Western Heights Middle School
November 2017
Here's What We'll Be Doing In Class
Sixth Grade
In Mrs. McDaniel’s 6th grade classes, students are working on a fairy tale project where they are choosing and analyzing a fairy tale of their choice. They will turn their finished work into a presentation. They will then be writing their own backwards fairytale, where villains are actually victims!
Mrs. Wolter’s Merit classes have been immersing themselves in the memoir genre, analyzing the memoirs and discussing author’s craft. They will be working on writing their own longer memoirs using the models as mentor texts, due at the end of the month.
Mrs. Kenderdine’s and Mrs. Bechtel's 6th grade English classes are working on a novel titled Among the Hidden. We are analyzing the important events and supporting them with text evidence. We are also recording how the event contributes to the reader's feelings which we will be using to write 3 short vignettes acting as the main character of the book in the upcoming month.
In 6th Grade Magnet ELA, students are currently in the midst of a unit that focuses on literature within the genre of autobiographies and memoirs. Through the reading of these texts, as well as short stories, poems, multi-media presentations, students are engaging with literature through analytical, critical, creative, and metacognitive thinking. Students are analyzing author's craft within literature, focusing on the development of theme, structure, tone, mood, and central ideas within a text. Students are learning to respond to reading and thinking through the composition of well-developed paragraphs that include claims, evidence, and reasoning. They have been writing for a live and engaged audience (of their classmates) as they produce and publish writing through a class blog. As we progress through this unit, students will be designing their own writer's portfolio that consists of a variety of texts (i.e. poetry, visual/artistic texts, narratives, essays, blog posts, and etc.) that they compose in working with model texts and observing the work of published authors. Additionally, 6th grade Magnet students have been working with the concept of Change, and analyzing it's role in the real world. After developing this concept and generating generalizations about Change, students have created focused areas for thinking in regards to what we are learning in ELA, but also in regards to thinking outside of the classroom.
MATH
6th grade math has just wrapped up their Decimal Operations Module. Students were working hard on using the standard algorithms to add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals! The next 4 weeks will be focused on using various models to divide fractions.
SCIENCE
In sixth grade science, students have been building their understanding ofSystems and Systems Models as it applies to the processes that impact Earth’s surface and interior. Students are working towards answering the following essential questions: How do different Earth processes impact what happens on Earth? How can models and patterns help us understand scientific phenomena?
Some of the activities they have completed to help build their understanding include:
- Observing and asking questions about the unit phenomena consisting of a mineral block water drip.
- Investigating physical and chemical weathering through exploration labs.
- Modeling how erosion occurs through a lab simulation of rain hitting a hillside.
- Writing scientific claims to explain their understanding how erosion affects the land.
- Researching case studies of how erosion and weathering occur around the world to shape the land.
SOCIAL STUDIES
In 6th grade Social Studies, we are using primary and secondary sources to answer big questions in history. Students recently investigated historical documents to determine whether Hammurabi’s Code was just, and how the caste system in ancient India impacted social structure and culture. Moving forward, we will study the actions of Asoka in ancient India to judge whether he was an enlightened ruler or ruthless conqueror. Then, we will perform a CSI investigation into the circumstances surrounding King Tut’s death in ancient Egypt.
Seventh Grade
In 7th grade ELA we are working on determining the theme in a text and tracking how it is developed throughout the text. We are also working on constructing the perfect paragraph using the acronym The Evil Queen Eats Cake, which stands for Topic Sentence/Claim, Explain, Quote/Evidence, Explain, Conclusion.
MATH
Now that we have finished exploring the world of rational numbers and their operations we will be entering the realm of ratios and proportions. In this module we are creating dance videos to analyze and make predictions about unit rates. Later we will compare data from Major League Baseball players in order to create an argument that determines who is the best.
SCIENCE
7th grade science students are making their way from cells to organ systems. After doing some research we will be building functioning body systems to show what we have learned. The students will be required to use scientific evidence gained through labs, models, and investigations to answer our phenomenon. “Could Zombies really exist?”
SOCIAL STUDIES
7th grade SS has been working through our Geography Unit and the first 2 Modules. We will be completing some of our first DBQ's and also participating in the school's Geography Bee in the next few weeks.
Eighth Grade
In 8th grade merit ELA students are reading the classic murder mystery And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Students are analyzing Christie's use of irony to create suspense and develop dynamic characters. Students will be creating socio-grams to show their deeper understanding of the characters and the complex group dynamics. Students are also using the text in their writing as they become proficient in writing arguments to support claims with relevant and varied support and logical reasoning.
In 8th grade magnet ELA students are reading a variety of short stories and speeches as they explore important concepts about the pursuit of justice. Students will be analyzing speeches for the effective use of rhetorical devices to support central ideas and the speaker's goals. Students will select a powerful speech related to a historical pursuit of justice and research the context of the speech, including background information about the speaker, and the related historical movement. Students will then use critical reading strategies to fully analyze the speaker's successful use of rhetorical devices to support his or her goals and central ideas. Outside of class, magnet students are reading No Promises in the Wind, a historical fiction novel set during the Great Depression.
In 8th grade, grade level classes, we will continue to work with short stories before jumping into the novel, The Giver. We will continue to build vocabulary each work with roots, prefixes and suffixes. Writing will also continue with short essay responses. Classes will begin work with grammar in order to help improve writing. Students will need to choose another book to read for pleasure in order to complete their second quarter book report. As always, please feel free to contact your teacher, Ms. Whalen or Mr. Taylor, if you have any questions or concerns. Our goal is for success.
MATH
In Algebra, students will be spending the next few weeks finishing up the Linear Functions part of Module 2. We will be investigating systems of equations and inequalities in two variables and solving for common solutions that they may have by using graphing, substitution, and elimination. We will also be completing our first Previlearn Assessment and Cornerstone Task. After completing Linear Functions, we will begin learning about Exponential Functions and then eventually comparing both Linear and Exponential Functions. This module is a very large module that lasts all the way up to Christmas Break.
Math 8 is working on the Pythagorean theorem. Students are working on applying this theorem to the real world, as well as practicing important and necessary math skills. Students are also working on the converse of the Pythagorean theorem. Students will also know the difference between rational and irrational numbers. Squares and square roots of numbers. As well as cube roots. Ask your son or daughter a question about how to find the measurement of a TV? It's all about the diagonal . What is the diagonal? Why the hypotenuse of coarse.
SCIENCE
Things are heating up in Mrs. Holcomb’s science class as we learn more about thermal energy and how it is transferred. Phenomena are explored and explained as we take our content knowledge down to the molecular level!
SOCIAL STUDIES
In eighth grade social studies we are on the American Revolution and currently focusing on the Declaration of Independence. Students are reading and analyzing this very significant primary document to identify freedoms and values we still hold in high regard. They also are gathering evidence to determine if colonists were justified in declaring independence from Great Britain.
Another Great Student
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WHMS Band: Funkstown Parade
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8th Graders Visit Tech High
Grizzly Club Event 1
Grizzly Club Event 1
Dancing In Math
Teachers Learn...
Then Apply What They Learn In The Classroom
Students of the Month: September 2017
7th Grade: Aaliyah Jackson, Chib Akanu Ujah
8th Grade: Nahvia Naylor, Connor Caldwell
Students of the Month: October 2017
7th Grade: Aniyah Stewart, Jeremiah Wolfe
8th Grade: Bria Howard, Kaden Talley