August 2026
Language Arts Highlights
August was an extremely busy month in Language Arts! Students have been reviewing MLA citation standards and strengthening their understanding of important story elements, including characterization, point of view, theme, setting, and literary devices while reading Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes.
Coming soon, students will begin reading The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. Students will be transported back to 1960s Oklahoma as they explore the novel’s characters, conflicts, themes, and important lessons about friendship, loyalty, identity, social class, and belonging.
Through The Outsiders, students will not only strengthen their reading and analysis skills but will also learn about the historical and social setting of the 1960s and how the time period influences the characters and events of the story.
Advanced Enhanced Literature and Composition Happenings
August was a wonderful start to Advanced Literature & Composition! Students have been reviewing MLA citation skills and learning more about important story elements such as characterization, point of view, theme, setting, conflict, and literary devices while reading Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes.
Next, we will step back in time to 1960s Oklahoma as we begin The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton! Students will explore friendship, loyalty, identity, social class, and belonging while learning how the time period influences the characters and story.
As we continue through the semester, students will practice analyzing literature, using text evidence, writing essays, and correctly applying MLA format. We have lots of exciting reading and writing ahead!
Building Vocabulary with Membean: Membean is a vocabulary acquisition program designed to help students learn, practice, and retain new words. It provides personalized vocabulary practice that helps students build a stronger word base, improve reading comprehension, and become more confident readers.
Each week, students will complete three Membean sessions, with each session lasting 15 minutes. The weekly Membean window is open from 12:01 a.m. Monday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, giving students flexibility to complete their practice around their schedules.
You may wonder why Membean sessions are 15 minutes rather than longer study periods. Membean is designed around research on learning and memory that supports short, focused practice sessions spaced over time rather than longer periods of studying all at once. Shorter sessions help students stay focused while giving them repeated opportunities to encounter, practice, and recall new vocabulary, which supports long-term retention.
For this reason, Membean is calibrated around three 15-minute sessions each week. Students should complete each session as one continuous 15-minute practice period rather than combining the time into one longer session. This structure is intentional and designed to make vocabulary learning manageable, meaningful, and effective.
Students will also take a Membean vocabulary quiz every other Monday. Both the weekly Membean practice and the biweekly quiz will count as grades.
Thank you for encouraging your child to make Membean a consistent part of their weekly routine! These short, focused sessions can make a big difference as students build vocabulary, strengthen reading skills, improve comprehension, and become more confident readers.
Math
We hit the ground running in August with our first unit, Expressions and Equations in One Variable! Students were introduced to the Desmos Graphing Calculator and began their first Vocabulary Project. The project is very similar to one they completed in 7th grade, so students have done a fantastic job jumping right in, earning points, and building their math vocabulary.
Just a friendly reminder: students must earn at least 80 points to gain access to the Vocabulary Test. We are currently preparing for the Unit 1 Vocabulary Test and Unit 1 Test, which are planned for the first week of September.
In September, we’ll jump right into Unit 2: Linear Relationships and Functions! Students will once again complete a vocabulary project throughout the unit. Their vocabulary list should be in their math binder, and it is also posted in Google Classroom for easy access.
Throughout this unit, students will build on their understanding of slope and proportional relationships while making important connections that will continue to support their learning throughout the school year. Unit 2 covers several important standards and concepts, but we know our students are ready to RISE to the occasion and RUN toward success!
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement at home. We are off to a wonderful start, and I’m excited to see all that our students will accomplish this year!
Enhanced Algebra – Starting the Year Strong!
Welcome to September! Our Enhanced Algebra students have been working hard, and this month we are building on their 8th-grade understanding of linear relationships. Students will take these skills a step further as they learn how linear equations can help us understand and describe situations in the real world.
What We're Learning This Month
Our main focus will be linear relationships. Students will learn how to recognize, write, graph, and interpret linear equations in several different forms.
Throughout the month, we will work with slope and rate of change, including finding slope from graphs, tables, equations, and real-world situations. Students will also learn how to calculate average rate of change and understand what the rate of change tells us about a situation.
As we move through the unit, students will write and graph equations using slope-intercept form (y = mx + b), point-slope form, and standard form. We will also practice moving between these different forms and using x- and y-intercepts to graph equations.
Toward the end of the unit, students will apply what they have learned to linear inequalities, including writing inequalities to represent real-world situations and graphing their solutions.
GREEN Dot Progress Learning Challenge!
We are adding a little friendly competition to our math classes this month!
Dr. Figg's class and Mrs. McCall's class are competing in the GREEN Dot Progress Learning Challenge! Students are working to complete their Progress Learning assignments, strengthen their math skills, and earn points for their class. We can't wait to see which class makes it to the top of the leaderboard! Families can help by encouraging students to stay on top of their Progress Learning assignments and always give their best effort. Every assignment counts!
Connecting Math to the Real World
One of our biggest goals this month is helping students understand that an equation is more than just numbers and letters. The numbers in a linear equation can tell us something important about a real situation.
For example, students will learn that:
Slope tells us how quickly something is changing.
The y-intercept tells us the starting amount or initial value.
Graphs and equations give us different ways to represent and communicate information.
Students will be encouraged to explain not only how they found an answer, but also what their answer means in the situation.
How Can Families Help?
You can support your student at home simply by talking about the math they are learning. You might ask:
“What does the slope represent in this problem?”
“What does the y-intercept tell you?”
“How could you show this situation on a graph?”
“Why did you choose that form of the equation?”
These simple questions encourage students to explain their thinking and help them see how the math they are learning connects to everyday situations.
We are excited to see our mathematicians continue to build their skills, take on challenging problems, and grow in confidence as they work with linear relationships. Thank you for partnering with us and supporting your student's learning!
Science
We started the year exploring the building blocks of matter! During August, students learned about matter, atoms, and the periodic table, building a strong foundation for understanding the world around them.
As we move into September, we’ll take that knowledge a step further by exploring pure substances and mixtures and discovering how different elements can interact and react with one another. Students will also get to put their learning into action through hands-on labs as they investigate both physical and chemical changes in matter. We’re excited to see our young scientists ask questions, make observations, and discover how science happens all around us!
Georgia Studies
In August, we kicked off the school year by building our geography skills and getting to know Georgia! Students learned how to locate Georgia using different types of maps and explored its location by continent, hemisphere, and region. We also began learning about Georgia’s geographic regions while identifying important cities and locations throughout the state. These skills are helping students build a strong foundation for the year ahead.
In September, we will begin exploring Georgia’s early history. Students will learn about the Native American groups who lived in Georgia before European settlement, including their cultures, communities, and contributions. We will also explore the early exploration and founding of Georgia, including the journey of Hernando de Soto and the important role James Oglethorpe played in establishing the colony.
We are excited to continue helping students discover the people, places, and events that have shaped Georgia’s rich history!
SCMS Families,
Welcome back to a brand-new school year! As the school counselor for 8th grade students, I am incredibly excited to partner with you and your student during this monumental transition year. Eighth grade brings unique milestones, from increased academic leadership opportunities to preparing for high school, and my goal is to support every student's academic, career, and social-emotional growth.
I believe that strong communication and collaboration between school and home are essential to student success. Please know that I am here as a resource for your student and your family, whether you have a question, a concern, or simply need someone to help navigate this important year.
I look forward to getting to know your student and working together to make their 8th grade year a positive and successful one!
Please feel free to reach out anytime:
Renee Herron, School Counselor
renee.herron@stephenscountyschools.org
706-886-2880 ext. 2023
Meet Your 8th Grade Teachers
We are so glad to have your family joining us this school year! Eighth grade is such a special time full of growth, new friendships, big discoveries, and memories that last a lifetime. We couldn't be more excited to walk alongside your student through it, and we can't wait for you to meet the caring team who will be part of that journey.
- English Language Arts: Mr. Farmer, Dr. Figg, and Mrs. Martinez
- Math: Coach Bellamy, Mrs. Carter, and Ms. Jones,
- Science: Dr. Miller, Miss Scramlin, and Coach Sorrells
- Social Studies: Miss Blackwell, Mr. Bowers, and Coach Coleman
- Special Education: Ms. Arnold, Mr. Haygood, Mrs. MacMahan, and Coach Rudseal
- School Counselor: Mrs. Herron
Each of these wonderful educators is here because they truly love this age. They love the curiosity, the big personalities, the growing independence, and all the little "aha" moments along the way. They can't wait to get to know your child and be part of their story this year.
We know new school years can bring all kinds of feelings, excitement, a few nerves, maybe some butterflies too (for parents and students alike!). Please know that our doors, and our hearts, are always open. If you ever need anything at all, we are only a phone call or email away.
We are so happy you're here. Here's to a beautiful year ahead, welcome to the family!
Welcome Back, 8th Grade!
Welcome back to all of our returning 8th graders, families, and staff, and a very special welcome to those who are new to Stephens County!
We are so excited to begin another school year filled with new friendships, new opportunities, new challenges, and plenty of reasons to celebrate. Whether you are returning to Stephens County Middle School or joining our school family for the first time, we are so glad you are here!
Our building leaders, teachers, and staff have been working hard to prepare for a fantastic year, and we cannot wait to see our 8th graders learn, grow, and make memories together. This is a special year as our students take another big step toward high school, and we are excited to be part of their journey.
Here’s to a year filled with learning, laughter, growth, and success! We are looking forward to an amazing 2026–2027 school year with our 8th grade students and families.
Welcome back, 8th Grade! Let’s make it a great year!
J. Paul DeFoor
