English 8

March 17- March 21

*Reading* Month: A handout for parents and students was given in class two weeks ago, outlining our reading month theme. Our theme is "Reading is a Big Hit With Us."

Every 8th grade students needs to read at least one book during the month of March for a grade and also to be eligible to participate in the movie we are planning to show, Sandlot, on March 28th during 7th and 8th hours. 

Every time a student finishes and book and fills out a summary form on his or her book, he or she will receive a ticket to fill out and return. At the end of the month, there will be a drawing, and five students per grade level will win a trip to watch a Beach Bums game on June 3rd.

Parent's Night: March 25th- This event is from 5:00-7:00 and will begin with "Casey at the Bat" featuring Paws, the Tiger's mascot. Paws will be interacting with families and giving out prizes. There will also be door prizes.

"Book Trades": If students have gently used books that they no longer want, they can bring in the books in any time this month to me. At parent's night, the books will be on a table for students to choose from and take.

*Current Unit*:  This week we are beginning a Sherlock Holmes mystery unit. We will be reading "The Adventures of the Speckled Band" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, staring on page 460 in our literature books. As we're reading, we will be completing notes and summaries on the text, as well as making our own deductive observations and drawing conclusions from clues from the story to help solve the mystery. Later this week, questions about the story will be handed out as homework.