3/8/23
Upcoming Dates:
3/19- No School
3/21- Early Release 1:30 PM Dismissal
3/21- Conferences 5:00 PM- 8:30 PM
3/22- No Student Attendance
3/22- Conferences 10:00 AM- 1:00 PM
3/25-3/29- Spring Break
What’s Happening at Twin Groves?
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. 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.
Edia - 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 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.
Edia - 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: As we head into Trimester 3, students will be taking what they’ve learned this year about nonfiction texts, authors’ purposes and points of view, and applying that to a new target. Students will synthesize information from two different texts and compare and contrast those purposes and perspectives, determining what evidence the author used for support, and evaluating which author was most successful.
Science: It’s official…we are ⅔ done with this school year and into our 5th unit! This unit is called Natural Hazards and we’ve already started learning a lot about tsunamis. This particular unit also includes analyzing data and graphs. We’ve had some practice with this in an escape room activity! We’ll continue learning more about other hazards as well as diving deep into data!
SS: In social studies, we are beginning our unit on culture by looking into Roman mosaics and other forms of art, mythology, and literature. From there, we will be learning about different philosophies from India, China, Greece, and more. We will see how these cultural elements have helped to shape the civilizations they were a part of and also look at how they have continued to influence future civilizations.
7th Grade
Pre-Algebra: During Trimester 3, pre-algebra students will be exposed to a number of topics involving Geometry. This month’s lessons will include finding the area and circumference of a circle, and finding the volume and surface area of 3-dimensional shapes. We will also be reviewing our equation-solving skills as the year progresses as it is imperative that students are proficient in this skill for success next year.
Bridge to Algebra 1: Students have been practicing how to apply the properties of exponents to simplify exponential expressions as well as how to evaluate them while following PEMDAS (the order of operations). We will be using these properties we have learned to solve problems of all operations written in scientific notation.
Algebra 1: Students are in the early stages of learning about all the key features of quadratic functions written in standard form, vertex form, and intercept form and what these key features can tell us about the function. They will also be learning how to use these key features to graph the function. Students will also be practicing using their graphing calculator to find the “zeros” of quadratic functions in real-world problems and to generate quadratic regression equations to make predictions.
Language Arts: The students have recently finished reading The Outsiders. We will spend some time working on a couple of projects to display our understanding of the characters and theme of the novel. We will also spend some time preparing for the assessment next week. It is very important that students are focused and participating in activities during this time leading up to the assessment. Some students take the assessment days very seriously, but may not approach the lessons beforehand with the same effort. After spring break, we will revisit text structure and learn how text structure helps readers understand the central idea of a nonfiction text.
Advanced Language Arts: We are working towards finishing The Book Thief. The kids have been working hard to keep up with the reading and we will finish shortly. We will spend some time working on a couple of projects to display our understanding of the characters and theme of the novel. We will also spend some time preparing for the assessment next week. After spring break, we will revisit text structure and learn how text structure helps readers understand the central idea of a nonfiction text.
Science: In our 5th unit of the year, students have started investigating how using palm oil in candy and other products endangers orangutans and tigers in Indonesia. Students are investigating why we continue to use palm oil while simultaneously brainstorming ways to address this issue. Students will soon be participating in a March Madness-themed catapult design engineering project!
SS: We have completed another great Trimester on Civics… exploring and analyzing government at the federal, state, and local levels along with informed citizen actions! We are now investigating the growth and development of our new nation coming out of the Revolutionary War and Constitutional Convention… key issues and historically significant people, places, documents, and events pertaining to our first Presidents / early America. Did you know that George Washington’s farewell address is just as relevant today as it was back in 1796? Another conflict with Great Britain will need to be settled. We will continue to examine our nation’s growth and westward expansion to include outstanding achievements and unfortunate setbacks as we complete our “Manifest Destiny”. We always reflect on, and analyze potential sources for reliability and credibility.
8th Grade
Bridge to Algebra 1:
In Bridge to Algebra, we just started Unit 6: Properties and Applications of Exponents. This unit focuses on the exponent property rules. Students need to be able to know the rules and when to apply the appropriate rule for each type of problem. We will be using our summary sheets as visual support while we continue to learn. We will continue to practice the rules in class individually and in small groups. Please continue to encourage your student to complete their homework daily as well as access Edia if they are struggling. Edia offers great additional practice with step-by-step guidance to help in re-teaching the information. Having a strong understanding of the exponent rules and being able to apply them during this course will be beneficial as these will repeat with more rigor in Algebra 1.
Algebra 1: In Algebra 1, we are in the midst of our Graphing and Writing Quadratic Functions unit! This unit is a very important unit of study for Algebra 1 and we have been very impressed with the hard work students are putting forth! The students have been exploring how to graph quadratic functions in factored form, standard form, and vertex form along with identifying key features of parabolas. Next up, we are covering writing equations of quadratic functions when given contextual situations. Please continue to encourage your child to get help and ask questions if needed and utilize Edia/ Khan Academy!
Geometry: In Geometry, we are in the middle of our Circles unit! We have been learning all about writing equations of circles, angles of circles, properties of tangent and secant lines, and more! After this unit, we will be moving into Area and Surface Area. The students continue to work hard unit after unit! Please continue to encourage your child to get help and ask questions if needed and to utilize Edia/Khan Academy for extra practice!
Language Arts: Can you believe we are already in the Third Trimester? It has been a fun and fast year so far. Now that we are in Trimester 3, we are focusing on the Art of Language by studying contemporary living poets. Students will also be starting our 2nd book club which is Books in Verse. This is all to prepare us for our upcoming unit Shakespeare. Shortly after Spring Break, we will be studying Shakespeare’s sonnets and then moving into his plays. The advanced level will be reading Romeo and Juliet. While AT Level students will be reading Midsummer Night's Dream. I will be working with students every step of the way. Each Act and scene will be approached differently to give students a variety of ways to explore and interpret Shakepeare’s work. Both of these plays are wonderful and will prepare students to tackle difficult texts in high school.
Science: Our current unit is entitled “Forces at a Distance” and focuses on magnetic and electromagnetic forces. Students have been exploring the inner workings of a speaker and engineering homemade cup speakers to manipulate the essential parts of a speaker. They identify that most speakers have the same parts - a magnet, a coil of wire, and a speaker cone. Students investigate each of these parts to figure out how they work together in the speaker system. We will also experiment with the magnet, coils and current to see how technology can be modified and applied to a variety of different devices.
SS: To better understand the Vietnam War era in America, we are spending the next couple of weeks learning about the Civil Rights Movement that also took place throughout the 1950’s and 60’s. This was truly a time of great divide amongst the citizens of this country. While our story includes racial discrimination and violence, the focus of this unit is to help students understand the Civil Rights leaders and their use of nonviolent protest to bring about positive changes in society. Students will be writing their next argumentative essay next week, where once again they get the opportunity to practice creating a claim statement within an introductory paragraph, as well as crafting an evidence-based “Body” paragraph that supports their sub-claim. Students have made great strides this year in their ability to write argumentative responses! After completing our second DBQ, we will continue our story by moving into the 70s and 80’s, helping students better understand other groups that have historically fought for social justice.
Track and Field- Informational Student Meeting
There will be a Student Track and Field Informational Meeting on March 14th in the TG Cafeteria. Students will learn about practices, meets, and what they need to do to be a part of the Track and Field Team. Students will need a current sports physical on file with the Twin Groves Nurse in order to participate.
Parents, Twin Groves NEEDS YOUR HELP!!! Please click THIS LINK and take the 5Essentials Survey for Parents/Guardians.
Twin Groves would like to increase parent participation. Currently, Twin Groves is only at a participation rate of 9% for parents.
As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school. Your participation will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide our improvement. Parent identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
The window to complete the survey closes on March 29th. Please see below for more information.
Thank you in advance!
Spring Family/Educator Conferences
Spring Family/Educator Conferences are right around the corner. The conference dates are Thursday, March 21st from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM and Friday, March 22nd from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM.
We will be using Meet the Teacher as an electronic sign-up for conferences. A School Messenger email was sent to families on Tuesday, March 5th at 5:00 PM with a link to sign up for conferences.
Conferences will be held virtually using Meet the Teacher’s video conferencing platform unless parents request an in-person conference using the instructions bolded at the end of this message. After you have scheduled your conferences, you will receive an email from Meet the Teacher with a link you will use to access the video conferences.
Middle school parents will have the option to sign up with one core content teacher (see below) and pertinent exploratory/PE teachers. Please note: Students on the B-Day schedule will have their Spanish teachers available during this round of conferences.
Available Middle School Core Teachers:
6th Grade: 3rd Period Teacher
7th Grade: 2nd Period Teacher
8th Grade: 4th Period Teacher
If you are unable to schedule a conference with a specific teacher, please remember that conferences are not the only time to communicate with teachers. Please feel free to reach out at any time.
REQUESTING AN IN-PERSON CONFERENCE
If you want to have an in-person conference with the teachers, you must notify the teachers via email by the end of the day on Tuesday, March 19th.
Sense of Belonging Surveys
In District 96, we believe that feedback from students regarding their perception of the school climate and teacher-student relationships provides valuable input about their sense of belonging. Our school district is committed to providing our students with every opportunity to succeed. Substantial research indicates that supporting students’ social-emotional development improves their readiness to learn, positive classroom engagement, and overall academic performance. As a result, District 96 will administer a student belonging survey to all students EC-8. These surveys are below for your review. A physical copy will be available from the district office upon request.
Surveys Below:
-Grades K, 1, and 2
-Grades 3, 4, and 5
-Grades 6, 7 and 8
With this information, the District can make thoughtful and informed decisions to support students' deeper sense of belonging at school. As always, student privacy and safety are of the utmost importance. This survey is FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act), and PPRA (The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment) certified. The collected data will improve our students’ sense of belonging and will only be used by our schools. Student responses will support group patterns so schools can provide support in those targeted areas. Thank you for supporting our school communities and their corresponding sense of belonging.
Twin Groves will be giving the survey in Flex on Monday, March 11th.
If you would like to exclude your child from participating in the survey, please contact Jessica Barnes at [email protected] by Sunday, March 10th.
Dual Language Parent Night for Incoming Kindergartners
If you are enrolling an incoming Kindergarten student and want to learn more about our D96 Dual Language Program, we would love for you to join us at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12th, for our Incoming Dual Language Parent Night.
This virtual meeting will take place via Zoom and will be an opportunity for you to learn about our Dual Language Program and have your questions answered.
Please complete this RSVP Form to receive a Zoom link to our Parent Night presentation.
6th Grade Dental Forms Needed
Dear Parents/Guardians of District 96 6th Grade Students:
Please note that your child’s completed dental examination is now due, per Illinois school law. The deadline for the dental examination is no later than May 15 of the current school year. Proof of this required dental examination must have been completed within eighteen months prior to the May 15 deadline.
If you haven’t already done so, please make an appointment with your child’s dentist for a dental examination, have him and/or her complete the required form, and return it to your child’s school nurse.
State of Illinois Proof of Dental Examination Form
In the event that you are unable to fulfill this requirement, the state of Illinois does permit a waiver of the examination.
State of Illinois Dental Waiver Form
Dental examination forms, as well as dental waiver forms, can be downloaded from the District’s website.
If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Borzych at [email protected] or call the Twin Groves office at 847-821-8946.
Thank you for your prompt cooperation.
Daily Announcements
Please see the 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.
Twin Groves Athletics
Please click HERE to access the Twin Groves Athletics site.
This site will be updated frequently.