Eighth Grade Newsletter Your Monthly Update from the CCP Middle School Team
October Edition
Theology
Mr. Thro
mthro@chaminade-stl.org In the last week we studied the end of the Roman persecutions and the emergence of the Emperor Constantine. We studied some of the ways he promoted Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, particularly looking at the basilicas and shrines he built in order to promote the faith. We looked briefly at how the integrity of the sacraments was challenged in what has been called the “Donatus Controversy”. The issue began with a dispute of who the legitimate bishop of the city of Carthage, Africa was. The controversy caused a schism in the diocese of Carthage, with the emperor and the pope both getting involved to settle the matter, which was officially decided but which did not really heal the rift completely. But it was the first time the Roman government became involved in settling church matters. While we were studying Constantine’s basilicas we also looked at a short video about the location of St. Peter’s tomb, which has been found directly below the main altar of St. Peter’s Basilica just as Constantine intended. Today we are concentrating on the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, and the levelling of the city of Jerusalem by the Roman general Titus in 69-70a.d. along with a few of the changes that this destruction brought to both Judaism and Christianity that have lasted ever since. We are also studying the religious thinking of the ancient Romans and some of the religious “cults” they joined in addition to participating in the Roman State religious worship. We are going to compare and contrast thinking between the Romans and the Christians next week, and discuss the Christian concept of God. From there we will move to the difficulty the Church thinkers had expressing this concept and how this contributed to the development of the Nicene Creed which we recite at Sunday Mass.
Social Studies Mr. Gambaro
dgambaro@chaminade-stl.org The America war for independence is winding down. Over the next week we will finish up chapter 3. That means the end of chapter assignments are right around the corner. Chapter 4 will cover the formation and early years of the Republic. We will focus on multiple impactful events, such as the Constitutional Convention, Washington’s presidency, creation of political parties Shay’s Rebellion, and the presidency of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.
Science
Mr. O'Shaughnessy
boshaughnessy@chaminade-stl.org In Earth Science we have just finished up our first unit. In our introduction unit we discussed various topics such as the parts of an atom, how atoms bond and what makes a mineral. Students worked in a “build an atom” simulator, they also created a concept map and a website based on properties of minerals and how we identify them. We are currently learning about the rock cycle where students are creating their own diagram illustration aspects of the rock cycle as well as participating in discussions about this topic. Please double check grades to make sure there are no missing or poor grades, currently accepting resubmissions for incomplete or missing work.
Math
Mr. Bennett
fbennett@chaminade-stl.org Hello Parents! Currently, we are working on solving multistep equations. This section can be challenging for some students. If your son needs additional practice or help, please do not hesitate to have him contact me! Thank you!
Math
Mr. Schaaf
jschaaf@chaminade-stl.org Math830 and ALG850 are both starting chapters on equations. This is the chapter that vaults both classes into Algebra (instead of 7th grade review). Extra attention, focus, and effort need to be exercised to perform well on the quizzes and test.
PE
Mr. Derkits mderkits@chamiande-stl.org 8th grade Physical Education class has been going very well so far! Students are working hard, having fun, and staying safe! We have completed a tennis, frisbee golf, and kickball unit. In the coming weeks we will play more outdoor team sports. With the weather beginning to turn colder, it will be important for all students to bring outerwear to keep themselves warm during class. Students are welcome to bring hooded sweatshirts, sweatpants, gloves, stocking cap, ETC. If you have a questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Chinese
Dr. Chen
xchen@chaminade-stl.org We are excited to have your son come back and do many fun activities together! Recently, we have learned the words to describe the appearance of a person. And in a story, we learned that "be yourself" is very important. Right now, they are all comfortable with using those new words and sentences, so a reading quiz will be followed (on Monday, 10/5) and they will also start to write their own parallel stories. Just a reminder, I will be available for tutoring or quiz make-up in the morning 7:40-8:10 from Monday through Friday. Please do not hesitate to see me.
Spanish
Mrs. Galvan
mgalvan@chaminade-stl.org The eighth grade students have been very impressive, finishing up the first chapter (Lec.4A). They will be starting their next chapter (Lec. 4B). We are storytelling in the past tense, instead of the present tense. Irregular stem-changing verbs will be introduced where we will discuss what we prefer, what we can do, and what we like to play in Spanish. Continue to check my home page on Canvas for each day's lesson. The Course Resources button on my home page will allow them access to current teaching videos of the chapter.
Latin
Mr. Makarewicz
jmakarewicz@chaminade-stl.org We have completed reviewing content from last year and are now covering new content in the book starting at Chapter 10. Students are reminded to keep up with their long-term assignments on Memrise. It can be a lot of last minute work if they procrastinate.
French
Mrs. Dalton
cdalton@chaminade-stl.org Bonjour! We have picked up with our French Novel “Brandon dit la verité”(Brandon tells the truth) that we started in 7th grade. The boys are learning how to say the rooms in the house, items in rooms (bed, carpet, lamp, tc..),prepositions of location, and directions through the house. They have recreated the main character’s house in Minecraft and will be presenting their version in French. We will be wrapping up this book October 14 and will have a test the following week. Then we will returning to the textbook to start Unit 3----Just in time for the holidays----your kids will learn how to say all of the family members and how to describe physical and character traits of people with gender agreement. It’s one of the hardest lessons this year—so hang in there! The following lesson is French FOOD—so there is something to look forward too!
English
Mr. Master nmaster@chaminade-stl.org Students have been busy over the first 6 weeks as we habituate to the new normal and adjust to the daily routine of English class. Over this first grading period, we have dipped our toes into each of the four major components of our study of English: Vocabulary, Writing, Grammar and Literature. Vocabulary: We have completed the first three units of our Vocabulary Workshop book. Our vocabulary routine works on a four-day rotation that our students should be familiar with by now: 1st Day: We review the words as a class and students write sentences for 10 of the 20 words. 2nd Day: We work on the Vocabulary Workshop book in class. It is due the following class. 3rd Day: I grade the Vocabulary Workshop books and return them to students. The class engages in a review of the unit using the online game Kahoot in order to prepare for our quiz. 4th Day: We take a vocabulary unit quiz over the unit. The process repeats with the first day the following class. Writing: Heavy emphasis has been placed on organization. Our class has reviewed how to write a clear and focused thesis statement, how to turn that thesis statement into a full funnel introduction, how to write a body paragraph complete with a topic sentence and supporting details, and how to write a conclusion paragraph. The next step will be to apply this organization to the Literary Analysis essay, a skill we will practice during The Book Thief. Grammar: We have completed our first Grammar Unit (Nouns and Pronouns) and are nearly done with our second (Verbs and Descriptors). Students should expect a summative assessment over action verbs, linking verbs, helping verbs, adjectives, and adverbs early next week before we transition to our final parts of speech unit. Students complete a daily assessment every class that can be retaken until the student earns a 100%, so any grammar grade that isn't a 100% is a missed opportunity by the student to improve his grade. Literature: After a six week study of short stories and an overview of basic literary terms, we are finally beginning our study of Markus Zusak's The Book Thief. Students should bring their books to class every day and should plan on a reading assignment of roughly 35-50 pages per class.
Theater
Mrs. Lawrence
slawrence@chaminade-stl.org Students are busy creating their Sketch Comedy Show project After we wrap our filming, students will have a watch party in class. We will then begin reading our first play of the semester. Students are also encouraged to watch the All School Play, William Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors,” which we will be livestreaming for you to enjoy at home! This unique and groundbreaking production will be performed entirely online in a Minecraft world built by Chaminade students! Tickets are free for CCP students, but must be reserved online so you receive the viewing link. Information can be found on the Chaminade home page and our class Canvas page. The show runs October 8-10.
Band
Mr. Jones
hjones@chaminade-stl.org MS Beginning Band: Jingle Bells 1 Due Wednesday 10/7 at 10pm https://chaminade-stl.instructure.com/courses/2055/assignments/247656
Art
Mr. Anthony
manthony@chaminade-stl.org 8th Grade Visual Art students are continuing to learn how to think and make like artists. We are building our creative experience using Color, Line, and Shape to create beautiful artworks that hold meaning and connections for us. Our class collaborated with each of the middle school visual arts classes to create a large installation outside our classroom studio in the Skip. Keep up the good work gentlemen!
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to the 8th grade Student of the Month!
IS AWARDED TO
MACK YANAGIMOTO for Consistent Effort in the Classroom and Gentlemanly Conduct. Chaminade College Preparatory School Presented on October 2, 2020
Dr. Todd Guidry, Ed.D Middle School Principal
Messages from your Middle School Team: Principal Dr. Guidry
tguidry@chaminade-stl.org
Counselor
Mr. Twellman
jtwellman@chaminade-stl.org
Learning Consultant Mr. Hale
jhale@chaminade-stl.org
Attached is our October Monthly Planner if this is something you and your son have found helpful or would like to start using. If you have any follow up questions, please feel free to reach out! We understand that a very difficult part of this school year is the lack of social interactions your boys are getting at school. Because of this, we have gone into your son's Theology classes to do a Building Connections activity. The idea behind this was to give them time outside of classroom, connect with new kids in their class and have fun. Our goal is to continue to provide these types of experiences so the boys can safely connect with their classmates!
DATES TO REMEMBER: 10/8: Early Dismissal @ 12:30 Parent Teacher Conferences on Zoom 1:30-7:00pm 10/8-10/10: All School Show- Comedy of Errors @7:00pm online 10/9: No School! Parent Teacher Conferences 8:00am-12:00pm 10/12: No School!
10/30: House Polo Day
ATTENDANCE REMINDER: Will your son be absent? Does he have an appointment and need to leave early or arrive late? Call the Middle School Office at 314.692.6687.