Team 8-2 News
Mrs. Bense, Mr. Frazier, Mrs. Madera, Ms. Waxman
General News! Week of February 5th- 9th
Happy Monday !
Last week we announced our upcoming the first-ever Bobcats One Read, an opportunity for all students, teachers, staff members, and interested families to read the same book – A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle – Our goal is twofold: to foster a sense of community, and to support reading both inside and outside of school. We will kick off the project the day after we return from our Presidents’ Day break on Thursday, February 22nd.
For the One Read to be successful, each student will need a copy of the book. If you are able to purchase a copy for your child, it would be most appreciated. In addition, we ask those who can do so to donate an additional copy or copies of the book for those students who need one. Any edition of the book will work! We would like to have these at school by the end of next week, Feb. 15th, so that we know how many students have, or will need a copy of the book,
In addition to participating in classroom discussions, lunchtime activities, and optional contests related to the book, students and families may choose to cap off the One Read by attending an exclusive SMMS showing of the movie adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time at our local theater on Saturday, March 10th, at 9:00 a.m. for $8/ticket.
Thank you for making SMMS the vibrant community that it is. We hope you will join us in celebrating the power of storytelling by supporting the Bobcats One Read.
“Stories make us more alive, more human, more courageous, more loving.” Madeleine L’Engle
This Thursday, February 8th, will be our next Thursday After School. Parents, each week your child is offered this opportunity. If you feel they should be attending, and are not, or do not come home with a slip, please drop one of us a quick note, and we will make sure they are invited. This is offered in all of our classes weekly, so students who need that little extra help and support, or just want to stay, should take advantage of this opportunity. Please remember your child must have a signed permission slip in order to stay, as well as an indication of how they will be getting home. Pick up is at 3:45.We have had a number of students who are still at school after 4 pm. SMMS administration have recently added to our pick-up policy. Students NOT picked up by 4:05 PM will be sent to the office to be taken home by the resource officer or his designee. Students picked up after 4:05 PM will not be invited back. Thank you for being prompt!
Recently we have had many more students taking advantage of Zero Period. It is a great way to start the day! We meet daily from 6:55- 7:25 am. If your child arrives in time to participate they are more then welcome to join us. Hope to see you there!
SMMS Yearbooks are on sale now: ( order online at)
SMMS Spirit Bobcat shirts and drawstring backpacks will go on sale beginning Thursday morning from 7-7:30 in the rotunda and during 6th, 7th, and 8th grade lunches in Student Services.
Large Youth - Large Adults $10.00
XL – 4X will be $12.00
Drawstring backpack $5.00
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
Feb. 5th- Valentine Grams will be sold before school in the cafeteria $1
Feb. 12th- SMMS Spirit Day...Show your school spirit, wear your red and blue
Feb. 13th- Valentine's Day Dance...2:40-5:00 pm...Permission slips and $5 admission
Feb. 15th- Progress Reports go home
Feb. 15th- SMMS Spirit Day...Show your school spirit, wear your red and blue
Feb. 16-20th- President's Day Holiday Extended
Feb. 21st - SMMS Spirit Day...Show your school spirit, wear your red and blue
Feb. 23rd- SMMS Spirit Day...Show your school spirit, wear your red and blue
Independent Choice Reading due dates...Book 2- February 5th, Book 3 - February 21st, Book 4- March 7th
Language Arts- Ms. Waxman
Language Arts-
This Week in Language Arts:
Both of our novel studies will continue this week. Students who are reading To Kill A Mockingbird, will be beginning Part II- This section leads up to the trial of Tom Robinson. Students will be exposed to the process of a trial, as well collecting textual evidence to aide in determining Tom's innocence or guilt.We will later use this information as we delve into the argumentative writing process.
In The Watson's Go To Birmingham students will find themselves traveling with the family south to Alabama. Byron, the "official juvenile delinquent" of the family, will be staying at Grandma Sands' house for the summer. This part of our story takes place during one of the darkest moments in American history and civil unrest.
In both texts, we will continue to use evidence from the text that develops key characters in the story, identify symbols used throughout the story, and explain why the author chose them and what they represent.Finally, we will analyze some of the more noteworthy quotes from the story and make connections to our own experiences.
Independent Choice Reading book #2 was due today Feb 5th. Book #3 will be due Feb. 21st.
This is week #5 for Tween Tribune, and our progress continues! I am encouraged to see their overall comprehension is improving, and I have seen some great written responses to the "Critical Thinking Question". These activities will definitely increase their ability to be successful on the EOG and in life! Please remember, the only way to increase Lexile levels and improve writing scores is through independent practice.
Thanks for your continued support from home!
Science- Mrs. Madera
Physical Science
Physical Science
Students completed their Light Book in class last week. This will be collected on Friday and should be used to study each night for the Mastery Assessment.
This week we will be reviewing for the WAVES Mastery Assessment. Students should be reviewing the different parts of a wave, behaviors of waves and how it relates to sound and light. They can find this information in their notebook, their light book, and on Google Classroom (Waves, Sound, Light, and Optics assignments).
This Mastery Assessment focuses on the application and relationships between wave properties and the way we hear and see things. This has really been stressed in class labs and online simulation assignments. A review assignment was started in class today and will be due on Wednesday, February 7th. Kahoot, quizlet, and quizizz links have also been added to Google Classroom. These are great 10-15 minute study links to practice each night.
The Waves Mastery Assessment is now scheduled for Friday, February 9th.
Please check google classroom for additional practice links and simulations. Review notes and vocabulary each night.
Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/join/kRj6Jgpam
Social Studies- Mrs. Bense
Although procedures are in place students are not realizing the importance of completing all activities, whether they are for a grade or not. With this in mind, I have implemented a new Bell Ringer/TOTD (ticket out the door) procedure.
On Monday students will receive a sheet that has each day listed with spots for that day’s bell ringer and TOTD. They are to write the questions and answers in the space provided. As students are working I will be walking around checking off if they are completing the work. I will collect these from the students as they leave the room.
Please talk to your student about the importance of keeping their Social Studies materials. They do not have a textbook to take home, so everything from bell ringers to assignments should be kept to use for further activities. Today in class students were working on a review sheet and very few could produce the materials necessary to complete it.
This week we will continue studying the New South Era. The following is a glimpse of the upcoming week:
Monday and Tuesday: Students will work on the Bourbons, Populists, and Progressives Review Sheet.
Wednesday: Bourbons, Populists, and Progressives test. Jim Crow Laws and Segregation Reading Passage and questions.
Thursday: African Americans and Segregation graphic organizer.
Friday: In groups students will be assigned to research either the International Cotton Expositions or the 1996 Olympics. As a class we will compare/contrast both events.
Links to Quizlet and Study Stack for the New South Vocabulary have been placed on Google Classroom.
Quizlet:
https://quizlet.com/263490329/new-south-flash-cards/
Study Stack:
Mr. Frazier
This week, Team 8-2 Mathematics will continue working in Unit 5: Linear Functions. At this point, students can interpret unit rate as the slope from a graph, table and two points. Next we will learn to compare linear functions and distinguish between linear and non-linear functions.
The students will take Master Assessments 4 and 5 on Friday. We will spend Monday and Tuesday completing Unit 5, review for the test on Wednesday and Thursday, then begin testing on Friday.
Also, students will be provided a study guide on Monday morning. All students are required to complete the study guide no later than Thursday. This study guide is intended to help them study for the Master Assessment and Unit Test. This is a good chance for you to assess how well your student knows the material.
Please have your student’s login to USA Testprep. I encourage every parent/guardian to have their student familiarize them with the site. Each week the students will be provided 2-5 short assignments designed to better prepare them for the End of Grade Test.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
MONDAY (5 FEB): Compare Linear Relationships
TUESDAY (6 FEB): Linear vs. Non-Linear
WEDNESDAY (7 FEB): Study
THURSDAY (8 FEB): Study
FRIDAY (9 FEB): None
QUIZ/TESTS
FRIDAY (1 FEB): Master Assessment 4 & 5 ( Identify Functions & Linear Functions)
KEY VOCABULARY
Study previous two weeks vocabulary
RESOURCES (The resource links below are provided to help your student perform well on the Master Assessment this week. Please have the study and practice as time allows)
1. USA Testprep-
https://www.usatestprep.com/member-login
2. Khan Academy –
3. IXL –
https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-8/compare-linear-functions-graphs-tables-and-equations
Teacher Contact Information
Mrs. Bense- tbense@camden.k12.ga.us
Mr. Frazier- ajfrazier@camden.k12.ga.us
Mrs. Madera- kmadera@camden.k12.ga.us
Ms. Waxman- bwaxman@camden.k12.ga.us
Location: 205 Martha Drive, Saint Marys, GA, United States
Phone: (912)-882-8626