Week 32: 8th Grade Science

Week: 32

Topic: Earth’s Changing Surface

This week the 8th Grade paleontologist are using their iPad’s to create an electronic timeline/diorama to recreate their geological time period.  Each student selected a time period in which they researched how long ago was the period, how long did it last, the geological features of that time, its climate, life, and where there any mass extinctions.  To culminate this timeline, they created a travel brochure for their time period.  Each brochure was unique and creatively done.  Lastly, they wrote an essay about the essential question: Where did life come from?  A definite dinner time discussion.

Quadratic formulas

This week in 8th grade math we are starting our last unit of middle school on quadratic equations.  We will start the week off with graphing quadratic functions otherwise know as parabolas.  We will find the vertex points of parabolas and identify if the vertex is a maximum or minimum value.  Next, we will learn how to find the ordered pair of the vertex of any quadratic function and how to use the vertex to graph the equation.  We will end the week learning how to solve quadratic functions and what solving a quadratic function means.

Next week during lunch/recess we will begin our review of Algebra, to help those taking the Algebra test, to pass out for high school.  We will review material from the beginning of the year up until now using algebra placement tests.

History and Culture Podcasts

This week, the 8th graders are working on the next episode of the podcast series about their assigned country.  Students did research about the history and culture of their country and created a podcast about it.  The 8th graders are learning so much both about the country that they are researching and how to make a podcast that is both informative and entertaining.  I am excited to see where this project will take us.  Ask your 8th grader if you can listen to their most recent podcast.

Week 31: 7th Grade Science

Week: 31

Topic: Earth’s Changing Surface

The 8th graders started this unit by creating a timeline to see how long it took for the universe as we know it to be created.  This week using their iPads they will create a digital diorama/timeline for the geologic time scale.  Each student selected a time period in which they will research how lone ago their time period began, how long it lasted, the geological features of the time, its climate, life, and where there any mass extinctions.  To culminate this timeline, they will create a travel brochure for their time period. 

Factoring Polynomials

This week in 8th grade math we are continuing to work on factoring polynomials.  So far this week, we have been working on how to factor two types of polynomials.  The first one was not very difficult for the class, but the second one added an extra step which lead to a little more frustration.  We will continue to work with factoring polynomials and special cases for the rest of the week.

We have a quiz on Thursday.
Test and alternative assessment due next Monday

Next week will also probably begin our review week during lunch/recess for passing out of Algebra exams.

8th Grade Language Arts: Independent Reading Unit

The eighth grade students are working on an independent reading unit.  Students selected their own novel and are working on completing the book for the eight scheduled meetings.  They must complete their reading log reflection for the assigned reading and develop their own vocabulary list from the words in their novels.  They are working with a partner to discuss their book.  Be sure to ask your child about their book.  The final project for the unit will be a character impersonation/reenactment of important events in the novel.

Upcoming Presentation Date:

Demonstration Speeches on April 25, 26, 27, & 28.

Podcast Project

For the last quarter of the year, the 8th graders are starting a new project about American foreign affairs in the post-WWII world.  This is an exciting new project and I can't wait to see how it evolves over the next several weeks.  The students will be working towards a final "Model UN" style summit where each group or individual will represent a country that they will research over the next few weeks.  They will be looking through the lens of their country to answer the essential question, "Does the United States have the responsibility to be the world's police?"  Over the next few weeks, students will research their assigned country and create podcasts to teach their classmates about the topic.  We will be working closely with Mr. Riggs throughout this project.   Today, students started by creating a podcast about the basic information about their assigned country.

Question for your 8th grader:

• What country will you be researching for this project?
• How is podcasting going so far?

Polynomials

This week in 8th grade math we are continuing to work on our unit on polynomials.  Last week, we learned how to add, subtract, and multiply polynomials.  This week we are continuing to work on multiplying polynomials, but they are called special cases.  These special cases occur when two polynomials being multiplied are the exact same like (2x+3) squared.  We will then move onto learning how to factor polynomials.  Factoring polynomials can be a little difficult for some students, so we will be working on this a great deal this week.

The 8th graders will be taking the math MAP Test this Thursday.

We will have a second quiz early next week and we will have a test towards the end of next week.

8th Grade Language Arts: Speech Unit

The eighth grade students are currently working on a speech unit.  Students will write and present a demonstration speech.  In the past, possible topics included decorating cupcakes, doing yoga, throwing a curveball, and playing guitar.  On Thursday, each student will pick their demonstration topic and began planning their speech.  They will present speeches during the last week of April.  Students are encouraged to practice at home before their presentation day.  

Week 30: 8th Grade Science

Week: 30

Topic: Earth’s Changing Surface

Students will be able to: 

Discuss theories of how life began

State when and how the Earth was formed 

Essential Question:

Are we star children?  

This week:  This past month has flown by.  The 8th graders have started their next unit about geological time.  We began the unit by discussing the poem/song “Woodstock” by Joni Mitchell and its relevance to how life was formed.  They have explored the Big Bang Theory, Oparin’s Hypothesis, Miller’s discovery of amino acids, and have discussed biogenesis and spontaneous generation.  

Key Terms:

biogenesis

spontaneous generation

Differentiated Instruction:

discussion

art integration

researching 

argumentation

Upcoming:

Geological Time Brochure

Middle School Advisory Update

On Friday, April 29th, middle school students will be participating in a "Day of Service.".  Throughout the year, the kids have been investigating four areas: Environment, Literacy, Social Services with a focus on Special Olympics, and Animal Welfare.  They researched the various organizations in Chicago that work in these areas, then partnered with several and have been learning about the local issues in these areas.  For our Service Day, a group of kids will be helping with the Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies, another group with the Open Books project in Pilsen, another group with habitat restoration in LaBaugh Woods, and the fourth group with the Chicago Canine Rescue Foundation.

By the way, the animal welfare advisory group has just launched a website featuring foster pets that need permanent homes.  Please check out their website an post it to your social media.  

http://fureverhomesforfurryfriends.weebly.com.

Middle School Students stuffed over 650 "goody bags" for participants of the
Polar Plunge fundraiser for the Special Olympics.


Books begin to fill up the floor of the Social Studies room
as donations come in for the Open Books Book Drive

Polynomials

This week in 8th grade math we are starting our next unit on polynomials.  This week the class will learn what a polynomial is and how to add, subtract, and multiply polynomials.  When we learn how to multiply polynomials we will learn about FOILing.  Many of you may remember this, but it is multiplying First, Outside, Inside, and Last.

Upcoming assignments:
Quiz on sections 9.1-9.3 on Friday April 8

Week 29: 8th Grade Science

Week: 29

We are back from Springfield and I hope you all had a fun and relaxing break.  This week the 8th graders are finishing their unit on Carbon Chemistry.  Next, we will dive into the world of Paleontology and begin our unit on Earth’s Changing Surface (geological time.)