9/29/17
TGIF…Twin Groves it’s Friday! There are so many exciting things happening at Twin Groves! See below for a peek inside of the classrooms.
Exploratory Class-Music
The year has begun and we started right away with our creativity flowing throughout the music class. Right off the bat, all grades started singing--the best way to start a music class!
6th Grade jumped right into a songwriting project matching lyrics to a melody focusing on rhyming, rhythm and phrasing. We then moved to using the iPad for an introduction to melody and composition unit. We will soon shift to introducing the guitar.
7th Grade and 8th Grade jumped right into the guitar unit. Learning to read TAB, so they could play melodies, and then shift to chord structures. Both grades will be working on composition in melody and accompanying.
In the weeks to come, we will be playing keyboards and guitars. We will also be creating an “iPad band”, study of rock music and world music, as well as several other projects.
Chorus has started as well! Anyone interested in participating, it’s not too late! See Ms. Bussert if you are still interested. Rehearsals are Wednesday 2:30pm-3:15pm. We are currently working on learning music for our Winter Concert which will be in November.
The fall play “Just Like Us” is underway. We are working hard on developing our characters for our production. Our performance is Wednesday, November 1st at 7:00 p.m. We hope to have you join us as we focus on accepting one another and understanding tolerance of those who might be different than us. See you there!
6th Grade
Wow, it’s hard to believe it is already October and we are nearing midterm of trimester 1! Students are settling in nicely to their new schedules, new teachers, and new school.
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.
Science
Students have started working on the Ecology unit. We are learning about what factors can affect a population and a community. We will be completing a number of lab activities to simulate animal interactions with other animals and how people can influence a population of animals as well. We also will be working on a STEM challenge creating a trap to capture a 3D printed animal!
Social Studies
In our social studies classes, students have begun to investigate our world through the lens of geography. By looking at the different themes of geography, students have been able to see that it is more than simply looking at a series of maps! We will continue to focus on helping students develop an understanding of why we live in certain places, how we interact with our environment, and how we continue to become more connected with the world around us. Students will be using these skills as we begin to discover the origins of the first human civilizations.
Math
The students have been working really hard and transitioning well to middle school math. Pre-Algebra students have just finished their unit on ratios, and are starting the new unit on rational numbers. Pre-Algebra Survey students will have their unit test on the ratio unit in a few weeks, and then continue on to rational numbers as well.
At curriculum night, we talked about encouraging the students to persevere on their homework. Thank you so much for your support at home on this! This month we’d like to focus on another math practice standard: modeling with mathematics (showing work in different ways). Part of being a mathematician includes being able to approach a problem in several different ways. In class, we often teach several strategies that can be used to solve problems. It is very challenging to be able to understand and use different representations and models in math, and it is a skill we will continue to work on all 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.
Mrs. Alland’s website: tinyurl.com/mrsalland
Mrs. Didech’s website: tinyurl.com/mrsdidech
Language Arts
6th grade LA
Students in LA are continuing to work on reading literature closely to analyze how elements of the story develop throughout the text. Students are making good growth, but most are still developing their skills and have not yet developed mastery of this target. As long as students are making growth, there is no cause for concern. A first stab at a new target may yield a 1 or 1.5, but a second or third score in the same range would suggest that the student needs additional help to master the concept. We are calling groups in during FLEX to address issues students are having, and it seems to be helping greatly. We’ve noticed improvement already! Students are also welcome to come in after school on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays if they make an appointment with us ahead of time. This is a good practice for any subject where your student is struggling greatly. 2’s and 2.5’s at this time in the year are pretty common.
Reading assessment is ongoing and classroom based throughout the trimester, so continue to watch for growth in Literacy grades during Cycle 2. Soon we will be adding new grades for analytic and narrative writing. Check TeacherEase to see your child’s progress. Remember, we are looking for overall growth!
*Please be advised that appropriate text-complexity, not the targets, is what will differentiate 6th grade Language Arts and Advanced Language Arts. The targets are the same regardless of level.
7th Grade
LA/Advanced LA:
The language arts and advanced language arts classes have been hard at work discussing the literary elements (plot development, characterization, dialogue, theme) authors use in their writing to craft stories. Our focus has been on formulating central idea and thematic statements. As we move forward connecting informational and literary texts, we will be using these elements to develop a narrative story.
SS:
7th grade SS has been examining the development of the British 13 colonies in North America into three separate and distinct regions of New England, Middle, and Southern. Each region features specific economic, geographical, and weather/climate characteristics that will enable each region to grow and prosper. Moving to the west, conflicts begin to occur over land possession. This will anger “Mother Britain” and she will come down hard on the colonists driving a wedge between the Patriots and the Loyalists leading to a bloody Revolution and eventually the United States of America. As always, we examine a variety of primary and secondary sources using inquiry, questioning, and source evaluation.
Math:
Bridge to Algebra 1 - In Bridge to Algebra 1, we are wrapping up our first unit on equations and inequalities and are starting to think about our second unit on functions. This will be a quick unit, but we will explore different representations of functions and a lot of “real-life” contexts in which they are represented!
Algebra 1 - In Algebra 1, we have been exploring the various ways in which a function can be represented, as well as the three different equation forms that are used to represent linear functions. We will continue to use this knowledge to look at different contexts in which each equation is used and later learn about piecewise functions as well!
Science:
7th grade science is creating scale models to help us visualize the enormous size and distances of celestial bodies in the solar system. From there we will focus in on the relationship the Sun, Earth, and moon have with one another to create seasons, eclipses and moon phases as seen from Earth.
LA
In Language Arts and Advanced Language Arts we have been getting creative with our narrative stories! We have been working on crafting stories full of detail, dialogue, and exciting events. We have also been reading short stories and writing and discussing strong thematic statements. Determining the central idea of an informational text is something we will review and revisit in the upcoming months. Both classes will also begin a novel in October. Language Arts will read The Giver while Advanced Language Arts will read A Separate Peace.
Science
In Science we have been looking at the different wind patterns and how they affect the weather. We will be diving deep into looking at natural disasters. Students will be assigned one catastrophic event and will be asked to research that information. They will then present their findings to the class.
Social Studies
In Social Studies, we have been continuing our exploration of the United States at the turn of the 20th century. While reform for immigrants workers, women and African Americans will continue to be topics we address, we have shifted our view more globally, focused on U.S. imperialism. We will examine the ideological shift that lead to us entering World War 1 and ultimately emerging as a world power.
Bridge to Algebra 1
In Bridge to Algebra 1, we recently finished our first unit on Solving Linear Equations. We have been working really hard to gain understanding on solving linear equations, literal equations, and mastering our operations with rational numbers. Now we are starting unit 2: Functions. This is a fairly short unit, less than two weeks. We will be exploring what it means to be a function and comparing and analyzing different representations of functions.
Algebra 1
In Algebra 1, we are wrapping up our second unit on Graphing and Writing Equations of Lines. We will finish the unit learning about piecewise functions and then doing some interactive review activities prior to the benchmark. Please make sure that students have a TI-84 Plus graphing calculator they are bringing with them to class daily.
Algebra 2
In Algebra 2, we are onto our second unit: Polynomial Functions. We will be exploring ten different learning targets in this unit. The students will be discovering their understanding of some of the learning targets by using their TI-84+ graphing calculators. Please make sure that students have a TI-84 Plus graphing calculator they are bringing with them to class daily.
The SLC
The Structured Learning Classroom ( SLC ) is off and running! Students in the SLC thrive in well-organized, highly structured environments. Our structured environments are those environments that promote a clear understanding of the schedules, activities, and expectations for both the students, staff and families .The SLC classroom is an environment that allow students to: understand and predict what is happening in their environments; predict the expectations of an environment; acquire new skills; and generalize learned skills from one setting to another.
Direct instruction in math, reading decoding, reading comprehension, written expression and language/thinking skills are individualized to meet each students’ needs.We are almost finished with our first science unit, the Solar System. Our focus is on informational literacy targets, used within the Science and Social Studies Units. Once we have completed the science unit, we will move into our first social studies unit, The Thirteen Colonies.
The targets are:
- 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.
Along with academics, the SLC implements social and organizational skills along with encouraging independence throughout the school day. Homework is typically assigned daily and returned the following day, unless otherwise noted. Please encourage your child to have and follow an after school routine at home. This will make homework time more enjoyable for everyone!
Below is an example of an after school schedule:
- snack/ break ( 15-30 min.)
- empty backpack
- check assignment notebook
- take out homework
- go to homework area - begin homework - (15-20 min.)
- BREAK ( 5-7min)
- return to homework - (15-20 min)
- BREAK
- repeat cycle until homework is complete
We are all off to great start and looking are looking forward to a great year ahead!
ILC
We're finishing up on our unit on the solar system. Ask your child about the many cycles that take place in our magnificent galaxy! They can tell you all about how the positions of Earth, the sun and the moon create day and night, the seasons and the phases of the moon. The students are very enthusiastic about this content and working hard to master the informational literacy targets attached to this unit.
In Math, we've set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, time-bound) goals. Each student has identified a specific math goal to work towards. We've created plans for how to obtain these goals, and the students have been working hard to make it happen! Many of the students added a home component to their goal plan, so please be sure to ask your child what he/she plans to do at home to reach his/her goal.
We'll be setting goals for Language Arts and Guided Reading next!
Sean B 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
The Catalyst group is sponsoring the upcoming Sean B 3 on 3 basketball tournament. The tournament will take place on Sunday, October 22nd in the Stevenson High School Sports Center. Registration will be run through Stevenson High School this year. This event is in honor of Sean Bardos, a former SHS graduate who died from a prescription drug overdose two years ago. The money is used to fund prescription drug education and prevention in our community.
Please use this link to donate or register a team: https://stevenson.revtrak.net/Donations-Fundraising/SeanB-3on3-Tournament/#/list.
Electronic Cigarette Fact Sheet- Spreading Awareness
The Catalyst group and Stand Strong has started planning for Red Ribbon Week. They are speading awareness during Red Ribbon Week in October. Please see the E-Cigarette Fact Sheet for more information.
Charity for the Year
This year's Charity that Twin Groves will be raising money for is the American Red Cross. The Red Cross provides vital support to those in need after a natural disaster, helps our military members, and provides lifesaving blood drives in our country. The Red Cross responds to an emergency every 8 minutes and needs our support to continue their mission of helping others.
In the wake of Hurricanes, Harvey, Irma, and Maria along with the earthquakes in Central Mexico, and the wildfires out west we can help out our global community by donating this school year. We will be having 3 charity drives this year, spirit days, auctions, and much more. Our goal is to reach $6,000 for this school year. To date we have already donated $1545.00.
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.