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."