December
Issue 2016
Arbutus Middle School ~
6th Grade News
Eagle
Update
All 6th grade students should be bringing their school issued device to school daily
fully charged. Students should not be writing on the device or the bag since this is
Baltimore County Public School property. We have discussed the importance of
being responsible with the devices both in how they use them and where they
store them. Please remind your child that their device should be taken to every
academic class daily and they should take them to special area classes when
requested. Devices should never be in the cafeteria or left in the hall.
Language Arts
As part of the unit, Making Cultural
Connections, Reading Research students
will research artifacts of a particular
culture in order to create a “museum” to
showcase the five artifacts that best
reflect that culture. In order to prepare
for this assignment, students will be
learning about the elements that make
up culture and looking at specific aspects
of these elements in other cultures.
Students in Reading Foundations class
continue to work on i-Ready lessons as
well as other lessons to improve their
phonics, fluency, and comprehension
skills.
Foreign Language
Reading
GT English students are critically reading and analyzing THE GIVER. Discussions utilizing higher-level
questioning will be done through Socratic seminars and small-groups. Students are becoming familiar with
terminology related to arguments as they will ultimately be writing an argument essay about heroes. Further
work on grammar concepts as well as on improving sentence structure will be completed. Standard English
students are reading and discussing THE CAY and through first person narration will identify character traits
of Phillip with supporting text references. Students are also identifying quotes that represent the themes of
relationship and/or survival so that they may apply them to an argument essay. Grammar concepts include
identification of simple subject and simple predicate.
Students in Chinese are working on Unit 2,
which is all about the school. We just finished
up learning about numbers and will soon move
on to describing our classes and teachers. They
will be completing a project for Unit 2 instead of
their IPA test. Please make sure your student is
always studying by making flashcards,
pronouncing words out loud or writing
sentences. Please be sure to ask your student
about their One Note assignments which can be
found on their device. They will have 5 One
Note assignments due at the end of the quarter.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
All students in Spanish are learning about Family
vocabulary and how to describe friends, family
members and pets. They are using previous
vocabulary to say how old people are and when
their B-days are as well. They will create a photo
album to show their classmates their families.
Mathematics
World History
Science
Does your child sometimes have trouble with their math homework? If you answered yes to this, please
encourage your child to take advantage of all the resources their online textbook has to offer.
Math 6 – The textbook for this course is completely digital. Students have access to the book through BCPS
One – Digital Content – HMH (Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt). One version of the book is a pdf file of the book. If
internet access is an issue at home, this pdf file can be downloaded for your child to use on the desktop of
their computer. HMH also provides your child with an interactive edition which starts each lesson with a
video and then shows the students step by step how to work through the examples. The lesson then provides
the students the opportunity to work through problems themselves with feedback from the computer using
the Personal Math Trainer. If at any time your child needs to have a teacher explain the steps another way,
students can view the Math On The Spot videos. The interactive version also comes with a tool box of
manipulatives such as integer tiles, fraction tiles, algebra tiles, and a graphing calculator. The multi-lingual
glossary offers definitions in 13 languages.
GT Math 6 – While this course provides a hardcover book for students to use at school and at home, the
online version of the textbook includes instructional videos for every lesson. By selecting the “Show Me
More” button at the top of the lesson page, students can access the instructional videos.
http://ucsmpmath.com
Sixth grade science classes are exploring
the physics world and Isaac Newton’s 3
Laws. Topics covered include motion,
Students in 6th grade World History are knee
speed, acceleration and force.
deep in Unit 2: Ancient Civilizations. We have
The theme throughout the unit is
already examined the geography, religions,
helmets, as students will be designing
governments, art, innovations, and culture of
and constructing helmets (to
the Ancient Mesopotamians and Ancient
accommodate a large plastic egg) in
Egyptians. We now heroically embark on our
order to model sport-specific collisions,
investigation of the Ancient civilizations of the
as well as designing the test apparatus
Indus River Valley. Anything is possible when
to model those collisions.
knowledge acquisition is your goal. Onward and
NorthBay News:
upward on our mental flight through the ages!
•
Scholarship Application for
students on FARMs is due 1/20.
•
Chaperone forms are due 1/31.
Contact [email protected] for
background check packet. We still need
chaperones, and they go FREE!
Look for permission slips to come home
in mid-January with first payment of
$130 due on 2/9. NO LATE PAYMENTS
ACCEPTED
Special Area Updates
The School Counselors, Ms. Edwards and Ms. Gardner, recently conducted classroom lessons in the 6th grade
classes. Students learned how to access their counselors, make appointments as well as recognize
appropriate reasons to visit their school counselors. Students were also introduced to Naviance, a college
and career ready program used by all Baltimore County middle and high school students. They learned how
to access Naviance and also completed a Needs Assessment letting the counselors know about issues they
thought were important. Please feel free to contact us if we can be of help to you or your student!
Taylor Edwards-grade 6 (last names L-Z)
Kathy Gardner-grade 6 (last names A-K)
Art
Sixth graders are currently working on designing their own hybrid Alebrije animals. They learned about
Mexican folk artist Pedro Linares, who invented the mixed-up creatures. Using online resources, they
designed their own creatures and found reference images to draw from observation. Then, they decorated
the dreamlike animals with patterns in different color schemes such as warm, cool, and complementary.
6th grade Physical Education and Health:
6th grade is participating in the Wellness and Stress Management Unit in Health class. Students need to have
a folder for class and bring their devices and a pencil every day.
7th Grade News
World Languages
Chinese 1
Students are working on Unit 2, which is all about the school. We just finished up learning about numbers and
will soon move on to describing our classes and teachers. They will be completing a project for Unit 2 instead
of their IPA test. Please make sure your student is always studying by making flashcards, pronouncing words
out loud or writing sentences.
Chinese 2
Students are about to finish up Unit 2, which is all about their vacation. Students learned about how to describe
what they did on vacation, where they went, how they felt, what they did, who they went with as well as the
weather. Students will be completing a project for Unit 2 instead of their IPA test. Please make sure your
student is always studying by making flashcards, pronouncing words out loud or writing sentences.
Spanish I
All Spanish 1 students are learning about Family vocabulary and how to describe friends, family members and
pets. They are using previous vocabulary to say how old people are and when their B-days are as well. They
will create a photo album to show their classmates their families.
Mathematics
Pre-Algebra 7
The textbook for this course is completely digital. Students have access to the book through BCPS One –
Digital Content – HMH (Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt). One version of the book is a pdf file of the book. If
internet access is an issue at home, this pdf file can be downloaded for your child to use on the desktop of their
computer. HMH also provides your child with an interactive edition. The interactive edition starts each lesson
with a video and then shows the students step by step how to work through the examples. The lesson then
provides the students the opportunity to work through problems themselves with feedback from the computer
using the Personal Math Trainer. If at any time your child needs to have a teacher explain the steps another
way, students can view the Math On The Spot videos. The interactive version also comes with a tool box of
manipulatives such as integer tiles, fraction tiles, algebra tiles, and a graphing calculator. The multi-lingual
glossary offers definitions in 13 languages.
GT Algebra I
While this course provides a hardcover book for students to use at school and at home, the online version of the
textbook provides many additional resources. Students have access to the book through BCPS One – Digital
Content – HMH (Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt). HMH provides your child with an interactive edition. The
interactive edition starts each lesson with a video and then shows the students step by step how to work
through the examples. The lesson then provides the students the opportunity to work through problems
themselves with feedback. If at any time your child needs to have a teacher explain the steps another way, the
students can select to view the Dr. Burger videos. The interactive version also comes with a tool box of
manipulatives such as algebra tiles and a graphing calculator. The multi-lingual glossary offers definitions in
13 languages.
Language Arts
Standard
During the first unit of study, Choosing to Appreciate Diversity, students have been reading Outcasts United
by Warren St. John. Students have been analyzing choices and determining the long-term effects of those
decisions through written composition and rich whole group and small group discussion. While reading
Outcasts United, students have learned about refugees and the turmoil experienced by refugees in the United
States, as well as the entire world.
GT
During the first unit of study, Choosing to Find Inspiration from History, students have just finished the nonfiction text, An American Plague, about the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. Students have recently started the
historical fiction novel, Fever 1793, which portrays the same historical event as An American Plague. Students
will compare how the fiction and non-fiction texts portray the same event in history.
World Cultures
th
In the last month, 7 grade World Cultures, students analyzed the elements of African folktales and applied
these elements to their own creative folktales. Students also examined the standard of living in African
countries, compared the standard of living in these countries to the U.S. and determined the best economic
development strategies to improve the standard of living in African counties. In the beginning of December,
students will review apartheid, African traditions and economics in Africa to prepare for their Africa unit test.
In the middle and end of December, students will begin the Middle East unit by determining the common
geographic characteristics among Middle East region and the religions that started in the Middle East.
Science
Standard
Standard will be moving into the anatomy of humans and other animals as well as completing the Zoo Exhibit
project where the students will construct an exhibit for different animals and spend a day at the class “zoo.”
The next unit is the changes over time where students will learn about how organisms have changed
dramatically over many thousands of years.
GT
GT will be exploring the effects of different diseases on the human body and how the human body defends
itself against them. The next unit will be the physics of waves, where the students will have many opportunities
for hands on labs. The big project for that unit is the laser light reflection lab where students will need to map
out the correct reflection of the laser in order to hit a target.
Specials
Physical Education and Health:
7th grade is participating in the Growing with Family and Friends Unit in Health class. Students need to have a folder for
class and bring a pencil every day.
Art
7th grade art students are currently working on their interior design drawings. They learned 1-point perspective drawing
techniques and are using them to make rooms with the illusion of 3D space. Adding color and patterns will add mood
and personality to their dream rooms. The next unit will focus on abstract architecture inspired by Frank Ghery.
Arbutus Middle School ~ 8th Grade News
Chick-fil-A calendars still available! $7 each. Send your order in to the front office!
This month in Language Arts, students
are studying the techniques authors use to
create emotion in readers. We will start
off with the lighter side of things by
exploring William Shakespeare's 'A
Midsummer Night's Dream' before
moving into the more negative emotional
spectrum of Edgar Allan Poe's moody
masterpieces. In GT, students will then
be allowed to choose whether to continue
exploring comedy in 'The Princess Bride'
or explore suspense in 'Dracula'.
Standard students will all work together
on the same novel 'Walk Two Moons,' a
book that blends both sides of the
emotional spectrum and asks students to
solve several mysteries in order to
discover the truth behind the main
character's back-story.
Foreign Language
Language Arts
Grade 8 Update
Mathematics
In GT Geometry, students are applying their critical thinking skills by completing proofs. These proofs
require students to have a strong understanding of what theorems, definitions, and postulates tell us and how
they connect to others. Our next unit will be exploring angles formed by parallel lines being cut by a
transversal. Algebra 1 students are exploring linear functions by learning how to write equations of lines and
graph them. Students are able to identify the slope and y-intercept of linear equations when given in slopeintercept form. They also use solving equations techniques in order to transform equations into slope-intercept
form to then graph them. Math 8 students are graphing linear equations using slope-intercept form.
Other
News
American History
Science
Students in Science are beginning
their Chemistry Unit. Student will be
exploring matter, molecular motion, and
physical and chemical changes. There
will be lots of hands on experiences this
unit. This unit will be the foundation of
many concepts that students will explore
further in high school chemistry.
History Comes to Life!
After our exciting and exhaustive
examination of the American Revolution,
our classes our now focusing on the start of
the new nation. Who would be in charge?
How could they avoid having another King
George? We will take a closer look at the
compromises made at the Constitutional
Convention and how the Constitution and
Bill of Rights continue to impact our daily
lives.
Be on the lookout as we examine the first 3
presidents and how their actions shaped the
actions of future presidents!
Does your child sometimes have trouble with their math homework? If you answered yes to this, please
encourage your child to take advantage of all the resources their online textbook has to offer.
Math 8 – While this course provides a paperback book for students to use at school and at home this
year, the online version of the textbook provides many additional resources. Students have access to
the book through BCPS One – Digital Content – HMH (Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt). One version of the
book is a pdf file of the book. HMH also provides your child with an interactive edition. The interactive
edition starts each lesson with a video and then shows the students step by step how to work through
the examples. The lesson then provides the students the opportunity to work through problems
themselves with feedback from the computer using the Personal Math Trainer. If at any time your child
needs to have a teacher explain the steps another way, students can view the Math On The Spot
videos. The interactive version also comes with a tool box of manipulatives such as integer tiles,
fraction tiles, algebra tiles, and a graphing calculator. The multi-lingual glossary offers definitions in 13
languages.
Algebra I – While this course provides a hardcover book for students to use at school and at home,
the online version of the textbook provides many additional resources. Students have access to the
book through BCPS One – Digital Content – HMH (Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt). HMH provides your child
with an interactive edition. The interactive edition starts each lesson with a video and then shows the
students step by step how to work through the examples. The lesson then provides the students the
opportunity to work through problems themselves with feedback. If at any time your child needs to
have a teacher explain the steps another way, the students can select to view the Dr. Burger videos.
The interactive version also comes with a tool box of manipulatives such as algebra tiles and a graphing
calculator. The multi-lingual glossary offers definitions in 13 languages.
GT Geometry – While this course provides a hardcover book for students to use at school and at
home, the online version of the textbook provides many additional resources. Students have access to
the book through BCPS One – Digital Content – HMH (Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt). If at any time your
child needs to have a teacher explain the lesson, students can select to view the Professor Burger
videos. The online version also comes with a tool box of manipulatives such as algebra tiles and a
graphing calculator. The multi-lingual glossary offers definitions in 13 languages. The online version
also provides students with interactive Practice Tests.
8th grade Physical Education and Health:
8th grade is participating in the Drug Awareness Unit in Health class. Students need to have a folder for
class and bring a pencil every day.