3/16/18
TGIF…Twin Groves it’s Friday!
What’s Happening at TG?
8th Grade
LA
In Language Arts and Advanced Language Arts we recently finished digging into some Edgar Allan Poe and Roald Dahl short stories to analyze how authors create villainy and suspense in their work. We are now looking closely at how non-fiction writers can disagree in terms of fact or interpretation when it comes to covering the same topic. We will do so by analyzing articles, websites, and a documentary.
Advanced LA
See Above
Science
Students are investing the impact humans have on the environment, known as the human footprint. We will be studying water pollution to examine human impact on the planet. We will test tap water at Twin to check for levels of hardness, chlorine, iron, copper, and pH. Students will also design and test filtration systems to filter fresh water collected in the community and run tests to determine concentrations of common pollutants.
Social Studies
In Social Studies students are finishing their exploration of the Black Civil Rights Movement that started in the 1950s. They have learned about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his nonviolent approach, Malcolm X and the Black Muslims, and the Black Panther Party. As a final project for the unit, students will choose an additional group that has fought for equality since the 1950s and conduct their own inquiry.
Bridge to Algebra 1
Students are in the middle of our Radical, Irrational, and Pythagorean Theorem unit. We will be learning how to take the square and cube root of numbers, how to classify numbers, and the Pythagorean Theorem and Distance Formula. At the end of the unit we will be applying what we have learned in to different projects.
Algebra 1
Students are finishing up Quadratic Functions and Polynomial Expressions. This was a challenging and long unit with a lot of learning targets to master. Students learned how to add,subtract, and multiply polynomials, factoring, and graphing quadratics in all 3 forms (standard, vertex, and intercept). Next unit, we will be focusing on solving Quadratic Equations.
Algebra 2
Students are finishing up Statistics where we learned about normal distribution, samples, simulations, margin of error and z-scores. Next unit is focusing on the Unit Circle and Trigonometry. It is very important for students to study their unit circle throughout the unit.
Wellness
During the month of April, the students will be involved in an elective program. The students will have a choice of three different activities to choose from. This allows the students to participate in a activity that they have more interest in, which will increase participation. With weather permitting, we will turn our fitness focus back to Cardiovascular endurance. During this time we will do cardio days twice a week. The students should be prepared to go outside so they need to keep sweatshirts in their lockers.
From the Visual Arts
It’s Art Show Time!
The Stevenson High School 39th Annual Art Consortium will take place on Tuesday, May 1st from 8:30am-3:20pm and 5:30-8:30pm. If you wish to attend during the day hours, please let Mrs. Dodge know so she can RSVP for you to the SHS Fine Arts office. The show is open to the public during the evening hours.
Invitations will be mailed out the week of April 8th.
The process by which the artwork is chosen is very difficult due to the limited number of space. Work is chosen for its uniqueness, technique, and craftsmanship. Student behavior in class is also a factor! While we empathize with all the students who did not receive an invitation this year, let’s show great joy and excitement for those who did!
Counseling Corner
Mrs. DiMare and Ms. McDevitt, School Social Workers
Mrs. Koulentes, School Counselor
Mrs. Leverentz, School Psychologist
With all of the upcoming assessments in the last stretch of our school year, the Counseling Corner staff felt that you might find the following strategies helpful to enhance student success and minimize test-taking anxiety.
Pre-Testing Strategies: Tips for Parents and Students
Assure your student that any nervousness about testing is normal and that some level of anxiety can motivate students to study for these assessments. However, when this anxiety becomes excessive, it can completely impair students’ motivation to study, and often, their ability to recall the information they learned once they are in a test-taking situation. Be sure to present your student with realistic expectations for their learning- often, anxious children try to please adults and will try to be perfect if they believe it is expected of them.
Being prepared helps to minimize test anxiety, so be sure that your student studies, making use of study tools given by teachers, and self-created tools (e.g., flash cards, study guides). Encourage your student to study on a nightly basis, rather than “cramming” at the last minute. Encourage healthy eating and sleeping habits leading up to tests, and encourage study breaks. Work with your student to recognize the first signs of anxiety as a cue to use calming strategies, and teach them to block out any negative or critical thoughts that might come to mind about their future performance.
Test-in-Progress Strategies: Tips for Students
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When the test is handed out or started electronically, take deep breaths to keep yourself relaxed.
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Slowly read directions, underlining or highlighting key words.
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Skim through the test to preview what is presented and plan your pace, when possible.
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Start with the easiest questions first and then move to more difficult questions, when possible.
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Mark questions you are stuck on and then come back to them at the end.
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If you’re taking an essay test, make sure you first answer what the question is directly asking for, and then expand on your ideas.
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Keep a positive attitude. Remember, it is important to do YOUR best, not THE best. Each test is important, but each is only one test, and only part of your grade.
Post-Testing Strategies: Tips for Students
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Review your notes and books to relearn material that you may have missed on the test. Remember, learning is ultimately more important than an individual score.
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If you have a concern about your test, schedule a meeting with your teacher after class or after school to ask questions about what you missed.
Upcoming Dates:
Tuesday, March 20th- No School
Monday, March 26th- First Day of Spring Break
Tuesday, April 3rd- First Day Back From Spring Break
PARCC
Upcoming PARCC Assessment Apr. 3–20
The PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) assessment will be administered to our students during the window of April 3–20.
CLICK HERE for more info about why we administer the PARCC, what distinguishes it from other assessments, and links to additional resources for parents.
Please see below Twin Groves' PARCC Schedule
8th Grade-April 4th, 5th, 6th
Note- 8th Grade is testing on a 7th grade schedule. The 8th and 7th grade schedules will be switched on April 4th, 5th, and 6th
April 4th ELA 1- 7:45-9:48
April 4th Math 1- 11:45-1:50
April 5th ELA 2- 7:45-9:48
April 5th Math 2 - 11:45-1:50
April 6th ELA 3- 7:45-8:48
April 6th Math 3- 11:45-1:50
7th Grade- April 10th, 11th, 12th
April 10th ELA 1- 7:45-9:48
April 10th Math 1- 11:45-1:50
April 11th ELA 2- 7:45-9:48
April 11th Math 2- 11:45-1:50
April 12th ELA 3- 7:45-9:48
April 12th Math 3- 11:45-1:50
6th Grade-April 10th, 11th, 12th
April 10th ELA 1- 8:29-10:32
April 10th Math 1- 12:27-2:30
April 11th ELA 2- 8:29-10:32
April 11th Math 2- 12:27-2:30
April 12th ELA 3- 8:29-10:32
April 12th Math 3- 12:27-2:30
6th Grade Dental
Attention parents of 6th Graders. Proof of dental exams for all 6th graders are due by May 15th. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Borzych at 847-821-8946.
Illinois Science Assessment (ISA)
All Illinois schools will administer the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) to students enrolled in grades 5 and 8 only. The ISA will be given online. This assessment will be given on one day and most students will complete the assessment in about an hour.
Twin Groves will be administering the Illinois Science Assessment to 8th grade students on March 21st.
Headphones
Please remind your child to bring headphones to school on a daily basis. Headphones are needed in many classes. The school does have a small supply of headphones for checkout, but the supply is limited. Many students do not return the headphones when they borrow them.
Attention 8th Graders
Mark your calendars, parents of current 8th graders
So many opportunities to get involved are ahead.... Learn about them at the Stevenson High School Co-Curricular Fair on Wednesday, March 21, 6:30–8:30 p.m., in the SHS Field House. Incoming freshmen and their parents can get info about clubs, sports, and intramurals from student participants, coaches, and sponsors. LEARN MORE
Showcase at SHS
Showcase is Stevenson’s annual PPA sponsored student variety show. Singing, dancing, music and unique talent of all type will be on stage. Two totally different family-friendly unique shows performing March 16th and 17th. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the PAC door or online at the Stevenson school store. This is a great opportunity for Twin Groves students, especially 8th graders to experience the energy, vibe, culture and talent at Stevenson.
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.