Dear 8th Grade Families and Guardians,
We would like to take this time to welcome you to the 2024-2025 school year at Athlos Leadership Academy. We are very excited to see the returning students and equally excited to get to know all of the new students. We look forward to teaching, challenging, and helping your student grow as a learner throughout the school year. We will ensure that your 8th grader is presented with engaging lessons and character-building activities that will help them flourish in the classroom and beyond. You can visit our website at www.athlosbrooklynpark.org.
We look forward to partnering with you this year. Please feel free to contact any team member with questions, comments, or concerns regarding your student’s education. We are looking forward to an exciting year in 8th grade! Also, please remember to subscribe to our content area webpages and homeroom specific webpages for school and class information.
Sincerely,
Your 8th Grade Team
Jennifer Baccam, Mathematics
(763) 777-8942 Ext. 8839
Nathan Walker, World Studies
(763) 777-8942 Ext. 8840
Michelle Larson, English Language Arts
(763) 777-8942 Ext. 8854
Get to Know your 8th Grade Teachers!
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Jennifer Baccam – Math Hello! My name is Jen Baccam and I teach 8th grade Math. I grew up here in Brooklyn Park, MN, and received my degree from Augsburg University in Mathematics Education. This is my 7th year at Athlos Leadership Academy, and I am excited about the opportunity to get to know all of you. I am looking forward to a fun and exciting year. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. You can email me at [email protected] |
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Nathan Walker – World Studies Hello! My name is Nathan Walker and I am teaching 8th grade World Studies this year. I graduated from Hamline with a History degree and got my teaching certification at UW-River Falls. When I am not in school I like to golf, play guitar, read, and exercise. I’m excited to get to know students, and help them identify what they are passionate about. It’s my goal to teach them about World Studies, but also show them how the skills we learn in class will relate to their future hopes and dreams. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have at [email protected]. |
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Michelle Larson – English/Language Arts
Greetings! I am Michelle Larson and I will be your English Language Arts (ELA) teacher for 8th Grade. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in English and my Master of Arts in Education both from St. Catherine University. While I’m not teaching, I enjoy playing with my son and reading. This is my second year at Athlos and I’m very excited to get to know all of you! This year we will be reading, writing, and analyzing texts while building on our knowledge of ELA concepts with fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. I look forward to having great discussions as a class. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] with any questions you may have.
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Athlos Leadership Academy
2024-2025 8th Grade Curriculum Overview
Mathematics
Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
myWorld World Geography are the core curricula used to meet the Grade 7 and Grade 8 Minnesota Social Studies Standards. Savvas myWorld curricula encourages students to ex
2024-25 Syllabus
Global Studies
Nathan Walker , [email protected], 763-777-8942 Ext. 8440
Instructional Goals: This course will follow the curriculum standards for 8th Grade Global Studies set forth by the Department of Education for the State of Minnesota. This includes substrands in government, economics, geography, and history. These four subject areas connect allowing students to investigate different regions across the world and learn about politics, economics, and geography.
Textbook:
World Geography by Gregory Chu
Online Resources:
National Geographic Online
The New York Times
Time Magazine Online
Google Earth
Daily Required Materials:
Green social studies folder
Writing utensil (pen or pencil)
Notebook
Respectful Attitude
Assignments and Assessments:
Citizenship and Government Unit
Quiz 1
Unit test
Economics
Quiz 1
Unit test
Physical Geography:
Quiz 1
Unit test
South and Central America
Quiz 1
Unit Test
Europe
Quiz 1
Unit Test
Asia
Quiz 1
Unit Test
Africa
Quiz 1
Unit Test
Australia
Quiz 1
Unit Test
Assessments are subject to change throughout the trimester depending on the pace of each class. Changes will be communicated in class and via the class webpage.
Formative: 40 percent of grade---this will be a combination of quizzes and daily assignments.
Summative: 60 percent of the grade will come from Tests and Long-term projects
Graded Assessments:
Information regarding graded assessments will be posted on my class webpage and Google Classroom.
Viewing upcoming assignments
Upcoming assignments will be posted on our classroom webpage and/or Google Classroom. We encourage all families to subscribe to the classroom webpages of their child’s teachers. This will send you a notification each time an update is made on the webpage so that you can stay informed about upcoming assignments.
Gradebook
The gradebook can be viewed through Campus Parent Portal at any time. We ask every parent/guardian to create a Campus Parent Portal login. If your family does not have internet access at home, on a smartphone, at work, or at your local library, we will work with you to arrange alternative means of communication. As soon as grades are entered, students and families can view the results in Campus Parent Portal. Parents can view a student’s grades at any time of the day. We encourage parents to log in at least weekly to stay updated. If your family needs help setting up your account, please contact our front office staff at 763.777.8942.
Students can view the gradebook through the Campus Student Portal. Students receive login information from their homeroom teacher at the start of the school year. Use the Student Portal to check grades, view missing assignments and track your learning progress.
Middle School Grading Scale
A 93-100%
A- 90-92%
B+ 87-89%
B 83-86%
B- 80-82%
C+ 77-79%
C 73-76%
C- 70-72%
D+ 67-69%
D 63-66%
D- 60-62%
F 0-59%
Retake Policy Grades 6-8
In grades 6-8, students are expected to be prepared for all assignments and assessments that are graded. Retakes will only be approved for tests. A student may only request a retake opportunity if the student has completed and submitted all of the homework from the unit prior to the retake date. Retake tests may not be identical to the initial test. Students will not receive time at school to study for retake tests. This must take place at home. Retakes will be administered during an appropriate time of the day in an appropriate setting.
Report Cards PK-8
Progress reports will go home three times per year. Reports will be printed and sent home approximately one week after the end of the trimester for trimesters 1 and 2. For 3rd trimester, all assignments and make- up tests will be due by at least one week before the last day of school to allow time for grades to be entered and posted by the last day of school. Report cards will go home with students on the last day of school. Structured learning, though, will continue up through the last day of school.
Athlos Leadership Academy School Rules
All students are expected to adhere to Athlos Leadership Academy’s school rules at all times.
General Classroom Rules
Missing Work Policy:
Assignment Deadlines - All assignments must be submitted by the due date specified by the teacher.
Late Submissions - Students may submit assignments up to 5 school days after the original due date.
Late Submission Penalty - Assignments submitted after the 5-day window will receive a grade of zero (0) points. No additional extensions will be granted.
Exceptions - Extensions may be granted in cases of serious circumstances, such as illness or family emergencies. Students should contact the teacher as soon as possible to discuss possible accommodations.
Communication - Students are encouraged to inform the teacher about any challenges affecting their ability to meet deadlines. Teachers are available to provide support and assistance as needed.
Student Responsibility - It is the student's responsibility to track due dates and manage their time effectively to ensure assignments are submitted on time.
Adhering to this policy helps students develop essential organizational skills that will support their academic and personal growth.
