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.

week of September 27

Last week in 1st period language arts, we learned about simple subjects and complete subjects of a sentence. We also continued to practice writing well detailed sentences. Next week we will focus on simple predicate and complete predicate. Students will also do the third lesson in their spelling book. The unit and sentences will be assigned on Monday. Both, as well as the test, will be on Friday, October 1.

In 3rd period reading, we are continuing to read some short stories. We finished "Arthur's Thanksgiving Emergency" and focused on inferencing skills throughout the reading. Next week we will be reading "Lee Bennett Hopkins Interviews Daniel Manus Pinkwater" and focus on sequencing. During the week of October 4 there will be a short story test on the four stories we read as well as the vocabulary. Book report journals are due on Thursday, September 30.

In 8th period math, we have finished chapter one of the text. Next week, students will focus on addition and subtraction word problems. We will discuss the process of answering word problems and focus on how to solve them, as well as recognize key words.

week of September 13

In 1st period language arts, the students finished learning about nouns as well as plural nouns, common and proper nouns and possessive nouns. Next week, we will begin working with verbs. We will do activities that involve action verbs, linking verbs and verbs of being. Students will also be expected to be working on their second lesson of their spelling books. The unit and sentences will be due on Friday. We will be taking the test on Friday also.

In 3rd period reading class we will begin reading "The Mad Puppet" aloud in class. Students also have a silent reading book that they should be reading independently or at home with their parents. As they read, students should be filling out a reading log which includes the major events and a personal response for each entry. No book report will be assigned for this first book just a review of their reading log.