3.2.15 Benjamin Stoddert MS 8th Grade Weekly Update

Greetings Family,

I hope you enjoyed our snow weekend. Here's what we have for the week:

Ms. Holt- Science

This week students will be conducting PARCC practice. Students will focus on understanding why variable are controlled during investigations; how scientists achieve objectivity during research; and how to interpret graphs and tables and DESCRIBE the relationships they show. 

Parental support is highly encouraged. These concepts are the foundation of creating an informed citizenry and one capable of being able to sort through increasing amounts of information.

STUDENTS WILL HAVE SCIENCE HOMEWORK.  Students will be evaluated on Wednesday. We will also continue with cells and heredity; focusing on creating a defense for cell theory.

Ms. Shepard-English

Scholars are now waist deep in our unit on informational text. This week, we are looking at informational text in the media. Students should bring headphones to class if they have them.

Ms. Shepard is almost done grading projects (whew). Homework will be assigned on Tuesday. It will be due on Friday. Expect students to be given a quiz this week on Thursday and Friday. Grade reports will go out Friday. They will be reflective of students' progress report grades.

In case you missed it last week, Ms. Shepard sent out invites for all parents interested in creating a parent account on Edmodo. To create a parent account, click the link I sent you and enter the corresponding group codes for your students' MOD. Please make sure you are creating a parent account not a student account. If you missed the parent account email, please contact Ms. Shepard for the link. 

BSMS MOD 1 2014-2015: iib24q

BSMS MOD 2 2014-2015: 679tvn

BSMS MOD 3 2014-2015: w89a7j

BSMS MOD 5 2014-2015: p3ui98

Ms. Sheps has been working diligently to ensure that students have access to the books in her library. As such, it is important for those students who have overdue books to either return or renew those books as soon as possible. Students who have lost a book, owe Ms. Shepard $5 (as specified in the signed parent library agreement) to be allowed access to the library again. Those students who are delinquent in their checkout time will be placed on the "no activities list" until such time as the $5 balance is paid, or the book is returned. To see if your scholar has an outstanding balance, please consult this list: http://shepshomeworkhelp.blogspot.com/2015/03/return-your-book5-or-remain-on-no.html

High School Prep will take place this week on Wednesday and Thursday. We will be working on applying to summer programs, and Khan Academy SAT prep.

Mr. Banks- Social Studies

This week we will be finishing our social studies writing diagnostic.  We will also watch the movie 'The Patriot'.  Please study for a quiz on chapter 5 next week.

General School Announcements

• Progress report grades go in early this week. Check Schoolmax on Wednesday. 
• Parent teacher conferences can be scheduled for Wednesdays from noon-12:30PM or Fridays from 1:00PM-1:30PM. Email or call if you are interested in getting on our schedule. 
• Families of NYC trip students, look out for a balance update around mid-week.
• 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