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WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY!
Math Corner
Math Corner
April has been a very busy month getting in our final 2 units of Statistics and Geometry. After we finished our last unit, we took a couple of days to review for the upcoming EOC and EOG tests. Proud of everyone and their hard work reviewing for these tests! It all paid off as everyone passed the EOC!
English Corner
English Corner
We've been pushing toward the finish line English class this month! We have wrapped up our reading of Fahrenheit 451 this week with our final Literary Circle discussion of the novel, exploring themes of censorship, power, and the effects of technology on culture. Additionally, we've been analyzing poetic techniques and preparing for the Milestones. This upcoming Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, students will be taking their 8th Grade ELA Milestone, and I look forward to seeing students showing what they know!
Students are also in the midst of preparing their Final Portfolio for ELC I. This project serves as their Final Exam grade for my class and gives the students an opportunity to reflect on a variety of topics. They will reflect on their year as a whole. They will reflect on the strengths in their writing, as well as areas for growth. And they will reflect on how their writing (as well as perhaps they as people) have grown over their time at DVA.
Ga. Studies Corner
Ga. Studies Corner
This month was such a fun experience for our students! Getting to learn about Juvenile Justice, and how our local government functions really opened the eyes of our students. But of course, the most fun we had was with the Mock Trial! As I explained in my announcement, the case we were covering was "The State of North Carolina v. Drew DeLaney! A student at track practice was forced to run drills until they dropped, and London Abbott would not be getting back up. Who is at fault, the coach, the student, or the medication?" Our students spent days researching the details of this case, the witnesses involved, and the way our judicial system is meant to function. With a total of three not guilty verdicts, and one guilty, we really saw just how the outcome of any case is in the hands of the jurors and jury committee, the lawyers, the witnesses, and the judge and bailiff. Fantastic work to everyone involved!
HS Physical Science Corner
HS Physical Science Corner
March ended and April began with Unit #8: Solubility and Acids and Bases. We kicked off the unit with a fun 2-part lab. The first lab had them tasting different Kool-Aids to determine (and then model) the concentration of the sugar. And then they got to plan and carry out experiments to determine the 3 factors used to increase the rate of solubility of a solute in a solvent: agitation, surface area and temperature.
The fun and learning continued with learning how to read and interpret Solubility curves and some Acids/Bases Gizmos labs/activities to understand that concept and how it fits in with solutions! This included testing pH with litmus paper and using simulators to test pH.
In the next few weeks, students will write their final reflection for their portfolio, and research for and participate in their last Socratic Discussion! After that, we will all enjoy 8th grade Day, Q4 Unit Celebration, DVA Field Day and SHMS Field Day together!
How you can help your student at home: Talk to them about our Socractic Discussion topic of chemicals in our household substances (food, water, medicines, cleaning supplies, etc.) and how regulations could be changed and if they could be potentially affecting our physical and/or mental health. Also talk to them about the whole year in physical science and what they learned - this will help on the EOG as well as writing their final reflection for their portfolio.
Acids/Bases pH Lab
Acids/Bases pH Lab
This lab is often the students' favorite lab of the year! They get to wear goggles, aprons, and use pipets to fill well plates. And then they used universal indicator and cabbage juice to see the substances change colors! They also got to use litmus paper and universal hydron paper. It was a neat lab to show different ways to test the pH of 12 different household substances! And several of these they could do at home as well - especially the cabbage juice!
Team Games Tourament
Team Games Tourament
Like all classes, we have been working hard to prepare for the final and the Milestones as we are here at the end of the year. The final was held on Monday 4/27 and I'm so incredibly proud of how hard each student worked to prepare and do their best on the assessment! Those converted grades were entered into the gradebook last Friday! The GA Milestones assessment will be held on Thursday 5/7. I will enter those grade into the gradebook as a "no weight" category once we get the results. One of the ways we prepared was through a fun 2-day game of Team Games Tournament! The students can tell you all about earning points for their team by competing against their group!
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
Exciting things will be coming up as we wind down the school year! Some dates to have handy on your calendar:
Testing Dates:
Science Final Exam: Mon April 27 (20% of your grade in HSPS)
Algebra EOC: Wed April 29 (20% of your grade in Algebra)
8th Math EOG: Thurs-Fri April 30 - May 1
8th ELA EOG: Mon-Wed May 4-6
High School Physical Science EOG: Thurs May 7
Georgia Studies EOG: Fri May 8
8th grade dance: Friday May 8, from 4-6 pm - turn in permission forms and money to Coach Greene
8th grade graduation ceremony: Monday May 11 - 6:00 pm at the SHMS gym. Students report at 5:30.
8th grade day and Talent Show: Friday May 15th
Q4 Unit Celebration: Freedom and Responsibility: Monday May 18th - Georgia Feast and TKAM movie
DVA Field Day: Tuesday May 19, in the morning - Cherokee Bluffs Park. Link to sign up to volunteer. There are still a few slots available!
SHMS Field Day: Wednesday May 20
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