DATA 8th Grade Newsletter

Week 27: March. 3 - 7

Please check the newsletter homepage for Important Information and Dates!

ELAR

"A piece of writing is only worth doing if you're a different person at the end of the process than you were at the beginning."

- Brian Morton, American writer

We've spent the last THREE weeks diligently working through a formal writing process for one argumentative essay ... and we finally reach the end of the writing process this week! Students will be typing their final copies for the official phase of "publishing".

Earlier finishers will enjoy some "light" entertaining reading, OR they may choose to engage in grammar practice through Quill ... a little practice with grammar never hurt anyone. 😉

-Mrs. Burciaga

Tutoring

Tuesdays - after school until 4:30

Thursdays - before school beginning at 7:45*

Lunch tutoring available by appointment*

*Requires a pass - see Mrs. Burciaga

Questions or concerns?

Email me: jburci@neisd.net

MATH

"I heave the basketball; I know it sails in a parabola, exhibiting perfect symmetry, which is interrupted by the basket. It's funny, but it is always interrupted by the basket."

--Michael Jordan

Algebra 1: Unit 7 is underway, starting with a workhorse tool, factoring quadratic polynomials. This week's quote is particularly appropriate to the topic, as this begins our study of the algebra of parabolas. I'm looking at student performance data on MAP, the STAAR Interim, and recent classwork and exams as I put together a plan for interventions in support of grades and STAAR preparation. Stay tuned!

Geometry: It's all about circles now, a close relative of parabolas in the family of conic sections. Our initial investigations have concerned inscribed and central angles, and the conditions a polygon needs to satisfy in order to be inscribed inside a circle. Soon I'll make a couple of release 8th grade STAAR tests available for students to assess their preparedness for that test, but all indicators this year predict they'll do well without breaking a sweat, on a 2nd visit to a test they all passed in 6th grade. I don't anticipate significant class time going to STAAR preparation--the Geometry course and preparing for Algebra 2 next year are the priorities unless something indicates otherwise.

-Dr. Koepp

Tutoring: I have a regularly-scheduled tutorial time from 3:45 to 4:30 on Mondays (new) and Thursdays. I also work with students by appointment--just email me at wkoepp@neisd.net and we'll find a time that works for your student!

SCIENCE

EXPERIMENT. FAIL. LEARN. REPEAT.

This week we will begin our STAAR Review. The STAAR Science Review will focus on key concepts and skills necessary for success on the STAAR test. Students will review the four major categories covered on the exam, including matter and energy, force and motion, Earth and space, and organisms and environments. Activities will include targeted instruction, hands-on activities, and practice questions to reinforce understanding.

We will spend each day reviewing material from 6th-8th grade. Each day will encompass a different concept.

We have identified specific areas of need for each student. The goal is to strengthen scientific knowledge, improve critical thinking, and build confidence in test-taking strategies.

Tutoring is offered on Tuesdays; students can attend from 3:45-4:15.

Students are also welcomed to set up an appointment for a different time, if needed.

If you have any questions, you may email me at egonza10@neisd.net.

U.S. History through 1877

We are Living History!

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Students are working on creating scrapbooks to summarize and reinforce their learning of Reform movements. By the way, did you know that abolitionists would compile news articles into scrapbooks and to preserve and distribute news about abolition? Anyway, their scrapbooks are due Wednesday, March 5th.

Students will take their Unit 6 Test on March 6th, the Thursday before Spring Break. If your family is blessed enough to be going on Spring Break early, I would love to know so that I may have your child take their Unit Assessment before they leave to enjoy their break.

🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️

Tutoring is available Thursdays, 7:45-8:20 am and 3:45-4:15

You can reach me at lvanho@neisd.net

Have a wonderful week!

-Ms. Van Horn

Mrs. Malin's Classes

Greetings DATA Families!
Have a great week!
PLEASE REVIEW WITH YOUR CHILD THE NEISD AND CAMPUS GUIDELINES REGARDING TECHNOLOGY USE, ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY, AND THEIR SAFETY. YOU CAN ACCESS THIS VIA: https://www.neisd.net/Page/10011

Veni, Creavi, Vici. I came. I created. I conquered.

Hello to Our DATA Families!

Graphic Design & Illustration I: Students are continuing to refine their second animation project. They are making edits to a mainframe and building from there. Next week is the last day of the nine weeks. Students are being tested over the techniques they have learned in animation. They will have a written assessment to capture this learning.

Video Game Design: Students are finalizing their Minecraft projects and will be assessed with their projects with a writing assessment to wrap the nine weeks.
About Me: My name is Elizabeth Fuentes Malin. I am a technology applications teacher and have been teaching for sixteen years. I am married with one child who is now at DATA with us! I attended OLLU, UIW, Lamar University, and now UNT. I hold degrees in English, Communication Arts, Administration, Educational Technology Leadership, and now am working on my doctorates in Learning Technologies and Machine Learning.

My email is emalin@neisd.net

Tutoring is by appointment only

Mr. Lovett's Classes

Principles of Architecture:

Architecture students have done a great job creating their landscape architecture projects. This week they will begin creating a color board to showcase their designs. This is the final week of the grading period; therefore, it is imperative that all missing work gets turned in before Friday so I have time to get .

Digital Media 2:

Web design is well under way. Next week we will learn a few introductory principles of basic CSS. This is the final week of the grading period; therefore, it is imperative that all missing work gets turned in before Friday so I have time to get .

If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send me an email.

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