TBMS Weekly Newsletter - Issue 25-26.10

SEVENTH GRADE

In science class we are ending the first quarter with a cumulative test about everything we have studied so far this year. Topics include: characteristics of life, kingdoms of life, cell structure and function, life’s levels of organization, how human body systems interact to support a physical task such as juggling a soccer ball, and some more general skills such as using analogies and writing correct and complete short answers. We have been reviewing in class using study guides, practice questions, and past materials. Students should plan to study and practice on their own outside of class time because in-class practice alone will not be enough. This test is summative, which means it cannot be retaken.  As the test date approaches we will be repeating a mantra: practice makes better!

After the test, we will begin our next topic: Growth and Reproduction. This unit does include learning about sexual vs asexual reproduction but does not include lessons specifically about human sexuality - that topic will be covered separately in health class with Ms. Steed. As part of our studies, I will be asking students to bring in houseplant cuttings for root propagation in water. If you have any houseplants that are easy to propagate, please send them in when I send out the email request.

This past week in Flex we have had a mix of academic support sessions alternating with “Math Plus” sessions.  Please refer to Principal Hudder’s newsletter introduction above to learn more about how “Math Plus” and “English Plus” fit in with Tier 2 support. Math Plus has focused on proportional reasoning including solving problems with mixed fractions and percents.  In academic support many students have used some of the time to retake science checkpoints, which are quick quizzes on current science topics to prove mastery of fundamental knowledge and skills.  For example, on Cells Checkpoint #1 about cell structure and function, students needed to earn a score of 80% or better.

EIGHTH GRADE

In Civics, students finished up their first unit on the foundations of the United States political system.  We looked at the influence the Native American democracy commonly called the Iroquois Confederacy had on American founding fathers.  Students worked through the structure of the Confederacy along with the way to correctly pronounce the proper name of the government: the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.  Also, student creativity was on display as classes were tasked with rewriting the Mayflower Compact into a more user-friendly format.  Some students chose to research one of the signatories of the Compact and write a letter in their voice to the future founding fathers explaining the important aspects of the Compact, while other students rewrote the Compact into a poem, song or rap.  We even had some brave students perform their raps and songs in front of their classes.  Students are aware that as they wrap up this unit, an exam is scheduled for the end of the week.

In Flex, students started to integrate days dedicated to Math and ELA skills. In Math students worked in small groups to create posters and anchor charts helping introduce the next unit that will focus on slope and intercept. For the ELA day, 8th graders were introduced to the background of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and read an excerpt from author Eve Bunting’s book The Wall in which Bunting uses affective symbolic language to describe memorial.  Students discussed the different symbols within the passage and what they represent and worked an introductory paragraph about Bunting’s use of symbolism.

UNIFIED ARTS

The choruses continue their ongoing growth in the areas of vocal technique, music literacy, and fluency with solfege. All ensembles are diligently preparing 3-4 pieces for performance at our upcoming Winter Choral Concert on Dec. 17th at 6:30 p.m.  If your chorus student is wanting to practice at home, recordings are posted on their google classrooms for reference, and to sing along. 

Theatre classes are beginning rehearsals on their original plays written in the style of a Greek tragedy.  They have done great collaborative work to write scripts featuring a heroic character, create google slides as backdrops, lighting, props, and costumes. We are working on scene design, stage directions/blocking, and bringing their plays to life. We will also be taking a couple of classes to study Washington Irving's famous short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at the end of the month, which we will read in play/performance format.