Friday, August 30, 2013

Please Bring on the First Day

The first day is almost here! Please bring the following items on the first day of school: 

1. Water bottle
2. Supplies (if you didn't drop them off on Friday or Tuesday)
3. 3 inch by 3 inch picture of student
4. The phone number you would like to use for the class phone book
5. Healthy lunch or lunch money
6. A great attitude

This weekend take the time to:

1. Review the uniform policy. (Yes ladies, you must take off your lovely nail polish. I already did :) )
2. Review the health food policy. Healthy lunches are made up of lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. My first day lunch is a tuna sandwich on whole wheat bread, an apple, and celery sticks with hummus. What are you packing?
3. Get to bed on time. Those late nights are over my friends! Make sure you're in bed early enough to get up and get out the door on time. We start learning at 7:45, so you don't have time to be late. 

I can't wait to see you all! 

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Mark Your Calendar - Back to School Night


Please join me on Thursday, September 5th, 2013 from 6:00 - 7:30 to find out what's happening in 8th grade this year and share with me how I can best serve your family.

Schedule:
6:00-6:30—Come early to chat with specialists, Beacock Music fellow will be here for students to try out instruments
6:30-6:42— Meet in the gym for a short introduction from Mrs. Denman
6:45-7:05—Session 1
7:10-7:30—Session 2 for families with more than one child
 
I'll be sharing our curriculum map, proposed field trips, graduation date, and volunteer opportunities.
 
Please bring the communication survey sent home on Wednesday to Back to School Night to enter the door prize drawing!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Supply List Update

With the late switch in grades, of course the supply lists are from last year's teacher. If you are out and about this week or have these items at home already, please add them to your supplies. If you don't end up with them, it's OK. We'll get by! 

1 box of colored markers
2 tubes of O'Glue or similar gel roll on glue
2 dozen non erasable ball point pens (This was already on the list, but I'm lifting the color restriction)
1 roll masking tape
1 roll duct tape


Thank you! 

Monday, August 26, 2013

Welcome to 8th Grade


Today was the official first day back for staff. It was wonderful to see all the teachers and to spend the day working together. There's plenty of excitement in the air and we can't wait for the students to arrive.

I'm very excited to be teaching 8th grade this year. Our curriculum is fantastic and includes all new time periods from the fall of European Colonialism through the Cold War years and on into the Civil Rights movement. We will be reading The Good Earth, Animal Farm, and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and 12th Night along with lots of poetry, reading group novels, and guided reading pieces. In science we will focus on Physics and Electricity. We will also focus heavily on refining our writing, public speaking, and reasoning skills. Our field trips will not only be related to curriculum content, but also help us to look to the future. I plan for us to visit several high schools and colleges so families can make informed decisions about the upcoming years.

This week I will be in staff meetings most of the week. If you would like to come by on Friday and drop off supplies, you are more than welcome to do so between 1:00 and 3:00. I'd love to see you!