Pack the Place

This week the students participated in the beginning of spirit week. Today was PJ/Snuggie day. I completely enjoyed seeing the 8th grade students adorn their school spirit.

Monday is Ugly Shirt Day. All students should find their ugliest shirt and show it off on Monday. The Pack the Place games are on Wednesday and Thursday. Please come and show your Spartan Spirit!

The 1960's unit is almost at an end! The students have finished performing their debates and their hard work has paid off! On Monday the students will begin writing a poem which will focus on an important topic of the 1960's. The poem will be due on Wednesday, January 27 and will be shared later next week.

week of January 18

Students have been using class time and time outside of school to prepare for the 1960 debates that will begin Wednesday, January 20 and continue through Friday, January 22. As of today, each student should have 50 note cards of information they can use during their debate. Each student needs to understand both sides of the each debate topic and have questions that pertain to each side of the debate. Today, students received information about the bibliography they will hand in at the time of their debate. This weekend should be used to organize the information they have and form valuable questions/facts to share. The assignment is worth 100 points in language arts and 100 points in reading class.

week of January 11

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Upon their return, the 8th graders have watched videos and taken part in discussions regarding important events that occurred in the 1960's. They also received information regarding the debates that will take place on January 20-22. Today everyone found out what role they have in the debate and what topic their debate covers. It would be a great idea for everyone to take time this weekend to familiarize themselves with the topic they were assigned to. Below is listed an overview of the 1960's unit.

Monday, 1/4
- 1960’s Overview video and study guide providing background information.

Tuesday, 1/5
- That Memorable Year 1963 video and study guide providing background information.

Wednesday, 1/6
- That Memorable Year 1968 video and study guide providing background information.

Thursday, 1/7
-1960’s role-playing debates explained in detail. (This is an individual project. NO GROUP PREPARATION IS NEEDED) Preference of roles and topics submitted.

Friday, 1/8
- Topics and roles for role-playing debates assigned. Explanation sheets for assigned roles and rubrics are distributed. Independent research may begin.

Monday, 1/11
-To IMC for Miss Hagensee's explanation of debate research resources available at home and at school.

Tuesday, 1/12 through Friday 1/15
- Student research during one class period per day in the IMC. Resources available to students include computers, vertical file, books on reserve, search engines, and over 100 printouts on each topic supplied by each L.A. and reading teacher.

Monday, 1/18
-NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, 1/19
- Explanation of bibliography format. Class time for final role-playing debate preparation and making of bibliographies.

Wednesday, 1/20 through Friday, 1/22
– Role playing debates performed!!!!!!!!!!!

***Every student is responsible for his/her research on both sides of the topic assigned. A bibliography with a minimum of 5 sources is required of every student.
***Every student should have a minimum of 50 note cards of borrowed information. The format used for note cards will be the same format required by Mr. Safranski in social studies class earlier in the year.
***This project is worth 100 points towards your L.A. grade, and 100 points towards your reading grade.
***At the beginning of each debate, reporters are required to turn in AT LEAST 6 questions and possible answers (in final draft form) for each character in their debate.