This week in Social Studies we are investigating New York’s natural resources. Along with studying about our state’s resources and we are thinking of ways we can help conserve them. Students are also using their creativity to make a project using only natural resources from their environment that they will present in class.
Miss Laforest
This week in Math we are studying division, factors, and prime/composite numbers. We are introducing these areas in a hands on way. Using tile manipulatives and linear pieces we are creating what we are learning about visually. Using this approach students are able to “see” what division really means, why some numbers are factors and others aren’t, and what makes a prime number prime.
Miss Laforest
This month in Science we are studying why matter matters. Through various labs we are exploring the solids, liquids and gases around us. This week we experimented with surface tension- the “skin” that forms on the top of water when the molecules bind together; and how this occurrence allows some bugs to skate across water.
Miss Laforest
Students continued reading and working in their SRA Reading booklets. They used strategies such as reading the comprehension questions first before reading the story; they also used context clues to figure out word meanings. The goal was for each student to complete two stories at their personal, reading ability level. At the end of the week, students took a quiz on main idea and context clues.
Mrs. Foster
This week, students received a new set of ten, SAT vocabulary words and definitions. By using the context and definitions, students completed sentences with these ten words. Students also reviewed prepositional phrases and their use in context by completing a few pages in their “Easy Grammar” workbooks. Finally, students created a drawing and labeled it to show relationship most prepositions express toward a noun. Students will vote on the winners of the best drawings!
Mrs. Foster
This week, students practiced spelling and SAT vocabulary words to get ready for the quiz. We learned and practiced hand/body motions to make the vocabulary words “come alive” and easier to understand. Students also reviewed prepositional phrases and their use in context by completing a few pages in their “Easy Grammar” workbooks. Finally, students created a drawing and labeled it to show relationship most prepositions express toward a noun. Students will vote on the winners of the best drawings!
Mrs. Foster
This week, all middle school students learned how to use the SRA Reading Kits, which contain numerous short stories or articles categorized according to ability level. (There is a Kit for each grade.) Students had the opportunity to select a story/article of their choice. They read it and answered comprehension and word study questions. Finally, students used the answer key cards to self-grade. The goal was for each student to complete two stories at their personal, reading ability level.
Mrs. Foster
Eighth graders practiced using the 10 SAT Vocabulary words in their own sentences. Students also orally presented their “Shoebox Speeches.” Each student presented 10 items that were unlike them in some way. They had to explain why each item didn’t represent them. Students were graded on volume, clarity, eye contact, length of time (2-3 minutes), and content (explanations).
Mrs. Foster
Seventh graders practiced using the 10 SAT Vocabulary words in their own sentences. Students also orally presented their “Shoebox Speeches.” Each student showed 10 items and explained the personal importance of the item. Students were graded on volume, clarity, eye contact, length of time (2-3 minutes), and content (reasons).
Mrs. Foster
Grammar: Last year 5E sang their prepositions. This year 5E will rock the verbs with our new hit “Verbs will, verbs will, rock you.” It goes to the beat of the song we will rock you and sings like this – Helping verbs in your face. You learn them with grace. You see them in grammar all over the place.
Mrs. Emestica