12/13/24
Upcoming Dates:
12/21- 1/5- No School- Winter Break
1/6- Classes Resume
1/14- Early Release- Students dismissed at 1:30 PM
1/20- No School
2/14- Half Day- Students dismissed at 11:10 AM
2/17- No School
2/18- Early Release- Students dismissed at 1:30 PM
2/28- No School
3/3- No School
3/20- Early Release- Students dismissed at 1:30 PM and Conferences from 5:00 PM- 8:30 PM
3/21- No School- Conferences from 10:00 AM- 1:30 PM
3/24-3/28- No School- Spring Break
What’s Happening at Twin Groves?
Art: It feels like we just started the trimester but we’ve already finished several projects! 6th grade drew continuous contour line drawings on watercolor paper. They’ve learned about and practiced correct human proportions. And we’ve just finished molding clay elephants. 7th grade learned how to do printmaking and oil pastels. Then they made sculptures out of wire and socks. Now they are working on writing an Art Analysis. 8th grade started by creating line designs with repetition, rhythm and movement. Then they practiced and studied the features of the face. They just finished creating clay slab portraits!
Music: This month in Music we finished our Bucket Drumming units in 6-8th grade. We focused on the fundamentals of music by breaking down the difference between beat and rhythm. We also discussed tempo and how the speed affects the overall sound. The students then applied that knowledge to the drum by practicing simple and complex rhythms on various parts of the bucket. 6th graders worked on playing these patterns together and performing them as an ensemble. 7th graders investigated how to improvise and played their own patterns while others kept a beat. 8th graders focused on independence as performers as they each played their own rhythmic patterns while different combinations were being played. Each grade will be starting on pitched instruments before we head into winter break.
TASOL: This month in TASOL, 7th and 8th grade students have been working on Financial Literacy. We have investigated the differences between needs and wants. The students looked at how consumers make purchases and what are influencers. We have completed a mini lesson including a taste test to discover differences in brand name and store brand. Students have started working in the kitchens by reviewing kitchen safety, utensils/appliance uses, and cooking terms. In 6th grade, we have been exploring different career clusters. They have been creating individual resumes including their interests and achievements. Students will engage in a short money management unit before starting their sewing projects after Winter Break.
Band: The after-school band has been canceled through December 20th. The Band Concert on December 16th also has been cancelled. M. Nagle will send out information as soon as it is rescheduled.
Orchestra: The Orchestra students are working and playing hard as we approach Winter Break! The 6th Graders have been learning new rhythms, the 7th Graders are continuing to work on shifting to 3rd position and the 8th Graders have been working very hard on their consortium pieces.
Just a reminder that the SHS 8th Grade Orchestra Consortium Event will be taking place on Wednesday, January 15th @ SHS from 4:15-6:30 pm for ALL 8th Grade Orchestra students. Permission forms are due TODAY (Friday, Dec. 13th). Please make sure to review the information in the previously sent emails.
Since we are already starting to experience cold temperatures, please make sure that students are taking care of their instruments at home by storing them in a temperate room in their home. Please avoid leaving instruments in cars, garages, outside, etc. for long periods of time. Students should be tuning their instruments regularly at home. Also, if there are any repairs or tuning issues over Winter Break, please bring the instruments to the vendor you rent from to be fixed. If students are missing any materials (ex. rosin), please visit the vendor directly. Finally, if any students are ready for the next size instrument, please bring the instrument to the vendor you rent from over Winter Break and exchange it for the next size instrument. Thank you for your help with this!
As a reminder, please make sure to review our concert/events calendar below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y6wXQugMQ8jbGAzFCmazbw9lY2ZcOCZpSs89bzWeR_w/edit?usp=sharing
Current Patriot Consortium Mathematics Placement Process- 8th-Grade Parents
The consortium has created criteria that define the four strands of mathematical proficiency to highlight the attributes of a proficient mathematical thinker. The criteria are grouped into three categories.
-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 to the mathematics course at Stevenson High School that matches their content knowledge as well as their level of mathematics proficiency at this time.
As a district and consortium, it is our vision that each student moves on to the next course in the sequence providing that there are no 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.
Course Sequence for Core 8 Students
-Algebra 1 with Mentor Math or Algebra 1 with Math Guided Study will be recommended if students need to reinforce and refresh targets in Units 1-4
-Algebra 1 will be recommended if students have mastered targets in Units 1-4
Course Sequence for Algebra 1 Students
-Geometry will be recommended if students need to reinforce and refresh targets in Units 1-4
-Geometry AB/BC will be recommended if students have mastered targets in Units 1-4
Course Sequence for Geometry Students
-Algebra 2 will be recommended if students need to reinforce and refresh targets in Units 1-3
-Algebra 2 AB/BC will be recommended if students have mastered targets in Units 1-3
PORTRAIT OF A MATHEMATICALLY PROFICIENT STUDENT
Procedural Skills & Fluency
How well you can correctly use mathematics.
(skill in carrying out procedures flexibly, accurately, efficiently, and appropriately)
I can identify and use the most efficient method for the problem. (MP7)
I can use mathematical computations, terms, symbols, formulas, and language appropriately. (MP5, 6)
I can recognize the algebraic structure in problems and use rules or procedures to solve or simplify. (MP7)
I can solve problems with accuracy. (MP6)
Conceptual Understanding
How well you utilize mathematical ideas, transfer your knowledge into new situations, and apply it to new contexts.
(comprehension of mathematical concepts, operations, and relations)
I can use diagrams, pictures, and symbols to justify my work. (MP4)
I can understand and justify the “why” of the procedure. (MP3)
I can justify solutions algebraically, graphically, and numerically. (MP3)
I can explain my solution with sound mathematical reasoning using precise mathematics vocabulary and terminology. (MP3, 8)
I can determine the reasonableness of my answer. (MP2)
Problem Solving with Adaptive Reasoning and Strategic Competence
How well you can apply strategies and sound reasoning.
(capacity for logical thought, reflection, explanation, and justification and ability to formulate, represent, and solve mathematical problems)
I can select and use all the pertinent information to solve the problem. (MP2)
I can determine a problem-solving strategy by forming logical relationships among concepts and situations. (MP7, 8)
I can represent a situation mathematically using modeling. (MP4)
I can retain and apply information and skills from previous units to solve problems alongside new concepts. (MP7,8)
I can make connections between multiple mathematical concepts to solve problems in unfamiliar situations. (MP7,8)
I can persevere when encountering new and difficult concepts.(MP1)
Virtual Backpacks
District Virtual Backpack: https://www.kcsd96.org/about/virtual-backpack
Twin Groves Virtual Backpack: https://www.kcsd96.org/tg/virtual-backpack
Daily Announcements
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Twin Groves Athletics
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