8th Grade News
September 13, 2026
📸 September 21- Picture Day
🦌 September 14- KAS Board of Education Meeting 6PM
📌 October 3- Field Trip Permission Slips Due
🍎 October 12 & 13- Parent-Teacher Conferences (Details to Come)
🚌 October 16- Field Trip to NMC & Silver Lake Park (Details Below)
📸 October 23- Picture RETAKE Day
👋🏼 Greetings All,
📖 This week in Language Arts students began our first unit centered on rites of passage, milestones, and personal narrative.
🔖 We began a brief review of parts of speech and introduced a close reading strategy we will be using this year. Additionally, all students have had an opportunity to go to the library this week. I encourage all students to read for 15-20 minutes outside of the school day if their schedule allows.
🍎 Next week, we will be joined by a pre-teaching student from Ferris State University. She will be observing and participating in class throughout the first semester of the year. Also, we will begin analysis of our next text: The Medicine Bag by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve.
💯 Finally, autumn Language Arts NWEA testing will take place the last week of September beginning on the 29th,
📞 Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I am always available to communicate. -Mr. Gaddy.
✅ Pre-Algebra Classes are underway! We have started working in Chapter 1 - Problem Solving. Basically, we are looking for patterns, collecting data and reviewing Proportional Relationships. Students can expect Concept Checks to happen soon. As usual for math classes, you should expect to see a small amount of homework most evenings to help reinforce the skills practiced in class. Our Weekly Math Circuit is also underway! It looks a little different this year, with students taking more ownership of their practice and working more independently. Each Friday, students will take a short quiz based on the skills and practice from that week’s Math Circuit.
☑️ Algebra Class is starting in Chapter 1 - Functions. Students will investigate growth patterns and be introduced to different types of functions beyond linear (quadratic, cube root and absolute value). These are critical foundational concepts that will directly support success in this Algebra class. Algebra students should also expect to see regular homework practice throughout the week. Our Weekly Math Circuit is also underway! It looks a little different this year, with students taking more ownership of their practice and working more independently. Each Friday, students will take a short quiz based on the skills and practice from that week’s Math Circuit.
📝 WHY HOMEWORK? Homework is intended to provide students with independent practice on the skills learned in class. It gives students an opportunity to discover what they understand well and what they still need help with before a quiz or test. Waiting until assessment time to realize there is confusion is often too late. While daily homework does not receive a grade, completion is expected because it directly supports quiz and test success.
👍🏼 This has truly been a fantastic start to the school year. I love getting to know your students over the past two weeks. Mr. Byrnes has been slowly taking over the class and doing a wonderful job. I want to encourage families to have an open line of communication with both myself and Mr. Byrnes so that we can best be partners in your student's education.
📜 This week, students took a crash course on US History leading to the American Revolution. We learned about the importance of the French and Indian War to the issues that eventually lead to the Revolutionary War. On Friday, we started an investigation surrounding the question "How revolutionary was the American Revolution?" Students looked at a variety of sources and will be answering the question with a written response quoting the primary source material.
💯 The grade book will reflect the first grades of the quarter by the end of next week. You should see a grade for the writing assignment as well as a vocab check that we will have on Friday. Expect a vocab check every week on Friday, with words and study materials provided for students at the beginning of the week.
☑️ Encourage students to get off to a good start by checking in if assignments are completed and if they are studying for their vocab check. Please note vocab checks are not eligible for revision or retakes.
❤️🩹 On the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11th, Mr. Byrnes led a discussion regarding the events, effects, and legacy about this infamous day. He focused on what happened as well as the effects the events had on various groups of people. Please ask your student what they gathered from the conversation. As always, please reach out with questions or concerns!
This Week in the Art Studio
🎨 Our artists are wrapping up their portfolio project! These will hold all the artwork they create this semester and will be posted for parents to view on Artsonia next week. Students designed their own portfolios using their silhouette filled with imagery that represents their interests and passions.
We also explored Space, one of the Elements of Art, and how artists use space to create and organize artwork. Their goal was to fill the space on their portfolios.
📝 Next week, students will begin their Art Journals—a place to experiment, practice, and develop ideas throughout the semester!
💻 Digital Literacy
Next week, Digital Literacy students will continue building practical skills to become more confident and independent technology users. We will focus on Chromebook and browser shortcuts, managing and locating digital files, using Google Drive sharing permissions correctly, and learning basic troubleshooting strategies for when technology doesn’t work as expected. Students will practice these skills through hands-on activities and challenges designed to help them work more efficiently and independently at school.
🤖 Innovation Lab
Innovation Lab students will begin exploring the Engineering Design Process through hands-on challenges. We’ll focus on how engineers plan, create, test, and improve their ideas while working within different goals and constraints. Students will have plenty of opportunities to build, experiment, learn from what happens, and make their designs better!
📌 Other Updates
I have begun entering the first grades of the year for my courses. Please check PowerSchool for the most up-to-date information about your child’s assignment completion and scores. Any missing assignments will temporarily be entered as a 0 and will be updated once the work is turned in and scored. Be sure to check the assignment details and comments in PowerSchool for specific feedback, performance notes, and information about retake opportunities.
📨 Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns.