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 The 8th graders were an integral part of celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hannah Senesh Community Day School on Friday, October 11th.... Read More
Shana tova from the 8th grade class!
Shanah tovah umetukah from the 8th grade class! We have had a wonderful two weeks together since you last heard from us. English and Social Studies Students have been beginning the school year building on their knowledge of literary elements, the building blocks for strong literary analysis. We have been making our way through stories of Gothic Literature and have been excavating them for plot, setting, and symbolism. In Social Studies, students have been exploring the worlds of pre-Columbian indigenous cultures while simultaneously working on note-taking and self-organizing skills. Students have a test coming up on Friday, October 4,... Read More
A Fantastic First Week!
Humanities This first week of 8th grade in Humanities was really so wonderful! We started off the year by discussing what “shape” we think the planet is in. What makes it in good shape, what makes it in bad shape? In their discussion, the 8th graders named the major issues that the world faces today: global warming, poverty, income inequality, the oppression of women, xenophobia, homophobia. Students collaborated to make poster representations. Here’s one example from Isaac, Zephyr, Dov, and Ilan. Judaic Studies I was so happy to see all of your wonderful... Read More
Welcome to 8th Grade!
Dear 8th Grade Parents, We can’t wait for Tuesday! We are super excited to think, discuss, support, and challenge your 8th graders this year. Please remind your 8th grader to bring a water bottle and a layer (sometimes the air conditioning makes it pretty cold!). Below are brief notes from the members of the 8th grade team — please feel free to reach out to us directly if you have questions or concerns or good news to share! Warmly, The 8th Grade Team Joseph Hayden, 8th Grade Advisor and Humanities I am so very excited to begin my first... Read More
Weeks 34 and 35: Monday, May 13th – Friday, May 24th.
Jewish Museum Field Trip Every year, 8th graders at Hannah Senesh collaborate with educators from the Jewish Museum to create an art project. In order to get inspiration for their art project, we traveled to the museum and looked at different pieces in its’ collection. This year, students are working on creating a memorial for something that is important to them or that they want to remember. After looking at a few pieces, students bought lunch at Russ & Daughters and played in Central Park. Next week, students will finish their memorials with help from an art educator who will... Read More
Week 30 and 31: Monday, April 8th – Thursday, April 18th
Hebrew: Dear parents, The last few days were spent in enthusiastically preparing to be able to lead conversations on the Israel trip and on preparing performances in Hebrew for the Middle School Eurovision contest. The students learned two songs in Hebrew. They put a lot of effort into learning their lines, making up a choreography, a short movie (in Hebrew) and had a lot of fun performing in Hebrew. I was very proud of them! I wish you all a Happy Passover with your families and look forward to meeting your children at Ben Gurion airport! Andreea Heritage: להורים שלום, השבוע... Read More
Weeks 28 and 29: Monday, March 25th – Friday, April 5th
Hebrew This week the 8th grade has finished reviewing the Future tense and we have starting preparing for our trip to Israel. The students are all enthusiastic and excited! Next Tuesday, the students will have a culminating quiz on the Future tense. I wish everyone a relaxing weekend, Andreea Heritage להורים שלום השבוע התחלנו לתכונן לטקס יום הזכרון אשר במסגרתו התלמידים לומדים על מלחמות ישראל. במסגרת הטקס התלמידים ילמדו את השיר “זה הקיץ האחרון שלי” של הלהקה שפיות זמנית. סוף שבוע טוב, אילנה Humanities ELA: Students have been reading Night by Elie Wiesel. We have been discussing how trauma shapes identity... Read More
Weeks 26 and 27: Monday, March 11th – Friday, March 22nd
Hebrew Dear parents, This week the 8th grade has continued to deepen the practice of using noun exceptions in descriptive sentences in the future tense. On Tuesday, the students will take a quiz on this topic. Next, we will start practicing making plans for the future. I wish everyone a relaxing weekend, Andreea Heritage להורים שלום, השבוע התלמידים עבדו על היחידה החדשה שלנו “אמת ושקר”, התלמידים קראו טקסטים רלוונטים וערכו דיונים סביב שאלות מהותיות הנוגעות לחייהם. סוף שבוע טוב, אילנה Humanities ELA: Students finished reading “The Case for Reparations” by Ta-Nehisi Coates and articles responding to Coates. They will complete their slavery... Read More
Weeks 24 and 25: Monday, February 25th – Friday, March 8th
Hebrew Dear parents, This week we are studying a unit on memories. The students have been practicing using descriptive sentences in the past tense. The unit will culminate with a project in which students will interview each other on a historic character they chose to represent. Have a nice weekend, Andreea Heritage להורים שלום, השבוע המשכנו לעבוד על זמן עתיד תוך תרגול פעלים במשפטים, במקביל התחלנו יחידה חדשה “על שפת האמת” הבוחנת את ההתנהגות האישית של אנשים לנוכח מצבים שדורשים מהם לקבל החלטות. בשבוע הבא נערוך מבחן מסכם שיכלול קריאת טקסט ושאלות נלוות, כמו כן הטיית פעלים בזמן עתיד. סוף... Read More
Weeks 22 and 23: Monday, February 4th – Friday, February 15th
Hebrew Dear parents, This week the students finished watching the Israeli movie “Apples in the Desert”. The movie deals with the complex topic of seculars and religious Jews in Israel. The students practiced listening comprehension while listening to the movie, they practiced their speech skills while discussing the movie, and at the end, they completed written reflections in writing. The written reflections were due today and will be graded. I wish you a relaxing and safe vacation, Andreea Heritage להורים שלום, השבוע עבדנו על תרגול זמן עתיד באמצעות הסיפור של יהודה אטלס, “שלוש משאלות”. המספר על זוג זקנים שאינם מרוצים... Read More