Junior High Journal
News and Happenings in the Junior High Department
8th Grade Updates & Reminders 9/19-9/23
-Registration forms for wristbands were sent home with your youngest or only student. This is our ONLY large fundraising event for school benefit and our PTO does a phenomenal job preparing for this event. Please consider donating your time and helping run some games or food and raffle tables. Sign up using sign-up genius here.
The 2:2 basketball tournament has been postponed due to lack of participation.
Other Reminders:
- Picture retake day will be Thursday, September 29th, forms will be sent home
- Chromebooks should be charged every night to ensure the battery lasts throughout the day!
- Water bottles should be stored in lockers at all time. Students can ask to get a drink if they are thirsty, but with our new Chromebooks, water bottles are not allowed in the classroom.
- Check Skyward and the homework calendar frequently for missing and current homework assignments, talk to your child about their work.
- Please remember that although you can email your students, absences and early pick-up information must be reported through the office. Please call the Yorkville School office.
Individual Classes
ELA News and Updates
Katie Nicholls katie.nicholls@yorkville.k12.wi.us
This week in ELA, students had an opportunity to complete their first class partner project and presentation. Students read the memoir “One Last Time” by Gary Soto. They then used the information gathered while reading to develop a central idea of the memoir and create a poster of the central idea finding quotes and images that support it. Students did a great job presenting and analyzing the memoir. Students also read two articles about whether or not teens should have jobs. They looked for each article’s claims about work and then researched the validity of each. Continue to encourage your student to take time to read their independent choice novels each night. Even 10 minutes a night can make a difference.
Science News and Updates
Erin Weis erin.weis@yorkville.k12.wi.us
Students have been learning the six characteristics all living things must have in order to be considered alive. One of the characteristics is maintaining homeostasis by being able to sense and respond to the environment. Ask your child what activity we did to model this characteristic. We are also working on completing our first directed reading. This is one of the reading strategies used to help students pick out the important information from the text. We will use different strategies throughout the year. Students have also been working on their interactive science notebook that will stay in the classroom unless they want to study for a test or quiz. =) Speaking of, the first quiz will be early next week on metric conversions, steps of the scientific method and the characteristics of life. Have a wonderful weekend!
Mrs. Weis
Social Studies News and Updates
John Johnsen john.johnsen@yorkville.k12.wi.us
This week in Civics, we finished up looking at the different regions and how they played a role in shaping our current government. We found many different terms and ideas that were used during that time that we still use today. We then starting looking at lesson 3 which focused on why we broke away from Great Britain. We discussed the different laws that the king passed and how they didn’t respect the rights of the people. Next week we will finish lesson 3 then take the test over Chapter 2 on Thursday. Students will have the book, guided reading packet, study guide as well as the essay question ahead of time. Encourage your child to study before the test and as always they can write the essay and show it to me. They will still have to rewrite it on test day,but why not make sure they’re on the correct track to start. Have a great weekend hope to see everyone at Ram Family Fun Fest. Mr. Johnsen
Math News and Updates
Mary Niccolai mary.niccolai@yorkville.k12.wi.us
Intro to Algebra spent this week solving two step equations. We also reviewed the distributive property. They learned to combine like terms and to simplify algebraic expressions. Next week we will continue our work with solving equations. They will work with equations with variables on both sides and equations that involve multiple steps. Next week they will have their first quiz. Please check skyward for updated grades early next week. Have a great weekend.
Mrs. Niccolai
Algebra worked on completing module 1 this week. We spent several days on precision and converting units using dimensional analysis. Dimensional analysis was a new concept for most students and some had to work extra hard to master this part of module 1. If you son or daughter is still having trouble with this section please encourage them to ask for help. It is important to not fall behind in algebra. We ended the week with a look at the rules of exponents. We worked with fractional and negative exponents which was a new concept for most. We spent a couple of days on this section. Next week we will explore real numbers and have our first quiz. Please encourage your son or daughter to keep current with their lesson vocabulary as it will be due at the end of the chapter. Have a great weekend.
Mrs. Niccolai
Spanish News and Updates
Katy Morrow katy.morrow@yorkville.k12.wi.us
This week in Spanish we began our 8th grade numbers unit. Students are focusing on numbers in the hundreds and thousands, with the emphasis on how to say years in Spanish. We practiced telling our peers when we were born with "fake" years so that everyone was born a different year in order to practice different years. We also began working on our Hispanic Heritage Month portfolio that will be due October 14th. There are many different components including a listening component, research, and art component. Have a great weekend!
Physical Education & Health News and Updates
Amanda Peterson amanda.peterson@yorkville.k12.wi.us
This week in health the 8th graders recreated their Daily Fit Log accounts and will begin keeping track of their activities and activity time each day. They are reviewed the domains of health--physical, mental/emotional, and social. They were also introduced to an Unintentional Injuries project, which is a presentation they will begin working on next week.
In Physical Education the 8th graders started their golf unit with putting, chipping, and a mini golf course set up in the gym. We will continue golf next week with pitching and playing a mock golf course. I hope to see everyone at the Fall Fun Fest this weekend!
Mrs. Peterson
Band News and Updates
Mike Beix
The Advanced Band continues to improve with each rehearsal. Please check out the new band website (tinyurl.com/yorkvilleband) to stay informed with calendar dates, current band news, and helpful online resources.
The first performance of the school year will be on Saturday, September 24 at the PTO Fall Fun Fest. Students need to report to the band room by 11:45 AM. The performance will start in the cafeteria at 12:00 PM and we will be done by 12:15 PM. Students should wear spirit wear or blue, white, and/or black.
Choir News and Updates
Carly Kreuscher
carly.kreuscher@yorkville.k12.wi.us
http://yorkvillemusic.weebly.com
The students continue to work on pieces for our upcoming concerts. They have made lots of progress already this week! There will be a November performance and details are in the making. Stay Tuned!!!
Choir handbooks went home last week. The signed portion of the handbook is due Friday Sept 23rd.
I’m very excited to see what this year brings!!
Art News and Updates
Mrs. Herman is currently on maternity leave after having her daughter, Audrey Jean, on September 7th! She will be back sometime in December! 8th grade students currently do not have art.