Welcome to Mrs. Piazza's Eighth Grade Class.
I am looking forward to a successful school year!
It is important for your students to
understand that they must act as leaders and role models
for our younger students at St. Mary Nativity. Please encourage your
students to exhibit positive behavior at all times. Thank you for your
cooperation and please feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions.
6th Grade:
We have been studying fiction and non-fiction.
I have given students informational sheets describing and explaining the characteristics of fiction and non-fiction. We read the fictional story "Greyling" and the non-fiction story "My Heart is in the Highlands."
We have begun reading the short fiction story "Stray" by Cynthia Ryland. We will be completing activities associated with the story.
We have been focusing on the Literary Elements that make up the plot:
1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Resolution
Our first novel study will be "Island of the Blue Dolphins"
7th Grade:
We have been studying the elements of fiction and non-fiction.
We read the fiction story "The Three Century Woman" and the non-fiction article "The Fall of the Hindenburg."
We have begun studying the literary genre of Science Fiction. We read "Hail and Farewell" by Ray Bradbury and completed many follow up activities. The students were introduced to the form of poetry call Sciefaiku and created their own original poems. We will continue studying works of Ray Bradbury, including "There Will Come Soft Rains."
We have been focusing on the literary elements that make up the plot:
1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Resolution
Our first novel study will be "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry."
8th Grade:
We have been studying elements of fiction.
We have been focusing on the literary elements of plot, conflict, and character traits.
Plot: Conflict:
1. Exposition Man vs. Man
2. Rising Action Man vs. Society
3. Climax Man vs. Nature
4. Falling Action Man vs. Self
5. Resolution
We completed a short study of the literary genre folklore. We read several Greek myths and completed related art projects and written assignments.
We are now studying the literary genre of Realistic Fiction. We read "To Build A Fire" by Jack London and are in the process of completing related activities.
Later in the year, we will return to author Jack London and read "White Fang."
Shortly, we will begin our study of "To Kill a Mocking bird."
6th Grade:
We have begun studying the continent of Africa, along with all of the countries, landforms, various climates, and vegetation. We are also focusing on the five themes of geography:
1. Location
2. Place
3. Movement
4. Interaction
5. Region
We will begin a unit on the election process. This unit will take us to the Presidential election.
7th Grade:
We are focusing on the five themes of geography:
1. Location
2. Place
3. Movement
4. Interaction
5. Region
Students will be completing many different map activities while learning about different lands and climates.
Next, we will begin studying "The First Americans.
We will also begin a unit on the election process. This unit will take us to the Presidential election.
8th Grade:
We are studying "The age of Jefferson." This study will include the study of the Louisiana Purchase, through the War of 1812.
We have also been studying Supreme Court Landmark cases. Students have been summarizing decisions from "Brown vs. The School Board of Topeka Kansas", "The United States vs. Nixon", and "Miranda vs. Arizona."
We will begin a unit on the election process. This unit will take us to the Presidential election.
8th Grade;