week of January 18

In 1st period Language Arts, we will begin writing a persuasive essay. Students will learn the correct format and learn the major components of a writing a persuasive essay such as thesis statement, transitional sentences, and effective introductions and conclusions. The writing process will be a "step-by-step" process and we will focus on each component separately. The majority of the writing will be in class.

In 3rd period Reading, we will continue reading from the Inside series. Our next unit is called Creepy Classics beginning with Frankenstein.

In 8th period Math, we are continuing fractions. Students will have a quiz on Thursday on adding and subtracting fractions with common denominators. Next we will focus on adding and subtracting mixed numbers.

week of January 10

In language arts first period, we are continuing to learn about adjectives. We will finish up the unit with proper adjectives. On Thursday we will review for Friday's quiz.

In reading 3rd period, students received a written explanation for the book report that is due Tuesday, January 18. Students are to make a poster board explaining the plot of the book they read. Each poster board, is to include the title and author of their book, and 8 boxes. In each box a well detailed picture needs to be hand drawn with a written explanation underneath the picture. All pictures need to be in color. The explanations underneath, can be hand written or typed. On Tuesday, January 18, the students will present their poster boards to the class.

In math 8th period, we are continuing to work on fractions. This week students will learn to add fractions with common denominators (changing to mixed numbers included). We will begin to cover subtraction of fractions but will continue the week of January 18.

In first period language arts, we are continuing to work on narrative essays. Students filled out story maps which included characters, setting and plot. We discussed and practiced how to write a "attention getting" introduction to their story. Through out the rest of the week we will be working in class on the rough and final drafts. After the holiday break, we will focus on parts of speech, specifically adjectives. Learning and reviewing adjectives will help improve our creative writing.

In reading third period, we are working from a new series called "Inside." This series incorporates and focuses on specific reading skills and genres in each story. We started the series with natural disasters. Last week we read about Hurricane Katrina, this week we reading about earthquakes. After the holiday break we will take the first week to read and discuss volcanoes. After we finish the last story, we will take a quiz on the vocabulary covered in the unit and comprehension of the stories.

In 8th period math, we are staring our second week on fractions. We have worked on equivalent fractions, ordering and finding the greatest common factors. This week we are reducing fraction to lowest terms. After the holiday break, the class will add and subtract fractions with common denominators.

week of November 29

Language Arts (1st period):

After focusing on writing well detailed paragraphs, we focused on grammar. The students learned verbs. We focused on action verbs (mental and physical), verbs of being, irregular verbs, verb tenses and verb phrases. Beginning next week, we will redirect back to writing. Students will focus on writing multiple paragraphs and learn when to begin with a new paragraph. We will also learn to complete an outline which will aide with paragraph writing.

Math (8th period):

After a few weeks and extensive practice, students have greatly improved their division skills. While learning how to do long division without a calculator, students have also improved their knowledge of multiplication facts. Next week, we will begin our Fraction Unit. Students will use manipulative to gain knowledge and understanding of fractions. We will also learn to add and subtract fractions as well as reduce to lowest terms and change mixed numbers into improper fractions.

Have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving!

week of November 1

In language arts class (1st period) we have been working extensively on writing a well developed paragraph. We have been focusing on topic sentences and descriptive supporting sentences. Before focusing on writing multiple paragraphs, we will be spending time learning about verbs. We will be focusing on action verbs (physical and mental), verbs of being, linking verbs, verb tenses, helping verbs and verb phrases, and irregular verbs.

In reading class (3rd period), we spent time focusing on the skill of "main idea". Through supplementary activities, we practiced recognizing the main idea of paragraphs, as well as short stories. The class also practiced finding the information that supported the main idea of what they read. Accelerated reading tests need to be taken in my room by Thursday, November 4.

In math class (8th period) we learned and practiced multiplication, multiplication with decimals, and multiplying money. Next we will focus on long division with and without remainders. We will also practice using the skills we have learned to solve word problems.

week of October 11

In reading class, 1st period, we will read one more story ("Laughing Gas) before taking a test on the stories we have read. The test will cover "The Mad Puppet","Teeny, Tinny, Tinny Visitors", "Aurthur's Thanksgiving Emergency","Lee Bennett Hopkins," and "Laughing Gas." Students will be tested on vocabulary, characters, on comprehension of the stories. The test and review will be during the week of October 18.

In language arts class, we will continue to focus on writing well developed paragraphs. This week we practiced recognizing and writing topic and supporting sentences. We will now practice putting them all together.

In math, 8th period, we will learn and practice multiplying a 3 digit number by 1,2 and 3 numbers....without a calculator!

***The eighth graders will be taking the Explore Test on Wednesday, October 13 during 1st - 4th periods. Make sure you get a good night's sleep Tuesday night and eat a healthy breakfast Wednesday morning!!!

week of October 4

In first period language arts class, the students will be focusing on recognizing a topic sentence within a paragraph and writing an effective topic sentence. This is the first step to take before writing a well developed paragraph then a well developed essay or story.

In third period reading class, we will be focusing on the main idea of a pragraph and short story. Next week we will be preparing for the test over the first four stories we read in the reading book. The test will be on Thursday, October 14 and will cover vocabulary, characters and comprehension of the stories.

In eighth period math, we will be continuing to do word problems. Last week we focused on recognizing important information and key words within addition and subtraction problems. This week we will focus on multiplication and division problems. On Friday, students will be expected to recognize what operation to use to solve a problem based on the information learned in class.