To Kill a Mockingbird, Artistically

     The eighth grade is reading To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee's story of small town life in southern Alabama during the Great Depression.  Recently, they created artistic representations of various incidents and locations in the story.   Some students performed small skits, others made three-dimensional displays, and still others made posters.

     Kyle drew the first-grade classroom where Scout, the main character and narrator of the story, first experienced school.  His attention to detail was admirable, and I thought he drew well.  Nice job, Kyle!

     Mikayla's group drew a picture of the Radley house and made a model of poor Miss Maudie's home going up in flames across the street.  I especially liked the fire.

A-Hiking We Will Go...

     Today the upper grades took a field trip to Twin Pine Camps and Trails, where they spend several hours hiking through the woods.  Despite the chilly weather and occasional raindrops, it was a fun outing for most involved.  At least, it was probably more for for them than a regular day of school!

     Twin Pine is located in Millinocket, on the shores of Millinocket Lake.  We spent about an hour and twenty minutes riding in busses before we even got to their entrance road.  Everyone was grateful to get off the bus for a grand total of two minutes, and then everyone was cold.  However, the hike warmed us up, and the sun finally came out as well.

The Law of the Land

     Today, the eighth grade passed an amendment allowing them to create laws instead of just amendments to the Constitution!  Click here to read the class Constitution.  This means that they can create rules and regulations with only a majority of present votes, not a full 3/4 of the class.  As their laws develop, I will update this page to reflect the current law code.


Law 1:  No one may be made fun of based on their external features, unless permitted by the victim.
     Passed 7-5, October 22, 2013.

Law 2:  The 8th Graders are able, with our Rory bucks, to buy homework passes for around 35-40 dollars.
     Passed 13-0, November 18, 2013.

Law 3:  The majority of our eighth grade class agree to create the law that we have a separate savings account for buying a party at $601.  Each student may donate his or her own dollars to pay for the party at their own minimum or maximum.  No one may take back money donated for the party.
     Passed 12-0, November 19, 2013.

Law 4:  If a student is to steal any amount of Rory dollars, the thief shall give the money back along with four (4) extra Rory dollars.
     Passed 13-1, November 21, 2013

Law 5:  If any crimes shall be committed in or out of class, such as theft, stop and think, or greater, there will be a record kept in that person's name and the teacher can deny them jobs.
     Passed 11-3, November 21, 2013

Law 6:  Any and all thievery will be punishable by up to $5 Rory cash.  The thief must pay said amount to the victim, but may not exceed $5.  The victim may also decide not to fine the thief.
     Passed 8-5, November 21, 2013

Law 7:  All jobs will be established by the banker.  Minimum wage for the classroom will be $1 weekly.  The maximum wage will be chosen by the banker.
     Passed 14-0, November 22, 2013

Law 8:  Any and all bullying will not be tolerated, including insults and rude remarks; they may be punishable by fine or stop and think.  If someone is to be sued for bullying, the defendant may choose the amount due for the severity, but it may not exceed $10.
     Passed 8-6, December 3, 2013

Law 9:  Students can be sued for turning off others' laptops without their permission.  The maximum shall be $6.
     Passed 12-2, December 3, 2013

Law 10:  Students can deposit money at any time, but have to wait for bank openings for withdrawals.
     Passed 15-0, December 4, 2013

Law 11:  Students get one piece of free candy per day.
     Passed 16-0, December 10, 2013 - Veto overridden by total vote

Law 12:  Students may make contracts with other students.  The contract may only include a deal with Rory dollars (ex. borrowing money).  The contract has to have the signatures notarized.  If the contract is broken the lawsuit is optional.
     Passed 13-0, January 30, 2014

Law 13:  If Mr. DeMaris is corrected on a mistake, the banker must pay $2 - $5 to the party fund.  The amount will be decided by the severity of his mistake.  Any ELA mistakes he makes, such as grammar, spelling, etc., will immediately be $5 because he is the ELA teacher.
     Passed 12-3, February 24, 2014

Law 14:  For Mr. DeMaris' mistakes, all ELA mistakes will be $5 and any others will be $2 to the party fund.
     Passed 9-6, February 24, 2014

Law 15:  No fine print will be legal in our classroom.
     Passed 8-7, March 4, 2014

Law 16:  If the class has a good week, Mr. DeMaris puts $5 into the party fund.  By a good week, we mean a good majority of us behave well.
     Passed 8-7, March 4, 2014

Law 17:  The eighth grade class is able to sue others for violence for up to $10.
     Passed 13-3, March 20, 2014

Law 18:  In Room 27 a 5% job tax shall be deducted from all paychecks.  Income tax returns can happen at the end of each month.
     Passed 10-5, May 2, 2014

Law 19:  The minimum wage shall be moved from one dollar to three dollars per week.
     Passed 8-7, May 2, 2014

Law 20:  There shall be a new job that cleans the desks and refills the Germ-X bottle, and it will have the responsibility to clean off all objects on the desk and tops of shelves, and clean them with Germ-X.
     Passed 8-7, May 2, 2014

Law 21:  The government has permission to bail the bank out, resulting in new taxes.
     Passed 8-6, May 12, 2014

The Evil Old Hag Who Lives Down the Street

     I asked the sixth grade class to write stories with magical or mysterious characters, and so far the results have been remarkable!  Over the next several days, I will highlight some of their stories for you; not surprisingly, many of them chose to write about witches and strange creatures.  Today, I want to share Kiairah's.  She writes well, uses good details, and even has a surprise at the end!

The Evil Old Hag Who Lives Down The Street

By:  Kiairah

Starring: Alexis

as the Old Hag

                                   

     Once-upon-a-time there was a nice couple who had just moved into a new neighborhood. There were only a few houses, but nobody lived in them except one at the end of the street. That was the Old Hag’s house.

     Everybody was scared of her; “She’s bewitched!” said one. “She will put a curse on you,” said another. Nobody has ever made any sociable contact with her, but they think she is the meanest most ugliest person they have ever seen. They didn’t know her; they didn’t know her story. 

Soccer vs. Highview Christian!

Hello All!

     Tonight you have a soccer game against Highview Christian!  Please come out and support your Panthers as they play their hardest!  This is a playoff game, so encourage them and buy some great food at the concession stand.
     Go Panthers!

Perspectives on Football

Football

by Eric

     Football is a hard sport to play.  During football games you take some hard hits.  Football is a full contact sport, and a lot of people get hurt playing football.  Football is a sport that you have to be in good shape to play, and I'm not just talking about being strong.

     To be in a game, you have to try hard in practice.  More than just being physically in shape, you have to be mentally in shape.  You have to be able to force yourself to keep going when you think you're going to die.  There are many drills we've done to prove this, but by far the worst is "The Russians are Coming" or "Air Raids."  They're the same thing.  What you have to do in that drill is you're running and the coach blows the whistle and you have to do an army crawl.  The coach throws the ball, and if it hits you you have to do 25 push ups.  Then the coach blows the whistle twice and you're up and running again.

     Those are the thoughts I have on football.

Pespectives on Soccer

Almost Victory

by Jadeyn

     I, Jadeyn Cain, play on the Greenbush soccer team.  We would like to be in the first notch A.  On the 14th of October, we find out who wins.

     We work together.  We all like soccer.  If we try hard enough it will happen.  We have only lost once.  We have twenty-two people on the Greenbush Panthers soccer team.

Greenbush Panthers Going to Playoffs!

by Hailie

     The Greenbush soccer team is going to the playoffs on the 14th at the soccer field.  We have only lost once.  We can do it with teamwork.  We have 22 people on our team.

Why I Love Soccer

by Kiairah

     One reason I love soccer is because it's a team sport, and you don't have to rely on yourself because there isn't an "I" in team.  Another reason is because it is a great way to get in shape for future sports like basketball, cheering, softball, baseball, and football.  The final reason I love soccer is that I can play with my friends.




     We have another game tonight at home versus Penobscot Christian!  This is the last league game before playoffs, so please attend and cheer on your Panthers.  They have had a great season so far, and they always appreciate your support!

Soccer vs. Airline

Hello All!

     After a successful game yesterday at Indian Island (1-0), we're ready for another great show tonight!  At 3:45, we play at home against Airline Community School from Aurora.  This is the second-to-last league game of the season, and we are undefeated so far, so come out and support your Panthers!

     Also, Pizza Fundraiser packets go home tonight.  Please look these over and, if you are able, help the school raise some more funds!  The students will appreciate it, and the teachers will, too.  Thank you!