New School

Nova International Schools
8th Grade LASS (8-1 and 8-3)

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Welcome to Academic Year 2017-2018

Image result for NOVA international school
Class: 8-1 and 8-3 Language Arts and Social Studies
Teacher: Kristen Fink
Room: 206
Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday 15.15 – 16.00

Language Arts
In Language Arts we are using the Common Core standards as the basis for our program.  These standards have been adopted by many American and international schools around the world, and form an excellent framework for the course.  The course is literature-based, with the texts representing a range of standard 8th Grade literature.

Social Studies
In Social Studies we are using a modified version of the California State standards.  We will cover Medieval Europe, the Renaissance and the Reformation, the Age of Exploration, the Enlightenment and the Age of Revolution.

Assessment
Students will demonstrate their knowledge in a range of ways including tests, quizzes, reading and writing assignments, and projects. Assessment will take the form of Standards Based Grading, which means that a student’s progress will be assessed and reported in terms of his/her ability to meet the standards.

Absences
Every single class is important, and students will miss meaningful instruction if they are not at school. Care should be taken to avoid scheduling holidays, trips or other absences during school time.  Missing assignments will need to be completed in full, and except in special circumstances, alternative make-up work will not be given. Students are responsible for catching up on missed work, notes, and assignments after an absence.

Course Materials
Each student should keep all materials organized neatly in a dedicated Language Arts or Social Studies notebook or section of his/her binder. Students will need to have any assigned class text as well as a notebook, pencils, erasers, colored pencils, pens, scissors, sharpener, highlighter, stick glue, a planner, and a free reading book of their choice.

Availability
I will send regular updates to parents by email and I’m always happy to meet with parents and students outside of class times.  I’m normally available after school (subject to meetings), and welcome parents and students dropping in or scheduling a meeting.  Alternatively, I can be contacted by email at kristen.fink@nova.edu.mk.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

4th Grade Western Europe Country Links

Hi 4th Graders:

Use these links to help you find information about your chosen Western European country!

France


The Netherlands

Portugal
 
Spain 

United Kingdom
http://primaryfacts.com/1488/united-kingdom-facts-and-interesting-information/ 
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uk.html
 

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Richard III

Hi everyone! Greetings from Russia!

We're having a lovely time here, although it's MUCH colder than Honduras!! :)

I wanted to take this opportunity to point out something really cool, I'm sure you've seen it in the news:

They found Richard III!

Don't know who Richard III was? Read this. Or this. Or this!

Ok, I know most of you are not really going to read them, so here are the most important things you need to know:
   -supposedly he had his nephews killed (smothered with pillows) to make himself King of England
   -he was killed in battle and his crown was picked up by Henry VII...father of Henry VIII
   -his body was recently found in a parking lot

Kind of cool, right?!

OK fine, just look at these funny memes:
Source

Source

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Happy learning! :)
KF

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Just In Case Anyone Is Interested...

Hi!

Just in case you wanted to know, we found out this week that we will be moving to Vladivostok, Russia!

I don't have a job lined up there yet, so this blog may not be updated for a while, but I do intend to continue to use this blog once I find a new job.

Once again, it was my pleasure to teach at Discovery! I wish you all a wonderful 2012-2013 school year!

KF

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Summer School Fun!

Hey Summer Schoolers!

Here are a couple of links I would like you to visit and spend a bit of time on today...

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/proofreading_makes_perfect/g03/g03home.htm

Yes, I realize it is geared toward 3rd graders, and that all of you are WAY above 3rd grade level, but it will give you a little bit of extra practice on some of the mistakes you might make along the way...

If you'd rather find something in your age range, you may choose to play this game (if your computer has the right plug-in!)

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hme/k_5/proofread/proof.htm

Have fun!
KF

PS: These are tougher than you think they will be!

PPS: You can also check out this awesome pre-writing tool: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/essaymap/

PPPS: Here is another fun online writing resource: http://www.eduplace.com/tales/index.html