In reading, the eighth graders just finished Unit 1: Telling Stories. They will be beginning their first novel of the year No Promises in the Wind by Irene Hunt. In English, the seventh graders just finished Unit 1: Nouns. They will be beginning Unit 2: Adjectives next. In social studies, the seventh grade has completed their study of geography by practicing finding exact location using latitude and longitude lines, and by identifying physical and climate regions in the United States.  They have begun to learn about the Native Americans, watching a video about the Moundbuilders and creating culture area maps. The eighth grade has completed and presented biographical projects describing important individuals in American History in the years leading up to the Civil War.  They have traced the important events leading up to the war.  To become familiar with the issue of slavery, the students examined paperwork documenting a slave auction that took place in 1860.  They also participated in a simulated slave auction in the classroom, visited an interactive website using the SMARTboard, and watched a movie entitled “Race to Freedom” about the Underground Railroad.  A field trip to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is planned for November 12.  In addition, both seventh and eighth grade students have searched newspapers, magazines, and websites to complete Presidential Scavenger Hunt posters.  They have researched political issues in order to prepare for mock debates in the classroom during the first week of October, nominating their “candidates” and preparing questions and answers.  They have also been encouraged to watch the televised presidential and vice-presidential debates.

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