January - February,
2014
A
Note from Mrs. Cocchi:
- Geometry -
Proving figures congruent, proving triangles congruent using SSS, SAS,
ASA, and AAS.
- H. Geometry - Midsegments of Triangles, Perpendicular and Angle Bisectors, and
Medians and Altitudes.
- Freshmen Math - Quadratic - Quadratic Equation, the discriminant and systems of linear and
quadratic functions. Getting ready to wrap up term 2 and take term 2
test.
- Freshmen Math - Linear - FOIL, Factoring and getting ready to wrap up term 2 and take
term 2 test.
- Don't forget the website for the book is www.pearsonsuccessnet.com. Make sure you have
your logon and password handy.
A
Note from Mrs. (Canniff) MacKenzie:
- In Algebra I Linear Emphasis, the
students are working on solving inequalities, working with sets
(intersection and union), and will begin their study on functions.
- In Algebra I Quadratic Emphasis,
the students are working on solving quadratic equations and will begin
their study on radical expressions.
- GOOD NEWS!!!! If you are absent or lose your
worksheet,
Don't
forget the website for the book is www.pearsonsuccessnet.com. Make sure you have your
logon and password handy. Also, make sure all students have either a
spiral notebook or a section in their binder devoted exclusively to
Algebra. Students need to complete their
homework assignments so that they become proficient at the various skills
before they are tested. Doing homework,
reviewing the material and being organized are essential for a student to be
successful in high school.
A
Note from Mr. Fuller:
Mr. Fuller's
English classes have just begun reading the classic novel, To Kill A
Mockingbird by Harper Lee. During the month of January the English
curriculum will be based around African-American literature, including this
novel, the rhetorical language used in Martin Luther King's "I Have a
Dream" speech, Maya Angelou's Poetry, and a variety of additional
literature.
A
Note from Mrs. Connors:
The freshmen
writing classes for term 3 will begin the research paper writing process.
Students will present their findings to the class using prezi. There is no
mid-term because they are alternating term classes. There will be a final
exam at the end of term 3 and the end of term 4.
A Note from
Ms. Desmond:
Wellness 9A
is finishing up a PE unit at the end of the term and returning to Health at the
start of term 3. Term 3 health units include substance use and abuse, sex
education, and decision-making skills.
Wellness 9F
will have the written final exam on Tuesday 1/21 and the physical final exam on
Wednesday 1/22. In the case of absences we will continue the written exam on
Thursday 1/23 and the physical exam on Friday 1/24.
Wellness 9C
will meet for the first time on Monday 1/27. The students will report to room
B132 and will need to bring a writing utensil.
A
Note from Ms. Lidington:
In
Introductory Physics, we'll be taking a midterm on Jan 22nd and 23rd that will
be a major grade for Term 2. In February we'll be learning about electricity
and magnetism before vacation, and the kids will be able to experiment with
circuits, the static electricity generator, and simple electric motors.
Students will also be starting their Term 3 projects on energy and energy
transfers.
A
Note from Mr. Bell:
In
Mr.Bell's World History II classes students have been learning about European
imperialism and its impact, both positive and negative, on the imperialized
nations. In addition to understanding the motives and effects of
imperialization students studied primary sources to help them contrast the
perspective of the Europeans with those they controlled. Heading into
vacation week we will begin our study of WWI which will include reading All
Quiet on the Western Front. Some of this classic war novel will be
read independently over the break.
A Note from Mrs. Grosso:
The National Honor Society will
be holding Homework Help after school on Wednesdays. Students can come to the
library and get extra help with their work from upper classmen or just drop in
to have some company while doing their work.
A Note from Ms. Wescott
(Spanish I):
For
the next few weeks in Spanish class, we will be learning to describe a
house/apartment and families. We will create family trees and design our dream
houses- with descriptions in Spanish. At the end of the unit, students will
create a narrated slideshow describing either a house/apartment or family on
the website VoiceThread. Also coming up will be a culture project with
student's choice of topic which they will present and learn about a Hispanic
person, place or tradition from each other!
A Note from Mrs. Ivas:
Reading
Strategies
Be an active
reader: Know the purpose for
reading. Let that guide you in
determining important information;
Use title, graphics,
sidebars to help make connections with text;
Read open
response-type questions before reading to help determine purpose for reading;
Underline, highlight
or take notes as you read;
Develop questions to
help clarify confusing passages;
Write summary
statements about material that you have read as often as you need;
Reread passages for
clarification, comprehension checks;
Read for enjoyment.
A Note from Ms. Held:
All of Ms.
Held's art classes are in the process of finishing up for the semester.
Their final exam is made up of three parts: Project, Written
Reflection/Course Evaluation and Oral Presentation of Project. Projects
are due this Friday, 1/17. The last couple of days of the semester,
students will be presenting their projects and cleaning/organizing the art
room. It has been a great semester and I have really enjoyed getting to
know all of the students through their art!
