DATA 8th Grade Newsletter

Week 33: April 21 - 25

Please check the newsletter homepage for Important Information and Dates!

ELAR

"Please believe that one single positive dream is more important than a thousand negative realities."

- Adeline Yen Mah, author of Chinese Cinderella

We took a detour last week, given that we had a Friday holiday and two days of STAAR testing ... we worked on four-year plans for high school. You will have received an email from me that explains what we did during this process.

This coming week, we will start reading a new novel (genre: memoir) called Chinese Cinderella: A True Story of an Unwanted Daughter written by Adeline Yen Mah. Students should expect our reading of the novel to be "interrupted" with study guide questions and other school events taking place (fields trips mostly). Students are expected to keep up with the work on their end when they miss class for any reason - grades are still being earned, and we want everyone to finisht the year strong!

-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 am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it."

- Thomas Jefferson

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

In the week before our big state tests, math classes have spent all of the available time on reviewing for the test. Geometry students have had to go back and refresh their memories of what they did in math 2 years ago. Algebra has had a mix of targeted review to heavily-tested topics and work on STAAR release tests. Both classes have a release STAAR from 2019 in Aware to assess their personal readiness and address weaker areas. I've posted a variety of resources on Google Classroom. Due to other STAAR tests, periods 1-4 only had 2 days to meet. Ugh!

We are unlucky in that the math STAAR tests follow a holiday weekend. I've encouraged all students to try hard to squeeze in whatever prep time they can, spending at least some time every day on math. We'll address student concerns and focus on some last strategies on Monday April 21, testing the following day. The big determiner now is students' effort.

-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.

Students have completed their Science STAAR test! There is no doubt in my mind that each one did their best! They worked hard up to this point and I am proud of each one of them.

Over the next few days we will begin a research project. Students will select a scientist to research, explore their life, discoveries, and their impact on the world. I will give students a rubric along with a timeline of expectations. I will do periodic checks in class for daily grades and the overall project will be a project grade. As part of the project, each student will create and bring in a model representing a key invention, concept, or contribution made by their chosen scientist. The activity will combine research and creativity to deepen their understanding of science and its real-world applications. Once complete, students will present their research to the class.

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!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We are in the homestretch!

Students are hard at work on their capstone project. Students are using all they learned in class this year to make a children's book. The book is an A to Z book about Early American history. Their book is due May 16th. We are in the drafting stage this week - we will start our final version next week.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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 taking their logos they created and will incorporate them into their print production products. The first one they will tackle is their business card.

Video Game Design: Students will be creating their next Kodu video game lab by designing a new interactive game environment that includes creative terrain, characters, and programmed objectives. They will build on their previous knowledge of visual coding to develop unique gameplay elements, apply logic using the "WHEN" and "DO" commands, and showcase their understanding of game design principles through engaging challenges and goals.

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

Architecture & Digital Media 2:

From this point forward, both of my classes are on the same track. Both classes have a capstone project where they will be showing off the skills they have acquired while in DATA. They will also be working on a portfolio which will count as their final exam.

Capstone:

Capstone projects will have several checkpoints following the design process until the due date. These checkpoints will be graded and will allow us to track progress.

Final Capstone projects are due May 14th.

Final Exam:

The final exam portfolios are due May 16th.

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

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