Class of 2015 In Review

The Class of 2015 graduated from SIJ on Tuesday, May 26th. Looking back this has been a year full of great memories and experiences. Here are just a few of the highlights! In the fall the eighth grade began the year in Religion by researching a saint as part of preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation in November. They also completed the Theology of the Body Middle School program. In March, the eighth graders participated in the first annual Diocese of Joliet Here I Am Lord Vocations and Discipleship Workshop. Over 800 students from around the diocese met here at SIJ to sing, pray, and learn about the Catholic faith and how God calls all of us to holiness. On March 14th Mrs. Tieke celebrated Pi Day in her classroom and challenged children to recite as many digits of Pi as they could recall. This year was an epic PI year as the date ended up being 3/14/15. To celebrate, eighth grade groups were tasked with making a "piece of pi" out of colored papered. Each group was given 40 digits and the strips to make a paper chain in the correct order. Once all the classes finished, Mrs. Tieke assembled all the pieces of chain and hung it around the room with almost 1000 digits represented. Mrs. Henry has been exploring elements of literature with the eighth graders throughout the year culminating in the reading of Homer’s The Odyssey. Eighth graders have conducted a variety of labs in the areas of chemistry and physics. One of the labs applied the students’ knowledge of physics to the building and racing of mousetrap cars. They have mastered important science concepts that will be needed for success in high school. Eighth grade has been busy writing. The students have written thoughtful narrative essays about their experiences as 8th graders. WSIJ is on the air! As a culmination of their Roaring Twenties unit, Eighth grade created their own radio broadcasts. They came complete with a soap opera and reviews of the new "talkies." Students wrote their own scripts and produced their own commercials. Quite a talented crew!
Congratulations to the Class of 2015!

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