March Madness

It's hard to believe March will be here tomorrow. Spring is just around the corner! We are still working hard and learning new things in room 214.

Science: The students are learning more about clouds. They conducted an experiment to see how clouds are formed. It was very exciting!

Social Studies: The students finished learning information about African Americans and their struggles and contributions. They also continue to work on life skills such as making sandwiches, relaying personal information, and social skills.

Writing: Students are working on keyboarding skills. Others are working on improving their spelling. Spelling pre-tests are usually given on Mondays. Students practice their words during the week and are tested on Friday. They are also working on writing three different types of essays: persuasive, explanatory, and speculative.

Reading: Students completed the Study Island Benchmark Assessment at their grade level. This assesment is similar to the NJASK questions. IEP accomodations were adhered to while the students completed the assessment. Students continue to work on improving their individual reading skills, as well.

Math: Some students completed a test on converting and simplifying fractions. They will be learning how to compare, add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions with like and un-like denominators. This will help them when working with recipes.
Others are working on adding and subtracting numbers with one and two-digits.
All students completed the Study Island Benchmark Assessment at their individual grade level.

Fun, Fun February

Well, the second marking period ended and we are now in the second half of the school year. Most of us are happy the groundhog did not see his shadow. I think we are all done with this crazy weather.

Our whole school is working on being C.O.R.R.E.C.T! For the next few months, we will be doing various activities to focus on each character trait. The first two weeks focused on Courage. Students were paired up with a buddy from another grade level each Friday to work together to enhance their learning about this character trait. On Wednesdays, the students work-out the character trait. They may do jumping jacks, squats, or another type of work out to use their whole body to remember the trait. Students will also have lessons in their classrooms to continue to know the correct way to be.

Science: Will continue to work on life skills activities as well as learning about cloud types to be able to predict the weather.

Social Studies: Will be learning about the holidays in February as well as the Civil Rights Movement and famous African Americans.

Writing: Most of the class is working on improving their spelling. Many are also improving their typing skills. Others are writing daily and working to edit and improve their writing.

Reading: Some students are improving their sight word vocabulary. While others continue to use reading strategies to improve their comprehension of what is read. The eighth graders will be reading a book about the Holocaust to prepare them for the upcoming unit in the general education social studies class.

Math: Some students are learning more about fractions to help them with doubling and halving recipies. Others are learning about adding two digit numbers. While others are working on sorting coins.