week of November 2

The 8th graders have finished the second essay of the year, the expository, so we will be taking a short break form writing to focus on grammar. Today we began subject/verb agreement and will continue in that content area for the majority of next week. We will be taking the quiz on Thursday.

In reading class we have finished half of The Outsiders. The students have really enjoyed reading this novel which has been a favorite for many years. We will continue to read every day and our next quiz we be early in the week of November 9.

In language arts we finished our first essay which was a narrative and will already begin the next essay, expository writing. Beginning Monday, we will discuss the format for a expository essay and explain the important components of a well written essay. We will take a "step-by-step" approach, focusing on one component each day.

In reading we will be continuing to read The Outsiders in class and will be taking our first accelerated reader test on Monday.

Explore retakes will be taken Monday!

Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated next week. The students will take part in an assembly Tuesday morning which focuses on peer pressure, the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and bullying.

EXPLORE Test

The Explore Test will be given on Wednesday, October 14 during first through fourth period. Downers South High School uses this test to help place students in the correct class their freshman year. It is very important to do as well as you can on this test. Get plenty of sleep on Tuesday night and eat a good, healthy breakfast in the morning. Remember to bring a calculator and #2 pencils (preferably not mechanical) to your first period class.

Enjoy the three day weekend!!!

Verbs in LA

The 8th grade students will be reviewing verbs in Language Arts class.
1. Action and Linking Verbs
2. Helping verbs and Verb phrases
3. Verb Tenses
4. Regular and Irregular Verbs

There will be a quiz on Friday.