA (Study guide posted in Google Classroom), Math (Carlberg), Spanish (Mang)
Thursday, 11/21- Social Studies, Math (Mang), Spanish (Carlberg)
Friday, 11/22- Science

Religion- Students will be preparing for their T1 final on Tuesday, 11/19. Students are allowed one page (front and back) of handwritten notes that can be used on the final. A study guide is posted on Google classroom.

Math

Mang- This week we will finish our study of relations and functions. We will learn about zeros of graphs and arithmetic sequences. Students will have a 3-2 quiz Tuesday, 11/19 and their Unit 3 test (T1 final) Thursday, 11/21. ALEKS this week is the Unit 3/final review due Thursday 11/21.
Carlberg- This week we will finish out study of linear relationships. We will review how to find slope from two points, a graph, and a table. We will also review real life situations involving linear relationships by determining the equation of the graphed line. Students will have their Unit 3 Test (T1 Final) on Wednesday 11/20. Aleks this week is the Unit 3 Final Review due Wednesday 11/20.

ELA: This Wednesday November 20th the students will take their ELA final. The study guide for the final has been posted in their google classroom and they are allowed to use their Nothing But The Truth book. Students have been annotating as we’ve been reading and will put those skills to use as they analyze the book on the final. Students are continuing to write their personal narrative. They will be writing their first draft as this week goes on.

Social Studies: The students have begun reviewing for their 1st Trimester Final. There will be a short multiple choice and matching section, along with an essay response question. The following are the topics/concepts they should pay close attention to:

Enlightenment thinkers - Locke, Hobbes, Montesquieu
Mercantilism - creation of wealth and formation of colonies
French Indian War - causes and effects on the colonies

Science: This week the students will continue learning the periodic table and they will create a booklet about the periodic table. They will begin lesson-3 and they will learn the physical and chemical properties of metals, transition metals, nonmetals and metalloids. The students will design experiments to test some of the properties of metals. They will keep reviewing the topics included in the final first trimester test.

Spanish: This week we will continue reading our novel Pobre Ana. Students will have a final and they will be tested on chapter 1. All students had the opportunity to take a copy of the novel home.

Music: Listening Journals are due this Tuesday, November 19! We will listen to our final selection on Tuesday so students may complete their writing before turning in their journals. Students will continue to explore percussion arranging using Beat Sequencer in Garage Band.

Week of 11/11

8th-grade updates:

First trimester finals week: A cumulative test will be given for each core class during the week of November 18th. The core classes include: Religion, ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish. Students will be told about each test in each of their classes.
Please start sending in non-perishable food items for our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. The last day to bring items is on Monday, November 18th.

Religion- This week the students will finish Ch. 4 “The Trinity Made Known” where students will relate to the three Divine Persons of the Trinity in different ways. We are children of God the Father, brothers and sisters of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit. Chapter 4 organizer, notes and book work due Tuesday. Ch. 4 test is Tuesday, November 12th. No Gospel reflection this week.

Math

Mang- This week we will continue to work on Unit #3 Relations and Functions. This week students will learn about function notation and evaluating functions. There will be a Simple Solutions 17-20 quiz on Tuesday 11/12. ALEKS this week is 5 topics and 80% or better due by Sunday. Please complete early in the week. Assessments coming up: 3-2 quiz Tuesday, 11/19 and Unit #3 test (T1 final) Thursday, 11/21
Carlberg- This week we will continue to discuss Linear Relationships. We are determining whether relationships are proportional or not proportional using graphs and tables. We will introduce how to write an equation in the form of y = mx +b. There will be a Simple Solutions 13-16 quiz on Wednesday 11/13. We will also have a linear relationships quiz on Thursday 11/14 or Friday 11/15. (Quiz will cover slope, and whether a relationship is proportional or not proportional). ALEKS This week is 5 topics and 80% or better due by Sunday. Please complete early in the week.

ELA: We are continuing to read Nothing But The Truth and will finish the novel before their final. Students are encouraged to re-read daily and to expand their annotations. This novel with their annotations will serve as part of their study guide and the students will be able to use the novel during their final. Last week we started talking about the student’s personal narrative. Students should have submitted their topics and will begin drafting this week in conjunction with the new Writing By Design program.

Social Studies: The students will be finishing up Chapter 2-3 this week, which was about the beginning of the Revolution. The Study Guides will be uploaded tomorrow on Google classroom. They will have a QUIZ on Friday, 11/15.

Science: This week the students will compare the subatomic particles masses. They will calculate the number of neutrons and mass number. They will understand the meaning of the atomic number and they will finish the tri-dimensional model of atoms. Finally, they will study lesson 3-2 about the periodic table of elements and Mendeleev’s work. They will understand the organization of the chemical elements and the use of the periodic table.

Spanish: This week we will continue to work on our novel Pobre Ana. We have already finished reading chapter 1. We will be having in class activities that will prepare the students for their assessment which will be on the novel. We will also finish any remaining ofrenda presentations.

Week of 11/4

8th-grade updates:

No school for the students this Friday, 11/8.
First trimester finals week: A cumulative test will be given for each core class during the week of November 18th. The core classes include: Religion, ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish.

Religion- This week the students will begin Ch. 4 “The Trinity Made Known” where students will relate to the three Divine Persons of the Trinity in different ways. We are children of God the Father, brothers and sisters of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit. We will be working on our chapter organizer, notes and book work. Ch. 4 test will be next Tuesday, November 12th.

Math

Mang- This week we will begin Unit #3 Relations and Functions. This week students will learn about relations, which relations are functions, the domain and range of functions, the difference between continuous and discrete functions. Tentative 3-1 quiz this Thursday, 11/7. Students will also be working on Simple Solutions lessons 21-24. These lessons are due by Monday, 11/11 with Simple Solutions 17-20 quiz on Tuesday 11/12. ALEKS this week is 5 topics and 80% or better due by Sunday. Please complete early in the week.
Carlberg- This week we will continue our study of linear relationships. We will continue to identify slope using the slope formula. We will discuss slope and similar triangles and determine if relationships are proportional. Tentative Slope Quiz this Thursday, 11/7. We will be working in Simple Solutions lessons 13-16 this week. These lessons are due by Monday, 11/11 with a Simple Solutions Quiz 13-16 sometime next week (tbd). ALEKS This week is 5 topics and 80% or better due by Sunday. Please complete early in the week.

ELA:

We are more than half way through our class novel, Nothing But The Truth. Students have been able to apply their lessons on characterization as we read. The final assessment for this novel will be during finals week.
Students began their Personal Narrative long-term writing project today. We are in the beginning phase of brainstorming ideas that will help write a dynamic essay. The rubric, assignment details, and lessons can be found on google classroom to reference as students write.

Social Studies: The 13 colonies project is due today and must be turned in to google classroom by 8pm tonight. The students started preparing for the next lesson, which will take a look at the growing tension between the colonists and the British government. We will take a look at some of the policies the British imposed upon the colonies and the reactions by the colonists. Students will also examine the first Continental Congress and reasons why the Revolutionary war broke out.

Science: The students will begin Chapter-3 about how the atomic theory developed and they will create a time- line of the main events ending with the modern model of the atom. They will study about atomic particles, atomic number, isotopes and mass number. They will learn the importance of the Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev in the study of the organization of the chemical elements in the periodic table.

Spanish: Students will continue to work on their ofrendas. Students will present their ofrendas this week.

Music: This week, AMT music students will continue with bucket drumming! Last week, the students learned a specific rhythmic pattern and working in groups, arranged the pattern for bucket drums. This week we will connect the pattern they learned with a visual representation and they will augment and extend the pattern.

Week of 10/28

8th-grade updates:

Tuesday, 10/29- we will be attending Mass on Tuesday this week instead of Thursday. Please make sure your child is dressed in Mass attire. No sweatshirts can be worn to Mass. If it is cold we suggest bringing a sweater.
Wednesday, 10/30 is the Jr. High dance. 8th grade is in charge of the fall dance. Please click HERE to sign up to bring an item for the luncheon on the 30th. Thank you in advance!
Conferences are on Thursday, 10/31 (half-day) and Friday, 11/1(All-day). Reminder conferences are student led so please be sure to make plans for your 8th grader to attend. We would like all students to conference. Please contact your homeroom teacher if you are unable to attend. Click HERE to sign up. Please contact your homeroom teacher if you have any questions.
No school for the students on Friday, 11/1. Remember it is a Catholic Holy Day of obligation.

Religion- This week the students will be preparing for conferences by writing a prayer and reflecting on their year in all their courses. We know they are looking forward to sharing everything with you this week at conferences.

Math

Mang- We have finished Unit 2- Equations and Inequalities. Students completed a study guide over the weekend and need to complete the Unit 2 review on ALEKS by Tuesday. They are able to take this review as many times as needed which makes for great practice for the test. The Unit 2 test will be on Tuesday, 10/29. Students will not have ALEKS this week other than the Unit 2 review due on Tuesday.
Carlberg- We have started a unit regarding linear relationships. We are continuing our discussion of slope and rate of change using the slope formula. The students loved the slope dude video! For homework, students need to complete an ALEKS assignment due Wednesday. Students need to earn an 80% or better to receive credit.

ELA:

Students are continuing developing and creating their D.A.R. extended writing project. Numerous historical and factual resources can be found on their Google Classroom for ELA. This creative writing project will be due on Wednesday, October 30th.
Students have three current projects with our class novel Nothing but the Truth. Students have all directions, work, and due dates posted in Google Classroom.

Social Studies:

This week the students are working on a research project that will compare the regions of the original 13 colonies. They will look at the region’s characteristics such as geography, climate, industry, economy, community, education , and religion. These projects will be due on MONDAY, 11/4.

Science:

The students will conduct experiments about the effect of volume, pressure and temperature on gas behavior. They have chapter-2 test on Tuesday. And we will begin chapter-3 about how the atomic theory developed and they will create a time- line of the main events ending with the modern model of the atom. They will study about atomic particles, atomic number, isotopes and mass number. They will learn the importance of the Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev in the study of the organization of the chemical elements in the periodic table.

Spanish: This week we will start talking about culture and traditions in Mexico. We will start talking about Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead celebrations begin October 31st and end November 2nd . Mexicans view this day not as a day of sadness but as a day of celebration because their loved ones awake and celebrate with them. Students will complete a project where they will create an ofrenda. Students will need a shoe box to create it. Parents, I want to ask for your help, please help your child obtain a shoe box and materials to complete this project. I will post instructions and a rubric for this project in google classroom. Students will present their ofrenda to the class in Spanish. Please email me with any questions. I have posted a rubric as well as detailed instructions in google classroom.

Music: This week, students will continue with bucket drumming! We will continue to work on improvisation within a specified structure as well as accurately echoing using rhythm and timbre.

Week of 10/21

8th-grade updates:

Conferences are on Thursday, 10/31 (half-day) and Friday, 11/1(All-day). Reminder conferences are student led so please be sure to make plans for your 8th grader to attend. Click HERE to sign up. Please contact your homeroom teacher if you have any questions.
Next Wednesday, 10/30 is the Jr. High dance. 8th grade is in charge of the fall dance. Please click HERE to sign up to bring an item for the luncheon on the 30th. Thank you in advance!

Religion- Gospel Reflection 10/20 due Tuesday on Google Classroom. Students have finished Unit 1”Revelation” where they focused on the question, “How do we learn to be holy though the example of God, Jesus and the Church?” Students will be completing a project this week that will help them reflect on their faith and relationship with God. This assignment will be due Monday, 10/28.

In an effort to be more of an active participant and vocal presence in Mass we have been working on the appropriate Mass responses. If possible, please review these with your student over the next few weeks. Students do have access to the correct responses via their Google Classroom.

Math

Mang- Last week the students did a great job learning how to solve difficult algebraic word problems. This week we will focus on solving multi-step, compound and absolute value inequalities. Assessments this week 2-3 (inequalities) Quiz Thursday 10/24. HW quiz Friday. The Unit 2 test will be next Tuesday, 10/29. Students need to complete 5 topics and an 80% or better assignment in ALEKS this week due by Sunday.
Carlberg- We will be finishing our study of Unit 2 this week - exponents and scientific notation. Students will receive a study guide today in class. We will go through each problem together. The Aleks assignment for this week is due Wednesday morning. It will serve as a practice test and students may take it as many times as they would like (80% or better). Students should complete the problems on Monday and Tuesday nights to help study for our unit test. Students are expected to complete 5 Aleks topics by Sunday. Assessments for this week include Unit 2 Test on Wednesday, 10/23. Homework Quiz on Friday 10/25.

ELA:

This week the students will continue their study of the class novel, Nothing but The Truth. Students will be assigned two independent projects in regards to characterization and theme of the novel.
Tuesday October 22nd the students have a quiz on Quotations and Dialogue grammar rules.
Students are continuing developing and creating their D.A.R. extended writing project. Numerous historical and factual resources can be found on their Google Classroom for ELA. This creative writing project will be due on Wednesday, October 30th.

Social Studies:

The students will be taking a QUIZ on Tuesday, 10/22 about the formation of the original 13 colonies. We will then move on to the next lesson, which will focus on the differences in the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies. They will describe how the geography in these regions affected the development of different industries in the colonies.

Science: This week the students will finish lesson 2-3 about gar behavior, they will learn how are pressure and temperature of a gas related, how are volume and temperature of a gas related and how are pressure and volume of a gas related. They will graph Charles’s Law and Boyle’s Law. On Tuesday they have a quiz about lessons 2-1 and 2-2. They will design experiments to test the gas laws.

Music: This week, students will begin their 8 measure chord progression project. Using Garage Band, they will create their own chord progression and play it (via GB) so if fits with a complementary beat of their choosing. This Friday, we will listen to selection 9 from their listening syllabus. Their listening journal is a trimester long project and will be due on Tuesday, November 19.

Week of 10/14

8th-grade updates:

This Friday, 10/18 is picture makeup/retake day
Conferences are on Thursday, 10/31 (half-day) and Friday, 11/1(All-day). Reminder conferences are student led so please be sure to make plans for your 8th grader to attend. Click HERE to sign up. Please contact your homeroom teacher if you have any questions.
Headphones: please ensure that your student has headphones that can plug into their iPads (no wireless models please). Students need to have their headphones for all classes.

Religion- Gospel Reflection 10/6 due Tuesday on Google Classroom. Please take the opportunity to talk with your child about the weekly Sunday Gospel. Ch. 3 “The Church is Holy” test will be this Friday, 10/18

Math

Mang- This week we are working on solving algebraic word problems using equations as well as solving multi-step and compound inequalities. Students will have a 2-2 Quiz on Wednesday 10/16 which will cover absolute value equations, literal equations and word problems. There will also be a homework kids on Friday 10/18 . Students need to complete 5 topics and an 80% or better assignment in ALEKS this week due by Sunday.
Carlberg- This week we will learn more about Scientific Notation. We will continue to add and subtract numbers with different exponents in scientific notation. We will learn to multiply and divide with scientific notation. We will begin our study guide for Unit 2 later in the week. Students are expected to complete 5 Aleks topics and an 80% or better assignment due Sunday. Assessments for this week include Simple Solutions Quiz 9-12 on Thursday 10/17 and Homework Quiz on Friday 10/18.

ELA:

In class we are continuing to read Nothing But The Truth. As we read we are focusing on developing the following skills: characterization, plot, and annotation. This week students will begin the early stages of writing their personal narrative.
Students are continuing developing and creating their D.A.R. extended writing project. Numerous historical and factual resources can be found on their Google Classroom for ELA. This creative writing project will be due on Wednesday October 30th.

Social Studies: The students will be looking at the development of the American colonies. They will examine the geography of each group of colonies and describe the hardships colonists went through settling in the new world.

Spanish: This week we will be working on vocabulary that will prepare students for their first Spanish novel Pobre Ana.

Music: This week, 8th grade students who have music for AMT this trimester will be working on a new project. Students need to bring a pair of headphones that can plug into their iPads to class. Using the garage band app, they will be creating their own 8 bar chord progression. This Friday, we will listen to selection number eight on their listening syllabus. Their listening journal is a trimester long project and will be due on Tuesday, November 19.

Week of 10/7

8th-grade updates:

Tuesday October 8th-All 8th graders will be screened for vision and hearing. Boys in 8th will be screened for Scoliosis.
Headphones: please ensure that your student has headphones that can plug into their iPads (no wireless models please). Students need to have their headphones for all classes.

Religion- Gospel Reflection 10/6 due Tuesday on Google Classroom. Please take the opportunity to talk with your child about the weekly Sunday Gospel. Use this link to access the weekly readings. Also this link is a good resource to help understand the background and readings. Students took the Ch. 2 test today. We will begin Ch. 3 “The Church is Holy” and focus on how the Church is a sign of holiness of God.

Math

Mang- Students took the unit 2-1 quiz today on multi-step equations and algebraic proportions. This week students will learn how to solve absolute value equations (ask them to show you their cheer!), literal equations where they solve for a different variable and finally apply their equation skills with word problem practice. Simple Solutions 13-16 quiz Thursday, 10/10. Students need to complete 5 topics and an 80% or better assignment in ALEKS this week.
Carlberg- We have been exploring the powers of exponents. Students will take a quiz on Tuesday, 10/8. Quiz will cover the properties of exponents, negative exponents, square roots and cube roots. Later in the week we will estimate quantities and begin to explore Scientific Notation. There will be a Simple Solutions quiz on Friday, 10/111 (Lessons 9-12). Students are expected to complete 5 Aleks topics and an 80% or better assignment due Sunday.

ELA:

We are still continuing our work on the D.A.R writing assignment. Students have access to numerous videos, resources, and sites via their google classroom to assist in their creative writing. This is an extended creative writing project that all students participate in, which is due Wednesday October 30th.
We started our first class novel Nothing But the Truth byAvi today. We encourage the students to reread and continue to develop their annotation skills.
Tomorrow (10/8) students will have a test on Characterization and Types of Conflict.

Social Studies: At the beginning of this week the students will review all the key concepts and topics from Chapter 1 to prepare for the Chapter test, which is scheduled for Wednesday, 10/9. We will then continue to the next chapter to learn about the settlement in the American colonies. Students will examine how the geography of the colonies affected the development of different industries in the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies.

Spanish: This week students will be working on short stories and answering questions about them.

Music: Students will be completing their 12 Bar Blues form chord progression assignments this week. Students will also continue to add to their cumulative listening journal as we listen to the 7th selection on their list this Friday. Their listening journal will be due on Tuesday, November 19.

Week of 9/30

8th-grade updates:

Rosary High School will be presenting to the girls on Tuesday, 10/1
Tomorrow we will be giving the students their FACTS username and passwords so that they can log on and see their grades.
Reminder to please be checking your student's planner each week and sign each week

Religion- Gospel Reflection 9/22 due Tuesday on Google Classroom. We will continue to work on Ch. 2 “Revelation and Faith”. In this chapter students will be focusing on the concept that God reveals his love to us, and we are free to respond in faith by what we say and do. Students need to complete the Ch. 2 graphic organizer and then write notes on the back. These notes can be used for the test. All Ch. 2 work is due this Friday 10/4. Ch. 2 test Friday

Math

Mang- This week we begin Unit 2- Solving Multi-step equations and inequalities. We will focus on some solving multi-step equation this week working on equations with variables on both sides and equations with no solution or infinitely many solutions. We will also learn to solve algebraic proportions. There will be a 2-1 quiz on Friday 10/4. Simple Solutions 9-12 quiz Wednesday, 10/3. Students need to complete 5 topics and an 80% or better assignment in ALEKS this week.
Carlberg- This week we will open Unit 2: Exponents and Scientific Notation. We will begin by exploring exponent rules and properties. Assessments this week include Simple Solutions Quiz (Lessons 5-8) tomorrow, Tuesday 10/1 and Homework Quiz on Friday 10/4. Students are expected to complete 5 Aleks topics and an 80% or better assignment due Sunday.

ELA: Students will be given a copy of the class novel “Nothing But the Truth” by Avi. This novel/book is theirs to annotate and make notes while reading in and out of class. We are adamant at not only instilling this much needed skill through practice but encourage students to re-read and continue to annotate at home as well. The Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R) writing contest has been announced and discussed with the students. Students have access to all information via their google classroom. This is an extended creative writing project that all students participate in, which is due Wednesday October 30th.

Social Studies: This week we are continuing to look at the Age of Reason/Enlightenment. The students will explore ideas in religion and philosophy and how they influenced government. The Chapter 1-3 SG (Study Guide) was up;oaded to google classroom today and will be due the day of the QUIZ, Friday 10/4.

Science: The students finished lab report about how to increase the density of water. They begun to conduct experimental activities to understand chemical and physical changes in matter. The students will count atoms in chemical equations representing chemical change to understand the law of conservation of mass. They will have a TEST on Friday October 4.

Spanish: This week we will be working on vocabulary words and using them in short stories. Students have been working on speaking and writing in complete sentences and we will continue to work on that this week.

Music: This week, we are applying the 12 bar blues form and standard blues chord progression. Students are working on a project in GarageBand which incorporates blues form and also challenges their creativity as they choose/create a percussion/drum accompaniment complementary to the blues progression. This project is due this Friday, October 4.

Week of 9/23

8th-grade updates:

High school visit this week: Mater Dei: Monday, 9/23, Servite and Connelly: Tuesday, 9/24, Santa Margarita: Friday, 9/27
Picture day this Wednesday, 9/25. NO PE CLOTHES- Wear regular uniform and be picture ready! Make sure to order photos. An order form was sent home or you can order online. Click HERE to order photos online through Lifetouch. Our Picture Day ID is: RO139043Y0
We would like to remind you to register on the LEAD USA site linked below. Many of the reservations that are made by the travel company are time sensitive and are tied into the price of our trip. We ask that you please register before Friday, 9/27.
- https://www.leaddiscoveryusa.com
- To register:
  - Follow the link and click on the ENROLL tab.
  - FIll out pertinent information
  - Group Code - OLQA

Religion- Gospel Reflection 9/22 due Tuesday on Google Classroom. We will begin Ch. 2 “Revelation and Faith”. In this chapter students will be focusing on the concept that God reveals his love to us, and we are free to respond in faith by what we say and do.

Math

Mang-Unit 1- Algebra Basics. This week we will be finishing Unit 1 with solving one and two step equations and inequalities. We will review for the Unit 1 test that will be on Thursday, 9/26. Assessments for this week are Simple Solutions 5-8 quiz and Unit 1-3 Quiz, Tuesday 9/24 and Homework quiz Friday. Students are expected to complete a unit review on ALEKS due Thursday and 5 topics by Sunday evening. Please encourage them to complete these earlier in the week and not leave it to the weekend.
Carlberg- Unit 1 - The Real Number System. This week we wrap up our discussion of the real number system and its classification. Students will be given a study guide. We will discuss the study guide together and parts will also be homework. Assessments for this week include Unit 1 Test on Wednesday 9/25, Simple Solutions 5-8 quiz on Thursday 9/26 and Homework quiz Friday 9/27. Students are expected to complete weekly ALEKS work. This week they are expected to complete 5 topics and an 80% or better assignment by Sunday evening. Please encourage them to complete these earlier in the week and not leave it to the weekend.

ELA: This week we are wrapping up “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury. Our focus has been figurative language, theme, and annotating the text. “There Will Come Soft Rains” quiz is on Wednesday 9/25. In class students have been putting together a figurative language project using the Clips app. The figurative language project is due on Wednesday 9/25. Lastly, students will finish their one pager visual thinking project. “There Will Come Soft Rains” one pager is due Friday 9/27.

Social Studies: We will be taking the Chapter 1-2 QUIZ tomorrow. Students will begin the next lesson on Wednesday, which will focus on the Enlightenment. They will explore Greece and Rome’s influence on political thought and discuss the ideas of important Enlightenment thinkers.

Science: The students finished lab work about how to separate the components of mixtures and today they reported and self-evaluated their lab reports. They will keep learning about physical and chemical properties of matter as well as physical and chemical changes. The students will participate in labs to measure density of solids and liquids and they will use lab equipment to design an apparatus to observe phase changes of matter and changes in energy.

Spanish:We will be working on vocabulary words this week. Students will learn to use hay (there is/there are) in context to communicate real information. Students will have a quiz this week, which will cover the material we have reviewed so far. They will receive a study guide from me.

Week of 9/16

8th-grade updates:

Please send in sweatshirt forms, Diploma name forms, and extra-curricular activities forms if you haven’t already
Please, no logo socks, folding down to cover the logo is not a solution. We ask that you purchase plain white socks for school. Good places to check are Amazon, Target & Costco.
HSPT after school enrichment class has begun. It is every Thursday at 2:50-3:50. If you would like to sign up, please contact the office before this Thursday’s class.
Reminder late start on Wednesday- Jr. High courtyard and gate opens at 8:35 am. If students arrive earlier, please go to the Library.

Religion- Gospel Reflection 9/15 due Tuesday on Google Classroom. We will finish studying Ch. 1- “In God’s Image” this week. Ch. 1 Test- Friday, 9/20. Students are allowed to use their ch. Overview worksheet with notes on the back for their test. Students can use this website for interactive reviews to study each chapter: https://aliveinchrist.osv.com/family/interactive_reviews

Math

Mang-Unit 1- Algebra Basics. This week we are studying Matrices, simplifying expressions, translating expressions, equations and inequalities and solving two-step equations. Assessments for this week are Simple Solutions 1-4 quiz Tuesday 9/17, Unit 1-2 Quiz Wednesday 9/18 and Homework quiz Friday. Students are expected to complete weekly ALEKS work. This week they are expected to complete 5 topics and an 80% or better assignment by Sunday evening. Please encourage them to complete these earlier in the week and not leave it to the weekend.
Carlberg- Unit 1 - The Real Number System. This week we are studying squares and square roots (estimating), fractions and decimals, and how they contribute to the real number system. We will finish the week with classifying rational vs irrational numbers. Assessments for this week are Unit 1 Quiz on Wednesday 9/18 (tentative**), Simple Solutions 1-4 quiz Thursday 9/19 and Homework quiz Friday. Students are expected to complete weekly ALEKS work. This week they are expected to complete 10 topics and an 80% or better assignment by Sunday evening. Please encourage them to complete these earlier in the week and not leave it to the weekend.

ELA: This week we are continuing our Writing by Design Six Traits lessons: organization, voice, and word choice. The students will also continue with practicing their annotation skills with the text “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury. We will touch base on the concept of figurative language in literature and the students will start a visual thinking project that will incorporate their current text, figurative language, and writing.

Social Studies - We will be looking at different economic systems that were developing in the world after the Age of Discovery. Today we discussed capitalism, mercantilism, and joint-stock companies. We will also explore the benefits and drawbacks Columbian Exchange. The Chapter 1-2 quiz will be next Tuesday, 9/24.

Spanish: Students are writing and presenting about themselves this week. They are also using the preterite and imperfect in context.

Music: Please bring your iPads (and headphones or earbuds if you have them) to music on Thursday and Friday.

Week of 9/9

8th-grade updates:

Students were fitted for their class sweatshirt today. They are bringing an order form home today for you to confirm your desired quantity. Please send these forms back in by Friday so we can order the sweatshirts. You will be charged in FACTs based on your requested number. Everyone will be charged for one.
Reminder late start on Wednesday- Jr. High courtyard and gate opens at 8:35 am. If students arrive earlier, please go to the Library.
Please send in the yellow (diploma name) and blue (extra curricular activities) forms from back-to-school night. If you were not at back-to-school night please let your child's homeroom teacher know and we will send home the information.

Religion- Gospel Reflection 9/8 due Tuesday on Google Classroom. We will be beginning Ch. 1- “In God’s Image”. Focusing on how God made humans in his image and likeness so we could be in a relationship with him. With a soul, reason, and free will, humans can set their priority and direction in life toward friendship with God. Jesus is the model for living out this relationship. Ch. 1 Test- Friday, 9/20. Students can use this website for interactive reviews to study each chapter: https://aliveinchrist.osv.com/family/interactive_reviews

Math

Mang-This week we are working on Unit 1- Algebra Basics. This week we are studying The Real Number system, Algebraic properties, multi-step order of operations, and evaluating expressions. Many of these topics are review with an increased level of difficulty. Homework quiz Friday. This week the students will take their initial knowledge check in ALEKS and be expected to complete 5 topics and an 80% or better assignment by Sunday night. Please make sure students have a binder with 3 dividers and a composition book for math.
Carlberg- This week we are opening Unit 1 - Real Numbers and Exponents. Students will identify rational and irrational numbers. We will review how to convert repeating decimals into rational numbers and fractions to decimals (repeating and terminating). This week the students will take their initial knowledge check in ALEKS and be expected to complete 5 topics and an 80% or better assignment by Sunday night. Please make sure students have a binder with 3 dividers for math.

Social Studies - We have finished up the first lesson last week about the Age of Exploration. Students should be working on completing their Study Guides for Chapter 1-1 (SG 1-1). Study guides will be due on Wednesday, 9/11. The QUIZ for 1-1 is on Wednesday 9/11. We will begin the next lesson on Thursday. It will focus on the rise of capitalism and the formation of colonies.

Science: the students are learning chemical and physical properties of matter and matter classification. As a group, the students are selecting and designing methods to separate experimentally the components in a mixture. They will have a quiz about lessons 1-1 and 1-2 on 9/13

Spanish: This week we are working on vocabulary, greetings, and commands. Students will work on the “te presento a” activity. We will practice speaking and writing in Spanish. Last week we covered chico/chica, muchacho/muchacha (boy and girl).

ELA: Tomorrow in ELA we're going to have a discussion and prayer service in memory of 9/11. In preparation, can you share your experience of where you were on the morning of 9/11 tonight with your student. We'll be showing a clip called "The Ground Zero Cross" to the students. This clip is an amazing display of how God is always with us - even through the hard times. The prayer service will culminate with students writing and sharing prayers for the victims and their families. We thank you for your support and hope this conversation will have a significant impact on their faith. Video link: https://www.history.com/news/september-11-attacks-videos Scroll down to find The Ground Zero Cross