Classroom Newsletter

Mr. Choquette Sci-8 / SS-8

February 14, 2012

Happy Valentines Day!

Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns. I am dedicated to your child’s success.

Email:

cchoquette@kas.kh.edu.tw

Phone: 07-5830112 Dr. Farrell welcomes students, parents, and staff to the First Semester Honor Roll

assembly in the Multi-Purpose Room on February 14, 2012.

Valentines Day is always in energy filled day with

awkward energy and shyness. February 14th was more

than just another Valentine’s Day however, it was the

date selected for the Middle School’s First Semester Honor

Roll Assembly. Kaohsiung American School

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Farrell offered a

warm welcome to the students, parents, and staff in

attendance. Dr. Farrell thanked students for their hard

work and remarked that is our students’ positive outlook

and great effort both in the classroom and beyond that

make Kaohsiung American School a great school. Middle

School Principal Gerry Dery got the proceedings

underway and called students in grades 6-8 down by

name to receive their certificates from Dr. Farrell and their

recognition from the audience. There were lots of smiling

faces and loud applause. It is always a joy to celebrate

our students’ success!

The following 8th graders were recognized for their

academic success:

Honors: Cheng, Nathan Chiang, Daniel Yu-Chen Chou, Jerry Chi Jui Chou-Andre, Todd Elliot Fang, Dorothy Galayda, Nikita Hong, Edward Jia-Wei Hsieh, Pin-Hsun (Brian)

Lee, Johnny Lin, Betty Liu, Tzu Hao (Alex) So, Kenny Hsu Tseng, Yu-Jen Frank van Goch, Tara Wu, Yi Hsuan (Sherry) Yu, Sin Tung Irisa

High Honors: Chen, Eric Neil Chen, Hai Wei Lin, Tiffany Liu, Charlotte Yun Hsuan Shien, Tiffany Wan-Hua Tran, Nga Linh

Superintendent’s Honors: Cheng, Chao-Hui (Tony) Chia, Jolyn Harris, Erin Hung, Henry Kun-Chieh Lan, Po-Han (Brian)

Lo, Ashley Hsuan Rice, Julian Michael Wu, Chia-Chia (Kelly) Yang, Jason Yu, Kaolin (Henry)

2 Mr. Choquette / Newsletter #7 / February 14, 2012

SCI-8 Update: Fantastic Pick-A-Project efforts! The 8th graders have done it again; many of them put forth an amazing effort and reached for excellence. You

might remember that students were assigned what I called a “Pick-A-Project” assignment over the Chinese Lunar

New Year break. Students were given a sheet that listed a myriad of assignments for them to select from.

Students had to choose at least 30 points in from the list of assignments but were allowed to choose up to around

40 if they wanted to have somewhat of an “insurance policy” in earning a 30/30 on the assignment. Students

completed colorful and creative children’s story books, information rich timelines, fun and informative board

games, playful poetry, accurate and emotional journal entries centered around historical earthquake events, well

researched papers about scientists and scientific devices, challenging crossword puzzles and much more. We

held a share-a-bration day in which we examined student created works and played the board games. Students

really enjoyed the share-a-bration and learned a lot through these interactions.

Next in SCI-8: Earthquakes Students just completed their Chapter 7: Plate

Tectonics test on Monday and now moving to

study Chapter 8: Earth Quakes. Students will

learn about what earthquakes are and

understand why they happen. Students will

learn how scientists measure and predict

earthquakes as well as what can be done to

prepare for future earthquakes.

SS-8: Medieval West Africa!

We have begun our next unit that focuses on

the Culture and Kingdoms of West Africa.

Students are currently working on a very

exciting and engaging group project that I

have adapted which asks them to develop a

promotional travel campaign for one of the

three Medieval West African cultures.

Students are researching in the library this

week and working in class next week.

Presentations will be next week Friday and the

following Monday. Please check out the

project Prezi located here:

http://tinyurl.com/7zqr6go

Student made board games offer a fun learning experience for their classmates. Students who designed and constructed the games acted as hosts and managed the game during the share-a-bration.