This year students in the 7th and 8th grade resource classes have chosen to do a service learning project that involves working with the Wilmette Park District and the Backyard Nature Center to improve a local park. The students are particularly interested in learning about and helping to eradicate invasive species of plants, so some of our reading and writing will be focused on that. Today students began a classroom blog about their service learning project. We will use the blog to discuss the project and read and write about what we are learning. While the blog is private right now (so we can work out the bugs and get comfortable with it), we look forward to sharing it with you in the future.

I am finding myself immersed in planning for our students to attend New Trier. I am making arrangements for the placement tests and scheduling and attending multiple meetings in preparation for articulations (the Marie Murphy-New Trier transition meetings). It’s surprising how early this preparation starts and students experience it, too. All this attention to the future must make it challenging for students to stay in the moment. But there is so much left to do in eighth grade! The best advice I can give is STAY FOCUSED! Whether you plan to attend New Trier or will be going to a different high school, there is a lot of learning left to do right here. A strong end to middle school is your best investment in a great beginning in high school.

I found a website that I think may be useful to many parents of students with special needs: http://www.greatschools.net/content/specialNeeds.page?fromSchwab=1  Please let me know if you use it and find the information there helpful. 

Students completed the mid-chapter test for chapter one of Pre-Algebra, and Mrs. Jackson and I were pleased with the results.  Students who were the most successful on the test were those who had well written strategy cards AND used them. We will be working toward solving and graphing one step equations and inequalities in the second half of the chapter.

Students in Pre-Algebra completed their basic skills test Thursday of last week. Tests were sent home for parent review and signature.  Every student in the class improved their score over the trial test they took the 2nd day of class. Not surprisingly, those who improved the most were the students who had consistently completed their homework and who used their strategy cards on the test. This week, we begin Chapter 1, Tools for Algebra and Geometry in the Glencoe Pre-Algebra textbook.

I am finding these students to be an energetic and enjoyable group. We’ve had some good lessons on reading strategies and writing. Homework is increasing in all classes, so we will begin to focus more on organizational and assignment completion strategies in the coming days and weeks.

With a half day on Thursday and a full day Friday, our school year is off and running. Students learned the focus of each class, classroom expectations, and supplies needed for each class. We began to assess students’ current levels of performance and their learning styles so that we can help them maximize their unique potential. They came back enthusiastic and ready to learn.

Welcome to 8th grade. I am looking forward to a school year full of learning, exploration and fun.