WMMMS 8th Grade Newsletter
February Edition
Welcome to the WMMMS 8th Grade Newsletter!
The WMMMS 8th grade staff would like to introduce you to our newsletter. We will be sending out a newsletter periodically with updates, important upcoming events, and information about what is happening in 8th grade.
We want to thank you for partnering with us to help your child learn and grow! If we can ever do anything to help your child be more successful in school, please reach out to us!
English Language Arts Updates
In Language and Literature, students started Unit 2 of Module 3 this past week. We are continuing to learn the story of the Little Rock Nine through the memoir A Mighty Long Way, as well as primary source documents from the time period. As of February 14th, students now have 2 books that they should be keeping track of. By Friday 2/22, students should have read through chapter 3 of Little Rock Girl 1957 and chapter 9 of A Mighty Long Way. There are guided reading questions to go along with every chapter in their workbooks. Your student has homework almost every single night, including weekends. Our new curriculum is fast-paced and rigorous, but we are impressed with how well students are rising to the challenge. For the rest of the unit we will be looking at how different mediums are used to tell the same story.
Social Studies Updates
Students have shown improvement in historical research skills throughout this school year.
Test on Feb. 20th for Mr. Miller's class and Feb. 22nd for Ms. Foote-Hudson's class on immigration and industrialization unit.
Tips for being successful in social studies:
- Students need to use technology appropriately and only when necessary for class research
- Students also need to develop good vocabulary study habits!
Math Updates
Remember, students can retake any quiz that they’ve taken this quarter and did not make an 80% in order to earn a better grade. Students, make sure you take advantage of this opportunity!
Science Updates
We are now entering into a unit all about water! This includes properties of water, the ocean as a resource and ecosystem, and access to fresh water around the world. Students will look at the scientific aspects of water, as well as the societal impacts of access to clean water sources. Our unit will conclude with a field trip to the Outer banks on April 4th!
Electives Updates
High School Registration
On February 25th, 26th, and 27th, Ms. Kimel will visit social studies classes to talk to students about registration and to pass out registration packets. Students should take their registration packets home and complete with the help of a parent/guardian.
The parent/guardian should sign the registration documents, and students should return their entire registration packet to Ms. Kimel on March 4th.
On March 4th, Ms. Kimel will begin meeting with small groups of students to complete their registration online through students' Powerschool accounts.
Remember: The classes your child registers for are requests and are not your child's actual high school schedule. Elective choices are not guaranteed, so students should think very carefully about their alternate elective choices and choose classes that they will enjoy taking.
Updates from Ms. Rogers and Ms. Kimel
As we move toward high school registration and end of year events, we encourage all parents and guardians to have conversations with their students about making good decisions and staying focus. We traditionally see a spike in off task behavior and poor decision making as the weather begins to warm up and the end of the year nears. We ask for you to continue to ask your students about their school work, how things are going and maintaining high expectations. If you do you have any concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to any 8th grade teacher, Ms. Kimel or myself for assistance.
Field Trip Updates
Celebrations
Congratulations to our 8th graders who were accepted into Early Colleges this week. Go PUMAS!