Welcome Back To School!

Hello new 8th grade families!
Although I can't wait to have students back in the classroom, summer was not long enough! I hope you all had a restful time off and are ready to get back in the swing of things.
I would like you to be prepared for the new school year before we begin by looking over the following two things:
1) 8th Grade Class Supply List
2) A brief overview of the first few weeks of school

CLASS SUPPLY LIST
(Don't panic if you don't have it all on the first day! This is a list of things used throughout the year)
For each student:

One journal/idea/planning book (a bound composition book is best)
4 spiral notebooks
A large variety pack of colored pens and colored pencils
Loose leaf notebook paper- College Rule preferred
Dividers- 5 count (I will provide 3 ring binders)
Large durable pencil pouch or box
Several #2 pencils
2 blue or black pens
Highlighter (3 various colors)
Scissors
One package lined Index Cards (3x5)
Quad (Graph) paper
Personal whiteboard

For the class to use (please help with these if you can):
1 ream of printer paper
1 pack of cardstock paper, any color
Poster board (preferrably white)
1 box of Kleenex
1 box of Wet Wipes
Scotch tape
Painters tape

I often purchase a variety of supplies for the classroom, so gift cards to Barnes and Noble, Michaels, JoAnns, Staples,etc or adding $10-20 to the classroom supply fund is greatly appreciated. As we are a public school, your donation is voluntary and we thank you for your generosity! Please bring any cash(designated for the 8th grade class) to Donna at the front office for proper accounting.

OVERVIEW OF THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF SCHOOL Eighth grade students take on a great role at Innovations Academy as the leaders, mentors and examples for our younger students to follow. I have great expectations that they are students who can think for themselves and take on roles of leadership and responsibility

• Our class will spend the first few weeks developing a class culture that cultivates an environment of learning, inquiry, respect and teamwork. Together we will create class expectations and set up routines. Students will get to know each other during daily morning meetings and class councils. We will begin our first integrated project, where we will look at an essential question: How do people learn? The students will build relationships with a younger class at IA by becoming "learning buddies".


• During this time we will also take pre-assessments in order to determine the best math course for each student. Math classes offered this year include 8th grade Math Skills, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra. Other assessments taken during this time will be the school-wide MAPS test.


• IA Eighth graders have the unique opportunity of taking a 10-day trip in May to Northern California. This trip involves much planning as well as fundraising. We will start planning immediately this year by including an information session during our back to school night in September. We can use as much help as possible.


• One of the ongoing fundraisers that will fund our trip is our Friday lunch program. 8th graders are in charge of advertising, ordering and distributing lunch for the entire school every Friday. They take this responsibility very seriously and we have learned to integrate the experience into our math program. I am thinking this year we will learn about science using the lunch fundraiser too!


• Parent participation is strongly encouraged in my class. I welcome parents in the classroom at all times. Just know I will put you to work!I believe as much learning happens outside the walls of the classroom as inside and we will be taking many field trips this year. I will need help with drivers and coordinating the field trips. Please see the sign up sheet in my classroom for other opportunities to volunteer.

Thank you for everything you are doing to get your child ready for school. Feel free to contact me anytime at lisa@innovationsacademy.org. I look forward to seeing you soon!
Lisa Moncrief