Norris News
March 2024
What's Happening at Norris?
June's Journal
Greeting Norris Families,
Parenting is hard! Parenting a child who needs extra care is even more difficult. A new resource, Wisconsin Wayfinder, is now available to families! Wisconsin Wayfinder helps families find county and statewide disability and mental health services beyond the support provided by schools. Below are some resources that you may find helpful.
High School Lab Gab
ELA: In ELA, the learners are practicing and refining their writing skills. They are beginning narrative writing and will also be writing expository texts using organizational structures with formatting, graphics, and multimedia. Some learners are choosing to write a personal narrative, while others prefer to write a fictional story. With all types of writing, learners are using descriptive language and details that appeal to the senses creating a vivid picture for the reader. Additionally, learners are identifying and using words or phrases that create smooth transitions within their writing.
Mathematics: Algebra labs are busy learning different ways to graph lines and learners in Geometry are exploring the world of triangles and proofs. A number or learners have moved past Geometry and are either working on Advanced Algebra or Consumer Math skills. We are learning about banking, credit, insurance, budgeting, and a variety of math skills that apply to the real world.
Social Studies: In Social Studies lab most of our learners are working on individual National Parks projects. They are researching a National Park of their choice in depth and making slide shows showcasing what they have learned. Other learners have chosen different project topics to work on and are also creating slide shows to showcase their interest.
Science:
Biology- Learners are currently working through Pathway 3 where their primary focus is the study of genetics. We have been learning how to perform genetic crosses to predict the inheritance of traits in future generations. Many of our activities have been using the characters from the cartoon "Spongebob Squarepants" as examples for our genetics problems. In the near future learners will explore genetic engineering as their final project for this pathway.
Chemistry- Learners are also working through Pathway 3 where they are studying Stoichiometry. This is a highly difficult, math-based, portion of the course that combines many of the skills we have been practicing all year long. Learners have been participating in numerous labs to provide context and increase understanding of these concepts. Currently learners are doing an activity where they have to calculate the number of atoms in coins.
Earth/Space- Learners are beginning Pathway 4 where they are learning about Weather, Climate, and various Biomes. Our most recent lab explored the processes of the Greenhouse Effect. In the near future learners will be constructing miniature greenhouses and measuring changes in temperature. We have also been creating climate graphs for different cities around the world. Moving forward learners will choose a Biome and teach the rest of the group about its climate and characteristics.
Academy Orientation: We welcomed Coby into Orientation this month. Katie has been settling into a new role working with NAVS learners, which is challenging and rewarding. We are excited to have more Who Am I? interviews set up as we move into the third trimester - it's hard to believe it's almost the end of the school year!
Travis has been taking learners into the shop space to fulfill elective needs and is looking forward to working with learners on their projects.
ELA
TT Tournament
Earth Science
K-8 Lab Gab
K-8 Labs
ELA: This trimester in 3rd and 4th grade English language arts, we are reading a collection of short stories and working to identify and label the story elements of setting, character, problem, solution and denouement.
In 7th and 8th grade English language arts, we are reading a variety of novels, which may be chosen by the learner or assigned by me. Through reading these novels aloud, we are increasing our prosody, expression, words we can read on sight, phonics skills, and our ability to use background knowledge and context to learn new vocabulary. By showing evidence of our understanding of the elements of plot after we read each chapter, we demonstrate our comprehension of the material we have read.
Math: This trimester in 3rd and 4th grade mathematics, we have worked on adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers with regrouping, multiplying multi-digit numbers that require regrouping, solving long division equations using the tool of the multiplication chart, as well as, fractions, decimals, and data and measurement.
In 7th and 8th grade mathematics, we have:
- Reviewed multiplying multi-digit whole numbers and decimals with regrouping and utilizing the standard long division algorithm with both whole numbers and decimal numbers.
- Manipulated fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators to add and subtract them, as well as, simplified the answer to find the lowest common denominator and convert improper fractions to mixed numbers.
- Performed all four operations with decimals, including changing both the divisor and the dividend when dividing by a decimal number, which involves moving the decimal points by multiplying or dividing by a factor of 10. We added decimal places for long division in order to avoid a remainder and learned what to do with repeating decimals.
- Practiced orally justifying answers with evidence, as well as, communicating and explaining our thinking with numbers and pictures.
- Learned to find the mean, median, and mode from a set of data.
Science/Social Studies: Learners in science have been learning about ecosystems and how important balance is in an ecosystem. They also have been exploring different types of rocks and currently are tumbling rocks to polish them. They are also extending their knowledge on earthquakes and the types of waves that can affect the results of an earthquake. Learners in social studies have been learning about ancient China (zodiac, silk road, and the great wall of China).
Artventure
Learners have been using different materials including clay to create projects
PBL
Math
Dameir used researched data to figure out the mean, median, and mode
IBL
There have been lots of action packed events this past month in the realm of Interest Based Learning (IBL). The Trimester Three Table Tennis Tornado Tournament took place. It was an intense competition with much sweat, vicious spins, grunting, and tears. Congratulations to staff Kyle for winning the staff bracket. Keon and Coby face off today to see who is champion of the learner bracket.
On Wednesday this week we also went to Career Quest at WCTC. Learners were able to learn about different career options at the college, including Tool and Die, Architecture Drafting, Graphic Design, and Nursing.
There were also several curiosity labs about tuning and stringing guitars, a 3-on-3 Basketball Tourney of epic proportions, and Glowforge Exploration.
At Norris, excitement awaits around every corner and each day is a new adventure!
Norris Academy Virtual School (NAVS)
Bakari
BOOST: Artventure
Learners have begun working towards learning clay works along with some block printing. Beginning with simple coil, pinch, and slab work to relief and building up to sculptures and wheel work. There have been great works being created and we are getting ready to do some glazing!
Outside of Boost: Artventure in the Art room, learners have been working on individual paint works, clay, and even making tea!
Norris Cares
Norris Academy is introducing a new program called, Norris Cares. Norris Cares will accept monetary and physical donations in support of those of our learners who may be experiencing food, housing, or other basic need insecurities. We have noticed a great need within our community that we would like to help support but we cannot do it alone. All donations to Norris Cares will be used only for this purpose and delivered equitably on a needs determined basis.
Please contact Amber Ehrmann, the Community Liaison at aehrmann@norrisacademywi.org for questions or donations.
Thank you.
Achieve MKE
Achieve MKE's space is taking life with furniture and lighting! Sam, Norris Academy's IBL Navigator, is collaborating with Achieve MKE to create artwork that will tie together Norris Inc, Norris Academy, and Achieve MKE! We are SO excited to see this work!
We have started interviews this week and they will continue next week. We are excited to begin the process of onboarding staff.
We want to hear feedback. Do you know someone who lives or works on the southside of Milwaukee? Please share our information and attached flyer to help us build a program that keeps youth and young adults at the center of our mission.
Lastly we are collecting slightly used, mostly new business/dress shoes-Mens for Partners in Hope, a re-entry program for individuals in Milwaukee. Each participant, upon seminar completion receives a suit and business shoes for interviews. All donations can be dropped off at Norris Academy.
Norris Beyond Fostering
The foster care program at Norris is offering a FREE virtual training, Foster Care in Our Community. Learn about what is happening right here in our community…foster parents and social work professionals will share their experiences and answer questions. This virtual meeting is FREE and there is no obligation other than listening and asking questions! Link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1AfaUuc03SiaeqQD3i4Yc3COWLhY0NMgbC9wXWmfkVvg/edit
Free E-book: https://www.norriscenter.org/become-a-foster-parent-4/e-book/
Mark Your Calendar
3/17-21 Week of Service: Food Preparation and Distribution to Peers
Learners will help prepare lunch and serve it to their peers.
3/17 St. Patrick's Day
3/15 Spirit Day: Mismatch Day
Learners are encouraged in dress in mismatch clothing.
3/29 NO SCHOOL Flexible Learning Day
Reminders
Online Absence Form
Click Here: https://tinyurl.com/onlineabsenceform
Norris School District
Email: hello@norrisacademywi.org
Website: https://norrisacademywi.org/
Location: W247 S10395 Center Drive Mukwonago, WI 53149
Phone: (262) 662-5911
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norrisacademywi/
Twitter: @NorrisAcademyWi