9/1/17
TGIF…Twin Groves it’s Friday! It was so nice to see everyone at our 6th and 7th/8th Grade Curriculum Nights. I hope everyone enjoys the three-day weekend! See you on Tuesday, September 5th.
What's Happening at TG?
6th Grade
Welcome to Twin Groves...we’re so glad you’re here! Thank you to all of the parents who came out to curriculum night. If at anytime you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact any one of the teachers. The sixth grade teacher teams include Mrs. Cathy Alland, Mrs. Jen Didech, Mr. Adam Greenberg, Mrs. Kristen Linnenburger, Mrs. Jacki McMullen, Mrs. Lisa Ruff, Mrs. Chanelle Savich, Mrs. Kristen Vileta, and Mr. Jeff Williams.
Math
Welcome to 6th grade math! In both math levels, we are starting with a unit on ratios and proportions. The students will learn how to describe ratio relationships, solve problems, and work with percents. Mrs. Alland and Mrs. Didech are more than willing to work with students if they are not confident that they understand any of the lessons studied in class. So far, the students are doing great and we are excited to get to know them this year!
Students in Pre-Algebra Survey now have access to Dreambox (there are two apps they need -- DreamBox Blue and DreamBox Green). Data suggests that completing 8 lessons of Dreambox per week could result in a 10 percentile increase in students’ math achievement levels by year-end. This program is designed to improve confidence and close gaps using games that are fun and engaging. Students also have opportunities for extensions through the DreamBox apps. Please encourage students to complete their DreamBox assignments each week.
Pre-Algebra has access to Knowre. This tool covers topics in line with the 7th and 8th grade Common Core Curriculum which the Pre-Algebra kids are covering this year. This program is designed to develop critical thinking skills. Each class will have expectations for completing lessons in Knowre each week, and students are welcome to work ahead and extend their learning.
Language Arts
Students have been working on making inferences and finding the central idea of informational texts, videos and photos for the past two weeks, and now we are heading into a unit examining literature and finding a theme. The books and other resources we are concentrating on address the essential questions “What are our responsibilities toward others?” and “How should we treat other people?” We find these are always good topics to consider as students begin their middle school careers.
By now, grades are starting to be entered into TeacherEase, and homework assignments have been posted on Schoology since the beginning of the school year. Please make it a habit to check on your student’s progress using both of these systems. Getting started with good study skills will be a valuable life skill for your student.
*Please be advised that appropriate text-complexity, not the targets, differentiates 6th grade Language Arts from Advanced Language Arts. The targets are the same regardless of level.
Science
In science classes students are beginning to explore the wonderful world of science. We discussed safety in the science classroom. We’ve also done some activities measuring length, volume, and mass. Students worked on activities including “Color Challenge” and “Mix and Match Mass.” Students will be introduced to scientific bar and line graphs. We will then begin the Environmental Geoscience unit which include studying predator/prey relationships and the various components of an ecosystem.
Social Studies
In social studies classes students are starting their journey by “digging” up the past through the world of archaeology and anthropology. We’ll learn how to analyze artifacts and fossils and better understand how these incredible primary sources can help us uncover history during prehistoric times. Students will also begin to understand the inquiry process that we’ll use throughout the entire school year in social studies, which will challenge them to ask and answer essential questions through research and exploration.
7th Grade
LA and Advanced LA:The 7th grade language arts classes are off to a wonderful start! During the first weeks of school, we spent some time getting to know each other and building classroom communities. We are finishing initial instruction on determining and supporting a central idea. Next we will delve into short stories and poems, while discussing the literary elements authors use in their writing. Our focus will be crafting thematic statements and using these statements to develop a narrative story.
SS:
Social Studies follows an inquiry-based format of teaching and learning. We dig into a variety of primary and secondary sources to analyze the early history of what will become the United States. We look at Essential Questions and Focusing Questions. These questions help guide our learning and work. How fun is it to be encouraged to be curious about history? Eventually, we will hone in on growing colonial tensions on the road to revolution. Some of our current questions include: Was America the land of opportunity, and, what were the challenges of colonization?
Math:
Algebra 1 - The Algebra 1 students hit the ground running! They are working on unit 1 including equations, inequalities and compound inequalities. We also got to take a look at inverse functions and how to find the inverse of a function including how to check to see if your answer was correct.
Bridge to Algebra 1 - We began the year by reviewing operations with rational numbers. Proficiency at these skills are a must when learning how to solve multi-step equations and inequalities (the unit we just started). Attending to precision the mathematical practice standard we are focusing on this unit!
Science: In 7th grade science we started out the year reviewing the scientific method while trying to distinguish the stickiness of tape. Next, we will be starting out Unit 1: Earth with in the Universe by studying light and sounds waves to help engineer a speaker to project the loudest sounds.
8th Grade
LA and Advanced LA
Right now in Language Arts and Advanced Language Arts we are brushing up on our close reading and inferential skills to make up for the lost summer months. With our informational texts we are focusing on determining the central idea of the piece and finding supporting evidence. We are reading short stories to practice determining the theme of a story and analyzing how different plot elements contribute to that message. In addition to analyzing fiction and nonfiction texts, we are practicing our narrative writing skills with engaging classroom prompts and activities.
Science
In science, students are starting the year by investigating causes of local and global weather patterns. Highlights from the unit will include watching convection currents in action under different temperature and humidity conditions and reminiscing on beach vacations as we observe sand and water heating at different rates.
Social Studies
In social studies, students have explored the geography of the United States, political parties, and characteristics of a capitalist society. Our first inquiry investigation will answer the question, “Did the American Dream Come True for Immigrants at the start of the 20th Century?”. Students will research reasons why immigrants came and the conditions that they experienced once they arrived in order to complete their inquiry.
Bridge to Algebra 1
In Bridge to Algebra 1, we started the year with a transitional unit to help review Order of Operations and Rational Numbers. We will then begin Unit 01: Solving Linear Equations. Students will have to master identifying linear equations with one solution, infinitely many solutions, and no solutions, and solving linear equations with rational number coefficients demonstrating the distributive property and collecting of like terms. Students should be bringing a scientific calculator with them to class daily and completing homework assignments.
Algebra 1
Algebra 1 began the year by jumping right into Unit 01: Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities. Students will have to create equations and inequalities to represent different relationships to then solve and interpret the solution. They will also learn about literal equations and finding inverse functions. Lastly, students will master solving two linear inequalities and represent the solutions graphically. Please make sure that students have a TI-84 Plus graphing calculator they are bringing with them to class daily.
Algebra 2
Algebra 2 began the year by jumping into Unit 01: Quadratic Relations and Equations. It started with great review and will begin getting more and more challenging as the unit progresses. Students will need to apply and describe transformations from one function to another, graph quadratic functions, and apply graphical, tabular, and algebraic relationships between a function and its inverse. Please make sure that students have a TI-84 Plus graphing calculator they are bringing with them to class daily.
ILC
The ILC (Individualized Learning Community) is a classroom that provides targeted direct instruction to students in the following academic areas: reading decoding, written expression, mathematics, thinking comprehension and reading comprehension. Please email me or see TeacherEase to learn about targets individualized to your child's learning levels in each of these areas.
We've begun our year with a Social Studies unit on ancient Egypt. The students have learned all about Howard Carter's famous discovery of King Tut's tomb. We'll be focusing on many informational literacy targets this year through the lenses of Social Studies and Science:
- I can explain the meaning of identified words within a text.
- I can use information from both the text and a visual to answer a specific question.
- I can identify the author’s purpose.
- I can summarize the text.
- I can compare/contrast two pieces of information.
- I can identify the main idea of the text and cite specific text evidence to support that.
Finally, thank you for all your well wishes to our family during this special time with our new baby, Max. We are blessed (and exhausted)!
SLC
WELCOME to our new SLC families and WELCOME BACK to our returning families! I hope everyone had a great, yet relaxing summer vacation! I’m sure the kids were ready to get back to school! We’ve only been back for 2 weeks, but have been extremely busy! From adjusting to the new schedules including “A” and “B” days, remembering locker combinations, taking the MAP assessments, to exploring our new classroom (room 245) which is filled with the 3 large screen TVs, a Mimio board and all new furniture! I have to say, our room looks exceptional ! I look forward to embracing this technology and implementing it in my daily teaching to engage students in learning through multi-media exposure. They already LOVE the big screens and haven’t once asked to watch a movie……yet! iPADs will be used on a daily basis as well, so please remind your child to charge their iPAD nightly so it is ready and available everyday. We follow a very detailed and structured schedule all day, so a healthy snack will help keep their brains and bodies energized throughout the day. Feel free to send a snack from the Safe Snack list with your child daily. They will have the opportunity to enjoy their snack either in the morning before lunch, or later in the afternoon.
I look forward to a very successful year in the SLC!
TG Showing Their Support
In the wake of recent events in Texas and Louisiana with Hurricane Harvey, Twin Groves' Colts Council will be running a charity drive all next week, September 5th through the 8th, to raise money for the American Red Cross in Texas. The Colt's Council would love for students and staff to donate $0.50 to $2.00. More is always welcome! All donations will be collected in either in Mr. Leven's room 201 or Mrs. Howard's room 122. People of South Texas have lost everything. They have no food, water, homes, cellphones, cars, and clothes. Let's think globally and be the responsible citizens of Buffalo Groves to help out our country. We are Twin Groves... We are Responsible, Accountable, Respectful, Safe and a Community!
Fall Play at Twin Groves- Just Like Us
The play, Just Like Us, teaches us a critical lesson about prejudice in a simplistic manner. The story is told by an old tree, who stands neglected in a park. On one side of the park live the poetry loving Greens. On the other side of the park the Blues reside, where they enjoy playing musical instruments. Sadly, there is nothing but intolerance, fear and hatred between the Greens and the Blues. Why? No one quite remembers, but these ingrained feelings diminish the quality of everybody’s lives, including the poor tree, who is left abandoned in the middle. When a storm brings the aqua and purple Allina to the park, both the Greens and the Blues learn some eye-opening lessons about each other and about life.
Auditions are scheduled for Monday, September 11th 2:30-4:00. Please come out if you are interested!
ALL IN GOOD FUN...
District 96 students attending Buffalo Grove Days this weekend will have an opportunity to dunk Officer Paul from 2–3 p.m. at the Buffalo Grove Police Tent (near the Food Tent entrance). Our school resource officer invites all to find him at the dunk tank, but warns he will be taunting the throwers–all in good fun, of course!
Catalyst and Stand Strong Present…”Not My Kid”
"Not My Kid" will take place next week on Wednesday, September 6th at 7:00 PM at SHS. The event will feature a group of experts who will provide tips to parents on raising alcohol and drug-free kids.
Moderated by Bruce Johnson, Executive Director of Nicasa Behavioral Health
Dr. Cristina Cortesi, LCSW, CADC, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, Stevenson High School
Troy Gobble, Principal of Stevenson High School
Claudia Kasten, Chief of the Juvenile Division, Lake County State's Attorney's Office
Dr. Adam Rubenstein, MD, SC - Addiction Specialist, Advocate Condell Medical Center
Officer Rick Coakley – Stevenson High School Resource Officer, Lincolnshire Police Dept.
Luisa Dahlstedt - Current Stevenson High School Student and Catalyst Co-director
Sarah Comm - Stevenson High School alumni in recovery
This event is appropriate for parents of 7th - 12th grade students.
Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Stevenson High School, WEST Auditorium, Parking Lot B
The event is FREE, but please register here for planning purposes.
Human Growth Letter
Please see below for the Human Growth Letter that was passed out during Curriculum Night on 8/28 and 8/29.
Dear Parent/Guardian,
District 96 provides a comprehensive health curriculum that addresses an individual’s physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being. Within these broad categories, health teachers cover the topics of body systems, fitness and nutrition, illness prevention, first aid, personal safety, consumer health, bullying prevention, and decision-making.
Illinois state law also requires all school districts with a comprehensive health curriculum to provide instruction on specific health topics including cancer education, AIDS education and prevention, human growth and development, sexual abstinence until marriage, contraception, dating violence, sexual abuse prevention, Erin’s Law, and the Abandoned Newborn Protection Act. In compliance with these state mandates, your child’s health teachers will address these specific topics by the end of eighth grade. The health curriculum is designed to introduce topics at the most age appropriate time. Please visit http://www.kcsd96.org/curriculum/pacing-guides-middle-school for information on both general and specific health topics by grade level.
District 96 recognizes that parents hold the primary responsibility for their child’s education. As parents, you may elect to excuse your child from instruction on any health topic. If you choose this option, please submit a request, in writing, to the building principal, asking that your child be excused from class during the specific period of instruction.
Please note that parents may also arrange to preview instructional materials by contacting their school office. If you have any questions, you may contact Rachel Peters, Health teacher at Woodlawn Middle School, at (847) 353-8500; or Ben Leven, Health teacher at Twin Groves Middle School at (847) 821-8946.
We hope you will find this information helpful as we begin a new school year.
Sincerely,
KCSD96 Text Message Opt-In Process
District 96 uses the School Messenger system to communicate with our parent community by email and–in some instances–also by text message and/or phone call.
If you would like to receive text messages from School District 96 when the subject and nature of the communication warrant our sending them (to advise you of a late-returning bus, for example), it’s necessary for you first to have sent a text message of Y or YES to this District 96 short code number: 67587. Or, if you prefer, use your mobile phone to scan the QR code in this School Messenger FLYER (English & Spanish) and send your Y or YES reply.
To opt out of our text messages, simply reply STOP to any text message District 96 sends you.
Please be advised that standard message and data rates for text messaging may apply, depending on your mobile carrier and plan.
Newcomer Night
Has your family recently moved to the United States or are you and your student(s) new to this area? On September 13, at 7 p.m., parents of registered students in Kindergarten–Grade 8 are invited to Woodlawn Middle School, 6362 Gilmer Rd., Long Grove, for a program to welcome you to our community and introduce you to our District 96 culture. Learn about and understand our home-school connection, classroom dynamics, patterns of communication to expect from our teachers and administrators, and more. Ask questions and help us understand how we can best support you as newcomers acclimating to the culture of a new school district, neighborhood, and community. While all interested parents are welcome, please note that the focus of this evening is not specifically curricular and general procedural information, which will be shared with all District 96 parents on their students’ designated grade-level Curriculum Nights. Rather, this is an informational opportunity for parents who–like their students–are experiencing our social customs and practices for teaching and learning for the first time. If you have question please contact Director of Language and Early Literacy Katie Sheridan at - [email protected]
Daily Announcements
Please see Twin Groves website for up to date school announcements. The announcements let you know what exciting activities and clubs are going on at Twin Groves. Please click HERE to access the Daily Announcements.
PTO
Please click HERE to access the PTO blog for more information.