4/12/19
TGIF...Twin Groves it’s Friday!
Congratulations to Lorenzo Frezza!
Twin Groves Wrestler Captures State Championship
What’s Happening at TG?
6th Grade
Pre Algebra Survey
6PAS is continuing their unit on Algebraic Equations. We will be solving one-step and two-step equations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The students will be learning about isolating the variable and keeping the equation balanced. The unit will end with an introduction to inequalities. 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 modeling with mathematics. This skill will continue to be important this month, because students will be using verbal models as Algebraic equations. This month, we’d like to focus on attending to precision. This might mean being careful to define your variables to make your work more understandable, labeling measurements, or making sure your answer is represented in the correct format.
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 second unit on geometry, focused on angle relationships and the Pythagorean theorem. The focus for the third and final unit of geometry is on transformations. Students will be reflecting, translating, rotating and dilating shapes around the coordinate plane. Last month, we talked about modeling with mathematics. This skill will continue to be important this month, because students will be using verbal models as Algebraic equations. This month, we’d like to focus on attending to precision. This might mean being careful to define your variables to make your work more understandable, labeling measurements, or making sure your answer is represented in the correct format.
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.
Language Arts
At conferences, many parents expressed interest in helping their children increase their abilities in Language Arts. The research is clear that the very best thing to help kids read better is to have kids READ MORE. Ensure engagement in books by reading the same books as your child and having conversations about what your child is reading. Aside from getting to have interesting discussions that give you an idea of how your child understands text, parents get the added bonus of exposure to the wonderful world of Young Adult literature! If you’re not a novel reader, it’s just as beneficial to read articles from newspapers and magazines together and then talk about them. Get at the author’s main points; debate whether or not the author’s argument is well-defended; contrast two articles on a similar topic. All of these discussion ideas correspond to our learning targets and increase students’ ability to think critically. Plus, you have the opportunity to learn new things as you read and to hear what your child is thinking. In our classes, we’ve discovered that your children have really interesting opinions about almost everything!
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
After learning about a variety of civilizations from the past and investigating what caused them to succeed or fail, it is time for the students to use their skills in an independent study of an ancient civilization. Students will be creating a virtual textbook to present their knowledge of the Vikings, Ancient India, Persia, or the Mayan civilization. This inquiry unit will be the culmination of their hard work this year and truly showcase their ability to think like a historian!
7th Grade
Bridge to Algebra 1
We are in the middle of Unit 7 Radicals, Irrational Numbers, and the Pythagorean Theorem. Students have learned how to solve square and cube roots of numbers as well as estimating the square roots of numbers. Students have also learned what the Pythagorean Theorem is and how to use it to prove that a triangle is a right triangle. We will then use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the diagonal of a 3D Figure. We are also going to learn how to find the distance between two points and how it relates to the Pythagorean Theorem. Students should continue to review material from previous units and seek out help if they are ever confused.
Algebra 1
We are in the beginning of Unit 8 Quadratic Equations. We are building off our skills learned in Unit 7 but now focusing on solving quadratic functions. Students need to understand how to simplify radicals and solve quadratics by factoring, using square roots, and the using the quadratic equation. Students should continue to review material from previous units and seek out help if they are ever confused.
Language Arts
Students in LA have been working hard examining informational articles to determine how authors develop and present key information by emphasizing different evidence or different interpretations of facts. Next on the agenda is comparing and contrasting historical accounts of events with fictional portrayals and dystopian book clubs!
Language Arts Advanced
As we wrap up examining informational articles to determine how authors develop and present key information by emphasizing different evidence or different interpretations of facts, we begin Markus Zusak's historical fiction novel, The Book Thief. As we are reading this coming of age Holocaust novel, we will be delving into historical fiction and why authors use history to build a story and shape readers’ perceptions.
Science
Students have been working to understanding electromagnetic fields and the properties that attract substances to magnets. As students conduct experiments, they look to critique and evaluate the experimental design, as well as prove/disprove that magnetic fields are present in various materials.
Social Studies
We are wrapping up our examination of the theme “injustice” as America grows and expands in regards to Westward Expansion/Manifest Destiny, the Industrial Revolution, and the proliferation of slave labor on plantations of the South. Despite the great growth and progress that our new nation is making, inequality and oppression is being allowed. Is America really where “all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness…?” Over the weeks to come, we will look at the continued growth and expansion of America while our nation is being divided between the industrial North and agricultural/plantation South. Slavery and states’ rights anger, frustration, and tension will gradually boil over to the point of no return, the American Civil War. We are always asking questions and checking our sources and research for reliability and credibility.
8th Grade
Algebra 1
In Algebra 1, we have recently began Unit 8 Quadratic Equations. Students are using skills learned in Unit 7 to now solve quadratic equations. Students will need to know how to simplify radicals, solve quadratic equations using square roots, factoring, graphing, and quadratic formula. As always, please make sure students are practicing LT0 to ensure retention!
Algebra 2
In Algebra 2, we have recently began Unit 10 Trigonometric Functions where students will learn about key features of periodic functions. Students will learn how to graph sine and cosine functions and apply transformations. Our last unit of study for the year will be Probability!
Language Arts
In eighth grade LA we just finished an essay where students read two articles and had to explain which text made a stronger argument. To do so, students analyzed the various strategies and structures that the writers used in their work. We also just began our Book Clubs unit based on the topic of "Expectations." Students will spend about three weeks reading various novels in small groups, participating in a number of discussions, and completing targeted work. Then, when we finish up the Book Clubs it is on to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream! The year is flying by!
Language Arts Advanced
In eighth grade Advanced LA we just finished an essay where students read two articles and had to explain which text made a stronger argument. To do so, students analyzed the various strategies and structures that the writers used in their work. We also just began our Book Clubs unit based on the topic of "Expectations." Students will spend about three weeks reading various novels in small groups, participating in a number of discussions, and completing targeted work. Then, when we finish up the Book Clubs it is on to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet! The year is flying by!
Science
8th grade Science is still investigating human impact on our planet. Students will be looking at use of fossil fuels for energy and for making products such as plastic. Students will also engineer their own bioplastics using corn, potato, and tapioca starches. By the end of April, students will begin to study alternative green energy sources.
Social Studies
In eighth grade Social Studies we are starting our final unit with the Elite Eight Competition. Students have chosen the president that they want to defend and are researching his accomplishments and struggles. Student will investigate their president's foreign and domestic policy decisions and his ability to lead the nation. The presidents will go head to head to determine which man deserves the title of Mr. President and which president deserves the title of Mr. Disappointment.
IAR
Coming in Early April: IAR Assessment for Grades 3–8
The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) is the new English/language arts and math state assessment for Grades 3–8 students in Illinois public schools.
The IAR replaces the PARCC assessment given the previous few years and is, in fact, very similar.
The testing window is designated as Apr. 8–26, but our students do not test every day during that period.
Read more info about the IAR, including our Testing Schedule, the impact of participation, and more.
As your building principal, I'm happy to answer any questions you have about the IAR assessment. Please call our school office or send me an email.
8th Grade IAR Schedule for Twin Groves
-Monday, April 15th- Math 3
7th Grade IAR Schedule for Twin Groves
-Monday, April 15th- Math 3
6th Grade IAR Schedule for Twin Groves
-Tuesday, April 16th- Math 1
-Wednesday, April 17th- Math 2
-Thursday, April 18th- Math 3
-Monday, April 22nd- ELA 1
-Tuesday, April 23rd- ELA 2
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.
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
-April 17th Dessert Day
-April 24th Special Lunch
-May 15th Dessert Day
-May 21st 8th Grade Pizza Lunch
-May 22nd Special Lunch
-Mary 29th 6th and 7th Grade Pizza Lunch
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.