SMS Parent Newletter
Cheerleaders performing for Veterans day assembly
6th Grade History on Freedom Day
7th Grade Science assimilation
HISTORY DEPARTMENT
6th GR
We are covering two major topics the 2nd 9 weeks:
Unit 3 Latin America
Unit 4 Europe
Students should not expect to have regular homework; however, occasionally they will have to take home something that was not completed in class.
We are available for conferences during 5th period, which begins at 12:02 and ends at 12:53.
7th gr
We are covering 3 major topics the 2nd 9 weeks:
Unit 5: Texas revolts against Mexico and gains independence
Unt 6: Texas becomes a republic and then Texas joins the United States of America
Homework is always due by Friday, though they are allowed to stay for tutoring with their social studies teacher on Wednesdays after school for one hour.
Mr. Villalobos’ conference period is 6th period (12:56-1:47)
Mr. Wood’s conference period is 2nd period (8:44 – 9:35).
Students are reminded to study their notes/handouts this year for their assessments, as they are worth sixty percent of their overall grade.
8th Gr
We are covering three major topics the 2nd 9 weeks;
Unit 4 Writing the Constitution
Unit 5 Early Republic
Unit 6 Age of Jackson
If homework is assigned it will be on Mondays and then due on Fridays.
If a student didn’t complete an assignment in class, it will be for homework that night and turned in the next day.
Mrs. Fiebelkorns’ conference is 6th period (12:56-1:47)
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
6th Grade:
Mr. Gessas
The first 9 weeks we’ll have covered laboratory safety, investigating chemistry (elements, compounds, chemical representations both formulas and symbols, and common elements/compounds), properties of matter(metals, metalloids, non-metals and the properties). We’ll have started but not finished investigating force and motion.
Mrs. Vrana
- Introduction to Processes for Science Investigating 2days
- Chemistry
- Properties of Matter
- Force and Motion
- Energy Resources &Transformations
Science Lab/Virtual Lab/Tech Lab/ at least once a week, minimum for each topic.
7th Grade:
Mr. Acosta:
In 7th Grade Science we are exploring the various types of cells and the levels of organization for all living organisms. We are off to a great start with all of the classes working hard on their cell projects and presentations. For the next few weeks we will be working on the levels of organization with the students by exploring each level as cells transition into living organisms. This will lead us to our next unit which investigates Body Systems and Homeostasis. Many of our lessons are centered around project based learning that provides students to actively engage in the lesson content, problem solve with peers and enhance their critical thinking skills.
8th Grade
Mrs. Chavez
students will be investigating atoms, the periodic table and chemical formulas and reactions using hands on inquiry to problem solve.
Mrs. Rodriguez
-students will be investigating atoms, the periodic table and chemical formulas and reactions using hands on inquiry to problem solve.
-weekly quizzes
- District Assessment coming up the week of Sept.24
ELA DEPARTMENT
English Language Arts and Reading
**ELA Tutorials are Mondays from 3:45-4:40 PM.
Enrichment and Dyslexia tutorials are Tuesdays from 3:45-4:40 PM.
Bus Transportation is required. Please contact your child’s ELA teacher for more information.**
6th Grade
This 9 weeks, we will cover 2 units. In Unit 1 (Literary Nonfiction & Poetry), students will write a biographical epitaph over a person of their choice. During Unit 2 (Fiction & Drama), students will analyze fictional characters while reading and create media profiles of a character of choice.
Homework (6th Grade): Homework is assigned every Monday & is due on Thursday.
**Homework is only considered complete if Reading Guidelines are shown.**
Upcoming Tests (6th Grade):
Unit 1 Test: September 26-28
Unit 2 Mid-Unit Test: October 15-16
Unit 2 Test: October 31- November 2
7th Grade
This 9 weeks, we will cover 2 units. In Unit 1, Literary Nonfiction and Poetry, students will write a poem introducing themselves to their classmates. During Unit 2, Fiction and Drama, students will analyze several plays and write an expository text based on a previously released STAAR test.
Upcoming Tests (7th Grade):
Unit 1 Reading Test: September 26th
Unit 1 Writing Test: September 27th
Unit 1 Makeup Tests: September 28th
8th Grade
This nine weeks we will cover two units: fiction/drama and literary nonfiction/poetry. In the first unit, we will delve into a series of short stories and a play to analyze the elements of fiction and author's craft. Students will write a short fictional story demonstrating their understanding of fiction. In unit two, we will broaden our scope to include analysis of literary nonfiction and poetry.
Upcoming Tests (8th Grade):
Unit 1 Test: September 28th
Unit 2 Test: October 31
6th, 7th, 8th Reading/Dyslexia:
This 9 weeks, we will read and discuss the novel Refugee by Alan Gratz and use visualization to comprehend text. We will also review our accommodations and how to use them. Lastly, we will set up our Wilson Reading notebooks and begin the Wilson Reading Program.
Newcomer Center (6th, 7th, 8th)
Newcomers: 6th & 7th Grade
This 9 weeks, we will cover Poetry and Figurative Language. The students will analyze a variety of poems and learn about figurative language while learning new vocabulary. Students will learn about the different kinds of figurative language and how to use it. We will also scaffold recognizing the eight parts of speech: Nouns, Pronouns, Adjectives, Verbs, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Adverbs, and Interjections. We will also include recognizing prefixes, suffixes, cognates, digraphs, and phonics.
Homework (6th & 7th Newcomers): Vocabulary homework is assigned every Friday & is due on Monday. Reading Homework is assigned every day. Students are allowed to take their journals and complete any assignments missed during the week.
Upcoming Tests (6th & 7th Newcomers):
Unit 1 Test: September 26-28
Unit 2 Test: October 31- November 2
Newcomers: 8th Grade
In the first 9 weeks, we will begin developing the English language through practice and reading. Later, we will start to understand the 5 elements of fiction.
Homework (8th Newcomers): Student will have vocabulary to know every week.
Upcoming Tests (8th Newcomers):
As far the unit tests, we are following the 8th grade guidelines for exams.
MATH DEPARTMENT
6th Grade Math: This 9-weeks 6th grade math will be focusing on the following units: Unit 1 – Equivalent Forms of Rational Numbers, Unit-2 Ordering Fractions, Decimals, and Integers, Unit 3-Operations with Positive Fractions and Decimals, and Unit 4 – Operations with Integers. The math department will be offering tutoring opportunities afterschool on Wednesdays. Students should see their respective teachers to sign-up.
7th Grade Math: This 9-weeks 7th grade math will be focusing on the following units: Unit 1 – Numbers and Operations, Unit 2 – One Variable Equations and Inequalities, Unit 3 – Proportional Reasoning with Ratios and Rates. The math department will be offering tutoring opportunities afterschool on Wednesdays for students who have missing assignments or failing grades.
8th Math: This 9-weeks 8th grade math will be focusing on the following units: Unit 1 – Real Numbers, Unit 2 – Patterns in Data, and Unit 3 – Equations and Inequalities.
Algebra: This 9-weeks Algebra will be focusing on the following units: Unit 1 – Linear Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities, Unit 2 – Introduction to Functions, and Unit 3 – Investigation of Linear Functions and Inequalities.
ELECTIVES
Theatre: “Auditions for The Lottery, our One-Act-Play competition piece, are September 18th and 19th after school and are open to all Simon students. Students must choose one of those days and sign up by the previous day to ride a late bus home. Students must be able to stay at the Hays Performing Arts Center all day on Saturday, December 8th for the Middle School OAP Festival to participate.”