As their children advance through the grades, many parents begin to feel that they can no longer help them with their math. Either the math is becoming too complicated, they don't want want to show their children the way "they" were taught, which might be different then the methods their children's teachers use, or they feel that by helping their children learn math they will be pushing into the teacher's space. Whatever the reason, when parents take a backseat, their children are denied a valuable resource. Following are some simple things all parents can do to help their children learn math.

> Become acquainted with the math teacher at back-to-school night and parent-teacher conferences.
> Let the math teacher know that you want to help your child at home. Ask what specific help you might provide. Most teachers will be glad to give suggestions.
> Encourage your child to complete his or her math neatly and accurately. This helps to minimize careless mistakes.
> Practice estimation with your child. When you go to a convenience store to buy a few items, ask your child to estimate the cost.
> Practice measurement. Estimate the time necessary for trips, estimate the heights and weights of various objects. When you are measuring the windows for new curtains, encourage your child to help.
> Never tell your child that some people "just aren't good at math," or that you aren't good with math. Instead, emphasize that competence can be gained through hard work.
> Never think that girls can't do math as well as boys.
> Always reward your child with praise when he or she does well. That helps build confidence.
> At home talk about math in a positive manner. Point out the many practical tasks that require an understanding of mathematics -- planning a home budget, calculating the grocery bills, setting enough money aside for a vacation.
> Whenever possible, use math at home in problem-solving. Encourage your child to work out the problem.
-The Math Teacher's Book of Lists,? 1995, Prentice Hall

Social Studies Goes West!

The history of the U.S. is in large part identified with the movement of people across the continent. From the time the first settlers landed in 1607 until the Bureau of the Census announced the end of the frontier in 1890, Americans had always been restless and on the move.
We are now studying about growth during the time frame of approximately 1862 and the passage of the Homestead Act until the end of the 19th century. With the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, the vast region of the plains were open to thousands of settlers.
When we complete our study of this time in history, we will move on to the study of the Industrial Revolution in America. This unit will involve all disciplines across the curriculum.

L.A. Reads!

We begin the year with the novel The Outsiders. It's a novel of self-discovery for the main character and challenges us to much discussion and reflection. Next, we will be working in the literature and grammar books.
The first day of every week there will be a spelling pretest. The test will be every Thursday. However, if a student earned 100% on the pretest, he/she is exempt from the Thursday test as long as the homework is complete.
Vocabulary units will be two weeks long. During the first week we'll familiarize ourselves with the words and do Parts A & B in Wordskills. The second week, we'll do Parts C & D, then test on Friday.
Assignment Notebooks are needed daily for entries. Ask to see your child's often.

Common Time

This time is used as an interdisciplinary writing lab during which students develop their writing skills within many subject areas through the year. Common Time gives writers time to more fully explore resources for their work as well as the ability to take advantage of hardware and software for the development of advanced product presentation. The goals for the year include the following:
> Students will polish their IGAP writing skills while exploring topical issues.
> Other literary genres will be explored through studying examples and producing creative pieces.
Grades will be averaged into students' L.A. grades for Interim Reports and the Report Card.

Exploratory Reveals Facts!

Students who are not in Spanish will rotate through four quarters of Exploratory. These courses present students with a deeper academic experience of topics which cannot be covered during the normal daily class curriculum.
During the first three quarters, students will take Consumer Education, American Presidents, and Astronomy. The fourth quarter will feature three courses of three weeks each: History of Rock and Roll Music, Landmark Supreme Court Decisions, and Health. Grades will be averaged into students' math, social studies, or science grades.

Springfield Trip

Friday, October 2 is the big day! Aside from the State Capitols, we will also visit New Salem. This beautifully restored village is where Lincoln lived and worked for six years. Wear comfortable walking shoes!!

Science Gets Physical

Eighth graders study physical science. During the first semester we study force, motion, waves, light, and sound. We also go over electricity and magnetism.
During the second semester we start studying chemistry. While learning the Periodic Table of Elements and the chemical families, we also study atoms, compounds, and why different substances act the way they do. There are numerous lab activities with each unit.

Evaluate Expressions with Algebra!

Algebra class has completed Chapter One topics: order of operations, properties of real numbers and the use of variables. We are now working in the second chapter which includes operations on signed numbers, absolute value and statistics.

Math Moves Ahead!

The basic math classes finished Chapter One which was not only a review of decimals and whole numbers but also included exponents and order of operations. Chapter Two is an introduction to algebra and involves evaluating expressions and solving equations.