8th Grade Reading

With Spring Break quickly approaching, the 8th grade is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  We keep reminding them constantly how important it is to maintain a strong work ethic even though they have already (mostly) been accepted to their high schools.  We're very proud of the accomplishments and successes they've earned, and we are confident we'll continue to see even more success as finish out the school year.

In Reading class, the 8th grade recently finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird.   We also had the chance to go see the play at the IRT a few weeks ago.  I think the kids really enjoyed it; I was fascinated with how many questions they had afterwards, and at how many intelligent observations they made about the differences between the novel and the play.  We'll be visiting the IRT again in April -- this time it will only be the 8th grade attending.  We will be seeing a play called Crowns, which is a musical play in which hats represent an exploration of black history and identity. 

We are ending the 3rd quarter fairly soon, and I'm still encouraging students to be better about the time they spend reading.  They all have AR goals for the 3rd quarter, but I fear only half of the class will meet those goals.  Though the actual AR program is not part of the students' Reading grade, I continue to try and motivate the students with fun rewards.

Currently, the 8th grade is working on a short story unit in which they read multiple fictional short stories.  After Spring Break, we will begin a poetry unit for about 3 weeks.  We will close that unit with a poetry portfolio and coffeehouse that the 8th grade will put on themselves.  Parents, look for invitations to come and listen to your child's "performance."

Update -- 8th grade Language Arts

The 8th grade is currently participating in Literature Circles -- an independent reading program.  Students get to choose a novel that sparks their interest and read it during class.  They are teamed up with those students who have chosen the same novel, and they participate in group discussions about their book.  They also work on completing various graphic organizers that are based on the focus lesson of the week.  So far, the students are enjoying their novels, and doing remarkably well with the process.

We've planned a trip to the IRT to see To Kill a Mockingbird in February.  The students will be reading that novel at the start of the 3rd quarter.

The 8th grade is improving in the Accelerated Reader program.  Some of them have already reached their goals for this quarter.  Again, students who meet their goals by the end of the quarter will get to watch a movie with popcorn before Christmas break!

7th Grade HOMEROOM

The 7th grade's "theme" for this school year is service.  The 7th graders have been brainstorming various service projects to participate in throughout the year.  This past week, we went to Mrs. Jeatran's house to make shoes and fill them with candy for St. Nick's day.  We will be distributing these shoes for the students in grades preschool through 5th.

The 7th grade is also in charge of the recycling program for the school.  They have been doing an excellent job every week, collecting used paper and other items for the school to recycle.

Update -- 7th Grade Language Arts

The 7th grade continues to read The Diary of Anne Frank.  The students just created a project based on the novel.  They had to act as if they were going into hiding, and had to create a collage of items they would feel necessary to have in hiding, and ones they would leave behind.  

We are planning to take the 7th graders to the "Power of Children" exhibit at the Children's Museum early next semester.  Anne Frank is one of the children featured in the exhibit, and we feel it will be a valuable experience for our students.  We would also like to take the kids to see The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, which is a motion picture located at Castleton Arts Theater.  It is a story of a Nazi soldier's son who befriends a Jewish boy during the Holocaust, and it ties in directly with the Anne Frank curriculum we are currently covering.

The 7th graders need some improvement with the Accelerated Reader program.  We are reading a joint novel in class aloud everyday; however, they also need to read independent novels on their own.  We'd like to see more improvement this quarter.  And remember, for those students who meet their AR goals by the end of quarter 2, you will get to join me for a movie and popcorn before Christmas break!

6th Grade Language Arts Update

The 6th grade class is currently reading Hoot, a novel by Carl Hiaasen.  Hiaasen likes to call his novels "environmental thrillers."  His goal is to teach environmental awareness, and to teach people to value and respect the environment.  The kids are enjoying the novel so far.  Their first test will be on Nov. 25th.

The 6th grade has a field trip coming up. We are going to see A Christmas Carol at the IRT on December 12.  

The 6th grade class is doing very well with the Accelerated Reader program at school.  Many of them have already reached their quarter 2 goals.  Keep reading, 6th graders!  Remember, a movie and popcorn right before Christmas break for those who meet their goals and pass their tests with a 90% or above average by the end of 2nd quarter!

8th Grade Literature

The 8th grade is about half way through their first novel, Night, by Elie Wiesel. Night is a memoir of the Jewish Holocaust that took place in the late 1930s to mid 1940s. The students have been very intrigued with the plot so far, and I must say I have been very impressed with their desire to READ! It's wonderful to see our St. Joan of Arc students so excited about reading -- especially the older kids! Due to ISTEP testing this week and next, there will not be a lot of reading homework; we will do the majority if our reading in class.

7th Grade Literature

The 7th grade is winding things up with their first Literature unit -- short stories. We have been reading a number of short stories by various authors, and discussing elements of plot and figurative language within the literature. Because of ISTEP testing this week and next, we'll have to put the short story test on hold until our regular schedule resumes.