Principal's Message 1/11/19

1/11/19

TGIF...Twin Groves it’s Friday!  

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great break!

What’s Happening at TG?

6th Grade

Social Studies

From Ancient Egypt, students will be moving onto the fascinating world of Ancient Greece. We’ll continue to look at social and political structures and how they affected the lives of people in the Ancient Greek world. Students will explore the daily lives of people in places like Athens and Sparta and begin to understand the roots of our Western civilization as they uncover the origins of democracy and the many innovative ideas that came from Ancient Greece.

Pre Algebra Survey

6th Pre-Algebra Survey will begin the expressions unit, which involves understanding variables, combining like terms, and writing mathematical expressions. A big focus will be on using mathematical properties to create equivalent expressions. Last month we talked about encouraging the students to be precise in the work. This has been evident as they showed their work properly and labeling with units. This month the focus will be on modeling with mathematics. It is an integral part of algebraic, numeric, and ratio reasoning and will truly show understanding. Thanks for all your support! The students have access to these apps that they should be using regularly: Math Facts Ninja - For students who need extra practice with their math facts. Knowre - This app covers topics in line with the Common Core Curriculum which the students are covering this year. This program is designed to develop critical thinking skills. Each class has expectations for completing lessons in Knowre each week, and students are welcome to work ahead and extend their learning.

Pre Algebra

Pre-Algebra will begin working on the equations unit this month. They will extend their work with 1-step equations to multi-step on both sides of the equals sign. They will complete this unit with a word problem challenge that will introduce them to using substitution to solve systems of equations. This is the foundation of so much of their future math work, so it is great to see how hard the students are working. Last month we talked about encouraging the students to be precise in the work. This has been evident as they showed their work properly and labeling with units. This month the focus will be on modeling with mathematics. It is an integral part of Algebraic, numeric, and ratio reasoning and will truly show understanding. Thanks for all your support! The students have access to these apps that they should be using regularly: Math Facts Ninja - For students who need extra practice with their math facts. Knowre - This app covers topics in line with the Common Core Curriculum which the students are covering this year. This program is designed to develop critical thinking skills. Each class has expectations for completing lessons in Knowre each week, and students are welcome to work ahead and extend their learning.  

7th Grade

Social Studies

“What Historians Do” Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write/communicate about the past by studying a variety of historical documents, sources, and artifacts. We tackle an issue or topic, often controversial or debatable, then read and gather relevant information and evidence on both sides, and then communicate opinions and thoughts. This is the basis of our historical questions, questioning, and inquiry: Essential and Focusing Questions.  It’s a pretty straightforward approach to write/communicate beginning with an introduction and claim statement (opinion/stance). Then analysis and explanation with cited evidence (argument/why). A key component of this is the evaluation of the credibility/reliability of sources since there is an abundance of questionable sources available these days. We close with a conclusion containing a review of claim/introduction, information presented, and final closure. What’s the take away? What’s significant? Can we take action? How cool is it to be encouraged and empowered to have your own opinion and thoughts on historical events, issues, and topics! In regards to current content, we continue to examine the Constitution, civics/citizenship, and government at the national, state, and local levels. Soon, we will explore our new nation coming out of the Revolutionary War, Constitutional Convention, and George Washington being elected our first President of these great United States of America.

Science

In Science, 7th graders are now beginning our geoscience target. We will be talking about how the Earth’s surface has changed over time. We will be using ice cubes to simulate a glacier’s effect on the surface of Earth as well as learning about the movement of plate tectonics.

Language Arts

In LA and Advanced LA, the new year brings us deeper into analytical writing as we continue to dig to various poems, discovering how authors develop and support themes. We will be examining how and why authors use different strategies in their craft. Students will also be looking at figurative language as well as the impact of mood and tone.

Bridge to Algebra 1

Bridge to Algebra 1 has just finished up their unit on solving systems of equations.  Translations, reflections, rotations oh my! We have just begun our unit on congruence and similarity focusing primarily on transformations in part A of the unit. Then in part B of the unit we will focus on angle measures, parallel lines and transversals. We will also be doing some goal setting for the spring MAP test. Please ask your student about their personal goals for MAP this spring!

Algebra 1

Algebra 1 classes will be learning the laws of exponents and exploring how to graph exponential growth and decay functions. Students will compare interest rates and decide which situation is better and understand why. This unit will really tie into their future life and they will be able to apply the skills they learned in this unit later on. We will also be doing some goal setting for the spring MAP test.  Please ask your student about their personal goals for MAP this spring!

8th Grade

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 developed as both nations competed to solidify their Super Power status in the world. The Cold War has begun and with it, new technology was developed that brought about both positive and negative change within the United States and the rest of the world. Students will discover the causes of the Cold War, investigate the Forgotten War, explore the impact of the Red Scare, and create their own perspective on the United States' actions in the the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

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.  

Language Arts

In Language Arts and Advanced Language Arts we have been busy digging into author's craft and analyzing how and why authors create mood and tone in their work. Prior to winter break students wrapped up their Book Club unit and did an amazing job leading meaningful discussions each session. They put their creative skills to work writing songs and recording music videos based on their books. They did a great job! We will continue to analyze author's craft as well as begin to compare modern/original versions of stories. Later in the month Advanced Language Arts will begin Great Expectations and Language Arts will read Flowers for Algernon.  

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. We will then move onto learning about logarithmic functions and how they are related to exponential functions.  

ILC

The ILC has been busy with lots of new learning! Students continue to make growth in their individualized skill sets in both Math and Language Arts. We recently finished a Science unit on fossils. In Social Studies, we are exploring the "break up" between England and colonies as we prepare to learn about the U.S. Constitution. The students have explored what makes a source reliable, or trustworthy. With so much media in our everyday lives, it's important to be able to evaluate a source for validity!

SLC

Happy 2019 to everyone! Hope you all had a fantastic winter break! We continue to work on curriculum which is individualized to meet each students needs in reading, writing and math while working towards mastering grade level targets. We have completed our first Life Skills / Community Unit. The students are also preparing for our first CBI ( Community Based Instruction) trip into the community. More information to come in the near future. The students enjoyed learning about characteristics of urban, rural and suburban areas in Illinois. Making a compare and contrast thinking map assisted the students in comprehending the differences and similarities of these areas. We will be moving into our Science unit next week which will be Exploring Archeology. During this unit, students will learn all about archeologists and their job. They will explore fossils, dinosaurs bones and other interesting artifacts, such as materials and tools used by people thousands of years ago through hands-on exploration, BrainPop and research projects. I am looking forward to this unit as much as the students!

Access your child's MAP Student Progress Report

The District will send a School Messenger email today between 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm with instructions for accessing your child's MAP student progress report online.  The message will include links to more information about understanding student growth, RIT scores, and general information about the MAP assessment.

Please contact Jeanne Spiller, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching for Learning, if you would like more information about your child's report.  (847) 459-4260 ext. 8010, [email protected]  

We are Twin Groves...A Celebration of Culture

Please save the date....MAY 7TH

Given the rich diversity of the cultures in our shared community, we are looking forward to engaging students and families in a night where we celebrate our own culture, learn/celebrate the cultures of others, and build on a shared community culture. The event will run from 7:00PM to 8:30PM on May 7th.  

This evening will be open to all Twin Groves Families.

If your student and/or family is interested in performing or presenting during the event, please indicate by completing this Google Form. When we have a better understanding of how many presenters sign up, we will be communicating logistics of the event.

6TH-ANNUAL LINDSEY DURLACHER WRESTLING TOURNAMENT

We are looking forward to the tournament on January 19th! 

Take Note, Parents of Current 8th-Graders:

As you prepare to send your student to high school, what questions would you like to ask Stevenson students?

A popular D96 tradition, the 16th-annual Simplifying Stevenson program for parents of current 8th graders is  Tues., Jan. 22, Twin Groves Middle School Learning Center, 2600 N. Buffalo Grove Rd., Buffalo Grove, 7–8:30 PM. A panel of Stevenson seniors and freshmen (District 96 alumni) and SHS Principal Troy Gobble, are ready to answer D96 parents’ questions on how they managed the transition to high school, choose classes and extracurriculars, and balance the workload. This program is presented by the KCSD96 Parent (P2P) Network. No registration/RSVP needed.  Questions? Please contact the District 96 Community Parent Liaison Lubna Andrabi, [email protected]  

Notice of 5Essentials Student Survey Administration

We are writing to inform you about a student survey for 6th–8th graders that will be administered at Twin Groves Middle School on Jan. 25, 2019.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is based on 20 years of research at the University of Chicago. The survey asks students about their experiences in school, giving school leaders critical student input to help develop school improvement plans.

Students will be required to log in using their student ID and birth date in order to complete the survey. Students’ identities will be completely confidential. Teachers or administrators will never see individual responses to survey questions. Instead, they will receive only aggregated information, such as the total percentage of students who agree homework assignments help them learn the course material, for example.

Please be aware that under the Protection of Pupil Rights Act. 20 U.S.C. Section 1232(c) (1) (A), you have the right to review a copy of the questions your student(s) are asked. Find survey questions on the Illinois 5Essentials website (https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois).

If you do not want your son or daughter to participate, please contact me: Jessica Barnes, [email protected]

5 Essentials Survey Information for Parents

District 96 parents are asked to complete online the parent portion of the Illinois 5Essentials Survey by Jan. 18, 2019. Access the survey: https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/

As a parent, this is your opportunity to share your thoughts on important elements of your child’s school’s effectiveness. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or [email protected] or Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Jeanne Spiller

Current Patriot Consortium Mathematics Placement Process

Over the last few years, Stevenson High School and the feeder middle schools have created a scope and sequence and aligned the curriculum to the Common Core Standards for Mathematics, as well as created common benchmarks for the end of each unit for both the Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 courses. The consortium has created criteria that defines the four strands of mathematical proficiency to highlight the attributes of a proficient mathematical thinker. The criteria are grouped into three categories (See chart on second page):

• Procedural Skills & Fluency (How well you can correctly use mathematics.)
• Conceptual Understanding (How well you utilize mathematical ideas, transfer your knowledge into new situations, and apply it to new contexts.)
• Problem Solving with Adaptive Reasoning and Strategic Competence (How well you can apply strategies and sound reasoning.)

Over the course of the year, the mathematics teachers will be discussing these criteria with the students in class to create a portrait of each student. This portrait will be used to recommend the students into the mathematics course at Stevenson High School that matches their content knowledge as well as level of mathematics proficiency at this time.

As a district and consortium, it is our vision that each student move on to the next course in the sequence providing that there are not significant gaps in content knowledge. If there are significant gaps in content knowledge and a change in recommendation occurs, we will contact you. We feel that this process allows a mathematical picture of the student to develop over time, which will provide a more informed recommendation.

Daily Announcements

The Daily Announcements will be posted each morning. 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

Attention PTO Volunteers!

When you are volunteering for an event at Twin Groves, please don’t forget to sign in and out in the front office. Thank you!

Upcoming Events

-Dessert Day is on January 23rd

-Special Lunch is on January 30th

-Winter Bash is on February 8th from 3PM-5PM

Please click HERE to access the Membership Toolkit. All items for sale from the PTO will be available on this website.

Band & Orchestra Boosters

Please click the BLOG to access the latest news from the Band & Orchestra Boosters.