Middle School Stellwagen PDF Print E-mail
Welcome to Mr. Stellwagen's Middle School Home Page
8th grade at St. John-Emmanuel Lutheran School is a place for spiritual and intellectual growth.  Students are encouraged to challenge themselves and reach for levels of higher learning.  Algebra is where math explanations and work lead to climbing the ladder of higher learning.  In U.S. History, we focus on that fact that history repeats itself, allowing us to learn from it. We also discuss the duties and responsibilities that come with being a citizen of a democracy.  Literature is where the greatest thinking takes place.  Socratic Circles and Active Reading are incorporated so that deep thinking and great questions can be brought to the surface.  Art history and appreciation introduce the students to such great artists as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Vincent Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Georges Seurat (just to name a few).

Major assignments for the week of 5/7-5/11
 
 
7th Geography-
We study the geography for two specific reasons: 1.) The world is becoming global in its communications.  Doing 'business' overseas in the future is highly likely, resulting in the need to be acquainted with the various cultures of the world.  2.)  As children of God, we need to be aware of places of need and want, along with continually looking for any and every opportunity to support missions across the globe.  (Note: For a detailed breakdown of the class requirements, see bottom of this page.
       
        -Choice: New Zealand project or 'World Field Trip' due Monday, 5/14
       
        
 
7th Math-
-'Logic' problems this week
  
8th Math-
-Quiz or Test Wednesday
 
 
 
8th U.S. History-
History is more than learning facts and details.  One of the great lessons in the world is that history repeats itself.  The question then arises: What can we learn from the history of mankind?  The answer(s) will impact us for decades and centuries to come.  In U.S. History, we will read and discuss insights from some of the world's greatest minds and see what we can learn.
This week?          -Essay on 'Lessons from history' due next Tuesday
                         
                          
                         
                         
          
                          
                         
 
8th Literature-
Literature is a lens by which we can learn about both others and ourselves.  Learning to read for 'depth' and self-knowledge is a skill that will last a lifetime.  (Note: For a detailed breakdown of the class requirements, see bottom of this page.)
-Each Friday we will conduct what is referred to as a 'Socratic Circle'.   Socratic Circles are a dialogue/discussion between the students that require and enhance the ability to think deeply and ponder 'great questions'. The follow-up assgn. for each Socratic Circle will always be due the following Tuesday (to be completed in the students' Lit. notebook).  Guidelines and details will be handed out and should be kept somewhere safe.
        -'Know Thyself' Mind Map due next Tuesday.
       
        
 
8th Art-
-Unless otherwise stated, an art assgn. will be due every Wednesday.
                Due this week?  Persuasion paper on 'portraits'
                New this week?  Open!!!!!
 
8th Vocabulary-
 -The Vocab assgn. will be due every Wednesday as well.
 -Spelling test will be every Friday.
 
 
 
Guidelines for 7th grade World Geography
In geography this year, the goal is to get the students familiar with the world.  Units will be divided up based on geographical and cultural similarities (North America, South America, Europe, etc.).
            Each unit, the students will accomplish the following:
*Map quizzes of each area in order to learn where the countries of the world are located.
*Varied self-study country reports.  Guidelines and expectations will be handed out ahead of time.  They will range from detailed reports to 'mind maps' to 'power point presentations'.
*Regional or topical research papers.  The topics will be chosen by the student from either a provided list or a topic of their own choosing.
*At the end of various units, a take-home review sheet will be given for the student to complete.
The map quizzes will count as a single grade.  Other work done by the student will count as a single score or more.  The scores will then be averaged for the final grade.  (Note: students will always be informed the ‘value’ of an assignment ahead of time.)
 
 
 
Guidelines for 8th grade Literature
Throughout each quarter, various work will be assigned that will yield a final grade.  Guidelines and expectations for all work will be given to the student in the classroom.  The assignments will be as follows:

     *In-class novel work
     *Short story assignments
     *One analysis of a poem of the student’s choice
     *One self-written poem
     *Approximately 400 pages of reading.  This will come from a book or books chosen by the student.  The student will choose from four specific sheets detailing exactly what to be covered in the book/books.
     *Writing assignment/s (persuasion papers, comparison & contrast papers, etc.)
     *Socratic Circle follow-up assignments (details to be given in class)
Additional notes:
     *AR (Accelerated Reader) will not be counted as part of the Literature grade.  But it is strongly encouraged to be used by the students.  Any student who acquires 20+ points in any given quarter will have it applied as ‘extra credit’ (in this case, the elevation of the final grade by a single mark up… i.e.- a B+ grade would move up to an A-).  Recognition will still be given to those students who acquire the most AR points per quarter and year.
     *Vocabulary and spelling will be combined to form a separate grade on the report card.
     *A regular assignment will simply count as a single grade.  Based on the amount of time and work required, a larger assignment may count as two (or more) times a regular assignment.   The students will be told ahead of time the ‘weighting’ of a larger assignment.