WEEKLY BULLETIN: GRADE 8 LEARNING SUPPORT

MAY 14, 2012

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MANILA

This Week in Grade 8

ENGLISH: Advocating for Change research papers have been completed and turned in to their English teachers. A much needed relief for all of the 8th graders. They are now focusing on writing their individual This I Believe statements - a 150 to 200 word statement focusing on their AFC topic and their particular personal solution to the issue that they researched. These will be completed by the end of the week and they will practice giving their speech in English class for a grade (to also be read again next week during the Advocating for Change Summit on Tuesday, May 22.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Students will be preparing for their AFC Summit next week. Now that research and writing is complete, they will be revisiting the structure and protocols for the MUN that they were involved in back during Quarter 1, to help them during their AFC Summit next week. SCIENCE: Eco-columns have been disassembled and cleaned out; all data has been collected and recorded; connections between the Four Laws of Ecology have been discussed in class and related to their eco-column. This week students are working independently and in groups to complete the

Interconnectedness Ecology unit performance task. They will create a group video journal documenting the changes and observations they witnessed in each of their eco-column chambers as well as compile their own individual journal summaries. This will be completed by the end of the week.

MATH: Monday and Tuesday of this week are assessment days for the Math Probability unit. This will be their last major Math assessment of the year. Next week the Problem Solving #8 assignment will be due.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: Check the grade 8 blog for all the information regarding the End of Year events for Grade 8.

UPCOMING ASSESSMENTS & DUE DATES: *Advocating for Change Summit* Tuesday, May 22

IMPORTANT WEBSITES USED IN CORE CLASSES: Google Docs brainpop.com noodletools.com - research skills & notecards (using for AFC project in Social Studies)

Strategy Instruction Class

Skill & Strategy Areas of Focus: Vocabulary Development: - Developing strategies to help determine meaning of new vocabulary & expanding students vocabulary base - Using context clues - Categorizing/Classifying - Understanding words with Multiple Meanings - Prex & Sufx meanings using these to help determine word meaning - Root Words/Base words - for meaning The Writing Process: - We are beginning to look at the structure of a persuasive paragraph or essay - how to support your opinion with valid reasons and organize them into a strong persuasive paragraph Research Strategies: - using templates to organize information - Noodle tools online - Paraphrasing skill practice Study Skills: - Note-taking strategies: we are using the Cornell method which is the 2 column notes method (main ideas on left side; supporting details on right) - difference between facts and opinions
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Time Management: - chunking long term/ large assignments into smaller due dates

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