Summer Reading

Dear Parents and Students,

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for a wonderful year.  The students worked very hard and learned TONS! :)

Here is the summer reading letter that I sent home today, and below the letter are the questions in lieu of the "attached" document.  The link is on the left-hand side of the website. :)

June, 3, 2015

Dear Parents and Students,

Summer is here!  Congratulations!  We have made it through another school year!  Even though the school year is through, it is not time to take a break from education altogether.  I have implemented a mild summer reading program for the students who are entering eighth grade.

Since this is the first year for the summer reading program, all each student has to do is read ONE of the novels from the provided list.  The list can be found on my website, and you can email me for the link as well.  You may chose ANY selection from the seventh or eighth grade lists.  Additionally, if your student is planning on completing the TCS Classics Reading Challenge, the summer novel WILL count towards this goal.

Upon completion of the novel, each student will fill out the attached forms to answer questions about the novel.  This simple assignment is worth the first fifty points of the eighth grade year.  This is a fantastic opportunity to grow in literature and higher level thinking skills.  

To make your literature choice easy, the link on my website includes links through amazon to each of the novels.  This means that you can look at reviews, read the summery, and even order the book if you like.  Also, all of the titles should be available at your library.  If you are having trouble retrieving a title that you would like to read, please do not hesitate to contact me.  

Thank you so much, and happy reading!

Love,

Mrs. Agate

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Answer these questions about your novel choice.  You may type or neatly handwrite your answers.  Bring this with you on the first day of eighth grade.

1. Novel title: ; Author: ; Date published:

2. Describe the setting. (7+ sentences)

3. Describe the main characters. (2+ paragraphs)

4. What conflicts occurred through the course of the novel, and how were they resolved? (3+ paragraphs)

5. Draw a timeline of the plot.

6. Who was your favorite character?  Why?  (2+ paragraphs)  

7.  Which character was the least relatable to you?  Explain. (7+ sentences)

8. Would you recommend this novel?  Why or why not?  (1+ paragraph(s))

9. What would you rate this novel on a scale of 1-10? Explain your rating.

10. What  did you learn from this literary work?  (3+ paragraphs)

  

Bible Bowl 2015! :)

Today we held our Fourth Annual Middle School Bible Bowl Competition in the auditorium.  It was great fun, and the students were super pumped up to be a part of this tradition.

Our "game show" was complete with music, lights, a charismatic host (student council member, Jason Rucker), a "Vanna White" (student council member, Elizabeth Handley), judges, and even a fog machine!  All I had to do was read the questions! :)

What was most exciting was how the students displayed their knowledge of God's Word.  Believe it or not, the SIXTH grade took the championship this year lead by eleven year old genius, Samuel Dutton. :)  Fun times were had by all!

THIRD PLACE: Seventh grade. Competitors included Dean Merritt, Jillian Thomas, and Jacob Pan.
SECOND PLACE: Eighth grade.  Competitors included Aristotle Theofilis, Jacob Riviere, and Zack Gould.
FIRST PLACE: Sixth grade.  Competitors included Haley Hart, Samuel Dutton, and Sarah Gould.

7th Grade Story Writers

About a month ago, the 7th graders were assigned a kindergarten buddy.  Each 7th grader was to interview his or her buddy, and then create a book for the buddy with the gathered information.  They worked hard on creating wonderful stories with conflict, resolution, colorful illustrations, and more-- all starring their kindergarteners! :)  Today, we were able to present our "published" (laminated, at least!) books to the little sweeties who were thrilled to receive such a special gift.  What a cherished time of sharing and love! :)

Happy Campers :)

I had a blast with the 8th graders on the camping trip!  We hiked, swam, biked, cooked over the fire, and worshipped the Creator of the amazing beauty of which we were in the midst!

THANK YOU ALL!

Dear Wonderful Parents,

Thank you SO much for donating your time and delicious treats to our middle school fiesta! :)  I would especially like to thank Sherida Blackburn who was at school at 7AM decorating and setting up for this Mexican feast!  Thanks to Jill Gunniers for all her help putting this together and for providing the most amazing piñata I have ever seen!  Thank you, Lisa Riviere for creating delicious and incredible taco cake pops!  WOW!  Many hands contributed to this fun party, and I was blessed by you all!  Enjoy these fun photos! :)

Field Trip Permission Slip and Information

8^th Grade Camping Trip!

When: Sunday, May 17^th, 3PM departure (meet in at school front parking lot at 2:45PM ).  We will leave the campground at 1PM on Monday to be back at the school by 2PM in case students need to take the bus home or go to track practice, etc. 

Where: We are going to Laurel Hill State Park

                       
                                          Somerset, PA

                                          814-674-1000

Cost: $28 per camper will cover the cost of all food (Snacks and three meals : dinner on Sunday; breakfast and lunch on Monday), fire wood, supplies, the reservation of four sites, etc.

Why: As we just finished reading Lord of the Flies (which could eerily coincide with camping) and as a means of a last hurrah for our 8^th grade sweeties who will soon be in high school (Boo Hoo!), we thought this would be a fun opportunity to fellowship together though camping (devotions, praise and worship, games, journaling, fishing, hiking, etc.).  We hope that everyone can attend!

Help: We may need one more driver! You do not have to stay as we have enough chaperones, but let me know if you would be willing to haul kids and/or camping equipment to the sites.  J 

What to bring:     *Sleeping bag     *Flashlight      *Bible and Notebook/Journal          *”Play” clothes            *Fishing gear       *Comfy shoes for hiking      *Bug spray             *Pillow           *Games, Cards, Puzzles            *Any special snacks you would like

            *Toiletries (There are showers.)            *Towel          *Modest Swimsuit *Chair, if you have one!         *A bike if you have the means to get it there

*Any camping tools such as hotdog sticks, mountain-pie irons, etc. are welcome!

*We will work out the tent situation together in class.  We need four 5+man tents.   

Note:  We acknowledge that this Sunday departure is an anomaly in our policies at TCS.  We do not wish to take anyone away from church obligations or family time on Sunday.  We tried to accommodate this by having a 3PM departure.  If leaving on a Sunday presents a conflict for you, please let me know.  This field trip is not mandatory.  However, we do hope that all of our classmates can take part!

Contact: Email Mrs. Agate with any questions! J 

ALSO-- IF THIS COST IS A HINDRANCE TO YOU, PLEASE SEND A CONFIDENTIAL EMAIL TO MRS. AGATE, AND IT WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF.  THANKS.

-           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -          

I GIVE MY STUDENT, ________________________________________, PERMISSION TO ATTEND THE 8^TH GRADE CAMPING TRIP ON MAY 17^TH.  ENCLOSED is $28.

SIGNED:     

Here is a shot from last year's trip. :)  I can't wait to help provide more middle school memories for this year's special group of 8th graders! 

Update! :)

The middle school is a happening place!  There are just a few short weeks of school left, but we will work until the not-at-all-bitter end! Here is what you need to be "in the know"....

7th English:  *Grammar Wrap-Up  *Last Vocabulary Unit  *Short Story Book for Kindergarten Buddy   *Inspirational Speeches  

7th Bible: *Last Bible Unit on Biblical Literary Genres    *Last Memory Passage (Lam. 3:22-26)

8th English: *Grammar Overview    *Last Two Vocabulary Units   *MLA Research Papers   *Persuasive Speeches     *Literary Essay Mastery

8th Bible: *Last Unit on Current Church History    *Last Memory Passage (Heb. 12:1-3)

Other important happenings:  *Work-a-Thon is this Thursday, May 7th!   *Choir Concert is Tuesday, May 12th at 7PM     *Student Council Elections are Wednesday, May 13th at 8:30AM     *Middle School Cinco de Mayo Celebration is Thursday, May 14th at 11:30AM-12:30PM      *Kennywood Day is Friday, May 15th     *8th Grade Camping Trip 3PM Sunday May 17th - 2PM May 18th *Band Concert is Tuesday, May 19th at 7PM    *Middle School Awards Banquet is Thursday, May 21st at 8:30AM  

By the way, I think the students are still in great spirits during this crunch time!  Here is a typical picture of what happens as students settle in to class.  I love middle schoolers! :)