A few Washington D.C. Photos

Exponents test

In 8th grade this week we will be finishing up our unit on exponents.  We are taking our test on exponents on Thursday and the alternative assessment is due on Thursday as well.

Ask your child about how their cheese mold grew, about how the m&m activity went, and about the tap towers game we played.

Have a great spring break.

U-505 Field Trip

A few weeks ago, the 8th graders went on a field trip to see a real German submarine from World War II.  Students took a tour of the cramped submarine and got a feel for what it might have been like to live on a submarine for months.  They also toured the exhibit and we had some extra time for them to explore other parts of the museum.  This week, we will finish our Holocaust unit and begin talking about the Cold War.

Question for your 8th grader:

• What was your favorite part of the field trip?

Environmental Posters.

The eight graders just finished their environmental 'handscape" posters. The were each asked to research an environmental issue and design an image to represent it. They had to incorporate a drawing of their hand as an element in the image and then had to add text in the form of a slogan or headline and a sentence of supporting text to explain more about their issue. They did a great job, both with their concepts and the renderings of their hands. The sad thing is that there are so many environmental problems in our world today that they were almost all able to focus on a different topic. The good news is that they are all fully aware of the many difficult environmental challenges we will face in our country and the rest of the world in the coming decades. I plan to display them during earth week!

The Charleston

To explore entertainment in the 1930's, our 8th graders learned the basic steps of the Charleston.   This dance was popular in speak-easies and underground dance clubs during prohibition.  We also discussed dance competitions and marathons that would go on for hours, some up to 24 hours!  Our students may not be ready for the competitive scene, but they were able to get some fancy footwork in.  Side note: the students were able to pick their own partners. 

In order to see the video, you must go to the actual 8th grade blog page. 

Exponents and D.C.

This week in 8th grade math we have continued to work on exponents.  We learned about geometric patterns and how to create an equation for them.  Today we will be learning about exponential functions and what their graphs look like.  We will then be leaving to go to D.C.  (Yaaaa!).  We will finish up this unit next week when we cover exponential growth and decay next week.

Test next Thursday April 2.
Alternative Assessment due April 2.

Ask your child what a geometric pattern is.

Lots and Lots of Exponents

This week in 8th grade math we are continuing our unit on exponents.  We started growing mold last week and some of the samples have already started growing mold.  We have been reviewing the rules for multiplying exponents and then we will review how to divide exponents.

Quiz Tomorrow on sections 8.1-8.4
Problem of the Week Exponent ABC's due next Tuesday March 24th

Ask your child about how their mold is growing in math class.

Truman on Trial

Last Friday, students participated in a mock trial.  In a hypothetical situation, Hiroshima survivors were accusing President Truman of committing crimes against humanity for dropping the atomic bomb on Japanese cities.  Students each played a part in the trial.  They did an excellent job on this project and came up with some great questions and arguments.  This week, we are discussing the Holocaust.

Questions for your 8th grader:

• What role did you play in the trial?
• Did the trial change your opinion about the atomic bomb?
• What was one very convincing argument that was made during the trial?

8th Grade Language Arts: Poetry Writing and Holocaust Book Clubs

Hello 8th grade families,

I’m back from my maternity leave and working to get everything back on track, including this blog.

The Holocaust book clubs are coming to an end with the last meeting on Friday.  The final project requires each student to write a poem inspired by their book.  Students will be using poetry sound and figurative language techniques to enhance their poems.  Students will present their poems to the class next week.  Additionally, students created two other poems during this unit with city and society themes.  Students are presenting their choice of city or society poem today.  Be sure to ask your child to see their poems.

Upcoming Due Date:

Tuesday, March 24th: Final Poem Due

Week 27: Eighth Grade Science

Week: 27

Topic: The Digestive Process

Students will be able to: 

Describe the functions carried out in the digestive system.

Explain the roles of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach in digestion.

Essential Question:

Do we eat with our eyes? 

This week: The 8th graders this week will  perform experiments that reinforce the action and purpose of enzymes, work with acids and bases, and do a fun experiment with color. 

Key Terms:

acid and bases

enzymes

Differentiated Instruction:

predicting

data analysis

researching 

sequencing

Upcoming:

Geological Time

Exponents

This week in 8th grade math we are beginning a new unit on exponents and exponential functions.  We are going to start the unit by placing some cheese and gelatin in a petri dish so that we can watch the exponential growth of mold.  For the rest of the week we will learn about zero and negative exponents, scientific notation, and multiplication properties of exponents.

Truman on Trial Preparation

This week, the 8th graders are preparing for their mock trial, which will be this Friday.  They are putting President Harry Truman on trial for committing crimes against humanity for dropping two atomic bombs on Japan.  Students are using this week to prepare witness testimonies, direct and cross examination questions, and expert testimonies.  On Friday, they will participate in the mock trial. Check back next week to find out the verdict!

Questions for your 8th grader:

• What is your role in the trial?
• Before the trial takes place, do you think Truman's actions were justified?

 Expert witnesses research their characters.

 Truman and his attorneys research the decision to drop the bomb and come up with questions.

The plaintiffs are Hiroshima survivors who will give a testimony of their experience.

Week 25: 8th Grade Science

Week: 25

Topic: The Digestive Process

Students will be able to: 

Describe the functions carried out in the digestive system.

Explain the roles of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach in digestion.

Essential Question:

What would the path of food look like through the digestive system?

This week: The 8th graders this week will construct and identify the parts of the digestive system.  They will also create a story that follows Patrick the potato chip through the complete cycle of digestion.  They will perform experiments that reinforce the action and purpose of enzymes and review mechanical and chemical digestion.

Key Terms:

digestion

absorption

saliva

enzyme

epiglottis

esophagus

mucus

peristalsis

stomach

acid and bases

Differentiated Instruction:

predicting

creative writing

creating models 

sequencing

Upcoming:

Our final digestive system and absorption

WWII menus

This week, the 8th graders are finishing up and presenting their World War II menu items.  They will present their products on Wednesday in preparation for their test on Friday.  Next week, students will be preparing for a mock trial about Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan.  Each student will be given a different role and will have to do research to find evidence to support their side.

Questions for your 8th Grader:

Show me one of your menu items.

Was WWII a "good" war?  (Encourage them to give evidence and explain the point of view for their argument.)

Finishing systems of equations and starting exponents

This week in 8th grade we are finishing our unit on systems of equations.  Over the last few weeks we have been learning about different ways to solve systems of equations.  We learned how to graph systems, substitute, and use elimination.  This week we will be working on solving systems of linear inequalities.  We have a test on systems of equations on Thursday.  The alternative assessment is also due this Thursday.  We will then start our next unit on exponents.