News from 8-O

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Science

We are on the weather unit.  Students have been conducting mini experiments with air pressure. Students crushed a soda can, filled a cup with water and placed an index card over it. They then turned it upside down to see if the water would stay in.  Students also used suction cups to figure out how much air pressure the automobile glass the suction could hold.  Students also are learning about the layers of the atmosphere.

Academic Literacy

In Academic Literacy students are learning to evaluate arguments.  Students will analyze what makes an author’s argument valid, and this week they will look at several arguments and determine the validity of the argument.  Next, students will look at how do author’s treat the same text differently.  We will read three different pieces of writing from different time periods on the same topic and analyze the authors’ arguments within each piece.

Ms. Suppa's English Classes

Right now we are reading the classic young adult novel, The Outsiders, which S. E. (Susan Eloise) Hinton started writing when she was only fifteen years old and finished when she was sixteen (and still a junior in high school).  In addition to The Outsiders, Hinton has written four other YA books, children's books, and adult fiction. 

In Health class, students are shown presenting their organ reports to the class. They started by researching an organ becoming ‘an expert,’ followed by completing a power point presentation and finally are presenting it to the class.

Dear Math parents,

I have enjoyed having your children in my class this year. Although we only have days left of school, I will continue to teach, as well as enjoy each moment I have left with them. I hope your child enjoyed learning math as well as the moments that made us laugh in class this year. .

Love, Mrs. Lee

Social Studies

In Social Studies, we are in the 1830's time period.  We are making our way westward and learning about the Alamo, the Gold Rush, the Mexican War, the Oregon Trail and the Mormons.  After that, we will begin to study the reforms and the compromises made over slavery.  At the end of the year, will do a brief preview of the Civil War, which is where ninth grade Social Studies will start. 

We continue to study current events through political cartoons.  Many students have created quality cartoons, which is a requirement for the fourth marking period. 

After our trip to Washington D.C. students will be creating a magazine cover with a picture they took in Washington.  The picture will include seven facts they learned while in Washington.  They will then present their cover to the class.