Principal's Message - April 15, 2022

4/15/22
Just a reminder…There is a half day of school on Friday, April 22nd. Students will be dismissed at 11:10AM.

 

Reminders from the PTO:

School Supply Kits- NOW ON SALE!
School supply kits for next year are now on sale. If you have any questions please email Jackie Beegun at [email protected].
www.shopttkits.com
Use Account # 22104
Online ordering deadline July 8th, 2022, for delivery to homes no later than August 13th.

8th Grade Shirts and Yard Signs
The PTO will be treating the 8th grade students to a FREE t-shirt as an end of the year gift. 
Please go to Membership Toolkit to select your 8th graders t-shirt size. All students who don’t select a size will be given an adult large. 
In addition, yard signs are also available for purchase for $7.50.  Please go to Membership Toolkit to order your sign.
All orders must be completed by Monday April 18th!  
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
 

 

What’s Happening at Twin?

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 modeling 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. 
IXL - 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. 

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 modeling 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. 
IXL - 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. 

Language Arts: In Advanced LA, students have just started reading the classic novel The Outsiders which is sure to engage students and prompt much deep discussion.  In LA, students have begun reading Seedfolks which will show us how people of all different backgrounds can come together as one to make a positive change in the community. Students are sure to be inspired to make a difference in their neighborhood!

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 learning the impact of thermal/heat energy.  Scientists are surely showing their “potential” in this unit in more ways than one!   

SS: In social studies, we will be wrapping up our unit on Rome by focusing on the reasons for the fall of the empire.  From there, we will be starting a unit focusing on equity and equality.  We will be investigating stories, statistics, and perspectives to see how different people around the world live.  Our goal is to give the students a truly global perspective of our world.

7th Grade

Bridge to Algebra 1: We are at the beginning of our unit on Radicals, Irrational Numbers, and Pythagorean Theorem. Students will be responsible for knowing perfect squares up to 225 and perfect cubes up to 125. The pythagorean theorem is an important concept in the world of geometry as it is the main way that people are able to prove that a triangle is a right triangle. The pythagorean theorem is also used to classify the other types of triangles as well.

Algebra 1: We are at the start of our second to last unit,  Exponents and Exponential Functions. Although it is almost the end of the year it is important that the students stay focused and committed to learning this material as it will help them in courses in the future. Students began the unit learning about exponents and the different properties of them. In this unit students will also learn what an exponential function is and how to graph and solve equations that are exponential. 

Language Arts: In both classes we have been focusing on comparing and contrasting the different ways authors write about the same topic.  We have been studying the different strategies and evidence each uses and deciding which is the stronger argument.  Next week we will have our final CFA of the year which will focus on the same compare and contrast skills we have been practicing this week.  We will also send out permission slips for the spring book clubs shortly.  Your student will hand you their iPad with the permission slip on it.  Please feel free to take their iPad, use the links to look over the various titles and discuss the novels with your child before signing.

Science: We are currently learning about Newton’s 3 laws of motion. Students are investigating experiments to prove an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object. Along with investigating experiments and following procedures, students will be asked to develop their own procedure and experimental design to explain and prove Newton’s laws of motion. 

SS: “What Historians Do”   Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write/communicate/speak about the past by studying a variety of historical readings, documents, sources, and artifacts. In class, we tackle issues, topics, and themes that can be controversial or debatable.  We then read and gather relevant, reliable information and evidence.  Finally, we communicate, discuss, or share share claims, opinions, and thoughts.  This is the basis of our historical questions, questioning, and inquiry model: Essential Questions and Focusing Questions giving us direction.  It’s a pretty straightforward approach to express thoughts beginning with an introduction and claim statement (opinion/stance). Then analysis and explanation with cited evidence (argument/why).  A key component of this process 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 / 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 growth of America:  War of 1812, Expansion to the West (“Manifest Destiny”), Mexican American War, and the Industrial Revolution.  

8th Grade

Algebra 1: In Algebra 1, we are in the middle of our Exponential Equations unit. This unit continues to be essential for the students to understand in order to be successful in Geometry and Algebra 2. Students have been learning how to simplify exponents using properties, graph exponential functions, and write exponential growth and decay equations.  If your child is struggling with this unit, please encourage them to seek help and use outside resources!

Algebra 2: In Algebra 2, students are starting Unit 10: Graphing Trig Functions. Students are applying what they learned in the prior unit about the unit circle and how to graph sine and cosine functions on the coordinate plane! Please remind your student that they should be completing all homework assignments and getting help when needed! 

Language Arts: This week we have begun our Shakespeare festival.  Students have been going around and getting introduced to the many aspects of reading Shakespeare.  We will then work on translating several of his beautiful sonnets/poems.  ADV level will then continue on to read the famous Romeo and Juliet play.  We are excited to introduce this play to our students and examine how this 400 year play can still relate to our times today.  AT level students will be moving on to examining and evaluating many of my favorite poems through a Poetry (March) Madness bracket.  We will compete for the best overall poem.  In addition we will introduce a new book club series of Books in Verse.

Science: 8th grade science is still investigating human impact on our planet.  Students will be looking at the use of fossil fuels for energy and for making products such as plastic. By the end of April, students will begin to study alternative energy sources.

SS: Students are currently investigating presidents Nixon-Obama to prove which one deserves the title Mr. President and which president deserves the title Mr. Disappointment.  They will incorporate their analytical writing strategies as the presidents face off in our April Madness Elite Eight Competition.  
 

 

 

Opportunity for Incoming SHS Freshman
Making a Healthy Transition to Stevenson Panel
Monday, April 25, 2022
7-8 p.m.
 
Stevenson High School
1 Stevenson Drive
Lincolnshire, IL 60069

 
Register here: https://stevensontransitionpanel2022.eventbrite.com
Panelists:
-Troy Gobble, Principal, Stevenson High School
-Zara Dittman, Freshman Mentor Coordinator and Spanish Teacher, Stevenson
-Cristina Cortesi, Ph.D., Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, Stevenson
-Hanvita Ramineni, Stevenson High School student and member of Catalyst Club

Parents, come learn:
-About your student's social transition
-How you can support the academic change
-How to support your child's mental health during this season
-How to recognize signs of drug/alcohol use, including vaping

At the same time, students are invited to a separate panel just for them with our Catalyst high school students. These panels will be happening simultaneously. 


Students will learn how to: 
-ADJUST to the academics and manage your time
-GET HELP when you need it - academic and emotionally
-GROW your social circle
-RESPOND in social situations if alcohol/drugs are offered
-CARE for your mental and emotional health
-MAKE the most out of your time at Stevenson


All incoming 2022-2023 Stevenson freshmen, their parents, and other interested adults are encouraged to participate in this free community program sponsored by Stevenson Stand Strong Coalition and Catalyst Club.
 

 

COVID Metrics
To stay up-to-date this school year on local metrics, please visit the COVID DASHBOARD for District 96. Our priority remains to keep our students safe and follow guidance from the CDC. If your student is identified as a "close contact", you will be notified individually through the contact tracing process. 

 

 


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.