8th Grade Parent NightWELCOME!

8th Grade PoliciesWendy Wax Gellis

90 minutes of homework per night. The 4 core classes will split this time, 20 minutes

per class in most cases with a 10 minute cushion. You should expect homework every night, Monday

through Thursday. Honor/additional classes = additional homework Students could use additional time and weekends

to review material, study, read, and/or work on long term assignments.

Please help us out by checking the homework websites and the student planner so you can oversee the homework.

Homework Policy

Students are expected to turn their work in on time

◦ Science no late homework accepted (homework is usually to study) projects go down one letter per day late 

◦ Math no late homework accepted projects go down one letter grade each day they are late 

◦ History 1/2 credit for all late homework and projects

◦ English 1/2 credit for homework assignments worth less than 30 points Students only get 2 days to turn-in late work for assignments worth less

than 30 points) projects and essays (and all work worth 30 or more points) go down one

letter grade each day they are late

Late Work Policies

For Quizzes ◦ Quizzes may be given any day for any class.

For Tests and Projects◦ Science Fridays and occasional Mondays◦ Math Mondays and Wednesdays◦ History Tuesdays and Thursdays◦ English Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Quizzes and Tests

Promotion Requirements

Liz CowgillMiddle School Counselor

Your child must:◦ Pass both semesters of math◦ Pass both semesters of English◦ Have no more than two “F” grades combined on

his/her final semester report cards (January and/or June)

◦ Pass the 8th grade Constitution Test given in November

◦ Successfully complete the 8th grade service learning project to be communicated in detail

◦ Be clear of any debts owed to the school such as overdue library books, lost or damaged textbooks, musical instrument repairs, etc.

Promotion

Community Service Learning

Katy Lapajneand

JuliaCheri Hoos

http://www.malibuhigh.org/teacher-hoos-csl

Updates and Links

The Constitution Exam

JuliaCheri Hoos

The US Citizenship Exam

Students as CITIZENS…

All 8th grade students take the exam during their 2nd period class.

The exam is given on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving (this year – 11/23)

The exam is 100 objective questions. Passing is 70 or more correct answers. After school study sessions will start at the

beginning of November.

Overview

200 flash cards (3x5 or 4x6)◦ Master list of study questions should be given out

Friday, 10/15.◦ If you have a printer that allows for printing on small-

format paper, cards can be printed. The file will be posted on the homework website the week of 10/18.

Students need to complete ALL class assignments and practice quizzes during the unit.

Review materials and techniques will be given in class

Students need to attend two intensive study sessions.

Materials

Create and review study cards Complete in class assignments Take and review practice quizzes Attend study sessions Use study materials and techniques

provided in class and at study sessions Create mnemonics Use online resources ASK FOR HELP!!!

Preparing for the Exam

The first attempt is always the best opportunity to pass.

One retake will be offered between Thanksgiving Break and Winter Break.

Another retake will be offered between the end of Winter Break and the end of the first semester.

Additional retakes are available, but it becomes increasingly difficult for students to hold on to the old information while working on new materials in class.

Retaking the Exam