1/12/18
TGIF…Twin Groves it’s Friday!
Happy New Year!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Winter Break and a Happy and Healthy New Year! I enjoyed the break with a wonderful family vacation to Mexico. Don’t worry...we made it back for the ridiculously freezing temperatures!
Just a reminder...there is no school on Monday, January 15th. School will resume on Tuesday, January 16th.
What’s happening in the 8th Grade?
LA
In eighth grade Language Arts and Advanced Language Arts we are digging into argument writing. Students are reading a number of informational texts about a debatable topic, selecting a side, and supporting their claims with effectively analyzed text evidence. For our Literature targets, we are reading short stories and poems to look closely at how authors use specific writing techniques to make their work come alive. We will also analyze how pieces of modern fiction address themes similar to those in famous literary works.
Advanced LA -Same as above-
Science
In 8th grade Science, students are learning about natural and artificial selection. We will be investigating superbugs, the current dilemma of antibiotic resistant bacteria faced by many hospitals. Students will also begin to look at genetically modified organisms as we investigate ways humans can impact the inheritance of desired traits.
Social Studies
In eighth grade Social Studies, students are learning about life after World War II. Tension between the United States and the Soviet Union was high as both countries tried to hold onto their Super Power status and the Cold War began. New technology will bring about positive and negative changes within the United States and for the world. Students will discover the causes of the Cold War, investigate the Forgotten War, explore the impact of the Red Scare, and decide whether they would have dodged the draft during the Vietnam War.
Bridge to Algebra 1
In Bridge to Algebra 1, we finished our unit on Simultaneous Linear Functions before winter break. This was a challenging unit and it was great to see so many students master the learning targets! To start the new year, we are beginning our unit on Congruence and Similarity. Students will be learning about congruent figures, translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations.
Algebra 1
In Algebra 1, we finished Unit 5: Transformations and Nonlinear Function Notation prior to winter break and we are starting off the new year in Unit 6: Exponential Functions and Equations. Students will be learning all about the properties of exponents, radical and rational exponents, and solving exponential functions.
Algebra 2
In Algebra 2, we will be starting off the new year with our Exponential Functions and Equations unit. The students will apply their knowledge from Algebra 1 to take it a step further into our Algebra 2 unit on exponential functions. The students will explore exponential growth and decay models, compound and continuous interest, and solving exponential functions.
What's happening in the ILC?
We talk a lot about remediation of skills in the ILC. If a student has not mastered a basic skill, it is difficult to teach content at a more complex level. Students in the ILC must remediate misunderstandings when they happen. Many times, this can lead to frustration for our learners. It's important, however, that the students understand the rationale behind why we must often relearn material in class.
In Science, students have been exploring the differences between plants and animal cells. We plan to create our own edible cell in class, and students will be working on a creative home project to design a cell. While this unit is certainly entertaining, it's very heavy in new vocabulary. Please encourage your child to study his/her words at home.
Stevenson High School Project Lead the Way Visits 8th Grade Science- January 16th
During all 8th grade Science classes on Tuesday, January 16th, the 8th graders will be treated to a wonderful presentation by Stevenson Project Lead the Way teachers from Stevenson. This will give the 8th graders the opportunity to see the different course offerings in the area of Engineering and Architecture and Media Arts and Technology Education.
Stevenson High School Fine Arts Tour- Jnauary 19th
On Friday, January 19th, the 8th graders will be treated to wonderful performances by the Stevenson Fine Arts Department. This will give the 8th graders the opportunity to see the different course offerings and clubs available through the Fine Arts Department.
Youth Art Calendar
Please check out the link below for a Twin Groves’ Artist’s work.
Twin Groves' Artist's work featured in 2018 YouthArt Calendar.
Simplifying Stevenson Program is Jan. 22
Simplifying Stevenson is a Q&A program for parents of current Grade 8 students. The purpose of this popular program is to give parents the opportunity to ask Stevenson students (District 96 alumni!)–seniors and freshmen and SHS Principal Troy Gobble–questions about how SHS students choose their classes and extracurricular activities, make summer school decisions, make the transition from middle school, balance the workload, and more. No preregistration/RSVP is needed and all interested adults are welcome. Monday January 22nd, Twin Groves Middle School Learning Center, 2600 N. Buffalo Grove Rd., BG, 7:00–8:30 p.m. (Arrive late/leave early as your schedule requires). Bring your questions! Need more info? Call 847.459.4260, ext. 8022.
Community Informational Meeting: Solar Energy in KCSD96
On Tuesday, January 23rd, Kildeer Countryside School District 96 administrators and their consultants will host an informational meeting for the community about the solar energy installation to occur on the Country Meadows/Woodlawn campus this year. The purpose of the meeting is to present the project and to inform about the District's decision to move to an alternate energy source for this campus. The community is welcome to attend this meeting on January 23rd at 7:00 p.m. in the Woodlawn Middle School Learning Center, 6362 Gilmer Rd., Long Grove. Please call 847.459.4260 with questions.
Flu Season is here….
Please see below for reminders about the District 96 general health procedures.
Children with temperatures of 100 degrees or above, sneezing or runny noses, sore or irritated eyes or throat, or severe abdominal cramps should not be in school. A child with a temperature of 100 degrees or more should stay home for 24 hours after his or her temperature returns to normal without the use of fever-reducing medications. Parents should notify the school whenever there is confirmation of a communicable or contagious illness of any sort.
A doctor's note stating that the child may return to school is needed when a child has been absent from school for five or more consecutive days.
Band & Orchestra Boosters
Please click the BLOG to access the latest news from the Band & Orchestra Boosters.
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.