May 2017 ms newsletter
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The document provides updates from various middle school teachers at PS/IS 226 on their current and upcoming lessons and units. It discusses that 6th grade social studies recently finished ancient civilizations and will now study the medieval period, while 7th grade concluded a unit on the founding fathers and will next focus on US expansion. 8th grade will study WWII and US foreign policy leading up to entering the war. Other classes mentioned include 6th grade wrapping up literacy skills, 7th grade starting a novel about societal norms, and 8th grade completing essays and reading The Freedom Writers Diary.
May 2017 ms newsletter
- 1. Spring is Here …. FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS- May 2017 Issue 9 PS/IS 226 Panther Pride Press “Together We Make Our School a Success” Ms. Trovato 6th Grade Social Studies Grade 6 has just completed their journey through the ancient civilizations. We concluded our units with a DBQ about Rome and Greece. We will now continue on with studying the medieval period of ancient history . Ms. Sapienza- 7th Grade Social Studies Our 7th graders just concluded their unit on New Government, focusing on the contrasting political views of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. Using this new knowledge, the students will gather evidence and information to conduct a socratic seminar. The next unit of study will focus on US expansion and growth. Ms. Sapienza- 8th Grade Social Studies The 8th grade will be beginning the final unit for Social Studies - The United States Assumes Worldwide Responsibilities. Students will be focusing on the rise of worldwide dictators and key players in World War II. Group work analyzing political cartoons by Dr. Seuss will allow students to understand the shift in America’s transition from isolationism to neutrality, and the final push towards declaring war. The Italian film "Life is Beautiful" will be incorporated for students to view the Holocaust from the point of view of an Italian forced into a concentration camp during Nazi Germany’s invasion into Fascist Italy. Ms. Montanes- Monthly Highlights Ms. Issa 6th Grade ELA During this month, we are focusing heavily on essential literacy skills in order to enhance our critical thinking in preparation for both the ELA state exam as well as the new unit of writing, "Coming to America." In this unit, students will explore immigrant experiences and how these experiences with others can teach them about themselves. Students will be extending this into an informative writing as they compare and contrast the authors' purposes and perspectives through their use of strategies. Ms. Jompulsky 7th Grade ELA Finally it's time to kick back and dive into a great book! In the month of May, we'll be immersing ourselves into Walter Dean Myer's "Monster" as we uncover what it means to be labeled, judged, and persecuted by society. We'll be exploring big issues like societal norms and what it means to be honest and forthcoming about who you are and what you've done. We'll be using concepts we've previously learned in order to explore this untraditional novel, hoping to uncover the mystery behind Steve Harmon's story. This is sure to be an intriguing and nail-biting ride. Ms. Stansici 8th Grade ELA The end is near! We have a lot to look forward to in the next couple of months, however we still have work to do! You are well on your way to completing the Unit 4 essay and I am truly looking forward to reading them and displaying them on the bulletin board. Finally we will be reading the book, “The Freedom Writers Diary” by Erin Gruwell. We will look at how a teacher and 150 teenage students from Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California changed themselves and the world around them. While reading this book, we will create our own freedom writers diary. The students will keep journals which will allow students to refine their creative writing skills and gain a better understanding of their fellow classmates’ lives. Remember: “Winners Never Quit, and Quitters Never Win!” Let’s finish the year on a high note! The end of the school year is fast approaching. I would like to take this opportunity to genuinely thank the parents, staff, students, and community members who helped make this a very successful school year. Next year P.S./ I.S. 226 will be in “innovative mode.” The staff here will remain committed to student growth inside, while the building makes progress changes moving forward!
- 2. Panther Pride Press- May 2017- Issue 9 Ms. D’Acierno- 6th Grade Mathematics Hooray! We completed the 6th Grade Mathematics State Test! Now that we have accomplished most of the 6th grade curriculum, we will finish up post-test 6th grade math standards. Also, we will dive into some 7th grade skills that are extremely important for next school year. Some topics will include all operations with integers as well as solving two-step equations. You got this Superstars!!! Mr. Greene- 7th Grade Mathematics You guys did it! The Math state exam is complete, and I am so proud of all your hard work and effort. If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times: "success is built on the essence of hard work." The more you move forward the more you continue to develop healthy and positive work habits and the more successful you will become. Mr. Hadzovic- 8th Grade Mathematics The math state test is over! Give yourselves a pat on the back - you deserve it! For our 8A class the Regents are only a month away, June 13th. Blink and you'll miss it! In lighter news: IXL is going great. So far the eighth grade has answered over 200,000 questions. Fantastic job everyone! Ms. Salcedo-6th Grade Science The 6th graders are exploring the diversity of life through the study of cells. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, animal and plant cells. The students will also investigate how cells are the primary source of biodiversity, and will learn how to classify organisms according to similarities and differences at the cellular level. They will also study the energy flows through the ecosystem in one direction, in which the balance is the result of interactions between living and nonliving things. Ms. Salcedo- 7th Grade Science Our 7th graders are busy exploring the structure and function of organisms by understanding the different bodysystems of plants and animals including vertebrates and invertebrates. They will also focus on investigating the Ms. Toyber- 8th Grade Science Our state exams are right around the corner! However, have no fear because your child is well prepared! Our Living Environment seniors have been working hard reviewing a year's worth of content in preparation for the Regents, which is held on June 14th. They have been working hard reviewing, answering, and analyzing Regents questions. Our general science seniors are also working very hard in reviewing for the 8th Grade State Science Exam, held on June 5th. We have been working on the human body, ecology unit, as well as preparing for the different topics that are tested on the state exam. We always remember to Keep Calm and Science on! Mr. Kent- Digital Literacy Elective students have just started using Ignition, the online course provided by the NY Islanders that teaches digital privacy, security, and responsibility. Students will navigate a virtual simulation in which they buy a computer, use social networking, and resolve cyberbullying. Ms. Reyes- Spanish Club This month my bilingual learners are practicing very hard for the portion of the Spanish Proficiency test on May16th -18th, which includes four conversatons related to different situations in Spanish. Equally as important, they will continue practicing for the reading, writing, and listening portions of the test which will be on June 19th.
- 3. 3 A Note from Our Guidance Counselor-Ms. Tsekouras" High School Round 2 decision letters were distributed to students on May 10th. Appeals Applications are now available and due back to me on Friday, May 19, 2017. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at: (718) 234-4940 extension 4611. Mr. Geraci- Middle School Art Art students are finishing up their beautiful spring flower drawings influenced by the artwork of Georgia O'Keeffe. Some students are working on designing a t-shirt for this year's Panther Pride Fest. If any student is interested in the t-shirt design contest, there is still some time left. Talk to Mr. Geraci or Mrs. Halpern for all the info. "Ms. Shammas & Class 804 The Math State exam is now a thing of the past and I'm proud of how my students persevered through all three days of testing. The school year isn't over yet however, and Seniors will continue to internalize the year's math standards as well as preview 9th grade skills through ixl.com. In ELA students have chosen to teleport themselves to the Code X unit "Space Invaders" which touts the famed science fiction works of Ray Bradbury and H.G. Wells. It's hard to believe there are just two months left in the school year, but with Prom, Senior Picnic, Senior Trip and Graduation on the horizon, we are definitely going to make the most of what little time we have remaining. "We do not remember days, we remember moments." - Cesare Pavese Ms. Swinton & 704 In ELA, class In math the students have wrapped up geometry and are now being introduced to probability and statistics. In ELA, the students are exploring the use of cause and effect in writing pieces. We are currently reading the unit titled "Natures Fury", which highlights some of the worlds worst natural disasters in history and its impact on people and places. CodeX has been placed on a temporary hold in order to prepare the students for the EOY Writing assessments. The students have been spending the past few days developing and outlining their essays with the help of graphic organizers. In science, the students are exploring matter. The students are learning about solubility. Instructional modifications have been put in place to keep the students engaged and ensure understanding of the concepts. Videos, images, presentations and hands-on activities have been incorporated into the science lessons which the students seem to enjoy. In social studies, we are currently discussing Alexander Hamilton and his immense contribution to society in terms of economic development. The students are looking forward to our Class 604- Ms. Pizzo In Math, students in Class 604 will be exploring equations and inequalities. They will learn how to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division equations. They will also learn how to graph inequalities. In ELA, students are currently working on an essay in which they analyze how the author Mawi Asgedom uses the writing strategies imagery, personal reflection, all capital letters, and figurative language to convey his experiences as an immigrant in America. In Science, students are working hard on finishing their Powerpoint presentations on the different types of energy.
- 4. Panther Pride Press- May 2017- Issue 9 Ms. Thomas- In March, we celebrate Women’s History month! What a great time to recognize some of the phenomenal women who have helped to shape our lives and our world. We honor women like Mother Teresa, Michelle Obama, Susan B. Anthony, Serena and Venus Williams, and countless others who have paved a path that all people, regardless of gender, can follow. So let’s grab a book, crack open a newspaper, or log online to learn more about these instrumental groundbreakers! ENL with Mr. Delmonte ENL students are being evaluated in the four modalities of listening, speaking, reading, and writing with the NYSESLAT test to assess how well they have progressed in their English language skills since September. Good luck to all students taking the test! Mr.Pratt and Mr. Convissar- Physical Education We are going to be playing our very exciting student/faculty volleyball game on Tuesday, June 20th. This will mark the second year that our incredible alumni will come back to participate. VIP seats will be available for our students to come and cheer and of course all staff are welcome to come play or cheer. This year's fitnessgram is going "green". Hard copies will not be given out, but students and parents will be able to view them online on their DOE accounts - more info to follow! Make sure you get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet and exercise for at least one Ms. Tse and Ms. Mallen Classes 805 and 605 Updates Classes 805 and 605 have a busy and exciting month ahead. We have many exciting class trips planned including a trip to the New York Aquarium, an Adaptive Physical Education (APE) track and field trip with Ms. K, and of course our continued walking trip to Shoprite. In ELA we will be working on writing dialogue and poetry and working on our reading strategies in small guided reading groups. In Math we will be continuing to work on counting money and making change as well as an introduction to fractions. Ms. Trombetta- Band Our 6th, 7th and 8th grade band students have been hard at work preparing for several upcoming performances to showcase their skills and talents! Seventh and 8th grade Arista/Archon band students will perform a piece together at the ceremony on May 23rd,at 6:00 pm. All 6th, 7th and 8th grade band students, soloists and small group ensembles will perform at the spring concert on March 26th at 9:00am (for grades 3-5) and 1:00pm for (for grades 6-8). Parents are invited to attend either performance. Sixth and 7th grade band students are also preparing for the upcoming 8th grade graduation on June 23rd. Eigth graders will perform a special piece for the graduation ceremony as well.