Jr. High Summer Day Trips :)

Hello 8th Graders!  As you know, this summer there are some wonderful opportunities to go on Summer Day Trips with your 7th and 8th grade peers.  You were all given a packet with information about the Jr. High Summer Day Trips and the permission slips before school got out.  Here are the dates for the next 3 events. Contact Mr. Thompson or Mrs. Orellana to RESERVE YOUR SPOT! Those who aren't returning to DRCS next year are also more than welcome to come.

Friday, July 19th - Kayaking in Dana Point & Exploring Tide Pools
Friday, August 9th - Forest Falls Day Hike
Friday, August 23rd - Newport Beach Coastal Bike Ride & Day at the Beach
*Don't forget to turn in your permission slips!

 

It is incredibly thoughtful of Mr. Thomson and Mrs. Orellana to have organized these fun events (make sure to tell them thank you!), I hope all of you can go!

~Miss. Beltran

Summer Reading 2013

Hello 8th Graders!

I am so excited to start our Summer Reading!  This summer there are wonderful opportunities to read some amazing books!  Remember to select 3 books and then choose a Summer Reading Project for each of the books you have selected (one due at the end of each month).  These are your Summer 2013 choices:

Have fun with the books and the projects 8^th graders! We are so blessed to be given the opportunity to not only read freely, but also for those of you who complete the projects, to go on a fun and awesome field trip! 

Have a great summer and enjoy reading!

~Miss Beltran

Summer Reading Projects

Fairy-Tale Ending: Have you ever wanted to change the way a story ended? Well, here is your chance! Re-write the last chapter in the story, and make it your own! Give the story the ending you think it should have. Don’t be afraid to mix it up! (1-2 pages maximum)

Dinner is served: Imagine you are invited to dine with a character in your book. List 5 – 10 questions that you might ask them during your visit, and imagine what their response might be. Also think about your surroundings: Where are you? What is being served? Who else might be there? Try to ask questions that people really want to know

Where in the world? Create a detailed map of where your story takes place. Show with words or symbols where important events occurred. Be sure to use plenty of detail in your artwork and description! (Maps can be three-dimensional as well. Paper maché is a wonderful resource. Get creative with it!)

Scrapbook it! Create a scrapbook based on information you have learned from the story. Be sure to write captions for each entry/page as to what is being included n the page and why. You can add items mentioned throughout the story, or create something new by including items that you think the characters might have used or collected. (5-10 illustrated pages, each with at least one caption)

Dear Diary: Create 5 journal entries from one of the main characters in the story. Be sure to include key events in these entries to give us an understanding of when they might have been written. Give plenty of detail! Be sure to write one entry from the beginning of the novel, and one from the end. (Each entry should be no less than one paragraph, no more than one page)

Lights, Camera, Action! Create a movie poster promoting the novel as a popular, new movie. You can cast real actors as the main characters, or use people you know. Make sure your poster reflects the time period from which the story takes place, and be sure to show costumes and background detail!

Shadowbox Showcase: Create a shadowbox that shows one of your favorite scenes from your novel. Be sure that it can sit vertically, so that it can hang on the wall. Imagine that you are capturing a little piece of that moment in the story with your artwork. Be expressive!

Some of my favorite things: Create a poster of ten of your favorite things about your novel. Be sure to give a description of each item, and illustrate each caption with either drawings or make a collage. Be sure to explain why they are your favorite!

Remember when… Create a poster of a timeline and show the main events of the story. Choose at least five main events out of your timeline to illustrate on your poster. You can illustrate them by either drawing or making separate collages.

Wanted! Create a wanted poster for either the villain or hero in your story. Explain who they are and what have done that makes them wanted by the law. Also give a one-page description of who they are and what they contributed to during the story.

Comic Quest: Create a comic book based on the main events of the novel. Be sure to include chapter headings and page numbers. Each illustrated page will need to have captions explaining what is happening in the picture. (5-10 pages)

On the Cover: Create a book jacket for your novel. Illustrate the front cover by either drawings or a collage. Be sure to include your favorite quote on the cover, and write a summary and review for the story. Try to capture the heart of what your novel is about in your artwork! (Going the extra mile: Research the author of your novel and write a short biography about them on the inside)

About Me...

About Me...

My name is Elise Beltran, and who I am rests solely in situating my identity in Jesus Christ, who came humbly to die on the cross for our sins so that we may be made worthy to be called children of God.  I have my MA in English Composition with a focus in Literature, and a BA in Literature.  I am not only an avid reader, but an avid traveler; the love of both coexists seamlessly in that I find myself visiting the places I have read about.  God has blessed me tremendously in giving me such wonderful opportunities to learn actively and travel the world.

 

I visited the United Kingdom a couple years ago, and was so excited to walk the same streets Shakespeare had many years ago.  The Globe Theatre and the Tower of London were some of my favorite places to see!

 

 

I also visited the home Anne Frank found sanctuary in. It was amazing to walk through
the bookcase that hid the entryway, and stand in the attic where she wrote her diary.

 

 

 

In Paris I splashed in the pool outside the Eiffel Tower, and walked through Notre Dame. 

I even visited the Disneyland in France!!

 

 

I have seen the wondrous beauties of the world God has made, and

climbed to the tops of His glorious mountains.  

"What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations” (Psalm 104:24).

 

This July God has blessed me with the opportunity to travel to Spain, Italy, Greece and the Greek Islands.  It was so interesting to read the history of Athens with the 8th grade class (then 7th graders), and soon enough, I will be there, fully immersed in the actual places of our historical texts.  However, despite the beauty this world has to offer, I never forget the beauty our Lord Savior is.  God has shown so much mercy to me- not only in allowing me the opportunities to travel, but in the opportunity to teach the 8th graders at Del Rosa Christian School.  I am looking forward to spending the next year with the class actively engaged in learning.  Together we will not only learn, but grow, both intellectually and spiritually as Christ takes precedence as the center of our class.  We must never forget: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).  God has so many wonderful plans for all of your lives this summer and always, and I would like to challenge you this summer to live life with Christ as the center.  In all we read, do, see and say; let God take precedence.  Corrie ten Boom said: "In the center of a hurricane there is absolute peace and quiet. There is no safer place than in the center of the will of God."  Amen to that! I hope and pray for a safe and fun summer, and am looking forward to reading your responses to the Summer Reading Books!

Warmest Regards
~Miss Beltran