DATA 8th Grade Newsletter

Week 30: March. 31 - April 4

Please check the newsletter homepage for Important Information and Dates!

ELAR

"Sometimes the most brilliant and intelligent students do not shine in standardized tests because they do not have standardized minds."

- Diane Ravitch, public education activist and research professor at New York University

We are in full-blown STAAR review mode ... we will examine informational texts this week, reviewing various text structures and understanding author's purpose. We will also evaluate short-constructed responses - students will attempt to score responses based on the STAAR rubric.

The 8th grade STAAR Reading Language Arts test is Tuesday, April 8th.

-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

"Eschew unnecessary obfuscation."

- Anonymous

The Mathematics STAAR tests are all on Tuesday, April 22.

Algebra 1: On Thursday, March 27 we had our Unit 7 test. We're entering the home stretch with Unit 8 (Solving Quadratic Equations), for which we've laid considerable foundation over the last two units. Peppered throughout we will fit in review activities for the Algebra 1 End of Course test. Our goal is "Meets and Masters"!

Geometry: On Thursday, March 27 we completed the Unit 8 (Circles) test. Unit 9 (Volume adn Surface Area) strongly overlaps topics from 8th grade math, which will dovetail nicely with preparation for the Grade 8 Math STAAR that the Geometry class is taking. Our goal is Mastery level scores, since it's a re-do of a test these students already passed in 6th grade!

After STAAR we'll focus away from direct skill-building, with more open-ended activities and a look toward next year's class.

-Dr. Koepp

Tutoring: I have a regularly-scheduled tutorial time from 3:45 to 4:30 on Mondays 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.

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. We will cover a different concept each day.

We have identified specific areas of need for each student. The TEKS that are most tested and that students struggled with are being retaught these next few days leading up to the STAAR test. 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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Last Unit!!

Students will be learning about the Civil War and Reconstruction this unit. Students will received their vocab homework last Monday. Their vocab quiz will be Friday, March 28th.

Students will take their Unit 8 test on Thursday, April 3rd. (The test was pushed forward a day, I need to be out on April 2nd.)

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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 diving into theories of print production, layout design, master copies, and file conversions. Using Publisher, they will create an 18" x 24" poster on a research topic of their choice. This week they will present their findings.

Video Game Design: Students will learn rigging to animate characters and objects and develop 3D modeling skills for their video game projects. By the end of the unit, they will have a strong foundation in game development for advanced design and programming. Their first introduction to UnReal Engine will be to learn how to use BluePrints.

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 created their 8 x 24 tiny homes and will be finishing up the landscape architecture next week. They will also be creating thier presentation posters for their projects next week so they can begin working on the capstone.

Digital Media 2:

Web design is well under way. We have covered a lot of things with css and have finished up learning about the box model. All future monthly design principles will be web pages. Speaking of which, April is going to be Harmony. What in the world will I be calling that month?! Yes, I'm taking suggestions.

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

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