Happy New Year everyone! I thought we would try something new and give you monthly team updates on what is going on here at Woodlawn. The first Friday of every month will now have a report by each of the teams on what you can expect to see in the upcoming month. Scroll down to see what is going on in your grade level or with your teacher. Let's see how this works out.
Remember to visit the P.T.O. newsletter at the top of this page!!!!!
6-1 Team
January
Social Studies: This month we will be learning about all of the early humans that have been discovered by archaeologists. We will be taking our Archaeology and Early Human Benchmark on January 20th. Following the Benchmark, we will begin our unit on Mesopotamia.
Math: Students in math are currently working on percents, fractions or algebraic equations. Benchmarks will take place after the end of the chapters. Look for extra credit coming soon.
Language Arts: In Language Arts, we are wrapping up the poetry unit. The poetry benchmark will be Friday, January 13th. Following poetry we will begin learning about non-fiction text and writing extended responses.
Science: In the upcoming month students in science will be learning about atoms, molecules, and elements. They will also become familiar with the periodic table. In addition, we will be discussing physical and chemical properties and changes. On January 20th there will be a Chemistry Presentation by Science Alliance.
Team 6-2 Blog Update:
Week of Jan. 3-6
English/Language arts: In English class, students are currently reading and writing various styles of poetry. Through the poetry, students are focusing on different forms of figurative language. There will be a poetry benchmark next Friday, January 13th.
Math:
At Level: We are working on Chapter 5 currently which is on number theory. Expect to see homework using Fractions. The benchmark will most likely be the week of January 16th.
Advanced Math: We are finishing up our first real Algebra experience with the distributive Property this week. Look for the 2nd Quarter Benchmark early next week.
Pre - Algebra: We are working on Percents, Fractions and Decimals and exploring their equivalency. The benchmark will most likely be the week of January 16th.
Science: In Science class ,we are studying chemistry and students have learned about physical and chemical properties as well as changes. Students have just completed their first lab using the bunsen burner.....they were so excited to use it:) We will be continuing our study of chemistry throughout second quarter as well as a bit of third quarter.
Social Studies: We just finished our study of timelines and are now moving on to the study of early humans. We will learn about Australopethecus, Homo Habilis, Homo Erectus, Neanderthals, Homo Sapiens, and Cro-Magnons. The archeology and early man benchmark is tentatively scheduled for Friday, January 20th.
7-2/8-2 Team update:
Maggiore
In Ms. Maggiore’s 7th Grade Course 2 Math, we will be studying factor trees, GCF, LCM, comparing and ordering rational numbers, simplifying fractions, and converting fractions, decimals, and percents equivalencies. We will also be reviewing for the upcoming ISAT tests. In 7th Grade Accelerated Pre-Algebra, we will begin working on ratios, rates, proportions, scale drawings, and similar figures; as well as reviewing for the ISAT tests. In 7th Grade Honors Algebra, we will be finishing Chapter 5 on Linear Equations reviewing for the ISAT tests, and learning about Solving and Graphing Inequalities.
In 8th Grade Algebra, we are preparing for the Stevenson Placement Tests, finishing Chapter 6 on Solving and Graphing Inequalities. ISAT review will also be a part of the 3rd quarter and we will continue working on Systems of Linear Equations- Chp. 7 and Exponential Functions Chp. 8 for the remainder of the 3rd quarter.
Miller
In Mrs. Miller's 7th Grade Social Studies classes, students will be exploring free speech and the controversies surrounding the First Amendment. Students will be role playing Supreme Court cases in order to deepen their understanding of the topic and will be watching the movie Skokie about the American Nazi Party's attempt to exercise free speech and assembly by marching through nearby Skokie, Illinois in the 1970s. We will also be investigating the remaining amendments in the Bill of Rights and the continued debates over their meaning.
In Mrs. Miller's 8th Grade Social Studies classes, we will be studying the various elements of the Holocaust - Nazi Rise to Power, Ghetto Life, Deportation, Extermination and the U.S. response to the atrocities committed. Through this study, we hope students gain an understanding of the inhumanity and destruction of the Holocaust and recognize that the steps on the ladder of prejudice still exist in the present-day. We hope students will be inspired to take action against such prejudices and learn to be responsible, involved citizens in their school, community, nation, and world around them.
Russell
Reading & Language Arts: Ms. Russell's 8th graders are currently preparing for the Stevenson High School placement test in reading. We have also embarked on an in-depth poetry unit that involves the analysis of poems, and the creation of original works. In the 7th grade honors sections, students will be working on poetry collections, book reports, and the presentation of both. Students are also learning about action, linking, and helping verbs in our ongoing study of grammar and the parts of speech.
Frank
In Mr. Frank's 7th grade science classes we are working on force and motion. This is the most math intensive unit of the year, so as a result it will be the most challenging. We explore Newton's laws of motion, simple machines, and mechanical advantage. The annual roller coaster competition is much anticipated. 8th grade begins with a review of cell structure and function and then moves into active/passive transport systems. Other topics include the structure of DNA, discussion of genetics and heredity, and cell division. Computer animations and virtual lab activities will be used extensively to better understand the material in this unit. Remember that links to online textbooks can be found on my website as well as links to virtual labs and computer animations.
Nicksarlian
Señora Nicksarlian's 8th grade class is working on Unit 4 which takes place in the world heritage city of Oaxaca. Students are learning about places in the city , giving and asking for directions, modes of transportation, bargaining, shopping in the local markets and ordering food in restaurants and cafés. They are currently studying stem-changing boot verbs and indirect object pronouns. Next week we begin our final review for the grammar, vocabulary and listening portion of the Stevenson Placement Test. The test will be given in two parts on Jan. 18-19. Students need to continue studying all their vocabulary. 7th grade students are learning school vocabulary and are talking about their classes in Spanish!! It's amazing all the vocabulary they've learned so far, greetings, descriptions with adjectives, professions, and family members. They will soon learn how to conjugate -ar verbs and will have a writing assignment about their favorite subject. Recently, before winter break they learned about the life of a famous Mexican-American singer, Selena.
Hain
This month Mrs. Hain’s 8th graders in English/LA are preparing for the Stevenson High School placement test. The 8th grade students will be taking their English placement test on Wednesday, January 11. We will then begin, one of my favorite novels, A Separate Peace by John Knowles while continuing to work on literary analysis.
This month Mrs. Hain’s 7th graders in English/LA are plunging into poetry. We will be reading, and analyzing a variety of poems. The students will also have the opportunity to write various forms of poetry. We will also learn about the different types of verbs concentrating on identification. The students will also work on their individual goals.
7-1 Team Update:
Mrs. Julis's second-period math class will be taking the chapter 3 (algebraic equations and inequalities) test this week and the quarter 2 benchmark next week. We will then begin our study of fractions, decimals, and percents. Third- and fourth-period social studies classes have finished the Constitution unit and are now examining the Bill of Rights. Periods 7 and 8 are also completing their math unit on equations and inequalities and will be taking their test on Friday and their benchmark next week. We will then explore ratios, proportions, and percents, as well as doing some geometry. In Period 8 math, we are learning to write the equations of lines and learning more about the relationships of these equations to their graphs.
Ms. Luther's Spanish classes are beginning U2E1 this month. We are excited to learn new classroom vocabulary, how to conjugate -ar verbs, and frequency adverbs. In E/LA we are beginning our poetry unit. We will be reading and analyzing all different types of poetry and then writing our own poetry collections.
8-1 Team update:
Sara Khan
Back from break, we are practicing (grammar, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry) for the SHS Placement test.
After that, the honor's class will start reading the novel A Separate Peace.
The at- level class will begin reading the novel The Giver.
Jason Keenon
Honors: After the placements in January, we will begin our first novel unit with A Separate Peace. We will also begin persuasive writing.
At-Level: After the placements in January, we will begin our first novel unit with The Giver. We will also be working on writing analysis paragraphs.
Wendy Shannon
In January, we will be concluding our second semester with the Holocaust Unit. After the second quarter district benchmark assessment, we will begin studying the post-war United States highlighting both the Cold War and changes in culture in1950s America.
Teresa Dennis
In Spanish we will be finishing Unit 4. This will include vocabulary and verbs related to ordering food in a restaurant. This unit also includes irregular affirmative commands and negative commands. The culture lesson of this unit includes Monte Albán and El Dorado.
Kristina Harvat
Eng/LA - W are wrapping up memoirs and then beginning poetry. We will start the novel "The Giver" toward the end of the month. We also continue to study grammar, clauses, phrases, and punctuation. Wordly Wise is completed daily and we will soon be having a cumulative test over lessons 1-10.
Math - We continue to work on basic facts and divisibility. We will be doing more with fractions, ratios and hopefully moving into some geometry.
Resource - Students continue to work on individual Study Island lessons. We will also have some discussions about Stevenson High School registration and class options. After report cards are issued, students will look at IEP goals and make personal goals based on progress.
Rick Polidoro
As of January, science is now in a new unit on Cells and Cell Functions. Our study includes the parts of the cell and their functions with emphasis on cell transport, energy and basic genetics.
P.E./Health Wellness
Currently in Physical Education students are using their creativity in the Dance Unit where they will produce original dance routines while working cooperatively in groups. This unit will be wrapping up by the end of the grading period. The next major unit for all grades will be Volleyball. This coincides with the Girls Volleyball Season. We encourage all interested 7th & 8th grade girls to tryout for the Woodlawn teams.
In Health, 6th grade students are completing their First Aid projects, 7th grade students are learning about Stress and how to cope, and 8th graders are completing their diet projects. All classes will be taking the Benchmark assessments on Friday, January 13. Group 4 will return to PE on January 18.
Encore Team Updates 1/6/12
Lots of exciting stuff is going on in the Encore Team as we begin the New Year!
In FACS 6th grade has been working on doing brochures on Vitamins and minerals and will start cooking next week. 7th and 8th grades have been researching recipes based on their cultural backgrounds.
In Music 6th graders are beginning their cereal commercial and 7th and 8th grades are working hard on their guitar units.
The Musical, Cinderella, directed by Mrs. Rosen will be holding auditions on January 27th ad 31st. Forms and information are on the website.
In Communications 6th grades are working on a pod cast as part of a unit on developing their voice. 7th and 8th grades are researching an illness that they would like to establish a foundation for and then giving a persuasive speech that would persuade people to donate money to.
In ART 6th grades have just finished the Value Study Painting unit and willsoon be ready to paint their clay animal sculptures. 7th and 8th grades have been working in technology this week with Mr. Frischman. 7th grade has been doing some beautiful photography of ordinary objects in Inspire Pro and finishing their Wooden Animal Sculptures. 8th grades have been working in Adobe Photoshop and finishing their abstract paintings. Next week we will be painting and completing the Ceramic Mask project.
Mrs. Woods in the Learning Center reports that there is a new order of books coming into the learning center soon, as well as some I Pods that will be available for student check out of audio books!
Mr. Frishman, Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Feldman have been invaluable to all the Encore classes by also helping with a variety of Tech devices and teaching various applications in order to infuse Technology into the curriculum.
Mrs. Shiman has also been working hard putting up art displays and assisting with a myriad of tasks associated with all aspects of the Encore program at Woodlawn.
