8th Grade

Welcome to the 8th Grade homepage! Here you will find details that will help your student have a successful school year. Throughout the school year, you can use the snapshot page as a weekly overview for homework. For more detailed information on each class, you can look to the "Classes" section below the snapshot. In the classroom section, you can also find teacher contact information. We look forward to a great 2025-2026 school year!
8th Grade Announcements
Early Dismissal Notice
Due to the congested nature of our campus at dismissal time, we are now making a
guideline that we will not do early dismissal for students between 2:30-3:00 pm. If your
student has an appointment that you need to get them early from school, please plan on
picking them up before 2:30 pm.
This will allow you to get on and off campus in a safe and timely manner, avoid having to
deal with the stress of a crowded driveline, and create less end-of-day disruptions for our
classes and staff. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Important Links
For additional support in 8th Grade - Admin Contact: Paul Hurst - paul.hurstii@jeffco.k12.co.us
Use Student Login to access Google Classroom

Download Student or Parent App for updates on assignments and classroom grades

Year Long Plans
8th Grade Classes
ELA
Easton De Jong
I am excited to begin my second year as the 8th grade English language arts teacher at Lincoln Academy! I loved getting to know the Lincoln students, staff, and community last year and look forward to returning.
I received my bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a younger person myself, I hope to enthusiastically instill the love and appreciation of literature and writing into my students.
I spent most of my life in Michigan but have now lived in Colorado for the past two years, during which time I have enjoyed all the hiking, sunshine, and dogs! In my free time, I can usually be found reading fantasy novels, overanalyzing movies, spending time with my wife (as of this summer!) and friends, or playing some type of game (board, video, card, yard, or sport). As of now, I am proud to hold the official title of “Pickleball King” at Lincoln!
Science
This Week In Science
Week of March 10, 2025
- This week we are learning:
- Fossils as evidence of evolution
- Fossil timelines
In the Past...
- Week of March 3, 2025
- Week of February 24, 2025
- Week of February 18, 2025
- Week of February 10. 2025
- Week of February 3, 2025
- Week of January 27, 2025
- Week of January 21, 2025
- Week of January 13, 2025
- Week of December 3, 2024
- Week of November 18, 2024
- Week of November 11, 2024
- Week of November 4, 2024
- Week of October 28, 2024
- Week of October 21, 2024
- Week of October 14, 2024
- Week of October 7, 2024
- Week of September 30, 2024
- Week of September 23, 2024
- Week of September 16, 2024
- Week of September 9, 2024
- Week of September 2, 2024
- Week of August 26, 2024
Week of March 3, 2025
Week of February 24, 2025
Week of February 18, 2025
Week of February 10. 2025
Week of February 3, 2025
Week of January 27, 2025
Week of January 21, 2025
Week of January 13, 2025
Week of December 3, 2024
Week of November 18, 2024
Week of November 11, 2024
Week of November 4, 2024
Week of October 28, 2024
Week of October 21, 2024
Week of October 14, 2024
Week of October 7, 2024
Week of September 30, 2024
Week of September 23, 2024
Week of September 16, 2024
Week of September 9, 2024
Week of September 2, 2024
Week of August 26, 2024
Heidi Rienstra

Masters, Integrative Biology
I'm Heidi Rienstra and I’ve been teaching science for 15 years, primarily at the high school level. This is my second year teaching 8th-grade science at Lincoln Academy, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this community—not only as a teacher but also as a parent of two Lincoln students.
I earned a double Bachelor's degree in Biology and Secondary Education and later completed my Master’s degree in Integrative Biology from the University of Colorado, Denver. I have a deep passion for teaching science and love helping students discover the excitement and wonder it has to offer. I look forward to another great year of learning and exploration with our 8th graders!
Math - Mrs. Nash
Classes - Please check Google Classroom for the assignments
Geometry
Google Classroom Code: yqey2txx
Resource
Weekly Schedule
Algebra I
Google Classroom code: 2azpbyzl
Weekly Schedule
Course 3
Google Classroom code:
Period 3: gpmhp4br
Period 4: lgwwwlf7
Weekly Schedule
Asami Nash
I am very excited about teaching middle school math again at this wonderful Lincoln Academy. This is my 5th year to be a math teacher at Lincon. I love how supportive and kind the community at Lincoln.
I was born and grew up in Japan. I moved to the United States to go to college. I graduated from Western Wyoming Community College with AA and AS in 1999, and from University of Utah with BS in Secondary Math Education Major and Psychology minor in 2002. I taught in Wyoming for 4 years till I had my son. Since my son started Lincoln Academy as a first grader, I have been volunteering in classrooms and I fell in love with Lincoln Academy. I have also been teaching Japanese language as a heritage language for the last 11 years on Saturdays.
I love doing puzzles, sewing, crocheting, knitting, baking, and gardening (but I do not like bugs). I enjoy spending time with my family and pet, such as camping and visiting new places. One of these days I would love to go to Australia to hug a koala!
I cannot wait to have a lot of math talks with students this year!
Tech
Marty Nishida

Masters, Instructional Technology, Fort Hays State University
Mr. Nishida is entering his 20th year at Lincoln Academy, and he is once again excited to be teaching technology to 7th and 8th graders and developing their communication skills through media. Mr. Nishida received his bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems from Colorado State University way back in 1987 and has over 13 years of experience in the IT industry. Mr. Nishida also holds a Master's Degree in Instructional Technology from Fort Hays State University. Mr. Nishida loves to play and watch sports, but his passion is spending time with his family and "close" friends, and will never pass up a game of Pickleball!
History
This Week in History...
Week of November 17, 2025
11/17/25 (Monday)
Complete the Cuban Missile Crisis activity and begin presenting Presidential Speeches
11/19/25 (Wednesday)
Finish Presidential Speeches
M13:L1 > Kennedy Confronts Communism → Notes → Pick up at “Cuban Missile Crisis”
JFK'S "CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS" SPEECH (10/22/62) (COMPLETE AND UNCUT)
M13:L1 > Race to the Moon
Apollo 11: One Small Step on the Moon for All Mankind
11/21/25 (Friday)
M13:L1 > Conflict in Vietnam (stop at “American Involvement”)
Battle of Dien Bien Phu Vietnam and the Fall of French Indochina
“Tree Map” foldable (11x17 paper) in spiral for notes during Vietnam Unit → Categories: France & Vietnam, North and South
In the Past...
- Week of November 10, 2025
- Week of November 3, 2025
- Week of October 27, 2025
- Week of October 20, 2025
Week of November 10, 2025
11/11/25 (Tuesday)
M13:L1 > Kennedy Confronts Communism → Notes → Stop at “Cuban Missile Crisis”
ACTIVITY: The Cuban Missile Crisis: It’s Your Class!
Today: Task 1 & 2 → CIA briefing, map, assign roles and do Pro/Cons
→ Students use the CIA briefing, maps and options as they navigate their role (President, VP, Sec. of Defense, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff) and decide on the best course of action.
→ Students will write a “Speech to the Nation” in a presidential tone to a weary and frightened nation.
11/13/25 (Thursday)
Clips of presidential speeches to understand the tone:
John F. Kennedy - "Ich Bin Ein Berliner" Speech
President George W. Bush’s full address announcing first U.S. strikes in Afghanistan - Oct. 7, 2001
President Obama on Death of Osama bin Laden
ACTIVITY: The Cuban Missile Crisis: It’s Your Class!
Today: Tasks 3 - 6 → Prioritize, Justify, and Decide/Write Speech
Week of November 3, 2025
11/03/25 (Monday)
Review for the Test using the STUDY GUIDE and blooket
Assignment: Work on Planning Page for Written Response portion of the test - due Friday (11/07/25)
8th Grade Study Lab During ASH:
Tues. 11/04 - Study Guide & Study Tools Prep
Wed. 11/05 - Study Guide & Study Tools Prep & Written Response Prep
Thurs. 11/06 - Study Guide & Study Tools Prep & Written Response Prep
11/05/25 (Wednesday)
8th Grade Field Trip to AWest
11/07/25 (Friday)
Module 12 (Cold War) Test
Week of October 27, 2025
10/28/25 (Tuesday)
Finish Video: Inside North Korea
M12:L3 > America’s Economy in the 1950s
Notes: The Postwar Economy (A Nation on the Move → Growth of Consumer Credit)
Little Boxes - Malvina Reynolds [Claymation]
10/30/25 (Thursday)
M12:L3 > American Pop Culture
"The Founder": A fast-food story
The Mood of the 1950s (Slides)
M12:L3 > Social Critics
Module 12 Test - Friday (10/07/25)
8th Grade Study Lab During ASH:
Thurs. 10/30 - Study Guide & Study Tools Prep
Tues. 11/04 - Study Guide & Study Tools Prep
Wed. 11/05 - Study Guide & Study Tools Prep & Written Response Prep
Thurs. 11/06 - Study Guide & Study Tools Prep & Written Response Prep
Week of October 20, 2025
10/20/25 (Monday)
M12: L2 > The Korean War
How the Kim Dynasty Took Over North Korea | History
The Korean War: 5 Things to Know
Korean War - Additional Notes for M12L2 → effects of the Korean War and what North Korea is like today (slides 5 - 11)
10/22/25 (Wednesday)
M12: L2 > Eisenhower and the Cold War
Nuclear Bomb Dropped on Village - 1950s Test
Duck and Cover - Full Version - 1951
Here's Why the Suez Crisis Almost Led to Nuclear War | History
Notes: The Postwar Economy → Slides about Nuclear power and computers
10/24/25 (Friday)
M12:L2 QUIZ
Video: Inside North Korea (start)
Emily Hall

Master of Arts, Curriculum and Instructional Design, Colorado State University
Emily Hall graduated with a degree in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2003, and graduated in May 2008 from Colorado Christian University with a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instructional Design. This is Mrs. Hall’s 22nd year at Lincoln Academy and she is very excited to continue teaching History in the 7th and 8th grades. Mrs. Hall delights in traveling around the USA and the world. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their two children. Mrs. Hall loves to read, attend musical theater, cook, and study history. She looks forward to sharing these passions with middle school this year.

