Math

This week we continued to learn the geometry vocabulary and introduced how to use the proofs to solve equations. All of the work has been done in class with little homework. The only homework was to complete the Problem Solving #3, which was due the first part of this week.

Science

This week was very hands-on in science class. We built a working model of the lungs and then researched a disease of the respiratory system. Students then changed their model to show how this disease affects the lungs functioning. It was interesting to see the ideas that they came up with to change the systems function. An individual write-up will be due the second class next week. Here is a link to an organizer for the write-up.

Social Studies

We are concluding our MUN Conference next week with a final vote on a resolution for the conference. Class has been full of lively debates, and many interesting ideas of how to make the world a better place. Students are learning first hand how difficult it can be for countries to all agree on one thing, even when it would benefit the world. We will begin a new unit next week after break. This will be on transformations and revolutions.

English

Protest songs were a main focus this week in English class. Students had a look at how protest song and poems began in the early 18th century and evolved to what we see today. From Folk Music to Punk Rock, it has been an exciting journey for societal change. Students should be thinking of a poet they want to research and be looking for poems to put in their scrapbooks. The first big due date will be Nov. 12th. This is when the research and biography on the selected poem are due. This my seem far away, but it is only one week after we return from break.

Well, this week was much less stressful compared to last week in regards to workload and quizzes. This week officially starts the new semester and many classes are starting new units. It is very important that students access each teachers’ blog on a regular basis. They will find many helpful resources to complete work and further the learning that takes place in classes. It is evident that students who regularly visit the blogs have a clear advantage in classes and on quizzes. Please encourage your student to visit each teachers blog.

Science

We have begun studying the Respiratory System in science and finished our last dissection for the year. We dissected a pig lung and traced the pathway that air follows into the lung. We even had a chance to blow air into the lungs and watch them expand. A PowerPoint with information, a quizlet for vocabulary and the explanation of the Performance Task for this unit are all found below. They are all very important pieces of information found on the science class blogs.

Respiration PowerPoint

Respiration Vocabulary Quizlet

Performance Task

Social Studies

The MUN Policy Statement Speeches were fantastic, but I’m sure all the students are glad they are over. The policy statements and three operative clauses need to be in their Google Docs/Drive for grading and can be edited until they are graded over the next week. MAP testing took up one period this week and delayed the operative clauses debate until next week in most classes. The clauses that are up for debate have been emailed to each student and they need to read over them. If their country is a co-submitter or submitter of the clauses, they must be prepared to defend their position during the debate. For extra help with editing the policy statement or operative clauses please follow this link.

Math

A new unit of study has begun in math. We have begun Geometry and with that comes many new vocabulary and concepts to learn. I have added a PowerPoint here that I made to review the major terms and concepts for this unit. In S.I. class we will be making flashcards with these terms and concepts to be reviewed at home.

Geometry Terms Grade 8

English

“Things Poetic” is the theme of this next unit. Students will be making a scrapbook with poems that they write and will pick one poet to feature in the scrapbook. They will also be doing a research project on the background and significant poems that their poet wrote. The final part of the scrapbook will have further research on how their poet has transformed themselves, society, and culture. This scrapbook will be a major undertaking and will encompass the entire second quarter. Students will be expected to use Noodletools to help with their research and have a full bibliography to support their sources.  For a more complete overview of the project follow the link here.

This week marks the end of the first quarter of learning at ISM. This next two weeks will be a good time to check PowerSchool to see if there are missing assignments or low test grades to discuss before the Parent Teacher Conferences. If you haven’t already, sign up for a conference through PowerSchool too.

Lots of quizzes and big assignments have been due this week and students are feeling overwhelmed as the quarter draws to a close. Be sure to check the Homework Calendar to see what is due and when. Remember it is posted on the date it is due, so look a couple days ahead to see what they should be doing tonight.

Math

This week has been all about reviewing for the two upcoming quizzes on Basic Skills and the second part quiz on Algebraic Reasoning. The students have spent a large portion of the class time preparing and reviewing the concepts that are needed for the quizzes. These quizzes have been happening this week and will end by Tuesday of next week.

Science

The Circulatory System has been fully explored and now we are reviewing for the quiz.  The quiz will be completed by the end of this week. It was fun to see all the different ways that students study to learn the information they need to know for the quiz. Some just want to review the facts from paper, while others want to talk and discuss the things they will need to know. They were encouraged to use as many different ways to study as they could, including drawing and mind mapping. Next quarter we will shift gears and begin to study chemical and physical changes of matter.

Social Studies

We are now in the thick of the Model UN preparations. Students have been given an issue of global importance and assigned a country to represent. They are doing research on that topic and have to write a policy statement from their countries perspective. This is a very challenging thought process and requires sophisticated skills. The biggest challenge has been to find appropriate sources of information. In S.I. class we have been trying to help research and give practice with paraphrasing the information. The end result is a three paragraph policy statement that is written to accomplish a goal related to the issue. To find out more on the policy statement head here to get help. 

English

The memoirs are finished or getting finished this week depending on the teacher, but they will all have the final draft due by the end of next week. This Wednesday we had the Ma’am Booker Conference for students to share and hear their peers’ writing. We met in Homebase groups and shared our writing. It was a great chance to see others and get feedback on your own writing. The next unit will be focused on poems and doing some research on a favorite Poet. The students will be using Noodletools to help with research and are learning how this works in social studies now. What a great tool! I wish they had this when I was in school. To check it out head over here.