Welcome to Wexler-Grant's Seventh & Eighth Grade Home Page!
Click on your grade and teacher's name for their page.
Teachers:
7th Grade
8th Grade
Check back often for everything related to Seventh and Eighth Grade at Wexler!
Teachers:
7th Grade
- 7th Grade - Language Arts - Ms. Warren
- 7th Grade - Math - Mr. Coleman
- 7th Grade - Science - Ms. Farrell
- 7th Grade - Social Studies - Mr. Schneider
8th Grade
- 8th Grade - Language Arts - Ms. Warren
- 8th Grade Math - Mr. Coleman
- 8th Grade - Science - Ms. Farrell
- 8th Grade - Social Studies - Mr. Schneider
Check back often for everything related to Seventh and Eighth Grade at Wexler!
Hello Wexler Middle School Families! Each week, in the space below, there will be an overview of what is taking place in each of your scholars' classrooms for the coming week. Information will include academic focus, classroom tasks and assignments, and homework. Please use the form below to submit any questions, comments or suggestions. Please strongly consider submitting questions, comments, ideas, and suggestions because families are experts on their Wexler student and you can help us to best meet the needs of our students.
Week of May 21 to May 25
Hello Wexler Families.
We hope this finds you well. Our main emphasis at school in these waning days of the school year is finishing strong! Please encourage your scholar to remember that even though we are coming to the end of the year, there is still much to learn and academic tasks and projects that need their full attention and engagement! We will do all that we can here at school to continue to deliver interesting and stimulating lessons in which they can engage.
From Band Director Mr. Jones: I would like to cordially invite you to join us for our Spring Concert, Thursday, May 24th, at 10:00am in the Wexler-Grant Auditorium! 5th- through 8th-grade Band students, as well as music students from Mrs. Prunzion’s classes (grades 5-8), will perform at this year-end celebration, showcasing a year’s worth of their musical development. (By the way, if you have children in kindergarten through 4th grade, come check out their concert right before this one at 9:00am!).
Grade 8 Families: Promotion is planned for Tuesday, June 19 at 9 a.m.!
End of Year Activities: End of year activities are fast approaching. These include a Field Day here at school, a picnic at Lighthouse Point, a trip to Holiday Hill, and an end-of-year Formal Dance. Information and eligibility criteria about these events has been provided to students multiple times and mailed home over the past month. Please note that money for these trips is due this coming Friday, May 25, and can be brought to me, Mr. J, or Ms. Natasha in the main office.
Finally, please remember that there will be no school on Monday, May 28, in honor of Labor Day.
We hope you have a great week and are able to enjoy some of the nice weather forecasted for the next few days. Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
7A: This week, students who have completed their sculptures will learn how they can combine sharpie markers and watercolors, utilizing 4 techniques of their choice, to add color to their character drawings. Students will also have the opportunity to complete sculptures.
7B: This week students will continue designing/drawing unique buildings. Focus this week is on reviewing the rubric and checking their work carefully for quality and creativity. They will have one more class to complete these drawings.
Grade 8:
Students will continue to work on their arm/hand casts. We will review: making repairs and painting techniques. I will demonstrate various ways to paint details neatly and with precision. This week we will discuss the use of a clear coat to add a glossy finish to their work.
As the end of the year is quickly approaching it is very important that all students use class time to complete assignments. All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts students will continue to read fourth quarter core texts. At the beginning of the week students in all classes will complete character journals. These journals count as a test grade and were completed using Google Classroom. Next week, students will begin their final literary analysis paper, this short essay counts as the final test grade of the year.
Seventh grade lessons continue to focus on elements of fiction. Students will develop a deep understanding of the basic aspects of fiction. This week’s lessons focus on the major aspects of plot.
Eighth grade students will review the use of figurative language in fiction writing. Students will use this knowledge to thoughtfully analyze author’s craft and understand how authors create meaning in their writing.
There is a short homework packet due on Friday, May 22. Homework activities will reinforce this weeks lessons and give students an opportunity to practice their newly acquired skills.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week, students will begin a brief exploration of Latin America with an emphasis on the Amazon Rainforest. The will study the Forest’s impacts on our lives, and the devastating results of human activity on the Rainforest and its people. Students will see some video footage of the Rainforest, use an interactive Amazon Webquest, and read a primary source on exploring the jungles of South America. Toward the end of the week, students will respond to Open Ended questions based on a primary source, a visit to the Rainforest. If we complete these tasks, on Friday students will begin a unit on Africa. Homework: Ruins in the Rain Forest; Can the Amazon be Saved?
Grade 8: This week students are going to analyze primary sources in the form of speeches by President Andrew Jackson, and Tecumseh, so they can answer open ended questions interpreting each man’s point of view and intentions. Next, they will begin a Document Based Question in order to understand how the expansion of the United States during and after the Colonial Period impacted and devastated Native American peoples and nations. This will provide further background knowledge for an upcoming argument essay on Native American Removal. Homework: War of 1812, African Americans in War of 1812, Dealing with Peer Pressure.
Special Education: This week students will continue to hone in on all skills necessary for Fact Fluency assessments to be given next week. Students have been given extra credit work to provide practice at home. Please encourage your students to complete extra credit work as well as spend at least 20 minutes reading at home. Thank you!
Band:
Dear parents and family members,
I would like to cordially invite you to join us for our Spring Concert, Thursday, May 24th, at 10:00am in the Wexler-Grant Auditorium! 5th- through 8th-grade Band students, as well as music students from Mrs. Prunzion’s classes (grades 5-8), will perform at this year-end celebration, showcasing a year’s worth of their musical development. (By the way, if you have children in kindergarten through 4th grade, come check out their concert right before this one at 9:00am!)
Also, parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments as we prepare for this concert:
Prep Band – Practice complete run-throughs of Ancient Moon, especially important material such as solos. (Due Wednesday)
Percussion – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll and Exercise #4. Also, practice Ancient Moon realistically, using your imagination to strike correct surfaces and “hear” how your part interacts with those who you are preparing to play alongside. (Due Wednesday)
Trumpets – Practice Skip It, Lou, playing the whole piece twice, replacing the notes in parentheses with rests the 2nd time through. (Due Wednesday)
Band – Practice complete run-throughs of Ancient Moon and Rockin’ Rondeau. (Due Wednesday)
Thank you, and I hope to see you Thursday!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Hello Wexler Families.
We hope this finds you well. Our main emphasis at school in these waning days of the school year is finishing strong! Please encourage your scholar to remember that even though we are coming to the end of the year, there is still much to learn and academic tasks and projects that need their full attention and engagement! We will do all that we can here at school to continue to deliver interesting and stimulating lessons in which they can engage.
From Band Director Mr. Jones: I would like to cordially invite you to join us for our Spring Concert, Thursday, May 24th, at 10:00am in the Wexler-Grant Auditorium! 5th- through 8th-grade Band students, as well as music students from Mrs. Prunzion’s classes (grades 5-8), will perform at this year-end celebration, showcasing a year’s worth of their musical development. (By the way, if you have children in kindergarten through 4th grade, come check out their concert right before this one at 9:00am!).
Grade 8 Families: Promotion is planned for Tuesday, June 19 at 9 a.m.!
End of Year Activities: End of year activities are fast approaching. These include a Field Day here at school, a picnic at Lighthouse Point, a trip to Holiday Hill, and an end-of-year Formal Dance. Information and eligibility criteria about these events has been provided to students multiple times and mailed home over the past month. Please note that money for these trips is due this coming Friday, May 25, and can be brought to me, Mr. J, or Ms. Natasha in the main office.
Finally, please remember that there will be no school on Monday, May 28, in honor of Labor Day.
We hope you have a great week and are able to enjoy some of the nice weather forecasted for the next few days. Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
7A: This week, students who have completed their sculptures will learn how they can combine sharpie markers and watercolors, utilizing 4 techniques of their choice, to add color to their character drawings. Students will also have the opportunity to complete sculptures.
7B: This week students will continue designing/drawing unique buildings. Focus this week is on reviewing the rubric and checking their work carefully for quality and creativity. They will have one more class to complete these drawings.
Grade 8:
Students will continue to work on their arm/hand casts. We will review: making repairs and painting techniques. I will demonstrate various ways to paint details neatly and with precision. This week we will discuss the use of a clear coat to add a glossy finish to their work.
As the end of the year is quickly approaching it is very important that all students use class time to complete assignments. All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts students will continue to read fourth quarter core texts. At the beginning of the week students in all classes will complete character journals. These journals count as a test grade and were completed using Google Classroom. Next week, students will begin their final literary analysis paper, this short essay counts as the final test grade of the year.
Seventh grade lessons continue to focus on elements of fiction. Students will develop a deep understanding of the basic aspects of fiction. This week’s lessons focus on the major aspects of plot.
Eighth grade students will review the use of figurative language in fiction writing. Students will use this knowledge to thoughtfully analyze author’s craft and understand how authors create meaning in their writing.
There is a short homework packet due on Friday, May 22. Homework activities will reinforce this weeks lessons and give students an opportunity to practice their newly acquired skills.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week, students will begin a brief exploration of Latin America with an emphasis on the Amazon Rainforest. The will study the Forest’s impacts on our lives, and the devastating results of human activity on the Rainforest and its people. Students will see some video footage of the Rainforest, use an interactive Amazon Webquest, and read a primary source on exploring the jungles of South America. Toward the end of the week, students will respond to Open Ended questions based on a primary source, a visit to the Rainforest. If we complete these tasks, on Friday students will begin a unit on Africa. Homework: Ruins in the Rain Forest; Can the Amazon be Saved?
Grade 8: This week students are going to analyze primary sources in the form of speeches by President Andrew Jackson, and Tecumseh, so they can answer open ended questions interpreting each man’s point of view and intentions. Next, they will begin a Document Based Question in order to understand how the expansion of the United States during and after the Colonial Period impacted and devastated Native American peoples and nations. This will provide further background knowledge for an upcoming argument essay on Native American Removal. Homework: War of 1812, African Americans in War of 1812, Dealing with Peer Pressure.
Special Education: This week students will continue to hone in on all skills necessary for Fact Fluency assessments to be given next week. Students have been given extra credit work to provide practice at home. Please encourage your students to complete extra credit work as well as spend at least 20 minutes reading at home. Thank you!
Band:
Dear parents and family members,
I would like to cordially invite you to join us for our Spring Concert, Thursday, May 24th, at 10:00am in the Wexler-Grant Auditorium! 5th- through 8th-grade Band students, as well as music students from Mrs. Prunzion’s classes (grades 5-8), will perform at this year-end celebration, showcasing a year’s worth of their musical development. (By the way, if you have children in kindergarten through 4th grade, come check out their concert right before this one at 9:00am!)
Also, parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments as we prepare for this concert:
Prep Band – Practice complete run-throughs of Ancient Moon, especially important material such as solos. (Due Wednesday)
Percussion – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll and Exercise #4. Also, practice Ancient Moon realistically, using your imagination to strike correct surfaces and “hear” how your part interacts with those who you are preparing to play alongside. (Due Wednesday)
Trumpets – Practice Skip It, Lou, playing the whole piece twice, replacing the notes in parentheses with rests the 2nd time through. (Due Wednesday)
Band – Practice complete run-throughs of Ancient Moon and Rockin’ Rondeau. (Due Wednesday)
Thank you, and I hope to see you Thursday!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Week of May 14 to May 18:
Hello Wexler Families.
We hope this finds you well and that you and your families came through last evenings storms safe and unharmed. Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
7A: Students will complete their watercolor technique lesson this week. In a small group, students who have completed their sculptures will learn how they can combine sharpie markers and watercolors, utilizing 4 techniques of their choice, to add color to their character drawings. Students will also have the opportunity to complete sculptures.
7B: This week students will continue designing/drawing unique buildings. Focus this week is on reviewing the rubric and checking their work carefully for quality and creativity.
Grade 8:
Students will continue to work on their arm/hand casts. We will review: initial plastering, repairs and painting techniques. I will demonstrate various ways to paint details neatly and with precision.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts students will continue to study the fourth quarter core text. 7th grade students are reading The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. 8th grade students are reading Slumming by Kristin D. Randle. This week’s lessons continue to focus characterization. Students will also study elements of plot in fictional texts including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.
Also this week, students will begin to write character journals related to the core novel. Students will imagine that they are one of the characters in the fourth quarter novel. They will compose journal entries as if they are that character. Successful journals will show an understanding of point of view, characterization, and plot. The first journal entries will be due at the end of this week.
Students have a homework packet due on Friday, May 18.
Math:
For the duration of this quarter, focus will be placed on two final upcoming assessments, Math Inventory (MI) and Fact Fluency. Otherwise, below is the following curriculum and instructions ongoing in each class.
Math 7th – Geometric conversations of Supplementary, Complementary, Vertical and Adjacent Angles, followed by formulas for Area and Circumference of circle and their relationship.
Pre-Algebra 7th & 8th – Focuses on Functions, types, recognition and solutions. This continues with Mapping and Identification of Functions.
Algebra – Focus is placed on Exponents Functions, Radical Notations and Polynomials
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th Grade: Students will read the life skills feature “The Power of Peer Pressure” which is about the serious effects peer pressure has on teens and long-term solutions. Students will apply strategies to identify problems and solutions in a text, summarize the topic and important details, evaluate information in the text, and read and interpret information from a bar graph. Students will also review and use academic vocabulary in speaking and writing.
8th Grade: Students will read “Words Set Him Free” which is a profile about Ekiwah Belendez Adler. Ekiwah is a teen who grew up unable to walk, but was set free by poetry. Students will compare and contrast details in the profile and read critically to evaluate information in the text. Students will also review and use academic vocabulary in speaking and writing.
HOMEWORK: 1. Study vocabulary words. All students have a vocabulary test on FRIDAY. 2. Students should continue reading an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will complete their argument essay (District Quarterly) in response to the question: Would you support Gandhi and his revolutionaries and their peaceful acts of Civil Disobedience as an effective way to make change? Next, students will completely switch focus by exploring the many environments of the Amazon RainForest, the Forest’s impacts on our lives, and the devastating results of human activity on the RainForest and its people. Students will see some video footage of the RainForest, use an interactive Amazon WebQuest, and read a primary source on exploring the jungles of South America.
Grade 8: This week students will continue to research what happened to Native Americans as the United States expanded. They will continue reading primary and secondary documents, and complete a Document Based Question (DBQ) in order to understand how the expansion of the United States during and after the Colonial Period impacted and devastated Native American peoples and nations. They will investigate overall Native American cultures, their efforts to survive the onslaught of American expansion, the role of various historical figures (Tecumseh, Andrew Jackson, etc.), and ultimately about the Trail of Tears. This background information will prepare students to write an argument essay on Native American Removal and respond to Open Ended Analysis questions on key figure’s words and intentions. There will be no homework this week.
Spanish: This week in Spanish 7.2 and 7.3 we are continuing to learn about food and ordering in a restaurant. In Spanish 8.2 we are talking about clothes, fashion and our daily routines.
Band:
Dear parents and family members,
I would like to cordially invite you to join us for our Spring Concert, Thursday, May 24th, at 10:00am in the Wexler-Grant Auditorium! 5th- through 8th-grade Band students, as well as music students from Mrs. Prunzion’s classes (grades 5-8), will perform at this year-end celebration, showcasing a year’s worth of their musical development. (By the way, if you have children in kindergarten through 4th grade, come check out their concert right before this one at 9:00am!)
Also, parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments as we prepare for this concert:
Prep Band – Practice larger and larger sections of Ancient Moon, especially important material such as solos. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday. Final due date in Thursday, May 24.)
Percussion – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll and Exercise #4. Also, practice Ancient Moon realistically, using your imagination to strike correct surfaces and “hear” how your part interacts with those who you are preparing to play alongside. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday. Final due date in Thursday, May 24.)
Trumpets – Practice Skip It, Lou, playing the whole piece twice, replacing the notes in parentheses with rests the 2nd time through. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Thursday. Final due date in Thursday, May 24.)
Band – Practice Ancient Moon and Rockin’ Rondeau, this time with new edits. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday. Final due date in Thursday, May 24.)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Hello Wexler Families.
We hope this finds you well and that you and your families came through last evenings storms safe and unharmed. Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
7A: Students will complete their watercolor technique lesson this week. In a small group, students who have completed their sculptures will learn how they can combine sharpie markers and watercolors, utilizing 4 techniques of their choice, to add color to their character drawings. Students will also have the opportunity to complete sculptures.
7B: This week students will continue designing/drawing unique buildings. Focus this week is on reviewing the rubric and checking their work carefully for quality and creativity.
Grade 8:
Students will continue to work on their arm/hand casts. We will review: initial plastering, repairs and painting techniques. I will demonstrate various ways to paint details neatly and with precision.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts students will continue to study the fourth quarter core text. 7th grade students are reading The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. 8th grade students are reading Slumming by Kristin D. Randle. This week’s lessons continue to focus characterization. Students will also study elements of plot in fictional texts including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.
Also this week, students will begin to write character journals related to the core novel. Students will imagine that they are one of the characters in the fourth quarter novel. They will compose journal entries as if they are that character. Successful journals will show an understanding of point of view, characterization, and plot. The first journal entries will be due at the end of this week.
Students have a homework packet due on Friday, May 18.
Math:
For the duration of this quarter, focus will be placed on two final upcoming assessments, Math Inventory (MI) and Fact Fluency. Otherwise, below is the following curriculum and instructions ongoing in each class.
Math 7th – Geometric conversations of Supplementary, Complementary, Vertical and Adjacent Angles, followed by formulas for Area and Circumference of circle and their relationship.
Pre-Algebra 7th & 8th – Focuses on Functions, types, recognition and solutions. This continues with Mapping and Identification of Functions.
Algebra – Focus is placed on Exponents Functions, Radical Notations and Polynomials
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th Grade: Students will read the life skills feature “The Power of Peer Pressure” which is about the serious effects peer pressure has on teens and long-term solutions. Students will apply strategies to identify problems and solutions in a text, summarize the topic and important details, evaluate information in the text, and read and interpret information from a bar graph. Students will also review and use academic vocabulary in speaking and writing.
8th Grade: Students will read “Words Set Him Free” which is a profile about Ekiwah Belendez Adler. Ekiwah is a teen who grew up unable to walk, but was set free by poetry. Students will compare and contrast details in the profile and read critically to evaluate information in the text. Students will also review and use academic vocabulary in speaking and writing.
HOMEWORK: 1. Study vocabulary words. All students have a vocabulary test on FRIDAY. 2. Students should continue reading an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will complete their argument essay (District Quarterly) in response to the question: Would you support Gandhi and his revolutionaries and their peaceful acts of Civil Disobedience as an effective way to make change? Next, students will completely switch focus by exploring the many environments of the Amazon RainForest, the Forest’s impacts on our lives, and the devastating results of human activity on the RainForest and its people. Students will see some video footage of the RainForest, use an interactive Amazon WebQuest, and read a primary source on exploring the jungles of South America.
Grade 8: This week students will continue to research what happened to Native Americans as the United States expanded. They will continue reading primary and secondary documents, and complete a Document Based Question (DBQ) in order to understand how the expansion of the United States during and after the Colonial Period impacted and devastated Native American peoples and nations. They will investigate overall Native American cultures, their efforts to survive the onslaught of American expansion, the role of various historical figures (Tecumseh, Andrew Jackson, etc.), and ultimately about the Trail of Tears. This background information will prepare students to write an argument essay on Native American Removal and respond to Open Ended Analysis questions on key figure’s words and intentions. There will be no homework this week.
Spanish: This week in Spanish 7.2 and 7.3 we are continuing to learn about food and ordering in a restaurant. In Spanish 8.2 we are talking about clothes, fashion and our daily routines.
Band:
Dear parents and family members,
I would like to cordially invite you to join us for our Spring Concert, Thursday, May 24th, at 10:00am in the Wexler-Grant Auditorium! 5th- through 8th-grade Band students, as well as music students from Mrs. Prunzion’s classes (grades 5-8), will perform at this year-end celebration, showcasing a year’s worth of their musical development. (By the way, if you have children in kindergarten through 4th grade, come check out their concert right before this one at 9:00am!)
Also, parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments as we prepare for this concert:
Prep Band – Practice larger and larger sections of Ancient Moon, especially important material such as solos. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday. Final due date in Thursday, May 24.)
Percussion – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll and Exercise #4. Also, practice Ancient Moon realistically, using your imagination to strike correct surfaces and “hear” how your part interacts with those who you are preparing to play alongside. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday. Final due date in Thursday, May 24.)
Trumpets – Practice Skip It, Lou, playing the whole piece twice, replacing the notes in parentheses with rests the 2nd time through. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Thursday. Final due date in Thursday, May 24.)
Band – Practice Ancient Moon and Rockin’ Rondeau, this time with new edits. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday. Final due date in Thursday, May 24.)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Week of May 7 to May 11:
Hello Wexler Families.
Please forgive the delay in getting this out this week. Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
7A: Students will continue to work on their arm/hand casts, plastering and painting their unique designs. Some students have completed their sculptures and have started a new drawing assignment. This involves drawing a new cartoon superhero character to join an existing group of superheros. They will create this superhero in their likeness. New this week all students will learn many different watercolor techniques. They will watch a youtube tutorial and practice a variety of techniques. Students will utilize their choice of techniques when adding color to their superhero drawings.
7B: This week students will continue designing/drawing unique buildings. Focus this week is on adding color or pen and ink outline. Progress grades for drawings will be incorporated into progress reports. These are not final grades, just an indicator of the work done to date.
Grade 8:
Students will continue to work on their arm/hand casts. We will review: initial plastering, repairs and painting techniques. I will demonstrate various ways to paint details neatly and with precision.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts, students will continue to study the fourth quarter core novel. 7th grade students are reading The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. 8th grade students are reading Slumming by Kristin D. Randle.
Lessons this week will focus on defining, explaining and identifying the basic elements of fiction. Last week students reviewed characters and characterization. This week students will explore various types of conflicts and points of view. Eventually students will use their knowledge of fictional elements to write a literary analysis of the fourth quarter core text
There is a homework packet for all classes this week. Activities focus on conflict and academic vocabulary. The packet is due on Friday for all classes.
Music:
7th and 8th grade students are preparing for our Spring Concert on 5/24. The concert will be held from 10-11am. The next two weeks will be spent rehearsing the material we have been developing. Parents are welcome at the concert. Student performers are expected to wear their uniform.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th Grade: Students will read the two-part magazine article “The Secrets of Self-Esteem.” This article discusses how to deal with pressure that may lead to low self-esteem. It also offers tips to stay strong and feel good about yourself. Students will identify problems and solutions using text markings and signal words. They will also complete a problem-solution graphic organizer, analyze information contained in the article, and summarize the main idea and important details.
8th Grade: Students will begin Workshop 8 entitled “Turning Points.” The informational texts in this workshop focus on how some teens overcame challenges and turned their lives around. Students will watch anchor videos and preview texts to activate prior knowledge about turning points. They will also learn academic vocabulary related to the articles. Students will read the personal essay entitled “Starting Over” about a teen, Jonathan Fong, whose life changed when he moved to the US from Taiwan. Students will be required to compare and contrast life for Jonathan in the two countries and summarize the problems he faced in the US.
HOMEWORK: 1. Study vocabulary words. All students have a vocabulary test on May 18, 2018. 2. Students should continue reading an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will complete their argument essay (District Quarterly) in response to the question: Would you support Gandhi and his revolutionaries and their peaceful acts of Civil Disobedience as an effective way to make change? Next, students will analyze one of Gandhi’s speeches, then complete Open Ended questions which examine the speech’s themes and intentions, and what the speech reveals about Gandhi’s character. Homework: Earth Science: Pangaea, and Distant Relative. Current Event optional for Extra Credit.
Grade 8: This week students will focus on what happened to Native Americans as the United States expanded. They will read primary and secondary documents, and complete a Document Based Question (DBQ) in order to understand how the expansion of the United States during and after the Colonial Period impacted and devastated Native American peoples and nations. They will investigate overall Native American cultures, their efforts to survive the onslaught of American expansion, the role of various historical figures (Tecumseh, Andrew Jackson, etc.), and ultimately about the Trail of Tears. This background information will prepare students to write an argument essay on Native American Removal. Homework: Mapping the West: The Journey of Lewis and Clark; Sacagawea. NOTE: On Thursday, May 10, eligible students will take a field trip to sail on the replica of the slave ship Amistad which was also the scene of a slave up-rising! Students prepared for this trip several weeks ago with educators of Discover Amistad.
Special Education: Students continue to impress me with their math skills. We are seeing continuous growth in fact fluency! We still to increase our reading fluency and the best(only) way to do this is READ. I will continue to offer in-school incentives for reading done at home. Please encourage and even reward your child for their time spent reading.
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Prep Band – Practice larger and larger sections of Ancient Moon, especially important material such as solos. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday.)
Percussion – Practice Ancient Moon realistically, using your imagination to strike correct surfaces and “hear” how your part interacts with those who you are preparing to play alongside. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday.)
Trumpets – Practice Skip It, Lou, applying what we learned together in class and then moving forward. Remember to play the whole piece twice, replacing the notes in parentheses with rests the 2nd time through. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Thursday.)
Band – Practice Ancient Moon, Rockin’ Rondeau, sight-reading, lip slurs, and enrichment pieces assigned by Yale teaching artist. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Friday.)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Hello Wexler Families.
Please forgive the delay in getting this out this week. Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
7A: Students will continue to work on their arm/hand casts, plastering and painting their unique designs. Some students have completed their sculptures and have started a new drawing assignment. This involves drawing a new cartoon superhero character to join an existing group of superheros. They will create this superhero in their likeness. New this week all students will learn many different watercolor techniques. They will watch a youtube tutorial and practice a variety of techniques. Students will utilize their choice of techniques when adding color to their superhero drawings.
7B: This week students will continue designing/drawing unique buildings. Focus this week is on adding color or pen and ink outline. Progress grades for drawings will be incorporated into progress reports. These are not final grades, just an indicator of the work done to date.
Grade 8:
Students will continue to work on their arm/hand casts. We will review: initial plastering, repairs and painting techniques. I will demonstrate various ways to paint details neatly and with precision.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts, students will continue to study the fourth quarter core novel. 7th grade students are reading The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. 8th grade students are reading Slumming by Kristin D. Randle.
Lessons this week will focus on defining, explaining and identifying the basic elements of fiction. Last week students reviewed characters and characterization. This week students will explore various types of conflicts and points of view. Eventually students will use their knowledge of fictional elements to write a literary analysis of the fourth quarter core text
There is a homework packet for all classes this week. Activities focus on conflict and academic vocabulary. The packet is due on Friday for all classes.
Music:
7th and 8th grade students are preparing for our Spring Concert on 5/24. The concert will be held from 10-11am. The next two weeks will be spent rehearsing the material we have been developing. Parents are welcome at the concert. Student performers are expected to wear their uniform.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th Grade: Students will read the two-part magazine article “The Secrets of Self-Esteem.” This article discusses how to deal with pressure that may lead to low self-esteem. It also offers tips to stay strong and feel good about yourself. Students will identify problems and solutions using text markings and signal words. They will also complete a problem-solution graphic organizer, analyze information contained in the article, and summarize the main idea and important details.
8th Grade: Students will begin Workshop 8 entitled “Turning Points.” The informational texts in this workshop focus on how some teens overcame challenges and turned their lives around. Students will watch anchor videos and preview texts to activate prior knowledge about turning points. They will also learn academic vocabulary related to the articles. Students will read the personal essay entitled “Starting Over” about a teen, Jonathan Fong, whose life changed when he moved to the US from Taiwan. Students will be required to compare and contrast life for Jonathan in the two countries and summarize the problems he faced in the US.
HOMEWORK: 1. Study vocabulary words. All students have a vocabulary test on May 18, 2018. 2. Students should continue reading an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will complete their argument essay (District Quarterly) in response to the question: Would you support Gandhi and his revolutionaries and their peaceful acts of Civil Disobedience as an effective way to make change? Next, students will analyze one of Gandhi’s speeches, then complete Open Ended questions which examine the speech’s themes and intentions, and what the speech reveals about Gandhi’s character. Homework: Earth Science: Pangaea, and Distant Relative. Current Event optional for Extra Credit.
Grade 8: This week students will focus on what happened to Native Americans as the United States expanded. They will read primary and secondary documents, and complete a Document Based Question (DBQ) in order to understand how the expansion of the United States during and after the Colonial Period impacted and devastated Native American peoples and nations. They will investigate overall Native American cultures, their efforts to survive the onslaught of American expansion, the role of various historical figures (Tecumseh, Andrew Jackson, etc.), and ultimately about the Trail of Tears. This background information will prepare students to write an argument essay on Native American Removal. Homework: Mapping the West: The Journey of Lewis and Clark; Sacagawea. NOTE: On Thursday, May 10, eligible students will take a field trip to sail on the replica of the slave ship Amistad which was also the scene of a slave up-rising! Students prepared for this trip several weeks ago with educators of Discover Amistad.
Special Education: Students continue to impress me with their math skills. We are seeing continuous growth in fact fluency! We still to increase our reading fluency and the best(only) way to do this is READ. I will continue to offer in-school incentives for reading done at home. Please encourage and even reward your child for their time spent reading.
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Prep Band – Practice larger and larger sections of Ancient Moon, especially important material such as solos. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday.)
Percussion – Practice Ancient Moon realistically, using your imagination to strike correct surfaces and “hear” how your part interacts with those who you are preparing to play alongside. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday.)
Trumpets – Practice Skip It, Lou, applying what we learned together in class and then moving forward. Remember to play the whole piece twice, replacing the notes in parentheses with rests the 2nd time through. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Thursday.)
Band – Practice Ancient Moon, Rockin’ Rondeau, sight-reading, lip slurs, and enrichment pieces assigned by Yale teaching artist. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Friday.)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Week of April 30 to May 4:
Hello Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well.
For most students, State Testing is over for Grade 7 and 8 students (younger students will be taking these tests over the next few weeks)! For the most part, students did a great job during testing, giving full effort and attention to challenging work. Please congratulate your scholar on a job well done.
Progress Reports will be mailed at the end of the week. If you do not receive your scholar’s copy by the middle of next week, please let me know so that I can send you a copy. Please be sure to review the report with your scholar offering support and encouragement.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7:
7A: Students will continue to work on their arm/hand casts, plastering and painting their unique designs. This week we will discuss the use of gloss using it to emphasize certain colors or design elements.
7B: This week students will continue designing/drawing unique buildings. Focus this week is on adding additional elements/details to their drawings outside of the buildings. Brainstorming ideas together as a class, pulling ideas from personal observations.
Grade 8:
Students will continue to work on their arm/hand casts. We will review: initial plastering, repairs and painting techniques. I will demonstrate various ways to paint details neatly and with precision.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts students will begin reading the fourth quarter core text. 7th grade students will read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. 8th grade students will read Slumming by Kristin D. Randle. This unit’s lessons will focus on the basic elements of fiction, such as plot, conflict and, point of view. Students will undertake an in depth study of characters and characterization. Students will study the ways in which author’s create meaning and understanding in their work.
All classes have a homework packet this week. The packet is due Friday, May 4th.
Math:
Pre-Algebra 7th & 8th – Will continue to focus on solving equations and later transition to working on Slopes and their Intercepts.
Algebra – Will close out solving Linear Systems and delve in the Quadratic Functions, as they review working with Functions and Function Notation.
Math 7th – Will continue to working on solving one step equations as they transition to multi-level solutions, Graphs, Tables and Intercepts.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th Grade: Students will begin Workshop 5 entitled “Under Pressure.” The texts in this workshop focus on the power of peer pressure and its dangerous effects on teens. Students will watch anchor videos and preview texts to activate prior knowledge about peer pressure. They will also learn academic vocabulary related to the articles. Students will read the news article “Tragic Death on Train” about a teen, Eric Alvarez, who gave in to peer pressure which cost his life. Students will be required to summarize the article and identify and organize information to find the problem and solution.
8th Grade: 8.1 will prepare to take Workshop 7 reading skills (rSkills) assessment on Thursday. The assessment will include multiple choice and open-ended questions about reading passages. There will be vocabulary questions about idioms and dictionary meanings in context. There will also be grammar questions about double negatives and pronoun use.
8.2 has already taken the rSkills assessment and will participate in mini-debates. They will choose a topic and divide into small groups to plan for the debate. As a group, students will brainstorm arguments to support their position. They will consider the opponents’ possible arguments and create rebuttal responses. Finally, students will either participate in the debate as a team on either side or as a judge.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week, as we transition from State Testing back to our regular curriculum, students will continue their Argument Writing in response to the question Would you support Gandhi and his revolutionaries and their peaceful acts of Civil Disobedience as an effective way to make change? In reflecting on our work, students will consider and address the following investigation...
Essential Questions:
Homework continues this week. The assignment due on Friday is Elephants in Africa and Around the World, and Peer Pressure.
Grade 8: This week students will continue their exploration about how the United States expanded across the continent. They will continue to consider the common characteristics of the people who blazed trails across the continent and settled new places and their impact on the United States as a nation today. They will also consider the impacts settlers and pioneers had on Native Populations and the environment and consider how this contributed to the development of a nation that struggles with race. In addition, students will analyze the meanings and implications of the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the War of 1812, and explore the major trails pioneers took to head west. This will culminate in a brief project in which students plan a trip west or reflect on a trip already taken. Homework: Westward Movement and Peer Pressure.
Special Education: Students will continue to assess progress on IEP goals and objectives this week. Students will also spend time in resource practicing skills necessary for upcoming Fact Fluency assessments in May. Enjoy this long awaited Spring weather!
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Prep Band – Practice larger and larger sections of Ancient Moon, especially important material such as solos. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday.)
Percussion – Practice Ancient Moon. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Thursday.)
Trumpets – Practice p. 12 #42, applying what we learned together in class and then moving forward. Use wisdom in your decision making when practicing. (What should the next step be?) (Due Friday)
Band – Practice Ancient Moon, Rockin’ Rondeau, sight-reading, lip slurs, and enrichment pieces assigned by Yale teaching artist. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Friday.)
Hello Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well.
For most students, State Testing is over for Grade 7 and 8 students (younger students will be taking these tests over the next few weeks)! For the most part, students did a great job during testing, giving full effort and attention to challenging work. Please congratulate your scholar on a job well done.
Progress Reports will be mailed at the end of the week. If you do not receive your scholar’s copy by the middle of next week, please let me know so that I can send you a copy. Please be sure to review the report with your scholar offering support and encouragement.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7:
7A: Students will continue to work on their arm/hand casts, plastering and painting their unique designs. This week we will discuss the use of gloss using it to emphasize certain colors or design elements.
7B: This week students will continue designing/drawing unique buildings. Focus this week is on adding additional elements/details to their drawings outside of the buildings. Brainstorming ideas together as a class, pulling ideas from personal observations.
Grade 8:
Students will continue to work on their arm/hand casts. We will review: initial plastering, repairs and painting techniques. I will demonstrate various ways to paint details neatly and with precision.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts students will begin reading the fourth quarter core text. 7th grade students will read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. 8th grade students will read Slumming by Kristin D. Randle. This unit’s lessons will focus on the basic elements of fiction, such as plot, conflict and, point of view. Students will undertake an in depth study of characters and characterization. Students will study the ways in which author’s create meaning and understanding in their work.
All classes have a homework packet this week. The packet is due Friday, May 4th.
Math:
Pre-Algebra 7th & 8th – Will continue to focus on solving equations and later transition to working on Slopes and their Intercepts.
Algebra – Will close out solving Linear Systems and delve in the Quadratic Functions, as they review working with Functions and Function Notation.
Math 7th – Will continue to working on solving one step equations as they transition to multi-level solutions, Graphs, Tables and Intercepts.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th Grade: Students will begin Workshop 5 entitled “Under Pressure.” The texts in this workshop focus on the power of peer pressure and its dangerous effects on teens. Students will watch anchor videos and preview texts to activate prior knowledge about peer pressure. They will also learn academic vocabulary related to the articles. Students will read the news article “Tragic Death on Train” about a teen, Eric Alvarez, who gave in to peer pressure which cost his life. Students will be required to summarize the article and identify and organize information to find the problem and solution.
8th Grade: 8.1 will prepare to take Workshop 7 reading skills (rSkills) assessment on Thursday. The assessment will include multiple choice and open-ended questions about reading passages. There will be vocabulary questions about idioms and dictionary meanings in context. There will also be grammar questions about double negatives and pronoun use.
8.2 has already taken the rSkills assessment and will participate in mini-debates. They will choose a topic and divide into small groups to plan for the debate. As a group, students will brainstorm arguments to support their position. They will consider the opponents’ possible arguments and create rebuttal responses. Finally, students will either participate in the debate as a team on either side or as a judge.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week, as we transition from State Testing back to our regular curriculum, students will continue their Argument Writing in response to the question Would you support Gandhi and his revolutionaries and their peaceful acts of Civil Disobedience as an effective way to make change? In reflecting on our work, students will consider and address the following investigation...
Essential Questions:
- Why would India, or any country, want “home rule?”
- Given England’s roles in India, does that mean it’s a “bad” country overall?
- Was England in any way beneficial or helpful to India?
- Would nonviolence have worked against other countries?
- Is violence ever justified?
- What is the purpose of evidence?
- What is valid evidence and what is not? How do I best present and explain/defend evidence?
- How do I organize a major argument paper to use my time most efficiently?
- What is the structure for an argument essay?
Homework continues this week. The assignment due on Friday is Elephants in Africa and Around the World, and Peer Pressure.
Grade 8: This week students will continue their exploration about how the United States expanded across the continent. They will continue to consider the common characteristics of the people who blazed trails across the continent and settled new places and their impact on the United States as a nation today. They will also consider the impacts settlers and pioneers had on Native Populations and the environment and consider how this contributed to the development of a nation that struggles with race. In addition, students will analyze the meanings and implications of the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the War of 1812, and explore the major trails pioneers took to head west. This will culminate in a brief project in which students plan a trip west or reflect on a trip already taken. Homework: Westward Movement and Peer Pressure.
Special Education: Students will continue to assess progress on IEP goals and objectives this week. Students will also spend time in resource practicing skills necessary for upcoming Fact Fluency assessments in May. Enjoy this long awaited Spring weather!
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Prep Band – Practice larger and larger sections of Ancient Moon, especially important material such as solos. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday.)
Percussion – Practice Ancient Moon. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Thursday.)
Trumpets – Practice p. 12 #42, applying what we learned together in class and then moving forward. Use wisdom in your decision making when practicing. (What should the next step be?) (Due Friday)
Band – Practice Ancient Moon, Rockin’ Rondeau, sight-reading, lip slurs, and enrichment pieces assigned by Yale teaching artist. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Friday.)
Week of April 23 to April 27:
Hello Wexler Families:
Students came back from break on Monday and for the most part did a great job of transitioning from break to school. Principal Diah has been emphasizing our work and strengths toward finishing strong! Let’s all work together to do what we can to help scholars remain focused, engaged, and STRONG through the rest of the year.
Speaking of strong, this is State Testing Week for Grade 7 and 8 students. On Tuesday and Wednesday, scholars will take the Language Arts portions of the test, and on Thursday and Friday, they will take the Math sections. For the remainder of the week students will have regular classes (though slightly modified in light of the testing) for part of the day, and a testing session for the other part of the day. Please be aware that these tests can be very demanding. Please encourage scholars to make sure to get enough food and rest so that they can do their best on these exams.
While students are testing, classes will be on a modified schedule and curriculum to accommodate testing.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7:
7A: Students will continue to work on their arm/hand casts. We will review: initial plastering, repairs and painting techniques. I will demonstrate various ways to paint details neatly and with precision.
7B: This week students will continue designing/drawing unique buildings. We will discuss details; window, door, column design and textures. Incorporating interesting details and a variety of styes will make each building special.
Grade 8:
Students will work on their ancestry inspired design if they were absent last week. When designs are completed students will work together to apply plaster to arm/hand creating a relief cast.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts students will complete the Smarter Balanced Assessment for English/Language Arts. I am confident that if students come ready and focused for the test they will do wonderfully. During class this week students will begin pre-reading activities for their 4th quarter core novel. 7th grade students will read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. 8th grade students will read Slumming by Kristin D. Randle.
There will be no Language Arts homework this week. Please check in with your student regarding their testing. All of our students have the skills needed to succeed, sometimes they just need a little encouragement!
Math:
This week 7th and 8th grade SBAC testing commences. While doing so, review opportunities during school as well as after school will occur to ensure comfort and knowledge . Focus will be placed on areas of weakness, revisiting formulas and their applications.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
This week, during the Smarter Balanced Assessments, 7th and 8th grade students will participate in mini-debates. Each class will choose a topic and divide into small groups to plan for the debate. As a group, students will brainstorm arguments to support their position. They will consider the opponents possible arguments and create rebuttal responses. Finally, students will either participate in the debate as a team on either side or as a judge.
Social Studies:
Grades 7 and 8: This week, the week of SBAC testing, students will work on a project of their choice which focuses on historical themes and events. Choices are as follows: Option 1: American History Timeline: Make a collage that shows events in American History or another History that you find particularly interesting. Use the textbook to find timelines (at the beginning of each Chapter), select events that you would want to illustrate with pictures from magazines, then write a one-sentence summary of the event and include your picture(s) for each event. Option 2: Make a collage around a common theme. Common themes might include music from different countries, art from different countries, food from different countries, the Civil Rights Movement, the American Revolution, or a theme that you would like to work on. Option 3: Make an ABC Book about American History. Each letter could represent a person, place, event, etc. For example, A = America; the Country we live in. B = Ben Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers. C = _____. Draw or find pictures in the magazines to represent each letter. Be creative in your lettering and presentation. Option 4: Make a poster about a theme you select. Your poster could be about an historical figure, an invention, an event, or… Option 5: Make a timeline or ABC Book about your life in collage/illustration format. You could start with where/when born, pictures of cities in which you have lived, drawings of important events, etc. Option 6: Make a children’s book, or a book, by finding and using photos and pictures from magazines and writing a story that goes along with those photos. Option 7: Make an ABC book about the countries of the world and find photos to go with the countries you identify. Afghanistan, Bolivia, Canada, Denmark… Option 8: Make a collage book that shows the Bill of Rights. For example: 1st Amendment: Freedom of Speech. Find pictures and photos of people talking or writing or demonstrating… Option 9: Write and perform a song about a country or event or theme. Option 10: Your choice: What is something that you would like to do this week? It needs to be something you can accomplish this week using materials provided in the classroom. [Student submits proposal]. There will be no homework this week due to testing.
Spanish: This week, due to SBAC testing, we are doing mini-lessons on partes del cuerpo and constructing our own monsters! I hope everyone gets plenty of rest at night this week and wish all our students best of luck on their exams!
Special Education: Students will be engaging in individual conferences with me to assess progress on their IEP goals and objectives. Please have a conversation with your students this week to discuss their feelings about their progress. Students should be reading each evening for at least 20 minutes and completing a reading log. Have a great week!
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Prep Band – Review the beginning of Ancient Moon, chunking larger and larger sections together. Then go forward independently, discovering which material you’ve already learned. (Due Wednesday)
Percussion A – D.N. – Practice the snare-drum part to Ancient Moon. D.M. and J.H. – Practice the bass-drum part to Ancient Moon. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Thursday.)
Percussion B – J.L. – Practice the suspended-cymbal part to Ancient Moon. E.D. – Practice the tom-tom part to Ancient Moon. L.P. and J.L.Z. – Practice the bells part to Ancient Moon, making the motions or striking something in multiple locations. (You must use your imagination!) (Due Thursday)
Trumpets – Practice p. 12 #42 and 43, remembering the very different challenges these 2 present, focusing on each appropriately, and approaching them in 2 different ways. (Due Friday)
Band – Practice D-major scale, Ancient Moon, Rockin’ Rondeau, sight-reading, lip slurs, and enrichment pieces assigned by Yale teaching artist. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Friday.)
Hello Wexler Families:
Students came back from break on Monday and for the most part did a great job of transitioning from break to school. Principal Diah has been emphasizing our work and strengths toward finishing strong! Let’s all work together to do what we can to help scholars remain focused, engaged, and STRONG through the rest of the year.
Speaking of strong, this is State Testing Week for Grade 7 and 8 students. On Tuesday and Wednesday, scholars will take the Language Arts portions of the test, and on Thursday and Friday, they will take the Math sections. For the remainder of the week students will have regular classes (though slightly modified in light of the testing) for part of the day, and a testing session for the other part of the day. Please be aware that these tests can be very demanding. Please encourage scholars to make sure to get enough food and rest so that they can do their best on these exams.
While students are testing, classes will be on a modified schedule and curriculum to accommodate testing.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7:
7A: Students will continue to work on their arm/hand casts. We will review: initial plastering, repairs and painting techniques. I will demonstrate various ways to paint details neatly and with precision.
7B: This week students will continue designing/drawing unique buildings. We will discuss details; window, door, column design and textures. Incorporating interesting details and a variety of styes will make each building special.
Grade 8:
Students will work on their ancestry inspired design if they were absent last week. When designs are completed students will work together to apply plaster to arm/hand creating a relief cast.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts students will complete the Smarter Balanced Assessment for English/Language Arts. I am confident that if students come ready and focused for the test they will do wonderfully. During class this week students will begin pre-reading activities for their 4th quarter core novel. 7th grade students will read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. 8th grade students will read Slumming by Kristin D. Randle.
There will be no Language Arts homework this week. Please check in with your student regarding their testing. All of our students have the skills needed to succeed, sometimes they just need a little encouragement!
Math:
This week 7th and 8th grade SBAC testing commences. While doing so, review opportunities during school as well as after school will occur to ensure comfort and knowledge . Focus will be placed on areas of weakness, revisiting formulas and their applications.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
This week, during the Smarter Balanced Assessments, 7th and 8th grade students will participate in mini-debates. Each class will choose a topic and divide into small groups to plan for the debate. As a group, students will brainstorm arguments to support their position. They will consider the opponents possible arguments and create rebuttal responses. Finally, students will either participate in the debate as a team on either side or as a judge.
Social Studies:
Grades 7 and 8: This week, the week of SBAC testing, students will work on a project of their choice which focuses on historical themes and events. Choices are as follows: Option 1: American History Timeline: Make a collage that shows events in American History or another History that you find particularly interesting. Use the textbook to find timelines (at the beginning of each Chapter), select events that you would want to illustrate with pictures from magazines, then write a one-sentence summary of the event and include your picture(s) for each event. Option 2: Make a collage around a common theme. Common themes might include music from different countries, art from different countries, food from different countries, the Civil Rights Movement, the American Revolution, or a theme that you would like to work on. Option 3: Make an ABC Book about American History. Each letter could represent a person, place, event, etc. For example, A = America; the Country we live in. B = Ben Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers. C = _____. Draw or find pictures in the magazines to represent each letter. Be creative in your lettering and presentation. Option 4: Make a poster about a theme you select. Your poster could be about an historical figure, an invention, an event, or… Option 5: Make a timeline or ABC Book about your life in collage/illustration format. You could start with where/when born, pictures of cities in which you have lived, drawings of important events, etc. Option 6: Make a children’s book, or a book, by finding and using photos and pictures from magazines and writing a story that goes along with those photos. Option 7: Make an ABC book about the countries of the world and find photos to go with the countries you identify. Afghanistan, Bolivia, Canada, Denmark… Option 8: Make a collage book that shows the Bill of Rights. For example: 1st Amendment: Freedom of Speech. Find pictures and photos of people talking or writing or demonstrating… Option 9: Write and perform a song about a country or event or theme. Option 10: Your choice: What is something that you would like to do this week? It needs to be something you can accomplish this week using materials provided in the classroom. [Student submits proposal]. There will be no homework this week due to testing.
Spanish: This week, due to SBAC testing, we are doing mini-lessons on partes del cuerpo and constructing our own monsters! I hope everyone gets plenty of rest at night this week and wish all our students best of luck on their exams!
Special Education: Students will be engaging in individual conferences with me to assess progress on their IEP goals and objectives. Please have a conversation with your students this week to discuss their feelings about their progress. Students should be reading each evening for at least 20 minutes and completing a reading log. Have a great week!
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Prep Band – Review the beginning of Ancient Moon, chunking larger and larger sections together. Then go forward independently, discovering which material you’ve already learned. (Due Wednesday)
Percussion A – D.N. – Practice the snare-drum part to Ancient Moon. D.M. and J.H. – Practice the bass-drum part to Ancient Moon. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Thursday.)
Percussion B – J.L. – Practice the suspended-cymbal part to Ancient Moon. E.D. – Practice the tom-tom part to Ancient Moon. L.P. and J.L.Z. – Practice the bells part to Ancient Moon, making the motions or striking something in multiple locations. (You must use your imagination!) (Due Thursday)
Trumpets – Practice p. 12 #42 and 43, remembering the very different challenges these 2 present, focusing on each appropriately, and approaching them in 2 different ways. (Due Friday)
Band – Practice D-major scale, Ancient Moon, Rockin’ Rondeau, sight-reading, lip slurs, and enrichment pieces assigned by Yale teaching artist. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Friday.)
Week of April 9 to 13, 2018
Hello Wexler Families:
I hope this finds you well. We are in the final marking period of the year! This final marking period can exciting as well as challenging. On the one hand, there is knowing that the end of the school year gets closer by the day, fun activities are coming up, and reflecting on all the learned this past year, relationships built, and growth. The challenging part is related. For some, the coming of the end of the year brings some concern and anxiety, thinking about what to do over the summer, seeing friends less often, etc. The weather begins to get warmer which for some means distraction from being in school or completing homework. Here at school we are working with students to help them achieve a healthy balance of commitment and anticipation. Please do what you can to help your scholars remain focused and engaged in their academic progress.
In other news, Report Cards are being printed this week, and will be mailed out next week. Please be sure to review your scholar’s Report Card with him or her. It may not always seem so, but our young people remain highly sensitive to our views and opinions about their work and progress. Encourage accomplishment! Challenge scholars to increase effort and attention in areas in which they are not doing so well, with the reminder that we all have things that we can do better. And most of all, let us know how we can continue to support and encourage your scholar.
Next week is our Spring Break. There is a half-day on Friday, we are off next week, and classes will resume on Monday, April 23. Please remember that state testing begins the day after students return, on April 24. During this week of testing, which can be stressful and exhausting for some students, it is particularly important that scholars eat well and get good rest.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art: Congratulations to the following students who have work in our Wexler Grant Art show which opened Monday Night: Tymaine Smith, Ismael Gathers, Niygere Wicker, Allyana Rivera, Isabel Zelaya, Kiyonni Yarbrough, Niasha Herron. The show will stay up for at least a few weeks.
Grade 7:
7A: Students will review classroom expectations. There are many students who are not using our time to create art. Ancestry homework is past due but will still be accepted this week. This research is critical to the design of student relief sculptures. Please check in with your artist, they will need your help completing this assignment. Students will continue working on their designs and working together to create their plaster arm/hand casts. Some students are painting their designs on completes sculptures, we will review good painting techniques.
7B: We missed class last week due to the snow delay. This week we will further dive into our unit on architecture. I have asked students to observe architecture around them, in their neighborhoods and travels during the week. I hope that they will incorporate and be inspired by the architecture all around them. I will demonstrate how to design interesting buildings with very basic shapes through overlapping, variety and size variation.
Grade 8 Art:
Ancestry homework is will still be accepted this week. It is very important that the homework is completed and handed in. This family research will guide the design of student sculptures. Please check in with your artist, they will need your help completing this assignment.
Students will learn about relief sculptures and how to create a cast using plaster, students will be working together to create these arm/hand reliefs.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This is the final week of of preparations before the Smarter Balanced Assessment. This week students will focus on reading nonfiction texts. Students will use a two column chart to gather and record information about the central ideas and details found in a given text. Lessons will also focus on multi-text questions. A number of SBAC questions will focus on sets of paired passages. These texts are normally nonfiction but may include short fiction, poems, photographs, charts, graphs and even podcasts. Students will use the RACECES format to construct answers that rely on evidence from multiple sources of information.
The SBAC exam will begin on Tuesday, April, 24th. If at all possible, it is encouraged that students do not miss school during the testing period. All students will be tested, if students are absent they will make up the test on make-up day at a later date.
A short homework assignment will be given this week. The assignment is due on Friday, April 13.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
This week students will continue to practice on-demand writing by responding to open-ended prompts based on text. Students will be expected to use the acronym RACECES when they are answering questions. In the writing process, students will restate the question, provide the answer, cite evidence, and explain their answer. Then, they will cite more evidence, explain their answer, and sum it all up.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills. Students improve vocabulary, stamina, and reading skills when they read every day.
Science: ***Spread the word… www.donorschoose.org/MissFarrell ***
Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20 pm - 3:30 pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and classwork (AND SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS =D)
Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework.
Seventh grade scientists are continuing with the aspects of heredity and its effects on the human body organ systems. Homework: Natural Selection and Fossils Assignments due Thursday May 31, 2018
Eighth grade scientists are exploring how the interactions of plate tectonics change Earth’s surface and structure through earthquakes and volcanoes. Homework: Plate Tectonics Quarter Four Assignment due Wednesday May 30, 2018
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will continue their argument essay (District Quarterly) in response to the question: Would you support Gandhi and his revolutionaries and their peaceful acts of Civil Disobedience as an effective way to make change? Topics will include structuring an argument essay, audience and tone for writing the essay, writing an introduction to an argument essay, defining, identifying and using various types of evidence, identifying and writing a rebuttal, writing a conclusion, and using a rubric to understand and meet expectations. Homework: None this week.
Grade 8: This week students will continue their exploration about how the United States expanded across the continent. They will continue to consider the common characteristics of the people who blazed trails across the continent and settled new places and their impact on the United States as a nation today. They will also consider the impacts settlers and pioneers had on Native Populations and the environment and consider how this contributed to the development of a nation that struggles with race. In addition, students will analyze the meanings and implications of the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the War of 1812, and explore the major trails pioneers took to head west. This will culminate in a brief project in which students plan a trip west or reflect on a trip already taken. Homework: None this week.
Special Education: Students are continuing to grow in Lexia Levels and reading comprehension. We are also busy practicing daily living math skills including unit rate, perimeter and area. Please encourage your students to read at home for at least 20 minutes a day.
Enjoy your Spring break!
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Prep Band – Review the beginning of Ancient Moon, chunking larger and larger sections together. Then go forward independently, discovering which material you’ve already learned. (Due Wednesday)
Percussion A – Practice the clave, snare-drum, and bass-drum parts to Ancient Moon. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Thursday.)
Percussion B – Practice both pages of Ancient Moon – practice this bells music as if it were snare-drum music. (Due Thursday)
Trumpets – Practice p. 10 #35. (Due Friday)
Band – Practice D-major scale, Ancient Moon, Rockin’ Rondeau, sight-reading, lip slurs, and enrichment pieces assigned by Yale teaching artist. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Friday.)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Hello Wexler Families:
I hope this finds you well. We are in the final marking period of the year! This final marking period can exciting as well as challenging. On the one hand, there is knowing that the end of the school year gets closer by the day, fun activities are coming up, and reflecting on all the learned this past year, relationships built, and growth. The challenging part is related. For some, the coming of the end of the year brings some concern and anxiety, thinking about what to do over the summer, seeing friends less often, etc. The weather begins to get warmer which for some means distraction from being in school or completing homework. Here at school we are working with students to help them achieve a healthy balance of commitment and anticipation. Please do what you can to help your scholars remain focused and engaged in their academic progress.
In other news, Report Cards are being printed this week, and will be mailed out next week. Please be sure to review your scholar’s Report Card with him or her. It may not always seem so, but our young people remain highly sensitive to our views and opinions about their work and progress. Encourage accomplishment! Challenge scholars to increase effort and attention in areas in which they are not doing so well, with the reminder that we all have things that we can do better. And most of all, let us know how we can continue to support and encourage your scholar.
Next week is our Spring Break. There is a half-day on Friday, we are off next week, and classes will resume on Monday, April 23. Please remember that state testing begins the day after students return, on April 24. During this week of testing, which can be stressful and exhausting for some students, it is particularly important that scholars eat well and get good rest.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art: Congratulations to the following students who have work in our Wexler Grant Art show which opened Monday Night: Tymaine Smith, Ismael Gathers, Niygere Wicker, Allyana Rivera, Isabel Zelaya, Kiyonni Yarbrough, Niasha Herron. The show will stay up for at least a few weeks.
Grade 7:
7A: Students will review classroom expectations. There are many students who are not using our time to create art. Ancestry homework is past due but will still be accepted this week. This research is critical to the design of student relief sculptures. Please check in with your artist, they will need your help completing this assignment. Students will continue working on their designs and working together to create their plaster arm/hand casts. Some students are painting their designs on completes sculptures, we will review good painting techniques.
7B: We missed class last week due to the snow delay. This week we will further dive into our unit on architecture. I have asked students to observe architecture around them, in their neighborhoods and travels during the week. I hope that they will incorporate and be inspired by the architecture all around them. I will demonstrate how to design interesting buildings with very basic shapes through overlapping, variety and size variation.
Grade 8 Art:
Ancestry homework is will still be accepted this week. It is very important that the homework is completed and handed in. This family research will guide the design of student sculptures. Please check in with your artist, they will need your help completing this assignment.
Students will learn about relief sculptures and how to create a cast using plaster, students will be working together to create these arm/hand reliefs.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This is the final week of of preparations before the Smarter Balanced Assessment. This week students will focus on reading nonfiction texts. Students will use a two column chart to gather and record information about the central ideas and details found in a given text. Lessons will also focus on multi-text questions. A number of SBAC questions will focus on sets of paired passages. These texts are normally nonfiction but may include short fiction, poems, photographs, charts, graphs and even podcasts. Students will use the RACECES format to construct answers that rely on evidence from multiple sources of information.
The SBAC exam will begin on Tuesday, April, 24th. If at all possible, it is encouraged that students do not miss school during the testing period. All students will be tested, if students are absent they will make up the test on make-up day at a later date.
A short homework assignment will be given this week. The assignment is due on Friday, April 13.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
This week students will continue to practice on-demand writing by responding to open-ended prompts based on text. Students will be expected to use the acronym RACECES when they are answering questions. In the writing process, students will restate the question, provide the answer, cite evidence, and explain their answer. Then, they will cite more evidence, explain their answer, and sum it all up.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills. Students improve vocabulary, stamina, and reading skills when they read every day.
Science: ***Spread the word… www.donorschoose.org/MissFarrell ***
Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20 pm - 3:30 pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and classwork (AND SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS =D)
Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework.
Seventh grade scientists are continuing with the aspects of heredity and its effects on the human body organ systems. Homework: Natural Selection and Fossils Assignments due Thursday May 31, 2018
Eighth grade scientists are exploring how the interactions of plate tectonics change Earth’s surface and structure through earthquakes and volcanoes. Homework: Plate Tectonics Quarter Four Assignment due Wednesday May 30, 2018
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will continue their argument essay (District Quarterly) in response to the question: Would you support Gandhi and his revolutionaries and their peaceful acts of Civil Disobedience as an effective way to make change? Topics will include structuring an argument essay, audience and tone for writing the essay, writing an introduction to an argument essay, defining, identifying and using various types of evidence, identifying and writing a rebuttal, writing a conclusion, and using a rubric to understand and meet expectations. Homework: None this week.
Grade 8: This week students will continue their exploration about how the United States expanded across the continent. They will continue to consider the common characteristics of the people who blazed trails across the continent and settled new places and their impact on the United States as a nation today. They will also consider the impacts settlers and pioneers had on Native Populations and the environment and consider how this contributed to the development of a nation that struggles with race. In addition, students will analyze the meanings and implications of the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the War of 1812, and explore the major trails pioneers took to head west. This will culminate in a brief project in which students plan a trip west or reflect on a trip already taken. Homework: None this week.
Special Education: Students are continuing to grow in Lexia Levels and reading comprehension. We are also busy practicing daily living math skills including unit rate, perimeter and area. Please encourage your students to read at home for at least 20 minutes a day.
Enjoy your Spring break!
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Prep Band – Review the beginning of Ancient Moon, chunking larger and larger sections together. Then go forward independently, discovering which material you’ve already learned. (Due Wednesday)
Percussion A – Practice the clave, snare-drum, and bass-drum parts to Ancient Moon. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Thursday.)
Percussion B – Practice both pages of Ancient Moon – practice this bells music as if it were snare-drum music. (Due Thursday)
Trumpets – Practice p. 10 #35. (Due Friday)
Band – Practice D-major scale, Ancient Moon, Rockin’ Rondeau, sight-reading, lip slurs, and enrichment pieces assigned by Yale teaching artist. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Friday.)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Week of April 2 to 6, 2018
Hello Wexler Families.
We hope this finds you well. Please read on for information about what scholars will be doing in their classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7:
7A: Students will review classroom expectations. There are many students who are not using our time to create art. Ancestry homework is past due but will still be accepted this week. This research is critical to the design of student relief sculptures. Please check in with your artist, they will need your help completing this assignment. Students will continue working on their designs and working together to create their plaster arm/hand casts.
7B: This week we will further dive into our unit on architecture. I have asked students to observe architecture around them, in their neighborhoods and travels during the week. I hope that they will incorporate and be inspired by the architecture all around them.
Grade 8 Art:
Ancestry homework is will still be accepted this week. It is very important that the homework is completed and handed in. This family research will guide the design of student sculptures. Please check in with your artist, they will need your help completing this assignment.
Students will learn about relief sculptures and how to create a cast using plaster, students will be working together to create these arm/hand reliefs.
Students in the Friday class will begin work on their relief sculptures. Ancestry homework will still be accepted Friday. It is very important that the homework is completed and handed in. This family research will guide the design of student sculptures. Please check in with your artist, they will need your help completing this assignment.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Art, scholars continue to prepare for the upcoming SBAC exam. This week concludes the study of short fiction texts. Students will gather information using a 4-square note taking chart. Students will answer open-ended questions using the RACECES format. This format will ensure student achieve their full potential on standardized tests.On Friday of this week students will take a short practice test for the editing, revising and vocabulary sections of the SBAC exam. While this practice test does not count towards their overall score, it will allow them to practice answering various types of questions that will appear on the SBAC test later this month.
Students will have some SBAC unit work to finish as homework this week. All work is due on Friday. The SBAC exam will be held the week after April vacation.
Read 180, Luck:7th Grade: This week students will work on grammar skills to incorporate into their written reading responses. They will identify and use the correct verb tense. The will also use commas in a series. Students will practice on-demand writing by responding to open-ended short answer prompts.
8th Grade: This week students will work on grammar skills to incorporate into their written reading responses. They will identify and use the correct subject and object pronouns. The will also avoid using double negatives. Students will practice on-demand writing by responding to open-ended short answer prompts.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills. Students improve vocabulary, stamina, and reading skills when they read every day.
Science:
Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20 pm - 3:30 pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and classwork (AND SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS =D)
Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework.
Seventh grade scientists are reviewing the aspects of heredity and its effects on the human body organ systems. Homework: Feel the Beat Lab Report due Tuesday April 3, 2018; Genetics Gizmo and Webquest due Friday April 6, 2018
Eighth grade scientists are exploring how the interactions of plate tectonics change Earth’s surface and structure. Homework: Plate Tectonics Quarter Four Assignment due Wednesday May 30, 2018
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will continue their argument essay (District Quarterly) in response to the question: Would you support Gandhi and his revolutionaries and their peaceful acts of Civil Disobedience as an effective way to make change? Topics will include structuring an argument essay, audience and tone for writing the essay, writing an introduction to an argument essay, defining, identifying and using various types of evidence, identifying and writing a rebuttal, writing a conclusion, and using a rubric to understand and meet expectations. Homework: Standing or Roof of Africa, Maps, Current Event.
Grade 8: This week students will learn about the history of how the United States expanded from thirteen colonies hugging the Atlantic Coast to a nation that extended across the continent. They will think about the people and the common characteristics of the people who blazed trails across the continent and settled new places as well as the impacts they had on Native Populations and the environment, analyze the meanings and implications of “Manifest Destiny” the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the War of 1812, and explore the major trails pioneers took to head west. This will culminate in a brief project in which students plan a trip west or reflect on a trip already taken. Homework due Friday: The Louisiana Purchase, War of 1812. Current Event.
Spanish: This week in Spanish we will be studying food with the 7th grade, as well as reviewing present-tense verbs. In 8th grade, we will be studying fashion!
Special Education: Students will continue to work on using text evidence to support claims in reading assignments. Vocabulary activities will build students reading comprehension skills and enhance fluency as well. Math drills and daily living math problems will be a focus as well. Hurry Spring…. :)
Band:Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Returning Trumpets – Review what we did together on p. 1 of Ancient Moon, chunking larger and larger sections together. Then, start practicing p. 2, identifying which material you’ve already learned and which is brand new. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice the snare-drum part of Ancient Moon. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Thursday.)
Percussion B – Practice both pages of Ancient Moon – practice this bells music as if it were snare-drum music. (Due Thursday)
Band – Practice D-major scale, Ancient Moon, Rockin’ Rondeau, sight-reading, lip slurs, and enrichment pieces assigned by Yale teaching artist. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Friday.)
Clarinets – Review the first page of Ancient Moon, and move on to page 2, discovering which material you’ve already learned! And remember to use your swab after every practice session. (Due Friday)
New Trumpets – Practice p. 10 #35. (Due Friday)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Hello Wexler Families.
We hope this finds you well. Please read on for information about what scholars will be doing in their classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7:
7A: Students will review classroom expectations. There are many students who are not using our time to create art. Ancestry homework is past due but will still be accepted this week. This research is critical to the design of student relief sculptures. Please check in with your artist, they will need your help completing this assignment. Students will continue working on their designs and working together to create their plaster arm/hand casts.
7B: This week we will further dive into our unit on architecture. I have asked students to observe architecture around them, in their neighborhoods and travels during the week. I hope that they will incorporate and be inspired by the architecture all around them.
Grade 8 Art:
Ancestry homework is will still be accepted this week. It is very important that the homework is completed and handed in. This family research will guide the design of student sculptures. Please check in with your artist, they will need your help completing this assignment.
Students will learn about relief sculptures and how to create a cast using plaster, students will be working together to create these arm/hand reliefs.
Students in the Friday class will begin work on their relief sculptures. Ancestry homework will still be accepted Friday. It is very important that the homework is completed and handed in. This family research will guide the design of student sculptures. Please check in with your artist, they will need your help completing this assignment.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Art, scholars continue to prepare for the upcoming SBAC exam. This week concludes the study of short fiction texts. Students will gather information using a 4-square note taking chart. Students will answer open-ended questions using the RACECES format. This format will ensure student achieve their full potential on standardized tests.On Friday of this week students will take a short practice test for the editing, revising and vocabulary sections of the SBAC exam. While this practice test does not count towards their overall score, it will allow them to practice answering various types of questions that will appear on the SBAC test later this month.
Students will have some SBAC unit work to finish as homework this week. All work is due on Friday. The SBAC exam will be held the week after April vacation.
Read 180, Luck:7th Grade: This week students will work on grammar skills to incorporate into their written reading responses. They will identify and use the correct verb tense. The will also use commas in a series. Students will practice on-demand writing by responding to open-ended short answer prompts.
8th Grade: This week students will work on grammar skills to incorporate into their written reading responses. They will identify and use the correct subject and object pronouns. The will also avoid using double negatives. Students will practice on-demand writing by responding to open-ended short answer prompts.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills. Students improve vocabulary, stamina, and reading skills when they read every day.
Science:
Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20 pm - 3:30 pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and classwork (AND SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS =D)
Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework.
Seventh grade scientists are reviewing the aspects of heredity and its effects on the human body organ systems. Homework: Feel the Beat Lab Report due Tuesday April 3, 2018; Genetics Gizmo and Webquest due Friday April 6, 2018
Eighth grade scientists are exploring how the interactions of plate tectonics change Earth’s surface and structure. Homework: Plate Tectonics Quarter Four Assignment due Wednesday May 30, 2018
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will continue their argument essay (District Quarterly) in response to the question: Would you support Gandhi and his revolutionaries and their peaceful acts of Civil Disobedience as an effective way to make change? Topics will include structuring an argument essay, audience and tone for writing the essay, writing an introduction to an argument essay, defining, identifying and using various types of evidence, identifying and writing a rebuttal, writing a conclusion, and using a rubric to understand and meet expectations. Homework: Standing or Roof of Africa, Maps, Current Event.
Grade 8: This week students will learn about the history of how the United States expanded from thirteen colonies hugging the Atlantic Coast to a nation that extended across the continent. They will think about the people and the common characteristics of the people who blazed trails across the continent and settled new places as well as the impacts they had on Native Populations and the environment, analyze the meanings and implications of “Manifest Destiny” the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the War of 1812, and explore the major trails pioneers took to head west. This will culminate in a brief project in which students plan a trip west or reflect on a trip already taken. Homework due Friday: The Louisiana Purchase, War of 1812. Current Event.
Spanish: This week in Spanish we will be studying food with the 7th grade, as well as reviewing present-tense verbs. In 8th grade, we will be studying fashion!
Special Education: Students will continue to work on using text evidence to support claims in reading assignments. Vocabulary activities will build students reading comprehension skills and enhance fluency as well. Math drills and daily living math problems will be a focus as well. Hurry Spring…. :)
Band:Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Returning Trumpets – Review what we did together on p. 1 of Ancient Moon, chunking larger and larger sections together. Then, start practicing p. 2, identifying which material you’ve already learned and which is brand new. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice the snare-drum part of Ancient Moon. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Thursday.)
Percussion B – Practice both pages of Ancient Moon – practice this bells music as if it were snare-drum music. (Due Thursday)
Band – Practice D-major scale, Ancient Moon, Rockin’ Rondeau, sight-reading, lip slurs, and enrichment pieces assigned by Yale teaching artist. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Friday.)
Clarinets – Review the first page of Ancient Moon, and move on to page 2, discovering which material you’ve already learned! And remember to use your swab after every practice session. (Due Friday)
New Trumpets – Practice p. 10 #35. (Due Friday)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Week of March 26 to March 29.
Hello Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well, and enjoying (finally!) some transition to Spring weather. Let’s hope that snow and snow days are behind us! As we all know, with warmer weather comes increased challenge to remain focused and engaged in our work and academic tasks. Please do all that you can to help your scholar come to school each day ready and prepared to learn, even if the weather outside is beautiful! Likewise, we will do all that we can here at school to continue to develop lessons and activities that students find useful and interesting and inspires them to keep learning!
Speaking of learning, this coming Thursday, March 29, is the final day of the Third Marking Period. Please help scholars ensure that all assigned assignments, including homework, are turned in by this coming Thursday. Teachers are required to submit grades and assignments not turned in by Thursday can result in lower grades. Report Cards will be mailed home the week of April 9.
Also speaking of learning, just after our April Break (half-day Friday, April 13 to Monday, April 23), students will demonstrate their learning on the SBA or Smarter Balance Assessment. There will be four testing sessions from April 24 to April 27. At present students are continuing their classwork and also taking some time to prepare for these assessments. Please encourage scholars to engage in their work and pay careful attention to lessons that will help them prepare for these exams. Other things you can do is ensure regular routines at home, make sure that scholars are getting good food, rest, exercise, reading and practicing math. We will provide more information and ideas in the weeks to come.
Finally, we would like to wish everyone a good Good Friday and Easter! Please note that there will be no school this coming Friday, March 30, for Good Friday.
Have a good week, please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week, and please feel free to write or call with any comments, ideas, suggestions.
Art: Third Marking Period ends Thursday, March 29
Grade 7:
7A: Students missed a class last week with the weather delay. Therefore, this week I will allow students to finish up their architecture drawings as needed. These must be completed by the end of class this Thursday. Meanwhile, students will be creating their plaster arm/hand relief sculptures. They are working together in groups of three to accomplish this work. If time allows students will be designing their sculptures using their family history as inspiration. We will discuss how to use research and creativity to develop a unique and meaningful message.
7B: Students will continue creating toppings for their doughnuts using their choice of materials. All students must complete their work this week. When doughnuts are complete and rubrics handed in students will begin to explore architecture. They will have a many images to use for research and inspiration. Students will be expected to combine their research of existing architecture and their creativity to design original buildings.
Grade 8 Art:
This week the Tuesday class will hand in their 2-point perspective drawings if they were absent last week. Ancestry homework is due Tuesday. Students will learn about relief sculptures and how to create a cast using plaster, students will be working together to create these arm/hand reliefs.
Students in the Friday class will begin work on their relief sculptures. Ancestry homework will still be accepted Friday. It is very important that the homework is completed and handed in. This family research will guide the design of student sculptures.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
Winter won’t go away but middle school students are heating up their classrooms with learning!
This week, students continue to prepare for the upcoming SBAC ELA exam. At the beginning of the week, students will take a short in-class assessment realted to last week’s unit. In the middle of the week students will shift their focus to a few short myths.
Lessons will focus on the answering specific SBAC questions using short pieces of fiction. Students will make inferences based on text evidence and study the ways in which specific aspects of a text work to help an author construct meaning. Classes will consist of small group instruction and independent learning stations which will challenge students to produce their best work. All lessons are designed to equip students with the skills necessary to achieve great things on the SBAC exam in April!
There is a short homework packet this week. Homework is due on Thursday before the end of the day. There is no school Friday because of Good Friday.
Read 180, Luck:
7th Grade: This week students will be reading and evaluating information on a website. They will also read the schedule and profile of a human rights advocate. Students will practice on-demand writing by responding to open-ended short answer prompts.
8th Grade: This week students will begin closely reading fictional mini-mysteries. They are asked to solve mysteries by using evidence from the text to prove their thinking. They are also working on vocabulary challenges using their workshop target words. This includes using idioms, context clues, and dictionaries.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills. Students improve vocabulary, stamina, and reading skills when they read every day. It helps even more when parents read the same book and discuss it with them. Ready, set, read!
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will complete their work on Gandhi’s Actions/Leadership in India. Toward the end of the week, they will begin an argument essay (District Quarterly) in response to the question: Would you support Gandhi and his revolutionaries and their peaceful acts of Civil Disobedience as an effective way to make change? Topics will include structuring an argument essay, audience and tone for writing the essay, writing an introduction to an argument essay, defining, identifying and using various types of evidence, identifying and writing a rebuttal, writing a conclusion, and using a rubric to understand and meet expectations. Homework: On the Streets of New Delhi, Japan – Tokyo. Current Event.
Grade 8: This week students will complete their exploration of the Constitution and how it defines and lays out the American Government, the Bill of Rights, and the Supreme Court. Then, toward the end of the week, students will begin learning about the history of how the United States expanded from thirteen colonies hugging the Atlantic Coast to a nation that extended across the continent. They will think about the people and the common characteristics of the people who blazed trails across the continent and settled new places as well as the impacts they had on Native Populations and the environment, analyze the meanings and implications of “Manifest Destiny” the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the War of 1812, and explore the major trails pioneers took to head west. This will culminate in a brief project in which students plan a trip west or reflect on a trip already taken. Homework DUE THURSDAY: American Government – Jury Duty, Westward Expansion, and Current Event.
Special Education: Students working toward mastery in identifying and solving rate and ratio problems as well as one variable equations as we tackle real-world math scenarios. Students are improving reading comprehension as they continue to grow in levels on Lexia Reading Strategies. Please continue to encourage 20 minutes or more of reading time at home.
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Band – Practice D-major scale, Ancient Moon, Rockin’ Rondeau, sight-reading, lip slurs, and enrichment pieces assigned by Yale teaching artist. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday.)
Returning Trumpets – Practice the entire C-major scale (up and down), sight-reading, all of Chloe’s Lip Bender (this time without stopping in between each one), and Ancient Moon, especially measures 1-28. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice Lesson 11 (now with dynamics in every section), The Check, Check #2, and Check #4. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Ancient Moon – practice it as if it were snare-drum music (on one surface). Make sure to achieve a higher level of proficiency on the whole thing so that you’re ready for the next step – playing it on the bells! (Due Thursday)
Clarinets – Review the first page of Ancient Moon, and move on to page 2, discovering which material you’ve already learned! And remember to use your swab after every practice session. (Due Friday)
New Trumpets – Practice p. 10 #35. (Due Friday)
Thank you!
Hello Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well, and enjoying (finally!) some transition to Spring weather. Let’s hope that snow and snow days are behind us! As we all know, with warmer weather comes increased challenge to remain focused and engaged in our work and academic tasks. Please do all that you can to help your scholar come to school each day ready and prepared to learn, even if the weather outside is beautiful! Likewise, we will do all that we can here at school to continue to develop lessons and activities that students find useful and interesting and inspires them to keep learning!
Speaking of learning, this coming Thursday, March 29, is the final day of the Third Marking Period. Please help scholars ensure that all assigned assignments, including homework, are turned in by this coming Thursday. Teachers are required to submit grades and assignments not turned in by Thursday can result in lower grades. Report Cards will be mailed home the week of April 9.
Also speaking of learning, just after our April Break (half-day Friday, April 13 to Monday, April 23), students will demonstrate their learning on the SBA or Smarter Balance Assessment. There will be four testing sessions from April 24 to April 27. At present students are continuing their classwork and also taking some time to prepare for these assessments. Please encourage scholars to engage in their work and pay careful attention to lessons that will help them prepare for these exams. Other things you can do is ensure regular routines at home, make sure that scholars are getting good food, rest, exercise, reading and practicing math. We will provide more information and ideas in the weeks to come.
Finally, we would like to wish everyone a good Good Friday and Easter! Please note that there will be no school this coming Friday, March 30, for Good Friday.
Have a good week, please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week, and please feel free to write or call with any comments, ideas, suggestions.
Art: Third Marking Period ends Thursday, March 29
Grade 7:
7A: Students missed a class last week with the weather delay. Therefore, this week I will allow students to finish up their architecture drawings as needed. These must be completed by the end of class this Thursday. Meanwhile, students will be creating their plaster arm/hand relief sculptures. They are working together in groups of three to accomplish this work. If time allows students will be designing their sculptures using their family history as inspiration. We will discuss how to use research and creativity to develop a unique and meaningful message.
7B: Students will continue creating toppings for their doughnuts using their choice of materials. All students must complete their work this week. When doughnuts are complete and rubrics handed in students will begin to explore architecture. They will have a many images to use for research and inspiration. Students will be expected to combine their research of existing architecture and their creativity to design original buildings.
Grade 8 Art:
This week the Tuesday class will hand in their 2-point perspective drawings if they were absent last week. Ancestry homework is due Tuesday. Students will learn about relief sculptures and how to create a cast using plaster, students will be working together to create these arm/hand reliefs.
Students in the Friday class will begin work on their relief sculptures. Ancestry homework will still be accepted Friday. It is very important that the homework is completed and handed in. This family research will guide the design of student sculptures.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
Winter won’t go away but middle school students are heating up their classrooms with learning!
This week, students continue to prepare for the upcoming SBAC ELA exam. At the beginning of the week, students will take a short in-class assessment realted to last week’s unit. In the middle of the week students will shift their focus to a few short myths.
Lessons will focus on the answering specific SBAC questions using short pieces of fiction. Students will make inferences based on text evidence and study the ways in which specific aspects of a text work to help an author construct meaning. Classes will consist of small group instruction and independent learning stations which will challenge students to produce their best work. All lessons are designed to equip students with the skills necessary to achieve great things on the SBAC exam in April!
There is a short homework packet this week. Homework is due on Thursday before the end of the day. There is no school Friday because of Good Friday.
Read 180, Luck:
7th Grade: This week students will be reading and evaluating information on a website. They will also read the schedule and profile of a human rights advocate. Students will practice on-demand writing by responding to open-ended short answer prompts.
8th Grade: This week students will begin closely reading fictional mini-mysteries. They are asked to solve mysteries by using evidence from the text to prove their thinking. They are also working on vocabulary challenges using their workshop target words. This includes using idioms, context clues, and dictionaries.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills. Students improve vocabulary, stamina, and reading skills when they read every day. It helps even more when parents read the same book and discuss it with them. Ready, set, read!
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will complete their work on Gandhi’s Actions/Leadership in India. Toward the end of the week, they will begin an argument essay (District Quarterly) in response to the question: Would you support Gandhi and his revolutionaries and their peaceful acts of Civil Disobedience as an effective way to make change? Topics will include structuring an argument essay, audience and tone for writing the essay, writing an introduction to an argument essay, defining, identifying and using various types of evidence, identifying and writing a rebuttal, writing a conclusion, and using a rubric to understand and meet expectations. Homework: On the Streets of New Delhi, Japan – Tokyo. Current Event.
Grade 8: This week students will complete their exploration of the Constitution and how it defines and lays out the American Government, the Bill of Rights, and the Supreme Court. Then, toward the end of the week, students will begin learning about the history of how the United States expanded from thirteen colonies hugging the Atlantic Coast to a nation that extended across the continent. They will think about the people and the common characteristics of the people who blazed trails across the continent and settled new places as well as the impacts they had on Native Populations and the environment, analyze the meanings and implications of “Manifest Destiny” the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the War of 1812, and explore the major trails pioneers took to head west. This will culminate in a brief project in which students plan a trip west or reflect on a trip already taken. Homework DUE THURSDAY: American Government – Jury Duty, Westward Expansion, and Current Event.
Special Education: Students working toward mastery in identifying and solving rate and ratio problems as well as one variable equations as we tackle real-world math scenarios. Students are improving reading comprehension as they continue to grow in levels on Lexia Reading Strategies. Please continue to encourage 20 minutes or more of reading time at home.
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Band – Practice D-major scale, Ancient Moon, Rockin’ Rondeau, sight-reading, lip slurs, and enrichment pieces assigned by Yale teaching artist. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday.)
Returning Trumpets – Practice the entire C-major scale (up and down), sight-reading, all of Chloe’s Lip Bender (this time without stopping in between each one), and Ancient Moon, especially measures 1-28. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice Lesson 11 (now with dynamics in every section), The Check, Check #2, and Check #4. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Ancient Moon – practice it as if it were snare-drum music (on one surface). Make sure to achieve a higher level of proficiency on the whole thing so that you’re ready for the next step – playing it on the bells! (Due Thursday)
Clarinets – Review the first page of Ancient Moon, and move on to page 2, discovering which material you’ve already learned! And remember to use your swab after every practice session. (Due Friday)
New Trumpets – Practice p. 10 #35. (Due Friday)
Thank you!
Week of March 19 to 23:
Good Afternoon Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well. A few weeks ago I used this space to write about the importance of reading, and received some very interesting comments and feedback about how some families work to ensure that their scholars are reading. This week I want say a few words about math and numbers. “Number sense” is when students develop an overall understanding not only of how to use numbers and solve equations, but why the numbers and equations work the way they do. For instance, few students (and adults for that matter!) truly understand that when multiplying whole numbers, the product will be larger than the original numbers (e.g. 2 x 2 = 4). However, when multiplying fractions the product will be smaller (e.g. ½ x ½ = ¼)! Understanding this seeming contradiction is a reflection of solid “number sense.” Furthermore, numbers play a vital role in our lives. Signing a rental agreement, finding deals on a new phone, using mental math to figure out how much is saved during a 20% off sale, being able to examine and understand data that we read every day, are all ways that numbers impact our daily lives. Please take some time to encourage your scholars to engage in their math courses on a deep level, understanding the why as well as the how.
In other news, please note that the third marking period ends next Thursday, March 29. All student work must be completed and submitted by then in order to count toward third marking period grades. Also, please note that school will not be in session NEXT Friday (3/30) in recognition of Good Friday.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7:
7A: This week I will allow students to finish up their architecture drawings as needed. These must be completed by the end of class Thursday. Meanwhile, students will be creating their plaster arm/hand relief sculptures. They are working together in groups of three to accomplish this work. If time allows students will be designing their sculptures using their family history as inspiration. We will discuss how to use research and creativity to develop a unique and meaningful message.
7B: Students will continue creating toppings for their doughnuts using their choice of materials. Many students may complete their work this week.
Grade 8 Art:
This week the Tuesday class will continue work on their 2-point perspective drawings, they are due this week as we had a snow day last week. I will continue to work with small groups as needed to support any questions students may have. Students will also receive a worksheet for homework this week. It is an exploration of their ancestry. I am hopeful that students will ask family members to help them complete it. We will use this is inspiration for the painting of our upcoming relief sculptures.
Students in the Friday class have homework due on Friday. During class I will introduce our next assignment, a relief sculpture. We will look at other relief sculptures and discuss them. Next, they will learn how to use plaster to create these arm/hand reliefs.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts, middle school students have embarked on unit of skills and strategies designed to prepare them for the upcoming Smarter Balanced Assessment. Students will learn specific strategies and answer formats that will help them construct responses on exams. One major focus is inferencing, sometimes called reading between the lines or making an educated guess. It is perhaps the most important reading skill taught in middle school. Students will use direct text evidence and in depth explanation to construct inferences and prove their inferences are correct.. This skill transcends Language Arts and will be a vital part of student achievement in all subject areas. Students will also uncover the problems and solutions in fictional texts and analysis how these elements of a story lead to an understanding of the message or theme of a text. Students will also learn a simple note taking system called 4-square note taking. This style of notes will also help students when it comes to district and national testing.
Math
7th Math – Focus continues on Rates, Ratio and Proportions with introduction of Scale Drawings and Measurements. Unit conversions and Percent analysis with real world applications follows this leading to the Geometric analysis.
7th Pre-Algebra – Focus continues on Geometry, i.e., complementary and supplementary angles, angle relationships and transformations. This Unit culminates with Pythagorean Theorem, Volume and Distance Formulas.
8th Pre-Algebra – Focus continues with Geometric focus while advancing to Functions within Linear Equations. Culmination of Unit introduces Surface Area and its applications.
Algebra – Focus continues to wrap around Pythagorean Theorem, Functions, Transformations, Distance and Volume Formulas. This Units culminates with Piecewise Functions and Linear comparisons.
*** This week IAB testing and plans will carry over into next week.****
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
Students are continuing to build their vocabulary by learning new words and using them in proper context. They will do partner work, play vocabulary games, and make connections with new words (antonyms and synonyms). The vocabulary test is on Friday, March 23, 2018. Please refer to your child’s word list to help them practice and make sure they are studying.
The students are also continuing to participate in the Read180 Instructional Model which includes spending time on the Instructional Software and reading independently.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills. Students improve vocabulary, stamina, and reading skills when they read every day. It helps even more when parents read the same book and discuss it with them. Ready, set, read!
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will re-visit following and analyzing current events. Their primary focus will be to continue researching three of Gandhi’s actions in India to help free India from British Imperialism. They will then select one of these actions to investigate and analyze further. Toward the end of the week they will use this research to develop a faux “interview” that presents Gandhi’s point of view in relation to the action they analyzed and India’s overall struggle for Home Rule. Homework: In The Enemy’s Grip (about the Vietnam War), A Day at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and Current Events.
Grade 8: This week students will complete their preparation work for their trip on the Amistad in April with a focus on the Amistad trial (rescheduled from last week due to 3/13 Snow Day). This is presented by educators from the Amistad Exploration Organization. Students will also learn how to analyze news articles as part of learning about and following current events. Next, students will analyze and apply the Bill of Rights, why they were written, what they do and do not allow, and the nuances of inalienable rights. This will result in examining various situations such free speech in student newspapers, and determine if certain actions are allowed or not allowed under the Bill of Rights. HOMEWORK: American Government, Branches of Government, a Closer Look; Election of Senators; Current Events.
Spanish: This week in Spanish we are having fun with food! Learning how to talk about our meals and express our likes and dislikes, all while learning basic verb conjugations!
Special Education: This week students will be practicing for the math SBAC practice test on fractions, equations,ratios and proportions. We are also spending time on learning vocabulary to increase success on assignments in all CORE classes, as well as progress on state testing.Please continue to encourage your student to put aside electronics and READ. It really is the BEST way to increase their level of achievement in ALL areas!
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Band – Practice D-major scale, Ancient Moon, Rockin’ Rondeau, sight-reading, lip slurs, and enrichment pieces assigned by Yale teaching artist. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday.)
Returning Trumpets – Practice the entire C-major scale (up and down), sight-reading, all of Chloe’s Lip Bender (this time without stopping in between each one), and Ancient Moon, especially measures 1-27. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls, all of Lesson 11, Check 2, and Check 4. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Ancient Moon – practice it as if it were snare-drum music (on one surface). (Due Thursday)
Clarinets – Practice the entire first page of Ancient Moon, and move on to page 2 independently. (Due Friday)
New Trumpets – Practice 3 lip slurs (Bb-F, B-F#, C-G – half notes), as well as p. 10 #35. Also, choose a song on p. 11, and prepare to perform it for the class, with or without Mr. Jones’s help. (Due Friday)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Good Afternoon Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well. A few weeks ago I used this space to write about the importance of reading, and received some very interesting comments and feedback about how some families work to ensure that their scholars are reading. This week I want say a few words about math and numbers. “Number sense” is when students develop an overall understanding not only of how to use numbers and solve equations, but why the numbers and equations work the way they do. For instance, few students (and adults for that matter!) truly understand that when multiplying whole numbers, the product will be larger than the original numbers (e.g. 2 x 2 = 4). However, when multiplying fractions the product will be smaller (e.g. ½ x ½ = ¼)! Understanding this seeming contradiction is a reflection of solid “number sense.” Furthermore, numbers play a vital role in our lives. Signing a rental agreement, finding deals on a new phone, using mental math to figure out how much is saved during a 20% off sale, being able to examine and understand data that we read every day, are all ways that numbers impact our daily lives. Please take some time to encourage your scholars to engage in their math courses on a deep level, understanding the why as well as the how.
In other news, please note that the third marking period ends next Thursday, March 29. All student work must be completed and submitted by then in order to count toward third marking period grades. Also, please note that school will not be in session NEXT Friday (3/30) in recognition of Good Friday.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7:
7A: This week I will allow students to finish up their architecture drawings as needed. These must be completed by the end of class Thursday. Meanwhile, students will be creating their plaster arm/hand relief sculptures. They are working together in groups of three to accomplish this work. If time allows students will be designing their sculptures using their family history as inspiration. We will discuss how to use research and creativity to develop a unique and meaningful message.
7B: Students will continue creating toppings for their doughnuts using their choice of materials. Many students may complete their work this week.
Grade 8 Art:
This week the Tuesday class will continue work on their 2-point perspective drawings, they are due this week as we had a snow day last week. I will continue to work with small groups as needed to support any questions students may have. Students will also receive a worksheet for homework this week. It is an exploration of their ancestry. I am hopeful that students will ask family members to help them complete it. We will use this is inspiration for the painting of our upcoming relief sculptures.
Students in the Friday class have homework due on Friday. During class I will introduce our next assignment, a relief sculpture. We will look at other relief sculptures and discuss them. Next, they will learn how to use plaster to create these arm/hand reliefs.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts, middle school students have embarked on unit of skills and strategies designed to prepare them for the upcoming Smarter Balanced Assessment. Students will learn specific strategies and answer formats that will help them construct responses on exams. One major focus is inferencing, sometimes called reading between the lines or making an educated guess. It is perhaps the most important reading skill taught in middle school. Students will use direct text evidence and in depth explanation to construct inferences and prove their inferences are correct.. This skill transcends Language Arts and will be a vital part of student achievement in all subject areas. Students will also uncover the problems and solutions in fictional texts and analysis how these elements of a story lead to an understanding of the message or theme of a text. Students will also learn a simple note taking system called 4-square note taking. This style of notes will also help students when it comes to district and national testing.
Math
7th Math – Focus continues on Rates, Ratio and Proportions with introduction of Scale Drawings and Measurements. Unit conversions and Percent analysis with real world applications follows this leading to the Geometric analysis.
7th Pre-Algebra – Focus continues on Geometry, i.e., complementary and supplementary angles, angle relationships and transformations. This Unit culminates with Pythagorean Theorem, Volume and Distance Formulas.
8th Pre-Algebra – Focus continues with Geometric focus while advancing to Functions within Linear Equations. Culmination of Unit introduces Surface Area and its applications.
Algebra – Focus continues to wrap around Pythagorean Theorem, Functions, Transformations, Distance and Volume Formulas. This Units culminates with Piecewise Functions and Linear comparisons.
*** This week IAB testing and plans will carry over into next week.****
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
Students are continuing to build their vocabulary by learning new words and using them in proper context. They will do partner work, play vocabulary games, and make connections with new words (antonyms and synonyms). The vocabulary test is on Friday, March 23, 2018. Please refer to your child’s word list to help them practice and make sure they are studying.
The students are also continuing to participate in the Read180 Instructional Model which includes spending time on the Instructional Software and reading independently.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills. Students improve vocabulary, stamina, and reading skills when they read every day. It helps even more when parents read the same book and discuss it with them. Ready, set, read!
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will re-visit following and analyzing current events. Their primary focus will be to continue researching three of Gandhi’s actions in India to help free India from British Imperialism. They will then select one of these actions to investigate and analyze further. Toward the end of the week they will use this research to develop a faux “interview” that presents Gandhi’s point of view in relation to the action they analyzed and India’s overall struggle for Home Rule. Homework: In The Enemy’s Grip (about the Vietnam War), A Day at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and Current Events.
Grade 8: This week students will complete their preparation work for their trip on the Amistad in April with a focus on the Amistad trial (rescheduled from last week due to 3/13 Snow Day). This is presented by educators from the Amistad Exploration Organization. Students will also learn how to analyze news articles as part of learning about and following current events. Next, students will analyze and apply the Bill of Rights, why they were written, what they do and do not allow, and the nuances of inalienable rights. This will result in examining various situations such free speech in student newspapers, and determine if certain actions are allowed or not allowed under the Bill of Rights. HOMEWORK: American Government, Branches of Government, a Closer Look; Election of Senators; Current Events.
Spanish: This week in Spanish we are having fun with food! Learning how to talk about our meals and express our likes and dislikes, all while learning basic verb conjugations!
Special Education: This week students will be practicing for the math SBAC practice test on fractions, equations,ratios and proportions. We are also spending time on learning vocabulary to increase success on assignments in all CORE classes, as well as progress on state testing.Please continue to encourage your student to put aside electronics and READ. It really is the BEST way to increase their level of achievement in ALL areas!
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Band – Practice D-major scale, Ancient Moon, Rockin’ Rondeau, sight-reading, lip slurs, and enrichment pieces assigned by Yale teaching artist. (Due dates are ongoing, but evidence of progress is due this Wednesday.)
Returning Trumpets – Practice the entire C-major scale (up and down), sight-reading, all of Chloe’s Lip Bender (this time without stopping in between each one), and Ancient Moon, especially measures 1-27. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls, all of Lesson 11, Check 2, and Check 4. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Ancient Moon – practice it as if it were snare-drum music (on one surface). (Due Thursday)
Clarinets – Practice the entire first page of Ancient Moon, and move on to page 2 independently. (Due Friday)
New Trumpets – Practice 3 lip slurs (Bb-F, B-F#, C-G – half notes), as well as p. 10 #35. Also, choose a song on p. 11, and prepare to perform it for the class, with or without Mr. Jones’s help. (Due Friday)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Week of March 12 to 16:
Good Afternoon Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well.
The big news for this week is that this coming Friday, March 16, is the annual “Wexler’s Got Talent” Talent Show. Several of the performers are Grade 7 and 8 students. This might be a nice, and inexpensive, treat for you and your family. These shows are always fun and there is a lot of spirit behind them! Please think about joining us, this coming Friday at 6 pm.
Also, just a quick reminder that Wexler is a uniform school. Students are expected to wear khaki pants/skirt and navy blue shirt each day. Furthermore, as per District policy, students should not wear hoodies while at school. If your scholar is worried about not being warm enough at school, a navy blue sweater or non-hooded sweatshirt would be appropriate. Wearing uniforms allows students to access special events and field trips. Also, please note that students should not wear ripped jeans/pants to school. If a student is wearing ripped jeans or pants at school they will be asked to phone home for more appropriate (hopefully uniform!) attire to be brought in.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7:
7A: We missed both classes last week - Snow Days. We will follow last weeks plans this week. Plans changed 2 weeks ago week: We took a one class break from architecture to explore relief sculpture. Students learned the difference between a 3-dimensional sculpture and a relief sculpture. They learned how they will be making plaster casts of their arms/hands as I demonstrated the process. We reviewed the materials and how to prepare, use and clean up. This assignment will revolve around students ancestry. Students were given homework: to complete a worksheet exploring where they are from. They are expected to talk to family members and discuss their family history. This is due Wednesday, March 7th. Students did have Thursday to work on their architecture drawings and will have Wednesday of this week to complete them. As students finish their drawings they will be working on color and design for their sculptures that is inspired by their family history. Students will also work in student chosen groups to plaster each others arm/hand.
I have displayed the wonderful architecture drawings completed thus far in the hall. I look forward to displaying more work soon.
7B: This week students will continue creating toppings for their doughnuts using their choice of materials. We will review painting, color mixing and clean up. We will also talk about how and where they may want to add a glossy coat to their work. .
Grade 8 Art:
This week both classes will continue work on their 2-point perspective drawings, they are due this week. I will continue to work with small groups as needed to support any questions students may have. Students will also receive a worksheet for homework this week. It is an exploration of their ancestry. I am hopeful that students will ask family members to help them complete it. We will use this is inspiration for the painting of our upcoming relief sculptures.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week, students will wrap up their nonfiction books. Lesson will continue to focus on the proper formats for open-ended questions. Specifically, student will focus their attention on identifying and explaining the central idea in nonfiction. Later this week, students will begin a comprehensive unit designed to review important skills related to the SBAC exam.
Middle school students will also begin a new basic skills focus this week. All classes will turn their focus to making inferences. Sometimes called drawing conclusions, students make inferences when they combine material presented in a text with information they already know to construct educated guesses about difficult texts. Students will examine, identify and construct inferences related to fiction and nonfiction texts, videos and, other information sources
There will be a short homework packet this week. The activity will be due on Friday.
Math:
7th Math – Continues to focus on Rates, Ratios and Proportions while working on measure conversions and equations representing proportional relationships.
7th Pre-Algebra – Continues to focus on Rates, Ratios and Proportions while working on Angle pair relationship (complementary and supplementary angles).
8th Pre-Algebra – Continues to focus on geometric analysis while working on Triangles and Quadrilaterals with an introduction into transformations.
8th Algebra – Continues to focus on geometric analysis while working on formulas (Pythagorean, Volume and Distance).
****************Please note IAB testing all day on Friday, March 23, 2018****************
Read 180,
Students will continue reading nonfiction texts to summarize the topic and important details orally and in writing. They are reading critically to generate new ideas using background knowledge and evidence from the text to prove their thinking. Students are also building their vocabulary by learning new words and using them in proper context. They will take a vocabulary test next Friday, March 23, 2018. Please refer to your child’s word list to help them practice and make sure they are studying.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills. Students improve vocabulary, stamina, and reading skills when they read every day. It helps even more when parents read the same book and discuss it with them. Ready, set, read!
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week, following their close investigation of Gandhi and his non-violent resistance approach to achieving independence for India, students will select, research, and analyze one event in which Gandhi and his followers protested “unjust” laws that the British imposed on the people of India. Next week they will use this research to develop a faux “interview” that presents Gandhi’s point of view of India’s struggle for Home Rule. Homework: Javed’s Schooling In Pakistan, Vietnam; Eyewitness to History: Grandma was a Protester. Due Friday.
Grade 8: This week students will complete their preparation work for their trip on the Amistad in April with a focus on the Amistad trial. This is presented by educators from the Amistad Exploration Organization. They will also complete their exploration of the United States Constitution. They will discover why the Constitution was written, that it was a unique experiment in government at the time, and what the various Articles call for and define. They will read parts of the Constitution itself in the original language in order to better understand the Constitution’s contents and importance to our country today. Finally, they will review the Bill of Rights, why they were written, and what they do and do not allow. This will culminate in developing a 30 second commercial to convince others to support ratification of the Constitution. HOMEWORK: American Government –Bill of Rights Part I; American Government – Bill of Rights, Part II. Don’t Know Much About Liberty. Due Friday.
Spanish: This week in Spanish we will be continuing our studies of the present tense.
Special Education: Students are continuing to move up levels in the Lexia Reading Strategies program. Three students achieved a new level this past week! As we move forward to State testing in April, students will be practicing relevant skills necessary for growth in their score. Vocabulary, grammar mechanics and editing skills will be an intentional focus during resource and advisory sessions.
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Sax – Practice the G-major scale with a metronome app. (Due Wednesday)
Band – You are now ready for all of Ancient Moon, so practice all of it! Also practice the C major scale, the B-flat major scale, sight-reading, and lip slurs. (Due Wednesday)
Returning Trumpets – Practice the entire C-major scale (up and down), sight-reading, all of Chloe’s Lip Bender, and Ancient Moon, especially measures 1-27. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls (Increase the tempo!), Lesson 11 Part B (required) and Parts A and C (bonus), and Check 2. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Standard of Excellence p. 18 #78, paying attention to whether the flams are accented or unaccented. (Due Thursday)
New Trumpets – Practice 3 lip slurs (Bb-F, B-F#, C-G – half notes), as well as p. 10 #35. (Due Friday)
Clarinets – Review and piece together the first 44 measures of Ancient Moon, and move beyond this independently with the goal of finishing p. 1 and starting p. 2. (Due Friday)
Good Afternoon Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well.
The big news for this week is that this coming Friday, March 16, is the annual “Wexler’s Got Talent” Talent Show. Several of the performers are Grade 7 and 8 students. This might be a nice, and inexpensive, treat for you and your family. These shows are always fun and there is a lot of spirit behind them! Please think about joining us, this coming Friday at 6 pm.
Also, just a quick reminder that Wexler is a uniform school. Students are expected to wear khaki pants/skirt and navy blue shirt each day. Furthermore, as per District policy, students should not wear hoodies while at school. If your scholar is worried about not being warm enough at school, a navy blue sweater or non-hooded sweatshirt would be appropriate. Wearing uniforms allows students to access special events and field trips. Also, please note that students should not wear ripped jeans/pants to school. If a student is wearing ripped jeans or pants at school they will be asked to phone home for more appropriate (hopefully uniform!) attire to be brought in.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7:
7A: We missed both classes last week - Snow Days. We will follow last weeks plans this week. Plans changed 2 weeks ago week: We took a one class break from architecture to explore relief sculpture. Students learned the difference between a 3-dimensional sculpture and a relief sculpture. They learned how they will be making plaster casts of their arms/hands as I demonstrated the process. We reviewed the materials and how to prepare, use and clean up. This assignment will revolve around students ancestry. Students were given homework: to complete a worksheet exploring where they are from. They are expected to talk to family members and discuss their family history. This is due Wednesday, March 7th. Students did have Thursday to work on their architecture drawings and will have Wednesday of this week to complete them. As students finish their drawings they will be working on color and design for their sculptures that is inspired by their family history. Students will also work in student chosen groups to plaster each others arm/hand.
I have displayed the wonderful architecture drawings completed thus far in the hall. I look forward to displaying more work soon.
7B: This week students will continue creating toppings for their doughnuts using their choice of materials. We will review painting, color mixing and clean up. We will also talk about how and where they may want to add a glossy coat to their work. .
Grade 8 Art:
This week both classes will continue work on their 2-point perspective drawings, they are due this week. I will continue to work with small groups as needed to support any questions students may have. Students will also receive a worksheet for homework this week. It is an exploration of their ancestry. I am hopeful that students will ask family members to help them complete it. We will use this is inspiration for the painting of our upcoming relief sculptures.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week, students will wrap up their nonfiction books. Lesson will continue to focus on the proper formats for open-ended questions. Specifically, student will focus their attention on identifying and explaining the central idea in nonfiction. Later this week, students will begin a comprehensive unit designed to review important skills related to the SBAC exam.
Middle school students will also begin a new basic skills focus this week. All classes will turn their focus to making inferences. Sometimes called drawing conclusions, students make inferences when they combine material presented in a text with information they already know to construct educated guesses about difficult texts. Students will examine, identify and construct inferences related to fiction and nonfiction texts, videos and, other information sources
There will be a short homework packet this week. The activity will be due on Friday.
Math:
7th Math – Continues to focus on Rates, Ratios and Proportions while working on measure conversions and equations representing proportional relationships.
7th Pre-Algebra – Continues to focus on Rates, Ratios and Proportions while working on Angle pair relationship (complementary and supplementary angles).
8th Pre-Algebra – Continues to focus on geometric analysis while working on Triangles and Quadrilaterals with an introduction into transformations.
8th Algebra – Continues to focus on geometric analysis while working on formulas (Pythagorean, Volume and Distance).
****************Please note IAB testing all day on Friday, March 23, 2018****************
Read 180,
Students will continue reading nonfiction texts to summarize the topic and important details orally and in writing. They are reading critically to generate new ideas using background knowledge and evidence from the text to prove their thinking. Students are also building their vocabulary by learning new words and using them in proper context. They will take a vocabulary test next Friday, March 23, 2018. Please refer to your child’s word list to help them practice and make sure they are studying.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills. Students improve vocabulary, stamina, and reading skills when they read every day. It helps even more when parents read the same book and discuss it with them. Ready, set, read!
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week, following their close investigation of Gandhi and his non-violent resistance approach to achieving independence for India, students will select, research, and analyze one event in which Gandhi and his followers protested “unjust” laws that the British imposed on the people of India. Next week they will use this research to develop a faux “interview” that presents Gandhi’s point of view of India’s struggle for Home Rule. Homework: Javed’s Schooling In Pakistan, Vietnam; Eyewitness to History: Grandma was a Protester. Due Friday.
Grade 8: This week students will complete their preparation work for their trip on the Amistad in April with a focus on the Amistad trial. This is presented by educators from the Amistad Exploration Organization. They will also complete their exploration of the United States Constitution. They will discover why the Constitution was written, that it was a unique experiment in government at the time, and what the various Articles call for and define. They will read parts of the Constitution itself in the original language in order to better understand the Constitution’s contents and importance to our country today. Finally, they will review the Bill of Rights, why they were written, and what they do and do not allow. This will culminate in developing a 30 second commercial to convince others to support ratification of the Constitution. HOMEWORK: American Government –Bill of Rights Part I; American Government – Bill of Rights, Part II. Don’t Know Much About Liberty. Due Friday.
Spanish: This week in Spanish we will be continuing our studies of the present tense.
Special Education: Students are continuing to move up levels in the Lexia Reading Strategies program. Three students achieved a new level this past week! As we move forward to State testing in April, students will be practicing relevant skills necessary for growth in their score. Vocabulary, grammar mechanics and editing skills will be an intentional focus during resource and advisory sessions.
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Sax – Practice the G-major scale with a metronome app. (Due Wednesday)
Band – You are now ready for all of Ancient Moon, so practice all of it! Also practice the C major scale, the B-flat major scale, sight-reading, and lip slurs. (Due Wednesday)
Returning Trumpets – Practice the entire C-major scale (up and down), sight-reading, all of Chloe’s Lip Bender, and Ancient Moon, especially measures 1-27. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls (Increase the tempo!), Lesson 11 Part B (required) and Parts A and C (bonus), and Check 2. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Standard of Excellence p. 18 #78, paying attention to whether the flams are accented or unaccented. (Due Thursday)
New Trumpets – Practice 3 lip slurs (Bb-F, B-F#, C-G – half notes), as well as p. 10 #35. (Due Friday)
Clarinets – Review and piece together the first 44 measures of Ancient Moon, and move beyond this independently with the goal of finishing p. 1 and starting p. 2. (Due Friday)
Week of March 5 to March 9:
Hello Wexler Families.
Below is this week’s update. As I write this, we are having a snow day. This is an interruption in routine for all of us, adults and children alike. Please do what you can to help your scholar transition back to school ready to get immediately back to learning. Every teaching day counts!
Also, on the heels of Read Across America Day, I would like write a plug for reading. Research shows over and over that the best way to improve reading is to, well, read. There can be no surprises here. Like many things we do, reading is a skill that needs to be developed and there can be no better way to develop a skill than to do it. I do not need to tell you that reading has the potential for unlocking the world. Please do all that you can to encourage your scholars to read. If you can, read with them! That may include sitting together and just reading, or reading the same book together (I have suggestions!) and sharing thoughts. Books are great, magazines, non-fiction articles online, children’s books, the news, all help develop readers’ skills. Snow days, by the way, are a great time to encourage reading…
Please read on for this week’s updates.
Art:
Grade 7 Art:
7A: Plans changed last week: We took a one class break from architecture to explore relief sculpture. Students learned the difference between a 3-dimensional sculpture and a relief sculpture. They learned how they will be making plaster casts of their arms/hands as I demonstrated the process. We reviewed the materials and how to prepare, use and clean up. This assignment will revolve around students ancestry. Students were given homework: to complete a worksheet exploring where they are from. They are expected to talk to family members and discuss their family history. This is due Wednesday, March 7th. Students did have Thursday to work on their architecture drawings and will have Wednesday of this week to complete them. As students finish their drawings they will be working on color and design for their sculptures that is inspired by their family history. Students will also work in student chosen groups to plaster each others arm/hand.
I have displayed the wonderful architecture drawings completed thus far in the hall. I look forward to displaying more work soon.
7B: This week students should finalize their paper mache doughnuts which includes frosting and toppings. We will review color mixing, good painting techniques and color choices as they add color to their work.
Grade 8 Art:
This week both classes will continue work on their 2-point perspective drawings. I will continue to work with small groups as needed to support any questions students may have.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week Language Arts scholars will continue to focus on non-fiction texts. 7th grade classes will continue reading When Elephants Fight by Eric Waters and Adrian Bradbury. This week’s chapter follows the story of Nadja and young teen growing up in Sarajevo during a civil war. 8th Grade students will continue to read Disasters: Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes Through the Centuries by Brenda Guiberson. This week, students will read about the Pandemic Flu of 1918.
This week’s reading lessons will focus on outline note taking. This week students will be challenged to show their notetaking skills independently. Students will also review and practice skills needed to master a short practice test related to the SBAC exam. Seventh graders will focus on vocabulary and 8th graders will focus on editing.
Read 180, Luck:
7th Grade: This week students will read a social studies text entitled “Child Labor Around the World” by Nelda Marquez. They will summarize the topic and important details in the text orally and in writing. Students will also read critically to analyze information in order to generate solutions to the global problem of child labor.
8th Grade: Students will continue reading nonfiction texts to identify and articulate the cause-and-effect relationship. Students will summarize the topic and important details of different sections of a text. They will also read critically to synthesize information from an article to come up with a new idea.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Social Studies:
This week students will continue their exploration of Gandhi and his work with a particular focus on his use of nonviolent civil disobedience to liberate India from Great Britain. They will continue their webquest and research on Gandhi, his life, and his work. They will also continue and complete watching, discussing, and analyzing portions of the movie Gandhi. This will help them better understand the time and place in which India, under Gandhi’s leadership, worked to achieve Independence, and allow them to view what Gandhi did, how he did it, and the benefits and consequences of his work. Next, students will select and research one event in which Gandhi and his followers protested “unjust” laws that the British imposed on the people of India. Next week they will use this research to develop a faux “interview” that presents Gandhi’s point of view of India’s struggle for Home Rule. Homework: People’s Republic of China, China Today: Confucius, 2 Chinese Fables.
This week students will continue to explore the history and story of the Amistad Rebellion with educators from the Amistad Exploration Organization. They will also return to exploring the United States Constitution. They will discover why the Constitution was written, that it was a unique experiment in government at the time, and what the various Articles call for and define. Next they will read parts of the Constitution itself in the original language in order to better understand the Constitution’s contents and importance to our country today. Finally, they will review the Bill of Rights, why they were written, and what they do and do not allow. This will culminate in developing a 30 second commercial to convince others to support ratification of the Constitution. HOMEWORK: Constitution and Bill of Rights; American Government: Three Branches of Government.
Spanish: This week in Spanish we will be discussing food! All sorts of vocabulary about good things to eat and what we find in our kitchens!
Special Education: Students are continuing to practice skills necessary for increased success on SRI, SBA and Math assessments: ELA skills including context clues, inference and central idea. Math skills including ratio, proportion, fractions, and equations.
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Sax – Practice the G-major scale with a metronome app. (Due Wednesday)
Band – You are now ready for all of Ancient Moon, so practice all of it! Also practice the C major scale, the B-flat major scale, sight-reading, and lip slurs. (Due Wednesday)
Returning Trumpets – Practice the entire C-major scale (up and down), sight-reading, all of Chloe’s Lip Bender, and Ancient Moon, especially measures 1-27. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls (Increase the tempo!), Lesson 11 Part B (required) and Parts A and C (bonus), and Check 2. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Standard of Excellence p. 18 #78, paying attention to whether the flams are accented or unaccented. (Due Thursday)
New Trumpets – Practice lip slurs (using half notes). Also practice p. 8 #19, and move forward in the book independently. (Due Friday)
Clarinets – Review and piece together the first 39 measures of Ancient Moon, and move beyond this independently. Also practice sight-reading. (Due Friday)
Hello Wexler Families.
Below is this week’s update. As I write this, we are having a snow day. This is an interruption in routine for all of us, adults and children alike. Please do what you can to help your scholar transition back to school ready to get immediately back to learning. Every teaching day counts!
Also, on the heels of Read Across America Day, I would like write a plug for reading. Research shows over and over that the best way to improve reading is to, well, read. There can be no surprises here. Like many things we do, reading is a skill that needs to be developed and there can be no better way to develop a skill than to do it. I do not need to tell you that reading has the potential for unlocking the world. Please do all that you can to encourage your scholars to read. If you can, read with them! That may include sitting together and just reading, or reading the same book together (I have suggestions!) and sharing thoughts. Books are great, magazines, non-fiction articles online, children’s books, the news, all help develop readers’ skills. Snow days, by the way, are a great time to encourage reading…
Please read on for this week’s updates.
Art:
Grade 7 Art:
7A: Plans changed last week: We took a one class break from architecture to explore relief sculpture. Students learned the difference between a 3-dimensional sculpture and a relief sculpture. They learned how they will be making plaster casts of their arms/hands as I demonstrated the process. We reviewed the materials and how to prepare, use and clean up. This assignment will revolve around students ancestry. Students were given homework: to complete a worksheet exploring where they are from. They are expected to talk to family members and discuss their family history. This is due Wednesday, March 7th. Students did have Thursday to work on their architecture drawings and will have Wednesday of this week to complete them. As students finish their drawings they will be working on color and design for their sculptures that is inspired by their family history. Students will also work in student chosen groups to plaster each others arm/hand.
I have displayed the wonderful architecture drawings completed thus far in the hall. I look forward to displaying more work soon.
7B: This week students should finalize their paper mache doughnuts which includes frosting and toppings. We will review color mixing, good painting techniques and color choices as they add color to their work.
Grade 8 Art:
This week both classes will continue work on their 2-point perspective drawings. I will continue to work with small groups as needed to support any questions students may have.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week Language Arts scholars will continue to focus on non-fiction texts. 7th grade classes will continue reading When Elephants Fight by Eric Waters and Adrian Bradbury. This week’s chapter follows the story of Nadja and young teen growing up in Sarajevo during a civil war. 8th Grade students will continue to read Disasters: Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes Through the Centuries by Brenda Guiberson. This week, students will read about the Pandemic Flu of 1918.
This week’s reading lessons will focus on outline note taking. This week students will be challenged to show their notetaking skills independently. Students will also review and practice skills needed to master a short practice test related to the SBAC exam. Seventh graders will focus on vocabulary and 8th graders will focus on editing.
Read 180, Luck:
7th Grade: This week students will read a social studies text entitled “Child Labor Around the World” by Nelda Marquez. They will summarize the topic and important details in the text orally and in writing. Students will also read critically to analyze information in order to generate solutions to the global problem of child labor.
8th Grade: Students will continue reading nonfiction texts to identify and articulate the cause-and-effect relationship. Students will summarize the topic and important details of different sections of a text. They will also read critically to synthesize information from an article to come up with a new idea.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Social Studies:
This week students will continue their exploration of Gandhi and his work with a particular focus on his use of nonviolent civil disobedience to liberate India from Great Britain. They will continue their webquest and research on Gandhi, his life, and his work. They will also continue and complete watching, discussing, and analyzing portions of the movie Gandhi. This will help them better understand the time and place in which India, under Gandhi’s leadership, worked to achieve Independence, and allow them to view what Gandhi did, how he did it, and the benefits and consequences of his work. Next, students will select and research one event in which Gandhi and his followers protested “unjust” laws that the British imposed on the people of India. Next week they will use this research to develop a faux “interview” that presents Gandhi’s point of view of India’s struggle for Home Rule. Homework: People’s Republic of China, China Today: Confucius, 2 Chinese Fables.
This week students will continue to explore the history and story of the Amistad Rebellion with educators from the Amistad Exploration Organization. They will also return to exploring the United States Constitution. They will discover why the Constitution was written, that it was a unique experiment in government at the time, and what the various Articles call for and define. Next they will read parts of the Constitution itself in the original language in order to better understand the Constitution’s contents and importance to our country today. Finally, they will review the Bill of Rights, why they were written, and what they do and do not allow. This will culminate in developing a 30 second commercial to convince others to support ratification of the Constitution. HOMEWORK: Constitution and Bill of Rights; American Government: Three Branches of Government.
Spanish: This week in Spanish we will be discussing food! All sorts of vocabulary about good things to eat and what we find in our kitchens!
Special Education: Students are continuing to practice skills necessary for increased success on SRI, SBA and Math assessments: ELA skills including context clues, inference and central idea. Math skills including ratio, proportion, fractions, and equations.
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Sax – Practice the G-major scale with a metronome app. (Due Wednesday)
Band – You are now ready for all of Ancient Moon, so practice all of it! Also practice the C major scale, the B-flat major scale, sight-reading, and lip slurs. (Due Wednesday)
Returning Trumpets – Practice the entire C-major scale (up and down), sight-reading, all of Chloe’s Lip Bender, and Ancient Moon, especially measures 1-27. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls (Increase the tempo!), Lesson 11 Part B (required) and Parts A and C (bonus), and Check 2. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Standard of Excellence p. 18 #78, paying attention to whether the flams are accented or unaccented. (Due Thursday)
New Trumpets – Practice lip slurs (using half notes). Also practice p. 8 #19, and move forward in the book independently. (Due Friday)
Clarinets – Review and piece together the first 39 measures of Ancient Moon, and move beyond this independently. Also practice sight-reading. (Due Friday)
Week of February 26 to March 2:
Good Afternoon Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well. Students are back and as you will see, we are getting right to work.
Progress Reports were sent out over the break. If you have not received your scholar’s Progress Report, please write back and let me know so that I can get you a copy.
This Friday students will celebrate Read-Across-America Day. This is a day during which we focus on the importance of reading and share our love of reading. Here at school, students will read excerpts from “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner, a science-fiction adventure story, and “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick, about the Afghan girl who was shot by the Taliban on her way to school with other girls, survived, and went on to be a world-wide champion for education (particularly for girls who are dramatically underserved educationally in many parts of the world) and a Nobel Prize winner.
Please think about celebrating Read-Across-America Day by spending some reading something that you found particularly interesting or moving with your scholars.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7 Art:
7A: This week student architecture drawings are due by the end of class on Thursday. This gives students two class periods to complete their work. We will review expectations and go over any questions they may have as they finalize their work.
7B: This week students will add paper mache details such as toppings to their doughnuts. We will discuss color mixing and the application of color to their work. As always, students work at their own pace keeping in mind that it is easy to fall behind when absent or off task.
Grade 8 Art:
This week both classes will continue work on their 2-point perspective drawings. I will continue to work with small groups as needed to support any questions students may have.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts students will read and review a number of nonfiction articles. Students will use the websites Tween Tribune and Time for Kids to discover and evaluate a number of authentic texts.
This week’s lessons will review central idea, author’s purpose and author’s bias. Students will demonstrate an understanding of each concept and display their ability to construct open ended responses to SBAC-style questions.
At the end of the week students will begin to focus on fables, fairytales and myths. This extended unit will teach and review a number of skills. The unit will help to prepare middle school students for the upcoming SBAC exam.
Math:
This week’s format prepares students for upcoming SBAC, future Fact Fluency and MI (Math Inventory) tests. This includes strict adherence to note taking, discussions on validity of tests and setting goals with which to measure growth.
7th Math
Focus: Rates, Ratios, Proportions, Unit Analysis
7th Pre-Algebra
Focus: Properties Exponents and Scientific Notations
8th Pre-Algebra
Focus: Geometry – Complementary and Supplementary Angles
Algebra
Focus: Functions and related Graphs
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th Grade: This week students will read a news article entitled “Life in the Dumps” by Kris Saks. They will summarize the topic and important details in the text orally and in writing. Students will also review and use academic vocabulary orally and in writing. This includes determining the meaning of multiple-meaning words
8th Grade: Students will read a two-part science text entitled “America’s Least Wanted.” Students will identify and articulate the cause-and-effect relationship. Students will review problem and solution. They will also read critically to synthesize information from the article to come up with a new idea.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will continue their exploration of Gandhi with a particular focus on his use of nonviolent civil disobedience to liberate India from Great Britain. They will continue their webquest and research on Gandhi, his life, and his work. They will also continue and complete watching, discussing, and analyzing portions of the movie Gandhi. This will help them better understand the time and place in which India, under Gandhi’s leadership, worked to achieve Independence, and allow them to view what Gandhi did, how he did it, and the benefits and consequences of his work. HOMEWORK: Black History Month Readings.
Grade 8: This week students will return to exploring the United States Constitution. They will discover why the Constitution was written, that it was a unique experiment in government at the time, and what the various Articles call for and define. Next they will read parts of the Constitution itself in the original language in order to better understand the Constitution’s contents and importance to our country today. Finally, they will review the Bill of Rights, why they were written, and what they do and do not allow. This will culminate in developing a 30 second commercial to convince others to support ratification of the Constitution. HOMEWORK: Black History Month Readings.
Special Education: This week students will be assessing their progress on IEP objectives in individual conferences with me. I hope this proves to be helpful in giving them an opportunity to see growth as well as insight for future short term goal setting as we finish 2018 strong!
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Sax – Practice the G-major scale with a metronome app. (Due Wednesday)
Band – You are now ready for all of Ancient Moon, so practice all of it! Also practice the C major scale, the B-flat major scale, sight-reading, and lip slurs. (Due Wednesday)
Returning Trumpets – Practice the entire C-major scale (up and down), sight-reading, all of Chloe’s Lip Bender, and Ancient Moon, especially measures 1-27. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls (Increase the tempo!), Lesson 11 Part B (required) and Parts A and C (bonus), and Check 2. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Standard of Excellence p. 18 #78, paying attention to whether the flams are accented or unaccented. (Due Thursday)
New Trumpets – Prepare for your individual playing exam by practicing p. 8 #17. Also practice p. 8 #19, and move forward in the book independently. (Due Friday)
Clarinets – Review and piece together the first 39 measures of Ancient Moon, and move beyond this independently. Also practice sight-reading. (Due Friday)
Good Afternoon Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well. Students are back and as you will see, we are getting right to work.
Progress Reports were sent out over the break. If you have not received your scholar’s Progress Report, please write back and let me know so that I can get you a copy.
This Friday students will celebrate Read-Across-America Day. This is a day during which we focus on the importance of reading and share our love of reading. Here at school, students will read excerpts from “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner, a science-fiction adventure story, and “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick, about the Afghan girl who was shot by the Taliban on her way to school with other girls, survived, and went on to be a world-wide champion for education (particularly for girls who are dramatically underserved educationally in many parts of the world) and a Nobel Prize winner.
Please think about celebrating Read-Across-America Day by spending some reading something that you found particularly interesting or moving with your scholars.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7 Art:
7A: This week student architecture drawings are due by the end of class on Thursday. This gives students two class periods to complete their work. We will review expectations and go over any questions they may have as they finalize their work.
7B: This week students will add paper mache details such as toppings to their doughnuts. We will discuss color mixing and the application of color to their work. As always, students work at their own pace keeping in mind that it is easy to fall behind when absent or off task.
Grade 8 Art:
This week both classes will continue work on their 2-point perspective drawings. I will continue to work with small groups as needed to support any questions students may have.
All students in grades 7 and 8 can ask to see me during their lunch on Thursdays for extra help or work time.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts students will read and review a number of nonfiction articles. Students will use the websites Tween Tribune and Time for Kids to discover and evaluate a number of authentic texts.
This week’s lessons will review central idea, author’s purpose and author’s bias. Students will demonstrate an understanding of each concept and display their ability to construct open ended responses to SBAC-style questions.
At the end of the week students will begin to focus on fables, fairytales and myths. This extended unit will teach and review a number of skills. The unit will help to prepare middle school students for the upcoming SBAC exam.
Math:
This week’s format prepares students for upcoming SBAC, future Fact Fluency and MI (Math Inventory) tests. This includes strict adherence to note taking, discussions on validity of tests and setting goals with which to measure growth.
7th Math
Focus: Rates, Ratios, Proportions, Unit Analysis
7th Pre-Algebra
Focus: Properties Exponents and Scientific Notations
8th Pre-Algebra
Focus: Geometry – Complementary and Supplementary Angles
Algebra
Focus: Functions and related Graphs
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th Grade: This week students will read a news article entitled “Life in the Dumps” by Kris Saks. They will summarize the topic and important details in the text orally and in writing. Students will also review and use academic vocabulary orally and in writing. This includes determining the meaning of multiple-meaning words
8th Grade: Students will read a two-part science text entitled “America’s Least Wanted.” Students will identify and articulate the cause-and-effect relationship. Students will review problem and solution. They will also read critically to synthesize information from the article to come up with a new idea.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will continue their exploration of Gandhi with a particular focus on his use of nonviolent civil disobedience to liberate India from Great Britain. They will continue their webquest and research on Gandhi, his life, and his work. They will also continue and complete watching, discussing, and analyzing portions of the movie Gandhi. This will help them better understand the time and place in which India, under Gandhi’s leadership, worked to achieve Independence, and allow them to view what Gandhi did, how he did it, and the benefits and consequences of his work. HOMEWORK: Black History Month Readings.
Grade 8: This week students will return to exploring the United States Constitution. They will discover why the Constitution was written, that it was a unique experiment in government at the time, and what the various Articles call for and define. Next they will read parts of the Constitution itself in the original language in order to better understand the Constitution’s contents and importance to our country today. Finally, they will review the Bill of Rights, why they were written, and what they do and do not allow. This will culminate in developing a 30 second commercial to convince others to support ratification of the Constitution. HOMEWORK: Black History Month Readings.
Special Education: This week students will be assessing their progress on IEP objectives in individual conferences with me. I hope this proves to be helpful in giving them an opportunity to see growth as well as insight for future short term goal setting as we finish 2018 strong!
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Sax – Practice the G-major scale with a metronome app. (Due Wednesday)
Band – You are now ready for all of Ancient Moon, so practice all of it! Also practice the C major scale, the B-flat major scale, sight-reading, and lip slurs. (Due Wednesday)
Returning Trumpets – Practice the entire C-major scale (up and down), sight-reading, all of Chloe’s Lip Bender, and Ancient Moon, especially measures 1-27. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls (Increase the tempo!), Lesson 11 Part B (required) and Parts A and C (bonus), and Check 2. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Standard of Excellence p. 18 #78, paying attention to whether the flams are accented or unaccented. (Due Thursday)
New Trumpets – Prepare for your individual playing exam by practicing p. 8 #17. Also practice p. 8 #19, and move forward in the book independently. (Due Friday)
Clarinets – Review and piece together the first 39 measures of Ancient Moon, and move beyond this independently. Also practice sight-reading. (Due Friday)
Week of February 12 to February 16:
Hello Wexler Families.
We hope this finds you well. Today we celebrated Black History Month by inviting local African American heroes and contributors come talk to our students. Grade 7 students met with former Principal Breland who told them of her successes and challenges in getting to where she is today. Dr. Ed Joyner from the New Haven Board of Education spoke with Grade 8 students about the importance of knowing their history. Students were very good hosts, listening attentively and asking good questions. Black History month continues with students learning about unrecognized African American heroes who have had an impact on our lives. Please think about speaking with your scholar about their experience with these speakers today.
In other news, Progress Reports are being sent out at the end of this week. If you do not have them by the middle of next week, please let me know so that we can get you a copy.
Finally, please also remember that next week is our Winter Break. Friday is a half-day, then classes will resume on Monday, February 26. I hope you get to spend some good time with family over this break.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Progress reports will be coming out at the end of this week. Please note that all but 7A only meets once a week and so there is very little data to suggest how students are progressing thus far. It is important that all students are in class and participate. I am often reteaching concepts and skills in small groups following whole class instruction and demonstrations. It is up to students to take advantage of all opportunities offered to learn and grow. Students who are often late to school or miss art should see me to catch up on missed work.
Grade 7 Art:
7A: Some students continue work toward the completion of their doughnut sculptures. Students will also continue work designing and drawing their unique buildings. They will be using fine point sharpies or pen and ink to complete their drawings. These drawings include many architectural details from a variety of window and door styles to columns and textures. I have also challenged students to include additional details and to think creatively and draw on personal observations. I have collected progress drawings last week and will give students feedback this week.
7B: Most students constructed their doughnuts last week. This week I will demonstrate how to apply paper mache to their work, creating a solid sculpture and a clear doughnut shape. They will use techniques to create thick frosting as well.
Grade 8 Art:
This week 8.2 will hand in progress drawings (2-point perspective). 8.1 handed in drawings last Friday. This week I will provide feedback to them and reteach any students who are struggling.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts scholars continue to study 3rd quarter core texts. 7th grade classes continue to study When Elephants Fight by Eric Waters and Adrian Bradbury. 8th Grade students are reading selections from Disasters: Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes through the Centuries by Brenda Guiberson.
Before the start of Winter break, students will complete a short article review. Students will read an authentic nonfiction article. Students will identify and explain the central idea of the article. Student will also identify and explain the author’s purpose for writing the article. Lastly, student will attempt to uncover and explain any bias the author displays in their writing.
Students in all classes received a homework packet at the beginning of the week. The packet is due on Friday.
Math:
7th Grade Students have begun working on Ratios and Proportions, the next focus for the upcoming IAB (Interim SBAC). While doing do so, continuation of the units curriculum of Equation and Expressions, Inequalities, Scientific Notation and Exponents will occur.
8th Grade students have also begun working on Geometry, the third aspect of the IAB. This assessment given in late March encompasses Pythagorean Theorem, angles and angle measurements, while exploring Triangular Notations. Intermingling with that, the curriculums focus of Functions, Scientific and Standard Notations, and Exponential Functions will continue.
Read 180, Luck:
7th Grade: This week students will read a two-part magazine article entitled “Working in the Fields” by Lee Rosenberg. They will summarize the topic and important details in the text orally and in writing. They will read critically to synthesize information from the article. Students will also express an opinion and support it in writing.
8th Grade: Students will read a two-part magazine article entitled “Island of Snakes.” Students will identify and articulate the cause-and-effect relationship. This includes the use of action verbs and signal words and phrases. Students will summarize the topic and important details of different sections of the article. They will also read critically to synthesize information from article
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will continue their exploration of Gandhi with a particular focus on his use of nonviolent civil disobedience to liberate India from Great Britain. They will continue their webquest and research on Gandhi, his life, and his work. They will also continue and complete watching, discussing, and analyzing portions of the movie Gandhi. This will help them better understand the time and place in which India, under Gandhi’s leadership, worked to achieve Independence, and allow them to view what Gandhi did, how he did it, and the benefits and consequences of his work. There will be no Social Studies Homework this week.
Grade 8: This week students will return to exploring the United States Constitution. They will discover why the Constitution was written, that it was a unique experiment in government at the time, and what the various Articles call for and define. Next they will read parts of the Constitution itself in the original language in order to better understand the Constitution’s contents and importance to our country today. Finally, they will review the Bill of Rights, why they were written, and what they do and do not allow. There will be no homework this week.
Spanish: This week in Spanish we will continue our studies of verb conjugations and expressions with QUE!
Special Education: This week students will be continuing to raise their Lexia levels and increase fact fluency as well as practice fractions and one variable equations. Please encourage daily reading as each student has a weekly reading log to complete.
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Sax – Practice the G-major scale with a metronome app. (Due Wednesday)
Band – Practice Ancient Moon (the first 38 measures and beyond), as well as the C major scale, the B-flat major scale, sight-reading, and lip slurs. (Due Wednesday)
Returning Trumpets – Practice the entire C-major scale (up and down), sight-reading, all of Chloe’s Lip Bender, and Ancient Moon, especially measures 26 and 27. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls, and practice Lesson 11 Parts A and B – Part A with written dynamics, Part B at a dynamic of your choice. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Standard of Excellence p. 18 #78, paying attention to whether the flams are accented or unaccented. (Due Thursday)
Clarinets – Review and piece together the first 36 measures of Ancient Moon, and move beyond this independently. Also practice sight-reading. (Due Friday)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Hello Wexler Families.
We hope this finds you well. Today we celebrated Black History Month by inviting local African American heroes and contributors come talk to our students. Grade 7 students met with former Principal Breland who told them of her successes and challenges in getting to where she is today. Dr. Ed Joyner from the New Haven Board of Education spoke with Grade 8 students about the importance of knowing their history. Students were very good hosts, listening attentively and asking good questions. Black History month continues with students learning about unrecognized African American heroes who have had an impact on our lives. Please think about speaking with your scholar about their experience with these speakers today.
In other news, Progress Reports are being sent out at the end of this week. If you do not have them by the middle of next week, please let me know so that we can get you a copy.
Finally, please also remember that next week is our Winter Break. Friday is a half-day, then classes will resume on Monday, February 26. I hope you get to spend some good time with family over this break.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Progress reports will be coming out at the end of this week. Please note that all but 7A only meets once a week and so there is very little data to suggest how students are progressing thus far. It is important that all students are in class and participate. I am often reteaching concepts and skills in small groups following whole class instruction and demonstrations. It is up to students to take advantage of all opportunities offered to learn and grow. Students who are often late to school or miss art should see me to catch up on missed work.
Grade 7 Art:
7A: Some students continue work toward the completion of their doughnut sculptures. Students will also continue work designing and drawing their unique buildings. They will be using fine point sharpies or pen and ink to complete their drawings. These drawings include many architectural details from a variety of window and door styles to columns and textures. I have also challenged students to include additional details and to think creatively and draw on personal observations. I have collected progress drawings last week and will give students feedback this week.
7B: Most students constructed their doughnuts last week. This week I will demonstrate how to apply paper mache to their work, creating a solid sculpture and a clear doughnut shape. They will use techniques to create thick frosting as well.
Grade 8 Art:
This week 8.2 will hand in progress drawings (2-point perspective). 8.1 handed in drawings last Friday. This week I will provide feedback to them and reteach any students who are struggling.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts scholars continue to study 3rd quarter core texts. 7th grade classes continue to study When Elephants Fight by Eric Waters and Adrian Bradbury. 8th Grade students are reading selections from Disasters: Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes through the Centuries by Brenda Guiberson.
Before the start of Winter break, students will complete a short article review. Students will read an authentic nonfiction article. Students will identify and explain the central idea of the article. Student will also identify and explain the author’s purpose for writing the article. Lastly, student will attempt to uncover and explain any bias the author displays in their writing.
Students in all classes received a homework packet at the beginning of the week. The packet is due on Friday.
Math:
7th Grade Students have begun working on Ratios and Proportions, the next focus for the upcoming IAB (Interim SBAC). While doing do so, continuation of the units curriculum of Equation and Expressions, Inequalities, Scientific Notation and Exponents will occur.
8th Grade students have also begun working on Geometry, the third aspect of the IAB. This assessment given in late March encompasses Pythagorean Theorem, angles and angle measurements, while exploring Triangular Notations. Intermingling with that, the curriculums focus of Functions, Scientific and Standard Notations, and Exponential Functions will continue.
Read 180, Luck:
7th Grade: This week students will read a two-part magazine article entitled “Working in the Fields” by Lee Rosenberg. They will summarize the topic and important details in the text orally and in writing. They will read critically to synthesize information from the article. Students will also express an opinion and support it in writing.
8th Grade: Students will read a two-part magazine article entitled “Island of Snakes.” Students will identify and articulate the cause-and-effect relationship. This includes the use of action verbs and signal words and phrases. Students will summarize the topic and important details of different sections of the article. They will also read critically to synthesize information from article
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will continue their exploration of Gandhi with a particular focus on his use of nonviolent civil disobedience to liberate India from Great Britain. They will continue their webquest and research on Gandhi, his life, and his work. They will also continue and complete watching, discussing, and analyzing portions of the movie Gandhi. This will help them better understand the time and place in which India, under Gandhi’s leadership, worked to achieve Independence, and allow them to view what Gandhi did, how he did it, and the benefits and consequences of his work. There will be no Social Studies Homework this week.
Grade 8: This week students will return to exploring the United States Constitution. They will discover why the Constitution was written, that it was a unique experiment in government at the time, and what the various Articles call for and define. Next they will read parts of the Constitution itself in the original language in order to better understand the Constitution’s contents and importance to our country today. Finally, they will review the Bill of Rights, why they were written, and what they do and do not allow. There will be no homework this week.
Spanish: This week in Spanish we will continue our studies of verb conjugations and expressions with QUE!
Special Education: This week students will be continuing to raise their Lexia levels and increase fact fluency as well as practice fractions and one variable equations. Please encourage daily reading as each student has a weekly reading log to complete.
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Sax – Practice the G-major scale with a metronome app. (Due Wednesday)
Band – Practice Ancient Moon (the first 38 measures and beyond), as well as the C major scale, the B-flat major scale, sight-reading, and lip slurs. (Due Wednesday)
Returning Trumpets – Practice the entire C-major scale (up and down), sight-reading, all of Chloe’s Lip Bender, and Ancient Moon, especially measures 26 and 27. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls, and practice Lesson 11 Parts A and B – Part A with written dynamics, Part B at a dynamic of your choice. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Standard of Excellence p. 18 #78, paying attention to whether the flams are accented or unaccented. (Due Thursday)
Clarinets – Review and piece together the first 36 measures of Ancient Moon, and move beyond this independently. Also practice sight-reading. (Due Friday)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Week of February 5 to 9, 2018:
Hello Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well. We have attempted to be in contact with all families regarding collecting their scholar's Report Card. If you have not yet collected your scholar's Second Marking Period Report Card, please respond to this email with a time that you can come in to get the Report Card (I am available most days after school), or you are welcome to call me at 413-522-8858 to arrange a time.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7 Art:
7A: Some students continue work toward the completion their doughnut sculptures. Students will also continue work designing and drawing their unique buildings. They will be using fine point sharpies or pen and ink to complete their drawings. These drawings include many architectural details from a variety of window and door styles to columns and textures. I have also challenged students to include additional details and to think creatively and draw on personal observations.
7B: This week students will learn how to use a grid to draw a template for their doughnut. We will discuss how their flat template becomes 3D and how to apply paper mache to create a smooth round doughnut.
Grade 8 Art:
Both classes were cancelled last week due to the snow delays, so this week we will tackle last weeks lessons:
Continuing with our 2-point perspective drawings, we will discuss the use of value to create a more realistic drawing. Students will choose their medium, watercolors or color pencil, or use both to add color and value.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts scholars continue to study 3rd quarter core texts. 7th grade classes continue to study When Elephants Fight by Eric Waters and Adrian Bradbury. This week’s chapter discusses the life of Jimmy a teenage boy living in Uganda. He and his brothers live under constant threat from the Lord’s Resistance Army.
8th Grade students are reading selections from Disasters: Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes through the Centuries by Brenda Guiberson. This week’s chapter focuses on the deadly smallpox pandemic of in colonial America. Both grades are mastering the Cornell note taking technique. This wonderful note taking system allows students to organize their notes in a simple and convenient way. The use of this technique allows for easier studying and prepares students for the rigorous demands of high school.
This week’s lesson focus on identifying key aspects of a writer’s craft. Students will learn to identify and explain an author’s purpose and bias in nonfiction writing. These skills are important to uncovering reliable sources. Mastering these skills will empower students to better understand their world.
There is a homework packet due this Friday. Students will be given the packet at the beginning of the week.
Math
7th Grade: Students will show knowledge of and skills with fractions, i.e., adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing with like denominators and unlike denominators, as well as, simplification of with Fact Fluency Testing on Thursday February 8. Additionally, knowledge of mixed fractions and improper fractions will be challenged. As that occurs, ongoing instructions in Expressions and Equations continue, and the week will culminate with the introduction of new
content of Ratio and Proportion.
8th Grade: As ongoing instructions occur in Expressions and Equations II, Fact Fluency Testing is scheduled for tomorrow, February 7. This covers solving for a single variable or two, collecting like terms, substitution and linear systems. By weeks end, introduction of Exponential Functions and Scientific Notation is projected.
Read 180, Luck:
7th Grade: Students have begun Workshop 4: Stolen Childhood. In this workshop, readers discover how children around the world are forced to do hard labor. This week students will preview texts to activate prior knowledge about child labor and make predictions. They will use new academic vocabulary and generate examples to reinforce meaning. Students will also read a news article, “Life in the Dumps,” and summarize it using a topic sentence and detail sentences. They will respond to the article in writing.
8th Grade: Students will begin Workshop 7: Alien Invaders. In this workshop, readers discover how alien plants and animal species destroy native habitats and create costly damage. This week students will preview texts to activate prior knowledge about invader species and make predictions. They will use new academic vocabulary and generate examples to reinforce meaning. Students will also read a news article, “Freaky Fish Invasion,” to identify cause and effect. They will respond to the article in writing.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Science:
**Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20 pm - 3:30 pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and classwork.**
Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework.
Spread the word about donating to our science classroom at www.donorschoose.org/MissFarrell
This week in science, seventh graders are continuing to learn about their bodies. They will explore the human muscular and skeletal systems. Eighth grade scientists will be investigating the layers of the Earth in addition to creating their own models depicting the layers and their distinguishing characteristics.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will continue their exploration of Gandhi with a particular focus on his use of nonviolent civil disobedience to liberate India from Great Britain. They will continue their webquest and research on Gandhi, his life, and his work. They will also continue and complete watching, discussing, and analyzing portions of the movie Gandhi. This will help them better understand the time and place in which India, under Gandhi’s leadership, worked to achieve Independence, and allow them to view what Gandhi did, how he did it, and the benefits and consequences of his work. HOMEWORK due Friday: British Empire Introduction; Empire Built on Paper.
Grade 8: This week students will return to exploring the United States Constitution. They will discover why the Constitution was written, that it was a unique experiment in government at the time, and what the various Articles call for and define. Next they will read parts of the Constitution itself in the original language in order to better understand the Constitution’s contents and importance to our country today. Finally, they will review the Bill of Rights, why they were written, and what they do and do not allow. This will culminate in developing a 30 second commercial to convince others to support ratification of the Constitution. HOMEWORK due Friday: American Government – Preamble to Constitution; The United States Constitution; History and Process of Voting.
Spanish: This week in Spanish our seventh graders will continue to discuss verbs and how to conjugate them and put them to use, and in eighth grade we will be working on expressing feelings and preferences!
Special Education: This week students will be completing weekly reading logs in exchange for incentives redeemed in school. Please encourage at least 20 minutes of reading each evening. Students are progressing well on Lexia Reading Strategies and some students are close to earning a new level! Math fact Fluency will be taken in Resource room with extended time and a multiplication table Wednesday and Thursday for students needing those modifications. Please as always, reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Sax – Practice the G-major scale with a metronome app. (Due Wednesday)
Band – Practice Ancient Moon (the first 38 measures and beyond), as well as the C major scale, the B-flat major scale, sight-reading, and lip slurs. (Due Wednesday)
Returning Trumpets – Practice the entire C-major scale (up and down), sight-reading, the A-flat-to-E-flat exercise in Chloe’s Lip Bender, and Ancient Moon. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls, and practice Lesson 11 Part A with dynamics. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Standard of Excellence p. 18 #78, paying attention to whether the flams are accented or unaccented. (Due Thursday)
Clarinets – Practice Ancient Moon (first 14 measures and beyond), and practice sight-reading. (Due Friday)
New Trumpets – Warm up by buzzing and practicing lip slurs (B flat – F). Also practice page 8 #16 & 17. (Due Friday)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
As always, please feel free to respond with any questions, comments, etc.
Hello Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well. We have attempted to be in contact with all families regarding collecting their scholar's Report Card. If you have not yet collected your scholar's Second Marking Period Report Card, please respond to this email with a time that you can come in to get the Report Card (I am available most days after school), or you are welcome to call me at 413-522-8858 to arrange a time.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7 Art:
7A: Some students continue work toward the completion their doughnut sculptures. Students will also continue work designing and drawing their unique buildings. They will be using fine point sharpies or pen and ink to complete their drawings. These drawings include many architectural details from a variety of window and door styles to columns and textures. I have also challenged students to include additional details and to think creatively and draw on personal observations.
7B: This week students will learn how to use a grid to draw a template for their doughnut. We will discuss how their flat template becomes 3D and how to apply paper mache to create a smooth round doughnut.
Grade 8 Art:
Both classes were cancelled last week due to the snow delays, so this week we will tackle last weeks lessons:
Continuing with our 2-point perspective drawings, we will discuss the use of value to create a more realistic drawing. Students will choose their medium, watercolors or color pencil, or use both to add color and value.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts scholars continue to study 3rd quarter core texts. 7th grade classes continue to study When Elephants Fight by Eric Waters and Adrian Bradbury. This week’s chapter discusses the life of Jimmy a teenage boy living in Uganda. He and his brothers live under constant threat from the Lord’s Resistance Army.
8th Grade students are reading selections from Disasters: Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes through the Centuries by Brenda Guiberson. This week’s chapter focuses on the deadly smallpox pandemic of in colonial America. Both grades are mastering the Cornell note taking technique. This wonderful note taking system allows students to organize their notes in a simple and convenient way. The use of this technique allows for easier studying and prepares students for the rigorous demands of high school.
This week’s lesson focus on identifying key aspects of a writer’s craft. Students will learn to identify and explain an author’s purpose and bias in nonfiction writing. These skills are important to uncovering reliable sources. Mastering these skills will empower students to better understand their world.
There is a homework packet due this Friday. Students will be given the packet at the beginning of the week.
Math
7th Grade: Students will show knowledge of and skills with fractions, i.e., adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing with like denominators and unlike denominators, as well as, simplification of with Fact Fluency Testing on Thursday February 8. Additionally, knowledge of mixed fractions and improper fractions will be challenged. As that occurs, ongoing instructions in Expressions and Equations continue, and the week will culminate with the introduction of new
content of Ratio and Proportion.
8th Grade: As ongoing instructions occur in Expressions and Equations II, Fact Fluency Testing is scheduled for tomorrow, February 7. This covers solving for a single variable or two, collecting like terms, substitution and linear systems. By weeks end, introduction of Exponential Functions and Scientific Notation is projected.
Read 180, Luck:
7th Grade: Students have begun Workshop 4: Stolen Childhood. In this workshop, readers discover how children around the world are forced to do hard labor. This week students will preview texts to activate prior knowledge about child labor and make predictions. They will use new academic vocabulary and generate examples to reinforce meaning. Students will also read a news article, “Life in the Dumps,” and summarize it using a topic sentence and detail sentences. They will respond to the article in writing.
8th Grade: Students will begin Workshop 7: Alien Invaders. In this workshop, readers discover how alien plants and animal species destroy native habitats and create costly damage. This week students will preview texts to activate prior knowledge about invader species and make predictions. They will use new academic vocabulary and generate examples to reinforce meaning. Students will also read a news article, “Freaky Fish Invasion,” to identify cause and effect. They will respond to the article in writing.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Science:
**Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20 pm - 3:30 pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and classwork.**
Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework.
Spread the word about donating to our science classroom at www.donorschoose.org/MissFarrell
This week in science, seventh graders are continuing to learn about their bodies. They will explore the human muscular and skeletal systems. Eighth grade scientists will be investigating the layers of the Earth in addition to creating their own models depicting the layers and their distinguishing characteristics.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will continue their exploration of Gandhi with a particular focus on his use of nonviolent civil disobedience to liberate India from Great Britain. They will continue their webquest and research on Gandhi, his life, and his work. They will also continue and complete watching, discussing, and analyzing portions of the movie Gandhi. This will help them better understand the time and place in which India, under Gandhi’s leadership, worked to achieve Independence, and allow them to view what Gandhi did, how he did it, and the benefits and consequences of his work. HOMEWORK due Friday: British Empire Introduction; Empire Built on Paper.
Grade 8: This week students will return to exploring the United States Constitution. They will discover why the Constitution was written, that it was a unique experiment in government at the time, and what the various Articles call for and define. Next they will read parts of the Constitution itself in the original language in order to better understand the Constitution’s contents and importance to our country today. Finally, they will review the Bill of Rights, why they were written, and what they do and do not allow. This will culminate in developing a 30 second commercial to convince others to support ratification of the Constitution. HOMEWORK due Friday: American Government – Preamble to Constitution; The United States Constitution; History and Process of Voting.
Spanish: This week in Spanish our seventh graders will continue to discuss verbs and how to conjugate them and put them to use, and in eighth grade we will be working on expressing feelings and preferences!
Special Education: This week students will be completing weekly reading logs in exchange for incentives redeemed in school. Please encourage at least 20 minutes of reading each evening. Students are progressing well on Lexia Reading Strategies and some students are close to earning a new level! Math fact Fluency will be taken in Resource room with extended time and a multiplication table Wednesday and Thursday for students needing those modifications. Please as always, reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Sax – Practice the G-major scale with a metronome app. (Due Wednesday)
Band – Practice Ancient Moon (the first 38 measures and beyond), as well as the C major scale, the B-flat major scale, sight-reading, and lip slurs. (Due Wednesday)
Returning Trumpets – Practice the entire C-major scale (up and down), sight-reading, the A-flat-to-E-flat exercise in Chloe’s Lip Bender, and Ancient Moon. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls, and practice Lesson 11 Part A with dynamics. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Standard of Excellence p. 18 #78, paying attention to whether the flams are accented or unaccented. (Due Thursday)
Clarinets – Practice Ancient Moon (first 14 measures and beyond), and practice sight-reading. (Due Friday)
New Trumpets – Warm up by buzzing and practicing lip slurs (B flat – F). Also practice page 8 #16 & 17. (Due Friday)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
As always, please feel free to respond with any questions, comments, etc.
Week of January 29 to February 2, 2018:
Good Monday Evening Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well.
This coming Wednesday, January 31 is the Second Marking Period Report Card Afternoon/Night. Please note that it is also an early dismissal day for students. Students will be dismissed at 12:15.
By now most of you have heard or spoken with your scholar’s homeroom teacher. As a reminder, you are welcome to come in anytime Wednesday from 12:15 to 2:15 p.m. and from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Teachers will be available to meet with you to discuss your scholar’s progress and review student portfolios at these times. If you would like to come in at a specific time and you did not have a chance to discuss that with your scholar’s homeroom teacher, please write back with the time you would like to come in and I will get back to you.
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that you talk to your scholar about his or her grades and progress. I cannot tell you how often I hear, when a student gets a good grade, that they want to share the news with their parents or guardians. Likewise, when students do not do so well, they are often concerned about parent’s/guardian’s reactions. In other words, although it may not always be obvious, they care very much what you think.
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7 Art:
7A: Students will complete their doughnut sculptures, some are complete and being displayed in the main hallway of Wexler. Students will also continue work designed and drawing their unique buildings. They will be introduced to pen and ink and learn how to use it to complete their drawings.
7B: This week students will begin to draw ideas for their doughnut sculpture, considering flavors (color) and toppings. We will begin to discuss the building process and what materials we will use to create 3D doughnuts.
Grade 8 Art:
Continuing with our 2-point perspective drawings, we will discuss the use of value to create a more realistic drawing. Students will choose their medium, watercolors or color pencil, or use both to add color and value.
Language Arts:
This week in Language Arts scholars continue to study 3rd quarter core texts. 7th grade classes continue to study When Elephants Fight by Eric Waters and Adrian Bradbury. 8th Grade students are reading selections from Disasters: Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes through the Centuries by Brenda Guiberson. Both grades are mastering the Cornell note taking technique. This wonderful note taking system allows students to organize their notes in a simple and convenient way. The use of this technique allows for easier studying and prepares students for the rigorous demands of high school.
Middle school Language Arts students are also focused on the composition of cause and effect statements, sentences and paragraphs. At the end of the week, students will begin their first major writing assignment of the quarter. Students will analyze the causes and effects surrounding the events in a single chapter of their core text. This activity will be due in roughly two weeks and counts as a major assessment grade
Students in all classes received a homework packet at the beginning of the week. The packet is due on Friday.
Math: This week Course 2 focus is on modeling and writing expressions and equations with operations on rational number. While doing so, Fact fluency practice will occur culminating in the testing the following week. Pre-Algebra will continue to work on Expressions and Equations while incorporating that knowledge into solving Inequalities. Algebra will continue focusing on solutions of Inequalities and begin looking at Exponential Functions as they relate to bases.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th Grade: Students will begin Workshop 4: Stolen Childhood. In this workshop, readers discover how children around the world are forced to do hard labor. While reading informational texts, students will work on various comprehension skills including summarizing, sequence of events, analyzing, and synthesizing.
8th Grade: Students will begin Workshop 7: Alien Invaders. In this workshop, readers discover how alien plants and animal species destroy native habitats and create costly damage. While reading informational texts, students will work on various comprehension skills including cause and effect, problem and solution, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating.
HOMEWORK: 1. Study for Friday’s vocabulary quiz. Refer to the study guide for a grade specific vocabulary list. 2. Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Science:
**Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20 pm - 3:30 pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and classwork.**
Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework.
Spread the word about donating to our science classroom at www.donorschoose.org/MissFarrell
This week in science, seventh graders are continuing to learn about their bodies. They will explore the human reproductive systems and human reproduction. Seventh grade scientists will also be able to determine the relationship between Punnett Squares and meiosis. Eighth grade scientists will be investigating the layers of the Earth. Eighth grade scientists will be creating their own models depicting the layers and their distinguishing characteristics.
Homework: to be on Google Classroom due on Friday, February 2, 2018
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will finish their exploration of India’s history and culture then re-shift their focus to Gandhi and his nonviolent approach to social change as he worked to free India from British rule. Students will begin by completing an exploratory webquest on Gandhi, his life, and his work. Next, we will watch portions of the movie Gandhi so that students can get a sense of the time and place in which India worked to achieve Independence, and Gandhi’s interactions, role, and leadership toward achieving that independence through non-violent civil disobedience. HOMEWORK: Teaching English in Thailand; Saving the Elephants; Russia.
Grade 8: This week students will return to the Articles of Confederation in order to analyze their strengths and weaknesses in Text Dependent Open Ended Questions using a structured writing strategy. Next they will do a close reading and respond to a detailed secondary source that provides background and information about the United States Constitution. They will learn why the Constitution was written, and what the various Articles call for and define. Next they will read parts of the Constitution itself in the original language in order to better understand the Constitution’s contents and importance to our country today. Finally, they will review the Bill of Rights, why they were written, and what they do and do not allow. HOMEWORK: How the Constitution Came to Be; James Madison; The Making of the Constitution.
Spanish: In Spanish this week, grade 7 will continue to study basic verbs and how to conjugate them to form simple sentences and in grade 8 we will be studying directions.
Special Education: Students are using resource time this week to ensure they are caught up in all Core classes in efforts to start 3rd quarter strong. Students will also continue practice on Lexia Learning and Specific math intervention sites. I am looking forward to seeing parents on Wednesday for report card night. Please call or text if you need clarification of times.
203 641-5781 Jen Ciarcia
Band:
Parents of Band students, please remind your child to practice the following assignments:
Sax – Practice the G-major scale with a metronome app. (Due Wednesday)
Band – Practice Ancient Moon (the first 38 measures and beyond), as well as the C major scale, the B-flat major scale, sight-reading, and lip slurs. (Due Wednesday)
Returning Trumpets – Practice sight-reading, the A-flat-to-E-flat exercise in Chloe’s Lip Bender, and Ancient Moon. (Due Thursday)
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls, and practice Stick Control to prepare for Thursday’s quiz. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Standard of Excellence p. 17 #70-72, and practice speeding up Bugga-Bugga Roll! (Due Thursday)
Clarinets – Practice Ancient Moon and sight-reading. (Due Friday)
New Trumpets – Warm up by buzzing and practicing lip slurs (B flat – F). Also practice all of page 6. (Due Friday)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Week of January 22 to January 26, 2018
Hello Wexler Families.
We hope this finds you well.
Next Wednesday, January 31, is a half-day for students. It is also Parent-Teacher Conference day and Report Card night. Teachers will be available to meet with parents/guardians from 12:45 until 2:45 in the afternoon by appointment. If you would like to meet with the Grade 7/8 team, please respond to this email as soon as possible so that we can schedule a time for you. Parents and Guardians are also encouraged to come to come to Wexler anytime from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. to collect their scholar’s Report Cards. These meetings work on a first-come first served basis. We hope to see you next Wednesday.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7 Art:
7A: Last week we put aside our sculptures to begin a new unit on Architecture. We looked at a variety of architecture from around the world and from various periods in history. We discussed shape, design, and details that work together to create interesting architecture. Students have homework due Wednesday: Sketch 5 different style windows. This week students will develop and draw their own unique buildings. They will be given a handout and have access to books as reference. This week most students will complete their 3D doughnuts, painting and adding toppings.
7B: This week we will have a short class on Monday because of the early dismissal. Students will be introduced to sculpture this week. We will look at the work of sculptor Claes Oldenburg and discuss his work.
Grade 8 Art:
All students will be introduced to drawing in 2-point perspective. Students will complete an ideas worksheet which will ask them to think creatively and develop ideas that will make their drawings personal and unique. This week students will look at and discuss past student work, determining what techniques were used to further create the illusion of three dimensionality and realism.
Many color wheels are being displayed in the front hallway of the building.
Language Arts:
This week Language Arts scholars will continue to focus on non-fiction texts. 7th grade classes have reading When Elephants Fight by Eric Waters and Adrian Bradbury. The text chronicles the lives of young people growing up in war zones throughout the world. This week students will study the life a boy named Jimmy who grew up in Uganda.
8th Grade students will read selections from Disasters: Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes Through the Centuries by Brenda Guiberson. The text details a number of natural and man-made disasters and explains the cause of the accidents and the effect each tragedy had on American society. This week students will learn about the deadly smallpox pandemic.
This week’s lessons will focus on cause and effect relationships in each core text. Also, students will continue to study note taking techniques. This week will focus on the use of Cornell note taking. Students will use Cornell notes to identify specific main ideas, details and cause/effect relationships in the core text. This wonderful system is used in many high schools, colleges and universities.
A homework packet will be due on Friday of this week. Late homework packets may be turned up to one week after their original due date. Any other issues will be handled on a case by case basis.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th Grade: Students will take their Workshop 3 reading skills assessment on Wednesday and Friday. There will be 21 multiple choice questions on reading comprehension, vocabulary/word study, and writing conventions. There will also be two short answer questions and one extended response. Please refer to your child’s study guide for information specific to this test.
8th Grade: Students will take their Workshop 6 reading skills assessment on Thursday and Friday. There will be 17 multiple choice questions on reading comprehension, vocabulary/word study, and writing conventions. There will also be two short answer questions and one extended response. Please refer to your child’s study guide for information specific to this test.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will continue their exploration of India with a focus on an historical and cultural overview and colonialism, then moving on to Gandhi and his nonviolent approach to social change as he worked to free India from British rule. Students will begin by completing an exploratory web quest on Gandhi, his life, and his work. Next, we will watch portions of the movie Gandhi so that students can get a sense of the time and place in which India worked to achieve Independence, and Gandhi’s interactions, role, and leadership toward achieving that independence through non-violent civil disobedience. HOMEWORK: Teaching English in Thailand; Saving the Elephants; Russia.
Grade 8: This week students will read and respond to a detailed secondary source that provides background and information about the United States Constitution. They will learn why the Constitution was written, and what the various Articles call for and define. Next they will read parts of the Constitution itself in the original language in order to better understand the Constitution’s contents and importance to our country today. HOMEWORK: How the Constitution Came to Be; James Madison; The Making of the Constitution.
Band:
Parents of Band students, please ensure your child practices the following assignments:
Sax – Practice the G-major scale with a metronome app. (Due Wednesday)
Band – Practice Ancient Moon (the first 38 measures and beyond), as well as the C major scale, the B-flat major scale, sight-reading, and lip slurs. (Due Wednesday)
Returning Trumpets – Practice sight-reading and lip slurs. (The due date is ongoing for this unit.)
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls, and practice Stick Control. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Standard of Excellence p. 16 #63, as well as Bugga-Bugga Roll. (Due Thursday)
Clarinets – Use your Standard of Excellence book to practice sight-reading. (Due Friday)
New Trumpets – Warm up by buzzing and practicing lip slurs (B flat – F). Also practice all of page 6. (Due Friday)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Hello Wexler Families.
We hope this finds you well.
Next Wednesday, January 31, is a half-day for students. It is also Parent-Teacher Conference day and Report Card night. Teachers will be available to meet with parents/guardians from 12:45 until 2:45 in the afternoon by appointment. If you would like to meet with the Grade 7/8 team, please respond to this email as soon as possible so that we can schedule a time for you. Parents and Guardians are also encouraged to come to come to Wexler anytime from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. to collect their scholar’s Report Cards. These meetings work on a first-come first served basis. We hope to see you next Wednesday.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7 Art:
7A: Last week we put aside our sculptures to begin a new unit on Architecture. We looked at a variety of architecture from around the world and from various periods in history. We discussed shape, design, and details that work together to create interesting architecture. Students have homework due Wednesday: Sketch 5 different style windows. This week students will develop and draw their own unique buildings. They will be given a handout and have access to books as reference. This week most students will complete their 3D doughnuts, painting and adding toppings.
7B: This week we will have a short class on Monday because of the early dismissal. Students will be introduced to sculpture this week. We will look at the work of sculptor Claes Oldenburg and discuss his work.
Grade 8 Art:
All students will be introduced to drawing in 2-point perspective. Students will complete an ideas worksheet which will ask them to think creatively and develop ideas that will make their drawings personal and unique. This week students will look at and discuss past student work, determining what techniques were used to further create the illusion of three dimensionality and realism.
Many color wheels are being displayed in the front hallway of the building.
Language Arts:
This week Language Arts scholars will continue to focus on non-fiction texts. 7th grade classes have reading When Elephants Fight by Eric Waters and Adrian Bradbury. The text chronicles the lives of young people growing up in war zones throughout the world. This week students will study the life a boy named Jimmy who grew up in Uganda.
8th Grade students will read selections from Disasters: Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes Through the Centuries by Brenda Guiberson. The text details a number of natural and man-made disasters and explains the cause of the accidents and the effect each tragedy had on American society. This week students will learn about the deadly smallpox pandemic.
This week’s lessons will focus on cause and effect relationships in each core text. Also, students will continue to study note taking techniques. This week will focus on the use of Cornell note taking. Students will use Cornell notes to identify specific main ideas, details and cause/effect relationships in the core text. This wonderful system is used in many high schools, colleges and universities.
A homework packet will be due on Friday of this week. Late homework packets may be turned up to one week after their original due date. Any other issues will be handled on a case by case basis.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th Grade: Students will take their Workshop 3 reading skills assessment on Wednesday and Friday. There will be 21 multiple choice questions on reading comprehension, vocabulary/word study, and writing conventions. There will also be two short answer questions and one extended response. Please refer to your child’s study guide for information specific to this test.
8th Grade: Students will take their Workshop 6 reading skills assessment on Thursday and Friday. There will be 17 multiple choice questions on reading comprehension, vocabulary/word study, and writing conventions. There will also be two short answer questions and one extended response. Please refer to your child’s study guide for information specific to this test.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will continue their exploration of India with a focus on an historical and cultural overview and colonialism, then moving on to Gandhi and his nonviolent approach to social change as he worked to free India from British rule. Students will begin by completing an exploratory web quest on Gandhi, his life, and his work. Next, we will watch portions of the movie Gandhi so that students can get a sense of the time and place in which India worked to achieve Independence, and Gandhi’s interactions, role, and leadership toward achieving that independence through non-violent civil disobedience. HOMEWORK: Teaching English in Thailand; Saving the Elephants; Russia.
Grade 8: This week students will read and respond to a detailed secondary source that provides background and information about the United States Constitution. They will learn why the Constitution was written, and what the various Articles call for and define. Next they will read parts of the Constitution itself in the original language in order to better understand the Constitution’s contents and importance to our country today. HOMEWORK: How the Constitution Came to Be; James Madison; The Making of the Constitution.
Band:
Parents of Band students, please ensure your child practices the following assignments:
Sax – Practice the G-major scale with a metronome app. (Due Wednesday)
Band – Practice Ancient Moon (the first 38 measures and beyond), as well as the C major scale, the B-flat major scale, sight-reading, and lip slurs. (Due Wednesday)
Returning Trumpets – Practice sight-reading and lip slurs. (The due date is ongoing for this unit.)
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls, and practice Stick Control. (Due Thursday)
Percussion B – Practice Standard of Excellence p. 16 #63, as well as Bugga-Bugga Roll. (Due Thursday)
Clarinets – Use your Standard of Excellence book to practice sight-reading. (Due Friday)
New Trumpets – Warm up by buzzing and practicing lip slurs (B flat – F). Also practice all of page 6. (Due Friday)
Thank you!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Middle School News Week of January 16 to 19:
Good Afternoon Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well and keeping warm. A few thoughts and dates:
First, Principal Diah and Teachers met together with all Grade 7 and 8 students to remind them of expectations. Overall, students are expected to come to school each day prepared to learn! To this end, students are asked to remain focused during class and avoid talking while teachers are providing instruction and direction. Talking during the many group projects and tasks is fine as long as discussion is relevant to the work. During independent work students are asked to refrain from talking. If students need to leave the classroom, they will need a hall pass. We ask that students not have cell phones in classes. When classes are transitioning students are asked to be quiet and orderly and keep hands to themselves. Combined these expectations create a culture and climate in which learning and academics are the focus. Please review and reinforce these expectations with your scholar.
Please note two upcoming half days: Monday, January 22 and Wednesday, January 31 (see below).
Next, last Friday was the end of the second Marking Period. We are all somewhat amazed that we are now in the second half of the year! Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, January 31 from 12:45 to 2:45 by appointment and Report card night is scheduled for that same day from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. We will be in touch to schedule conferences as needed. If you would like to meet with your scholar’s teachers, please let me know and I will get back to you. Remember that you can also keep track of your scholar’s grades via Powerschool.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
This week we begin the 3rd Marking Period.
Grade 7 Art:
7A: This week most students will complete their 3D doughnuts, painting and adding toppings.
7B: Students will not have art this week because of the Holiday on Monday.
Grade 8 Art:
Color Wheels for students who were absent last week will be due this week.
Artists will complete a rubric to accompany their work.
All students will be introduced to drawing in 2-point perspective. Students will complete an ideas worksheet which will ask them to think creatively and develop ideas that will make their drawings personal and unique.
Many color wheels are being displayed in the front hallway of the building.
Language Arts:
This week Language Arts scholars will continue to focus on non-fiction texts. 7th grade classes will begin reading When Elephants Fight by Eric Waters and Adrian Bradbury. The text chronicles the lives of young people growing up in war zones throughout the world. 8th Grade students will read selections from Disasters: Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes Through the Centuries by Brenda Guiberson. The text details a number of natural and man-made disasters and explains the cause of the accidents and the effect each tragedy had on American society.
This week’s lessons will focus on cause and effect relationships in fiction and nonfiction. Students will understand the ways in which authors create meaning using a cause and effect structure.
Along with these wonderful texts, Language Arts scholars will study argument writing during the third quarter of the school year. Classes will identify and explain the claims, evidence and other aspects of logical arguments. Scholars will learn how to identify and cite high-quality academic sources. At the conclusion of the quarter, scholars will complete independent research and compose source-based arguments about current events and issues in our society.
There is a short homework packet due on Friday.
Math:
This week both grade 7th and 8th continue to prepare for the interim SBAC. Testing occurs on Friday, January 19th, in the computer lab, assessing knowledge and skills in the areas of Expressions and Equations.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th and 8th Grade: Students will continue practicing their test-taking strategies for reading as they prepare for their end of workshop rSkills test on Tuesday and Wednesday. These strategies include reading questions before reading the text, circling key words in the question, using process of elimination when deciding the answer, rereading parts of the text to find evidence to answer the question. Please refer to your child’s study guide for information specific to next week’s test.
The Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) is complete and students have their new winter reading levels. Grade level proficiency for 7th grade is 970 and 8th grade is 1010 . Parents will receive their child’s SRI information during report card conferences on Wednesday, January 31st.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will conclude their examination of continental Asia with a focus on the geography and broad history of Asia. Next, students will shift their concentration to India beginning with an historical and cultural overview and colonialism, then moving on to Gandhi and his nonviolent approach to social change as he worked to free India from British rule. Students will complete a webquest, and view, read, and analyze primary and secondary sources as they begin to consider how and why Britain was able to rule India for so long, and how India finally broke free. Throughout they will make connections to Martin Luther King whose work was heavily influenced by Gandhi’s approach to civil disobedience. HOMEWORK due Friday, Jan 19: A Chance For Freedom (escaping from North Korea); Quake in Indonesia.
Grade 8: This week, students will continue to explore the Articles of Confederation, the nation’s first attempt for the 13 colonies to govern themselves together. Students will analyze several of the Articles, discover the Articles’ strengths and weaknesses and develop understandings for how the Articles led directly to the United States Constitution. At the end of the week, students will practice responding to text-dependent open-ended questions with a focus on the Articles of Confederation. HOMEWORK: Being A Good Citizen; The Powers of the Legislative Branch; How Laws are Made; Great Seal of United States.
Special Education: I hope some of you were able to attend the MLK celebration at Wexler on Monday. During this short week will be spending some extra time on Lexia Learning Strategies and practicing skills which may have slipped us up on the recent SRI test. We will also be celebrating the accomplishments of many who have raised their SRI score and continue to thrive on Lexia! Students are also honing in on math skills necessary for upcoming state and district Math testing.
Band:
Dear parents of Wexler-Grant Band students,
Please remind your child to practice the following assignments, and don’t forget to praise them whenever it sounds like they’re improving!
Sax – Practice the G-major scale with a metronome app. (Due Wednesday)
Band – Begin to practice Ancient Moon, as well as sight-reading and lip slurs. (Due Wednesday)
Returning Trumpets – Introduction to Ancient Moon, as well as sight-reading and lip slurs
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls, and practice Stick Control. (Due Thursday, Jan 25)
Percussion B – Practice Standard of Excellence p. 16 #63, as well as Bugga-Bugga Roll. (Due Thursday, Jan 25)
Clarinets – Use your Standard of Excellence book to practice sight-reading. (Due Friday)
New Trumpets – Warm up by buzzing and practicing lip slurs (B flat – F). Also practice Mary Had a Little Lamb. (Due Friday)
Thank you, parents!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Please feel free to respond to this email with any questions or comments.
Good Afternoon Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well and keeping warm. A few thoughts and dates:
First, Principal Diah and Teachers met together with all Grade 7 and 8 students to remind them of expectations. Overall, students are expected to come to school each day prepared to learn! To this end, students are asked to remain focused during class and avoid talking while teachers are providing instruction and direction. Talking during the many group projects and tasks is fine as long as discussion is relevant to the work. During independent work students are asked to refrain from talking. If students need to leave the classroom, they will need a hall pass. We ask that students not have cell phones in classes. When classes are transitioning students are asked to be quiet and orderly and keep hands to themselves. Combined these expectations create a culture and climate in which learning and academics are the focus. Please review and reinforce these expectations with your scholar.
Please note two upcoming half days: Monday, January 22 and Wednesday, January 31 (see below).
Next, last Friday was the end of the second Marking Period. We are all somewhat amazed that we are now in the second half of the year! Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, January 31 from 12:45 to 2:45 by appointment and Report card night is scheduled for that same day from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. We will be in touch to schedule conferences as needed. If you would like to meet with your scholar’s teachers, please let me know and I will get back to you. Remember that you can also keep track of your scholar’s grades via Powerschool.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
This week we begin the 3rd Marking Period.
Grade 7 Art:
7A: This week most students will complete their 3D doughnuts, painting and adding toppings.
7B: Students will not have art this week because of the Holiday on Monday.
Grade 8 Art:
Color Wheels for students who were absent last week will be due this week.
Artists will complete a rubric to accompany their work.
All students will be introduced to drawing in 2-point perspective. Students will complete an ideas worksheet which will ask them to think creatively and develop ideas that will make their drawings personal and unique.
Many color wheels are being displayed in the front hallway of the building.
Language Arts:
This week Language Arts scholars will continue to focus on non-fiction texts. 7th grade classes will begin reading When Elephants Fight by Eric Waters and Adrian Bradbury. The text chronicles the lives of young people growing up in war zones throughout the world. 8th Grade students will read selections from Disasters: Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes Through the Centuries by Brenda Guiberson. The text details a number of natural and man-made disasters and explains the cause of the accidents and the effect each tragedy had on American society.
This week’s lessons will focus on cause and effect relationships in fiction and nonfiction. Students will understand the ways in which authors create meaning using a cause and effect structure.
Along with these wonderful texts, Language Arts scholars will study argument writing during the third quarter of the school year. Classes will identify and explain the claims, evidence and other aspects of logical arguments. Scholars will learn how to identify and cite high-quality academic sources. At the conclusion of the quarter, scholars will complete independent research and compose source-based arguments about current events and issues in our society.
There is a short homework packet due on Friday.
Math:
This week both grade 7th and 8th continue to prepare for the interim SBAC. Testing occurs on Friday, January 19th, in the computer lab, assessing knowledge and skills in the areas of Expressions and Equations.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th and 8th Grade: Students will continue practicing their test-taking strategies for reading as they prepare for their end of workshop rSkills test on Tuesday and Wednesday. These strategies include reading questions before reading the text, circling key words in the question, using process of elimination when deciding the answer, rereading parts of the text to find evidence to answer the question. Please refer to your child’s study guide for information specific to next week’s test.
The Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) is complete and students have their new winter reading levels. Grade level proficiency for 7th grade is 970 and 8th grade is 1010 . Parents will receive their child’s SRI information during report card conferences on Wednesday, January 31st.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will conclude their examination of continental Asia with a focus on the geography and broad history of Asia. Next, students will shift their concentration to India beginning with an historical and cultural overview and colonialism, then moving on to Gandhi and his nonviolent approach to social change as he worked to free India from British rule. Students will complete a webquest, and view, read, and analyze primary and secondary sources as they begin to consider how and why Britain was able to rule India for so long, and how India finally broke free. Throughout they will make connections to Martin Luther King whose work was heavily influenced by Gandhi’s approach to civil disobedience. HOMEWORK due Friday, Jan 19: A Chance For Freedom (escaping from North Korea); Quake in Indonesia.
Grade 8: This week, students will continue to explore the Articles of Confederation, the nation’s first attempt for the 13 colonies to govern themselves together. Students will analyze several of the Articles, discover the Articles’ strengths and weaknesses and develop understandings for how the Articles led directly to the United States Constitution. At the end of the week, students will practice responding to text-dependent open-ended questions with a focus on the Articles of Confederation. HOMEWORK: Being A Good Citizen; The Powers of the Legislative Branch; How Laws are Made; Great Seal of United States.
Special Education: I hope some of you were able to attend the MLK celebration at Wexler on Monday. During this short week will be spending some extra time on Lexia Learning Strategies and practicing skills which may have slipped us up on the recent SRI test. We will also be celebrating the accomplishments of many who have raised their SRI score and continue to thrive on Lexia! Students are also honing in on math skills necessary for upcoming state and district Math testing.
Band:
Dear parents of Wexler-Grant Band students,
Please remind your child to practice the following assignments, and don’t forget to praise them whenever it sounds like they’re improving!
Sax – Practice the G-major scale with a metronome app. (Due Wednesday)
Band – Begin to practice Ancient Moon, as well as sight-reading and lip slurs. (Due Wednesday)
Returning Trumpets – Introduction to Ancient Moon, as well as sight-reading and lip slurs
Percussion A – Practice Bugga-Bugga Roll with double-stroke rolls, and practice Stick Control. (Due Thursday, Jan 25)
Percussion B – Practice Standard of Excellence p. 16 #63, as well as Bugga-Bugga Roll. (Due Thursday, Jan 25)
Clarinets – Use your Standard of Excellence book to practice sight-reading. (Due Friday)
New Trumpets – Warm up by buzzing and practicing lip slurs (B flat – F). Also practice Mary Had a Little Lamb. (Due Friday)
Thank you, parents!
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Please feel free to respond to this email with any questions or comments.
Middle School News Week of January 8 - 12, 2018
Hello Wexler Families! Welcome to the families added in our most recent email list update! These weekly emails summarize weekly homework expectations and what your scholar will be learning in his or her Wexler classrooms in the upcoming week. If you have any questions or comments, please either call or email me, and I will do my best to address your question or thoughts. These weekly emails are just one way that you can be updated on your scholar’s academics. Other forums include looking at your scholar’s grades in each class via the PowerSchool Portal, and following teacher’s web pages at http://wexler-grantschool.weebly.com/. When using the web site, look at the “Middle School” homepage, and also check specific classes by clicking on the teacher’s name and subject. In terms of PowerSchool letters with instructions on how to access your scholar’s grades were mailed home with the First and Second Quarter Progress Reports. If you need the codes, please let me know and I will provide your scholar with a copy. If computer access is a challenge, please let me know. Some important January dates: Friday, January 12 is the last day of the Marking Period. All work for the quarter must be submitted by the end of the week to be included in this Marking Period’s grades. Monday, January 15: No School in honor of Martin Luther King Day. PLEASE NOTE! There is an exceptional MLK Day Conference that takes place each year at Wexler Grant! From Ms. Jackson, one of the organizers: “It is that time once again to celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. We will be hosting the conference here at Wexler-Grant on Monday, January 15, 2018 from 9:30-3:30 p.m. We will be hosting continental breakfast for all participants from 8:30 -9:30 and lunch beginning at 11:30 am.m. Our Program begins at 9:30. This year I am excited that the Mayor will be bringing greetings, we will also have a performance by actor Mr. Rodney Moore, he will be reciting the "I Have A Dream Speech". We have many enlightening, informative and interactive workshops for students in grades k-12 and adult workshops.” Monday, January 22: Early dismissal (12 noon). Wednesday, January 31: Parent-Teacher Conferences. We will be in touch to schedule conferences. In the meantime, you are always welcome to contact teachers with any questions or concerns. Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week Art: Grade 7 Art: 7A: This week we will review expectations, both behavior and academic. Students will continue to construct and paper mache their doughnuts. This week we will discuss good painting and color mixing, along with thinking outside of the box when finishing their work (choosing materials that add interesting details to their work) 7B: Students will continue making prints of their original drawings. One print will be due by the end of class Monday. Grade 8 Art: Color Wheels for students who were absent last week and my Friday class will be due this week. Artists will complete a rubric to accompany their work. Next, students will be introduced to drawing in 2-point perspective. We will be looking at various artists and creating our own cityscapes. Some students who were introduced to drawing in perspective last week will start to develop their drawings with details, making them personal. Language Arts: This week in Language Arts students will begin working explaining, identifying and constructing cause and effect in fiction and nonfiction. On Friday of this week all 7th and 8th grade students will take a short practice test related the Smarter Balance Assessment. Mr. Handy will return from injury leave next week. Math: All courses are currently working on IAB practice, which will culminate on Friday, January 26. During this attention is paid to solving and writing Expressions and Equations for both 7th and 8th grade. The 7th grade students will incorporate Distributive Property, Combination of Like Terms, as well as, Real-World connections to the content utilizing knowledge of money including tax and unit analysis. The 8th grade students have kicked this up a notch by working with Variables on Both Sides along with the Distributive property, Finding the Slope, writing and solving Equation while utilizing the Slope and Y-intercept, and Data Tables to extrapolate and represent the data. Read 180, Ms. Luck: 7th and 8th Grade: Students have been practicing their test-taking strategies for reading. These strategies include reading questions before reading the text, circling key words in the question, using process of elimination when deciding the answer, rereading parts of the text to find evidence to answer the question. Students will take the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) this week. They will take the end of the workshop Skills test next week. All students were required to read two self-selected book this marking period. Students completed a quiz in November on their independent reading book. They are expected to complete a book project (book review, letter to the author, or a book cover) on their second independent reading book by January 12th. That means students need to read at home and at school HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills. Science: Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20 pm - 3:30 pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and classwork. Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework. Seventh grade scientists are reviewing for the district science assessment. Topics include the cells and their organelles, cell division (mitosis and meiosis), and genetics. A study guide will be posted on google classroom for students to complete and turn in on the day of the assessment. Homework: DNA Base Pairing Worksheet and Coloring DNA Worksheet due Tuesday January 8, 2018 Mitosis and Meiosis Worksheets due Tuesday January 8, 2018 Eighth grade scientists are reviewing for the district science assessment. Topics include seasons, day/night, phases of the moon, tides, eclipses, and the sun. Scientist may access the study guide posted on google classroom. Homework: Study Guide due Wednesday January 17, 2018 Social Studies: Grade 7: This week students will complete their work on text-dependent open-ended questions, and continue their examination of Asia with a focus on the geography and broad history of Asia. This is a continuation of learning about India, Colonialism, India’s quest for independence from Britain, and Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent leadership toward achieving that independence. Throughout this unit, students will complete homework which will provide them with history, background, and information about those Asian countries that we will have less time to focus on during class time. HOMEWORK due Friday, Jan 12: A Chance For Freedom (escaping from North Korea); Quake in Indonesia. Grade 8: This week, students will explore the Articles of Confederation, the nation’s first attempt for the 13 colonies to govern themselves together. Students will analyze several of the Articles, discover the Articles’ strengths and weaknesses and develop understandings for how the Articles led directly to the United States Constitution. HOMEWORK: Being A Good Citizen; The Powers of the Legislative Branch; How Laws are Made; Great Seal of United States. Spanish: This week in Spanish the 7th grade will be exploring how to tell time and describe themselves. In 8th grade, we'll be learning all about the rooms of the house and different chores! Special Education: This week students are continuing to practice skills which help them to become better readers. Students are diligently spending 20 or more minutes on Lexia Reading strategies and completing new levels! If you have computer access, please encourage students to spend time on Lexia at home. Enjoy the warmer weather! Band: With snow cancellations on Thursday and Friday of last week, this week we’ll be kicking off the units that were originally scheduled for last week. They are as follows. Band – Introduction to Ancient Moon, as well as sight-reading, lip slurs, and a sporadic enrichment unit on Clapping Music Sax – Introduction to Ancient Moon, as well as the G major scale and rhythmic studies (quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, and their corresponding rest) Returning Trumpets – Introduction to Ancient Moon, as well as sight-reading and lip slurs Percussion A – Sixteenth notes, Bugga-Bugga Roll, double-stroke rolls, and stick control Percussion B – Standard of Excellence pieces #55, 56, and 63, as well as Bugga-Bugga Roll Clarinets – Introduction to Ancient Moon, as well as sight-reading, the C major scale, and rhythmic studies (quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, and their corresponding rests) New Trumpets – Rhythm handout with tonguing, siren buzzing, and Mary Had a Little Lamb (with tonguing!) |
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS WEEK OF JANUARY 2 to 5, 2018:
Good Morning Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well, and keeping warm!
In terms of clothing attire for school goes, please remember that Wexler is a uniform school, and that students should be wearing neither hoodies nor jackets to classes and in hallways. Under the uniform policy, acceptable warm clothing includes non-hooded blue sweatshirts and sweaters.
On the academic front, as you will read below, classes began immediately in full swing upon return from the Holiday Break. Winter is a good time to accomplish much given that many of us stay indoors during these cold months.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week
Art:
All Artists: The Second Marking Period Ends on Friday, January 12. This week artists will be made aware of work owed before the marking period ends. Any artist who is absent or falling behind should meet with me to arrange to catch up with the work. Students are always aware of expectations and have a rubric to guide them.
Grade 7 Art:
7A: Students will continue to construct and paper mache their doughnuts. This week we will discuss good painting and color mixing, along with thinking outside of the box when finishing their work (choosing materials that add interesting details to their work)
7B: Students will not have art this week because of the holiday on Monday.
Grade 8 Art:
Color Wheels will be due this week. Artists will complete a rubric to accompany their work.
Next, students will be introduced to drawing in 2-point perspective. We will be looking at various artists and creating our own cityscapes.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th and 8th Grade: For the next two weeks, students will practice test-taking strategies for reading. These strategies include reading questions before reading the text, circling key words in the question, using process of elimination when deciding the answer, rereading parts of the text to find evidence to answer the question. Students will take an end of the workshop rSkills test on January 10-12th. They will also take the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) in January. The exact dates TBA
All students are engaged in reading their 2nd self-selected book this marking period. Students must complete a quiz or book project on their independent reading book by January 10th. That means students need to read at home and at school.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Science:
Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20 pm - 3:30 pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and classwork.
Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework.
Seventh grade scientists are continuing with cell division. Scientists will be able to list the events that take place during the phases of the cell cycle. Scientists will also investigate the role of chromosomes in inheritance during meiosis in humans.
Homework:
DNA Base Pairing Worksheet and Coloring DNA Worksheet due Thursday January 4, 2018
Mitosis and Meiosis Worksheets due Friday January 5, 2018
Eighth grade scientists are exploring the moon and its relationship to the Earth. Scientists will be able to explain what causes the phases of the moon. They will investigate how the moon directly affects the tides experienced on Earth. Scientists will also use an activity to demonstrate what happens during high/low tides, and spring/neap tides. Scientists will also explore the layers of the sun and its important characteristics.
Homework: Study Guide due Friday January 5, 2018
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will begin their examination of Asia with a focus on the geography and broad history of Asia. They will investigate how modern life, customs, and traditions are different in several Asian countries from the life in the United with a focus on Russia, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Japan. Throughout this unit, students will complete homework which will provide them with history, background, and information about those Asian countries that we will have less time to focus on during class time. HOMEWORK due Friday, January 5: Read and Respond to Articles: India History and Life in Japan.
Grade 8: As students transition back from the Holiday Break, they will begin this week by continuing their exploration of the US Constitution’s organization and contents with a focus on the three branches of government, how each branch is defined in the Constitution, and how checks and balances works. Later in the week they will return to responding to text-dependent open-ended questions related to the Declaration of Independence using the RACECES strategy. They will end the week by responding to the District generated Text-Dependent Open-Ended questions on conflicts between the colonists and King George and what colonists meant in the Declaration when they questioned if King George was a civilized leader. HOMEWORK due Friday, January 3: Interpreting selected sections of the Declaration and Independence, Who Was King George, and a worksheet on analyzing sentences.
Special Education: Welcome back and Happy new Year! As we begin the new year and close out second quarter, we are continuing to work on reading strategies and advance our math fact competency in the Resource room. Please encourage time on Lexia Reading Strategies and math websites like Prodigy and Math Playground since it is too cold to play outside! I will always reward their efforts in school with an opportunity to pick from my prize box.
Stay warm and please reach out to me with any concerns.
Band:
First of all, I’d like to give a sincere thank you to those of you who joined us in the auditorium on Friday, December 21st for our Holiday Concert! The students feel accomplished, appreciated, and celebrated when you show up, so a hearty THANK YOU to those of you who were able to make it work with your schedules!
Secondly, it’s a new week, a new month, and a new year, and our young musicians are ready for the next chapter in their instrumental education! This week we’ll be kicking off the following units:
Band – Introduction to Ancient Moon, as well as sight-reading, lip slurs, and a sporadic enrichment unit on Clapping Music
Sax – Introduction to Ancient Moon, as well as the G major scale and rhythmic studies (quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, and their corresponding rest)
Returning Trumpets – Introduction to Ancient Moon, as well as sight-reading and lip slurs
Percussion A – Sixteenth notes, Bugga-Bugga Roll, double-stroke rolls, and stick control
Percussion B – Standard of Excellence pieces #55, 56, and 63, as well as Bugga-Bugga Roll
Clarinets – Introduction to Ancient Moon, as well as sight-reading, the C major scale, and rhythmic studies (quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, and their corresponding rests)
New Trumpets – Rhythm handout with tonguing, siren buzzing, and Mary Had a Little Lamb (with tonguing!)
Good Morning Wexler Families.
I hope this finds you well, and keeping warm!
In terms of clothing attire for school goes, please remember that Wexler is a uniform school, and that students should be wearing neither hoodies nor jackets to classes and in hallways. Under the uniform policy, acceptable warm clothing includes non-hooded blue sweatshirts and sweaters.
On the academic front, as you will read below, classes began immediately in full swing upon return from the Holiday Break. Winter is a good time to accomplish much given that many of us stay indoors during these cold months.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week
Art:
All Artists: The Second Marking Period Ends on Friday, January 12. This week artists will be made aware of work owed before the marking period ends. Any artist who is absent or falling behind should meet with me to arrange to catch up with the work. Students are always aware of expectations and have a rubric to guide them.
Grade 7 Art:
7A: Students will continue to construct and paper mache their doughnuts. This week we will discuss good painting and color mixing, along with thinking outside of the box when finishing their work (choosing materials that add interesting details to their work)
7B: Students will not have art this week because of the holiday on Monday.
Grade 8 Art:
Color Wheels will be due this week. Artists will complete a rubric to accompany their work.
Next, students will be introduced to drawing in 2-point perspective. We will be looking at various artists and creating our own cityscapes.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th and 8th Grade: For the next two weeks, students will practice test-taking strategies for reading. These strategies include reading questions before reading the text, circling key words in the question, using process of elimination when deciding the answer, rereading parts of the text to find evidence to answer the question. Students will take an end of the workshop rSkills test on January 10-12th. They will also take the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) in January. The exact dates TBA
All students are engaged in reading their 2nd self-selected book this marking period. Students must complete a quiz or book project on their independent reading book by January 10th. That means students need to read at home and at school.
HOMEWORK: Please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Science:
Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20 pm - 3:30 pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and classwork.
Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework.
Seventh grade scientists are continuing with cell division. Scientists will be able to list the events that take place during the phases of the cell cycle. Scientists will also investigate the role of chromosomes in inheritance during meiosis in humans.
Homework:
DNA Base Pairing Worksheet and Coloring DNA Worksheet due Thursday January 4, 2018
Mitosis and Meiosis Worksheets due Friday January 5, 2018
Eighth grade scientists are exploring the moon and its relationship to the Earth. Scientists will be able to explain what causes the phases of the moon. They will investigate how the moon directly affects the tides experienced on Earth. Scientists will also use an activity to demonstrate what happens during high/low tides, and spring/neap tides. Scientists will also explore the layers of the sun and its important characteristics.
Homework: Study Guide due Friday January 5, 2018
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will begin their examination of Asia with a focus on the geography and broad history of Asia. They will investigate how modern life, customs, and traditions are different in several Asian countries from the life in the United with a focus on Russia, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Japan. Throughout this unit, students will complete homework which will provide them with history, background, and information about those Asian countries that we will have less time to focus on during class time. HOMEWORK due Friday, January 5: Read and Respond to Articles: India History and Life in Japan.
Grade 8: As students transition back from the Holiday Break, they will begin this week by continuing their exploration of the US Constitution’s organization and contents with a focus on the three branches of government, how each branch is defined in the Constitution, and how checks and balances works. Later in the week they will return to responding to text-dependent open-ended questions related to the Declaration of Independence using the RACECES strategy. They will end the week by responding to the District generated Text-Dependent Open-Ended questions on conflicts between the colonists and King George and what colonists meant in the Declaration when they questioned if King George was a civilized leader. HOMEWORK due Friday, January 3: Interpreting selected sections of the Declaration and Independence, Who Was King George, and a worksheet on analyzing sentences.
Special Education: Welcome back and Happy new Year! As we begin the new year and close out second quarter, we are continuing to work on reading strategies and advance our math fact competency in the Resource room. Please encourage time on Lexia Reading Strategies and math websites like Prodigy and Math Playground since it is too cold to play outside! I will always reward their efforts in school with an opportunity to pick from my prize box.
Stay warm and please reach out to me with any concerns.
Band:
First of all, I’d like to give a sincere thank you to those of you who joined us in the auditorium on Friday, December 21st for our Holiday Concert! The students feel accomplished, appreciated, and celebrated when you show up, so a hearty THANK YOU to those of you who were able to make it work with your schedules!
Secondly, it’s a new week, a new month, and a new year, and our young musicians are ready for the next chapter in their instrumental education! This week we’ll be kicking off the following units:
Band – Introduction to Ancient Moon, as well as sight-reading, lip slurs, and a sporadic enrichment unit on Clapping Music
Sax – Introduction to Ancient Moon, as well as the G major scale and rhythmic studies (quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, and their corresponding rest)
Returning Trumpets – Introduction to Ancient Moon, as well as sight-reading and lip slurs
Percussion A – Sixteenth notes, Bugga-Bugga Roll, double-stroke rolls, and stick control
Percussion B – Standard of Excellence pieces #55, 56, and 63, as well as Bugga-Bugga Roll
Clarinets – Introduction to Ancient Moon, as well as sight-reading, the C major scale, and rhythmic studies (quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, and their corresponding rests)
New Trumpets – Rhythm handout with tonguing, siren buzzing, and Mary Had a Little Lamb (with tonguing!)
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS WEEK OF DECEMBER 11 TO 15
Good Afternoon Wexler Families.
As the holidays approach, this can be a challenging time for families and our students. Students are often a combination of excited and anxious about the time off from school, the weight of the holidays, etc. Please take some extra time to check in with your scholar about how school is going, anything that might be on his or her mind as the holidays approach, etc. As I've mentioned before, some of our scholars might not be as forthcoming as we might like or anticipate, but I am certain that they appreciate being asked, even if they have little to say!
In other news... Progress Reports have been mailed. If you have not yet received your scholar's Progress Report, please let me know so that we can make arrangements to get it to you. Also, just so you know, school is in full-day session each day this week. Next week, we have full days Monday through Thursday, and a half-day on Friday, December 22.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week
Art:
All Artists: Any artist who is absent or falling behind should meet with me to arrange to catch up with the work.
Grade 7 Art:
7A: Last week brought 7A some unexpected challenges. Some students are wearing hoodies to class and many are arriving with breakfast. Breakfast has become a huge distraction and often a mess is created that is not being cleaned up. Therefore, I will not be able to allow breakfast in the art room. I will arrange for students who are truly late (late busses especially) to eat in the cafeteria or another location. I hope to be free of these challenges this week and have students continue to create 3D doughnut sculptures using paper mache. Creating and Creativity are the goals of art class, equally important, taking care of materials and cleaning up. Many artists are doing a great job. This week is also the last week I will accept past work owed to be handed in.
7B: Students will continue to work on drawings, adding value through hatching and cross-hatching. Some students will be ready to create printing plates and print their work. Creating and Creativity are the goals of art class, equally important, taking care of materials and cleaning up. Many artists are doing a great job.
Grade 8 Art:
Artists will continue working on their color wheels. This week we will look at the arrangement of their symbols on their backgrounds and discuss negative space. I will be looking to see interesting negative space created in their work.
Language Arts:
Language Arts scholars in 8th grade continue to read Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case by Chris Crowe. This week classes will also enrich their learning by studying a PBS documentary about the murder of Emmett Till. 7th grade scholars have completed reading Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story about Brain Science by John Fleischman and are now working on a compare and contrast essay about the text.
This week’s 8th grade lessons focus on active reading and note taking techniques. Students are learning and practicing a note taking system that focuses on important keywords and numbers. As we read, students record important people, places, things, and dates on an organizer. They then record important information about the keyword as well as how it relates to the overall text.
In 7th grade students are gathering information about Phineas Gage and a teen named Kirsten who suffered a similar brain injury. Classes will use charts and organizers to track information before drafting paragraphs. Starting next week, students will begin writing extended compare and contrast essays. They will be given examples, rubrics and various other exercises to prepare them to write this essay. This essay is the biggest project of the marking period and will be worth a large portion of each student’s grade.
In all classes, a homework packet will be due Friday.
Math:
Math students focus is on adding and subtracting rational numbers with major emphasis on real world applications. Pre-algebra has moved on to irrational numbers, estimating their value based on rational numbers and making comparisons to rational numbers closest to perfect values. Algebra continues to work on higher functions with expressions and equations while focusing on simplifying exponents within operations parameters.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th Grade: This week students will review academic vocabulary from Workshop 3, practice test-taking strategies, and practice on-demand writing by responding to an open-ended short answer prompt.
8th Grade: Students will analyze and discuss the features of a model proposal to determine its effectiveness. Then, they will collaborate to write an effective movie proposal plan for “The Fall of the House of Usher” that states clear ideas for updating the story.
All students are engaged in reading their 2nd self-selected book this marking period. Students must also complete a quiz or book project on their independent reading book by January 10th. That means students need to read at home and at school.
HOMEWORK GRADE: Students will use their New Haven Free Public Library card and their school email address to sign up for HooplaDigital.com for free. Your child will use this website to read ebooks of his/her choice at no cost to you. This is a great way to continue reading the same book at school and at home. There are also other book choices in case the same book is not available. Please monitor your child's use of the site because there is a range of books, music, and movies available. Finally, please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Special Education: This week students are continuing to focus on IEP objectives and personal goals set for second quarter. Time in the resource room is spent doing practice activities for standardized tests and honing in on skills necessary for success in Core classes. I am so pleased to have received 2 reading charts from students with 100 minutes read at home!!! Please encourage your students to read and or spend time on Lexia Reading Strategies at home. Charts signed by parents can be valuable in my prize box economy! As always, reach out with any concerns. Jen Ciarcia
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will begin their examination of Asia with a focus on the geography and broad history of Asia. This is the beginning of learning about India, India’s quest for independence from Britain, and Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent leadership toward achieving that independence. Throughout this unit, students will complete homework which will provide them with history, background, and information about those Asian countries that we will have less time to focus on during class time. HOMEWORK due Friday, December 15: Read and Respond to Articles: Introduction to Japan, Ancient China, Identifying types of sentences.
Grade 8: This week students will learn the difference between closed and open-ended questions, and learn how to use the RACECES approach (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain, Cite, Explain, Sum-it-up) for responding to text-dependent open-ended questions. They will use these strategies to respond to the District Assessment on answering Text-Dependent Questions. Specifically, students will answer questions related to the Declaration of Independence having to do with conflicts between colonists and the English monarchy and colonists’ views of the monarchy as expressed in the Declaration. HOMEWORK due Friday, December 15: Read and Respond to three articles: Quotes from Declaration of Independence, Reading on Thomas Jefferson and on King George III.
Science:
Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20 pm - 3:30pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and classwork.
Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework.
Seventh grade scientists are continuing the exploration of cells. Scientists will be given an overview of ALL cell types that have been discovered throughout the entire world. They will explore the specialization and importance of various types of cells found in the body such as blood cells, skin cells, muscle cells, bone cells, and many more! They will also investigate the structure of DNA and the vital role it plays in cell division for both mitosis and meiosis.
Homework: Cell Organelles Review due Friday December 15, 2017
Eighth grade scientists are learning about the Earth. Scientists will be able to determine the cause of day and night. They will also create a Sun-Earth-Moon model that will be used to make observations about solstices (summer and winter), equinoxes (spring and autumn), and the reasons we have seasons around the world. Scientists will also use the model to investigate what occurs during a solar and lunar eclipse.
Homework: Gizmo-Seasons due Friday December 15, 201, Moon Observation Sheet due Monday December 18, 2017
Spanish:
This week in Spanish with grade seven we are going to talk about classroom objects and rules and also descriptions. In grade eight we are going to be talking more about families and basic verbs.
Band:
Friends and family of Wexler-Grant student musicians – Please join Mrs. Prunzion, myself, and our wonderful young music makers as we present the 2017 Wexler Winter Concert, Thursday, December 21 at 12:45 in the auditorium!
Also, please discuss the following assignments with your scholar:
Band, Flute, Clarinets, Sax, Returning Trumpets, & Percussion A: Prepare for our concert by practicing Jingle Bells, Up on the Housetop, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, Good King Wenceslas, Jingle-Bell Rock, Let It Snow, and/or Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. It’s time to achieve full run-throughs, beginning to end without stopping. (Due this Wednesday or Thursday, depending on the scholar’s schedule)
New Trumpets: Practice both sides of the rhythm handout, siren buzzing, Mary Had a Little Lamb, and trying to play the lowest pitches you can on the fingering chart. (Due this Friday) Also, congratulations to the entire class for getting A’s on the fingering quiz! Great work!
Percussion B: Practice the buzzes, paradiddles, flams, and other notes found in p. 14 #55 and p. 15 #56. (Due this Thursday)
Good Afternoon Wexler Families.
As the holidays approach, this can be a challenging time for families and our students. Students are often a combination of excited and anxious about the time off from school, the weight of the holidays, etc. Please take some extra time to check in with your scholar about how school is going, anything that might be on his or her mind as the holidays approach, etc. As I've mentioned before, some of our scholars might not be as forthcoming as we might like or anticipate, but I am certain that they appreciate being asked, even if they have little to say!
In other news... Progress Reports have been mailed. If you have not yet received your scholar's Progress Report, please let me know so that we can make arrangements to get it to you. Also, just so you know, school is in full-day session each day this week. Next week, we have full days Monday through Thursday, and a half-day on Friday, December 22.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week
Art:
All Artists: Any artist who is absent or falling behind should meet with me to arrange to catch up with the work.
Grade 7 Art:
7A: Last week brought 7A some unexpected challenges. Some students are wearing hoodies to class and many are arriving with breakfast. Breakfast has become a huge distraction and often a mess is created that is not being cleaned up. Therefore, I will not be able to allow breakfast in the art room. I will arrange for students who are truly late (late busses especially) to eat in the cafeteria or another location. I hope to be free of these challenges this week and have students continue to create 3D doughnut sculptures using paper mache. Creating and Creativity are the goals of art class, equally important, taking care of materials and cleaning up. Many artists are doing a great job. This week is also the last week I will accept past work owed to be handed in.
7B: Students will continue to work on drawings, adding value through hatching and cross-hatching. Some students will be ready to create printing plates and print their work. Creating and Creativity are the goals of art class, equally important, taking care of materials and cleaning up. Many artists are doing a great job.
Grade 8 Art:
Artists will continue working on their color wheels. This week we will look at the arrangement of their symbols on their backgrounds and discuss negative space. I will be looking to see interesting negative space created in their work.
Language Arts:
Language Arts scholars in 8th grade continue to read Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case by Chris Crowe. This week classes will also enrich their learning by studying a PBS documentary about the murder of Emmett Till. 7th grade scholars have completed reading Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story about Brain Science by John Fleischman and are now working on a compare and contrast essay about the text.
This week’s 8th grade lessons focus on active reading and note taking techniques. Students are learning and practicing a note taking system that focuses on important keywords and numbers. As we read, students record important people, places, things, and dates on an organizer. They then record important information about the keyword as well as how it relates to the overall text.
In 7th grade students are gathering information about Phineas Gage and a teen named Kirsten who suffered a similar brain injury. Classes will use charts and organizers to track information before drafting paragraphs. Starting next week, students will begin writing extended compare and contrast essays. They will be given examples, rubrics and various other exercises to prepare them to write this essay. This essay is the biggest project of the marking period and will be worth a large portion of each student’s grade.
In all classes, a homework packet will be due Friday.
Math:
Math students focus is on adding and subtracting rational numbers with major emphasis on real world applications. Pre-algebra has moved on to irrational numbers, estimating their value based on rational numbers and making comparisons to rational numbers closest to perfect values. Algebra continues to work on higher functions with expressions and equations while focusing on simplifying exponents within operations parameters.
Read 180, Ms. Luck:
7th Grade: This week students will review academic vocabulary from Workshop 3, practice test-taking strategies, and practice on-demand writing by responding to an open-ended short answer prompt.
8th Grade: Students will analyze and discuss the features of a model proposal to determine its effectiveness. Then, they will collaborate to write an effective movie proposal plan for “The Fall of the House of Usher” that states clear ideas for updating the story.
All students are engaged in reading their 2nd self-selected book this marking period. Students must also complete a quiz or book project on their independent reading book by January 10th. That means students need to read at home and at school.
HOMEWORK GRADE: Students will use their New Haven Free Public Library card and their school email address to sign up for HooplaDigital.com for free. Your child will use this website to read ebooks of his/her choice at no cost to you. This is a great way to continue reading the same book at school and at home. There are also other book choices in case the same book is not available. Please monitor your child's use of the site because there is a range of books, music, and movies available. Finally, please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Special Education: This week students are continuing to focus on IEP objectives and personal goals set for second quarter. Time in the resource room is spent doing practice activities for standardized tests and honing in on skills necessary for success in Core classes. I am so pleased to have received 2 reading charts from students with 100 minutes read at home!!! Please encourage your students to read and or spend time on Lexia Reading Strategies at home. Charts signed by parents can be valuable in my prize box economy! As always, reach out with any concerns. Jen Ciarcia
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will begin their examination of Asia with a focus on the geography and broad history of Asia. This is the beginning of learning about India, India’s quest for independence from Britain, and Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent leadership toward achieving that independence. Throughout this unit, students will complete homework which will provide them with history, background, and information about those Asian countries that we will have less time to focus on during class time. HOMEWORK due Friday, December 15: Read and Respond to Articles: Introduction to Japan, Ancient China, Identifying types of sentences.
Grade 8: This week students will learn the difference between closed and open-ended questions, and learn how to use the RACECES approach (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain, Cite, Explain, Sum-it-up) for responding to text-dependent open-ended questions. They will use these strategies to respond to the District Assessment on answering Text-Dependent Questions. Specifically, students will answer questions related to the Declaration of Independence having to do with conflicts between colonists and the English monarchy and colonists’ views of the monarchy as expressed in the Declaration. HOMEWORK due Friday, December 15: Read and Respond to three articles: Quotes from Declaration of Independence, Reading on Thomas Jefferson and on King George III.
Science:
Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20 pm - 3:30pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and classwork.
Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework.
Seventh grade scientists are continuing the exploration of cells. Scientists will be given an overview of ALL cell types that have been discovered throughout the entire world. They will explore the specialization and importance of various types of cells found in the body such as blood cells, skin cells, muscle cells, bone cells, and many more! They will also investigate the structure of DNA and the vital role it plays in cell division for both mitosis and meiosis.
Homework: Cell Organelles Review due Friday December 15, 2017
Eighth grade scientists are learning about the Earth. Scientists will be able to determine the cause of day and night. They will also create a Sun-Earth-Moon model that will be used to make observations about solstices (summer and winter), equinoxes (spring and autumn), and the reasons we have seasons around the world. Scientists will also use the model to investigate what occurs during a solar and lunar eclipse.
Homework: Gizmo-Seasons due Friday December 15, 201, Moon Observation Sheet due Monday December 18, 2017
Spanish:
This week in Spanish with grade seven we are going to talk about classroom objects and rules and also descriptions. In grade eight we are going to be talking more about families and basic verbs.
Band:
Friends and family of Wexler-Grant student musicians – Please join Mrs. Prunzion, myself, and our wonderful young music makers as we present the 2017 Wexler Winter Concert, Thursday, December 21 at 12:45 in the auditorium!
Also, please discuss the following assignments with your scholar:
Band, Flute, Clarinets, Sax, Returning Trumpets, & Percussion A: Prepare for our concert by practicing Jingle Bells, Up on the Housetop, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, Good King Wenceslas, Jingle-Bell Rock, Let It Snow, and/or Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. It’s time to achieve full run-throughs, beginning to end without stopping. (Due this Wednesday or Thursday, depending on the scholar’s schedule)
New Trumpets: Practice both sides of the rhythm handout, siren buzzing, Mary Had a Little Lamb, and trying to play the lowest pitches you can on the fingering chart. (Due this Friday) Also, congratulations to the entire class for getting A’s on the fingering quiz! Great work!
Percussion B: Practice the buzzes, paradiddles, flams, and other notes found in p. 14 #55 and p. 15 #56. (Due this Thursday)
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS WEEK OF DECEMBER 4 TO DECEMBER 8:
Hello Wexler Families!
I hope that December so far is treating you and your family well.
Progress Reports are being mailed out this week. If you have not received a copy of your scholar’s Progress Report by the end of this week, please call, text, or respond to this email so that we can get you a copy. Access codes for logging into PowerSchool to track your scholar’s grades will be included with the Progress Report. As those who use it will tell you, this is a powerful method for monitoring your scholar’s progress in all classes.
If you have NOT already had a chance to come to Wexler to collect your scholar’s Report Card from the first marking period, please let me know so that we can make arrangements for you to come in to get a copy.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7 Art:
7A has art twice a week: They started the year with the study of still life drawing. Artists learned to draw what they saw realistically adding value and shadows to their work. Next, they developed ideas of their own and learned to create value with a technique called hatching and cross-hatching. These drawings were transferred to printing plates and all artists made a few one color prints. Currently, we are starting a unit on 3D sculpture. Students are designing and creating their own doughnuts using cardboard and Paper Mache. This week students will be learning how to apply Paper Mache to their work.
7B has art once a week: They started the year with the study of still life drawing. Artists learned to draw what they saw realistically adding value and shadows to their work. Currently, they are developing ideas of their own and learning to create value with a technique called hatching and cross-hatching. These drawings will be transferred to printing plates and all artists will print a few one color prints.
Grade 8 Art:
Artists will continue working on their color wheels, all students should have completed painting their 12 symbols and start or continue creating meaningful backgrounds. Artists can choose to use a variety of media for their backgrounds. So far, some have chosen to learn to use pen and ink while others are using watercolors. I am really looking for students to be creative and take risks.
Language Arts:
Language Arts scholars in 8th grade continue to read Getting Away With Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case by Chris Crowe. 7th grade scholars are nearly done reading Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science by John Fleischman.
This week’s lessons focus on active reading and note taking techniques. Students are learning ad practicing a note taking system that focuses on important key words and numbers. As we read, students record important people, places, things, and dates on an organizer. They then record important information about the key word as well as how it relates to the overall text.
At the end of the week classes will begin to study how we can examine and explain nonfiction information through the use of compare and contrast. Starting next week, students will begin writing extended compare and contrast essays. They will be given examples, rubrics and various other exercises to prepare them to write this essay. This essay is the biggest project of the marking period and will be worth a large portion of each student’s grade.
In all classes, a homework packet will be due this Friday.
Read 180:
The seventh grade students are participating in a wrap-up project for "Louisa, Please Come Home" by Shirley Jackson. They will review the short story and identify conflict. Then they will write an effective role-play plan with clear ideas to resolve conflict in the story.
The eighth grade students are finishing their first drafts of their analysis of "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe. They will engage in the peer review process upon completing their draft. The final version is due by Friday, December 8, 2017.
All students are also engaged in reading self-selected books which need to be finished by December 8th. Students must also complete a quiz on their independent reading book.
HOMEWORK GRADE: Students will use their library card and your email address to sign up for HooplaDigital.com for free. Your child will use this website to read ebooks of his/her choice at no cost to you. This is a great way to continue reading the same book at school and at home. There are also other book choices in case the same book is not available. Please monitor your child's use of the site because there is a range of books, music, and movies available. Finally, please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Special Education:
Students are reviewing progress reports for second quarter and some “fires are being lit”! Goals are being set and students are anxious to either bring up or maintain their grades. Students are also setting goals to raise their SRI (Scholastic Reading Inventory)scores in the Winter. Please continue to partner with me in encouraging your students to read at home. Each student has been given a chart to record minutes read at home and they will be rewarded for their efforts when they return a completed chart. Thank you for your support!
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will work on strategies for responding to text-dependent questions. They will use these strategies to complete the final part of the District Assessment on Text-Dependent Questions by examining quotes from Cicero, an Ancient Roman, and draw conclusions about what the quotes can tell us about the man and analyze what the quotes mean. Next they will begin their exploration of Asia with an examination of geography, past and present culture, and overall history. HOMEWORK due on Friday December 8: Read and respond to articles on Asia, Chinese Population; complete word search on names of countries in Asia.
Grade 8: These next two weeks students will continue their District Assessment quarterly Argument Essay on urging Colonial Loyalists to change their minds and support the Declaration of Independence, and practice using a rubric to self-grade and improve their work. They will also complete final edits on their Argument paper which will include using spell check and grammar check. HOMEWORK due December 8: Declaration of Independence; What is Declaration of Independence; Women in American Revolution.
Science:
Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20pm - 3:30pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and class work.
Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework.
This week, 7th grade scientists are continuing with cells. They will be taking a closer look at cell organelles and the importance of their functions to the body. Scientists will be able to understand how these structures work together in preparation for cell division.
Eighth grade scientists are learning about the solar system. Scientists will be able to identify the planets in our solar system based on distinguishing characteristics ie their color, position in relation to the sun, orbit, rotation, revolution, and atmosphere content.
Homework:
Moon Observation Sheet due Monday December 18, 2017
Band:
Parents of Band students, please discuss the following assignments with your scholar, and please make sure to encourage them and act as their “cheerleaders” whenever you hear them practicing!
Band, Flute, Clarinets, Sax, Returning Trumpets, & Percussion A: Practice Jingle Bells, Up on the Housetop, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, Good King Wenceslas, Jingle-Bell Rock, Let It Snow, and/or Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. (Due this Wednesday or Thursday, depending on the scholar’s schedule)
New Trumpets: Practice both sides of the rhythm handout, siren buzzing, and Mary Had a Little Lamb. Also, study the 5 fingerings for your quiz! (Due this Friday)
Trombone: Practice Jolly Old St. Nicholas and Jingle-Bell Rock. (Due this Wednesday)
Percussion B: Practice the buzzes, paradiddles, flams, and other notes found in p. 13 #49 and in all the music on p. 14. (Due this Thursday)
Hello Wexler Families!
I hope that December so far is treating you and your family well.
Progress Reports are being mailed out this week. If you have not received a copy of your scholar’s Progress Report by the end of this week, please call, text, or respond to this email so that we can get you a copy. Access codes for logging into PowerSchool to track your scholar’s grades will be included with the Progress Report. As those who use it will tell you, this is a powerful method for monitoring your scholar’s progress in all classes.
If you have NOT already had a chance to come to Wexler to collect your scholar’s Report Card from the first marking period, please let me know so that we can make arrangements for you to come in to get a copy.
Please read on for information about what is taking place in your scholar’s classes this week.
Art:
Grade 7 Art:
7A has art twice a week: They started the year with the study of still life drawing. Artists learned to draw what they saw realistically adding value and shadows to their work. Next, they developed ideas of their own and learned to create value with a technique called hatching and cross-hatching. These drawings were transferred to printing plates and all artists made a few one color prints. Currently, we are starting a unit on 3D sculpture. Students are designing and creating their own doughnuts using cardboard and Paper Mache. This week students will be learning how to apply Paper Mache to their work.
7B has art once a week: They started the year with the study of still life drawing. Artists learned to draw what they saw realistically adding value and shadows to their work. Currently, they are developing ideas of their own and learning to create value with a technique called hatching and cross-hatching. These drawings will be transferred to printing plates and all artists will print a few one color prints.
Grade 8 Art:
Artists will continue working on their color wheels, all students should have completed painting their 12 symbols and start or continue creating meaningful backgrounds. Artists can choose to use a variety of media for their backgrounds. So far, some have chosen to learn to use pen and ink while others are using watercolors. I am really looking for students to be creative and take risks.
Language Arts:
Language Arts scholars in 8th grade continue to read Getting Away With Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case by Chris Crowe. 7th grade scholars are nearly done reading Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science by John Fleischman.
This week’s lessons focus on active reading and note taking techniques. Students are learning ad practicing a note taking system that focuses on important key words and numbers. As we read, students record important people, places, things, and dates on an organizer. They then record important information about the key word as well as how it relates to the overall text.
At the end of the week classes will begin to study how we can examine and explain nonfiction information through the use of compare and contrast. Starting next week, students will begin writing extended compare and contrast essays. They will be given examples, rubrics and various other exercises to prepare them to write this essay. This essay is the biggest project of the marking period and will be worth a large portion of each student’s grade.
In all classes, a homework packet will be due this Friday.
Read 180:
The seventh grade students are participating in a wrap-up project for "Louisa, Please Come Home" by Shirley Jackson. They will review the short story and identify conflict. Then they will write an effective role-play plan with clear ideas to resolve conflict in the story.
The eighth grade students are finishing their first drafts of their analysis of "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe. They will engage in the peer review process upon completing their draft. The final version is due by Friday, December 8, 2017.
All students are also engaged in reading self-selected books which need to be finished by December 8th. Students must also complete a quiz on their independent reading book.
HOMEWORK GRADE: Students will use their library card and your email address to sign up for HooplaDigital.com for free. Your child will use this website to read ebooks of his/her choice at no cost to you. This is a great way to continue reading the same book at school and at home. There are also other book choices in case the same book is not available. Please monitor your child's use of the site because there is a range of books, music, and movies available. Finally, please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Special Education:
Students are reviewing progress reports for second quarter and some “fires are being lit”! Goals are being set and students are anxious to either bring up or maintain their grades. Students are also setting goals to raise their SRI (Scholastic Reading Inventory)scores in the Winter. Please continue to partner with me in encouraging your students to read at home. Each student has been given a chart to record minutes read at home and they will be rewarded for their efforts when they return a completed chart. Thank you for your support!
Social Studies:
Grade 7: This week students will work on strategies for responding to text-dependent questions. They will use these strategies to complete the final part of the District Assessment on Text-Dependent Questions by examining quotes from Cicero, an Ancient Roman, and draw conclusions about what the quotes can tell us about the man and analyze what the quotes mean. Next they will begin their exploration of Asia with an examination of geography, past and present culture, and overall history. HOMEWORK due on Friday December 8: Read and respond to articles on Asia, Chinese Population; complete word search on names of countries in Asia.
Grade 8: These next two weeks students will continue their District Assessment quarterly Argument Essay on urging Colonial Loyalists to change their minds and support the Declaration of Independence, and practice using a rubric to self-grade and improve their work. They will also complete final edits on their Argument paper which will include using spell check and grammar check. HOMEWORK due December 8: Declaration of Independence; What is Declaration of Independence; Women in American Revolution.
Science:
Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20pm - 3:30pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and class work.
Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework.
This week, 7th grade scientists are continuing with cells. They will be taking a closer look at cell organelles and the importance of their functions to the body. Scientists will be able to understand how these structures work together in preparation for cell division.
Eighth grade scientists are learning about the solar system. Scientists will be able to identify the planets in our solar system based on distinguishing characteristics ie their color, position in relation to the sun, orbit, rotation, revolution, and atmosphere content.
Homework:
Moon Observation Sheet due Monday December 18, 2017
Band:
Parents of Band students, please discuss the following assignments with your scholar, and please make sure to encourage them and act as their “cheerleaders” whenever you hear them practicing!
Band, Flute, Clarinets, Sax, Returning Trumpets, & Percussion A: Practice Jingle Bells, Up on the Housetop, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, Good King Wenceslas, Jingle-Bell Rock, Let It Snow, and/or Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. (Due this Wednesday or Thursday, depending on the scholar’s schedule)
New Trumpets: Practice both sides of the rhythm handout, siren buzzing, and Mary Had a Little Lamb. Also, study the 5 fingerings for your quiz! (Due this Friday)
Trombone: Practice Jolly Old St. Nicholas and Jingle-Bell Rock. (Due this Wednesday)
Percussion B: Practice the buzzes, paradiddles, flams, and other notes found in p. 13 #49 and in all the music on p. 14. (Due this Thursday)
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS WEEK OF NOVEMBER 27 TO DECEMBER 1, 2017:
Hello Wexler Families!
We hope this finds you well and that you were able to spend some time with your families over the Thanksgiving Break.
A few things to be aware of this week:
· If you have not yet had a chance to collect your scholar’s first quarter Report Card, please either call me or respond to this email with a date and time that you would like to come in. We will do our best to accommodate your schedule.
· We are almost halfway through the second marking period. Therefore, Progress Reports will be mailed early next week (the week of December 4). When you get this report, please take some time to review it with your scholar, acknowledging and supporting good work, and encouraging doing better in challenging areas. It may sometimes feel that our young people appear uninterested in your thoughts and comments, but as we all remember from our own youth, they often care more than they let on. You and your scholar can check grades as often as you wish using the PowerSchool Family Portal. Codes for accessing PowerSchool were sent home with the first quarter Progress Reports. If you need another copy please let me know and I will get it to you.
· Field Trip this week: Many students will be visiting the Yale Art Museum this week to study a method for learning and understanding history through visual arts. These are often rich and fascinating experiences and provide students with a glance into historical events into the past. Please ask your scholar to share his/her experience in the museum with you. As per school policy, only students who regularly wear school uniforms are eligible for these trips.
Please read on for classroom learning this week:
Grade 7 Social Studies: This week students will complete their Argument Essay on the Fall of Rome and practice using a rubric to self-grade and improve their work. They will also complete final edits on their Argument paper which will include using spell check and grammar check. As they finish their Argument Paper, students will move complete a web quest on China in order to be introduced to a historical as well as contemporary China. Next, students will complete the final part of the District Assessment on Text-Dependent Questions by examining quotes from Cicero, an Ancient Roman, and draw conclusions about what the quotes can tell us about the man and analyze what the quotes mean. HOMEWORK DUE ON FRIDAY: Reading and respond to Readings about Julius Caesar and Nero.
Grade 8 Social Studies: This week students will continue their District Assessment quarterly Argument Essay on urging Colonial Loyalists to change their minds and support the Declaration of Independence, and practice using a rubric to self-grade and improve their work. They will also complete final edits on their Argument paper which will include using spell check and grammar check. HOMEWORK due December 1: Read and Respond to several articles about the American Revolution including Lexington and Concord and African Americans in the American Revolution.
This week Language Arts, students are working on activities related to the second quarter core text. Scholars in both grades are completing mini-research projects. Each student chose a nonfiction topic related to their second quarter book. Students researched the topic using an online database called “Research in Context” and the online version on Encyclopedia Britannica. On Monday students composed a short write-up about their topic. Students will next focus on note taking skills and will practice a number of different note taking techniques. These skills will serve students throughout all of their academic classes.
Later this week, students will examine the nonfiction text structure compare and contrast. Lessons will teach students to identify similarities and differences between related topics and record their findings using a graphic organizer. Students will then compare and contrast modern stories with stories found in their core text. Seventh graders will compare Phineas’ injury to the injuries of a young girl named Kirsten. Eighth grade students will compare the tragic tale of Emmett Till to the stories of other civil rights leaders and martyrs.
There is a homework packet due on Friday of this week. It will include activities related to academic vocabulary, identifying main ideas and supporting detail, and compare and contrast in nonfiction writing.
Math: Currently, 7th Grade Course 2 is wrapping up working with Integers and embarking on Operations with Rational Numbers. This unit includes looking at sets of rational numbers while performing operations of Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing.
Math: Course 3 - Pre-Algebra's focus is Rational and Irrational Numbers, estimating irrational numbers and making comparisons to rational numbers. While doing so, they will revisit Properties of Exponents and the operations associated with it.
Math: Algebra 1 continues to solve equations, complex, literal, and identify types of solutions with equality. Next steps will continue same format surrounding solutions of Inequalities.
SCIENCE
Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20pm - 3:30pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and class work.
Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework.
This week, 7th grade scientists are wrapping the unit on matter with elements, compounds, and mixtures. Scientists will be introduced to the cell. They will have the opportunity to use a microscope to take a closer look at cells from an onion, a leaf, a goldfish, and even their own skin cells!
Homework:
Eighth grade scientists are continuing with the principles of Newton’s Laws of Motion in relationship to the motion of a self made roller coaster. Scientists will also begin to apply their knowledge of Newton's Laws to the motion of the planets of our solar system.
Homework:
Read 180: The seventh grade students are doing peer reviews of their literary analyses of "Louisa, Please Come Home" by Shirley Jackson. They will use peer reviews, teacher feedback, and a rating rubric to make final revisions on their writing. The final version is due this Friday, December 1, 2017. The eighth grade students are writing their first drafts of their analysis of "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe. They will engage in the peer review process upon completing their draft. The final version is due by next Friday, December 8, 2017. All students are also reading self-selected books which need to be finished by December 8th. Students must also complete a quiz on their independent reading book.
HOMEWORK GRADE: Students will use their library card and your email address to sign up for HooplaDigital.com for free. Your child may use this website to read eBooks of his/her choice at no cost to you. This is a great way to continue reading the same book at school and at home. There are also other book choices in case the same book is not available. Please monitor your child's use of the site because music and movies are also available. Finally, please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Special Education: Students are progressing nicely on their IEP objectives as they spend time on Lexia reading strategies and complete various activities involving central idea and supporting details. We are learning new vocabulary and discovering several ways to use context clues to discern unfamiliar word meanings. Math facts are becoming automatic as well as we complete drills and receive well-deserved prizes for 100% accuracy. I hope you had a blessed thanksgiving with love ones and continue to be well as you prepare for the holidays!
Jen Ciarcia
Special Education
Music: 8th grade students continue to work on independent small group projects for the holiday concert. 7th grade students are doing a rhythm and rhyme project that involves free styling a children’s book over a beat. They have chosen books, next comes making beats in a DAW interface.
Grade 8 Art:
Artists will continue working on their color wheels, painting and creating meaningful backgrounds. Each class only meets once a week from 8:00-8:45. If a student is late or absent they can fall behind quickly. I am available Thursdays during their lunch and after school most days if they need to catch up. It is up to students to ask if they can come and work. As always, I will be sending progress reports home for students who are struggling in art. If you don't receive a progress report, I don't have any concerns at this time. Grades are often updated in PowerSchool. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
BAND
Parent of 7th- and 8th-grade students, please ask your child if he or she will be performing with the Wexler-Grant Band in our Winter Concert. Here’s an abbreviated roster listing student performers:
Clarinet: CF, MK, and TW
Saxophone: MK and SC
Trumpet: DV, JR, KB, LF, and ZC
Percussion: DM, DN, IJ, JH, JJ, and RS
Mrs. Prunzion and I are still in the process of scheduling this concert, and I will let you know as soon as we have a date and time!
Other Band students who are not preparing holiday selections for this concert are continuing to work hard in their Band classes to prepare for future performances and to develop their musicianship in general. Flute students have been working with Yale Teaching Artist Helen Park. Trumpet students have been learning their first 5 pitches/fingerings. Trombone students are developing their memorization of slide positions and applying them to interpreting written music. Percussion students are practicing rudiments (buzzes, paradiddles, and flams) – the basic building blocks of drumming. Please discuss these assignments with your scholar, and encourage him or her to practice at least 3 days a week, at least 15 minutes per practice session.
Thank you,
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Wexler-Grant Community School
Thank you for your continued support and ideas and for giving us the opportunity to work with your scholar. If you have any questions/comments/suggestions, please write back with your thoughts.
Hello Wexler Families!
We hope this finds you well and that you were able to spend some time with your families over the Thanksgiving Break.
A few things to be aware of this week:
· If you have not yet had a chance to collect your scholar’s first quarter Report Card, please either call me or respond to this email with a date and time that you would like to come in. We will do our best to accommodate your schedule.
· We are almost halfway through the second marking period. Therefore, Progress Reports will be mailed early next week (the week of December 4). When you get this report, please take some time to review it with your scholar, acknowledging and supporting good work, and encouraging doing better in challenging areas. It may sometimes feel that our young people appear uninterested in your thoughts and comments, but as we all remember from our own youth, they often care more than they let on. You and your scholar can check grades as often as you wish using the PowerSchool Family Portal. Codes for accessing PowerSchool were sent home with the first quarter Progress Reports. If you need another copy please let me know and I will get it to you.
· Field Trip this week: Many students will be visiting the Yale Art Museum this week to study a method for learning and understanding history through visual arts. These are often rich and fascinating experiences and provide students with a glance into historical events into the past. Please ask your scholar to share his/her experience in the museum with you. As per school policy, only students who regularly wear school uniforms are eligible for these trips.
- Another option to knowing what is going on your your scholar's classrooms is to log into teachers' websites at http://wexler-grantschool.weebly.com/, going to the Middle School page, and clicking on the teacher's name and your scholar's grade level.
Please read on for classroom learning this week:
Grade 7 Social Studies: This week students will complete their Argument Essay on the Fall of Rome and practice using a rubric to self-grade and improve their work. They will also complete final edits on their Argument paper which will include using spell check and grammar check. As they finish their Argument Paper, students will move complete a web quest on China in order to be introduced to a historical as well as contemporary China. Next, students will complete the final part of the District Assessment on Text-Dependent Questions by examining quotes from Cicero, an Ancient Roman, and draw conclusions about what the quotes can tell us about the man and analyze what the quotes mean. HOMEWORK DUE ON FRIDAY: Reading and respond to Readings about Julius Caesar and Nero.
Grade 8 Social Studies: This week students will continue their District Assessment quarterly Argument Essay on urging Colonial Loyalists to change their minds and support the Declaration of Independence, and practice using a rubric to self-grade and improve their work. They will also complete final edits on their Argument paper which will include using spell check and grammar check. HOMEWORK due December 1: Read and Respond to several articles about the American Revolution including Lexington and Concord and African Americans in the American Revolution.
This week Language Arts, students are working on activities related to the second quarter core text. Scholars in both grades are completing mini-research projects. Each student chose a nonfiction topic related to their second quarter book. Students researched the topic using an online database called “Research in Context” and the online version on Encyclopedia Britannica. On Monday students composed a short write-up about their topic. Students will next focus on note taking skills and will practice a number of different note taking techniques. These skills will serve students throughout all of their academic classes.
Later this week, students will examine the nonfiction text structure compare and contrast. Lessons will teach students to identify similarities and differences between related topics and record their findings using a graphic organizer. Students will then compare and contrast modern stories with stories found in their core text. Seventh graders will compare Phineas’ injury to the injuries of a young girl named Kirsten. Eighth grade students will compare the tragic tale of Emmett Till to the stories of other civil rights leaders and martyrs.
There is a homework packet due on Friday of this week. It will include activities related to academic vocabulary, identifying main ideas and supporting detail, and compare and contrast in nonfiction writing.
Math: Currently, 7th Grade Course 2 is wrapping up working with Integers and embarking on Operations with Rational Numbers. This unit includes looking at sets of rational numbers while performing operations of Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing.
Math: Course 3 - Pre-Algebra's focus is Rational and Irrational Numbers, estimating irrational numbers and making comparisons to rational numbers. While doing so, they will revisit Properties of Exponents and the operations associated with it.
Math: Algebra 1 continues to solve equations, complex, literal, and identify types of solutions with equality. Next steps will continue same format surrounding solutions of Inequalities.
SCIENCE
Tutor Tuesdays is every Tuesday from 2:20pm - 3:30pm...scientists are strongly encouraged to attend to receive help in science with homework and class work.
Homework Hotline: (475) 441-4196 ...parents/guardians and students may call or text with school related questions and concerns, or for help with science homework.
This week, 7th grade scientists are wrapping the unit on matter with elements, compounds, and mixtures. Scientists will be introduced to the cell. They will have the opportunity to use a microscope to take a closer look at cells from an onion, a leaf, a goldfish, and even their own skin cells!
Homework:
- Cells Interactive Project due Friday December 1, 2017 (Worth 50% of Final Grade for Quarter Two!!)
Eighth grade scientists are continuing with the principles of Newton’s Laws of Motion in relationship to the motion of a self made roller coaster. Scientists will also begin to apply their knowledge of Newton's Laws to the motion of the planets of our solar system.
Homework:
- Sun, Earth, Moon Interactive Project due Friday December 1, 2017 (Worth 50% of Final Grade for Quarter Two!!)
- Moon Observation Sheet due Monday December 18, 2017
Read 180: The seventh grade students are doing peer reviews of their literary analyses of "Louisa, Please Come Home" by Shirley Jackson. They will use peer reviews, teacher feedback, and a rating rubric to make final revisions on their writing. The final version is due this Friday, December 1, 2017. The eighth grade students are writing their first drafts of their analysis of "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe. They will engage in the peer review process upon completing their draft. The final version is due by next Friday, December 8, 2017. All students are also reading self-selected books which need to be finished by December 8th. Students must also complete a quiz on their independent reading book.
HOMEWORK GRADE: Students will use their library card and your email address to sign up for HooplaDigital.com for free. Your child may use this website to read eBooks of his/her choice at no cost to you. This is a great way to continue reading the same book at school and at home. There are also other book choices in case the same book is not available. Please monitor your child's use of the site because music and movies are also available. Finally, please make sure your child reads an interesting book of his/her choice at least 20 minutes nightly to improve reading skills.
Special Education: Students are progressing nicely on their IEP objectives as they spend time on Lexia reading strategies and complete various activities involving central idea and supporting details. We are learning new vocabulary and discovering several ways to use context clues to discern unfamiliar word meanings. Math facts are becoming automatic as well as we complete drills and receive well-deserved prizes for 100% accuracy. I hope you had a blessed thanksgiving with love ones and continue to be well as you prepare for the holidays!
Jen Ciarcia
Special Education
Music: 8th grade students continue to work on independent small group projects for the holiday concert. 7th grade students are doing a rhythm and rhyme project that involves free styling a children’s book over a beat. They have chosen books, next comes making beats in a DAW interface.
Grade 8 Art:
Artists will continue working on their color wheels, painting and creating meaningful backgrounds. Each class only meets once a week from 8:00-8:45. If a student is late or absent they can fall behind quickly. I am available Thursdays during their lunch and after school most days if they need to catch up. It is up to students to ask if they can come and work. As always, I will be sending progress reports home for students who are struggling in art. If you don't receive a progress report, I don't have any concerns at this time. Grades are often updated in PowerSchool. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
BAND
Parent of 7th- and 8th-grade students, please ask your child if he or she will be performing with the Wexler-Grant Band in our Winter Concert. Here’s an abbreviated roster listing student performers:
Clarinet: CF, MK, and TW
Saxophone: MK and SC
Trumpet: DV, JR, KB, LF, and ZC
Percussion: DM, DN, IJ, JH, JJ, and RS
Mrs. Prunzion and I are still in the process of scheduling this concert, and I will let you know as soon as we have a date and time!
Other Band students who are not preparing holiday selections for this concert are continuing to work hard in their Band classes to prepare for future performances and to develop their musicianship in general. Flute students have been working with Yale Teaching Artist Helen Park. Trumpet students have been learning their first 5 pitches/fingerings. Trombone students are developing their memorization of slide positions and applying them to interpreting written music. Percussion students are practicing rudiments (buzzes, paradiddles, and flams) – the basic building blocks of drumming. Please discuss these assignments with your scholar, and encourage him or her to practice at least 3 days a week, at least 15 minutes per practice session.
Thank you,
Jeff Jones
Teacher of Instrumental Music
Wexler-Grant Community School
Thank you for your continued support and ideas and for giving us the opportunity to work with your scholar. If you have any questions/comments/suggestions, please write back with your thoughts.