The Spillway
Volume 4 - March 22, 2024
Report Cards
Report cards were sent home with students this afternoon. This will be the final report card before the end of the year report, so please review it with your students to ensure they are on track to end the year successfully!
Grade Level Updates
6th Grade
Sixth Grade Field Trip: Knoxville Zoo May 16th
Parents and students put in your calendars for our May 16th field trip to the Knoxville Zoo. April 2nd we will send out permission slips with more information and a sign up list for parents who would like to serve as chaperones for small groups of students at the zoo. We can’t wait to see you there!
Math:
This past week we learned how to write and graph inequalities on the number line. Students were able to analyze real world scenarios and write the corresponding inequality to show a range of possible solutions when given a set of conditions.
Next week we will begin plotting ordered pairs in all four quadrants of the coordinate plane. Please ask students how we see and use coordinates in the real world. Have them use key vocabulary such as origin, x-axis, y-axis, and ordered pairs to describe locations.
We will continue to use iReady and IXL to supplement our class lessons. Please check student’s Google Classroom for updated assignments.
Social Studies:
We began our foray into learning about Ancient Rome, studying its geography, mythological origins, hierarchy structure, and its style of government. Next week we will look at the breadth of its empire and learn about Roman mythology.
Important Dates:
3/28: Rome Map Quiz
4/5: Rome Vocabulary Quiz
4/10: Ancient Rome Unit Test
Science:
This week we used a computer simulation to study the effects of competition and limited resources on the orangutan population in Indonesia. Next week, we will continue to study the impact palm oil has on Indonesia’s changing ecosystem. We will also review our energy standards and have a mini-quiz next Thursday.
Science Date to Know - Thursday, March 28
Energy Review assignment is due
5 Question Energy Mini-Quiz (All questions on this quiz will come from the Energy Review assignment and 3/25-3/27 Do Now questions)
7th Grade
ELA:
This week students finished an argumentative essay about social media. Students also had a practice timed essay to get them ready for the upcoming TCAP writing exam. Next week, students will dive into poetry a little further, analyzing poetry AND music for figurative language. They will also compare and contrast the poem, “We Wear the Mask” to a non-fiction historical article titled, “Showdown in Little Rock.” This will help students focus on a state standard which requires students to compare and contrast a fiction and nonfiction article with similar themes.
Social Studies:
This week we have finished up our Renaissance study and have taken the assessment for the unit. We learned all about how the Italian Peninsula contributed to the birth of the Renaissance, how the city of Florence and the Medici family played a huge role, the concept of Humanism and how Thomas Aquinas balanced it with religious thought, and examined the development of art during the time period, including the famous Leonardo de Vinci, Michelangelo, William Shakespeare, and looked at how the system of patronage encouraged and supported the arts and artists. On Thursday, we began our miniature unit on the Protestant Reformation and began learning about Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press, William Tyndale’s English translation of the Bible, and Martin Luther’s criticism of the Catholic Church and his 95 Theses. Next week we will begin looking at the Reformation specifically in England with Henry VIII and Mary I and the Catholic Counter-Reformation.
Science:
Students completed our standard on photosynthesis vs cellular respiration this week and their first 2 Q4 grades are in. Encourage students to complete quiz corrections as needed throughout the quarter. Students will cover the carbon cycle next week in class:
1) Develop a model to depict the cycling of matter, including carbon and oxygen, including the flow of energy among biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem.
Math:
Next week, we will explore how to find the area and perimeter of complex figures. These are two dimensional figures that are made from the combination of other simple two dimensional shapes or polygons. We are also reviewing previous standards in preparation for this year’s TNReady Test.
8th Grade
Math students have been learning about rational and irrational numbers. They will be assessed on these standards next week and then begin a study of scientific notation. As we get closer to TNReady testing, please encourage your student to review previously covered math skills, especially by staying up to date on teacher assigned iReady lessons each week.
Social Studies is going over Abraham Lincoln elections, South Carolina Secedes, and the attack on Ft. Sumter. The week ended with a combined class between Mrs. Horak’s and I. We are doing a Civil War Gallery Walk. In the Gallery Walk we will be walking through all of the major battles and figures of the Civil War.
ELA: We have gotten a good start on Unit 1, "The Art of Suspense", covering our first list of vocabulary and our first suspenseful short story. We are becoming familiar with these famous authors known for their abilities to keep us on the edge of our seats.
Our Writing Practice Test will be the morning of Monday, April 8th.
Library Updates
NMS Poetry/SongWriting Contest - Friday, April 26, 2024
During Library classes this week, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students were presented with an opportunity to participate in an upcoming NMS Poetry/SongWriting Contest. Several types of poems were discussed - blackout, concrete, free verse, haikus, etc. The students were encouraged to get their creative juices flowing and submit an original poem or song to the library by Friday, April 26. National Poetry Month is coming up in April, and we would like to celebrate this with some of our students' hard work, creativity, and imagination!
“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” ~Robert Frost
Senator Athletics
Spring Sports
Baseball:
The Senators went 3-0 on the week winning Monday evening at home versus Wartburg. On Thursday they battled cross town rival Lake City in a double header, winning both against the Lakers. The team will host Harriman on Monday, 3/25 at 5:30.
Softball:
The Lady Senators traveled to Rockwood on Tuesday evening and did battle with the Lady Tigers. They put on a display of stellar defense and came away with another win. The Lady Senators are also at home on Monday when they take on Coalfield. First pitch is at 6:00.
Golf:
Our Senator golf team has been in action this week as well, traveling to Deerfield Country Club and Centennial Golf Course. The teams battled district foes Clinton, Lake City, Jacksboro and Lafollette and showed great improvement. The season is young and these Senators are showing some real promise.