OCTOBER

GRADE 8 NEWS
TAMARACK WALDORF SCHOOL

2013

FIRST PRESS EDITION

In the Classroom...

This week in 8th grade we will complete our rst math block of the year. On Monday we will review the Cartesian Coordinate System (graphing points and linear equations) as well as nding averages using positive and negative integers. Last week we studied polynomial equations and multiplication of binomials and polynomials using the distributive property. I worked extensively with the students on the four processes with integers (subtraction was, at rst, difcult for some). Students also learned how to work with exponents, conversion of numbers into scientic notation and vice versa, and square and higher roots. All of these skills will be on the open book math test occurring this Wednesday. The last skill I will cover before review is factoring polynomials. Block binders will also be due on Wednesday. Students block grades will be a combination of homework assignments, test score, and main lesson book work. I will grade main lesson books based on neatness, quality and timely completion of work. Students who hand in incomplete work will receive a lower grade but will still be required to complete their work during recess time (1-2 recesses per week maximum until work is complete). Please take a moment to look through your childs main lesson book to see their beautiful work and make sure they are caught up and complete by Wednesday. Our next main lesson block will be anatomy and physiology, beginning this week. In art classes we worked on a watercolor composition of a cat sitting on a mossy ledge, and origami irises that we nished with a wax coating. Next week with Ms. Knuth students will work on a black and white pencil drawing. In math extra main lessons we have worked on percents and decimals, and discovering algebraic equations from story problems involving perimeter and area of triangles and quadrangles. In grammar extra main lessons we worked on capitalization rules and are now moving on to all forms of punctuation. WKCE tests are coming up. All 7th and 8th grade students will take these tests between October 28th and November 26th. I will be working with students on test prep in the next couple of weeks to prepare them for WKCEs, as well as high school entrance exams, many of which are beginning as early as the rst week of October. High School visits are scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons at Tamarack during the month of October. A hard copy of important deadlines for high school applications, open houses, testing, and visit days at Tamarack was sent home last week. Please check your childs homework folder if you did not yet receive this important correspondence.

Dates to Remember
Michaelmas, Friday, October 4th, 1-3 pm. Dismissal is normal time, from the park, at 3:15 p.m. Picture Days, October 8th and 9th First Volunteerism check in day, October 8th, log sheets and journaling will be checked. Parent Teacher Conferences, October 24th and 25th, no school. 8th Grade will provide child care during the day both days, look for more information and sign up sheet to come.

Thank you for the honor it is being your childs teacher. Questions, please email or call salgados@sbcglobal.net or sondra.reyes@tamarackwaldorf.org
Warmly, Mrs. Reyes Winter Fair Lunch Cafe The 8th grade will be working with parent volunteers and the 7th grade to host the Lunch Cafe at the Winter Fair. Students will be responsible for volunteering a shift before, during, or after the fair. Angela and Christy, our class parents, are looking for a parent volunteer (or two) to help organize the lunch cafe. Please contact Angela or Christy for more information if youre interested. Fundraising Coffee sale prots were around $1,100. We have been averaging about $100/week prot on pizza sales. Market baskets just started last week with only three baskets ordered... but I think sales will start to pick up. The fruits and veggies looked amazing and for the junior price its a deal! Please remind your son or daughter to wear or bring gym clothes for circus class on Mondays.