DATA 8th Grade Newsletter

Week 6: Sept 16 - 20

Please check the newsletter homepage for Important Information and Dates!

The BIG Give

The Big Give is in full swing! This year we are asking for help funding our field trips! Donating to the fundraiser helps bridge financial gaps, covering field trip costs so no student is left out. It supports student learning by providing access to enriching experiences, fosters community involvement, and ensures every student can explore and grow beyond the classroom. Please consider donating using the link!

ELAR

"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."

- Aldous Huxley

As a kickoff to the informational unit, students performed a quick review of text structures via a Kahoot late last week, and this week takes us headfirst into a study of the Holocaust. All classes will start by reading a speech by Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor and novelist who won the Nobel Peace Prize.

From there:

Honors will study text features related to a small set of articles about the Holocaust. Students will then read the novel Night and use study guide questions, along with class discussions, to deepen their understanding.

GT will begin reading the novel Night - students will study the novel using journal-style entries to generate personal examinations and connections to the text, and we will spend time as a whole-group studying several essential questions related to timelines, author's purpose, and reflections.

-Mrs. Burciaga

Tutoring

Tuesday after school, 3:45 - 4:15

Thursday before school, 7:45 - 8:15

Lunch tutoring is available upon request

Questions or concerns? Feel free to email me: jburci@neisd.net

MATH

There is geometry in the humming of the strings, there is music in the spacing of the spheres. — Pythagoras

The first unit of instruction is pretty much done in 8th grade math, except interventions with students who struggled. My emphasis will be on identifying and building the work habits that foster math success--starting assignments immediately, asking for help as soon as struggles develop, and working on math a little every day. It's a lot like learning a musical instrument!

Algebra 1: The Unit 1 Exam has been completed by all students, and their result (with written work graded for added partial credit) will be entered early this week. I'll be reaching out to parents this week to arrange additional supports for those students who need it, but the early overall results look pretty strong. We finished Week 5 with a hands-on data collection activity designed to bring us into Unit 2 (Linear Functions) in a very concrete, reality-centered way. Ask your students if their predictions panned out!

Geometry: As of Friday we wrapped up Unit 1 (Coordinate Geometry and Proof) with the district Unit Test. We begin Week 6 with Unit 2 (Line and Angle Relationships), where we'll spend 2-3 weeks. The test was delayed for a day due to a district technical problem, but I hope the results will be finalized and in the students' hands early in Week 6. I'll be reaching out as needed to parents this week to arrange additional supports for those students who need it

-Dr. Koepp

Tutoring available before school by appointment on Wednesday and Thursday; and after school on Thursdays 3:45-4:30. wkoepp@neisd.net

SCIENCE

EXPERIMENT. FAIL. LEARN. REPEAT.

Last week we began our unit on cells. Students identified key structures of the plant and animal cell and defined the function of each of the organelles. They also looked at similarities between both plant and animal cell.

Students will focus on how cell organelles work together to maintain life's processes. They will understand the function of the cell membrane, cell wall, nucleus, ribosomes, cytoplasm, mitochondria, chloroplasts, and vacuoles in plant and animal cells.

Tutoring is offered on Thursdays, students can attend from 3:45-4:15.

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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Welcome to Unit 2: (Causes of) American Revolution. Turns out there were actually a few problems in the colonies...who knew!?!?! Turns out they're actually mad about some pretty serious stuff; I mean, not being represented in you government is quite the problem! Well, let's see how our colonial ancestors plan to deal with it (we are taking notes :D).

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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 SAFTEY. YOU CAN ACCESS THIS VIA: https://www.neisd.net/Page/10011

“Design is the intermediary between information and understanding.” - Hans Hofmann

Hello to Our DATA Families!

I am excited to be working with your students this year. We will be exploring graphic design elements and principles, photography, print media and design, video game principles, coding, and video game design and production in our classes this year.

Graphic Design & Illustration I: Students are making steady progress on their Elements and Principles of Design project, where they are tasked with creating digital designs that effectively illustrate their grasp of these fundamental concepts. Through this project, they explore various design elements such as line, shape, color, texture, and space, while applying principles like balance, contrast, emphasis, and unity. Each student is encouraged to use creativity and critical thinking to produce original works that reflect a deep understanding of how these elements and principles interact within their designs. This project not only reinforces their knowledge but also enhances their digital design skills.

Video Game Design: Students are currently coding algorithms and utilizing repeat blocks as part of their first project for the nine weeks. They are working on selecting a nursery rhyme and will code a short animation that brings the rhyme to life. This project allows them to practice foundational coding skills while developing creative animations, reinforcing both problem-solving and computational thinking.

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 Thursday morning or by appointment only

Mr. Lovett's Classes

Principles of Architecture:

Architecture students have been learning how to identify items on a floor plan. Next week they will begin their 3d modeling journey in SketchUp where they will learn how to create walls, windows and doors.

Digital Media 2:

Digital Media students have their first major test due next week on symmetry. Next week they will be given another symmetry challenge where they will be asked to showcase their skills.

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

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