Written by: Mrs. Tice (8th Math Teacher)

As we kick off a new trimester, we are excited to continue building academic skills that will not only support students this year but also prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of high school. Each subject is diving into engaging content that encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and application to real-world scenarios. Here's a glimpse of what we’re working on:

8th Grade Math
Students in 8th-grade math are diving into the world of linear equations. They are learning how to represent relationships between quantities using equations, tables, and graphs. Through hands-on activities and problem-solving exercises, students are exploring slope, intercepts, and how to interpret these concepts in real-life contexts, such as understanding trends and making predictions.

English Language Arts

In English we are working on finding the main idea in informational texts and summarizing informational texts. Students have selected a topic to research and will be showcasing their summary of the topic through a slide show that is due on Friday the 13th.

Algebra
Our algebra students are wrapping up an exciting unit on linear systems and inequalities. They are analyzing systems of equations, determining solutions, and applying these skills to scenarios like budgeting or optimizing resources. As we conclude the unit, students are synthesizing their knowledge by working on multi-step problems that connect to broader applications, setting the stage for the next unit.

Social Studies
In social studies, students are diving into the Bill of Rights and exploring its relevance in their daily lives. By analyzing Supreme Court cases, they are connecting historical legal principles to their own rights and responsibilities in school. This unit encourages students to think critically about how constitutional rights shape their experiences and foster a sense of civic engagement.

Science

Students are working towards showcasing their understanding of the key properties of sound waves through a fun and creative performance! Working in small teams, they’ll design and present an interactive, entertaining demonstration to bring scientific principles like pitch, frequency, amplitude, and sound wave travel to life.

Written by: Ms. Birmingham (7th Grade Social Studies Teacher)

As the second trimester begins, we have opened the week with book clubs for our Literary Nonfiction Unit. Students have dipped their toes into the subtleties of reading nonfiction literature, seeking central ideas, themes, and issues expressed in the texts. Book clubs are a powerful way to gather insight and perspectives from peers on complex issues. They challenge us to hear others and see the world from their point of view. While we have only read the first few chapters of our novels, students are beginning to appreciate the lives that real people lived, during excruciating times, yet, were bold and courageous enough to move forward in attempts to make the world better. We look forward to leaning more into our novels and generating a better understanding of life, literature, and leadership. 

In Accelerated Math, we are continuing our unit on writing and solving equations. In the first section of the unit, students represent relationships of two quantities with tape diagrams and with equations, and explain correspondences between the two types of representations. In the second section of the unit, students solve equations of the forms px+q=r and p(x+q)=r, then solve problems that can be represented by such equations. There will be a test on this unit on Tuesday, December 17th. 

In 7th grade Math we are working on percentages. Students are learning about percent increase and decrease. We will end this unit by learning how to calculate tax, tip, commission, discounts and markups. We will have a test on this unit on Tuesday, December 17th. 

In Social Studies, all 7th graders will be typing their essay on the cocoa production in the Ivory Coast. The essential question is “Is chocolate good or bad for Côte d’Ivoire?” All final copies are due the following Friday, December 6th. This essay will be a summative assessment (which is worth 80% of their overall grade).

The 7th-grade Science class is starting a unit called, How do things inside our bodies work together to make us feel the way we do? as part of the OpenSciEd middle school science curriculum. This is a life science unit that builds science ideas around chemical reactions and human body systems. Specifically, students examine a real case study of a middle schooler struggling to keep food down. As students examine her symptoms, they piece together her unusual condition. Students investigate her symptoms through doctor’s notes and images of her digestive tract to wonder what could be the cause. As the unit progresses, students examine different body systems to explain how various structures interact in a healthy person. Then students draw out models to help argue and explain what could be the cause of the middle schooler's condition. As a life science unit, students will zoom in and out of different parts of the body to look at molecules, cells, and organs. Using different investigations, students will gather evidence to understand better the complex processes that keep our bodies nourished and running. In the end, students will have a better explanation of how our food fuels our growth and development.

Written by:  Mrs. Kroeger (6th Grade ELA Teacher) & the 6th Grade Teachers

Welcome to Trimester 2!  The 6th graders are diving into a lot of new and exciting units in their classes.  Below is a description of each so you can get an idea of what they are working on!

ELA: We are starting our Social Issues Book Club Unit this week!  Each student picked a novel and will be practicing various reading strategies throughout the unit.  We will also continue learning new Greek/Latin roots and 10 vocabulary/spelling words every 2 weeks.  They will have a quiz every Friday. 

Social Studies: This week, the 6th grade scholars will learn the six essential elements (G.R.A.P.E.S.) of a civilized society. With this information, the scholars will learn how the early humans of our world developed their civilizations. 

Science (Timolien): Your child’s 6th-grade science class is starting a unit called, Why does a lot of hail, rain, or snowfall at some times and not others? as part of the OpenSciEd middle school science curriculum. This unit develops science ideas about weather, climate, and water cycling. During the unit, your child will conduct investigations where they analyze data to draw models to help explain a sudden hailstorm and a large midwestern winter storm in the United States.

Students will also begin working on their whole group science fair projects to learn design process skills. This year, students are focused on learning about bacteria growth in locations around our school building. Students will work together to gather relevant information, develop criteria and constraints, swab surfaces, and make sense of their data.

Science (Young):  We’re nearing the end of our Thermal Energy unit in science! Over the next two days, students will receive a study guide and participate in a fun review game to help them prepare. Our unit test is scheduled for next week on Thursday and Friday.

Sixth grade Math wraps up our unit on Unit Rates and Percents with a test on Friday, December 6.  On Monday we jump over to Unit 5, in which students will add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals.  To support this work, we continue to practice the multi-digit multiplication and division algorithms.  Math homework has changed from EdPuzzles to Khan Academy.  Khan Academy is an online program that offers videos, practice questions, and quizzes on the content we are covering.  Students receive immediate feedback on their work, and are encouraged to retry concepts until they become proficient.  Questions on your student's math?  Please contact their math teacher, Mr. Wesson or Ms. Kornitz.

Written by: Ms. Rias (5th Grade Math Teacher) & Ms. O'Connor (5th Grade ELA Teacher)

Math- In Math we are about ¾ of the through our fractions unit. We are now working on using a ratio table as a way to add and subtract fractions. We are planning on taking our unit test by the end of next week. 

Social Studies- Students have been planning a “road trip” by researching different states and creating a Google slide based on their findings. They had to learn more about different attractions in each state that they would like to visit. 

Reading- Students are reading nonfiction. They have picked a topic that they want to learn about. The week of December 16th students will be responsible for teaching the class about the topic they researched. 

Writing- Students have continued to write and revise memoirs that include a lesson or a realization from experiences in their lives 

 Written by: Mr. Kaufmann (PE Teacher)

Dear Glen Hills families, 

Students have started their roller skating units. Students may bring their personal helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, and wrist guards. The school will also provide safety equipment for students who would like to use it. For 4th grade, wrist guards are required. 

Reminders: Please help to remind your students to bring PE clothes and shoes for class. For indoor units we recommend shorts, t- shirt, closed toed athletic shoes.