Happy last week of dreary and dark January (sorry if you are a person who likes to hibernate).

In English and Social Studies:

We are continuing with To Kill a Mockingbird. Students should be through chapter 13 by tomorrow with packet questions completed as well ( I gave them the gift of only one question for chapter 12 over the weekend). We will be through chapter 17 by Friday and chapter 21 by Monday. I know this sounds like a lot, but I am not giving Social Studies homework at the moment since there is much to be discussed in the Civics realm for the book.

*** Any student who is behind in their reading is likely to be assigned to Thursday school in order to give them a space, place and time in which to get up to speed. 

Today in class we discussed the importance of reading with the purpose of looking for inferences and foreshadowing.  Many of them are still reading for concrete, or obvious, information. Please encourage them to look for clues....think about author's purpose.  Feel free to ask questions like, "What do you think Harper Lee is trying to tell you in this chapter?"

Additionally, we have MAPS testing this Thursday and Friday....please encourage your student to do their best!

And finally.....look for a permission slip this week. The entire 8th grade will be taking a trip to WSU to explore the library archives and visit a museum or two. Should be a great experience as we lead into our research for Night of the Notables.