As the 1999-2000 school year begins, I would like to introduce myself to all eight-grade parents. I have been a substitute teacher in District 10 for eleven years. My degree, which I received from National College of Education in Evanston, is K-9 with majors in both science and social studies.

The name of the textbook that the students will be using is Physical Science, published by Holt. Chemistry will be the first unit of study for all eighth graders. This quarter, students will learn about the Scientific Method; hypothesis, law and theory; the metric system; using measurements to find mass, volume, and density; and fundamental properties of matter, which includes both its physical and chemical properties as well as phase changes.

In addition to using the above referenced textbook, students will also be using a workbook and lab equipment. They will also be doing research in Peacock’s media center. Each student will be assigned a country, excluding the United States, from which they must choose a scientist to write about. Students will then put their information into book form, which must include a bibliography of at least three sources. The culminating activity will be for each student to give a speech on his or her selected scientist.

Hello! My name is Patrick Coate, and I am the new Eighth Grade Social Studies teacher. Previously, I taught sixth grade in Woodstock, Illinois, for five years before coming to Peacock. Working with middle school age children is a challenging but rewarding experience. I am looking forward to a great year!

During the first quarter in United States History, we will be focusing on the United States and Illinois Constitutions. Our goal is for the students to acquire a basic understanding of these documents in relation to their importance and relevance today. The students will have several opportunities this quarter and throughout the year to utilize the various forms of technology available to them. It is also our plan to emphasize a hands-on approach to history as a tool in the learning process.

The Algebra classes have completed Chapter One, "Uses of Algebra". Among the topics studied were order of operations, exponents, sets of numbers and properties of real numbers. Chapter Two covers operations with real numbers, combining like terms, statistical measures and preparing to solve equations.The general math classes completed the first chapter, which was a review of whole numbers and decimals. Topics covered included exponents, order of operations and properties. The second chapter is an introduction to Algebra. Students will solve equations involving one and two steps. They will also translate word equations to algebraic symbols before solving. Also, I just want to remind students and parents that once the chapter test has been taken, no late work from that chapter will be accepted.

Language Arts classes are off to a strong start this year!! Already students have achieved a big goal, prepositions! Next, we’ll be reading The Outsiders, a coming-of-age story which past students have enjoyed. The final product will involve the digital camera and PowerPoint. It’s lots of fun! Just a reminder, don’t forget that Thursdays are spelling days. Homework is due, and we are preparing students for their Lake Park entrance exam writing sample, which will be administered Wednesday, September 29, in the Language Arts classes. We are writing persuasive essays to sharpen our writing skills not only for the Lake Park test, but also the State of Illinois ISAT, which we’ll take in February.

This year eighth graders are in one of two Spanish classes: Level A or Level B. Those students who are taking Spanish for the first time are in Level A, a mixed-grade class as seventh graders are also in this class. Students in Level A started the year learning greetings, classroom objects and commands, and are currently on the alphabet. By the beginning of October, students will be able to take a book home, until then they must do all book work in class. Level B students are in their second year of our articulated Spanish curriculum. We spent the first three weeks reviewing last year’s materials, and are now getting back into chapters. We have one chapter left in last year’s book (Book A), and will then move on to Book B. Students will have their own textbooks once we begin the second book. All students will be required to bring their textbook, practice workbook, activity workbook, folder, and notebook to class every day. Students may want to purchase a three-ring binder to hold all of the materials together so they don’t forget anything in their lockers. Workbooks were purchased by the school, but the students must replace lost workbooks or textbooks. Assignment notebooks are REQUIRED for Spanish class. Students will be down-graded if they continually forget or refuse to use their assignment notebooks.

On a lighter note, we celebrated the Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 15-16) with fiestas in our Level A and B classes. Thank you to all of you who contributed! The first quarter extra credit opportunity is to build your own piñatas! Students received directions to make piñatas, and I invite families get involved in their children’s projects! The piñatas are due on Wednesday, October 20 so that we can display them during the Senior Citizen’s Luncheon on October 22.