September 2012
Dear Upper Elementary/Middle School Parents,
The first three weeks of school have flown by quickly. Our students have adapted to a new school year, a new schedule and familiar routines. On Thursday, September 27, we will provide a detailed overview of the curriculum and field studies. In the interim, please note the following additional important dates.
Fri., Sept. 21 – Portrait Week for UE/MS & Siblings;
Fri., Sept. 28 – End of the 1st grading period;
Fri. Oct. 5 – Annual Fall Picnic/First Progress Report;
Mon. Oct. 8 – Parent Conferences.
Group A&C: Literature : The 4th level students have been reading Jules Verne’s classic literature: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and will continue to respond to questions individually and collectively. The 5th level students have been reading: Journey to the Center of the Earth and will compare and contrast this story with 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which they read last year. The 6th-7th level are reading Around the World in 80 Days and keeping a Writer’s Response Journal for each chapter, culminating with a Reader’s Circle discussion. All students presented their book reports, which posters and dioramas are on display in the library.
In Language A&C: All students are working on Wordly Wise vocabulary lessons each week, taking a spelling test on Thursday, followed by a vocabulary test on Friday. Each morning students have journal reflection time, and language and math lessons followed by independent work time.
In English A&C: All students have taken individual assessments to determine lessons needed. They are working on various lessons within each level of the scope and sequence in English Made Easy, beginning with an overview of the nine parts of speech, sentence writing, and progressing toward more advanced grammar concepts, utilizing materials as needed.
Group A: Math – All students have taken individual assessments to determine lessons needed. We have begun with timed facts practice, IXL supplemental practice and class lessons in: fraction equivalence using fraction insets, adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators and comparing fractions. Each student has been given an individual work plan and will set individual goals. We will review basic Geometry ideas and concepts before beginning the Geometry lessons. Renweb progress reports will provide a detailed list of concepts.
Group C: History/Geography: Students have been reviewing geography facts to develop geographic knowledge, have been researching recent technological advancements to add to the initial lesson on the History of Writing. The Middle School students will present this timeline to parents at the PIM meeting followed by a celebration reception coordinated by the Project Manager. Additionally, students visited The Big Rock on August 28 to begin reading Around the World in 80 Days. They brought their journals to keep a Response Journal, reflect and find inspiration for the new school year. We will visit The Big Rock later this month to wrap up our literature study. One student finished reading the book last Friday and loved it!
Mrs. Helena Hess, Director
In Group B Math we have been focused on reviewing Number Theory, specifically place value, basic operations, even & odd, and other number theory concepts (such as properties of addition and multiplication) which provide a basis for further math applications. We have also begun our study of geometry. Some students are working with decimals and fractions. Some have started exploring exponents and the “powers of ten.” Please continue to help your child master the multiplication facts at home if he or she does not yet know them! The students are practicing on the math ixl web site both in class and at home for homework.
In Group B Language we are reviewing the nine basic parts of speech and the concept of a sentence, including: subjects, predicates, direct objects, indirect objects and adverbial extensions. We are writing in our journals, which the students are personalizing through the medium of modge podge. We have begun Wordly Wise and will complete a chapter each week, except for the review week, which coincides with the last week of the grading period. The students will begin spelling groups, with the majority of this work to be done in class.
In Group B Reading the students have all begun reading novels, either Gregor the Overlander or A Wrinkle in Time. These two novels have similar themes and are both fantasy fiction. I hope you are hearing positive feedback about these books. We meet in novel groups to discuss the books. We are also working on reading comprehension through the novels, through reader’s theater and through targeted skill practice.
In 4th and 5th Level Culture we are focused on the history and geography of North America. We will be exploring the evolution of the United States of America and specifically the impact of different historical events and geographical features on this country.
In 4th and 5th Level Health we have begun our study of personal health and wellness. We will study the impact of Nutrition, Exercise, Diseases, and Environmental Factors on our bodies throughout the coming year. I am very excited to be studying these topics with the students. If you are a healthcare professional or have as your area of expertise one of these topics, please contact me if you would be willing to come in and share with the class!
Mrs. Elisabeth Gay
This grading cycle Level 6 and Level 7 science students will used their physics skills to solve an engineering problem: What is a safe distance between an out-of-bounds line on a basketball court and a wall or other obstruction? To figure this out they completed several experiments. First they measured their reactions times, worked in pairs and took turns trying to catch a falling meter stick. The point on the stick where the person caught it was used to calculate the subject's reaction time. Then everyone in the group was timed running a 25 meter course in addition to measuring the distance each runner overshot the finish line. After an involved discussion about the challenges of safe design in general, students decided that it made sense to consider the slowest reaction time, the fastest speed, and the longest overshoot in order to come up with the safest estimate for the distance between the out-of-bounds line and other obstructions.
Level 5 science students will use the Physics Workshop equipment to determine the effect that mass and slope have on a car’s speed and acceleration.
Level 4 students will be conducting experiments using vernier sensors. The sensor is connected the USB port of the computer and allows students to collect data and make observations for temperature studies. Additionally that have completed labs requiring the use of the metric system.
Sixth and seventh level mathematics student will be reviewing basic arithmetic concepts using IXL, Adapted Mind, and Howe-Two programs. They will be introduced to pre-algebra concepts and will use these ideas to answer geometric ideas dealing with the ruler postulate and the angle addition postulate.
Algebra 1 students are learning field axioms dealing with a set of numbers and defined operations dealing with defined binary operations. They are to determine if the defined operations obey certain field axioms and if Basic Division Fluency - Families 0-9 these operations have an identity element and additive inverses.
Dr. Herman Jackson
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