Language and Literature- Mr. Schaefer
6th Grade: On Tuesday, September 30th there should be a quiz on The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Chapters 5-11. On Monday we are starting Vocabulary Unit 4 and will have a definition test on those words on Friday.
7th Grade: On Tuesday, September 30th there should be a quiz on To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 4-9. On Monday we are starting Vocabulary Unit 4 and will have a definition test on those words on Friday.
8th Grade: On Tuesday, September 30th there will be a test on our unit on nouns. This test covers classifying nouns, plural nouns, possessive nouns, and appositives. Here is a link to the online questions that go with our book: http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hme/6_8/grammar/gr8/launcher.html?qid=0802 On Monday we are starting Vocabulary Unit 4 and will have a definition test on those words on Friday.
Language and Literature- Mr. Maddock
6th grade Writing and Grammar— The kids certainly have strong opinions, and we’ll be exploring them all week as they move toward the first formal essay of the year- the Opinion Essay.
7th grade Writing and Grammar– We’re stamping out ignorance of the perfect and progressive tenses, though not completely as it turns out. We’ll keep at it for at least another week.
8th grade Literature and Writing- Okay. Enough about bananas. We’ll start Monday with an introduction to literature by way of the Iliad, just like our culture as a whole.
Science- Mr. Short
6th grade: We have finished the lab unit and are beginning to learn about life from the book. Expect students to have homework from the book 2-4 nights a week. This homework should take about 20min or less.
7th grade: The students have a test on Monday on Ch 2. Then begin ch 3.
8th grade: The students have a test on Ch 5 on Wednesday. We will continue with the rock cycle in Ch 6.
Language Acquisition- Madame Rooks
French: French Trip to Quebec Deposits and Reservation Forms are due Monday, the 29th of September!
French 6th Grade : The students continue to do well. I am blessed to have such a committed group of young people in this class. We are working on numbers right now, counting and doing math in French. There will be an end of unit assessment in the next couple of weeks.
French 7th Grade: Well, review is “formally” over, though we continue to recycle and review constantly. We are onto our second High School Unit. This means that I am expecting the students to be more independent with their work and study. Please remind them to complete their homework, bring all materials to class, and to review their vocabulary for 5-10 minutes each night. Even five minutes will help. They can even set a timer. Also, instruction will move more to French than English, so they need to focus in class and get help right away if they do not understand how to apply a new skill, or concept. Merci for your continued support!
French 8th Grade: The Frappers continue to rock! Please encourage them to keep up with all their work and to continue to apply themselves in the class room and at home by reviewing, reviewing, reviewing, and practicing, completing all assignments, and making sure they understand before we move on. We are in the second part of our food unit. So, this would be a great time to explore the International Aisles at Whole Foods, Southern Season, or Fresh Market…Also, a great time to go out for a French meal at Can-Can Brasserie, Amour Bistro, Brux’l in the fan… Brux’l has moules- frites 7 different ways! (This is the former Belle Vie Restaurant we visited last Spring.) Delicious! A big shout out and MERCI to Caitlin’s mom, Mrs. Johnson, who prepared and brought in a “Croque en Bouche” for the class to enjoy.
Language Acquisition- Senora Thompson
Spanish 6th grade-They are following classroom commands in spanish now when they are in class. They will have a quiz on classroom commands next week. Please be sure that they are reviewing their vocabulary on a nightly bases.
Spanish 7th grade-They are memorizing clothing items in Spanish. They will start working on their Fashion Shows next week. They will be writing a script and practice reading their scrips. They are still practicing their “ar” verb conjugations and will have a quiz next week.
Spanish 8th grade- They are finishing up their unit on sports and will have a test within the next two weeks. Their test will include all the sports vocabulary that they have learned and stem changing verbs. It will also include the verbs : gustar, interesar and aburrir. This is their first test this year and the format includes a listening, fill-in and essay section.
Math- Mrs. Koehler
NOTICE: There will be no Math Lab on Wednesday, October 1st. There will be lab on Monday, October 29th, and then lab will resume on the following Monday, October 8th.
6th Grade: The 6th grade took their Scantron testing this week on Thursday and Friday on the new Chrome computers. What an exciting time with our new technology! We are finishing up Unit 1 (Whole Numbers, Algebra, and Statistics) with a Chapter 2 math vocabulary quiz (scheduled Monday, 9/29) and a computation test (scheduled Tuesday, 9/30). The students have learned about bar, circle, line, stem-and-leaf and scatter plot graphs. They have analyzed and made predictions on data found in the real world. Very interesting prediction made by one student on the profits for Apple vs. Samsung!
7th Grade: We finished Chapter 2 with a math vocabulary quiz and chapter test this week. Check the Communicator next week for grades. We will be finishing Unit 1 (Algebra and Integers) with Chapter 3 on Equations. This chapter is all about the Distributive Property and solving 2-step equations. We did this in 6th grade so I am anticipating smooth sailing!
8th Grade: We are winding down with exploring rational numbers in Chapter 2. Both MYP 8-1 and 8-2 are scheduled for a Chapter 2 vocabulary quiz (Monday, 9/29) and a Chapter 2 test (Tuesday, 9/30). We will be moving into solving linear equations with variables on both sides with a splash of statistics and geometry to add a little zing! This will be the conclusion of Unit 1 (Structure and Skills).
Math- Mrs. Schiavo Sixth Grade Pre-Algebra: We finished our work in Chapter 2. The highlight and challenge of the Chapter was learning to graph linear equations by plotting points and drawing the line. The students also explored how to graph these equations on the graphing calculator. Students should expect a quiz on Sections 3.1 & 3.2 mid-week.
Individuals in Societies- Mrs. Tuskey 
6th Grade US History (Week of 9-29) The students will study the settlement of the 13 Original Colonies. They will also work on an in-class project about the 13 Colonies which will count as a test grade.
7th Grade US History (Week of 9-29) The students will complete their study of the Civil War and will also work on an in-class project about the War. The project will count as a test grade.
8th Grade World Civilizations (Week of 9-29) The students will start the week by completing their study of ancient Egypt. They will then explore the Phoenicians, the Israelites, and Judaism.
Religion- Mrs. Slifka
All grades: I am now receiving emails —please send me an email so I can set up my contacts. My email is jslifka@saintmary.org.
Prayer for September to memorize and understand: The Memorare (this is in the Jesus Journal). This is due by Tuesday 9/30 (graded) This is part of the 2014 curriculum and it is required for all students to know certain prayers.
Jesus Journals are not just journals. We do write reflections in the front part of the journal, but we also put information to be assessed in the back of the journal.
EXTRA CREDIT: Students can create a
· one page summary on the readings from the Sunday mass or a service for our Protestant Students;
· a piece of Art or Music;
· a power point or video;
· another pre-approved creative idea that shows in detail the message from the readings/ homily for that week. This must be turned in within the week of that mass (1 per week will be accepted).
6th: We have outlined of Chapter 4 and discussed what it means to see Jesus prefigured in the Old Testament. We will continue to use bibles to explore the Old Testament.
7th: explored the Old Testament and the story of Abraham and Isaas. Connected Rash Hashana to our own reconciliation practices. Test on Friday
8th: We are continuing to work on the “how to” for moral decision making; and dig deep into their meaning. A test on Thursday. We have gone over a study guide. Working on the Living Rosary- Luminous Mysteries.
Design- Mrs. Clopton
Grade 8th –Students will be continue pursuing ideas for their IB 8th grade projects.
PE- Coach Spicer
6th grade: The 6th grade students have started working on the basic components and skills in football.
7th grade: The 7th graders are continuing their football unit, reviewing the positions, rules, and skills. This grade has started lead-up games, which have modified rules of football, but include the necessary skills used in the sport.
8th Grade: The 8th grade has finishing its fitness unit and have started the football unit. They are reviewing how to play at different positions and are working with their teammates to create plays during a game.
Music- Mrs. Taylor
Composer of the Month: September/Ludwig Van Beethoven
We have been having a school wide discussion about the musically significant and highly interesting life of Mr. Beethoven. Ask your student to fill you in on the details.
6th grade-Begin Music 2nd Semester. They may bring their Music Process Journals (1 in. binder) down to the music room to be labeled and stored.
7th grade-“Music that Endures” projects have begun and have already included great live performances, as well as the use of an “old relic”……a record player! The Nativity has been cast and we have begun to work on the music for the program. Our Christmas program and Nativity will be presented here in the church on the night of Tues. Dec. 16th 7-8pm.
8th grade-Religious Arts: Students have received their parts for the Living Rosary which will be presented directly after Mass (approx. 9:45am) on Wed. Oct. 8th here in the church. During class they have especially enjoyed guided imagery sessions. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend if available during the day.
Dates to Remember:
Wednesday: School Mass at 9AM
Thursday, 10/2 : High School Night 7:00-8:30 p.m.