TBMS Weekly Newsletter - Issue 25-26.14

SEVENTH GRADE

This month in science we have been studying the topic of growth, development and reproduction.  In addition to learning general concepts and teacher-selected examples from the topic, students have chosen a specific organism to research as an “Amazing Example of Reproduction.” Student-selected examples include: courting by birds of paradise, high number of offspring for the Mola Mola, seed dispersal by common burdock, and pollination by the honey possum.  This week students will have two “Science Plus” sessions in Flex where they will present, discuss, and vote on which of their classmates’ examples are the most amazing. Next up in science will be our study of metabolism, focusing on photosynthesis and cellular respiration and the concept that “you are what you eat.”

EIGHTH GRADE

Recently the Civics curriculum shifted from the inspirations for the United States political system to the creation of the United States government.  The 8th graders studied the political causes of the American Revolution and some of the events that led the colonists to call for independence from Great Britain.  So far the unit has been a good mix of direct analysis of historical documents and activities that allow the students to see the past in different ways.  For example, after working their way through the actual text of the Declaration of Independence, students had the choice to either rewrite the document as a “break-up letter” from America to King George or to create a propaganda poster as if they were a revolutionary figure in colonial times trying to recruit more Americans to their cause.  With either choice, there was a lot of fun creativity on display.  After discussing the arguments and compromises at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the unit will end with a look at the Constitution and how important the Bill of Rights were at ensuring the freedoms we still hold today.

In Flex, students continue to take advantage of days devoted to general academics.  Students use the time well to complete homework assignments, work on group projects, or reach out to their teachers for help with curriculum matters.  On a recent ELA day the 8th graders read an excerpt from Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield to discuss how the author’s diction created a specific perspective on the main character’s experience at school, while on Math days students continue to engage with unique ways to understand slope and to analyze graphs.

UNIFIED ARTS

Students in 7th and 8th Grade have just completed a unit creating spreadsheets.  They learned foundational vocabulary, basic formulas and how to use  the tools in a spreadsheet to represent data.  8th Grade students also learned a new AI study tool (Notebook LM) and engaged in a discussion about AI usage, considering impact on learning, environment and ethics.   Next up for 8th grade is web design and media production.  7th grade continues to learn about Digital Citizenship, wrapping up that unit with a podcast, learning the basic podcast elements and how to use the GarageBand app for editing and publication.   7th Grade will finish the quarter with a unit on how AI works from Code.org. 

We continue to make trips to the library and learn more about Informational Literacy in 6th grade.  Ask your student how to gauge the reliability of a website.  6th Graders are finally starting to make their stop motion video introducing themselves to the middle school.  They are very excited!