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.
6-1
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.
6-2
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!
7-1
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.
7-2
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.
8-2
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.
8-1
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.
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.
6-1
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.
6-2
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!
7-1
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.
7-2
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.
8-2
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.
8-1
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
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