Special Presentation!

Over the past week, our classes have been preparing to read Monster, by Walter Dean Myers.  This follows the story of a juvenile who is standing trial for being involved in a robbery gone wrong.    Thus far we have previewed important vocabulary, discussed scenarios related to the book, and studied juvenile crime statistics.

Today, we had a special visitor join our classroom.  Det. DeFors, a juvenile officer and tactical detective, spoke with 8th grade students.  His presentation included the history of juvenile laws, the difference between the “spirit” of the law vs. the “letter” of the law, adult vs. juvenile corrections, and information about freedom vs. security.  Det. DeFors also spent time answering students’ questions.

We thank you, Det. DeFors, for taking time out of your day to answer our questions and share with us your expertise of juvenile laws!

Debate Update

This Thursday marked the start of the debate presentations.  They have been overwhelmingly positive! I am impressed with how some students have actually become the character whom they were assigned to portray.  It’s been exciting to watch my students apply all the research they have collected to their debates!

On an unrelated note, I’m truly looking forwards to attending the Pack the Place games next Monday and Tuesday!  Remember to wear gold (Monday) and green (Tuesday) to show your support for the Lakeview Spartans!

Happy Twin Day!

 ~ The 8th grade Language Arts and Reading Department

The Sixties Unit

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We wanted to inform you that we will be officially kicking off our 1960′s unit this week. This unit will extend throughout both Language Arts and Reading, as it provides a rich application of skills found in both subject areas. The final product will be in the form of speech or debate.

As a quick overview, we will spend next week learning and discussing many of the critical events that took place in this decade. Students will then learn about the speech itself, and have the opportunity to rank their choices for topics. On Friday, January 27^th, topics will be assigned. At this time, we will also address the requirements and expectations. The following week will then be devoted to research.

Here is a DETAILED timeline  of this unit, so you can effectively follow along with our 1960′s study. As you will see, the grade value of this project is hefty, so it is imperative your child use their time wisely.

We are extremely excited about this unit, and are certain your children will enjoy it as well! Be sure to check in with them at the end of the week to see what their debate role/speech topic is!

Thank you,

Joy DeFors and Kristy Mixon

What You’ll Need to Turn in For Your Teacher Spy Essay!

10 – Extra Credit

9 – Data collection (yellow)

8 – Response work sheet (red)

7 – Introduction draft

6 – Body paragraphs drafts

5 – Conclusion draft

4 – First full draft with edit marks with structure check W.S.

3 – Second draft with ratiocination marks

2 – Peer edited third draft with peer edit work sheet

1 – Final draft

Edmodo in the Classroom

Today all 8th grade students began using Edmodo.com.  For the next four weeks, students will respond to literary questions I post on our private, virtual classroom discussion board. Additionally, students will respond to discussions started by their peers. This should create an open atmosphere of literary discourse. Students will have about 5 days to post responses to the discussion questions.  Here is a Guide for Parents which will provide more information about Edmodo and explain how to view our classroom activity!

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about Edmodo or the requirements for this activity!

Have a wonderful Winter Vacation!

Frosty Update

Well, the 8th graders are hard at work trying to update Frosty the Snowman’s look.  It’s been really neat to see students incorporate the persuasive strategies we discussed and analyzed last week into these projects.  Here’s a sneak peek at some of the new Frosty’s:

Cake Boss Frosty;

iPod Frosty:

Chuck Testa Frosty

Charlie Brown Frosty

Candy the Snowman

Big Time Snow

Beyoncé Frosty(accompanied by Jay-Z)

Laugh My Snow Flake Off Frosty

Charlotte B. Frosty (Steam Punk)

Beauty Queen Frosty

Frosty the Snowman Image Consultant

This week 8th graders learned about the three persuasive strategies most people and companies use all around us.  Next week, your child will be “recruited” as an image consultant to help bring poor old Frosty the Snowman’s appearance and song into the 21st century. Students will be working in pairs to bid as image consultants to help update  Frosty.  Though students will have a partner, they will receive individual grades based on an individual written work, daily work ethic, their finished image proposal, and a short presentation on Friday. The project will be done entirely in class and will be presented the week before Winter Vacation.

I’m really looking forward to seeing what students come up with!

For more detailed information, please feel free to check out the Frosty Project information worksheet.

New Independent Reading Book!

Today, all 8th graders had the opportunity to select any fiction novel that is a part of our Accelerated Reader (AR) program.  Students will have 26 days to read the book.  Then, on December 14th, they will be taking the AR quiz associated with their selection.

Mrs. Mixon and I prepared a calendar (Reading Calendar)  for students to use as a way to plot out a daily reading goal.  Students certainly do not have to strictly follow the calendar they created…it’s merely a suggestion.  However, we do suggest students try to keep up with their calendars so they do not find themselves scrambling at the last minute!

Happy Birthday Mrs. Mixon

This Wednesday was a big day for Mrs. Mixon!

Happy 30th Birthday