Education would be much more effective if its purpose was to ensure that by the time they leave school every boy and girl should know how much they do not know, and be imbued with a lifelong desire to know it. ~William Haley

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” - Charles Dickens

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” — Mother Teresa

"Work hard and be the great person you are. You can accomplish anything. I believe in you!" Ms. Szwedo

"Take the step beyond" -Bebo Szwedo

Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. ~John Dewey

The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives. ~Robert Maynard Hutchins

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. ~Sydney J. Harris

The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book. ~Author Unknown

Welcome to Jude House where it is all about Penguin Power and making happy memories!

Grade 8 - Welcome to Grade 8 ELA! I am so excited for this year! I have had the honor of knowing many of your children since they were three years old in preschool drama I am looking forward to so much learning and a great year for the Class of 2025!
A quick overview of our year:
Short story structure
Touching Spirit Bear
Greek mythology
Poetry
The Legend of King Arthur
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Holocaust
William Shakespeare

*Fiction and nonfiction reading strategies are infused into each unit of study
Simultaneously we will be working on writing skills, strengthening sentence writing, vocabulary development, communication skills, and many many more great topics!

Grade 7 - Welcome to Grade 7 ELA! I am looking forward to a fantastic year! I LOVE the seventh grade curriculum. Our lessons are as follows:

Short story structure
Freak the Mighty
nonfiction study of disabilities
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
nonfiction study of The Salem Witch Trials
A Christmas Carol
A nonfiction study of Victorian England
Fairy Tales
A nonfiction study of oral tradition
A Long Walk to Water and tentatively
Refuge


As we prepare for Confirmation , we will be completing the requirtements for Reception of The scacrament in November of 2025! Details of the requirements are coming soon.

Wednesday is Skills Day- students will have a weekly assignment to finish related tovocabulary writing and grammar

Please be aware that I do check my fast direct for messages regularly, but I am in class throughout the day. I will respond to your message as soon as I am able.

Grade 8 ELA -focus on the following in reading The Five People You Meet in Heaven, mythology, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Legend of King Arthur, William Shakespeare, The Holocaust, Poetry in Music, and other surprises

Focus in English communication skills, public speaking, tech integration, grammar skills, development of strong sentence structure, persuasive writing, vocabulary development, and so much more.

Grade 7 ELA - Reading include Brian' Song, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, A Christmas Carol, Fairy Tales , Frankenstein, A Long Walk to Water and many more surprises along the way.

Focus in English communication skills, public speaking, tech integration, grammar skills, development of strong sentence structure, persuasive writing, vocabulary development, and so much more.

Religion Grade 7- will include Confirmation preparation, learning to pray, Bible study and getting to know and develop a closer relationship with Jesus.

Teacher: Julie Szwedo

Grading: Homework is practice and receives a check in grade which counts at 10% of the final grade. It is important to complete assignments on time as they count as 100% when completed on time 50% if late and 0% if not turned in. Tests and projects carry the equal value and count as 50% of the grade. A rubric or grading scale is always presented before the project's due date to ensure earning the most available points. Another 20% of the grade is on classwork. Involvement and participation earn the final 20% of the grade.

Contact information. Please feel free to contact me via Fastdirect or at szwedo@iccowboys.net with any questions, comments, or concerns. I am here for your child and for you for any reason, big or small!

Remember no talking during tests! Complete your homework on time. Participate in class and ask questions. Become an active and engaged student before you leave us for high school.

Homework and due dates can be found on my calendar, but...
REMEMBER HOMEWORK IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. BE SURE TO USE YOUR ASSIGNMENT NOTEBOOK IN CLASS!
A = 100-93
B= 92-85
C= 84-77
D = 76-69
U = 68 and below

50% tests and projects
20% classwork
20% participation
10% homework
Graded work that is not completed on time earns a grade of zero until it is turned in with 10 points taken for each day it is late; therefore it is so important to complete assignments on time!!!!