Suggested summer Homework
Kensington Hall
Grade 8 During the summer you might want to …
…take your children to Detroit’s Cultural Center. Within a few blocks you have the Detroit Institute of Arts, The Museum of African-American History, the Detroit Science Center, the Detroit Historical Museum (two great exhibits currently on display: “1920s-Detroit’s Building Boom” and “Detroit’s Classic Radio Voices”), the Detroit Children’s Museum, the Scarab Club and the main branch of the Detroit Public Library. While in the neighborhood you can visit St. Paul’s Cathedral (Episcopalian) and have a nice lunch at Union Street, or at the Majestic Café which is attached to the Majestic Theatre (the site of Harry Houdini’s last performance.)
…take your children to Belle Isle and watch the freighters go by. On the island (where the Grand Prix will be run) you can stop at the Dossin Maritime Museum (there is a great exhibit there currently…), or the Belle Isle Conservatory. Stop at Pewabic Pottery while you are in the neighborhood and drive through Indian Village.
…go to Detroit’s River Walk- a three-mile walkway along the Detroit River. You can see a map of the world outside of the Renaissance Center’s Winter Garden; see the statues that commemorate the Underground Railroad.
…travel to Mexicantown for a great meal.
…get up early on a Saturday morning and go to a farmer’s market at Detroit’s Eastern Market, or in Royal Oak, or Pontiac.
…take advantage of the largest theatre district outside of New York---including the Fisher Theatre, The Fox, The Gem, The Music Hall and others.
…do a tour of Detroit’s great architecture like the Fisher Building, The Guardian Building, the Penobscot, and the Masonic Temple (the largest Masonic Temple in the world.)
…the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak is a great place to visit.
…head to Dearborn and tour the Arab-American Museum.
…visit Detroit’s Motown Museum.
…go to The Henry Ford at Greenfield Village, the Rouge Plant Tour, or the Holocaust Memorial (for older students).
… a little farther afield there are science museums in Ann Arbor (The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum) and Toledo (COSI). Ann Arbor boasts the Arboretum and Toledo also has a fine art museum.
… explore Frankenmuth.
…stay at home and play “Rice Bowl” on the computer. The program builds vocabulary while players earn rice for developing countries. June, 2009
Dear Parent and Eighth Grade Son,
Welcome to eighth grade mathematics. The eighth grade math course is a traditional first year algebra course, and we use a textbook that several area high schools use for Algebra 1.
The class will hear me say many times next year that mathematics is a skill, and the only way to get better at mathematics is to practice. If a person wants to get better at golf, they practice. They go to a driving range and work on their woods, their irons, and their putting. Homework is nothing more than practice.
There is no traditional packet this summer. In an effort to reduce expenses and let students target the skills they need to practice, I’ve identified several web sites that students can visit to “practice” math.
Our first chapter in algebra covers prerequisite algebra skills students learned in seventh grade. Hopefully, we can spend only two or three days on Chapter 1 as a quick review. In order to do this, I need students to practice that part of their algebra game that needs strengthening. I’m sure the amount of practice and the areas of practice will differ for each student. I would like the students to use personal initiative to work on the things they need to work on.
Our first chapter includes these topics - - -
Writing algebraic expressions with variables (i.e. two more than twice a number plus seven) Order of operations Finding absolute value Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing rational numbers: fractions, decimals, and whole numbers in both positive and negative forms. The Distributive Property for addition and for multiplication Properties of real numbers o Commutative Property of Addition and of Multiplication o Associative Property of Addition and of Multiplication o Identity Property of Addition and of Multiplication o Inverse Property of Addition and of Multiplication o Multiplication Property of Zero o Multiplication Property of -1
Perhaps the best website for practice is: http://www.kutasoftware.com/free.html
It has practice problems (and answer keys) on a variety of algebra topics. And while it’s marketed to teachers, students and parents can use it also.
For starters, go to the “Infinite Pre-Algebra” area and click on “Free Worksheets.” Under the “Arithmetic” and “Algebraic Expression” sections you will find practice problems for the topics in our first chapter.
For more challenging practice, go to the “Infinite Algebra” area on the home page and click on “Free Worksheets.” Under the “Basics” section, you will find practices for our first chapter topics.
As a little incentive, I will award up to 10 extra credit points on the first algebra test depending on the amount of practice a student does.
I’ve listed below additional sites you can access this summer and during the school year.
Instruction http://www.aaamath.com/ (How to instructions) http://www.purplemath.com/ (How to instructions)
The Basics http://www.simplekidsmath.com/ Make Your Own Worksheets http://www.edhelper.com/math.htm?gclid=CJnC2YKq1JMCFQOaFQod5HiGkw
Practice Problems http://www.coolmath.com/ (One-by-one practice problems) http://www.aplusmath.com/ (Flashcards) http://www.internet4classrooms.com/ (a little bit of everything)
And, if all else fails, there’s a You Tube (youtube.com) video of the topic. Yes, You Tube covers math! Who knew?!?!?!?
Take care, stay safe, have fun this summer, and see you in September.
Mr. Kuhn
June, 2009
Dear Parent and Eighth Grade Son,
Our study of science next school year will concentrate on Newtonian physics with emphasis on Newton’s Laws of Motions, energy, and forces in various physical environments.
One area that students can easily explore during the summer (and prepare for their project where they build a “Nifty Lifting Machine”) is the area of simple machines.
The objective here is to become familiar with the six simple machines.
Students are to “write” a short (three to four page) report on the six simple machines. Your report may be in a traditional written form; or you can do it poster board, make a power point presentation, or construct your own “virtual museum”. (See ideas below.)
You need to include in your report the following things:
1. Identify the six simple machines and if a machine is divided into “classes” identify those also. 2. Include pictures or photographs of the six simple machines. 3. Define mechanical advantage and identify the ideal mechanical advantage of each machine.
Notes:
You may use the internet or text materials to identify the six simple machines. There are “virtual museums” that will identify them. You can download pictures from the internet (Google images) and/or take pictures of simple machines. You will be surprised how many simple machines are found around your home and you use every day.
Students may receive up to 10 extra credit points on their first science test for completing this report.
Take care,
Mr. Kuhn
KENSINGTON HALL
7th and 8TH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS AND SOCIAL STUDIES SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2009
7th and 8th GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS
I hope that over the summer, you read a thousand books. I hope that you read what you enjoy. I hope that you read on those lazy, hot days when it is too hot to go outside. I hope that you read when it rains and you have nothing to do. I hope that you go to the library or the book store and select books that will be piled at the side of your bed, so that you can read until the sun comes up. Being a reader allows you to travel the world, make new friends, expose yourself to different cultures, and see yourself in a multitude of settings. I wish you a very happy and fun-filled summer. I challenge you to write down all the books that you have read over the summer on the attached sheet. I have enclosed a list of books that you might want to try; however, choose books that you will enjoy. READ, READ, READ!!!!! You must read a minimum of five books and write them down on the attached list.
When you return to school in the fall, you should be prepared to stand up and tell us about one of the books that you read. You should act as the main character in the story. As the main character, you will tell your audience about the setting, the time period, your character’s personal history, the problem the main character might have, and the resolution of that problem. If you think that your main character does not have a problem, take us on a journey that the author develops for the main character. Remember, you are the main character and you are there to entertain us. Make us want to read your book. You should entertain us for three – five minutes. You may need to use a few props that can help us visualize your character. We will be doing this activity during the first week of school. Fill out the attached book report form. You will turn it in to me when I call on you to act out your story. This is for a grade. Write in complete sentences with well-developed paragraphs. Spelling and punctuation count. Write in blue or black ink. I have enclosed a copy of the rubric I will be using to evaluate your oral book report.
Check List
Read all of the directions in the above paragraphs. Read a minimum of five books over the summer. Record every book you read on the attached reading sheet. Turn in your reading sheet to me on the first day. Choose one of the books that you read for your oral book report. Fill out the book information sheet. Write in complete sentences in blue or black ink. You will turn this into me when you give your oral book report. You will receive a grade on this paper. Gather one or two props to use as visual aids for your oral book report. Read over the rubric that I will use to grade your oral book report. Be prepared to give your oral book report the first week of school. Bring in all of your papers and props on the first day of school.
7th and 8TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES
I love history and I hope that you will share my passion for history. You are required to come to class, in the fall, with a poem that you have selected and love about America. Your poem should reveal or represent something about our country’s values, dreams, tragedies, and strengths. You should type this poem and make sure that you have the poet’s name beneath the poem. Your name should be typed in the upper right hand corner of the page.
The second assignment that you are required to do is to find a picture that shows us something that has happened in America that is historically amazing. For example, I think that the American Flag blowing in the wind is amazing. I think that a picture of our founding fathers signing the Declaration of Independence is amazing. BE CREATIVE!! Your picture should be no smaller than a 4 x 6 photo. You could find your picture in a magazine, newspaper, or on the computer: Images has a huge selection of photos and pictures. Write your name on the back of the picture. You need to type a paper telling us why you selected that picture and why you think it is amazing in relation to our country, our culture, or our people. Your paper should be typed in Times New Roman and the font size should be 12. Your paper needs to be double spaced and at least two pages, have a title that is centered. Your name needs to be in the upper right hand corner. Good Luck! My e-mail is [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.
Check List
Make sure you read all the directions above Find a poem about America. Type the poem. Find a picture that shows something that is amazing that has to do with America. Type a paper about your picture. Again read the directions above. You will be getting a grade for this project.
List of Books That I Have Read This Summer (Keep a record of the books you read over the summer. Turn this sheet in to me on the first day. I do need to see what you have read. Remember you must read a minimum of five books. Choose books that you will enjoy reading.)
Title______Author______Genre______
1.______2.______3.______4.______5.______6.______7.______8.______9.______10______11.______12.______13.______14.______15.______16.______17.______18.______19.______20.______21.______22.______23.______24.______25.______26.______27.______28.______29.______30.______31.______32.______33.______34.______35.______
Written form to be presented before you give your oral book report.
Your name______
Title of Book______Author ______Publisher______Copyright______
Please write the following in complete sentences using blue or black ink or you can type it.
Setting and Time Period ______The theme of the book: ______
The character you are representing: age, gender, physical description, family, friends, and character traits.______
What was the problem/conflict that your character faced? ______
How was the character’s problem resolved? (Or maybe it wasn’t.) ______
Recommendation: Would you recommend this book to your fellow classmates. On a scale of 1 – 10, what would you give it? Why did you like or dislike it? Give examples. ______
Oral Book Report Name______
Title of Book:______Author:______Genre______Copyright______Publisher______Number of pages______
Who is the main character that you are impersonating? Write one paragraph describing the character______
Theme______
Setting______
There are a total of 72 points. Listed below is the breakdown.
Material covered in presentation (title, author, theme, setting, plot, conflict, climax, and the falling action).
Note Cards ( 10 pts)______Title ( 1 pt)___ Author (1 pt)____ Theme (5 pts)____ Setting ( 5 pts)___ Plot (5 pts)______Conflict (5 pts)_____ Climax (5 pts)______Falling action (5 pts)_____
Pace (5pts)______Volume (5 pts)______Voice Quality (5 pts)_____ Audience Contact a(5 pts)_____ Effective Use of costume and props (5 pts)_____ Book recommendation (5 pts)
Total Score______If You Can’t Find A Book To Read Here Are Suggested Topics for Summer Reading
Contemporary Reading Alphabetical by Author
Note: The recommended titles reflect the quality and complexity of the types of material middle school students might want to read outside of school. This list contains contemporary titles that you might enjoy. While I have read many of the titles, I am going on reviews about many of the books. I suggest that you review the book on line before you purchase it.
Alexander, Lloyd: The Rope Trick Arnistead, John: The Return of Gabriel Arrington, Frances: Prairie Whispers Atinsky, Steve: Tyler on Prime Time Defelice, Cynthia: The Missing Manatee Dowell, Francis O’Rourke: Tyler on Prime Time Avi: A Book Without Words: A Fable of Medieval Magic Barret, Tracy: Cold in Summer Barry, Dave and Ridley Pearson: Peter and the Starcatchers Bauer, Joan: Stand Tall Bradley, Kimberly: For Freedom: The Story of a French Spy Carbone, Elisa: Storm Warriors Clements, Andrew: Things Not Seen Colfer, Eoin: Artemis: Where I’d Like to Be Colfer, Eoin: Artemis Fowl, The Oral Deception Duprau, Jeanne: City of Embers Farmer, Nancy: House of Scorpion Funke, Cornelia: Inkheart Gerbler, Carlo: August ‘44 George, Kristine O’Connell: Swimming Upstream Giff, Patricia Reilly: Picture of Hollis Woods Gravett, Christopher: Real Knights: Over 20 True Stories of Chivalrous Deeds Green, Michelle: A Strong Right Arm Haddix, Margaret: Escape from Memory Hahn, Mary Downing: Hear the Wind Blow Harness, Cheryl: Franklin and Eleanor Hesse, Karen: Stowaway Hiasson, Carl: Hoot Hite, Sid: A Hole in the World Hoeye, Michael: Time Stops for No Mouse Hoffman, Mary: Stravaganza: City of Masks Horowitz, Anthony: Stormbreaker Jacques, Brian: Lord Brocktree Jordan, Sherryl: The Hunting of the Last Dragon Kehret, Peg: Stranger Next Door Kerr, P. B.: Children of the Lamp: The Akhenaten Adventure Konigsburg, E.L.: The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place Lawrence, Ian: Lord of the Nutcracker Men Lowrey, Lois: The Silent Boy Mair, Jacqueline: Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales McWhorter, Diane: Dream of Freedom Mikalesen, Ben: Red Midnight Murphy, Jim: An American Plague Meyers, Anna: Tulsa Burning Myers, Walter Dean: Blues Journey Park, Linda Sue: When My Name was Keoke Park, Linda Sue: Project Mulbery Paulsen, Gary: How Angel Peterson Got His Name Peck, Richard: The River Between Us Rinaldi, Ann: Or Give Me Death: A Novel of Patrick Henry’s Family Ritter, John: The Boy Who Saved Baseball Rodda, Emily: Rowan of Rin Salisbury, Graham: Lord of the Deep Schffert, Bea: The Man Who Went to the Far Side of the Moon, The Story of Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins Smith, Anita: The Way a Door Closes Spinelli, Jerry: Loser Stewart, Jennifer: Close Encounters of a Third World Kind Taylor, Mildred: The Land Testa, Maria: Becoming Joe Dimaggio Vande Velde, Vivian: The Rumplestilskin Problem Woodsen, Jacqueline: Hush Yolen, Jane: Sword of the Rightful King Youmans, Marly: The Curse of the Raven Mocker Zindel, Paul: The Gadget
Spanish Suggested Summer Work
-Eat at a Mexican, Spanish, Cuban, or other Spanish speaking country restaurant. Be adventurous and try a new dish. Also, use your Spanish to greet the waiter, say "por favor" and "gracias"; and try to order in Spanish.
- Watch half an hour of Spanish movies and/or tv shows in Spanish every week. Remember all DVD's have the language option. Listen for the words you know.
-Visit Mexican Town on Bagley St. in downtown Detroit for lunch and check out the shops that sell authentic souvenirs.
-Practice the "Padre Nuestro" prayer and pledge. If you need help or just a re-fresher go to Sra. Pastrone's Wiki space to listen to these and other helpful items at: http://pastronewiki.wikispaces.com/