Eighth Grade Newsletter Your Monthly Update from the CCP Middle School Team
February Edition
English
Mr. Master nmaster@chaminade-stl.org
Vocab: We are beginning our 13th unit. Upon concluding these last 3 units, we will continue our study of vocabulary by learning Greek and Latin root words (no textbook required) Grammar: We are on the last lessons of our punctuation unit. Students will have a large-scale punctuation assessment next week. It will be unlimited retakes with randomized questions, BUT as long as students practice the concepts, there is no reason they can't walk away with a 100% or close to it. Literature: I plan to have Mid-Unit Lord of the Flies tests graded by the end of the weekend. Students are now reading the 2nd half of Lord of the Flies. Writing: We just had three Constructed Response "Mini-Essay" questions on our midunit test. Later in the term, we will be writing a Compare & Contrast essay analyzing similarities and differences between the Lord of the Flies novel and a modernized film version.
Science
Mr. O'Shaughnessy boshaughnessy@chaminade-stl.org
We are finishing up our unit on Oceangraphy. Students have participated in discussion about various geologic aspects of the ocean including creating a model of the ocean floor out of clay and labeling certain features. Our test is this week and we will be moving on to our unit about Earth's Atmosphere.
Math
Mr. Schaaf jschaaf@chaminade-stl.org
850: Outstanding work in chapter 9. Moving on to advanced factoring in chapter 10. 830: Very solid work in chapter 7. No onto exponents!
Math
Mr. Bennett fbennett@chaminade-stl.org
We have been solving and graphing inequalities. Next class, we will have a test over these and other concepts presented in Chapter 6, If your son has any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me!
Latin
Mr. Makarewicz jmakarewicz@chaminade-stl.org
Students are now finishing up chapter 16 in their textbooks. Before Spring Break they will take the National Latin Exam. Students wanting to do well can practice at https://quiz.nle.org/. After break students will work on a Roman topography project.
Social Studies
Mr. Gambaro dgambaro@chaminade-stl.org
The 8th grade has finally entered the 20th Century. This week we cover the Progressive Movement. Next, we move on to World War I. While studying this conflict we will focus on more than just the military action. The Great War brought with it great political change, created and destroyed nations, accelerated technological innovation, and set the scene for World War II. The chapter will conclude after spring break. Before we reach that point, the class will examine several transformative events. This will include prohibition, The Great Depression, The New Deal and finally the rise of dictatorships.
Chinese
Dr. Chen xchen@chaminade-stl.org
After almost 2 years of learning Chinese, everyone finally got their Chinese names! We learned about the culture behind Chinese names and they understand the meanings and expectations of their names. We also did some activities to get familiar with their own and each others new names. In addition, we took some time to made a "self-introduction" book to talk about ourselves. The topics are covered with family, friends, school, classes, food, shopping, sports, etc. Yes, we can talk a lot about ourselves in Chinese now!
Spanish
Mrs. Galvan mgalvan@chaminade-stl.org
I am excited to return from maternity leave and will be reviewing Leccion 6 from their Senderos textbook. We will be discussing clothing, colors, and shopping in Spanish. They will be expected to switch back and forth between present tense and past tense in conversation. After spring break, they will start reading the Spanish novel Brandon Brown Quiere un Perro. In order to prepare for quizzes/tests, they can click on the "Course Resources" button on my Canvas home page. Links to recent teaching videos and Quizlet vocab lists can be found there.
Art
Mr. Anthony manthony@chaminade-stl.org
8th grade visual art students are off to a great start. We are learning more about art, ourselves, and each other through the process of making. We recently finished a design using our name and are currently critiquing the work together. We will learn more about color theory next. Please remember to bring & have all your materials with you for every class: sketchbook, colored pencils, wooden pencil, & separate eraser. Keep up the good work gentlemen!
Theatre
Mrs. Lawrence slawrence@chaminade-stl.org
In 8th grade Drama, we are learning about the fundamentals of stage performance and creating performing art. Next, we will begin working on our first performance project, creating Open Scenes. Students will perform their scenes for classmates live in class.
DATES TO REMEMBER: 3/11: Parent Teacher Conferences on Zoom 1:30-4:30pm and 5:15-7:30pm 3/12: No School! Happy Spring Break! 3/15-3/19: SPRING BREAK 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 or email Susie at sclark@chaminade-stl.org
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
Congrats to our February Student of the Month, Mikey Skale! Great stuff, Mikey! Parent Teacher conferences are on March 11th. The counselors will have their Zoom open during that time if anyone would like to check in. Use the links below to join their waiting room and be patient as they may be with another parent. Have a great Spring Break. Only a couple more months left of Middle School for the boys! Jack Twellman's Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/3885782382?pwd=VzRsRVo5U2xxOExSNG43Q3ZXbjFnQT09 John Hale's Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/8399088180?pwd=dlltQStLK0FHWnc0VWd1N2YwV25jUT09