Mrs.BeveridgeNews

I lived all my life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin moving to Crystal Lake with my husband about 6 years ago. My first year at St. Thomas was the ‘03-04 school year when I began employment in a long-term subbing position for 7^th grade. I absolutely loved the class and was thrilled when asked to become a permanent teacher. I had been teaching 3^rd grade in Milwaukee and this was a surprisingly wonderful change.

Both of my children are still living in Wisconsin. My daughter, Stacie (23) finished a cosmetology degree but has now decided that this is not the career path for her. She is now on a quest to discover her calling. Although Curtis (28) recently finished his college education, he continues to keep himself very busy. He married a wonderful young lady, a physical therapist, in February and live in West Bend. He divides his time between apprenticing as a sprinkler fitter and being in the Air National Guard. Curtis has been to the Middle East twice, Kuwait and Iraq.

While my children were growing up, I spent lots of time with them in their chosen extra curricular activities. Stacie took dance lessons in tap, jazz, and ballet for 14 years. I was the chauffer while she toured putting on shows at festivals, nursing homes, Disney World, etc. Curtis was in Boy Scouts and completed his Eagle award as a junior in high school. Yes, I was a registered Boy Scouter and even attended long-term camp once. I then went to Wood Badge adult leadership training for a week. Students, if you are in either of these activities, please tell me about your experiences!

I really enjoy gardening and have a special “plot” by our mailbox that I can see from my office window at home. I saw hummingbirds there last summer and am waiting for them this year. I also planted a butterfly bush there in the spring in hopes of doubling my chances of seeing some lively activity.

I am very much looking forward to meeting our new 7^th graders and seeing the 8^th grade again.

I am the Social Studies teacher for 7^th and 8^th grades. I have been working during our summer vacation to put plans in place for an exciting 08/09 school year. You will both be using the same textbook, The American Nation by Prentice Hall. Seventh grade will begin United States History around the 1400s and end the school year at just about the time the Civil War begins in 1860. Eighth grade then picks up with the second half of the book finishing it with present-day information.

This year I am asking all students to label a RED spiral notebook with the title HISTORY and your full name right on the front cover. Please also add your homeroom number when you know it.

In the past the Junior High teachers have noticed a huge problem with the fabric book covers. Many of our textbooks are very large and require careful covering. Unfortunately, even some of the JUMBO covers still are not large enough and the bindings are being destroyed. If you have NOT purchased fabric covers yet, you may bring in brown paper bags or paper covers and we will reserve some time in the first few days to show you how to cover them. Again, you will need to label the covers with the subject of the book as well as your name and homeroom. This makes it so much easier for the person gathering your homework together when you are absent.

If possible, please try to have a portable locker shelf so you can stack your belongings neatly. In addition, if you plan on using an expanding accordion pleated file folder for your papers, Wal-Mart is selling one by Evidence Ampad (#00743193221) with 13 pockets for $6.94. It’s really nice as much of it is made out of a fabric-type cloth that won’t rip or get brittle like the all-plastic ones. The top flap is also long enough to keep flipped back while thumbing through the pockets for your work. If you choose to use a 3-ring binder, please get subject dividers with pockets. Again, Wal-Mart is selling them by Avery Advantages (#81825-8 tabs) that are plastic (durable) and cost $3.50.

If you have any questions you may contact me through my school email address at kbeveridge@stthomascl.org. I am looking forward to meeting you!

The seventh graders will begin their study of United States history with a chapter examining the five themes of geography. They will complete an activity using magazine pictures demonstrating their understanding of each theme. We will then move into history and begin to study how the first Americans were not the pilgrims but hunters from Asia who followed herds of wild animals to the Americas.

In the second quarter of the school year, seventh grade will undertake a research paper that will take them on a whirlwind vacation around the world. This is quite an extensive project encompassing the subjects of Social Studies, Math, Technology, and Art. Each subject will have its own rubric for grading.

The students will study the United States Federal Constitution, as well as, the state of Illinois Constitution in the third quarter. Instead of their regular heavy textbook, they will be given a lightweight paperback workbook to study and do homework from. They will be expected to highlight certain pieces of information in each reading and make a note card (flashcard) for each fact. This will be their study guide for the final exam which must be passed in order to graduate from 8^th grade.

Students will have the responsibility of summarizing the last few chapters ending around 1825 and presenting in front of the class during the fourth quarter. This is their chance to really shine by demonstrating clearly what they learned from their assigned section and the last three quarters. I will be looking especially for some extra information above and beyond what the textbook gives.

This last June when the 7^th and 8^th grades went on a fieldtrip to Springfield I picked up a cook book at the Lincoln Museum on favorite cookie recipes of the presidents. I will send a sign-up sheet home with each student and if you would like to choose one you’d like to bake, when a new president appears in our reading, we will sample those yummy, delicious treats and imagine the President and his family doing the same.

Our focus in 8^th grade will continue to be United States history. We will begin the year in the 1820s when Andrew Jackson was elected President, and plan to cover events through the Cold War and the War in the Middle East by the end of the school year.

In addition to tests and homework on the information gained from the textbook and supplements I introduce through Round Robin activities, the students will also demonstrate their knowledge through a variety of writing assignments and group projects.

For example they will complete an activity using the ‘jigsaw’ technique. It is a cooperative learning method that challenges all students to pull their own weight as this is essential for the completion and full understanding of the chapter. The activity is structured so that the bulk of information other members of the group have to the other section assignments is by listening closely and taking notes from the person reading their summary.

Music CD’s from the different eras in history

Interactive U.S. Geography Game #72756 by National Geographic $99.95

Historical and Religious Games

Historical and Religious Puzzles (750-1,000 pieces)

Historical and Religious Videos

08/29/2008

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