The next step

Today is the last day of school. For you Crazy 8s out there, this is your last day at Memorial. Has it sunk in yet? Are you excited? Worried? Happy? Sad?

I must say that I am really excited for summer. Not because I'm sick of my students (really.... that's not it!), but because it will be good to change the routine a little bit and move on to new things. I'll get to spend a lot of time with my girls -- going to the pool, playing in the backyard, going to the lake, playing sports, roofing houses, etc.

I think you're all excited for a lot of the same reasons. You are ready for new challenges -- this summer, in high school, and beyond. It's always exciting to learn about new things, and that's what many of you are ready to do. Everyone needs new challenges. For my youngest daughter, she is mastering the art of rolling over and is facing the challenge of learning how to crawl. She works so hard! My oldest girl is talking more and more, and is also challenging herself athletically -- jumping higher, running faster, bridging herself over the couch and coffee table.....

You will all have new challenges that you become interested in. I am looking forward to see what those challenges are for all of you, because you're a very talented group. You might be involved in varsity sports, music, drama, speech, academics, and more, and I am excited to see and follow it all. Feel free to visit. Feel free to leave comments/memories on our blog. Good luck!

Remember This?

Semester Test..... AHHHH!

Hello, fellow Crazy 8 Scientists. This is your teacher, Mr. Hoegh. I am posting this on the eve of the day we take our semester test. It is an important day for all involved. Due to the enormity of the test, I have heard some nay-sayers who believe that none of you have a chance. Some say, "Oh, those Crazy 8s....... they think they're so gifted and smart, but they're going to choke when the going gets tough." Others remark, "Sure they've dominated some standard checks, quizzes, labs, and VoiceThread presentations along the way...... but they will shrink under the pressure and sheer mass of the semester test."

Would you like to know what I have to say to those Nay-Sayers? I say, "Thank you. Thank you for providing the Crazy 8 Scientists with extra motivation to ace this test like no other 8th grade team has done before. Thank you for failing to recognize the diligence and hard work that the team has endured. The Crazy 8s ARE ready. If the "pressure" you speak of is Superman, Crazy 8 Preparation is the Kryptonite. The butterflies in the stomach of each Crazy 8 student are not caused by nerves, but by the anticipation and excitement of dominating the Semester Test. The Crazies don't care that you don't believe in them. They believe in themselves."