Thursday, March 10th

Religion--Mrs. Timmins The past two weeks, 7th graders have been learning about miracles. We have watched some interesting videos, read some very interesting articles and started researching different types of miracles (Eucharistic, ones performed by saints or Marian apparitions.)   Students are currently working in groups researching a group chosen miracle that they are going to present to the class after Spring Break. It is amazing to watch the student’s expressions as they learn some of the wonderful miracles given to us. Have a wonderful and safe Spring Break!

Language Arts--Ms. Hilton This morning our own SFA media center was turned into a crime scene with live suspects and all! We thank Mr. Savelli and our other career speakers who have come in the last two weeks to show and tell us about different career fields. We have learned about careers in the business world, architecture, and public safety/forensics/criminal justice.  This week we have also worked very hard on writing resumes, and we will continue to make the final edits to our research papers after spring break, concluding our career unit in language arts. Reading- In reading, we have been reading Nothing but the Truth by AVI aloud as a class. This is a great story about a 9th grader, Philip Malloy, who gets in some trouble at school. The incident becomes famous in the news media and begins a great struggle between the school and his family of "patriotic" supporters. We are finishing the book today and will discuss what is the real "truth"? We have been debating and discussing which of the characters in this novel documentary are the most innocent or guilty, what different perspectives each of the characters have on the story, and what is the actual truth using textual evidence to support our arguments and make predictions about how far the incident with Philip Malloy will go.  Have a fun, safe spring break!

Social Studies--Mrs. Wallace This week, the 7th graders started their study of Mount Everest and the physical features of Monsoon Asia.  As we work through the different stages of the climb of Everest, the students will be writing journals in which they detail their own climb as well.  We will continue with Chapter 29 after break. I do not have a date set for a quiz over Mount Everest, along with the physical features and major cities of Monsoon Asia.  However, it will tentatively be at the start of the week of March 27th. Have a wonderful spring break with your families!

Science--Mrs. Mistry The 7th graders are continuing their study of the Human Body.  The students did a great job on their most recent test which was Introduction to Body Systems.  The goal of the chapter was to develop an understanding of how all of the human body systems work together within the body to help the body function.  In our next chapter we will be learning more specifically about Bones, Muscles and Skin.  The students put together and labeled skeletons and did a great job on their recent quiz on the skeletal system.  We are learning about how bones and muscles work together to help the body move. Hope you have a wonderful Spring Break!

Math--Ms. Cline  Seventh graders are DONE with the Algebra Readiness Exam! When the end of the year gets closer, we will begin to determine placements for next year. Students in section 7A finished up the unit on percents right before break with their test. Next on our list is geometry. We will study the different kinds of angle relationships to begin this unit. Students in 7B and 7C have been working on finding the areas of triangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, and, our favorite: irregular figures. We are celebrating Pi Day a little early with an introduction to circumference. Enjoy your spring break!

8th Grade

Important 8th grade dates:

Friday, May 5th: St. Francis Dance

Thursday, May 11th:8th grade service day at Meals from the Heartland (9:30-11:30 am)

Thursday, May 18:  Science Fair:  open from 8:00-5:00 in the Science Room.  Students will be with their project during their class time.

Saturday,May 20th: 8th grade dance at St. Theresa's

Friday, May 26th: Adventureland: 9:30-5 pm

Tuesday, May 30th: 8th grade graduation:  Class picture at 6:30 pm. Graduation Mass in Church at 7:00 pm.  Reception following Mass in Parish Hall.

Religion--Mrs. Timmins 8th grade finished up chapter 12 which included the introduction of two major heresies and heretics. It also included the positive that came from the councils and the Nicene Creed. The students concluded this unit with a quiz which was taken on Monday, March 6. We are going to continue our Church History Unit with Chapter 13. The students are going to be learning about the Dark Ages, Charlemagne as well as Pope Gregory and Virtues. We will continue to break up this unit by having smaller quizzes. The students will not have another quiz until after Spring Break. Have a wonderful and safe Spring Break!

Language Arts--Mrs. Callaghan    Reading: We just completed a Reader’s Theater Unit.  The focus revolved around speed, tone, enthusiasm, eye contact, posture and becoming their personal character. The final presentations concluded on Thursday and after Spring Break we will be beginning the book Left to Tell.                              Language Arts: In Language Arts, the kids watch a documentary called Billions in Change. They then answered questions challenging their thoughts about what impacts we can each make as individuals.  We also started a debate unit and when they get back from Spring Break we will be finishing our first round of debates and will do one more final round and a unit exam on the basics of debate. Dates to remember: Mondays and Fridays: Vocabulary pre-quiz and quiz March 31st: Mission Awareness Day April 3rd: No School

Social Studies--Mrs. Wallace The 8th graders have started the Chapter 9:Section 7 over the amendments to the Constitution.  This week, the students have learned about the amendments and then have started to apply them to modern-day situations.  After break, we will continue with our review of the Amendments.  I have, tentatively, set a date for a quiz on the Amendments for Friday, March 24th, but will adjust the date if needed when we return from spring break. Have a wonderful spring break with your families!

Science--Mrs. Mistry The 8th Graders are continuing their study of chemistry, focusing on physical and chemical properties.  We are continuing periodic table quizzes each Wednesday and the students are doing great!  Today we did a lab that helped demonstrate how chemical properties can be used to determine what group or family elements are in.  We also did a mystery powder lab and will use our results to help identify a "mystery powder" sometime after break. Additionally, I handed out a packet to the students about the Science, which will be held on May 18.  I have asked the students to have the cover letter of the packet signed so that I know you have seen it.  If your student does not have a packet or if you have questions please let me know.  I am looking forward to working with your students on their projects. Enjoy your Spring Break!

Math--Ms. Cline  Students in 8A have been looking at congruent and similar figures. We have learned some rules, or postulates, to determine if triangles are congruent or similar. Our next quiz will be a few days after we get back from break. Students in 8C and 8B have been solving systems of inequalities through graphing and shading to visually show possible solutions. Section 8C took their systems test before break and will begin looking at exponents after spring break. Students in 8B will be assessed on systems of inequalities after break. Have a fantastic spring break!