8th gr. weekly email (work)

2018/2019 Year: 
Copy of assignment email for 6/3-6/7
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 4th Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com Quick video presentation/book reviews will be recorded in class June 3-7 and Final book project and signed form is due June 12th
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Work on Dignity Project (directions on blog, long term assignment).  Project Due June 10th
  • Prefix Practice wks 
  • Prefix Vocab Quiz (Thurs) - study. 
  • Read final class novel (Culminating focus on all past essential questions we have had all year) Novel choice: Hunger Games, Enders Game or Maze Runner. Students will read at their own pace and keep a log writing as a different character from the book(1st person) or a journalist observing the events (3rdperson). Students will need 15  log entries and have at least 5 different voices (characters) spaced throughout the story. 
  • Online novel quiz #3 on block day: HG chapters 9-18,   EG chapters 6-9 , MR Chap 17-36
  • Goal Lesson: Senior Letter
  • Work on long-term Meme "A Play on Words" Assignment: posted on google classroom Due June 4th
  • Read novel or reading material for Q4 Recreational Reading (reading 20-30 min 4-5 times a week outside of class) Quick book review video recordings will start June 3 (book should be finished by June 3) Project and signed form due June 12th
 8th grade Science:
-To coincide with our study of space, we are continuing to watch the PG rated film "Apollo 13" which is based on a true story. Students are expected to complete a movie study guide and participate in class discussion related to the movie.
If your student did not have permission, or did not bring back the permission slip, they are working on a research paper about the Apollo 13 Mission.
We will continue our study of space for the remainder of the school year.
 Math /Perham
Math Perham Periods 1-3

   Students have an assignment each day in class.  If it isn't finished in class students need to finish it for homework.
Math/Thorton
Students should continue to prepare for the final exam which will be June 12 and 13.
Band and Vocal

Thank you to all who came to the band and vocal concert last week!  We appreciate your support!

Copy of assignment email for 5/27-5/31
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 4th Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com Quick video presentation/book reviews will be recorded in class June 3-7 and Final book project and signed form is due June 12th
  • Science in the News due May 31st
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Work on Dignity Project (directions on blog, long term assignment). You will need to finalize what you are doing for your project and report to me online on Thursday. Project Due June 10th
  • Prefix Practice wks (Quiz next week on block)
  • Read final class novel (Culminating focus on all past essential questions we have had all year) Novel choice: Hunger Games, Enders Game or Maze Runner. Students will read at their own pace and keep a log writing as a different character from the book(1st person) or a journalist observing the events (3rdperson). Students will need 15  log entries and have at least 5 different voices (characters) spaced throughout the story. 
  • Online novel quiz #2: HG chapters 4-8,   EG chapters 3-5 , MR Chapters 9-16 on Wednesday
  • Work on long-term Meme "A Play on Words" Assignment: posted on google classroom Due June 4th
  • Read novel or reading material for Q4 Recreational Reading (reading 20-30 min 4-5 times a week outside of class) Quick book review video recordings will start June 3 (book should be finished by June 3) Project and signed form due June 12th
 8th grade Science:
-This week Tuesday and Wednesday we are working on our Solar System Celestial Body poster projects (they are due this Friday, May 31).  
-To coincide with our study of space, starting this Thursday we will be watching the PG rated film "Apollo 13" which is based on a true story.  This is a synopsis of the movie from Commonsensemedia.org:  "Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks plays real-life astronaut-hero Jim Lovell in this true story of the APOLLO 13 mission to the moon that almost left three astronauts stranded in space when an oxygen tank exploded. Mission Control, thousands of miles away from the stranded astronauts, must figure out a way to get the men home in one piece."
In order for your student to watch this film, we MUST have a signed permission slip (handed out today and also attached to this message) no later than this Thursday morning.  If you do not want your student to watch, please check the appropriate box on the slip.  An alternative assignment will be provided for students who do not watch the film.  Thank you.
-Solar System Celestial Body Poster due this Friday, May 31  
-Science in the News due May 31. 
 Math /Perham
Math Periods 1-3 Perham

Students are completing review assignments on Tuesday and Wednesday.  There is a test on exponents on Thursday.
Math/Thorton

This week we begin reviewing for the end of the year final exam. Homework will be limited but practice problems will be provided so students can practice skills they will see on the final. The exam is worth 200 points and covers material that we leaned throughout the entire year.

Copy of assignment email for 5/20-5/24

Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 3rd Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due May 31st
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Complete any missing Dignity Exploration Tasks 1-6 online .
  • Prefix Word Def and example worksheet
  • Movie vs. Novel comparison chart from last week
  • Start final class novel (Culminating focus on all past essential questions we have had all year) Novel choice: Hunger Games, Enders Game or Maze Runner. Students will read at their own pace and keep a log writing as a different character from the book(1st person) or a journalist observing the events (3rd person). Students will need 15  log entries and have at least 5 different voices (characters) spaced throughout the story.  ** See reading schedule attached
  • Start working on your Dignity Project. Directions and scoring guide can be found on bemccool.blogspot.com Due June 10th
  • Work on long-term Meme "A Play on Words" Assignment: posted on google classroom Due June 4th
  • Read novel or reading material for Q4 Recreational Reading (reading 20-30 min 4-5 times a week outside of class) Quick book review video recordings will start June 3 (book should be finished by June 3)
 8th grade Science:
-This week we are studying the "Space Race" and exploration of our solar system.  Students will also be starting a Solar System Celestial Body Poster Project.  Wise use of class time should enable all students to complete most or all of this project during provided class time.  The poster will be due early to middle of next week. 
-8th graders will be doing the state science test tomorrow Tuesday, May 21. 
-Science in the News due May 31.  
 Math /Perham
Math Periods 1-3 Perham
   Students have finished up the state assessment in math.  This week we are completing a unit on exponents.
Math/Thorton
This week we will finalize out study of quadratic functions. Unit exams are now complete and we will begin reviewing for the final exam starting next Tuesday.

Copy of assignment email for 5/13-5/17
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 3rd Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due May 31st
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Complete “Dignity Exploration Task 4” online, Read pgs. 124-128 in green Lit book, Flowers for Algernon . Create Inkblot. 
  • Complete “Dignity Exploration Task 6” online . Finish reading Flowers For Algernon 128-140
  • Complete “How do we treat others with dignity? Task 5 Civil Rights/Rosa Parks” online
  • Flowers for Algernon online Quiz
  • Root Word Def and example worksheet
  • Root Word Practice wk #2
  • Root Word Quiz (Thursday)
  • Movie vs. Novel comparison chart. We will be watching the movie Flowers for Algernon in class this week, rated PG and was aired on TV
  • Work on long-term Meme "A Play on Words" Assignment: posted on google classroom 
  • Read novel or reading material for Q4 Recreational Reading (reading 20-30 min 4-5 times a week outside of class). Book
 8th grade Science:
-This week we are studying Unit 5 Solar and Lunar Eclipses.  There will be a Unit 4 and 5 quiz this Friday.
-8th graders will be doing the state science test next Tuesday, May 21 (we will practice the state test this Friday)
-Science in the News due May 31. 
 Math /Perham
math periods 1-3/ Perham

    Students will complete state assessment this week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  There will not be any homework this week.  If a student did not complete the Prodigy work the last two weeks they may make it up this week.  It was a 40 question end of year review.
Math/Thorton

State testing is now complete. We will continue our study of quadratics. There will be a unit exam on Friday.

Copy of assignment email for 5/6-5/10
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 3rd Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due May 31st
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Complete “Dignity Exploration Task 1” online , link on bemccool.blogspot.com
  • Complete “Dignity Exploration Task 2” online
  • Complete “Dignity Exploration Task 3” online, Read pgs. 113-123 in green Lit book, Part 1 of Flowers for Algernon
  • Complete “Dignity Exploration Task 4” online, Read pgs. 124-128 in green Lit book, Flowers for Algernon . Create Inkblot. (this 2-day task may move to Monday if we run out of time)
  • Complete “How do we treat others with dignity? Task 5 Civil Rights/Rosa Parks” online
  • Finish State English Performance Testing (ELA CAT and ELA PT). During 7th period
  • Root Word Def and example worksheet 
  • Work on long-term Meme "A Play on Words" Assignment: posted on google classroom 
  • Read novel or reading material for Q4 Recreational Reading (reading 20-30 min 4-5 times a week outside of class). Book
 8th grade Science:
This week we are continuing our study of the Moon in Unit 4.  Students are learning the phases of the moon and will also study the Moon's influence on tides.  If we have time, we will move on to Unit 5 Solar and Lunar Eclipses.  There will be a test on Unit 4 and 5 near the end of next week.
-Science in the News due May 31. 
 Math /Perham
Math Periods 1-3 Perham
  Students will continue to make trades in the stock market game and monitor their portfolio.  There will be a test on volume and scientific notation on Friday. This week we will take a practice state assessment, cover some review material, and become proficient with the online calculator. The state math test will begin on Wednesday the 15th.
Math/Thorton
State testing will be administered this week. No new material will be taught. 
FFA

All 8th grade student are presenting their final SAE presentation in the final session.  The packet, project, write up, and visual aid is due a time of presentation.  We are attending the May 7th Livestock judging competition and the May 9th forestry.  That will conclude the FFA CDE for the year.
Copy of assignment email for 4/29-5/3
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 3rd Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due April 30th
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Present the remaining Monologue Speeches Monday ( a copy of assignment details and the speech schedule can be found on blog)
  • Monologue Presentation Speech notes (name of the person from history and a fact about that person for each speech)
  • Complete State English (ELA Reading) Proficiency and Performance tests (all week)
  • Start Dignity Unit… read Rosa Parks pgs 84-100 in Red Lit book and complete Q 1-8 pg 101 (last week assignment, but extended to this week as well)
  • Work on long-term Meme "A Play on Words" Assignment: posted on google classroom 
  • Read novel or reading material for Q4 Recreational Reading (reading 20-30 min 4-5 times a week outside of class). Book
 8th grade Science:
There will be a unit 2 and 3 quiz tomorrow (Tuesday). Students should have taken their lab notebook home to study.  
We are finishing up unit 3 today and moving on to unit 4 "Investigating Lunar Patterns" the rest of this week.  
-April Science in the News due April 30
 Math /Perham
Math- Periods 1-3-Perham
  Students made their first trade in the stock market game.  Students are competing to see who can make their $100,000 of play money grow the most by June 6th.  There is a Prodigy assignment loaded to help students review for the state math assessment.  Students have two weeks to complete 40 questions.
Math/Thorton
Please check with your student. 
 PE
High school volleyball open gym on Sundays from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm. 8th graders are welcome to join. 
FFA

All 8th grade student are presenting their final SAE presentation in the final session.  THe packet, project, write up, and visual aid is due a time of presenation.  We are attending the May 7th Livestock judging competition and the May 9th forestry.  That will conclude the FFA CDE for the year.
Copy of assignment email for 4/22-4/26
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 3rd Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due April 30th
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Finish work on MBSD Monologue Speech project, see scoring guide and instructions. Speeches start this week. See schedule attached. You must go on the date you signed up for.
  • Speech notes with a bibliography as students deliver Monologue Speeches
  • Start Dignity Unit… read Rosa Parks pgs 84-100 in Red Lit book and complete Q 1-8 pg 101 (block)
  • Oregon Healthy Teen Survey online on Thursday (letter was sent home last week to opt out)
  • State Practice test online (start ELA testing next week)
  • Work on long-term Meme "A Play on Words" Assignment
  • Read novel or reading material for Q4 Recreational Reading (reading 20-30 min 4-5 times a week outside of class). Boook
 8th grade Science:
This week we are continuing Unit 3 "Why the Earth's Tilt Matters."  We are finishing up Invest. 3.1 and moving on to Invest. 3.2 "Modeling Winter and Summer Shadows", and Invest. 3.3 ""Investigating Seasons on Earth".  There will be a unit 2 and 3 quiz early next week (the labs are taking longer than originally anticipated which is why the quiz date changed). Students should take their lab notebook home to study.  
-April Science in the News due April 30
 Math /Perham
Students have a prodigy assignment this week.  We are finishing a short unit this week. There will be a quiz early next week. There is a daily assignment each day. If students do not finish in class they should finish it for homework.
Math/Thorton
This week we will focus on solving quadratic equations.  There will be a small quiz given on Friday.
Music

Thank you parents for their support in having their kids help at the jazz festival. They worked so hard and did such a great job making the event successful!

Copy of assignment email for 4/15-4/19

Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 3rd Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due April 30th
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Finish work on MBSD Monologue Speech project, see scoring guide and instructions. Speeches start this week. See schedule attached. You must go on the date you signed up for.
  • Complete Standardized Test practice..Sample question #3 wks and #4 wks (testing starts next week)
  • Speech notes with a bibliography as students deliver Monologue Speeches
  • State Practice test online (start ELA testing next week)
  • Choose a new novel or reading material for Q4 Recreational Reading (reading 20-30 min 4-5 times a week outside of class). Boook
 8th grade Science:
This week we are finishing up Unit 2 The Sun Earth Moon System.  Students will do some extended reading sections with a corresponding worksheet on Tuesday.  Starting Wednesday this week, we will be moving on to unit 3 "Why the Earth's Tilt Matters."  During this unit, students will learn why shadows change throughout the day and year.  We will also explore the reason for the seasons on earth. There will be a unit 2 and 3 quiz at the end of this week or early next week.  Students should take their lab notebook home to study.  
-April Science in the News due April 30
 Math /Perham
Math- Perham
   Students have their block test early this week.  We will begin a new unit.  There is an assignment each day in class.  If it is not finished during class students should complete it before the next math class.
Math/Thorton
This week we will be graphing quadratics in vertex form. By the end of the week, students should be able to graph any quadratic equation in standard and/or vertex form.
Copy of assignment email for 4/8-4/12
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 3rd Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due April 30th
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • 1 minute Impromptu Speech
  • Work on MBSD Monologue Speech project, see scoring guide and instructions on google classroom. ** Please refer to the schedule attached which will give you the speech delivery date for your student
  • Complete Standardized Test practice #1 wks
  • Complete Standardized Test practice #2 wks
  • Work on Recreational Reading Project. Novel or out-of-class reading should be completed and documented on "Recreational Reading Form" with a guardian signature. Project is due and will be shared on Thursday April 11th.
 8th grade Science:
"The Amazing Egg Drop Challenge" formal lab report is due on block day this week. Tuesday for periods 1,3,5,7.  Due Wednesday for periods 2,4,6. (students had last Friday and today
-We are starting a new textbook this week ""Space Systems Exploration".  We will be using this book for the remainder of the school year.  Students have online access to this textbook through Google Classroom.  This week we will be exploring "The Sun-Earth-Moon System"
-April Science in the News due April 30
 Math /Perham
Math- All class periods-Perham
   This is the last week of quarter 3.  Students need to turn in missing and revised assignment by Friday to improve their quarter 3 grade.  The unit tests will be next week. If a student wants to retake a test they need to turn in test corrections and review work.
Math/Thorton
This week we begin unit 9. This unit focuses on the study of quadratics. Typically this is the hardest chapter for students to grasp, so the pace of the class is going to slow down. I anticipate that we will end unit 9 towards the end of April.
Academy/White's rotation (last week of this rotation)

 We are taking a tour of the local filbert/apple orchard in p hill for 8th grade academy on WED. We are planning to be back by 1110 for lunch buddies but just a heads up if you can pair up kids in advance to collect others that may help. Students need to wear pants, closed toed shoes and bring a coat. 
Copy of assignment email for 4/1-4/5
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 3rd Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due April 30th
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Finish MBSD google class chap 10-14 Assignments 
  • MBSD Make-up Final Quiz
  • Work on MBSD Monologue Speech project, see scoring guide and instructions.
  • Plagiarism activity
  • Complete Standardized Test practice #1 wks
  • Work on Recreational Reading Project. Novel or out-of-class reading should be completed and documented on "Recreational Reading Form" with a guardian signature. Project is due and will be shared on Thursday April 11th.
 8th grade Science:
This week students are finishing up our "Energy, Forces, and Motion" textbook with a final design challenge "The Amazing Egg Drop Challenge".  Students will be designing, building and testing a container to protect a raw egg when it is dropped from the Billie Stadium Skybox.  Students received an information sheet/scoring guide today in class.  Students will design and construct their container Monday-Wednesday.  We will test on Thursday.  A formal lab report will be due Tuesday, April 9.
-April Science in the News due April 30
 Math /Perham
Math Periods 1-3- Perham
  Students are beginning the unit on squares, square roots and Pythagorean Theorem.  There is a daily assignment to practice these new concepts.  If students do not complete the assignment in class they should complete it for homework.
Math/Thorton
This week we will finish up factoring and next week we will begin unit 9 (quadratic functions).
Band
Middle School Jazz Band will meet after school on Thursday, from 3:15-4:00.
Academy/White's rotation

Ag will be studying food saftey this week in 8th Grade Academy Session 3- Ms Whites Rotation.  Students will create an account at https://www.orfoodhandlers.com/eMain.aspx?State=OREGON .  During class time we will be going over the food safety manual, located on-line and google classroom also- The test on thursday and friday so if your student misses these days they can still take the test online.  Students will continue to retest until they reach a passing score and will receive full participation points in the class.  Students may purchase the permit by going online with parents and completeing the required infommation for purchase.  The purchase is optional but the students will all take the test online. This is a great opprtunity for your student to earn a job related certificate so please support them in earning this permit.

Students will be updating the SAE projects that they have been doing at home(please ask them to share with you).  Each students will have time to revise and update progress in the AET computer program this session.  During the last session on the semeter they will be prestenting the final results of thier SAE to the class.

We are also trying to arrange for a field trip on April 10 to a local Hazelnut and apple orchard.  I would be only during block Wed. I will send out more information once I know for sure.
Copy of assignment email for 3/18-3/22
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 3rd Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due March 22nd
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
My Brother Sam is Dead weekly novel work:  (novel work for this unit can be found on ELA google classroom for each class period)
  • Read My Brother Sam is Dead (MBSD) chapters 10-14/epilogue (END) and complete google classroom assignment for each chapter
  • MBSD Final quiz online (Friday)
Other supporting assignments/long-term projects: 
  • MBSD Vocabulary Quiz Thursday online , study the slides that can be found on blog under assignment links
  • Start monologue research, 2-3 pages of notes about the chosen person
  • Continue reading your Recreational Book ...outside of class reading!!  (Spring Break is great to finish novel! Book project due two weeks when students return) 
 8th grade Science:
This week students will be working through Investigation 8.2 Optimizing a Design Solution (this involves designing, testing, and modifying a roller coaster).  Students will be graded based on their cooperative teamwork in class and written components in their lab notebook.
-March Science in the News due March 22
 Math /Perham
  The Block 1 test on angles and triangles will be on Wednesday this week. Students have review assignments to help them prepare.
Math/Thorton
Final week before spring break! Students will have their unit 8 exam on Friday. This test will include polynomial operations and factoring.
Band
Spring Band concert is this Wednesday! Students are to arrive to the band room no later than 6:30pm. Concert begins promptly at 7:00pm. Students are dismissed after all groups have performed and clean up is complete
Academy/White's class

We are covering  forestry this week to finish off rotation 2 and start the final group 3 before Spring Break.

FFA/Market Animals

FFA is traveling to the ORegon State Convention Friday- Monday.  There is a cattle clinic on March 30 required for all Steer projects and a general Stock Show clinic (swine, beef, and Sheep) on March 24th in springfield.  Please see Mr. White for details
Copy of assignment email for 3/11- 3/15
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 3rd Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due March 22nd
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
My Brother Sam is Dead weekly novel work:  (novel work for this unit can be found on ELA google classroom for each class period)
  • Read My Brother Sam is Dead (MBSD) chapters 7-9 and complete google classroom assignment for each chapter
  • MBSD Chapters 7-9 Quiz online (Friday)
Other supporting assignments/long-term projects: 
  • MBSD Vocabulary practice worksheet
  • Complete Monologue Speech Exploration Assignment on google classroom (block)
  • Start monologue research, 2-3 pages of notes about the chosen person
  • Continue reading your Recreational Book ...outside of class reading!!   
 8th grade Science:
-This week in science we are starting Unit 8 Transforming Energy.  This will involve testing and designing marble roller coasters!  We will be working through Investigations 8.1 and 8.2.  A reminder that students will need to come in before or after school or at lunch to make up missed investigations.  Another reminder, students can retake any test or quiz within the quarter.  
-March Science in the News due March 22
 Math /Perham

  Students will begin the review of the unit on angles and triangles this week. The block test will be next Wednesday.  There is a prodigy assignment this week. 
Math/Thorton
This week we are continuing our study of polynomial expressions. There will be a quiz tomorrow and the exam will be at the end of next week.
Academy/White's rotation

Ag will be studying food saftey this week in 8th Grade Academy Session 2- Ms Whites Rotation.  Students will create an account at https://www.orfoodhandlers.com/eMain.aspx?State=OREGON .  During class time we will be going over the food safety manual, located on-line and google classroom also- The test on thursday and friday so if your student misses these days they can still take the test online.  Students will continue to retest until they reach a passing score and will receive full participation points in the class.  Students may purchase the permit by going online with parents and completeing the required infommation for purchase.  The purchase is optional but the students will all take the test online. This is a great opprtunity for your student to earn a job related certificate so please support them in earning this permit.

Students will be updating the SAE projects that they have been doing at home(please ask them to share with you).  Each students will have time to revise and update progress in the AET computer program this session.  During the last session on the semeter they will be prestenting the final results of thier SAE to the class.

FFA market steer weight in will be rescheduled at a late date. Any FFA member that wishes to submit ARt, photography, metal art, posters, or other static projects should come see Ms White.  Deadline for the exhibits are March 18.

Copy of assignment email for 3/4-3/8

Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 3rd Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due March 7th
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
My Brother Sam is Dead weekly novel work:  (novel work for this unit can be found on ELA google classroom for each class period)
  • “For What are you willing to give up everything? Ranking Activity 3"
  • News article example of "What will you give up everything for? /Sacrifice" – due Wednesday for Ranking Act 3
  • Read My Brother Sam is Dead (MBSD) chapters 4-7 and complete google classroom assignment
  • MBSD Chapters 3-6 Quiz online (Thursday)
Other supporting assignments/long-term projects: 
  • Revolutionary War/MBSD Vocabulary definition slide (game style)
  • MBSD Vocabulary practice worksheet
  • Narrative Essay Assignment Final due with completed edit sheet stapled to it - due Friday March 8th
  • Choose reading material for 3rd Q Recreational Book Project and start reading...outside of class reading!!   
 8th grade Science:
-This week in science we are finishing Unit 7 Collisions
-Unit 7 Guided reading worksheet in class on Tuesday and part of Wednesday.
-Unit 7 Quiz this Thursday.  
-February Science in the News due March 7th (moved due to snow days)
 Math /Perham
   Students are in the middle of a unit of study.  Their last test was returned before the snow days.  If students are wanting to retake the unit test they need to make test corrections and complete at least 10 review questions.  There will be an assignment each day in class this week.  Please know that students may revise any assignment to earn a higher score.
Math/Thorton
We are starting unit 8 today. In this unit we study polynomials and factoring. We will take the unit 8 exam the Friday before spring break.
Academy/White's rotation
Ag will be studying food saftey this week in 8th Grade Academy Session 2- Ms Whites Rotation.  Students will create an account at https://www.orfoodhandlers.com/eMain.aspx?State=OREGON .  During class time we will be going over the food safety manual, located on-line and google classroom also- The test on thursday and friday so if your student misses these days they can still take the test online.  Students will continue to retest until they reach a passing score and will receive full participation points in the class.  Students may purchase the permit by going online with parents and completeing the required infommation for purchase.  The purchase is optional but the students will all take the test online. This is a great opprtunity for your student to earn a job related certificate so please support them in earning this permit.

Students will be updating the SAE projects that they have been doing at home(please ask them to share with you).  Each students will have time to revise and update progress in the AET computer program this session.  During the last session on the semeter they will be prestenting the final results of thier SAE to the class.

FFA market steer weight in will be rescheduled at a late date. Any FFA member that wishes to submit ARt, photography, metal art, posters, or other static projects should come see Ms White.  Deadline for the exhibits are March 18.
Band
Middle School Jazz Band will meet after school on Thursday from 3:15-4:00.
Copy of assignment email for 2/19-2/22
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 3rd Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due February 28th
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
My Brother Sam is Dead weekly novel work:  (novel work for this unit can be found on ELA google classroom for each class period)
  • “For What are you willing to give up everything? Ranking Activity 2"
  • News article example of "What will you give up everything for? /Sacrifice" – due next block
  • Read My Brother Sam is Dead (MBSD) chapters 2-3 and complete google classroom assignment
  • MBSD Chapters 1-2 Quiz online (Wednesday)
Other supporting assignments/long-term projects: 
  • Revolutionary War/MBSD Vocabulary definition slide (game style)
  • Narrative Essay Assignment Final due with completed edit sheet stapled to it - due Monday 2/25
  • Choose reading material for 3rd Q Recreational Book Project and start reading...outside of class reading!!   
 8th grade Science:
-This week in science we are working through Unit 7 Collisions (Investigations 7.1 and 7.2).  
-Students who didn't finish their Unit 6 worksheet from last week need to have it in by the start of class on Wednesday or it will be considered late.
 Math /Perham
Math Periods 1-3
   Students have completed the Linear Equations book and we are beginning the Geometry book.  One key to success is learning the vocabulary.  There is a quizlette app in google classroom that students can use to study the vocabulary.
Math/Thorton

Please check in with your student.
Copy of assignment email for 2/11-2/15
 Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 3rd Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due February 28th
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
Finalize Walk Two Moons Novel work:  
Other supporting assignments/long-term projects: 
  • WTM Vocabulary #3 Definition and Practice packet
  • WTM Vocabulary Quiz (all 3 lists) Open note, need to be able to use the vocabulary words correctly in sentences relating to the novel. Friday quiz
  • Narrative Essay Assignment- rough draft check Thursday (Peer Edit sheet passed out) 
  • Choose reading material for 3rd Q Recreational Book Project and start reading...outside of class reading!!   
Start new novel work, My Brother Sam is Dead:
  • “For What are you willing to give up everything? Ranking Activity 1"
  • News article example of "What will you give up everything for? /Sacrifice" – due next block
  • Read My Brother Sam is Dead (MBSD) chapters 1-2 and journal writing
 8th grade Science:
This week in science we are working through Unit 6 Newton's 3rd Law of Motion (Investigations 6.1 and 6.2).  There will be a "Unit 6 Extending Your Knowledge" worksheet on Thursday and a short quiz on Friday.  
-Science in the News summary is due Feb. 28
 Math /Perham
Math Periods 1-3-Perham
  All classes are reviewing for the block test this Friday.  There is a review assignment in Prodigy this week along with two other review assignments.
Math/Thorton
Over the past two weeks we have been working on exponent properties. This week we will focus our attention on rational exponents and how they relate to radical expression.
Band

The Pep Band will be playing at the boys and girls varsity basketball games this evening (Monday). Rehearsal will begin promptly at 5:00pm in the high school band room.

Middle School jazz band will meet after school on Thursday from 3:15-4:00.

There are still some students that haven't paid for their band performance shirts this year. Please have your student bring payment ASAP and turn it in to the office. Thank you!

Copy of assignment email for 2/4-2/8
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 3rd Quarter Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due February 28th
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
Weekly Walk Two Moons Novel work:
Other supporting assignments/long-term projects: 
  • WTM Vocabulary #3 Definition and Practice packet
  • Narrative Essay Assignment  
  • Choose reading material for 3rd Q Recreational Book Project and start reading...outside of class reading!!   
 8th grade Science:
-This week in science we are finishing unit 5 Kinetic and Potential Energy. There will be a short quiz tomorrow (Tuesday).  Students will also be completing a worksheet in class on Tuesday ""Kinetic and Potential Energy: Extending Your Knowledge"
We will be starting Unit 6 Newton's 3rd Law of Motion on Wednesday.
-warm ups due this Friday (1/28-2/8)
-Science in the News summary is due Feb. 28
 Math /Perham
Math Periods 1-3-Perham
   We are completing a unit on data. Students are creating scatter plots and completing 5 number summaries to analyze data.  There will be a unit test next Friday.
Math/Thorton

We are continuing our study of exponents. We will have a quiz on Friday.
Copy of assignment email for 1/28-1/31
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 2ndQ Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due Jan. 31st
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
Weekly Walk Two Moons Novel work:
Other supporting assignments/long-term projects: 
  • WTM Vocabulary #2 Definitions and Practice wks
  • Poetry Reading: Practice reciting a chosen or original poem. It should be at least 4 lines and appropriate for school. See “Poetry Corner” scoring guide for more details. (students have signed up for a date to recite poems 1/16-1/31) DUE for Q2
  • Recreational Book Project and presentation: Finish reading your chosen novel/reading.  Complete a book activity/report (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tf2kIVvEBVR_DvokGXF-D22ewvhvbIP_cX16xfecZGE/edit?usp=sharing). Present  to the class on your assigned day. DUE for Q2. Start reading a new novel at home for Q3 
 8th grade Science:
-Students who have not completed Unit 4 p. 57 Reflecting on What You've Done need to turn it in by tomorrow (Tuesday)
-This week in science we are starting unit 5 Kinetic and Potential Energy.  It is a short unit so there will be a quiz either this Thursday or next Monday.  
-this Tuesday (Jan. 29) is the last day to turn in any missing science assignments from 2nd quarter.
-Science in the News summary is due Jan. 31
 Math /Perham
Math Classes-Perham
   Students received their test back today.  If they need to retake this they need to get their corrections done and complete the retake by Tuesday.  All missing and revised work is due by Tuesday. Help is available before school, during lunch and during period 7.  We are starting new units on Wednesday.
Math/Thorton
Today and tomorrow we are taking the  semester 1 final exam. This exam gives me a good idea where students stand in regards to all the material we learned during the 1st semester. On Wednesday we will be starting unit 7.
Physical Education
Students need to get their make up records turned in for absences this semester.  Parents or guardians need to sign the make up forms.  They need to record one hour of exercise for each class period missed.
Band

The Pep Band will perform at the boys and girls varsity basketball games this Friday. Rehearsal will be at 5:00 in the band room before the game.

Middle School Jazz Band will have their first meeting this Thursday from 3:15-4:00 in the band room. All interested students are welcome to attend.
Copy of assignment email for 1/22-1/25
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 2ndQ Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due Jan. 31st
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
Weekly Walk Two Moons Novel work:
Other supporting assignments/long-term projects: 
  • WTM Vocabulary #2 Definitions and Practice wks
  • Poetry Reading: Practice reciting a chosen or original poem. It should be at least 4 lines and appropriate for school. See “Poetry Corner” scoring guide for more details. (students have signed up for a date to recite poems 1/16-1/31)
  • Recreational Book Project and presentation: Finish reading your chosen novel/reading.  Complete a book activity/report (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tf2kIVvEBVR_DvokGXF-D22ewvhvbIP_cX16xfecZGE/edit?usp=sharing). Present  to the class on your assigned day (calendar posted in class, presentations started today)
 8th grade Science:
-This week we are continuing our investigation of Newton's First and Second Laws of Motion.  We are completing Investigation 4.1 "Observing the Motion of a Car", and "Eggsperiment" during block.  We will complete Unit 4 the Reflecting on What You've Done on Thursday.  There will be a short quiz this Friday on Newton's First and Second Laws of Motion.
-Jan. 29 last day to turn in any missing science assignments from 2nd quarter.
-Science in the News summary is due Jan. 31
 Math /Perham
Math Periods 1-3-Perham
   The last test for the semester is this Friday.  Students will be tested on lessons 4.1 through 4.4.  We have review practice this week.
Math/Thorton
With the semester ending next week, we have two main grade entries left. Students will be taking the unit 6 exam this week and then the final exam next Monday and Tuesday. We will review in class for the final Thursday and Friday.
Physical Education

Students need to get their make up records turned in for absences this semester.  Parents or guardians need to sign the make up forms.  They need to record one hour of exercise for each class period missed.
Copy of assignment email for 1/14-1/18
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 2ndQ Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due Jan. 31st
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
Weekly Walk Two Moons Novel work:
Other supporting assignments/long-term project: 
  • WTM Vocabulary #1 Practice worksheet (synonyms/crossword)
  • Poetry Reading: Practice reciting a chosen or original poem. It should be at least 4 lines and appropriate for school. See “Poetry Corner” scoring guide for more details. (students have signed up for a date to recite poems 1/16-1/31)
  • Recreational Book Project and presentation: Finish reading your chosen novel/reading.  Complete a book activity/report (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tf2kIVvEBVR_DvokGXF-D22ewvhvbIP_cX16xfecZGE/edit?usp=sharing). Present  to the class on your assigned day (calendar posted in class, presentations started today)
 8th grade Science:
-This week we are finishing our unit on Magnets.  We will be completing Investigation 3.3 "Magnets at a Distance".  We will then begin Unit 4 Newton's First and Second Laws.
-This Wednesday we will take Unit 3 Quiz (students should study everything from Unit 3 in their lab notebook)
-Science in the News summary is due Jan. 31
 Math /Perham
Math-Perham-Periods 1-3
    Students are studying systems of equations.  This week the focus is on using tables and substitution to solve.  There is an assignment each day in class.  If students do not complete the assignment they should finish it for homework.
Math/Thorton
Please check with your student.
Band

Pep Band will be playing at the boys and girls varsity basketball games this evening. Students are to meet in the band room at 5:00. If your student has yet to pay for their Concert Band or Beginning Band shirts, please do as as soon as possible. Payments can be made directly to the front office.
Copy of assignment email for 1/7/2019 - 1/11/2019
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 2ndQ Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due Jan. 31st
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Read Walk Two Moons (WTM) Read Chapters 10-14  
  • Complete 3 Novel Game Activities (see copy of sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iAnikRrnF15_g3PKvlv8YDywhmqu4Oxczn9oN_jMxQs/edit?usp=sharing )
  • WTM Quiz on chapters 1-14 Friday
  • WTM Vocabulary Definitions list #1 and sentence worksheet
  • Letter Writing Assignment ( assigned before break, students can turn in this week by Friday)
  • Start writing or looking for your favorite poem to recite. It should be at least 4 lines and appropriate for school. See “Poetry Corner” scoring guide for more details. (students will sign up for a date to recite poems 1/16-1/31)
  • Read your chosen literature for "Recreational Reading book report/project". You should be reading regularly outside of class.   Students need to finish novel and complete a book activity/report and present to the class by the end of the quarter.  Please encourage your student to read daily.  :) Copies of all the materials needed on blog home page. Presentations start next week. Students need to sign up on the calendar.
 8th grade Science:
 This week we are starting a unit on Magnets.  We will be completing Investigation 3.1 "Factors that Affect Magnetic Forces" during block this week.  We will also complete Invest. 3.2 "Measuring Magnets",  and Invest. 3.3 "Magnets at a Distance"
-We went over the unit 2 quiz.  Students who would like to retake the test may do so after today and after they have studied.
-Science in the News summary is due Jan. 31
 Math /Perham
Math- Periods 1-3 (Mrs. Perham)
   Students will be studying systems of equations. There is an assignment each day in math class. This week the focus will be on using graphing to find the solution. Prodigy is also an assignment this week.
Math/Thorton
This week we will continue studying systems of equations. There will be a small quiz on Friday.
Band

The Pep Band will be playing for the girls and boys varsity basketball games today against Creswell. Students are to meet in the band room at 5:00 for warm up and rehearsal.

Copy of assignment email for 12/17-12/21
 Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 2ndQ Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due December 21st
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Complete all the final lit device review wks: Oxymoron/Poe, Hyperbole/12 Days of Christmas, Pun Fun/review
  • Final Literacy Device Quiz: Definitions and identify examples of all 15 words (Thursday)
  • Start new novel: Walk Two Moons Read Chapters 1-6 and 7-9 and complete journal work
  • Letter Writing Assignment - due Friday, McCool will grade in-class 
  • Read your chosen literature for "Recreational Reading book report/project". You should be reading regularly outside of class.   Students need to finish novel and complete a book activity/report and present to the class by the end of the quarter.  Please encourage your student to read daily.  :) Copies of all the materials needed on blog home page.
 8th grade Science:
-This week we are completing Investigations 2.3 "Mass and Speed",  2.4 "Listening for Speed, and 2.5 "Measuring Gravitational Force". When students are absent, they need to come in to make up the lab.  
-Unit 2 quiz this Friday!  Students should study all notes and unit 2 investigations in their lab notebook.
-Science in the News summary is due this Friday, Dec. 21
 Math /Perham
Math Periods 1-3/Perham
   This week students will practice skills and use the Desmos classroom activities to develop their understanding of linear equations and their graphs.  Class time will be provided to complete the work. If a student wants to retake the linear equations block 3 test they need to complete test corrections and do some studying.  Help is available before school, during lunch and during period 7.
Math/Thorton

We have started working on solving systems of equations by graphing, substitution, and elimination. I will be gone Thursday and Friday this week and students will  get an in class practice packet while I am gone. This packet will be due at the end of Friday's class.

Copy of assignment email for 12/10-12/14

Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 2ndQ Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due December 21st
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Finish writing News Article first draft. See scoring guide for more details. Peer edit in block class this week. Final due Friday.
  • News Article peer edit group sharing and scoring sheet (each person needs to turn in a sheet)
  • Finishing Final Hair-Raising Tales Unit Test Monday. Open note
  • Complete Literacy Vocab #2 Quiz (quiz on second set of words: definition and example on block day)
  • Complete Final Literacy Device Review worksheet (quiz on all terms next week)
  • Complete Pun Fun worksheet (both sides, to review terms)
  • Start new novel: Walk Two Moons  by Sharon Creech. Read Chapters 1-6 and complete journal work
  • Read your chosen literature for "Recreational Reading book report/project". You should be reading regularly outside of class.   Students need to finish novel and complete a book activity/report and present to the class by the end of the quarter.  Please encourage your student to read daily.  :) Copies of all the materials needed on blog home page.
 8th grade Science:
-Today we finished our first big unit of the year, "Structure and Function".  All missing labs from this unit need to be completed this week before the supplies are packed away. 
During block this week, we will be starting our second big unit of the year "Energy, Forces, and Motion".   We will start with Investigation 2.1 "Observing the Motion of a Ball" and Thursday and Friday we will do Investigation 2.2 "Investigating Forces" and possibly Investigation 2.3 "Mass and Speed"
-Science in the News summary is due Dec. 21
 Math /Perham
Math Periods 1-3/Perham
   Students will be reviewing and applying the linear equation to situations.  They will practice skills and concepts this week.  There is a unit test on the concepts on Friday.  Students should review their errors on the quiz that was returned to them today.

Academy: White's rotation
Session 2 academy Career posters projects, Resume, cover letter, and letter of Recommendation are due Dec 21.  There will be a FFA Winter Meeting Dec 14th in the Student Center 7-8 pm.  All members, families, and perspective members are asked to attend. We will be discussing our CDE Team selections and study materials/practice, projects, and important details on jackets and events.

Copy of assignment email for 12/3-12/7

 Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 2ndQ Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due December 21st
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
** Hair-Raising Tales Unit assignment directions can be found on my blog under assignment links, click on the story title and it will take you to the slide show for the day with page #, questions and links to view the story.
  • Finish Mrs. Amworth  questions from pp slide (last Friday)
  • Write News Article first draft. See scoring guide for more details. Peer edit in block class next week. Final due next Friday.
  • Final Hair-Raising Tales Unit test Friday (12/7). Open note
  • Complete Literacy Vocab #2 Practice worksheet #1 and #2 and #3 (quiz on second set of words: definition and example next week on block day)
  • Read your chosen literature for "Recreational Reading book report/project". You should be reading regularly outside of class.   Students need to finish novel and complete a book activity/report and present to the class by the end of the quarter.  Please encourage your student to read daily.  :) Copies of all the materials needed on blog home page.
 8th grade Science:
This week students are continuing their study of the Nervous System.  Monday-Wednesday we are doing Investigation 7.3 "Information Processing" and Thursday and Friday we will do Investigation 7.4 "Confusing the Brain"
-Science in the News summary is due Dec. 21
 Math /Perham
math periods 1-3-Perham
   Students are writing and graphing equations from ordered pairs and situations.  They will have a quiz on Friday on lessons 3.1 to 3.3. Students may revise assignments that earn a score less than 20.
Algebra 1 Thornton
We will continue our work with inequalities this week. There will be a quiz on Tuesday. Please check the gradebook and look at the unit 4 test score. If this score is lower than 80%, I recommend that a retake be attempted.

Academy: White's rotation
* Academy classes rotated today
We are finishing up our career poster projects in each rotation.  We are also making progress on our Supervised Agriculuture Experience projects (SAE'S).  Your students should have an at home ag related project they are working on.  Please ask them to share how it going and what they are doing. FFA will become more active in January.  If your students is a member you should have received a packet in the mail with the schedule, forms, and jacket information.  There are many non animal project Career Development events happening in winter and spring. I will be sending out a schedule soon of the members of these teams.  If your student will be showing an animal or competing on a beginning CDE team (ag mechanics, public speaking, animal evaluation) they will need a jacket and official dress.  FFA meetings will be occurring monthly and additional practices or educational materials may be given to students.  Please email awhite@pleasanthill.k12.or.us  for questions.
Copy of assignment email for 11/26-11/30
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 2ndQ Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com 
  • Science in the News due Nov. 30th
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Read Woman in the Snow pgs. 857-864 green lit Do Q 1-8 pg. 865
  • Watch Mrs. Amworth and complete the questions from pp slide (Friday)
  • Read Tell Tale Heart pgs. 89-94 in Collections text. Complete Point of view and Suspense pg. 95 and Performance task pg 96
  • Finish reading Scary Tales pgs. 99-101,Collections text. Complete Q1-4 pg 103 (last week's assignment)
  • Complete  Literacy Device Review #2 worksheet
  • Complete Literacy Vocab #2 Practice worksheet #1
  • Read your chosen literature for "Recreational Reading book report/project". You should be reading regularly outside of class.   Students need to finish novel and complete a book activity/report and present to the class by the end of the quarter.  Please encourage your student to read daily.  :) Copies of all the materials needed on blog home page.
 8th grade Science:
This week we are starting an in-depth study of the human nervous system.  We did the Getting Started Lesson today.  During block this week, we will investigate 4 different types of nervous system tissue under a microscope.  We will investigate our nervous system reaction times in Investigation 7.2 "Stop, Drop, React".   If we have time this week, we may start Investigation 7.3 "Information Processing"
-Science in the News summary is due Nov. 30

 Math /Perham
Math periods 1-3-Perham
    Students received their block test back today. If a students wants to retake this test they need to make test corrections and study the concepts.  Help is available before school, during lunch and during period 7.  We are beginning the unit on writing and graphing linear equations.
Algebra 1 Thornton
This week, my student teacher will be doing his final four lessons of this semester (Tuesday-Friday). His teaching will end with a quiz next Monday. His unit will relate to solving and graphing inequalities.
Physical Education
PE Period 6- 8th grade
   We have three teachers for the 8th grade PE sections.  Mr. Joel, Mr. Kent and Mrs. Perham will each have a class.  Students will rotate from a game unit to fitness unit to a recreation unit.  We will continue to have choices for students on Fridays that combine all three classes. The grading practices and syllabus have not changed.
Academy: White's rotation
* Academy classes will be rotating next Monday

We are finishing up our career poster projects in each rotation.  We are also making progress on our Supervised Agriculuture Experience projects (SAE'S).  Your students should have an at home ag related project they are working on.  Please ask them to share how it going and what they are doing. FFA will become more active in January.  If your students is a member you should have received a packet in the mail with the schedule, forms, and jacket information.  There are many non animal project Career Development events happening in winter and spring. I will be sending out a schedule soon of the members of these teams.  If your student will be showing an animal or competing on a beginning CDE team (ag mechanics, public speaking, animal evaluation) they will need a jacket and official dress.  FFA meetings will be occurring monthly and additional practices or educational materials may be given to students.  Please email awhite@pleasanthill.k12.or.us  for questions.
Copy of assignment email for 11/13-11/20(combined)
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 1stQ Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com or LA google classroom (This assignment replaces Quest Act and RQ points. RQ tests are still available online for top point earners each quarter, but will not be recorded in grade)
  • Science in the News due Nov. 30th
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Read The Dinner Party pgs. 869-871 green lit book. Answer questions 1-6 from the slide or listed on the grade assignment narrative.
  • Lit device vocab 2 definitions and teaching poster. Teaching term(presenting) on block day.
  • Read What is the Horror Genre? 125-128 (Collections text book checked out to each student) Do Q 1-6 pg 130
  • Read Sorry Right Number pgs.790-809 in readers theater style. Complete Q1-8 on pg 809
  • Start Ghoulish Comic, see directions sheet for more info
  • Choose your reading for "Recreational Reading book report/project" and get started. You should be reading regularly outside of class.   Students need to finish novel and complete a book activity/report and present to the class by the end of the quarter.  Please encourage your student to read daily.  :) Copies of all the materials needed on blog home page.
 8th grade Science:
This week we are continuing our exploration of body systems. We are learning about the external and internal anatomy of a frog through dissection.  We will also be exploring skeletal similarities of various organisms in Investigation 6.5.  Next week we will complete Investigation 6.6 "Analyzing Evolutionary Relationships"
-Human Body System Poster due this Thursday, Nov. 15
-Two Salmon Watch Thank-You Cards due Thursday, Nov. 15
-Science in the News summary is due Nov. 30
 Math /Perham
Math Periods 1-3- Perham

   Students are studying the linear equations.  They will know how to use tables, graphs and situations to write equations.  There will be a unit test on these concepts on Tuesday, November 20th.
Algebra 1 Thornton
For the remainder of this week and the 2 days next week, we will finish unit 4. Over the weekend there will be a take home exam that students need to complete by Monday (3:10pm). This take home exam is to be done independently, but they are allowed to use any resource that doesn't involve another person.

The unit 4 exam will be next Tuesday.
Physical Education

PE Period 6- 8th grade
   We will now have three teachers for the 8th grade PE sections.  Mr. Joel, Mr. Kent and Mrs. Perham will each have a class.  Students will rotate from a game unit to fitness unit to a recreation unit.  We will continue to have choices for students on Fridays that combine all three classes. The grading practices and syllabus have not changed.
Copy of assignment email for 11/5-11/9
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 1stQ Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com or LA google classroom (This assignment replaces Quest Act and RQ points. RQ tests are still available online for top point earners each quarter, but will not be recorded in grade)
  • Science in the News due Nov. 30th
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Read “The Raven” pgs. 846-853 in Green Lit text, written work (book in classroom or can be checked out at the library)
  • Lit device vocab 2 definitions and teaching poster. Teaching term(presenting) on block day next week.
  • Read What is the Horror Genre? 125-128 (Collections text book checked out to each student) Do Q 1-6 pg 130
  • Start Ghoulish Comic, see directions sheet for more info
  • Finish “Monsters are Due on Maple Street” pgs. 505-524 readers theater style (Red lit book). Complete Q 1-4 pg. 525 together
  • Choose your reading for "Recreational Reading book report/project" and get started. You should be reading regularly outside of class.   Students need to finish novel and complete a book activity/report and present to the class by the end of the quarter.  Please encourage your student to read daily.  :) Copies of all the materials needed on blog home page.
 8th grade Science:
-This week we are learning about organization in plants and animals.  Students are finishing up Investigation 6.2 "Levels of Organization".  They are also creating a Human Body System Poster.  It is due Friday.  Students were given a scoring guide in class today.  There will be a lot of class time provided to work on this project.
-Science in the News summary is due Nov. 30
☼8th grade Salmon Watch Field Trip to Whitaker Creek Campground Wednesday, Nov. 7th from 8:00 am-2:45 pm  Students will rotate through 4 stations: salmon biology, water quality, macro-invertebrates, and riparian ecology. An information letter will be sent home with students later this week.  Thank you for all of you who signed up to chaperone on sign up genius.   
 Math /Perham
Period 1-3 math/Perham
   Students have a math quiz on rate of change and start values on Friday. There is an assignment each day in math class.  If the assignment is not finished it should be finished as homework. Prodigy is extra credit this week.
Algebra 1 Thornton
This week are continuing our study of linear functions. Our main focus will be studying different forms of writing equations of lines.

Please note: quarter grades have been entered but the unit 3 exam can still be retaken if the score was under 80%.
Physical Education

PE Period 6- 8th grade
   We will now have three teachers for the 8th grade PE sections.  Mr. Joel, Mr. Kent and Mrs. Perham will each have a class.  Students will rotate from a game unit to fitness unit to a recreation unit.  We will continue to have choices for students on Fridays that combine all three classes. The grading practices and syllabus have not changed.
Copy of assignment email for 10/29-11/2
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 1stQ Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com or LA google classroom (This assignment replaces Quest Act and RQ points. RQ tests are still available online for top point earners each quarter, but will not be recorded in grade)
  • Science in the News due Oct. 31st
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Finish any missing Journal writing entries or missing work for Q1
  • Lit device vocab 2 definitions and Teaching Poster (due next week)
  • DGDP Book Project Presentation (Monday)
  • Start “Hairy-Tales and Mysteries” Unit written work
  • Read “Monsters are Due on Maple Street” pgs. 505-524 readers theater style (Red lit book). Complete Q 1-8 pg. 525 together
  • Recreational Reading book report/project- presentations this week!   Students need to finish novel and complete a book activity/report and present to the class by the end of the quarter.  Please encourage your student to read daily.  :) Copies of all the materials needed on blog home page.
 8th grade Science:
-This week we will be completing Investigation 6.1 Exploring Systems and Their Subsystems Within an Organism and Invest. 6.2 "Levels of Organization".
-Science in the News summary is due Oct. 31 
-Last day to turn in or revise any first quarter science work or retake any first quarter science quiz is Thursday, Nov.
☼8th grade Salmon Watch Field Trip to Whitaker Creek Campground Wednesday, Nov. 7th from 8:00 am-2:45 pm  Students will rotate through 4 stations: salmon biology, water quality, macro-invertebrates, and riparian ecology. An information letter will be sent home with students later this week.  Thank you for all of you who signed up to chaperone on sign up genius.  I will be sending information out later this week.  
 Math /Perham
Math- Periods 1-3 Perham

Students have begun the unit on linear sequences and slope.  Students have an assignment each day in math class.  If they do not finish in class they need to complete it for homework.  Students wanting to retake the block 1 test need to complete test corrections first.  Help is available before school, lunch and during period 7.

Math- Period 4 Perham
This week we will have an introduction to algebra concepts. Students have an assignment each day in math class.  If they do not finish in class they need to complete it for homework.  Students wanting to retake the block 1 test on integers need to complete test corrections first.  Help is available before school, lunch and during period 7.
Algebra 1 Thornton

We are starting unit 4 this week (linear functions). I currently have a student teacher who is going to be teaching a few lessons beginning Monday. I am excited to see him teach and I think he is well prepared.

Also, please check the grading program to view unit 3 exam scores. If the score is below 80%, the exam can be made up.
Copy of assignment email for 10/22-10/26
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 1stQ Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com or LA google classroom (This assignment replaces Quest Act and RQ points. RQ tests are still available online for top point earners each quarter, but will not be recorded in grade)
  • Science in the News due Oct. 31st
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Literacy Device Vocabulary #1 crossword wks (quiz on block. Need to know definitions and application by identifying an example sentence)
  • Finish any missing Journal writing entries
  • DGDP Book Project – see directions and scoring guide (due next Monday )
  • Final Creative Writing Story (final due in block)
  • Small group reading of Creative Story
  • Recreational Reading book report/project- presentations started this week!   Students need to finish novel and complete a book activity/report and present to the class by the end of the quarter.  Please encourage your student to read daily.  :) Copies of all the materials needed on blog home page.
 8th grade Science:
-warm ups 10/15-10/26 due Friday
-Unit 5 Cellular Respiration quiz this week during block (per. 1,3,5 on Tuesday and  per. 2,4,6 on Wednesday)
-This week we will be completing Investigation 5.2 Autotrophs and Cellular Respiration, Investigation 5.3 "Are All Foods Created Equal?", Unit 5 Reflecting on What You've Done, and Investigation 6.1 Exploring Systems and Their Subsystems Within an Organism.
-Science in the News summary is due Oct. 31 
-Last day to turn in or revise any first quarter science work or retake any first quarter science quiz is Thursday, Nov. 1
-Late assignments are now subject to 30% grade reduction.  Please encourage your student to be on time with their work.  :)
-I have set up a Google Classroom page (access code is: 20x2xj) for students to access daily warm ups, class notes, and a link to the online textbook. 

 Math /Perham

  Math- Perham Periods 1-3
    Students have the unit test on the introduction to algebra concepts on block day.  There is also a prodigy assignment this week.

Math Perham Period 4
    Students have the unit test on Integer Operations on Thursday.  There is a prodigy assignment they can do to help them prepare for this test.
Algebra 1 Thornton

This week we are finishing unit 3. We will either test on Friday or Monday depending on how review goes.
Copy of assignment email for 10/15-10/19
Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 1stQ Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com or LA google classroom (This assignment replaces Quest Act and RQ points. RQ tests are still available online for top point earners each quarter, but will not be recorded in grade)
  • Science in the News due Oct. 31st
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Finish reading Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie pgs 263-end
  • Journal writing entries for: 10/15-10/17
  • Literacy Device Vocabulary #1 crossword wks (quiz on the words next week block)
  • DGDP Simile/ Metaphor comic (illustrate a simile or metaphor found in DGDP)
  • Complete Creative Writing Assignment wks and write creative writing story rough draft (rough draft due this Tuesday for peer editing in small groups, final due next week block)
  • DGDP Book Project – see directions and scoring guide (due next Friday)
  • Students should have a recreational book that they are reading at home.  They need to finish novel and complete a book activity/report by the end of the quarter.  Please encourage your student to read daily.  :)
 8th grade Science:
-Due at the start of class on Tuesday: "Reflecting on What You've Done: Photosynthesis" (students received this last week)
-This week we are learning about Cellular Respiration. Our goal is to complete Investigation 5.1 "Obtaining Evidence that Thermal Energy is Released during Cellular Respiration", Investigation 5.2 "Designing an Investigation to Determine if Autotrophs Perform Cellular Respiration", and Investigation 5.3 "Are All Foods Created Equal?".
-Science in the News summary is due Oct. 31 
-Late assignments are now subject to 30% grade reduction.  Please encourage your student to be on time with their work.  :)
-I have set up a Google Classroom page (access code is: 20x2xj) for students to access daily warm ups, class notes, and a link to the online textbook.
CARDBOARD NEEDED
Ms. Taylor is in need of clean, flat sheets of cardboard that are at least 6 inches by 20 inches (or larger) for an upcoming project.  (deconstructed boxes are fine).  Please send donations to Ms. Taylor's room S3. THANK YOU!
 Math /Perham

   Students are solving multi-step equations this week and then completing a review of all block 1 material.  There will be a test on all block 1 algebra concepts next week. Math prodigy is extra credit this week.  
Algebra 1 Thornton
We will continue our study of linear functions. The main focus relates to intercepts, zeros, and graphing. There will be a quiz on Friday.

Copy of assignment email for 10/8-10/12
 Long-Term Projects (working on at home):
  • 1stQ Recreational reading – Read one approved book per quarter and complete a book activity to present the last two weeks of each quarter. Rec form must be signed by parent/guardian to acknowledge you are reading outside of class. Forms and a list of book activities can be accessed on bemccool.blogspot.com or LA google classroom (This assignment replaces Quest Act and RQ points. RQ tests are still available online for top point earners each quarter, but will not be recorded in grade)
  • Science in the News due Oct. 31st
Language Arts Daily work:  SEE bemccool.blogspot.com for more info and another avenue for communication. I post the lesson link (slide show for the day), if applicable, under the “Assignment Links” tab. This is a good resource if students have been absent or didn’t finish the lesson for the day. Thanks!
  • Read Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie pgs 206-262 (refer to book as DGDP)
  • Journal writing entries for: 10/8-10/10
  • Literacy Device Vocab practice: Allusion (due thursday)
  • DGDP Simile Comic - illustrate a simile or metaphor from the novel. Quote the simile text on the paper with your drawing (due Thursday)
  • Students should have a recreational book that they are reading at home.  They need to finish novel and complete a book activity/report by the end of the quarter.  Please encourage your student to read daily.  :)
 8th grade Science:
-CELL MODEL project due at the beginning of class on TUESDAY, Oct. 9 (periods 1,3,5) and WEDNESDAY, Oct. 10 (periods 2,4,6)  Students received a handout last week with all of the details of this assignment. (Please note, you do not need to buy anything for this project.  Students should be creative with what they already have at home.) Edible models MUST be covered when brought to school.
-Photosynthesis Quiz this Thursday!  Students should study all of section 4 in their lab notebooks.
-Science in the News summary is due Oct. 31 
-Late assignments are now subject to 30% grade reduction.  Please encourage your student to be on time with their work.  :)
-I have set up a Google Classroom page (access code is: 20x2xj) for students to access daily warm ups, class notes, and a link to the online textbook.  

 Math /Perham
   Students received their block 1 test back on Monday.  If students want to complete a retake test to improve their grade they must complete test corrections.  Help is available for students to complete their test corrections before school, during lunch and during period 7. Students can also watch videos for the math concepts they struggled to understand using the corefocusonmath.com  website.  Students will receive assignment credit for video notes they complete independently.
    
Algebra 1 Thornton
This week is a weird week with many high school student taking state wide assessments. Class time will be utilized to build math vocabulary and help students identify common assessment words. With no school on Friday, we will start unit 3 next Monday.

3 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 31, 2014 at 8:34 AM

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    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 31, 2014 at 8:38 AM

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