Anderson-Shiro
Junior High Academic Newsletter - Issue 8
6th Grade News
ELA: We will be closing out the year by completing their class novel, "The Hunger Games." Their reading STAAR exam is on May 15, 2018. After STAAR, they will be expected to complete a book report on one of the books they have read THIS year. There will be a project that ties in with the report. Everyone have a great summer!
MATH: We have one more week before we complete our review books and videos. Then we will begin our project about REAL LIFE. This project will introduce the students to real life budgeting using a monthly income. After that is completed, we will take our Math final and the 6th grade year will be complete.
SCIENCE: We are currently working on energy transformations. Then we will launch into, space exploration. Our final unit will include Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells.
SOCIAL STUDIES: For the final weeks of school, we will be finishing our units over Asia and Africa. We will then start our final unit of the year. This one will be over Antarctica. The students will also be reviewing for the Final in this class at the end of the year. If you plan to be out those last weeks of school please let your teachers know.
7th Grade News
MATH: In 7th grade math, we are finishing up the Volume unit. Then we will be working in the STAAR review books to study for the STAAR test. The math STAAR test is on May 14th. After the STAAR test we will be working on a Budget Project where students will have to make a monthly budget given jobs and families. On the last week of school, we will be taking final exams.
SCIENCE: We are currently on organization in plants and animals. Then we will discover the difference in plant and animal cell organelles as well as determine the functions of each type of cell.
SOCIAL STUDIES: In Texas History we are studying Texas during the Civil War and Reconstruction. Our North and South infographic project will kick off the week of May 7. As we engage in our unit discussion, students will compete in a Civil War Tug of War to better understand the events and issues that shaped Texas during this time. Students were invited by the Historic Anderson Association to participate in the annual benefit on May 12 for the Steinhagen Log Cabin/Museum. Information and permission forms have been sent home. As we progress through our units, we will continue to work in our interactive notebooks.
8th Grade News
ELA: We are currently wrapping up our class novel, "Nothing but the Truth" and will begin a new class novel. If you would like to have a wonderful conversation with your student, ask them this simple question, "Is there really a truth?" I have been so impressed with the thought process and critical thinking that students are developing and expanding.
MATH: We will be completing their Dilation project and will begin preparing for their final project. Students will be selecting a concept we have learned this year, creating a lesson to teach to next year's students. They will be able to use various forms to present the material such as doodle notes, video, hyperdocs, etc. This will count for their final grade.
SCIENCE: We are currently STAAR reviewing. We will take the Science STAAR on May 16th. After the STAAR, we will launch into a student designed investigation.
SOCIAL STUDIES: We are deep into our STAAR review. Students should be working with parents at home on the diamond puzzles and flash cards each night leading up to May 17th. Please make sure your student is working on the review material sent home. After the STAAR test, students will begin a current event project on news around the world.
Upcoming Dates
May 14, 2018 - STAAR for 6th and 7th Grade Math
May 15, 2018 - STAAR for 6th and 7th Grade Reading
May 16, 2018 - STAAR for 8th Grade Science
May 17, 2018 - STAAR for 8th Grade Social Studies
Progress Reports Go Home
May 25, 2018 - Final Exams
May 28, 2018 - Student Holiday
May 29, 2018 - Final Exams
May 30, 2018 - Final Exams
May 31, 2018 - Early Release
June 1, 2018 - High School Graduation