MAPS tests are going well!  We only have one test left that we'll be taking on Thursday.  Please be sure your son/daughter is getting enough sleep.

Eighth Grade Religion

We're continuing to learn about Catholic social Teaching.  I've broken it into seven themes and we are through four of those themes:  life and dignity of the human person; solidarity; call to family, community, and participation; and dignity of work.  Tomorrow, we're going to be discussing Wal-Mart and their business practices and it's effect on the people that work for them directly and indirectly.  Actually, I'm picking on Wal-Mart, but will make it clear that there are any number of companies that we shop at that engage in the same types of activities.  I just want the kids to know that when they make decisions as consumers they should be taking into consideration their morals and values.

Eighth Grade Social Studies

The eighth graders have just finished up a study of the Progressive Era with a test last Thursday.  Overall, they did very well on the test.

We're moving on to the study of World War I and the origins of what caused this great war.  I think the kids are looking forward to studying something different.

We also just finished our last of the Current Events presentations for this quarter.  The students did a great job on them!  I did give them their grade sheets that had tips for future presentations and told them to keep them to refer to for next time.  Hopefully, they took my advice!

Eighth Grade Algebra

We are in the midst of the chapter on graphing linear equations (always the kids favorite thing to do).  So far they've learned how to graph an equation using a function table and by using the x and y-intercepts.  Lastly, they'll use the slope and y-intercept to graph.

Seventh Grade Social Studies

The seventh graders just began to study the causes of the Civil War.  We read an excerpt from Uncle Tom's Cabin today and will be discussing what it tells us about slavery in the U.S. before the Civil War.

Pigskin Geography is rolling along pretty smoothly.  There is a healthy competition among some of the groups as only a few points separate them.  Just a reminder that these are always due on Wednesdays unless otherwise stated.

Welcome to a new school year!  This blog will be updated hopefully once a week to let you know what is happening in your son or daughter's social studies/math/religion classroom.

Grade 8 Religion

We're beginning the year with the study of Catholic Social Teaching.  We've determined what the seven themes of catholic social teaching are and now we're focusing on each one individually.  The kids did a great job with finding articles that showed how human rights are being violated daily all over the world.  Next we're going to look at what the Catholic Church teaches and how we're all part of the solution. Fr. Tom is visiting tomorrow, Thursday, and will help us shed some light on that.

My plan is that next week we'll be focusing on the theme "Call to family, community, and participation."

Grade 8 Social Studies

Last year, we didn't get as far as I needed to in U.S. History as seventh graders, so we began the year with a short unit on industrialization around the turn of the century.  In fact we just took the test on it yesterday.  I'm very impressed with their answers to one of the essays, "Do you agree or disagree with the concept of Social Darwinism?"  These eighth graders are very insightful!  The tests will come home with the kids when mid-terms are posted; if you remember, take a look at how your kids answered that question. I think you'll be proud!

Grade 8 Algebra

We're starting out the year on a great note!  It's a bit of a review with some new material thrown in.  Right now the kids are reviewing solving equations but we've also thrown in a few radicals (square roots).  Reviewing is never the most fun part of the year, so we'll hopefully be finishing that up soon.

7th Grade Social Studies

...and they're off!  Pigskin Geography, which is the study of U.S. geography based on the NFL season, is in full swing.  The kids are in their groups and working hard to answer some challenging questions concerning U.S. capitals, major rivers, cities located on bays, and even U.S. history.  So far, they're up to the challenge.

I do allow them to bring electronic devices on Thursdays to class, so that they can look up any questions that might be better found on the internet.  So if they ask you to bring it to school for SS class, they're not lying!  I love having wireless internet!

7th Grade Pre-Algebra

Review, review, review!  We're just winding down on reminding the kids on how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals and fractions.  They will be having a test on Tuesday, Sept 24 and then we'll be moving on to the algebra portion of the year.