8th Grade Cardinal Newsletter
April 9 - April 20
Science News
We are heading into the final stretch before taking our STAAR test on May 16th. We will be covering cells, body systems, and various other life science concepts over the next two weeks. Our next test will be on April 17th.
Tutoring is available Mon-Thurs 4:15-5:00.
Math News
Week of 4/9 - 4/13
- Monday – STAAR Review
- Tuesday – 8th grade STAAR Math test
- Wednesday – 8th grade STAAR Reading test
- Thursday – Apply 7th and 8th grade concepts learned throughout the year to produce projects demonstrating the real world application of these skills
- Friday – Apply 7th and 8th grade concepts learned throughout the year to produce projects demonstrating the real world application of these skills
Week of 4/16 – 4/20
- Monday – Friday: Apply 8th grade concepts learned throughout the year to produce projects demonstrating the real world application of these skills. It’s My Life Project due Friday 4/20
Please continue to check Parent Portal to keep updated on your child's averages in their classes. Please contact your child’s teacher at any time if you have any questions or concerns and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Whitney Vana: wvana@melissaisd.org
Ashleigh Weeaks: ashleighweeaks@melissaisd.org
Christie Weaver: cweaver@melissaisd.org
Algebra News
- Monday - STAAR Review
- Tuesday - STAAR Review
- Wednesday - Reading STAAR Test
- Thursday - STAAR Review
- Friday - STAAR Review
Week of 4/16 - 4/20
- Monday - STAAR Review
- Tuesday - STAAR Review
- Wednesday - STAAR Review
- Thursday - STAAR Review
- Friday - STAAR Review
Tutoring is every morning and every afternoon (except for Friday) by Appointment.
Please check Parent Portal for updated grades. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at ashleighweeaks@melissaisd.org
ELAR News
In 8th Grade Writing, students are preparing for another major paper and presentation. Students will be writing a problem/solution essay on the topic of their choosing. The paper will be due on Thursday, March 29th. The week of April 2nd-6th, students will create a multimedia presentation to share with the class over their topic. Presentations will begin the week of April 9th.
In our Academic classes, students have been reading and annotating in their own copies of, The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle. Thank you to all parents for getting the book! We know it took time and effort to locate a copy, so we appreciate your support in obtaining one in order for your student to annotate in it. The kids were reluctant at first, but now, it's becoming second nature. We will be finishing up Chapter 2 and moving in Chapter 3 next week.
In Honors, we have been reading and annotating, Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin. The students have shown a lot of interest in the subject of autism, and we feel they are developing a strong sense of empathy that will continue to grow as the book progresses. We are finishing up Chapter 3 and on to Chapter 4 next week.
***IMPORTANT REMINDER*** The 8th grade Reading STAAR test is Wednesday, April 11th. Please ensure your student gets plenty of rest, has a protein filled breakfast, and is ready to rock that test! Remember, the students can only have two Ziploc sandwich baggies full of non-crunchy snacks, a water bottle, and their IR books.
As always, please encourage your student to continue reading his or her independent reading book each night. We ask that Academic students read approximately 20 minutes per night and Honors at least 30 minutes.
History News
We are finishing up our final unit over the Civil War. After it is completed, we will spend a couple of weeks reviewing for the STAAR test.