Thursday, November 7, 2013

Veterans Day

Let us remember all the sacrifices made by the men and women of our armed forces so that we could have a safer life. No amount of appreciation would be sufficient enough to honor them.  



There will be no school on Monday, November 11, 2013 due to Veterans Day and parent-teacher conferences that were held earlier this week.

Declaration of Independence



To supplement their study of the American Revolution in civics class, students are tackling the complex text of the Declaration of Independence in their reading class. Students will formally present their analysis of a passage from this important historical document next week.  Because scholars believe that Thomas Jefferson meant for the Declaration to be dramatically performed, students will reveal their understanding of the document by completing their own dramatic reading in our makeshift Independence Hall.  


Electric Usage Audit project to bring energy conservation home!

Next week students will be coming home asking for help from their parents and guardians as they complete an electric usage audit. In science, students will  be learning about electricity and how it impacts our lives. As adults paying the bills, we know the impact of wasted electricity on the budget. This project aims to help students understand electric utilities and how some simple changes could lower the power bill! Students will be introduced to the project on Tuesday, 11/12/13. There are many resources students will need to access from the class website, www.HaskinsSci8.info. Students will be asked to research various facts about commercial electricity, collect data from their homes, and analyze how to save power resources. Also, there are plenty of helpful hints and explanations on the website to assist students as they put together their portfolios. The choices and habits students make today could have a great impact on the environment and the pocketbook!

Audit (download the organizer)
 
 
 





Events and Dates

Friday, November 8
 [Event] Veterans Day Experience
 AMS Parent Network Fundraiser due
 Holiday art contest ends
Monday, November 11
 No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences held earlier in the week
 Veterans Day
Monday, November 25
 [Reading] AR Midterm Progress Check
Wednesday, November 27
  No School - Teacher In-service ACT 80
Thursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29
 No School - Thanksgiving break
Monday, December 2
 School back in session
Tuesday, December 17
 [Event] Niki's Family Movie (Field Trip)
Monday, December 23 through Wednesday, January 1, 2014
 No School - Winter Vacation
Thursday, January 2, 2014
 
 
The 8th grade homework calendar is available on our Edline page. 

Student Council Holiday Project



This holiday season, Student Council is collecting school supplies for the children of Osman Hope, a non-profit organization that provides educational services for children in Honduras.  We are collecting materials for 25 students in one of Osman Hope’s shelters.  Some students have volunteered to “adopt a classmate”, which means that they are collecting classroom materials for one student and will be able to write that student a note to accompany their donation.  Osman Hope is requesting:
                                                                                                       

Crayons
Colored Pencils
Pencils
Pens
Erasers
Scissors
Finger Paint
Pencil Sharpeners


In addition, Osman Hope has also requested:

Coloring Books
Play dough
Puzzles
Construction Paper


If you have any new or gently used materials listed above that you would like to donate to Osman Hope, please send them to Mrs. Hickman for collection by Nov 26, or if your family would like to “adopt a classmate” Mrs. Hickman can give you a name to write your note!  All collected materials will be sent to Honduras on December 5.  

Thank you from Student Council!


Flowers for Algernon



Students are gearing up for the Mock Trial!  Students are acting as lawyers and witnesses to decide whether or not Charlie Gordon should have had the surgery to make him intelligent.  The trial begins on Tuesday!



Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Grade 8 Update!

Algebra test tomorrow! Fundraiser due Friday! Pre-algebra test on Friday. No school on Monday!

Monday, November 4, 2013

This week...


Thursday, November 7
 [Algebra] Test
 Advisory
 Electronic Field Trip
Friday, November 8
 [Event] Veterans Day Experience
 [Pre-algebra] Test
 AMS Parent Network Fundraiser due
 Holiday art contest ends