6-1 Team Notes

Social Studies:  This month we will be learning all about Mesopotamia.  We will focus on the importance of the River Valleys and discuss their major achievements and inventions.  We will be taking our Mesopotamia Benchmark on February 24th.  Following the Benchmark, we will begin our unit on Egypt.

Language Arts: This month we have begun our non-fiction unit.  Skills included in this unit are working on non-fiction text structures (sequencing, cause/effect, problem/solution, and compare/contrast) and locating main ideas, using context clues, and supporting details.  In addition, we are working on writing developed extended responses.

Science:  This month in science students will be finishing up the Chemistry Unit. Students will be differentiating among elements, compounds and mixtures.  The Chemistry Benchmark will be on Friday, February 24.  Following the benchmark, we will begin our Geology Unit.  

Math: Geometry!!! That is what all advanced and honor leveled students will be working on this month. All pre-algebra skills will be reinforced throughout this unit. Our at level students will be working on fractions. Have no fear they will also be reinforcing the geometry knowledge that they have already mastered this year.

Team 6-2 Update:

Math:  Whew.  All Benchmarks are behind us...now on with the 3rd Quarter.  Remember, the kids should have homework every night with the exception of Fridays.

At - Level:  FRACTIONS:  All kinds of fraction problems are coming your way:  Adding, Subtracting, multiplying and dividing.  We will also be applying those fractions in basic geometry as well.

Advanced:  Everything Geometry:  we will continue with our geometry unit with three dimensional figures. We will also be learning about different types of lines and angles.

Pre - Algebra:  We will beginning our geometry unit.  This unit will include lines, 2 and 3 dimensional figures and their measurements along  with Congruency and similar figures.

SCIENCE : Students are continuing their study of chemistry. They are learning about chromatography as well as acids , bases and pH. Their colorful filters will soon be up in our hall for all to admire! There will be a benchmark at the end of February.

Reading/Language Arts: Students have jumped right into our nonfiction unit.  They are reading various nonfiction pieces, recognizing the text structures, and also identifying the main ideas and supporting details.  We are also practicing responding to nonfiction as well as fiction pieces through extended response.

Social Studies: Having finished the Archaeology and Early Man benchmark, we now move on to Mesopotamia and the early civilizations. Students are now working on a fun project where they will create a commercial or newscast about what we are learning about early civilizations.

7-2/8-2 Team Blog

Ms. Jaime Kramer

7th grade Math - Miss Kramer's math class has begun diving into chapter 4 this week.  We have been focusing on mastering learning target 2j: Apply primes, factors and multiples in solving problems through learning about prime factorization, greatest common factors, and simplifying fractions.  Next week our class will learn how to convert fractions to decimals and percents, and how to find the least common multiple.

6th grade Math - Miss Kramer's 6th grade math class has had a busy week.  We have been focusing on Learning Targets 4c: Solving problems using GCF and LCM, 5b: Ordering and comparing fractions, and 5c: writing improper fractions as mixed numbers and mixed numbers as improper fractions.  Next week we will be continuing to solve problems using fractions and mixed numbers.

Mrs. Nicksarlian

Spanish

Señora Nicksarlian's 8th grade Spanish class is done with Stevenson Placement Tests and is currently working on restaurant and food vocabulary. They will be creating restaurant skits and menus and will also have an opportunity to film their skit.  They also learned about the ancient Zapotec archeological site (Monte Albán) of Oaxaca, Mexico and the food markets.We are finishing up unit 4 and will be taking a benchmark next week.  After unit 4 we will take a break and enjoy a movie based on Monte Alban.  Unit 5 takes place in Barcelona, Spain and we will be talking about chores, daily routines and grooming, cooking, and household related vocabulary. 7th grade students are working on school vocabulary and after school activities. They are currently learning -ar verbs, question words, and the verb estar (which is to be for location, feelings and health) and the verb ir (to go). We had a verb competition with "burbujas" where they had to conjugate the verb and beat the bubbles! The 7th graders did a phenomenal job on their writing "Mi clase favorita" (My favorite class). Check out Señora's homework hotline for daily details on what is going on in class and homework assignments!

Mr. Frank

Science

Mr. Frank’s 7th grade science classes continue with the force and motion unit. We transferred momentum using a Newton’s Cradle fabricated from bowling balls. We also explored acceleration by launching ourselves across the room attached to bungee cords on a cart. We are currently working on activities that demonstrate how simple machines provide mechanical advantage. Students lifted Mr. Frank (not an easy task) using a lever and will have the opportunity to test their strength again by lifting Mr. Frank with a movable pulley system.

In 8th grade science, we will be investigating osmosis in red onions and potatoes, exploring how various concentrations of saltwater affect the cells. There will be a brief discussion of respiration, photosynthesis, and fermentation before we dig into cell division and mitosis. The unit wraps up by making DNA models, studying chromosomes and genes, and looking how mutations can change the traits of an organism.

Mrs. Miller

Social Studies

In Mrs. Miller's 7th grade classes, through dramatic play, students will be discovering how our nation expanded and prospered as they perform, "Pardon Me, Mr. Tallyrand, but did you Mean the WHOLE of Louisiana?"  They will also learn about America's second war against the British, the War of 1812, which developed our country's sense of patriotism and pride and gave birth to our National Anthem.  Hooray for the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!"

In Mrs. Miller's 8th grade classes, we will continue to explore the Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union and how these tensions influenced American foreign policy and American society.  We will enjoy the culture of the Fabulous '50s through fashion, music and television as we celebrate "1950s Day" on Friday, February 10th!  Please encourage your child(ren) to dress in the style of the day as we learn how to "duck and cover," hula hoop, and hand jive!  The second half of the month will focus on the African American struggle for civil rights through the 1940s and 1950s with an emphasis on Brown v. Board of Education, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the Little Rock Nine.  Our unit will culminate with an emotional and inspirational candlelight vigil for those who lost their lives in the struggle for equality.  It's sure to be a highlight of our curriculum!

Reading & Language Arts (Russell):

Ms. Russell's 8th Graders are currently engaged in a novel study. We will read, discuss, and interpret meaning/theme in Lois Lowry’s Newberry Award winning book, The Giver. We are also using this novel as a basis for writing literary analysis paragraphs. In the 7th grade honors sections, students will be working on expository (fact-based) writing, book reports, and sharpening our presentation skills.

Students are also learning about adverbs and the three jobs that adverbs can do: they describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

Reading & Language Arts (Hain):

Mrs. Hain’s 8th graders in English/LA are reading A Separate Peace, which takes place during World War II at an all-boys boarding school. While reading, we are working on answering both literal and inferential questions using text examples and explanations to support our answers.  Please feel free to pick up a copy and read it along with your child. It is an excellent read. We will also be starting persuasive writing. Students will participate in a variety of tasks showing off their talents of persuasion. The end of the month brings us to a literary classic by Dickens, Great Expectations. Again feel free to read this classic with your child.

Mrs. Hain’s 7th graders in English/LA are working on analyzing poetry and writing original poetry. Their poetry collection will consist of a concrete poem, lyric poem, three haiku poems, and a free verse poem all concentrating on a specific theme of their choosing. After poetry,

we will move into nonfiction reading including identifying main idea and supporting details, identifying text structure, and differentiating between facts and opinion. We will also work on determining the meaning of subject specific vocabulary as it relates to nonfiction texts. Our

grammar studies focus on identifying and using adjectives in our writing and conversations.

Math

In 7th grade at level, we will be working on percent of a number, percent proportions, area of triangles, and quadrilaterals, area and circumference of a circle, volume of prisms, and surface area of rectangular prisms and cylinders.  We will also be working on short and extended response questions in preparation for ISAT testing in March. 

In 7th grade accelerated level, (Pre-algebra) we will be working on solving proportions, scale drawings and models, similar figures and indirect measurement, percents, including percent of change, simple and compound interest, and construction of circle graphs.  We will also work on how to write short and extended response questions in preparation for ISAT testing in March. 

In 7th grade Honors level, (Algebra I) we will be completing the unit on solving and graphing equations, inequalities, and absolute value equations.  We will then work on Systems of Linear Equations using graphing, substitution, addition and subtraction methods, and elimination methods to solve systems. The students will learn how to graph absolute value equations as well as systems of linear equations and inequalities, with and without a calculator  We will also work on how to write short and extended response questions for ISAT testing in March.

In 8th grade Accelerated (Algebra I) will be completing the unit on Solving and Graphing Systems of Equations and Inequalities.  We will cover all of the methods used to solve for 2 unknown variables, graphing, substitution method, addition, subtraction, and  multiplication methods and my favorite, the elimination method.  The students will learn how to graph absolute value equations and systems of equation and inequalities with and without a calculator.  We will also work on short and extended response questions to prepare for ISAT testing in March.

Mrs. Luther

In Ms. Luther's Spanish classes, we are learning time, questions words, to go to, and school vocabulary.  In E/LA we are still working on analyzing poetry and we're writing our own poems.  Be sure to check them out by accessing your child's Google docs account!

Mrs. Julis

In seventh-grade at-level math, we will be taking the benchmark on Tuesday and then starting a geometry unit dealing with area, perimeter, circumference, volume, and other topics.  In accelerated math, we will be finishing our study of ratios and rates and moving on to the geometry unit, which should take us through the middle of March.  In honors math, we will continue our exploration of absolute-value equations and inequalities and then move on to study systems of equations.

In the coming weeks in social studies classes, we will be discussing the presidencies of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and James Madison, including the War of 1812 and westward expansion.

Mrs. Shanks 7th grade Reading/LA

This month we will continue to work on analyzing literary devices by exploring all different types of poetry. We will be expressing our creative side through our poetry collections and then moving on to learn all about non-fiction. Students will be learning the difference between fact and opinion, learning to read non-fiction for detail and then be able to summarize what they have learned. 

Encore Team 

Week of February 3

ART with Mrs. Kile

These  first two weeks of the Art Quint all classes are working on drawing projects and refining drawing and shading skills.  

•                6th Grades are finishing the Black shaped Design and mastering their shading exercises. They will be starting the clay animals next week.

•                7th Grades have been finishing up their Letter Designs and will be starting the  Wooden Animal sculptures next week.

•                8th Grades are finishing up the word designs and starting to design their masks for the clay project coming up next week

COMMUNICATIONS with Mrs. Simmons

6th Graders are learning the process of giving a speech. We’ve done brainstorming,

formal topic outlines, and note cards, discussed speech strategies, and we’ll be starting the “All About Me” speech soon.  

7th Graders just delivered their “Object” speeches and are starting a unit on Advertising.

8th Graders just finished the “Where I see myself at the age of 25” speech and will be starting to prepare for the “public service announcement” iMovie/Green screen project

FACS with Mrs. Woeckel

The 6th graders have been learning about child development and how each age brings a different level of cognitive and physical  abilities. They took this information and created  a project that evaluated one of their own childhood photos by identifying their emotional, intellectual, physical, social and  moral characteristics of that particular age.

The 7th and 8th graders are learning about textiles and how these materials fit into our world around us. The students researched various fibers and created  a web page that identified the characteristics, uses, history, care and processing of these fibers. After  they completed their research the students presented these web pages to the class. They did an outstanding job by creating links for additional information and embedding images into their work.

Wellness Department:

Physical education students are well into the volleyball unit.  After two days of skill warm up and rule instruction, the students are playing games and having fun.  The fitness area of focus for this health group is abdominal muscles and the curl up test.  Fitness interventions are focusing on strengthening the abdominal muscles and encouraging students to practice at home.  The next unit up will be electives were students get to choose their activities for the unit. 

Group 1 returned to Health on January 20 for their second unit.  The 8th grade students are learning about Disease Prevention.  Students have chosen a topic and are working on an informational website using Google sites.  The 7th grade students are learning about Substance Abuse.  They are using Glogster to produce public service announcement posters informing viewers of the dangers of using drugs.  The 7th and 8th grade classes will also be covering the topic of Sexual Harassment.  Mrs. Franks and Ms. Tripp will be joining us and facilitating activities and discussion.  The 6th grade classes are learning about Growth and Development.  After covering basic body organization, we are now focusing on the changes and challenges of Adolescence.  All classes will be taking their Benchmarks on February 15 before returning to P.E. on February 20.

Tammy Franks

As most of you know, our students are being rewarded with "Pack Paws" from the staff for doing what is expected of them in the classroom, hallway, or the lunchroom.  They have the chance to redeem their Paws throughout the day for wearing a hat, sitting in the teacher's chair, sitting next to a friend, getting out of ZAP, $10 ITunes giftcard, etc.  Throughout the year we also hold raffles for the kids to participate in.  At lunch this past Friday, the students had an opportunity to put in their Paws for Chipotle burritos and Jamba Juice giftcards.  Today Amrit, Javier, Kamilla, Samantha, Danny, Ysabel, Jason, Logan, Max enjoyed their burritos at lunch. 

If you want to be a part of the Woodlawn PACK Paw program, we would be grateful for any donations from our parents.  Some items that have been donated in the past include restaurant certificates, sports paraphenilia, ITunes giftcards, candy, movie passes, etc. 

Keep up the good work Woodlawn students!