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8th Grade Language Arts
 

 

You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.

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-C.S. Lewis

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In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.

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-Phil Collins

Schedule

Schedule

Weekly

Schedule

Weekly

Monday-Thursday

1st:  8:00-8:45

2nd: 8:48-9:33

3rd: 9:36-10:21

4th: 10:24-11:07

Lunch: 11:07-11:39

Pride: 11:42-12:12

5th: 12:15-1:00

6th: 1:03-1:48

7th: 1:51-2:36

8th: 2:39-3:25

Friday

1st:  8:00-8:35

2nd: 8:38-9:13

3rd: 9:16-9:51

4th: 9:54-10:29

5th: 10:32-11:07

Lunch: 11:07-11:39

Pride: 11:40-12:10

6th: 12:13-12:48

7th: 12:51-1:26

8th: 1:29-2:04

~May ~

5/17:
2nd Semester Awards

5/18:
SAC Museum 

5/19:
4th Quarter Falcon Rewards

5/20:
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL





 

Contact Info:

Email: rswanson@dcwest.org

Phone: (402) 779-2646

What We Do

What   We   Do...

Book Reports

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This is the diorama option completed by a student for their first quarter book report.

Students complete a total of 4 book reports over the year--one per quarter.  These are novels of personal choice and are read independently. They have 8 options to choose from:

   --Book Review

   --Comic Book

   --Test

   --Movie Pitch

   --Diorama

   --Travel Brochure

   --Book Jacket

   --Book Trailer

Projects

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Our classroom practices a balance of traditional AND project-based assessments. Students are regularly required to complete projects that encourage them to apply what they've learned in a unit and analyze, synthesize, and evaluate relevant information, creating something unique and personal.

This promotes higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills (and it is super fun!!)

Class Novel Studies

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Uglies
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Touching Spirit Bear
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The Giver
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Counting by 7s

Writing

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Among traditional, formal styles of writing we cover over the year, our students also participate in some unique writing opportunities.

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A few examples include:

--Six-Word Memoirs  (featured on the right) 

--Speeches

--Blackout Poetry   (Display wall featured below)

   

Assignment Calendar

Assignment Calendar

Scroll the calendar :)
Teache Bio

About Me...

My name is Raychel Swanson. This is my fifth year teaching at DC West. I teach Reading and Language Arts for all 8th graders as well as HAL, and I LOVE getting students excited about reading and writing! Reading with my students and leading them through different worlds and watching them understand, learn, and grow is my all-time favorite thing. 

I have six awesome kiddos at home (ages 20--10) and two spunky dogs: Atlas and Leena. They all keep me on my toes most days. We spend much of our time enjoying the outdoors in summer and watching movies with popcorn in the winter--dogs included! Coffee, however, is a year-round obsession of mine. 

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Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery

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