8th Grade Blog 10/17
Hello, 8th Grade Community!
Math
The 8th grade is revisiting the concept of solving linear equations in one variable. Mastering this concept is the key to moving onto linear equations in two variables, which they’ll be exploring shortly. Linear systems are a key component in Algebra I and they can be solved in several ways. The students will learn how to solve these systems graphically, by substitution, and by elimination before moving onto systems of linear inequalities.
Advisory
Science
Science continues with their exploration of atoms and the periodic table. Students were assigned different elements in order to make a brochure about the properties of their element. We also played a fun atomic bingo activity in class in order to discover how elements are arranged on the periodic table. This allowed students to notice the difference between the element name and its symbol. In the following weeks we will apply our knowledge about atoms into the concept of molecules. We cannot wait to continue our hands on activities in order to master these science concepts.
Humanities
In ELA, students have been continuing their unit of study on Gothic Literature and literary analysis. We have just finished reading Faulkner’s epic and creepy short story “A Rose for Emily” (ask your child about how this story ends!), and are gearing up to writing a literary analysis essay starting the week of October 28. The Senesh 8th graders are strong thinkers, and it’s really showing in the way that they are engaging with the text. For Social Studies, students are using primary and secondary sources to become critical thinkers about the European colonization of the Americas and contact with Native American communities. Students wrote an imaginative journal entry from the perspective of either a European explorer or a Native American.
Judaic Studies
8th graders studied a strange and funny aggada (story from the Talmud) about Purim, and turned it into a play using puppets or acting it out themselves. We discussed the message this aggada teaches and how it relates to Yom Kippur. In preparation for our upcoming visits with Project Ezra (an organization that supports the Jewish elderly on the Lower East Side), we looked at the Biblical mitzvah והדרת פני זקן (make beautiful the faces of the elderly) and considered the power of “Beauty” in our culture.
Hebrew
Dear parents,
Happy Sukkot! These last few weeks, 8th-grade students have been practicing describing the world around them in colors and shapes (Hebrew K) and discussing different clothing styles (Hebrew J). In addition, the students have been practicing conversational skits, learned two new Israeli songs and have been using the online program to use learned vocabulary in writing. I am attaching a few pictures from one of our activities.
Have a restful Sukkot weekend!