165 Bethany Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
School Office Hours 7:30 am - 2:45 pm
732.264.5578
Jan. 15, 2020
TOday the students had their last day of research. We worked on vocabulary to study for the test tomorrow. HW Study!
Jan. 14, 2020
Surprise! I am back. I was not chosen. As much as I was looking forward to serving my civic duty, I am very happy to be here with the kids! HW for tonight is voc. 113- 114. Crossword puzzle. Test. Thursday. Remember to get NIght by Elie Wiesel by February. We have begun our research paper in class. It is due on Feb. 10.
Jan. 10,2020
Parents,
I am going to be out of school for the next two weeks. I have been called to jury duty for the US District Court in Trenton for a period of two weeks. I am sorry to miss this time in class with your children!! Mrs. Victoria Benites will be in for me during this time.
There are some deadlines approaching that you may want to be attentive to regarding confirmation.
--if making the Sacrament of Confirmation, the date for the Service Essay is Feb 24...please make sure you check the Confirmation packet that was sent home/picked up in September or if that is not handy, then the RE on the tab Church side of the website has the packet for view as well ---several important dates are there with further explanations.
Jan. 9, 2020
Today we read more of Flowers. Test on vocabulary chapters 7 - 9 next Thursday.
Jan. 8. 2020
Today we began to read Flowers for Algernon. Students are to continue to read for HW. and respond to questions on classroom.
Jan. 7, 2020
Today was a challenging day in the classroom as graduation pictures lasted until 4th period. We reviewed some of the vocabulary and worked on pronouns.
Jan.6, 2020
Happy New Year All! I am excited to be beginning the new year of learning! Today we started the new vocabulary unit, lesson 9. Hw Words in context. We will be reading Night by Elie Wiesel in February. Please purchase the book by February.
Dec 19
Wishing all my students and families a joyous Christmas and happy and healthy New Year!
2020 Here we come!
Dec. 17
Today we read Gift of the Magi by O'Henry. Students have a response paragraph for HW to his words at the end of the story.
Dec. 15
Today we finished the Of Mice and Men movie. We worked on vocabulary ch. 8.
Dec. 9
Today we continued to work on the project. The test is postponed until Wed. HW for tonight is to write 10 questions for the test. Tomorrow we will review the questions.
Dec.6
Today we went to Mass and worked on our special project. Have a wonderful weekend!!
Dec. 5
Today we added a discussion of the conflict, climax, and fatal flaw to our study of the novel. Students did a great job applying these concepts to their knowledge of the story. Tomorrow we will suspend our study of OMM and work on our special project Have a great day. No HW
Dec. 4, 2019
Today we began our work on a very special St. Benedict project. HW is for students to write 10 adverbs and 10 adjectives using a picture of the North Pole orSanta's Workshop as motivation. HW for vocabulary is Words in Context page 83-84. Test on OMM is next Tuesday , Dec. 10.
Nov. 24, 2019
Today we worked on OMM. HW read to 50.
Nov. 22, 2019
Today we took the test on Voc. 4-6. We read more on OMM.
Nov. 20 and 21, 2019
We began to explore the characters of Lennie and George and the setting of the first scene of OMM. The students are taking notes as we read together and discuss the book. HW Study for the test tomorrow.
Nov. 19,2019
Today we began discussing the setting of OMM. Students discussed the concept of migration and its impact on the story. HW read first chapter of OMM. Reviewed vocabulary Ch. 6. Test Friday.
Nov. 18, 2019
Today we completed the review of the two stories. Students worked on the Ch. 6 vocabulary words. HW Words in Context. Test on Friday - Chapters 4 -6. We began our pre-reading of Of Mice and Men today. Books will be distributed tomorrow. Please be sure that you take care of the book given to you. THank you.
Nov. 14, 2019
Today we worked from the Pearson book. Students shared an embarassing experience and then read two short pieces from the book. Have a great weekend.
Nov. 13,2019
Today we closed the door on our study of Poe.Students shared their learning of both Poe and what they gained from the project. It was very successful experience. HW test on S-V-IO-DO tomorrow.
Nove. 12, 2019
Today we worked on test taking skills via Moby Max. We completed additional activities on S-V-IO-DO. Test on that grammar pattern on Thursday. HW Poe project due tomorrow.
Nov. 11, 2019
Today we reviewed S-V-IO-DO patterns in grammar. We once again went over all the requrements for the Poe project which we have done every day since I gave the requirements to the students. Poe project due Wednesday.
Nov. 8
Today we shared our narratives and worked on Direct Objects. Have a great weekend!
Nov. 7,
Today we worked on vocabulary and grammar. Students added the break down for Direct Objects and Indirect Objects. HW Voc. Prefixes and Suffixes and Critical Reading for Ch. 5.
Nov.62019
Today we worked on S/V Agreement. We reviewed the vocabulary for Ch. 5 . HW Words in Context Ch. 5. We worked on any questions for the Poe Project.
Nov. 5, 2019
Today we watchedThe Tell Tale Heart and The Pit and the Pendulum as a class to assist in the students understanding of the plots. We also reviewed the figurative language in The Raven. We started Ch. 5 in vocabulary . White HW is write the definitions for CH. 5. Blue HW is
Nov. 4, 2019
Today we went over and took notes on various forms of figurative language .Students worked together to find figurative language after a reading of The Raven. HW. Work on the Poe project. Students should have their stoies/poems by tomorrow.
Oct. 30
Today students watched the biography.com Edgar Allan Poe life story. Students were responsible for taking notes from the video. Students were given the Poe project yestersday and the notes they took today are directly related to the project. We also took the quiz on Ch. 4 . HW read your Poe story.
Oct. 28
Today we began our Edgar Allan Poe project. Students will be researching Poe's life and death and writing a brief research piece . HW bullet points from the play we read today. Quiz on Voc. Ch. 4 on Wednesday.
Oct. 25 2019
Today we completed our narrative. The final copy is due Monday. We are working on grammar - subjects and verbs. We will be moving forward to Edgar Allan Poe next week and working subject verb agreement. Have a great weekend.
Oct. 17, 2019
Today we worked on grammar. I am taking a step backwards to work on the very basic components of grammar. We are working on our narrative and today we added sensory details to the pre-writing. We took the vocabulary test. Students need to study for these tests. No HW
Oct. 16, 2019
Today we continued our work on The Medicine Bag. We went over the HW in preparation for the test tomorrow.
Oct. 15, 2019
Today we worked on the Medicine bag. Students are to complete the comprehension questions. NOT THE ONES ON CLASSROOM, for homework. HW Voc. 1-3 Crossword Test. Thursday.
Oct. 11, 2019
We are working on the Medicine Bag. Students had very interesting questions about Native Americans and reservations. Have a great weekend!!
Oct. 9,2019
Today we tried to finish the movie. 8 White was able to but 8 Blue missed the end due to laughter and inappropriate talking. I am sorry that the students missed the opportunity to see this classic. HW Vocabulary Ch. 3 definitions in notebook. Complete grammar packet.
October 8, 2019
Today we worked on the diagnostic test for grammar. Students also watched more of the movie. HW 34 -66 on diagnostic test.
Oct 7, 2019
Today we FINALLY watched most of the TKM movie. HW is Diagnostic Test for grammar. up to number 33. Tomorrow we will be starting our Pearson series.
Oct. 4, 2019
Today we had Mass and submitted essays for the theme of TKM. We tried to watch the movie, but technology had other ideas for 8White. Have a great weekend!!
October 3, 2019
Today we took the quiz for vocabulary chapter 2. We continued our essay. Essay is to be done by tomorrow morning . We will format and print tomorrow.
Oct. 2, 2019
Today we took the test on TKM. Tomorrow is the quiz on Ch. 2 Vocabulary.
Oct. 1.2019
Today we worked though ALL the questions that students had from the study guide they were given. Test is tomorrow. We will take the test and then continue to work on the essay. Quiz on Voc. 3 is Thursday.
Sept 27, 2019
Today we worked very hard on the format of the 5 paragraph essay . Rather than push the students, I decided to take a step back and re-teach the introduction and the format. We will be working on the essay next week. Test on TKM is Tuesday.
Sept. 26, 2019
Today we reviewed the meaning of the plot and discussed who reprepsented mockingbirds in the novel. For hw, students are to prepare the pre-writing for tomorrow's essay. Assignment is on Google Classroom. Test is Tuesday.
Sept. 25, 2019
Today we worked very hard on To Kill a Mockingbird. Students explailned the types of discrimination in the book. We discussed the ways these are demonstrated in the novel. We reviewed the setting and its impact on the story. Additionally, we worked on the Boo Radley plot. Test is Tuesday.
Sept. 24, 2019
Today we reviewed the paragraph from last night's homework. Students have to remember that paragraph structure is part of every paragraph they write. Tonight's HW is to complete the paragraph on setting. I will be collecting the paragraph tomorrow.
Sept. 23, 2019
Thank you to all my students and parents for your expressions of sympathy on the loss of my father-in-law. I am very appreciative of your support and prayers.
Today we worked on the plot of TKM and vocabulary Ch. 2.
HW Answer:
Describe the court scene. Why were the people of the town angry with Atticus?
Religion HW - Answer the questions in your notebook.
Sept. 18,2019
Today we continued to present summer reading books. We worked on the characters for TKM. We are beginning the plot analysis tomorrow. There is no HW. I will be out tomorrow and Friday. Have a great weekend.
Sept. 16, 2019
Today we discussed the plot of the novel. Please be sure that you review the story so that ou can participate in the class. We began character analysis as well. We did a Kahoot and a Quizlet for Ch. 1 Voc. THANK YOU, Joe!! Quiz on Tuesday - Ch. 1. HW Study! We attached the Quizlet to Classroom if you would like to use that.
Sept. 12, 2019
Today we reviewed the paragraph from last night. Students need to work on answering the question - not just writing random information. Looking ahead - quiz on Voc. Ch. 1 on Tuesday. Next week we will be working from the To Kill a Mockingbird book. Please be sure to bring it with you. Have a wonderful weekend!!
Sept.11, 2019
Sept. 10,2019
Today we used the list of challenges to write a short synopsis of a short story using the theme that the students chose. We reviewed the vocabulary HW. HW for tonight is to do Ex. 2 in vocabulary.
Sept. 9. 2019
Today we began our vocabulary study. Students wrote the definitons in their notebooks. We discussed the question, " What are some things that are challenging in our world? If you were writng a book, which of these would you include in the story?" HW Voc. pg. 19 . List 4 of the challenges in our society.
Students have had two great days ! Today, I distributed their ELA books and discussed the class requirements. Please be sure to cover both books by Monday. Students need a personal reading book by Monday, Sept. 9.
All Students
Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 are required to have the following:
Black and/or blue erasable pens ( no clickable pens for 6th grade)
Colored pens for correcting
Pencils (sharpened)
Highlighters (7th grade must have pink, blue, green, and yellow)
A pair of earbuds or headphones dedicated for use in school
Assignment pad
For your homeroom: 4 boxes of tissues, 2 rolls of paper towels, a container of disinfecting wipes (no wipes for 8A)
In addition to the supplies listed above, students in the each specific grades are required to have the following:
Sixth Grade1 pack of filler paper
2 packs 3x5 index cards (ruled)
Pencil case (soft)
Eraser
Calculator TI-34
2 - 3 subject notebooks with pockets
1 - 1 subject spiral notebook
5 folders
1 inch flexible binder for ILA (any color)
3 in x 3 in pack of post-it-notes for ILA
3 dry erase markers
12 inch ruler ( centimeters and inches)
Four durable folders (1 for ILA, religion, SS, and math)
3 three-subject spiral notebooks with pockets (1 for math, 1 for science and one for ILA)
1 one-subject notebook for religion
A scientific calculator (TI 30 or TI 34)--this must be in school at all times
2 packs of 3x5 Index cards (ruled)
3 in x 3 in pack of post-it-notes (any color)
Post-it-flags
Index card holder, or index card ring (with hole punch)
Black sharpie
Colored pencils or markers
Contact Paper (to cover Social Studies workbook)
Book Cover (for Social Studies textbook)
3 three-subject notebooks with pockets (1 for ILA, math, and science)
1 - flexible one subject binder, filler paper, and binder divider OR a three subject notebook with a separate folder
1 composition notebook for religion
Four durable folders (1 for ILA, SS, math, and religion)
Scientific calculator (TI 30 or TI 34)- this must be in school at all times
Colored pencils
HELLO CLASS OF 2020
I hope you are having a wonderful summer. Do not forget to take God with you wherever you go, and of course to read, read, read!!!
See you in September!
Here are your summer reading instructions. Please do not email me your presentations until I ask you for them. We will be working on presenting during the first weeks of school, however, they are NOT due the minute we walk in the door.
SUMMER READING INSTRUCTIONS
You will be reading two books for class this summer.
1. Book one is a non-fiction book. You may select any non- fiction book that interests you. Be sure to choose a book that makes you think – a book that you can react to in some way. When we come back to school, you will give an oral presentation about the book. You may create a power point presentation to use during your oral presentation. You can use notes and make the presentation without a power point as well. Use a reader's journal to keep track of your reading. Starting the first week of September, be prepared to tell the class about the book you have read including, but not limited to, the following questions.
1. What interested you about this book?
2. What did you find surprising?
3. Why you chose this story?
4. Tell us about the main characters.
5. Can you relate to any of them?
6. To whom would you recommend this book and why?
7. Can you tie the story you read to any current event?
You may use music and you can insert a news piece on the current event.
2. The second book you are reading is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Be prepared to participate in activities based on the book in September.
During the first trimester we will also read Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. You will be assigned specific days to read this book. You do not have to read this during the summer. You do not need to purchase this book.
Sometime in February, we will read, Night, by Elie Wiesel. You will receive specific days to read this book.
I am working on a new novel to add to this year. Can't wait!
If you have any questions during the summer, feel free to email me!
The middle school supply list for 2019 is attached.