EIGHTH GRADE

Goals

The most significant goal for my students to attain during their final year at Saint Ann School is to be prepared for high school. It is my responsibility to ensure the students are ready academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. The students are encouraged to prepare these four fundamental aspects of their lives by becoming responsible for themselves and for their own decisions. I constantly reinforce the value of positive self-worth. I also encourage my students to excel in all they do and to always strive for excellence.

Curriculum

The completion of the following subjects entails rigorous class work and homework:

               The seven major subjects:

·        Religion

·        English

·        Literature

·        History

·        Geography

·        Science

·        Math

The other subjects include: Spanish, Vocabulary, Health, Computer, Art, Music, Physical Education, and Library.

All of these classes challenge the students by using higher levels of thinking according to Bloom’s Taxonomy. My students are asked to think in more abstract, idealistic, and logical ways, which corresponds with Piaget’s formal operational stage of development. This is achieved by moving away from the traditional rote learning (pure memorization) and moving towards scaffolding and authentic assessment (thinking “outside of the box”).

All middle school teachers follow the Archdiocesan Curriculum Guidelines. The curriculum has been fully integrated with technology. This is through a technology partnership with the University of Richmond, Boston University, and School Technology Programs. Each eighth grade student has the privilege of using a laptop. This allows the students to create outlines and class notes while I give PowerPoint presentations during class. They are also able to complete class work on their laptops. The students are allowed to use their laptops during their study halls, enabling them to become technologically savvy. All laptops are in the process of being able to connect to the Internet, allowing the class to partake in web quests and class websites. The class will also be able to complete research, search for current events, and view their class assignments online.

Significant Project

• Junior Achievement Day
• Pennies for Patients to support The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
• Saint Ann Christmas Giving Tree
• Volunteer work at the Beth-El Shelter
• Living Stations of the Cross
• Literary Portfolio
• History Research Paper
   
• Activities/Clubs
   

  °  National Junior Honor Society
  °  Student Council
  °  Yearbook

Committee
°  Boys’/Girls’ Basketball
°  Chess Club
°  Book Club
°  Bowling Club
°  Catholic Schools Week Volleyball Game:
    8^th Grade v. Teachers
°  Field Day
°  Holiday Hill
°  Class Night

Kristin Behn

 Quinnipiac University
B.A.  Political Science
University of New Haven
M.S.  Education
Focus:  Secondary Social Studies
Currently Pursuing Connecticut Teaching Certificate

Kristin is a second-year teacher at Saint Ann School. Her love of teaching is evident through her excitement, enthusiasm, and dedication. Her students are always encouraged to "think outside the box" and know that no question should go unasked. Kristin is a firm believer in the value of respect. "My students graduate eighth grade prepared to enter high school. Most importantly, they graduate knowing that they should always respect themselves and other people."

Kristin begins her second year of teaching as  "Mrs." Kristin and her husband, Bob, are enjoying their new life together. Kristin is an avid Yankee fan and Bob loves the Red Sox. Needless to say, there will always be some friendly competition during the baseball season.

Kristin believes that teaching is not only a way to convey information to students,  “It is also a way to demonstrate the importance of having good character and how to be a positive role model.  Children need to understand that their Catholic faith will carry them throughout their lives, during the good and bad times.  My own faith and my educational background will help me prepare my students to become successful in all they do.”