8th Grade MP3 Campus

School Data is open on the 1st for parent reviews. These are due by the 5th. We hope the cut and paste grade level newsletter will be helpful to supplement your remote learning plan reviews. Thank you for submitting in a timely manner and if you need help, please reach out to your SLPC.

Topics: Approximations Unit

Activities: For September, students completed their iReady diagnostic assessment for Fall, and we started our first unit. In our approximations unit, we are looking at the difference between rational and irrational numbers in order to define what an irrational number is. We started by looking at rational numbers by practicing how to convert repeating decimals into fractions. Then, we looked at evaluating for square and cube roots and identifying when those radicals are irrational. We ended the month, practicing how to estimate for irrational square roots, which we will continue with into next month.

Teacher Tip:

Teacher Info: Mrs. Alexander, halexander@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: About Me, Dear Mrs. Oscarson, Acrostic Poetry, Fall Cinquain Poetry, Ten Things I Did NOT Do This Summer, iReady Testing

Activities: Writing classes are off to a great start at MP3! We spent our first day talking about classroom routines - emphasizing our overarching goals for the year to BE BRAVE and BE KIND. As the ‘big kids’ on campus, we talked about ways we can be a good example for the younger grades. Then we dove right into our first writing project called About Me. This provided an opportunity for students to write about themselves and learn about the people they share tables with. To practice our letter-writing skills, we replied to an introductory letter from Mrs. Oscarson. Next, we created acrostic poem banners with our names as the anchor word to describe ourselves and brighten the room. An important part of narrative writing is brainstorming ideas so we practiced by making a list of ‘Ten Things I Did NOT Do This Summer’. We shared our lists with classmates and then picked one to develop into a story. Then we tackled the challenge of learning the pattern of a cinquain poem. The topic was ‘autumn’ and it was a good way to practice descriptive writing and follow a poem sequence. Students drafted 2-3 examples in their notebooks and then picked their favorite to share on the poetry wall. Two days were spent on the iReady diagnostic test. Students worked hard and now their iReady lessons contain personalized instruction that focuses on the specific skills they need to learn. Adding these lessons to your at-home practice can be a great way for students to concentrate on particular areas of need.

I am thrilled to partner with you in your child’s learning. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

Teacher info: Mrs. Oscarson, roscarson@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: Balancing privacy and security, Civil Rights Act of 1964, "Do I Have A Right?" and Interpreting the Constitution.

Activities: It has been a terrific opening month of learning in Mock Trials. Many of the students in this class have some experience with Mock Trials and a basic understanding of the judicial process. We completed a review to make sure that we all had a handle on the central parties who participate in a trial, the burden of proof in civil and criminal cases, different types of evidence and some of the courtroom jargon we will encounter as we get to work. We also took a look at some important legislation from the past. First, we examined the government’s dual role to protect the people as a whole and at the same time, to protect our rights as individuals. To do this, we learned about The Patriot Act of 2001. This was passed in the wake of Sept. 11th as a way to protect Americans. Students could see how the Act changed the way government security agencies operate in a way that may have kept us safer but at the same time, often interfered with some of the rights that we enjoy as Americans. From here, we used resources from iCivics to help us understand one of the most important laws passed in the US in the last 100 years, the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As students worked through this, we were able to:

• Identify several protections in the Civil Rights Act of 1964

• Describe a reason why the Civil Rights Act was created

• Apply Civil Rights Act protections to real life scenarios

• Analyze how the Civil Rights Act impacts people’s lives and the country as a whole

As we became more familiar with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, students applied their knowledge to an online simulation called "Do I Have A Right?" In this activity, students assumed the role of an attorney working at a law office. They heard complaints from potential clients and determined whether or not their rights were violated. They also had to connect the complaint with the constitutional amendment that protects that right. In this way, students are learning to think like attorneys and use the Constitution as their framework for analyzing complaints. I have been having a great time with this group and I am excited to get into the tough work of carrying out a mock trial.

Teacher Tip: Topics and work we do are shared in Google Classroom. Feel free to ask your student for a peek at what we have done so far.

Teacher Info: Let me know if you have any questions!

Mr. Caraco, jcaraco@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: Our learning objectives this month were the following:

*A substance is a form of matter with a unique composition and distinct properties.

*Substances can be represented with common names, chemical names, and chemical formulas

*A chemical reaction occurs when substances interact to form new substances (products).

*Demonstrating conservation of matter by balancing equations

Activities: We began an investigation to try and identify two substances that were mixed together in a “mystery mixture.” Students used observation and investigation to try and determine which two substances could be a part of the mystery mixture. Students used magnifying glasses to make visual observations of the properties of the mystery mixture (shape, color, texture, particle size). Students also observed what occurred when they added pipettes of water to the mystery mixture. They saw signs of a chemical reaction. Signs they observed were bubbling, fizzing, temperature change, and color change. Students began the practice of balancing equations to understand the concept of conservation of matter. This will become an independent activity.

Vocabulary: Substance, particle, reaction

Teacher Info: Mrs. DeWaard, hdewaard@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: Classroom routines, group work, engineering notebooks, basebot

Activities: We started this month learning that successful teamwork depends on following routines, communicating clearly, sharing materials, listening to others ideas, and treating every group member respectfully. During their first group activity, students assembled their basebot. Each group had a leader who encouraged participation and made sure the directions were followed. Afterward, they designed and built a wagon that was programmed to carry up to three cubes up an inclined plane. This requires them to think about balance, traction, wheel movement, motor power, weight distribution, ramp angle, and reliable coding. Through these activities, students practiced engineering design by planning, building, testing, identifying weaknesses, making improvements, and working as a team. Students used engineering notebooks to record their design, test results, problems, revisions, and reflections.

Teacher Info: Mrs. Graham, bngraham@meridian.wednet.edu