The Diocesan Social Studies Course of Study for the 8th grade year requires that students complete a research paper or presentation using primary and secondary sources. This paper can be a bit of a challenge for some students, many of whom are still getting their feet wet when it comes to doing proper research. Of course, my awesome students are blazing trails of research glory already. The 8th graders have been working on their research topics for about three weeks now and should be starting the process of reviewing sources by now. With Easter break just around the corner, students should be planning to use some of their vacation time to look for potentially useful resources.

In case anyone loses their directions for this research project, I have provided a copy here. Just follow the link below. (This is also available in the Stuff for Students section).

8th Grade U.S. History Research Paper Instructions (PDF)

Good luck, and happy researching!

Students who may have forgotten the requirements for the letter to their Confirmation sponsors can find them here.

Write a letter to your sponsor that contains the following information:

*The Duties of a Sponsor, which are:
To stand with you at the confirmation ceremony,
To present you to the bishop and to the community,
and to be willing to help you live as a follower of Jesus.

*The date, time, and location of Confirmation rehearsal

*The date, time, and location of Confirmation

*What will happen if your sponsor cannot attend either the rehearsal or the ceremony itself. (A parent will stand in for them).

*Thank your sponsor for taking the time to be a part of your life in this special way.

8th graders who are looking for an opportunity to earn some significant enrichment credit in History class can read the tremendously interesting article from American Heritage magazine entitled The Measurement That Built America by Andro Linklater, and then answer the questions that follow here. The article is on the importance of the Ordinance of 1785, which called for the surveying and division of the land north of the Ohio River, in the shaping of America and the far reaching effects that it has had on many facets of American life.

Reading Questions - Answer these in paragraph form on loose leaf paper. Use examples to support you answers.

1. What was the experience of the surveyors like as they measured out the western lands? Describe the tools available to them.

2. What were some of the most important effects, intended or unintended, of the Ordinance of 1785 and, later, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787? Use evidence from the article to support your answer.

Below are some general reminders about our upcoming celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation:

Confirmation Rehearsal is Wednesday, February 15. Candidates and sponsors must be in Marian Hall no later than 6:45 pm. The rehearsal will be over by about 8:00. Parents may stand in for the sponsor if the sponsor is unable to attend.

The Confirmation Retreat is Friday, February 17 from 8:30 – 2:30. Students will need to be dropped off and picked-up from the Whetstone Park shelter house. More information will be coming home on the permission slip.

Confirmation is Sunday, February 19 at 3:00pm. Candidates and sponsors must be in Marian Hall no later than 2:40 pm. Any parent who is a Eucharistic minister and who is interested helping out at the mass should email me. Older siblings who are altar servers are also encouraged to serve the Confirmation mass. We still need two.

Dress Policy
The dress policy for Confirmation is the same for graduation later in the year.

Girls: Girls must wear a dress, or skirt and blouse, appropriate for church. Dresses may not be strapless or have spaghetti straps. Girls must wear dress shoes. It is best to wear a hair style off of your forehead to make it easier for the bishop to anoint the candidate.

Boys: Boys must wear a white dress shirt with a tie, and dress pants with a belt. Dress shoes and socks are also required. A suit or sport coat are optional. Please make sure hair is off the forehead so that the bishop can anoint the candidate more easily.

As always, please feel free to contact Mr. Kersey with questions.

Both my 7th and 8th grade social studies classes have projects that they are currently working on. Below are some helpful reminders.

8th Grade: You can find a copy of your Revolutionary War Game project directions here: Revolutionary War Game Project directions. The project is due January 9, 2012.

7th Grade: You can find a copy of your Amazingly Cool Charlemagne Project directions here: Amazingly Cool Charlemagne Project directions. Your project is due January 4, 2012. The reading quiz portion will be collected at the end of class on December 16, 2011.