2.16.15 Benjamin Stoddert MS 8th Grade Weekly Update

Greetings Family,

Happy Valentine's/President's/Snow Day Weekend. We have some important announcements for this week. The biggest announcement: NO SCHOOL TOMORROW, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH. ENJOY THE SNOW DAY!

Here is the rest:

Ms. Holt- Science

Students in science have take-home quizzes due on Tuesday. We will review the take-home quizzes and complete reviews in chemistry and physics to practice for MSA. 

The honors class will turn in research on the moon, its surface, how they will travel to the moon, grow food, a map of the moon, and the effects of the moon's gravity on the body. The honor's class will also continue to work on building the lunar ISS. Please remind students to save soda bottles, toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, washed meat trays, and cardboard for their projects. So far, only teachers have brought in materials. 

Mr. Barnes- Math

Scholars in algebra will finish completing the square and start the transition to the quadratic formula and solving complex numbers. The mathematics 8 class will continue with the congruence of polygons. We will compare the similarity of polygons along with ratio and proportion.

Ms. Shepard-English

This past week, scholars began a new unit on informational text. This coming week will be speech week! Students will study famous speeches in history.

Scholars are completely done working on Of Mice and Men during Ms. Shepard's class. All other work for student projects will be completed at home.Projects will be due on WEDNESDAY, February 18th by 3:30 PM. This is an extended date from the original due date, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17th. No late submissions will be accepted after Wednesday. None.

High School prep will take place this week on Wednesday and Thursday. We will be working on applying to summer programs. For those parents who are interested, please take a look at the following links, which offer some excellent and out-of -the-box FREE summer program opportunities.

• http://www.nsbe.org/seek.aspx
• http://www.usaeop.com/ (check the GERMs program)

For further project details please check Ms. Shepard's blog shepshomeworkhelp.blogspot.com. You may need to scroll down a bit. Also, keep in mind that English 8 and English 8 Honors have different project expectations. Make sure you are looking at the correct post.

Mr. Banks- Social Studies

This week in social studies all scholars will be taking the post writing diagnostic for social studies.  We will also be using the READ strategy to improve our reading comprehension.  We will also examine the start of the American Revolution. Students can also earn 10 points toward their next quiz for every ream of copy paper that they bring in.

General School Announcements

• The IB Application is available online (PGCPS website) and the deadline is 3-12-15. The application for Forrestville Military Academy is also available in the guidance office and the deadline is 4-30-15. 
• Team Hampton looks forward to helping our scholars in their transition to high school. We recognize the importance of teacher recommendations during this time in the school year. In order for us to have enough time to write quality recommendations, please be sure to place your request at least one week in advance. 
• Students are invited to bring Earbud headphones (the small, fit in your pocket kind) to Ms. Shepard's class only. They will need the headphones as we move into our unit on informational text.

Let's make it a great week!

-The 8th Grade Team