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.

Equations

Topics: Equations

Activities: Throughout this month, students have been working on simplifying expressions that have exponential terms. We applied principles into simplifying expressions that added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided with exponents. To apply these concepts, we looked at scientific notation. First, we practiced converting between scientific notation to standard form and vice versa. Then, we practiced using the principles from earlier in the unit to solve problems that added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided two numbers in scientific notation. During the last week of the month, we started our final assessment, a team escape room on Google Classroom.

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

Topics: Task/Purpose/Audience, Types of Writing, Descriptive/Sensory Writing, Figurative Language, Hooks, Personal Narratives, Literacy Day Celebration

Activities: We are knee deep in narrative writing - our first writing unit of the year. In preparation for this task, we engaged in a series of mini-lessons. We started by understanding what task/purpose/audience is as it relates to writing. In table groups we wrote about the same topic but each with varying task, purpose and audience and discussed how that changes the writing. Then we examined the various types of writing we will tackle this year (narrative, argumentative, informational) and their unique components. Through a variety of activities, we learned how to include descriptive/sensory language, figurative language, and hooks to enhance our narratives. Then it was time to begin brainstorming a topic for our personal narratives. Writing, editing and sharing our work with one another has led to rich learning and fantastic stories. I’ve been so impressed with the hard work and dedication they are showing each day. For Literacy Day this year we dressed up as our favorite book characters and played some fun group games to get us warmed up for creative writing!

Teacher Tip: Our first book project of the year will be due on Wednesday, November 19. Students will select a book, read it at home, and create a project to share with classmates. This first one is optional but I was so pleased that most kids signed up to participate!

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

Topics: Scripted mock trials, witness examination, judicial precedent, understanding statutes, Books v Lawrence

Activities: We covered a whole lot of ground in Mock Trials this month. Building legal vocabulary is always part of the routine and this month, students learned a few new terms including: Indictment, Grand Jury, Probably Cause, Stipulated Facts, and the very fancy sounding "stare decisis." Students started the month by working through a scripted mock trial around the case of a stolen car. This scripted trial gave them the opportunity to hear how a trial flows. They listened for an opening statement, witness examinations, a closing statement and even got to take on the role of a jury. It was great to see students identifying faults and shortcomings in the arguments presented by the attorneys in the script. We took some time in class to develop what we thought might have been more effective lines of questioning. Next, we took a few class periods to engage in a fun Mock Trial / SS crossover by examining the story of Christopher Columbus. Students participated in a role play based on the premise that the events of 1492 led directly and indirectly to the pain and suffering of Native American populations. Students used lawyering skills to try and determine who should be held accountable for this crime. Since all parties in the activity bore some degree of guilt, student got the opportunity to work with groups to develop skills as prosecutors and as defense attorneys. In the end, no one was totally guilty or totally innocent and we pointed to the historical context and the "system of empire building" as being most guilty. Students did a terrific job grappling with some challenging and unanswerable questions.

Next, students became familiar with the trial that we will be carrying out this semester. We read together through the stipulated facts for the trial and familiarized ourselves with the applicable case law. Students used a series of questions to determine which cases supported the defendant and which supported the plaintiff and how those legal precedents might inform the arguments they are planning to construct for the case of Brooks v. Lawrence. Finally, we looked closely at the relevant statutes to make sure that we are all clear about the charges at the center of this fictional case.

Teacher Tip: Check in with your student to see if they can define some of terms shared above, like probably cause, indictment and stare decisis.

Teacher Info: Reach out if you have any questions.

Mr. Caraco, jcaraco@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: Learned how to operate a microscope appropriately. Learned cell theory. Learned the characteristics of living things. Learned the components of a lab write-up (Title, Objective, Hypothesis, Materials, Procedure, Observations/Results, Conclusion). If/then statement is a great framework to create a hypothesis. Wrote and experienced a lab re-creating Robert Hooke’s discovery of the cell.

Activities: Completed a microscope lab which included viewing and drawing various specimens. Learned cell theory: 1) Every organism is made up of one or more cells 2) Cells come only from other living cells 3) Cells are the basic unit of structure and function needed to support life. Learned the characteristics of living things: Organisms take in energy, get rid of waste, move, respond to their environment, reproduce, grow, have some type of circulation, have some type of respiration. are made up of one or more cells. Wrote a lab that re-created Robert Hooke’s experience in which he first discovered and named cells. Began a fertilization lab.

Teacher Info: Mrs. De Waard, hdewaard@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: Elements of Art: Line, Shape, Space, & Color; Principles of Design: Pattern, Rhythm, Contrast, & Balance; Techniques: radial symmetry, observational drawing

Activities: In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we explored the artwork of Natalia Gallego, Rosa Rolanda, and Frida Kahlo. During our weekly art discussions, students analyzed the mood, symbols, and artistic elements in each artist’s work. We also studied the traditional Costa Rican oxcart wheels, famous for their intricate patterns and vibrant colors, which became the inspiration for our own project. We drew additional inspiration from local librarian and artist Brooke Pederson, known for her “story snowflakes” and Pacific Northwest–inspired radial designs. Students created their own unique pieces, each showcasing radial symmetry. This project required great care and dedication, and the results are phenomenal!

Reflection Questions: Ask your student about their radial design and where they drew inspiration from.

Teacher Info: Mrs. Warnock, swarnock@meridian.wednet.edu