Congrats to our Saxon 7/6 students, who have just finished the LONG textbook!!!  We have now moved on to the Saxon Algebra 1/2 text!  The first 25-30 lessons are review, and then we'll get into the really interesting stuff.  I'm really excited to be in a new book, and to be working with your FABULOUS students!

Our 8th Grade Core Knowledge class has just taken their test on George Orwell's Animal Farm.  The kids really enjoyed reading this book and discovering Orwell's symbols behind the story and characters.  We watched the 1954 animated version of the film and even wrote our own allegories, mimicking Orwell's style.  Our next MAJOR reading in class will be Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, one of my favorites!  We will discuss the essential elements of drama, as well as Shakespeare's time period.  However, we are still waiting for student copies of the play.  So in the meantime, we will be reading some Core Knowledge short stories, which are as follows: "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment," "God Sees the Truth but Waits," "and "The Open Boat."  We will also read E.B. White's "Death of a Pig," article, as well as "The Marginal World."  This month's Foreign Phrases will be "enfant terrible," "fait accompli," and "faux pas."

Here is my schedule:

1st period:  Algebra 1/2

2nd period:  CTE--Introduction to Career and Technical Education

3rd period:  CTE--Keyboarding

4th period:  PREP

5th period:  ECRI

6th period:  Core Knowledge Reading 8th grade

7th period:  8th grade Girls Health

WEDNESDAYS:  7th grade Art

My contact information: 377-1800 (home) 471-5401 (cell) jwatkins@odysseycharter.net (email)