Elitch's, Picnic, Graduation

8th grade will be at Elitch Gardens Friday May 20th.  We are looking forward to the trip and a great time.
The 8th grade picnic, breakfast, and graduation will be on Tuesday May 24th.  We are still in need of some items.  Please see your homeroom teacher to find out what is still needed and sign up to bring in items.  If you can not bring items, or would like to keep it simple, you may donate money that will be used to purchase any items still needed.

Let's make this a special day for our 8th grade class! :-)

Speech and Debate

Speech 1:  We are finished with Cross Examination Debate and have started our unit on Lincoln-Douglas Debate.  Students are learning about the historical origins of the popular forensics event, the rules, and how to effectively debate.

Speech 2:  Students are writing, filming, acting, and editing their own sketch comedy show.

Speech and Debate

Speech and Debate students may earn extra credit by attending the School Board Election Forum/ debate Tuesday April 19th.  Students who wish to earn extra credit should get a persuasive speech critique form to critique the campaign speeches given at the meeting.  It will run late, so if a student stays for and critiques just the campaign speech portion, they may leave and still earn extra credit.  Not only is this a real world example of Speech and Debate, but of democracy in action!

I hope to see you there!!

Student Council

Student Council is hosting a car wash in the school parking lot Saturday April 16th from 1-3 PM.  If you would like to participate or get your car washed, please come by and help out.  Donations will go to the 7th grade Washington DC trip on May 2, 2011.  :)


Spring Dance!!
Student Council will be hosting a 7th and 8th grade dance on April 22 from 5-7 PM.  Students who dress in the theme will receive a discount off of admission.

Speech and Debate

Speech 1:
We have started debate.  Students are studying "The Vaccine War" from Frontline.  We will begin debating the topic next week.  Talk with your students/parents about your families views on this topic.

Speech 2:
We are still working on making the video accessible, but are still moving forward with new stories and projects. 

Video

Sorry the video has an error and won't play.  We will work on fixing the problem.

Speech and Debate

Speech 1:  We are presenting the persuasive speeches this week.  We have also started looking at other forms of persuasive speaking.

Speech 2:  We are continuing the news show, debates, persuasive speaking, improv, and body language.
Check out News Team One, and their newscast.

Speech and Debate

Speech 1: All of the commercials were fantastic and quite entertaining.  A few people may have a future in the infomercial business. ;-)  We have chosen our topics for our formal persuasive speeches, done our research, outlined them, and now we are writing our first drafts.  Periods 4,5, and 8 will start presenting them Wednesday, March 16th.  Periods 2 and 3 will present Friday, March 18th.

Speech 2: News Team 1 is finishing final editing and should be ready this week.  We made a background for the newscasts, practiced CX Debate, started Creative Story Telling/Improv, and News Team 2 is working on their newscast.

CSAP testing will begin March 15th.  Please get plenty of rest and eat a good breakfast to be ready for the test.  It is time to SHOW WHAT YOU KNOW! 

Speech and Debate

Speech 1:  We are practicing our first persuasive speech (commercials), and will perform them Tuesday and Wednesday.  Everyone is having a great time with them.

Speech 2:  We are filming and editing our news stories, creating a backdrop for the news casters, having cross examination debates.  News Team 1 should have their segment ready this week.  News Team 2 should have their segment ready next week.  I can't wait!

Speech and Debate

Speech I-  We are finishing up our informative speeches and oral interpretation pieces.  We will be starting on persuasive speaking and reason.  Students should be thinking of a topic they are passionate about that they want to write a persuasive speech for.

Speech II-  We are filming interviews and editing for the news show.  Students should be planning and scheduling interviews and stories.  News Team 1 should have their segments done and aired by Wednesday March 1.  News Team 2 should be done by the following Wednesday, and so on. 

Parent-Teacher Conferences this week.  Please stop by and discuss your child's progress.

Picture Day

Our homeroom will be taking class and individual pictures on Wednesday Feb. 16, 2011.
Students must be in dress code.

Speech and Debate

Speech I-  We have been practicing our interp pieces and will perform them next week.  We have access to the computer lab this week to work on our Informative speeches.  Please make sure to have an approved topic to research and make your PowerPoint. 

Speech II-  We are finishing our Lincoln-Douglas Debates and working on our news show.

Speech and Debate

Speech I-  We are starting to look at and create oral interpretation pieces.  Students should bring in their favorite books, poetry, screen play, or play.  They will use these for their oral interpretation pieces.

Speech II-  We have started to plan for our news show.  We will be dividing up into news teams and planning stories, interviews, and on location filming. 

Speech and Debate

Speech I-  We have finished introductory speeches and have started working on Informative Speeches.  Students should be brainstorming topics and beginning to research their topic.

Speech II- Has started to look at Lincoln-Douglas Debate and reviewing persuasion and reasoning.

Speech and Debate

Introductory Speeches will be presented Thursday.  Students should practice using a mirror or the rest of the family.  Presentation cards should have only the speech outline, so they don't read to us. 

Practice, breathe, stay calm, keep your knees bent, and know that everyone else is nervous too. 

Good luck!

Speech and Debate

Speech 1-  We have started introductory speeches.  They are due on Wednesday January 12th.  Students will want to practice their speeches at home as well as in class.
Speech II-  We are also reviewing introductory speeches, but they are due Monday January 10th.

Winter Dance Friday January 21st

Student Council will be hosting a winter dance on Friday January 21st.  The dance will go from 4:30-6:30 PM.  Attendees please be sure that you are picked up promptly after the dance.  The cost is $2 to get in and snacks, drinks and pizza will be available for purchase.

WELCOME BACK!

I would like to welcome everyone back from break and say how excited I am about the next semester.  A new group of Speech 1 students are going to learn about public speaking and debate.  Speech II students will hone their speaking and debate skills as well as start a weekly news program.  The Speech II weekly news will cover happenings in the school as well as sports, weather, and current events.  We will start in the next few weeks so look for updates.