5 Essentials Survey

All students, parents and teachers in Illinois are being asked to participate in the 5 Essentials Survey.  This survey is based around school improvement and each of the three target groups can share their thoughts with this online survey.

The five indicators that effect student success and are measured in this survey are:

• Effective leaders
• Collaborative Teachers
• Involved Families 
• Supportive Environments
• Ambitious Instruction

Focus on these indicators has shown schools strong in these areas are more likely to improve student learning.  All responses are confidential, regardless of which target group you are a participant. 

My original plan was to implement this survey during AE periods in the middle of March.  After speaking with target groups of students, they expressed that they would rather use their AE time toward daily work and assignments.  The P.E. staff has graciously offed up this Wednesday, February 27th to take the survey during their class time.  

If you would like your child to opt out of this survey, please contact me via e-mail.  

February 22, 2013

Woodlawn families,

Welcome to the last Friday of February.  There was some hope in the Grana household that today would be a snow day.  Once reality set in that school would be in session, the grumpiness and whining continued, but eventually I got over it and made it to school.  If there ever is a day where school is cancelled, you will receive a School Messenger notice directly from the boss herself, Superintendent Julie Schmidt. A few of us are required to come in to work regardless of the weather, so if you ever want to irritate me, call on that snow day and ask me how I am doing. 

You have to visit the PTO Newsletter link at the top of this page.  Please go there, I do not want a bunch of angry PTO board members knocking on my door.  They can be very intimidating.  

Celebration time!

Our Woodlawn Math Team placed third in the MathCounts regional competition at the College of Lake County on Saturday, February 16 and will be heading to the state-level contest on March 9!  Students on the team are Albert Cao (seventh grade), Michael Chiasson (eighth grade), Reuben Gutmann (eighth grade) and Antony Simonoff (sixth grade).  The alternate participating in  the state-level contest will be David Lee (seventh grade).  Other students who participated in the contest last Saturday are Julia Qian, Leo Chen, Yogin Patel, and Alex Zhang , all seventh graders. The Math Team will be competing again this Saturday, February 23, in a regional contest at Carmel High School.

Celebrate part II

Kudos to all of the band and orchestra members on their performances this week.  Great job by our Woodlawn musicians, Mr. Duggan & Mr. Craw!  Woo hoo!  

How do the Common Core Standards connect to Standards Based Reporting?

In last week's blog, I shared some background information related to the Common Core State Standards. The goal of these new standards is to better prepare students for success in college and the workforce in a competitive global economy. The standards increase the rigor and complexity of student learning, asking students to do more and think more deeply related to core content. 

We have, as a district, already worked with the other feeder districts that attend Stevenson and with Stevenson teachers, too, to make sure we implement the standards with consistency so that our students are fully prepared for Stevenson's expectations, specifically in the areas of Language Arts and Math. These shared standards were implemented this year in Language Arts, and changes related to Math will start next year. 

So how do the new standards relate to our changes in reporting practices? The new standards described above drive WHAT we expect students to know and be able to do. Thus, the standards define our "3.0" or mastery level learning. The standards are our baseline for grade level expectations. We then, whenever possible, have extended the standards to identify what "4.0" (extends) learning would look like for students who have already mastered the already more rigorous standard. Likewise, for students who have not yet mastered the standard, we identify what "2.0" (below) and "1.0" (well below) performance means so we can clearly communicate to students and parents current learning and what needs to be done for a student to master the target. 

Additional information regarding student learning targets is now available on the District website.  Parents have always had access to the District Curriculum Frameworks which include the mastery expectations (3.0 learning targets) for students in each grade for every subject area, and represent the learning targets included on Report Cards.  These targets remain constant throughout the school year.  

Parents will now have access to the District Pacing Guides which include the mastery expectations (3.0 learning targets) and additional learning targets (2.0 and 4.0 learning targets) that teachers use for instructional purposes. The 4.0 learning targets indicate a more complex learning target related to the 3.0 learning target.  The 2.0 learning targets indicate a simpler version of the 3.0 learning target.  The 4.0 and 2.0 learning targets are fluid and flexible, sometimes adjusted throughout the school year based on information from student performance and teacher input.  

Put simply, the pacing guides illustrate what is taught when (the standards) and how each level of learning will be reported (standards-based reporting). I strongly encourage you to take a look, as this provides you with a great deal of information related to your child's learning path. Feel free to contact Mr. Murphy, any of your child's teachers or myself, if you have questions or need more information. 

Testing Results

Woodlawn parents… You will be receiving key information about your child's learning. Next Friday, March 1, MAP reports for 6^th  and 7^th  graders will be sent home with the students. On March 1^st, 8th graders' EXPLORE access codes will be mailed home so that you may access the online data, using a unique ID code for each student. Any 8th grader who took MAP will also receive their scores in the same envelope as the EXPLORE information. 

On March 13, we will publish Trimester 2 report cards online. We will email you directions for accessing the report card via PowerSchool. Please note that report cards will NOT be printed in hard copy, as you will be able to see all the information right on PowerSchool. 

Treat Reminder

As much as we would like to allow students to bring in treats at lunch for all of their friends, it is simply against the rules.  Too many incidences, allergies, and it is simply not a good practice.  Please check the parent/student handbook for further information. 

Attention parents of fifth-graders...(rewrite from last week)

The D96  Parent-to-Parent (P2P) Network is partnering with Woodlawn and Twin Groves Middle School principals and staff to present a brand-new transition program for parents whose current fifth-grade students will be attending middle school in August 2013. 

This don’t-miss program on Tues., Mar. 12,  @ 7 p.m., Woodlawn Middle School Gym, for ALL District 96 parents of current fifth graders will feature a student panel for Q&A and practical transition tips, middle school staff, and Greg Grana and me!

Please note that this program replaces the school-based programs presented in previous years. One program/one date for ALL parents of current D96 fifth-grade students: Tues., Mar. 12, 7 p.m., Woodlawn Middle School gym, 6362 Gilmer Rd, Long Grove 60047.

ISAT SCHEDULE (rewrite from last week)

As you may be aware this year's ISAT (Illinois Standards Achievement Test) will take place in March. Our schedule will be as follows:

Wednesday, March 6--testing all day for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade

Thursday, March 7--testing all day for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade

Friday, March 8--testing all day for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade

Monday, March 11--testing all day for 7th grade only

While students cannot study for the ISAT, they will certainly benefit from getting a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast. It will also be important that students arrive on time each day, as we'd like as few make ups as possible. If you have specific questions regarding the ISAT, please contact me directly. 

Coming up…

I will be hosting some informal parent coffees with the topic of conversation being Standards Based Report Cards.  These will be in either late March or early April.  I can feel the excitement building. 

Finally

Thank you to everyone who commented on my blog last week.  It is a challenge to write interesting stuff from week to week.  If you have any blog themes for me to try, send me an e-mail.  ggrana@kcsd96.org  

Have a great week.

Mr. Grana

Successful Lock Down Drill Today

I wanted to share with you that today at 12:15pm, Woodlawn underwent a Lock Down Drill.  Officers from the Lake County Sheriffs' Department and D96 Resource Officer Janet Freeman were on site to assist in the drill.  As noted in the D96 Parent/Student Handbook, these drills are designed to acquaint students and staff with procedures to cope with emergencies within and around the building that can possibly arise during school.  Staff was aware of the timing of the drill, yet students were only notified this morning that a drill would take place at some point today.

I'm proud to announce that students and staff alike were quick, calm, and collected during the scheduled drill that lasted about 12 minutes during one of our lunch periods.  (Country Meadows Elementary School took part in a similar drill following ours.)

I encourage you to talk with your sons and daughters about their experiences today, and do not hesitate to contact Principal Grana or me with any questions.

Thanks,
Chris

Woodlawn State of the Union 2/15/13

Before we begin, please visit the PTO Newsletter link at the top of this page!

Welcome to President’s Day Weekend!  After watching the State of the Union speech this week, and knowing that I will never be the commander in chief, I will have to settle on presiding over Woodlawn Middle School.  Imagine myself standing at the podium in a nice suit, Old Glory hanging from the rafters behind me, Mr. Murphy seated behind my right shoulder (obligated to clap at everything I say) and over my left shoulder, the next in line of succession, which would obviously be Mrs. Kupsco.   Envisioning that as the backdrop…

Madam Administrative Assistant, Assistant Principal Murphy, Teacher Representatives and the Woodlawn Community, it is my honor to keep you up to date with the state of Woodlawn this week.  On this past Monday evening at Ivy Hall School, we met to discuss the realities of the Common Core.  It was a lively crowd, many of whom had serious questions surrounding the most pressing Common Core  issues of the day.  Here is a brief recap of the details from that evening:

COMMON CORE UPDATE

Thanks to those of you who came to Monday night's presentation about the new Common Core State Standards. For those of you who couldn't come or want to know more, please take a look at the presentation. 

You may wonder what we mean when we refer to the Common Core Standards. The Illinois State Board of Education has adopted new Math and English Language Arts standards for K‐12 education known as the Common Core Standards.  The goal is to better prepare students for success in college and the workforce in a competitive global economy. The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy. 

Forty-five states, including Illinois, have adopted the Common Core Standards. Why has Illinois opted to adopt these new standards?

•                Our expectations for what students must know and be able to demonstrate were different in 1997 when Illinois adopted the current standards.

•                The new standards aim to provide clear, consistent academic benchmarks with “fewer, clearer and higher” academic standards for essential learning and skills. The standards were developed while considering the standards of top performing countries and the strengths of current state standards.

•                The 2010 state standards provide benchmarks for academic progress (skills and knowledge) that students should have at the conclusion of each grade level. This will allow teachers to establish the best approach to help their students meet those standards.

•                Students and parents will clearly understand the knowledge students are expected to attain each year.

Please visit the Common Core website, where you can learn more about the rationale for the standards and view the standards themselves. As always, feel free to contact me if you'd like to discuss or learn more. 

To be clear, the Common Core Standards define WHAT we teach and WHAT we expect students to know and be able to do. In next week's blog, I'll write to explain how the Common Core Standards are related to but very different from Standards-Based Reporting, which defines HOW we report student achievement. Also, we'll provide a link to our specific pacing guides so you can see how the targets are structured and instructed...and so you can help your child based on the pacing of the targets themselves.

Chorus Concert

Ladies and gentlemen, on top of the Common Core this week, we the people were able to witness amazing singing performances from the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade chorus members.  Since the children are our future, I feel confident that these talented individuals will lead us forward.  Ms. Wesbecher and the students sang an assortment of melodies, and made all of us proud. 

D96 Foundation

When you talk about America, what could say freedom more than a baseball game and hot dogs?  Since it is too cold for baseball the next best thing is our District 96 Foundation fundraiser this Saturday, March 16^th  at Weiner Take All restaurant from Noon until 8p.m.  Democrats, Republicans and Independents are all welcome to join the festivities and get 10% of your purchase donated to the D96 PTO’s.  This is the type of bipartisan support we need in order to have growth and prosperity. 

ISAT Dates

Education has been a priority during my administration, and letting parents know where their children stand is essential!  Woodlawn will continue to show the county, state, nation and world, that these students are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.  Parents, ask not what is in it for you, ask what you can do for your student.  My recommendation is to get your children plenty of rest, make sure they have a healthy breakfast and it is essential that they report to school on time. 

Here is a listing of ISAT dates:

Wednesday, March 6--testing all day for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade

Thursday, March 7--testing all day for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade

Friday, March 8--testing all day for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade

Monday, March 11--testing all day for 7th grade only

Stevenson Parent Network

Technology is essential, but you have to know what your students are up to and with whom they are talking.  All Woodlawn parents should see this event:

IS THERE AN APP FOR THAT? PARENTING YOUR PLUGGED-IN TEEN

Do you wonder what teens are really DOING with the tablets and smartphones that seem surgically attached?

The Community Parent Network invites all interested parents to hear Dr. Devorah Heitner, Lake Forest College professor of media studies, discuss the writing and research on teens' use of technology. This free program for parents will focus on topics relevant to teens age 12+. Mark your calendar to attend on Mon., Mar. 11, 7 p.m., Twin Groves Middle School Cafeteria, 2600 N. Buffalo Grove Rd., Buffalo Grove. An informed and humorous speaker with unique, in-depth understanding of her topic, Dr. Heitner will address the world of the digital native–kids today–including privacy, friending, popular apps and their purpose, creative ways to use technology to bring families together, and much more. 

This program is sponsored by the Stevenson High School Foundation, the Community Parent Network, D125 PPA, D103 PTO, D103 Learning Fund Foundation, D96 Foundation, D102, D76, and D73 PTO. Questions? Send email to CommunityParentNetwork@gmail.com  Request a reminder email

I would like to conclude my inaugural State of Woodlawn with this thought.  Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.  (I know that it was Lou Gehrig who said that, but it is just so cool.  Thanks for humoring me. 

Mr. Grana

February 8, 2013

Please visit the PTO Newsletter at the top of this page!

Snow

We went the longest time without snow and now it is coming at us at a fast and furious pace.  One of the toughest decisions that I have to make as a principal is when bad weather is either upon us or is imminent. Just so everyone knows,  I will always send out a SchoolMessenger notice to keep parents informed about cancellations at school.  If you didn’t receive a notice, please contact the main office and we will be glad to assist you in getting your information into the system. 

Good Deed

In the above and beyond category of good deeds, I would like everyone in the Woodlawn community know that during the intense snowfall on Thursday, we had a bus issue where 6 students were stuck waiting for a bus to take them home.  Two bus drivers, who had completed their routes, generously came back to Woodlawn and safely delivered our students home.  I had enough trouble managing my own transportation, let alone driving a massive school bus in that weather.  Debbie and Deena, a very special thank you. 

Common Core

This Monday Night, February 11^th  is our New Common Core Standards evening.  Learn how the new standards are different. Join me at 7:00pm at Ivy Hall in the MAT Room.

Come learn about the new Common Core State Standards, how they are preparing students for college and career readiness, and how District 96 is implementing these new standards in order to help students succeed. This will be a very informative evening and I hope that all parents can attend.   

Standards Based Report Card Update

The PowerSchool Parent Portal has been updated this past week, and we are very excited to be able to report student progress in much greater detail.  When you login, you are now able to see to which learning or work habits target is aligned to each assignment, and a standards-based grade is clearly reported for each assignment.

Click here for an informational parent letter posted on the Woodlawn website.  

Click here for an informational video clip on how to navigate the parent portal site.

Last Chance!!!

FOUNDATION NEWS Honor outstanding effort! Take time to NOMINATE someone you admire for his or her commitment and noteworthy dedication to the District 96 Community. Nominations can be made ONLINE at www.96foundation.org through Fri., Feb. 8.

Crystal Apple award winners shall be honored at a special recognition dinner on Friday, March 15th, at the Arboretum Club, Buffalo Grove at 6p.m. Tickets information will be available on the district website in mid-February!

Parents of 5^th graders

The D96  Parent-to-Parent (P2P) Network is partnering with Woodlawn and Twin Groves Middle School principals and staff to present a brand-new transition program for parents whose current fifth-grade students will be attending middle school in August 2013. 

This don’t-miss program on Tues., Mar. 12,  @ 7 p.m., Woodlawn Middle School Gym, for ALL District 96 parents of current fifth graders will feature a student panel for Q&A and practical transition tips, middle school staff, and Principals Heather Friziellie and Greg Grana. 

Please note that this program replaces the school-based programs presented in previous years. One program/one date for ALL parents of current D96 fifth-grade students: Tues., Mar. 12, 7 p.m., Woodlawn Middle School gym, 6362 Gilmer Rd, Long Grove 60047.

From Nurse Fox

Students requiring medicine during the school day need to have a note from their doctor.  All medicine must be in its original, non-expired bottle. 

My Thoughts

Thank you to all parents for your support as we continue to go through changes in how we approach our practice.  Woodlawn is a fabulous building where parents, students and staff work together and create a open and trusting environment.  I am proud to be the principal of Woodlawn and will always work with parents for the good of your children.

Have a great week!

Mr. Grana

February is here!!!

After the temperatures hit 67 degrees this week, reality set back in!  Getting out of my car this morning, I was shocked as those cold winds slapped me in the face.  The older I get, the more it irritates me.  I know, it is the midwest in the winter, deal with it and stop crying.  We had a great assembly for our 8th graders today!  The students from Stevenson's Fine Arts departments came to Woodlawn and showed them all the different clubs and activities they could join.  It was great to see some of our former students performing and they were well received by the students and staff of Woodlawn.

VISIT THE PTO NEWSLETTER LINK AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE!

Stevenson placement results should be mailed to your home early next week.  I know that our students are anxiously awaiting their results, so watch your mailbox and hope for the best.  If you have any concerns about the placement, I can help direct you to the appropriate department over at the high school.  We do not dictate placement, so all questions must be answered by their division heads.

Mark your calendar!
Simplifying Stevenson-8th grade parents--Your students will be fine going into Stevenson next year, however, the question is, are you ready?  Monday, February 4th at 7p.m. in the Twin Groves cafeteria, you can hear from current Stevenson students, from differing grade levels, and ask them about how things are done or how they adjusted to life in high school.  Stevenson Principal Troy Gobble will be in attendance as well.  (This is an evening for parents only, so leave your 8th grader home to study)

Another must attend evening will give parents the opportunity to learn more about the new Common Core Standards.  Monday, February 11th.  I will elaborate more in the blog next week, but this is a great way to understand what your children are and will be learning in the future.

Here are the classroom updates for the month of February...

Encore:

Communications: 6th graders have completed the brainstorming for their first speech, and are now learning to do topic outlines. 7th and 8th graders have also finished the brainstorming, research, and outlines for their first speech, and we are now ready to review speech strategies and listening skills.

FACS: Sixth graders are currently learning about the stages of child development which will prepare them for the next unit, “Qualities of a Competent Babysitter”. The seventh and eighth graders are in their nutrition unit where they are learning about the daily requirements for a nutritional diet and how to interpret their nutritional intake with the use of food labels.

Music: 6th graders are currently experiencing African drumming, which will then be followed by learning to play the piano keyboards. The 7th graders are beginning our study of blues music and will be starting to write their own blues songs. In 8th grade we are getting organized for our rock band projects.

P.E.   Students will be in the volleyball unit until the end of February while keeping up their fitness during Tuesday/Thursday fitness days.  Our fitness focus for this health group is muscular endurance with curl ups.  Our goal, as always, is for all students to reach the healthy fitness zone so fitness interventions will focus on curl ups and helping students gain the endurance to reach the healthy fitness zone for their grade and gender.  We will continue with standards based grading in P.E. and hope that it continues to give us better information on where our students/children are able to do in P.E.

Learning Center:
We have very exciting things happening in the Learning Center. Thanks to a very generous grant from the District 96 Educational Foundation, the Learning Center is now offering eBooks! Students can easily download the free Follett Digital Reader app onto their iPad, iPad Mini, or any other tablet with internet access. This will allow students to “check out” several books from our collection for two weeks and then they will automatically be returned to the Follett Shelf. This is a free service and we are hoping for a positive response from our readers. We love using technology in the Learning Center and now students can take that great technology home with them!
Orchestra:
We are finishing up our target on F Major and are working on the key of d minor. Look for self assessment sheets on each target that are tied in with the Orchestra Expressions textbook.

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Language Arts:

In language arts, we have been learning about characters’ perspectives.  We’ve looked specifically at how different characters can have varying perspectives about the same event, as well as how an author effectively reveals these perspectives through a character’s words, thoughts, and actions.  In addition, we are learning how to use the clues within the context of a sentence or paragraph to determine the meanings of unknown words, as well as how the connotation of a word can affect the meaning of the text.  Through careful reading of our current novel studies (Tuck Everlasting and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry), we are practicing these targets and analyzing the author’s craft.  

Social Studies:

In Social Studies, over the next five weeks we will be learning about the first human civilization called Mesopotamia.  We will begin with the Geography of the region and discuss the impact that the environment had on this civilization, next we will be creating a newscast about the geography of this area using the green screen.  We will then continue on learning about religion, government and social classes of the civilization and finish by talking about their major achievements.  We will practice writing in cuneiform and create cylinder seals just like the Mesopotamians in the past.  

Science: This month in science we are continuing our Chemistry unit by taking a look at the building blocks of matter! We will be learning about the uses of specific elements and how the periodic table is organized. We are also learning about the differences between mixtures and compounds. Towards the end of the month, we will be wrapping up our Chemistry unit with some interactive labs on acids and bases as well as an element project!

Math:  
Honors and Advanced Math will be moving into a very extensive geometry unit.  It is one of my favorites to teach, and I hope the kids will find it exciting.

At Level - We are doing all things Fractions in at level.  We are getting our way through adding and subtracting and will be moving into multiplying and dividing.



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Math-Honors and advanced students are beginning a geometry unit while at level will be working on all operations of fractions.
      Options- Officer Freeman has been in to all our classes covering material on alcohol, nicotine, drugs and inhalants.

Language Arts:
This month in Language Arts we will be continuing our novel studies (Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and Tuck Everlasting) and taking a close look at characters’ unique perspectives about events, places, and other characters in the story. We are also using context clues to define unknown words as well as deciding the effect of connotation of certain words depending on the context in which the word is used.

Science: This month in science we are continuing our Chemistry unit by taking a look at the building blocks of matter! We will be learning about the uses of specific elements and how the periodic table is organized. We are also learning about the differences between mixtures and compounds. Towards the end of the month, we will be wrapping up our Chemistry unit with some interactive labs on acids and bases as well as an element project!


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Honors Language Arts:
This month in Language Arts we are continuing to read the play, “The Diary of Anne Frank”, and we are analyzing theme throughout the play. Students are determining main ideas when we read informational text. We are also using context clues to define unknown words as well as deciding the of connotation of certain words depending on the context in which the word is used. In addition to our reading targets, we are beginning to work on argumentative writing.

At-Level Language Arts:
This month in Language Arts we are continuing our literature circles, and we are analyzing theme throughout the novel. Students are determining main ideas when we read informational text. We are also using context clues to define unknown words as well as deciding the of connotation of certain words depending on the context in which the word is used. In addition to our reading targets, we are beginning to work on argumentative writing.

Math
This month, math will include a variety of topics.  In at-level math, students will be studying how to convert between fractions, decimals, and percents.  We will also do a geometry unit in preparation for the March ISATs.  In accelerated math, we will be examining  ratios, rates and proportions.  We will also be doing some work on scale drawings, similar figures and other  geometry concepts.   In honors math, students will apply their knowledge of linear equations to absolute value equations and to linear inequalities.

Spanish
This month, we will be beginning Chapter 3A which focuses on food.  Students will be studying different food vocabulary and also discussing the marketplace in Spanish speaking countries.  We will also be focusing on reviewing -ar conjugation and learning -er/-ir conjugation.  Students will also be engaging in writing and speaking activities this month.  

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7th Grade Honors Language Arts: students are learning to determine the meaning of words and phrases with either figurative or connotative meanings.  In addition, we have recently begun to learn about argumentative writing and strategies authors use to support a claim.  Students will begin writing their own argumentative piece later this week as I model target skills for them in class.

7th Grade At-Level Language Arts:
This month in Language Arts we are continuing our literature circles, and we are analyzing theme throughout the novel. Students are determining main ideas when we read informational text. We are also using context clues to define unknown words as well as deciding the of connotation of certain words depending on the context in which the word is used. In addition to our reading targets, we are beginning to work on argumentative writing.

7th Grade Science
We have begun the force and motion unit, which means science class becomes very math intensive.  Much fun will be had with activities, however it is vital that everybody stays focused on the objectives of each activity.  Topics covered will be Newton’s laws, work and power, simple machines, and energy transformation.

7th Grade Social Studies - Mrs. Miller
We successfully finished our Constitution unit and now have a thorough understanding of the principles of government that our Founding Fathers adopted.  In the next month, our content will focus on the challenges America faced as new nation.  Would George Washington be the leader everyone hoped he would be?  How would the nation solve its first economic crisis? Would 2nd President of the United States John Adams, a Federalist, be able to successfully work side by side with his Vice President, Thomas Jefferson, a Republican? And, how would the Constitution be fixed to avoid this conflict again in the future? The story of our nation continues to provide more twists and turns as we grow larger and face the British once again in the War of 1812.  February will most certainly be an exciting month in Social Studies!

7th Grade Math- Ms. Carpenter
This month math will include a variety of topics. At-Level math will begin converting between fractions, decimals & percents and applying that knowledge to lots of real-world examples. Advanced math will begin looking at ratios, rates & unit analysis. They will apply this knowledge to help them with proportions & scale drawings. Honors math just finished up linear functions & will apply this knowledge to help them with absolute value equations and linear inequalities. All levels of math will begin preparing for March ISATS with a review of formulas, geometry, etc.


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Ms. Russell’s 8th graders will spend cycle four focusing on evaluating argumentative writing.  Students will learn to evaluate claims and/or counterclaims and the evidence that supports them.  Our study of argumentative writing will culminate in students writing their own argumentative piece on pre-selected topics of interest.  In literature, will explore stories, dramas, and poems and reassess mastery of summarizing skills at the end of the cycle.  

8th Grade Honors Language Arts
We will be focusing on evaluating an argument and argumentative writing. Students will learn to evaluate claims and/or counterclaims and the evidence that supports them. The students have started their argumentative piece this week. We worked on coding research, writing body paragraphs, and writing an introduction and conclusion. We will continue to work analyzing theme over the course of a text and summarizing a piece of literature.

8th Grade Science
Currently we are discussing cell biology.  We have reviewed cell structure and will explore active and passive transport.  Respiration and photosynthesis will be discussed followed by the processes of mitosis and meiosis.

8th Grade Social Studies - Mrs. Miller
This month we will be continuing our look at the “Fabulous Fifties” by examining how the WWII generation dealt with the fear of the nuclear bomb and spread of communism by focusing on the nuclear family.  Activities will include a look at changes in American culture, with emphasis on music and gender roles - culminating with a 1950’s Day, complete with poodle skirts, hula hoops and “going to the hop.”  Then, we will discover how America turns with great anticipation to the promise of a “New Frontier” during the Sixties, only to be faced with the assassination of a President and another conflict over the spread of communism in Asia.   We will discuss the motives of both Superpowers and as they fight for the hearts and minds of the people of Vietnam, as well as the war’s effect on American society.  In addition to studying the political and military aspects of the Vietnam War, students will become songwriters as they create music that reflects the different perspectives of this controversial war.

8th Grade Math- Ms. Carpenter
This month students will be applying their knowledge of linear functions to help them with absolute value equations & inequalities. This will then lead into our unit on solving systems of equations. Later on in the month, will will begin preparing for March ISATS with a review of formulas, geometry, etc.

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Mrs. Cooper’s Pre-Algebra students are working on ratio, proportion and percent.  Algebra 1 is solving and graphing linear inequalities.  Algebra 2 is working on polynomials.

At-Level 8th grade Language Arts will spend cycle four focusing on evaluating argumentative writing.  Students will learn to evaluate claims and/or counterclaims and the evidence that supports them.  Our study of argumentative writing will culminate in students writing their own argumentative piece on pre-selected topics of interest.  In literature, will explore stories and poems and reassess mastery of summarizing skills at the end of the cycle.  

8th Grade Honors Language Arts
We will be focusing on evaluating an argument and argumentative writing. Students will learn to evaluate claims and/or counterclaims and the evidence that supports them. The students have started their argumentative piece this week. We worked on coding research, writing body paragraphs, and writing an introduction and conclusion. We will continue to work on summarizing a piece of literature.

8th Grade Spanish

This month we will be finishing Unit 4.  Right now we are in the restaurant/food section.  This will include a project where students will be creating an imovie based in a restaurant.  Students should be able to order food, communicate with the server and understand the menu.  Culturally, we will be exploring Monte Albán and El Dorado.  Once Unit 4 in completed, students will be learning the past tense in Spanish and then moving on to our Spain Unit (Unit 5).  This unit will take us through to the end of the school year.  

8th Grade Social Studies - Mrs. Shannon

This month we will be continuing our look at the “Fabulous Fifties” by examining how the WWII generation dealt with the fear of the nuclear bomb and spread of communism by focusing on the nuclear family.  Activities will include a look at changes in American culture, with emphasis on music and gender roles - culminating with a 1950’s Day, complete with poodle skirts, hula hoops and “going to the hop.”  Then, we will discover how America turns with great anticipation to the promise of a “New Frontier” during the Sixties, only to be faced with the assassination of a President and another conflict over the spread of communism in Asia.   We will discuss the motives of both Superpowers and as they fight for the hearts and minds of the people of Vietnam, as well as the war’s effect on American society.  In addition to studying the political and military aspects of the Vietnam War, students will become songwriters as they create music that reflects the different perspectives of this controversial war.

8th Grade Science - Mr. Polidoro

Science focuses on the processes taking place inside cells during February and into March.  Topics include cell transport, respiration and photosynthesis, cell division, reproduction, and basic genetics.  Extensive use of the microscope occurs throughout the unit.  Please check http://www.mrphome.net/mrp/homework.html    for specific daily details and access to printable assignments and online activites.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the Superbowl!

Mr. Grana