US History: Archaeological Investigation!

Today in US History, the 8th graders investigated what life was like for the Native Americans before colonization.  To do this, they were given artifacts found from each American Indian group and had to match them up using the information provided by their textbook.  This activity will continue tomorrow.

This year, our US History textbook is found exclusively online through TCI.  This is the same website we used for our geography textbook last year.  Our study of history this year starts with Native Americans and will cover all American History up till present day.  Some themes we will be focusing on throughout the year are exploration/expansion, conflict, and civil rights.  Much of our work for History this year will be done in class.

Subject Update: Literature - 8/27

Today we started reading our first literature book for the year, S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders.  This coming-of-age story really engages the 8th graders as they learn about stereotypes, loyalty, and family while also exploring literary concepts like plot, conflict, and foreshadowing.

Something we do in 8th grade literature is begin to build the students' personal libraries.  To do this, most of the books this year will be brand new copies the school has purchased that are available for you purchase from us.  This gives the 8th graders ownership over the books they read, make notes to review in the text, and also allows them to leave with them when we finish.  The copies of The Outsiders we have are $10.  If you have your own copy, or want to try and find a bargain somewhere, that is perfectly fine.  I have used copies (which several took advantage of today, for short-term borrowing so you can check.

We should be finishing this book sometime around the end of September.  When we finish, we will be taking a test and then watching the 1983 movie version of the story (starring a lot of familiar faces before many knew who they were).  More information will come out about this as we get closer.

If there are any questions, let me know!

Welcome 8th Grade Families!

I am so excited this year to have your children in class for their last year here at Forest Hills!  This is going to be a great year as your students get ready to move on to high school just one short year from now.  We will have an ongoing focus this year on readying them for this transition coming up in their lives.  We will be focusing on things like responsibility and taking initiative, as well as echoing our school theme this year seen on our school sign above.  We want to fully equip them to know how to set a good example and be a light for Christ wherever life takes them.

Throughout the year, check back on this page to find information and updates on what is going on in the classroom with the 8th graders, as well as any announcements you might need to know.