Literature

The Greatest Mystery Novel & Author of all Time:

And The There Were None    by: Agatha Christie

We will be enjoying this wonderful and suspense filled novel during these next few weeks.  Along with this new novel I am trying a new approach.  There will not be the regular set of questions done after each chapter, rather the students will be filling in a chart that lists the characters and information they learn about them as we read.  This chart is worth 100 points and will be due at the end of our reading.  Students will also be graded daily on their participation in the class discussion.  The only homework will be to read the chapter that was started in class and be prepared for discussing the details.  Discussion will center around what happened, character development, plot & themes.

Subject Update: US History

In our study of US History, we have just about reached the 20th century.  The three chapters we are studying now are exploring the period of immense growth our country experienced between 1870 and 1900.  We are looking at three areas of growth: westward expansion, industry, and immigration.

Over the last week or so, the 8th graders have been working in groups to present these three chapters to each other.  They have all done a wonderful job with this project!  Our presentations will wrap up tomorrow.  Then, we will take a brief look at the Progressive Era before we dive into World War I.

Merchant of Venice  

We have laughed and loved this wonderful Shakespeare play and now look forward to the last novel of the year.  We will be doing a read through with discussion and some written work for one of the most popular suspense novels written. . . 

And Then There Were None

MAP Testing

MAP Testing

Next Wednesday, May 10 all students in grades 6 - 8 will be taking their spring session of the MAP testing.  

Please make sure that no appointments are scheduled for this day. 

It is really helpful for students to get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast.  Students are encouraged to bring healthy snacks and a really good book (book report reading!!) to read in between sessions.

Subject Update: Christian Studies

For the rest of the school year, our Christian Studies class will have two parts to it.  On Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, we will continue our study of the book of Acts.  We just finished discussing Paul's 3rd Missionary Journey today.  We will now be studying Paul's arrest and journey to Rome.

On Fridays for the rest of the year, we will be having special Christian Studies classes to help prepare the 8th graders for high school spiritually.  Josh Nix, the DCE from Trinity Lutheran in Hillsboro, is coming in each Friday to help with these classes as we discuss topics like witnessing to others, relationships, and how to handle different situations as a Christian.  We started these classes last Friday by talking about what it means to be in the world but not of the world.  This week, we will be talking about what it means to be Christlike.  These classes will help the 8th graders be better prepared to shine the light of Jesus outside the walls of Forest Hills.

8th Grade End of the Year Information

Believe it or not, but we are a little over a month from the end of this school year and the end of the 8th graders' time here at Forest Hills.  This year has flown by!  As we approach the end of the year, there are a few things for you to know...

Yesterday, the 8th graders learned about their 8th grade graduation slideshow they need to make.  This will be shown on the night of graduation.  It is their job to put these together, but one thing families can help with is finding pictures to go on the slideshow.  They will need baby pictures, recent pictures, and everything in between.  Ideally, these would be digital pictures, but we can scan them in if they are not.  We will start making these slideshows next Monday so they should all have some pictures by then.

SAVE THE DATE!!!  On Wednesday, June 7th, the 8th graders will be taking their traditional end of year field trip to the coast!  Many parents usually like to come on this last field trip of the year.  More information will be coming home on this later, but I wanted to get the date out to you now in case you want to come along.

Literature

Shakespeare Comes to Class!

In Literature class we are moving forward in time to the 1500's and moving north to Europe.  

We just finished The Count of Monte Cristo and am now beginning The Merchant of Venice. 

The students will be reading this as a play in class and working on comprehension questions.  They will also be working on projects that explore different aspects of the theater during this time period.