BOW MEMORIAL SCHOOL
GRADE EIGHT
Principal: Kirk Spofford
Asst. Principal: Donna Girard
Office Phone: 225-3212Grade 8 Team Members:
| TEACHER | SUBJECT | E-MAIL (the best way to get in touch with an 8th grade teacher) |
| Ms. Ronna Cadarette | Language Arts, Reading, US History | rcadarette@bownet.org |
| Ms. Kara Hinck | Pre-Algebra and US History | khinck@ bownet.org |
| Ms. Kay Graves | Reading and Language Arts | kgraves@ bownet.org |
| Ms. Katharine Deacon | American History, Science and Spanish | kdeacon@ bownet.org |
| Ms. Katherine Haubrich | Math | khaubrich@ bownet.org |
| Ms. Laurie Neal | Science | lneal@bownet.org |
| Mr. Paul Genest | French | pgenest@bownet.org |
| Ms. Karin Obolewicz | Special Services | kobolewicz@bownet.org |
Ms. Maryanne Sisk - Music and BandSPECIALISTS & SUPPORT:
Link to STUDENT COURSE SUPPLIES
STUDENT ASSIGNMENT NOTEBOOK
To help students improve their organizational skills, all eighth grade students will follow this assignment notebook plan:
1. Each student will be issued an assignment notebook.
2. Each teacher will have his or her assignments posted in the classroom. Students will record any assigned homework.
3. Each teacher will conduct spot checks of student assignment books and notebooks/folders to assess use. The teaching team requests that parents regularly check their notebooks to verify that they are being used and to check for neatness and organization.
4. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail any member of the eighth grade teaching team.
HOMEWORK POLICY
Homework, whether it be reading and/or written work, is an integral and necessary part of the eighth grade experience.
The following are eighth grade homework guidelines:
1. Assignments are given regularly, most being due the following day. Long term projects will be given adequate time for completion provided students plan accordingly.
2. When absent, it is the responsibility of the student to get assignments from other classmates or from his/her teacher. In accordance with school policy, students are given one make-up day to complete assigned work for each day of an excused absence.
3. Because it is important to complete homework on time, only partial credit will be given for assignments turned in late. Generally, students will receive half-credit for late homework but this penalty may vary according to the nature of the assignment.
4. Teachers may request that students stay after school to complete missing or incomplete assignments. Said students must be given twenty-four hours notice to arrange transportation. If a student fails to complete the assignment and refuses to stay after school, the student will receive an office detention.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS -- Ms. Kay Graves and Ms. Ronna Cadarette will be teaching English Language Arts. This course will focus on improving and enriching the student's communication skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, thinking, and visually representing. Emphasis will be on writing for a variety of purposes in such forms as journals, essays, and reports. Grammar and usage, spelling, vocabulary, literary analysis, research, critical thinking, and study skills will be studied in units and further developed through all aspects of communication.
AMERICAN HISTORY -- Ms. Katharine Deacon, Ms. Kara Hinck and Ms. Ronna Cadarette, will teach American History. This course will cover United States History through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Students will study important documents, events, people, and places, which contributed to the first half of U.S. History. There will be a variety of activities in this class, including presentations, debates, and projects.
EARTH SCIENCE -- Ms. Laurie Neal and Ms. Katharine Deacon will teach earth science. This course will cover a wide variety of topics including astronomy, geology, oceanography, weather, and Earth's resources. The course will be activity oriented, and students will use various types of laboratory and computer equipment. Students will work in teams to complete individual and group projects using the scientific method. Students will also use their creativity and everyday objects to solve problems in class.
MATHEMATICS -- Ms. Katherine Haubrich and Ms. Kara Hinck will teach eighth grade mathematics, including algebra, and integrated math. Eighth grade math emphasizes abstract and analytical thinking, builds on the mathematics of the lower grades, reviews some of the basics and uses the format of variables. Each of the four operations is used to solve various types of equations and formulas. Eighth graders refine their ability to solve percentage problems and the use of positive and negative numbers -- all of the skills needed in algebra. An emphasis is placed on translating words into algebraic equations, enhancing a student's ability to understand and correctly express given information.
READING -- Mrs. Ronna Cadarette and Mrs. Kay Graves will also teach reading. The course goals are to further develop and strengthen individual reading fluency, comprehension, and enjoyment and to enhance critical thinking skills. The class will include short stories, novels, poetry, and non-fiction reading material. Students will be given reading assignments chosen by the teacher and are required to bring in a book of their own choosing for reading workshop.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE -- Ms. Katharine Deacon will be teaching Spanish I and Mr. Paul Genest will be teaching French I. Generally, classes are restricted in size to 25 students in order to allow for maximum oral practice and individualized instruction when necessary. Efforts are made to coordinate our instruction here at BMS with the expectations and requirements of the language department at Bow High School to allow for smooth transition from level 1 courses here to level 2 courses at BHS. Using a variety of approaches, the students will be taught, first to understand, then to say, read and write sentences of increasing length and complexity. They will learn basic conversation and grammar structures enabling them to obtain a working knowledge of the language. A good understanding of English grammar is mandatory. A willingness to memorize is essential.
DISCIPLINE
Attitude and effort are as important as performance. We expect students to be responsible young adults who do not interfere with the educational process of other students.
Students who misbehave will be dealt with first by the teacher(s) and/or guidance department, then by parent-teacher conferences, and ultimately by the administration should problems continue to exist. Students committing serious infractions may be referred directly to the administration.
Any parent concerns should be addressed to the teacher(s) as soon as they become apparent. Teachers may be most successfully reached at school by email at any time during the school day and by phone in the morning between 8 and 8:30 AM. A parent conference with the teaching team may be set up by calling Mrs. Estefan in the Guidance Office or Ms. Lowe in the main office.
Link to Eighth Grade Rules and Expectations and Study Hall Rules and Expectations
SPECIALS ROTATION
Students will rotate through eight different Special classes during their eighth grade year. These include Art, Music, Home Economics, Technology Education, Health, Keyboarding/Computer literacy, Conflict Resolution and Physical Education. The courses will be about 24 days in length. All specials will meet five days per week during 1st Period, and, with the exception of Music and Conflict Resolution, will meet for an additional class on Mondays during Period 7.
CHORUS, BAND, AND STUDY HALL
Band and chorus will be meeting during Period 7. Eighth Grade Band will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays, while chorus will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On other days students will be in a Quiet Study Hall during Period 7.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION EXPERIENCE
S
ince 1988, the eighth grade students have participated in an outdoor education program at Boston University's Sargent Center in Peterborough, NH. The program has been an overwhelming success and it has become a yearly experience for the students.Our goals for participating in such a program are numerous:
1. To increase student self-confidence and self-awareness.
2. To build problem-solving skills and the ability to work creatively in small groups.
3. To learn responsibility for one's actions.
4. To enhance the school curriculum in all subject areas.
We feel that an awareness of oneself and having confidence in one's ability has been demonstrated to be an important factor in a student's performance in the classroom. The ability to solve problems and to think creatively, as well as the ability to work well with others is imperative in a democratic society. At the middle school level especially, it is important for students to take responsibility for decisions that they make. Making decisions and assuming responsibility for them is a prime indicator of maturity in adolescents.
The program at Sargent Center will allow us to meet these goals in a number of ways. The activities, tailored to our goals, consist of a variety of outdoor skill programs, some environmental studies lessons, and adventure challenges. Physical group problems, risk-taking activities, low ropes courses, and wall climbing will advance the goals. Students will work in groups of 8-10 peers for the duration of the program. They will deal with each other and the results of their decisions. A variety of classroom activities will be utilized to prepare for the trip and to debrief the experience upon our return.
If you have more questions, members of the Sargent Center staff will be present at an informational meeting for parents to be held at Bow Memorial in January.
This year's program will take place from Monday, May 17 through Friday, May 21, 2004. The cost will be approximately $225 per student, which includes staff, activities, and food and lodging for the five day, four-night program. In order to help defray the cost, the eighth grade students and teachers will again be participating in some fundraising activities.
As we have done for the last few years, the 8th grade team of teachers will organize the dance and the aluminum recycling. We will also play a support role in the school for Pancake Breakfasts, Spaghetti Dinners, but we will need a parent or group of parents to organize these events if they are to happen. During the past 10 years we have often been able to earn between 40% to 50% of the cost per student. Some students are able to earn the entire cost of their tuition. Our success has primarily been due to an excellent response by both parents and students.
A volunteer request form is included with this packet. Please fill it out and return it to THE 8TH GRADE TEAM via your child. Even if you do not choose to volunteer for anything at this time, we ask that you sign and return the form. We hope to have your input and help with this program and fund raising effort.