WELCOME Haddam-Killingworth Middle School Parents and Guardians of the Future Class of 2020!

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."

Carl Bard

Team 8-1 Teachers

Ms. Jen Bell–Team Leader / MathematicsMrs. Catherine Harris–Science Mr. Greg Cumpstone—American HistoryMrs. Lynne Landry–English / Language ArtsMrs. Lara Wowk–Reading / Language ArtsMs. Melissa Steinhilper–Special Education Mrs. Gale Annicelli–Para EducatorMs. Susan Stanford – Para EducatorMs. Laura Gardner–World Language, French/SpanishMrs. Cristina Santos – World Language, SpanishMr. Alan Fortin – 8th Grade Counselor

How We Help Our Students…

We have high expectations and hold students to standards. We’ll be honest with students about the quality of their work

and we will help them improve. We’ll assign homework and projects regularly so that

students can develop strong study/organizational habits. We will help students catch up, but there will be

consequences if they do not take appropriate responsibility. There will be consequences for students who are not

prepared for class. Plagiarism is taken seriously on team 8-1 according to the

student handbook. Students have been made aware through discussion in class.

Important Information Technology at home

Web Pages www.rsd17.org Power School

Technology in the classroom Contacting Teachers – absences/guidance contact ( vacations)

8-1 Theme: Respect and Responsibility / Core Values Preparation for High School! Recommendations Materials for success in classes

– technology items Independence – self-advocacy

Flex Period Reading Workshop Extension – SSR /individual assessments Science CMT Review Extra help – student contact w/teacher

We are a CT School of Distinction – our students’ achievements reflect that. Yet, we always strive to be better.

We want students to be strong life-long learners.

We want students to be invested in what they are learning, not just what points they earn.

8th Grade Philosophy

Homework is practice; task completion is necessary for success within our classes; as students are learning the material, expectation of completion is the 8th grade norm.

Opportunities for students who work diligently to retake test/redo major assignments as determined by the teacher are provided.

Extra-credit is not offered as a means of miracle working.

Alternate consequences and learning opportunities for late/incomplete work beyond deducting points from the grade may be offered.

Skill Practice in 8th Grade

Cooperative Learning on Team

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."   --  Confucius

Independent Learning Focus Learning Styles/Multiple Intelligence –

how a student learns best for study review Workshop lessons Vocabulary/Grammar in context of writing Technology – laptops

Ms. Jen Bell– Team Leader / Mathematics Team 8-1

jbell@rsd17.org

Ms. Jen Bell– Team Leader / Mathematics Team 8-1

jbell@rsd17.org

Grade 8 Math Pre-Algebra Algebra Extra Help

Mrs. Catherine Harris, Science Team 8-1

charris@rsd17.org

Grade 8 Science

Nature of Science (September-October) Lab Safety and Design Data Collection and Analysis

Physics (November-February) Motion Forces Laws of Motion Work, Power and Machines Energy

Astronomy (March-June) Sun – Earth – Moon system The Solar System The Universe

JUNEFinal Current Event Research Project

Lake Compounce Review/Application of Physics

Mr. Greg Cumpstone, 8th Grade American History - Reconstruction (1865) to present

gcumstone@rsd17.org

History Philosophy: it’s all about Learning

History Units: Patriots’ Pen Reconstruction Progressive Era Growth of Industries WWI Roaring 20’s/Great Depression WWII Cold War Civil Rights Movement 1980-Present

Mrs. Lynne Landry, English / Language ArtsTeam 8-1

Website: https://sharedserver.rsd17.org/teacherwebpages/lynnelandry/default.aspx

Reader’s/Writer’s Workshop Goal - to help students learn strategies allowing them to value reading/writing for the rest of their lives. Each student should strive to read 60 minutes per day within a 5-7 day stretch, applying taught strategies such as connecting, visualizing, and evaluating.

Reading-based vocabulary strategies will be used throughout the year.

Grammar will be taught through editing and revising. Specific grammar skills will be taught in isolation as those weaknesses appear in students’ writing.

Students will be working with claim/argument, literary, and narrative writing. The goal is to help students explore a wider genre of writing.

Webcalendar: assignment and classwork posted for absences/clarifications. Class notes and documents are attached.

English/Language Arts

Ms. Melissa Steinhilper msteinhilper@rsd17.org

8th Grade Academic Support

Ms. Melissa Steinhilper msteinhilper@rsd17.org

Test preparation

Organizational skills

Time management

Assistance with work completion

Goal setting

Pre-teach and Re-teach specific skills

Applied Academics (Specials) Team: World Language Ms. Laura Gardner – French/Spanish

lgardner@rsd17.org

Mrs. Cristina Santos – Spanishcsantos@rsd17.org

Applied Academics– Language8-1 and 8-2

• Class meets daily• Frequent practice = movement toward fluency!

• Students enter Spanish II / French II as 9th graders• Students will be expected to use their language in class• Students need to be risk-takers – no fear of mistakes.

• COMMUNICATION is the goal!• At-home practice is crucial

Conferences We would love to talk with you individually

about our classes and the work your child will do.

Please speak with one of us today, or email any of us to sign up for October 28 and 29 conferences.

Feel free to call or e-mail us with any questions or concerns.

This will be a fantastic year!

(1:30 pm – 4:30 pm) Thurs. 10/30 (5:00 pm – 8:00 pm)

There will be a sign-up sheet for conferences on the table in the pod when this meeting is over

Thank you for attending. Please go to the auditorium for the Washington, D.C. meeting which begins promptly at 8:20 p.m.

(DC 8th Grade trip:)

May 4, 5, 6 - 2016Coordinator: Ryan MackenziePlease sign up a.s.a.p.Please attend parent meeting directly after this presentationEF Tours will work with parents on a payment schedule that works for you.Fundraising opportunities: Christy Manley Scrips Program

Washington, DC Field Trip

This will be a fantastic year!

Thank you for joining your team 8-1 teachers this evening!

(1:30 pm – 4:30 pm) Thurs. 10/30 (5:00 pm – 8:00 pm)

There will be a sign-up sheet for conferences on the table in the pod when this meeting is over

Thank you for attending. Please go to the auditorium for the Washington, D.C. meeting which begins promptly at 8:20 p.m.

(DC 8th Grade trip:)