End of March Update

Service Learning Day - Thursday, April 9th each grade will participate in serving our community. The 8th grade will be going to Killens Pond. Dress appropriately and pack a bag lunch and drink. When we return, from 2-3:15 you will either attend the m.s. gathering or a classroom service day celebration.
FYI - I will not be at school on Friday 3rd, Monday 6th and Thursday 9th

SCIENCE FAIR

Attention: Science Fair Date has been changed to May 15th

Class Update and Revised Date List

What's happening in your classes?

• Science - Most students got 100% on the "Tides" quiz today. Great job! Don't forget Skylogs are due tomorrow, Friday 27th
• Math - Tomorrow, Friday the 27th, we will have a Quiz on the Pytherogeom Therom. Next week we start graphing.
• Writing - Research Project Outline was due on the 25th and you should have 15 index cards. The completed project should be done on April 8th
• Grammar - Review of IO and DO
• Reading - Memorize your poem and be ready to present the 30th, 1st or 2nd (your day)
• Social Studies - we continue with Chapter 9
• PE/Health - I have not been able to be in class so check Mrs. Kuhners site
• Advisement - we will decide on our t-shirt color, design and logo off-line next Monday
• Electives - students switched and are now attending their new elective
• All DSTP make-ups have been completed - GOOD JOB EVERYONE!

Important Revised Date List (note dates that have been changed)

Fri. March 27th (tomorrow) - Jeans Day and appropriate school top

Mon. March 30th - Pajama day

Frid. April 3 - Fitness Day - dress accordingly

Mon. April 6 - Field Trip to Dupont Theatre 8:30-12 (dress nice), and Science Fair at school

Wed. April 8 - Jumprope/Dodgeball for heart (wear sneakers)

Fri. April 10 - Good Friday - NO SCHOOL, spring break until the 20th - HAPPY EASTER!

Mon. April 20 - Back to School!

Wed. April 29- Advisement Field Trip to the Rockwall 10:30-2:15 - dress to climb!

Thurs. April 30 - Middle School Gathering 2-3:15 (Are you able to go?)

Fri. May 1st - DC Field Trip 8:15-8:30pm

Sat. May 9th - 8th grade Formal 7:00-10:00PM

Mon. May 25th - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL

Wed. June 3 - Graduation (tentative date)

Wed. June 10 - Dorney Park Field Trip 8:15-8:00PM

Thurs. June 11 - Field Day - ALL DAY!

Fri. June 12th - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!

DONE!

• Today was the last day for DSTP's. Most everyone has completed all testing. If you were absent and missed a day of testing, you will have the opportunity next week to make it up.
• I am very proud of all of your hard work. Give yourself a pat on the back.
• I will probably be busy with make up testing next week, so you might not see me in many of the classes. Your teachers will be picking up from where we left off before testing.
• Be sure that you are on your way with your Research project. Don't forget it's due April 8th and no late papers will be accepted! No exceptions!
• I will be posting another blog to update everyone on important dates and class information sometime next week. Be sure to check back every day.
• Have a GREAT weekend!!

LAST DSTP DAY

Yippie, it's the last day of DSTP testing! Unless you missed a test day and haven't made it up yet, then tomorrow, Friday the 20th is your last day. Anyone that has to make up a day has all next week (until next Friday) to complete the testing. The test tomorrow is Writing. You will be given a writing prompt and will be required to brainstorm, pre-write a rough draft and write a final draft. Review my reminders below; come prepared and well rested.

MIDWEEK

Hey 8th grade, you're down to the home stretch on DSTP!
Tomorrow (Thursday the 19th) will be the first day for Writing, then Friday you will complete the writing portion and you're done! Remember all of the techniques that we used and practiced in writing class and you'll do great!

• Read and re-read the prompt so you understand what exactly you are to write about...then be sure to stay on that topic.
• Use the questions given after the prompt to help in brainstorming your thoughts and ideas.
• Plan your work by writing your thoughts and ideas down and organize it (web, outline). This pre-writing is very important and it will help you attain the best final copy.
• Use the R.A.C.E.R. method (Restate the question/prompt, Answer it completely, Cite examples, Elaborate by stretching your thoughts with details, Restate, returning back to the beginning)
• You may use a dictionary/thesarus, so bring one and take advantage of it; you don't want to lose points for spelling.
• After you write your first draft, then go back and edit. Be sure to correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc.
• When you are ready you will write your final draft.
• Don't be in a hurry - before saying that you're done and handing it in, be sure to review it, read it to yourself, does it make sense?
• Get a good night's sleep, eat a good breakfast, bring a healthy snack (you'll probably need it), say a little prayer and don't stress, think positive!
• If you truly do your very best, then we can't ask for any more than that!

Round 2 of DSTP's

• First, let me say how proud I am of everyone during last week's DSTP days. I am sure you all put your best efforts forward.
• Round 2 of DSTP - Monday and Tuesday will be Reading DSTP - Be sure to get a good night's sleep, eat a good breakfast, say a prayer, don't stress just do your best!!!
• Please scroll down and review the DSTP Suggestions below.
• St. Patrick's Day is Tuesday the 17th - it was originally scheduled to be a jeans day, but don't forget it was changed to the 27th, so be sure to wear uniform clothes. I have contacted administration to see if students can wear green tops on Tuesday. Listen to the announcements.

DSTP's

For those of you that decided to check my blog tonight, I just have a short message for you.
Eat a good dinner. Go to bed early. Eat a good breakfast. Say a little prayer; and don't stress...just do your best!!

It's DSTP week

Wow, what a beautiful weekend!

Hope you enjoyed the great weather.

• The next 2 weeks are DSTP weeks.
• This Wednesday and Thursday, March 11th and 12th, is Math DSTP, with Friday used as a make-up day.
• Next Monday and Tuesday, March 16th and 17th will be Reading DSTP, with Wednesday for make-up.
• Thursday and Friday the 19th and 20th will be Writing DSTP.
• SUGGESTIONS for DSTP days- Be sure to get a good nights sleep. Eat a good breakfast. Be to school on time, and bring the following items each test day...
• a healthy snack and drink, no soda.
• 2-#2 pencils and eraser
• Regular Calculator
• Dictionary
• colored pencils or highlighters
• Book to read when done testing
• IMPORTANT - There will be NO electronics, including cell phones, allowed in a students possession during testing days. That includes in a bookbag, purse, or coat. Just don't even bring them to school on testing days. If you have it, the teacher will be taking it and keeping it until the end of the day. No electronics, including cell phones are ever to be used during the school day, testing day is no different, however you can not even have it in your possession on test days. All students have been warned!
• There will be NO after school tutoring during these 2 weeks.
• Jeans day which was scheduled for the 17th has been moved to the 27th, due to the 17th being a dstp day.
• The trimester ends on the 10th and Report Cards should be going home the 18th
• Although there will not be any daily homework assigned on dstp days, students must continue working on there Research Project, which is due on April 8th. Remember - NO projects will be accepted after April 8th. No regular daily homework, so this is a great opportunity to get most of it done. This is a major grade for ELA, Science and Computer Tech. so take this seriously.
• Monday the 9th - in Math we will finish the fractions test. On Tuesday, we will review graphing and answer any questions or concerns about the Math dstp.

MARCH Update

March came in like a LION... SNOW... SNOW... SNOW - OK enough is enough! It's beautiful and you got 2 days off, but we still have many things to get done.
First, the 8th grade after school college field trip that was scheduled for tonight, has been postponed. We do not know the new date yet. If you want to go and didn't hand in your permission slip, you now have time, so get it in.
Next, DSTP starts next week. March 11-13 Math, 16-18 Reading, 19-20 Writing. Be prepared! Have a good nights sleep and a good breakfast. It is important that you do well. Especially grade students. Keep in mind that the high school you plan or hope to go to sees your scores, so do you very best!
ELA - Writing - finish your time capsule letter
Grammar - Retests will only be accepted this week, so if you need to retest - do it now!
Reading - Open book essay unit test will be the end of this week - be ready!
Research Project - A major grade for ELA, Science, and Tech. ALL students were
given a packet explaining ALL requirements. Everyone should already have 3-4 index
cards completed. You wil need 6-8 index cards total. This research project is due April
8th and NO LATE PAPERS will be accepted. So plan to have it done before April 8th.

MATH - We are reviewing fractions (adding/subtracting, multiplying/dividing)

SCIENCE - We continue with our Solar System Unit this week talking about gravity

SOCIAL STUDIES - We continue in Chapter 8 - State and Local Gov. (8.4 Quiz this week)

HEALTH - We continue with Human Developement - retests must be completed this week

This Sunday, March 8th, Daylight Savings Time begins - Don't forget to change your clocks - SPRING FORWARD an hour!

March17th - St. Patrick's Day! Wear green and jeans