week of December 15

The 8th grade has much to do before we begin the holiday break. In language arts on Monday we will finishing our last day of the 1960 debates. There is a science test as well as a math quiz on Wednesday. In reading on Friday we will be taking a quiz on chapters 1 -5 of The Outsiders. There is also quizzes in the encore classes. See the district website for the weekly test schedule.

The 8th graders have been learning how to ballroom dance is PE. They will be showing off their fancy footwork on Friday during the afternoon dance. Please make sure your child is nicely dress and the ladies are wearing comfortable shoes.

Have a nice weekend!!!

the week of November 24

This week is a short week due to Thanksgiving break. In language arts we will be continuing the 1960s unit. Students have watched documentaries and have learned much about the economy, politics and lifestyle of the 1960s. Next week we will be covering the year of 1968. A quiz on the information is on Thursday, December 4. After the quiz they students will start to prepare for the debates, which covers topics pertinent to the decade.

The Horse Derby is next Tuesday!!! The horses should be arriving soon and I'm sure all the participating teachers will be practicing to bring their team to victory! GO GREEN !!!!

week of November 17

We are beginning new things in language arts and reading this week! We will be wrapping up the Mythology unit and taking the test on Tuesday. On Wednesday, we will begin to read the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Through out the years this novel has been a favorite of the 8th grade class. In language arts we will be beginning the 1960s unit. We will be watching documentaries and having discussions about the politcal and historic events that took place during that time period. The unit will end with the students taking part in an actual debate that they will prepare for during language arts and social studies class.

The 8th grade bowling trip is on Friday, November 21!

Happy Halloween

week of October 27

In Language Arts the 8th grade students will continue to work on the Character Sketch. We have taken class time all week to work on the introductions, thesis statements, body paragraphs and transitional sentences. Monday we will be working on the conclusion and it will be our final day of using class time to complete the essay. Final drafts are due on Thursday, Oct. 30.

In reading class will be finishing reading Monster. The final review will be on Thursday and the test will be on Friday.

Please remember that Parent Teacher conferences are on Thursday evening from 4:30 to 8:30. Have a happy Halloween!

week of October 20

On Monday, all students will attend an assembly in celebration of Red Ribbon Week. The assembly will focus on the topics prevalent to teenagers such as dangers of alcohol consumption, drug use and bullying. The students will view a documentary of real life stories told by teenagers whose lives have been affected by these issues.




In language arts class, the 8th grade students will begin writing a character sketch. All students will learn the focus of a character sketch, the format, how to write a thesis statement and transitional sentences. Instruction is a "step by step" process that covers a different aspect of the essay each day. In reading class we will continue reading Monster.

the week of October 13

Now that we have wrapped up nouns and verbs in language arts class will be focusing on prepositions and prepositional phrases. There will be a quiz on Thursday. In reading we will be continuing to read Monster aloud in class.

In math, we will be beginning one step equations, then moving onto two step equations. there are no tests and quizzes scheduled this week. Many students have expressed that they don't know how to study for a math test. It's simple......do extra problems! Following is a list of where you can find extra problems to do:

• the odds from each section
• textbook beginning on page 802
• take the online quiz (www.classzone.com)
• take the online test (www.classzone.com)
• fix errors on quizzes taken throughout the chapter

Week of October 6

Explore Test
All 8th graders will be taking the Explore Test on Tuesday, October 7. The test will be taken during first through forth periods. The purpose of the Explore test is to help determine the appropriate classes your child will take next year at Downers South. This is an important test! Please make sure your child gets a good night sleep and eats a healthy breakfast!

In Language Arts the students will be continuing working on verbs and will have a quiz on Friday. They will also be receiving their edited rough drafts of their narrative essay on Wednesday. On that day, we will review the rubric and expectations for the final draft that will be due on Friday.

Last week in reading class we began the novel Monster and will continue this week. This novel is about a 16 year old boy who is on trial for felony murder. The novel, written in play form, takes the reader through the events of trial and inner thoughts of the main character as his he awaits his verdict.

Week of September 27

In Language Arts the 8th graders will begin writing a narrative essay. Throughout the week, we will be taking them through the steps of writing an essay in the proper format. Students are allowed to pick their own characters and plot for their essay. We will begin on Monday, when the students are to come with three possible plots for their essay.

In Science their will be a test on Chapter 1. All students received a study guide to help them prepare!!!

The week of September 22

The first book report for the 8th graders are due on Monday, September 22! The students are to create a posterboard explaining their book through pictures and a short blurb of each picture. A written 1 -1 1/2 page summary of the book also needs to be done. Make sure the pictures are colorful and full of detail and the written summary is in final draft form (typed or blue/black pen). The report is worth 40 points.

Today we finished Chapter 1 in math and will be starting to work with Integers on Monday. There will be a quiz on Chapter 2, sections 1-3 on Thursday.

The Magazine Sale begins on Tuesday, September 23! The PTO is very supportive of the students and staff at Lakeview. Lets return the favor and participate in the sale. If Lakeview sells at least 800 magazines 8 memebers of the staff, incuding myself, will participate in the "Lakeview Derby."

8th grade news

The 8th graders will be taking their first field trip on Thursday, September 11 to Irons Oaks in Olympia Fields. At Irons Oaks the students will be focusing on cooperative learning. Please check the weather and dress apropriately! We will be going "rain or shine"! Also, so not wear any nice clothes or shoes. All activities are done outside and you may get dirty. Remember to bring a sack lunch. There are not any vending machines.

Welcome Back!

After a short maternity leave beginning in May and a long summer with my kids, I am very happy to be back at Lakeview. I will be, once again, co-teaching Language Arts and Reading with Miss Lepley and co-teaching math with Mrs. Myers. Throughout the school year I will be keeping you updated with the 8th curriculum, including important dates, tests and long term projects. After only a couple of days, I can tell that the 8th grade students are going to be a fun group. I am looking forward to a successful 2008-2009 school year!!!

If your child has not already recieved information regarding our first field trip, they will in the near future. On September 11 we will be going to Iron's Oaks Adventure Center which focuses on cooperative learning. We ask that you have the two permission slips signed and returned, along with a $25 (cash or check made out to Lakeview Jr. High) returned with your child by Wednesday, September 3.

Good bye Lakeview

Today is my last day at Lakeview for the 2007-2008 school year. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my second son in the next week or so. Although I am very excited about the birth of my son, I am sorry to miss all the fun end of the school activities. After a year of hard work, it is always enjoyable to see the excitement of the 8th graders as they await the Great America trip, the dance and expecially graduation. Best of luck to all the graduates (and parents) next year at Downers South. I wish you the best of luck in the future.

Mrs. Schuyler

April 25

After three weeks of hard work, the persuasive speeches begin on Monday, April 25 and will continue all week. Miss Lepley's students found out today which day the must present their 4- 5 minute speech.

On the day they present, they must hand in the following:

• final draft of their outline
• final draft of their bibliography
• all notecards
• all notecards used during speech
• all research articles

The 8th graders have finished researching for their persuasive speeches. They should all have a large handful of notecards (I suggested 50) with important information on each. If they have not finished researching they must finish this weekend. On Monday we will begin organizing our information and eventually have a completed outline that they will use during their speech. Speeches begin April 28.

Also all students will be taking a science final on Thursday and Friday. They have recieved a study guide which is due on Monday.

During the week of April 14 all 8th graders will be researching for their persuasive speeches. All students have their topics and should begin to research this weekend! Speeches beging April 28!!!

In science, the Egg Drop Lab begins. Eighth graders need to bring needed material to class to build their containers. The final drop will be the end of next week!

Welcome back! I hope everyone had an enjoyable spring break!!!

In reading, Miss Lepley and I are continuing to read Romeo & Juliet. Next week in language arts, we will beginning persuassive speeches. The stuents will receive an explanations of the expectations and pick their topics. The following week they will be researching in the IMC.

In math, we will be continuing "slope" and move onto "Systems of Equations." A chapter test is scheduled for Friday.

Have a wonderful Spring Break !!!!

ISAT week

Remember to set your clock one hour ahead on Saturday night!!!!

After much preparation the time has come! ISAT testing begins next Monday and continues through Thursday. Please make sure that you get plenty of sleep next week and eat a healthy breakfast every morning!

The second trimester is coming to an end. The 8th grade team has noticed that mnay of the students have ran low on school supplies. Please make sure that your child has the following supplies for the third trimester:

• notebook paper
• graph paper
• pens/pencils
• correcting pens
• a binder in decent condition
• notecards

In Langauge Arts and Reading (Lepley) the students have worked hard preparing for the ISATs. We practiced writing a persuasive essay and completing a reading response. Next week will practice writing a personal narratvie as preparation. ISATs will be held the week of March 10.

The ISATs are approaching quickly! They will take place the week of March 10. Over the next few weeks, both the reading and language arts classes will be focusing on preparing all the students for both the reading and writing aspects of the test.

In addition, both the regular and instructional math classes have been working to prepare students for the math aspect of the the test, which includes written responses. When the test date arrives, all students should feel prepared and confident!

Due to the snow day we had last Friday, the dates for the 1960's debates have been changed. They will be held on Friday and Monday and Tuesday of next week. Students found out the day the will be presenting today in class. They also recieved a final explanation of the requirements, a review of the rubric and all the materials they need to hand in. Miss Lepley and I are looking forward to seeing the results of the all the hard work they 8th graders have done!

In Langauge Arts and Reading role and subjects have been assigned in all classes. We will beginning research on Monday and continue the rest of the week, however students can begin to research this weekend. Debates will begin on February 6th.


Just a reminder....Pack the Place is scheduled for February 12 &13. Please come and support the girls and boys basketball teams!!!!

1/22/08

This week in language arts and reading, the eighth grades students will be beginning the 1960's debates. In class, they will hear what the debates entail and the expectations. The roles in each debated are two characters, one moderator and one or two reporters. The debate topics are: Women's Issues, The Vietnam War, The Space Race, The Democratic Convention, and Counterculture. Students will be assigned their specific roles by the end of the week and we will be researching next week.

8th graders- Downers Grove South Open House is scheduled for January 28 and 30. It is advised that all studnts to attend. All the teachers will be there to explain the classes and information will also be presented for extra curricular activities.

All students- Come and support the Spartan Girls and boys Baskeball teams for Lakeview Pack the Place Febraury 12 and 13! All students are invited to fill the gym to capcaity to support our teams along with the pep band, cheerleaders and mascot. Along with attending, you can show your Spartan pride buy purchasing a Lakeview T-Shirt for $6.00 or a Spirit Pack for $10.00, which includes pom pons, temporary tattoos and a mini megaphone.