Middle School June Intensives
June 2019
Dear Brooklyn Collaborative 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Families,
We are in the homestretch of the school year!
The month of June at Brooklyn Collaborative looks slightly different from the rest of the school year. On Wednesday, our middle school students began June Intensives.
Students who demonstrated mastery at a competent level---earning 70 or above in their core classes--will be participate in intensives that deepen their learning and extend opportunities for them to make connections to what they have learned this year.
Students who have not yet demonstrated mastery will participate in intensives that focus on specific grade level literacy and numeracy skills needed to help them achieve mastery and to continue to develop strong habits of scholarship. Students in the June Mastery Support group will continue to work to raise their grades to mastery.
Through this additional support in June, we expect that virtually all students will be able to successfully promote to the next grade level.
If a student does need to attend summer school, we will update you with that information.
Also please keep an eye out for permission slips as intensives often mean more time out in the field!
In partnership,
Scill, Imani, Amanda (School Leaders)
Imagining a Better Brooklyn/Catapults! Tom/James
This Intensive seeks to engage the 6th Graders civic pride and curiosity as we explore the city and attempt fun activities. We conduct 2 investigations: (1) what makes a great urban waterfront?, and (2) what is the science behind catapults?
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body Tracy/Lesley/Lauren
In this intensive, students will explore the essential questions: How can we maintain a healthy mind and a healthy body? How can we control our stress levels? Students will be able to explain why it’s important to have a healthy mind and healthy body as well as describe the different ways to foster a healthy mind and healthy body. Students will also learn how about different factors can affect brain development. By the end of the intensive hopefully students will be experts in health and wellness!
Nature Play Intensive Candice/Sheila
During our intensive students will be studying why nature play is important. They will visit parks, playgrounds and learn about the importance of having access to nature and what effect nature play has on children. Students will be forming their own opinions on the importance of nature play in their lives by participating in nature centered activities.
6th Grade Math June Mastery Support Liz
During 6th Grade Math June Mastery, students will re-examine each of the four long term learning targets from the year by exploring rich and accessible math problems and then have time practice associated math skills. Students will also be practicing skills on IXL throughout to increase their mastery levels.
6th Grade ELA June Mastery Support June
During Mastery Support, students will engage in silent reading, as well as group reading, using The House on Mango Street. For writing block, students will choose between a short story/literary analysis unit or a persuasive project. Students will also complete 4-6 modules of IXL. Students will end by writing letters to 7th grade teachers. They will explain their progress in June Mastery Support and say why they are ready for 7th grade.Welcome to New York Christina B/Dierre; Devon/Glen; Nikkie/Thomas
7th grade students will explore and actively engage with NYC as an inspiration and internationally respected tourist destination. Working from the perspective of an (almost-8th-grade) adolescent, students will work in teams to research and create a free-to-low cost guide for newcomers and residents to their beloved city! This interactive work helps our students broaden their understandings about the communities in which they live - building on our goal of helping students become conscientious, informed citizens. This project will culminate with live podcasts and blogs that will be shared with the public via a website and virtual presentation.
7th Grade Math June Mastery Support Sam
During 7th Grade Math June Mastery, students will explore surface area and volume and their relationship as seen 3D shapes and rectangular prisms. Each student will have a different set of checkpoints based on how they performed in class complete. To complete a checkpoint they must demonstrate mastery on a quiz by earning a competent. Students can practice for their quiz by working on IXL and/or by completing practice problems. Students will also be practicing additional math skills on IXL throughout June Mastery Support..
7th Grade ELA June Mastery Support Jane
During Mastery Support, students will engage in silent and whole class group reading, Students also will engage in writing daily. Additionally, they will have homework nightly in which they select writing prompts to explore literary themes and analyze literary devices in their independent reading book selection. Students will also complete IXL
Fighting Global Climate Change: How can we be environmental Activists? Christina T.
In this 2 day course students will develop a brief background knowledge on what climate change is and our human impact on it. Students will explore carbon footprint and how we as humans can help slow down the process of Global Warming. On the first day students will build background knowledge and then go out into the field (prospect park) and collect data by doing field interviews and see how average New Yorkers are contributing or lessening their carbon footprints. On Day Two students will create a final product which is an informative piece of activism either teaching about what climate change is, offering advice on how to lessen your carbon footprint or the impacts of humans on the environment. These final products will either be infographic pamphlets, or posters.
The Power of Poetry: How can I use words in a creative way to express myself? Betsy
In this intensive students will explore the magical world of poetry. Whether students are a beginning poetry or are a poetry aficionado, this mini-course will give students the tools, time, and space to use words to express themselves creatively. Students will analyze the poetic works of Edgar Allen Poe, Maya Angelou, Emily Dickinson, Tupac Shakur, Langston Hughes and many more. For their final project, students will create and publish a poem and artwork as well as participate in a mini poetry slam.
NYC Street Photography Josh
Where does the phrase- a picture is worth a thousand words come from and what does it mean?
Students will travel throughout NYC to find interesting subjects to study in this intensive. They will use professional photography techniques to capture high quality photographic images. In addition, they will visit Bushwick Walls, El Barrio Street Photography, Dune Studio, Flashlight Studio, and Glamour Mag Photo Exhibition/Slideshow. For their final product, the will produce a photo exhibition/slideshow.
From Cheese Doodles to Chia Seeds: Be Happy, Be Healthy Greg
How can we make positive changes for ourselves and our community by leading healthier lifestyles? In this intensive, students will analyze the impact of diet and exercise on their short term and long term health. They will view the documentary Super Size Me and examine the important issues raised. Their final product will be a PSA or an exercise video.
8th Grade ELA June Mastery Support Lauren
During Mastery Support, students students will do a “close read” of a literary text and study a social justice issue. They will explore the theme of insiders and outsiders in America. Students will draw connections between the literary text and the social justice issue to successfully craft a literary analysis essay. Students will also use IXL to practice specific literacy skills.
8th Grade Science/Math June Mastery Support Vibert
Students will conclude their science PBAT and shift their focus and engage in a lab investigation, looking at the difference temperature of water increases or decreases solubility. Students will demonstrate that they can write a high quality lab report. Students will also use IXL to practice specific math skills.