3/8/19
TGIF...Twin Groves it’s Friday!
What’s Happening at TG?
6th Grade
Pre Algebra Survey
6PAS is beginning a new unit on Algebraic Equations. We will be solving one-step equations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The students will be learning about isolating the variable and keeping the equation balanced. 6PAS will then extend this knowledge into solving two-step equations. It will be very important for students to check their answers by substituting the solutions back into the original equation, so please encourage that at home. The unit will end with a brief study on independent and dependent variables and solving inequalities. Last month we talked about encouraging the students to understand others’ reasoning and provide critique. This has allowed the students to have rich discussions in class and led to a great sharing of viewpoints. This month, students should recognize that they are modeling with mathematics, whether by representing the problem with an equation, table, or graph. Also, we’d like to focus on reasoning abstractly and quantitatively, as these skills are necessary when modeling with mathematics. Feel free to ask your children about their work!
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
6PA will be finishing their first unit on geometry soon, focused on circles, surface area and volume. They will then move on to the second geometry unit, which includes angle relationships. Many of the problems the students have been working on include rigorous, deep-thinking problems, and the students have been rising up to the challenge! Last month we talked about encouraging the students to understand others’ reasoning and provide critique. This has allowed the students to have rich discussions in class and led to a great sharing of viewpoints. This month, students should recognize that they are modeling with mathematics, whether by representing the problem with an equation, table, or graph. Also, we’d like to focus on reasoning abstractly and quantitatively, as these skills are necessary when modeling with mathematics. Feel free to ask your children about their work!
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.
Science
In science classes, we have been in “motion” learning about potential and kinetic energy. We just completed the great paper roller coaster project! Be sure to ask your child scientist about the ups, downs, turns, and spins of their coaster! Our next lab project will be building a house and the learning the impact of thermal/heat energy. Scientists are surely showing their “potential” in this unit in more ways than one!
Social Studies
The Social Studies classes will be exploring the wonders of Ancient Rome and the many connections we have to the Romans in our modern world today! From the early years of The Republic to the Emperors like Julius Caesar, students will analyze the different political and social structures of Rome and what eventually led to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. We’ll also uncover the fascinating culture of the Romans as we explore their daily lives, innovations, and even the courageous world of the gladiators.
Language Arts and Language Arts Advanced
As we start the third trimester in LA and LA ADV, we switch our focus away from social justice and toward something different: real life heroism and what makes a hero. By contrasting informational texts on the same topic, students have been learning to compare and contrast how the author’s perspective colors the way that information is presented. Students are finding this to be a difficult task, and you may see some dips in their scores; this is understandable since the tasks have become much more challenging and targets are combined in the essays. We have been pulling kids in during FLEX and addressing specific issues, and during class we are addressing problems we are seeing in many essays. We continue to work on these difficult tasks during the final trimester, so you should see improvement as your child continues to practice the skills. Everyone should be reading at home every night as they read their way through an exciting hero's journey book with their Book Club group members. Thank you for supporting us by providing quiet reading time at home!
7th Grade
Bridge to Algebra 1
Students are in the midst of our unit on properties and applications of exponents. They will then be ready to move on to our unit involving radicals, irrational numbers, and the pythagorean theorem. Using their new found knowledge, they will be able to determine if a triangle is a right triangle given the three side lengths. They will also be able to determine the distance between any two points on a coordinate plane.
Algebra 1
Algebra 1 is working on polynomial expressions and quadratic functions. They have been exposed to standard form, vertex form and factored form of quadratic equations. In our next unit, students will learn how to solve quadratic functions using different methods.
Social Studies
We are currently in the midst of our new nation coming out of the Revolutionary War and the implementation of the new Constitution and Bill of Rights. We are exploring the theme “injustice” as we grapple with the growth and expansion of the USA. Other groups and cultures suffer as we move west and acquire more land, Manifest Destiny. As we grow and expand, the Industrial Revolution is taking shape. We are discovering how so many new inventions are changing the lives and the economy of America. However, at what “price” or “cost” to certain segments of the population? While we are expanding our population and economy, our nation is also being divided between the industrial North and agricultural South in regards to the struggle over slavery, balance of power, and popular sovereignty. Gradually, tensions will boil over to the causes of the American Civil War. Political parties are evolving and changing during these early to middle 1800’s, adding fuel to the fire. We are always asking questions and checking our sources and research for reliability and credibility.
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.
Language Arts
The new trimester brings us deeper into analytical writing and S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders. We are examining how authors develop characters and how these developments drive the plot of a novel. Students are enjoying our discussions regarding the choices these characters make and the influence that society has on the decisions of these teens.
Language Arts Advanced
This month in 7th Advanced LA, we will be delving into historical fiction in WWII Germany with The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Through this novel, students will analyze how and why authors use history to build a story and shape readers’ perceptions. Further, we will ask ourselves some essential questions: What factors influence decision-making in the face of injustice? How can the power of words affect people and their decisions?
8th Grade
Algebra 1
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
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.
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
Students have been doing a wonderful engaging in discussions focused on JFK and the Vietnam war. Both topics fueled social and political turmoil within the United States and we’ve worked to help kids connect youthfully charged music of the era.
Students have begun learning about the Civil Right Movement, those that fought for racial equality through varying means, as well systems/beliefs that were in place that slowed the progression. Students are taking part in both learning about the struggle those in the Movement faced, but also, the strength of character displayed by countless known and unknown individuals that persevered through nonviolent means.
Language Arts and Language Arts Advanced
In Language Arts and Advanced Language arts we have been busy studying author's craft. In Language Arts the students have been reading a variety of short stories and analyzing how authors develop the mood, use foreshadowing, and create suspense in their stories. Advanced Language Arts has been enjoying Charles Dickens' novel Great Expectations. They have done well with such a rigorous story and are also examining the various structures Dickens used to create such an incredible novel. Students have also continued to work on their analytic writing skills by crafting argument essays that focused on tone and structure and the effectiveness of certain arguments.
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Family Feedback Opportunity
Your voice matters in our work at District 96! Please take a moment to read the SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE to participate in our survey and share what you feel makes a school district premier. Simply click “Continue” to begin–NO log-in or sign-in needed!
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Internet Safety Concern
By now you are likely aware of an Internet safety concern that has surfaced call Momo.
The “Momo Challenge/Game” begins with the recipient receiving a notification or watching a video which includes an image of a scary face/statue. The recipient is urged to perform potentially dangerous acts through intimidation techniques.
HERE is a linked flyer put out by the National Online Safety Institute regarding this challenge.
This is a good reminder that all of us need to remember the importance of internet safety. No filter is 100% effective. Today we are addressing Momo, however tomorrow it may be something else. Being responsible and diligent regarding best practices around the use of technology is a practice that all can benefit from. Common Sense Media is a great resource for any human being that uses the internet. There is a link to Common Sense Media also included below.
Common Sense Media
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Let Us Hear From You!
We thank you for participating in Collaborative Family/Educator Conferences. In order to celebrate success and make improvements to conferences, we ask you to share your feedback briefly with us no later than 3:00PM on March 22nd. Thank you!
SHARE YOUR CONFERENCE FEEDBACK
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Parent Opportunities
The Teenage Brain: How brain function impacts learning
Dr. Mandi Croft
March 13
7:00-8:30 pm
Stevenson High School West Auditorium
Dr. Mandi Croft from Neuro Educational Specialists will lead a discussion on adolescent brain development. Participants will hear about mental health in the schools and the impact of social media on brain development. Dr. Croft will present what anxiety, depression, ADHD and autism look like in the brain and what can parents do with this knowledge.
Register HERE
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Keeping Teens Safe on the Internet
Keeping Teens Safe on the Internet is an informational program for all interested parents presented by Stand Strong on March 14th at the Lincolnshire Village Hall.
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The Happy Child Summit
How can we teach kids the skills of happiness? Please click below for an opportunity to learn practical skills from the experts.
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Parents of D96 Middle School Girls
District 96 middle school girls can sign up of Dream Day 2019. The DreamGirls Initiative is a nonprofit organization committed to inspiring young women in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) by exposing them to female role models.
This is a FREE workshop, however, you must register. Space is limited to the first 150 girls.
This event will take place Saturday, April 6th from 10AM.-1:30PM.
REGISTER at THIS LINK
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STEM EVENT AT SHS
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6th Grade Dental Information
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.
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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 15th and 16th at 7:00. Tickets are $10 in advance at the Stevenson Patriot Super Store and $12 the door the night of. This is a great opportunity for Twin Groves students, especially 8th graders to experience the energy, vibe, culture and talent at Stevenson. It’s also a great way for incoming Stevenson parents to experience just one of the many volunteer opportunities. The Patriot Parent Associate hopes to see you there! "
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We are Twin Groves...A Celebration of Culture
Please save the date…..May 7, 2019
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.
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.
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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.
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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
-3/13/19 Dessert Day
-3/20/19 Special Lunch
Please click HERE to access the Membership Toolkit. All items for sale from the PTO will be available on this website.
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Band & Orchestra Boosters
Please click the BLOG to access the latest news from the Band & Orchestra Boosters.