To Keep Focused on in the Second Trimester

As we enter the start of the Second Trimester, there are some points of interest upon which both groups of students should pay attention. This will be an intense period of intellectual growth for both groups of emerging scholars:
7th Grade
Chapter 6 will be the focus in December.
Chapter 7 and the Constitution will be the focus in January and February.
The Final Exam that covers chapters 5, 6, 7, and the Constitution will take place in the last week of February. Prior to this, we will be examining the promises and realities of American History with our field trip to DuSable Mueseum.

8th Grade
Chapter 18 will be our focus in December along with a study of Howard Zinn's writing, "Robber Barons and Rebels."
Chapter 19 and 20 will be our focus in January.
Chapter 21 with World War I and Chapter 22 and the 1920s will be our focus for February and March, culminating with our trip to Tommy Guns' Garage.
NOTE TO ALL 8TH GRADERS: IF I HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR MARX/ SMITH ASSESSMENT, THERE IS NO GRADE LISTED IN THE GRADEBOOK. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHECK AND SEE IF THIS APPLIES TO YOU. PLEASE MAKE SURE I RECEIVE IT BY MONDAY AT 3:30 OR A 40% GRADE WILL BE ISSUED. AS PER SECOND TRIMESTER, NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.
At each point in our journeys, the work will be difficult. To paraphrase President Johnson, it will involve, "More cost, more loss, and more sacrifice." Students should keep this in mind, as the policy of revisions only extends to written responses and exams, while late work will no longer be accepted. Students should take advantage of opening lines of communication with me either before school or during lunch periods, submitting rough drafts when needed, and attending study sessions. Taking advantage of extra credit on the blog or when offered in class will be a good opportunity to ensure that additional points are earned and comprehension of material is even stronger.

As rest is well deserved for most of our students this break, I encourage you to encourage them to understand the demands being placed on their shoulders upon their return to classes Monday and to the start of the second trimester.

Happy Hunting.
Mr. Kannan