Unit #5 Guides

6TH Grade

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DHymoSl1wrEO3H6kkMbEDWGQlYj8tWW9NRYizVXzO4I/edit?usp=sharing

MAUS, By: Art Spiegelman (Part I)

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7TH Grade

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wPRjcLySjkFoK_yHu-oO0VRAJ7_zR61yFsaUBnF39eo/edit?usp=sharing

I Am Malala, By: Malala Yousafzai

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8TH Grade

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JiCdDaLuaLIh8m4ZgdqkSPsP4pmM2vU1ee3El55KYNg/edit?usp=sharing

The Diary Of Anne Frank, By: Anne Frank

AFIA - Middle School Newsletter - January 7-11, 2019

ELA/R – January 7-11, 2019

Grade 6

This week, we will continue working with essay writing.  Prior to Christmas Break, students worked with a partner to complete a persuasive/argumentative essay.  They will begin writing their own essays, embedding compound-complex sentences and using their literary knowledge as persuasive information within the essay.  Students must complete Reading Plus for this week: 4 Reading & 3 Vocabulary.  Fridays are now reserved for test-taking skills in order to prepare them for STAAR.

Grade 7

We will hit the ground running with essay writing.  It is imperative that students are reading and absorbing all types of written material: magazines, textbooks, news, etcetera, in order to aid them in establishing connections that they can utilize for essay writing.  Students are expected to continue working with sentence variety by utilizing the previously taught basic comma rules.  Students must complete Reading Plus for this week: 4 Reading & 2 Vocabulary.  Fridays are now reserved for test-taking skills in order to prepare them for STAAR.

Grade 8

Students will have individual conferences regarding their essay they wrote over The Declaration Of Independence in order to bridge any gaps, ask any questions, and get a better understanding of the format/expectations.  We will continue essay-writing and working with embedding proper grammatical foundations within their writing.  It’s imperative that students are constantly reading new material in order to use that as support for their argumentative essays; please make sure students are reading at home; they can read anything they are interested in.  Students must complete all assigned boxes for Reading Plus.  Fridays are now reserved for test-taking skills in order to prepare them for STAAR.

Upcoming Unit Projects

Hello! 

Unit Guides were handout out yesterday (Tuesday) to 6TH & 7TH Grade.  Unfortunately, I had to leave early yesterday, so 8TH Grade was not given theirs on-time; however, they did receive them today (Wednesday).  Please see below for the Unit Projects & DUE DATES!

6TH Grade
Unit #3 Project
Weeks #1 & 2  
Create an ABC Children’s Book that details and illustrates information about the cultural and/or physical geography of the  United States or Canada.  ​Be sure to incorporate sensory details and literary techniques to engage your intended audience.  
Due Date & Presentations: ​December 7, 2018

*Unit #4 Project will be given on the next Unit Guide, December 10, 2018.

7TH Grade
Units #3 & 4 Project
Weeks #1-3  
Settlers are moving into Texas, and there is a desire to expand the colony. Create an advertisement that includes persuasive  appeals to the settler’s senses, ensuring the use of language that creates imagery and suggests mood.  Be sure to include  details that explicitly describe and illustrate what life in Texas would be like during the 1820’s-1830’s.  
Due Date & Presentations: ​December 18, 2018

8TH Grade
Unit #3 Project
Weeks #1-2
Create an ABC Children’s Book that details and illustrates information leading up to the Revolutionary War.  Be sure to incorporate sensory details and literary techniques to engage your intended audience. 
Due Date & Presentations: ​December 7, 2018
Unit Guide #3
*Unit #4 Project will be given on the next Unit Guide, December 10, 2018.

If you have any questions/concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail (AMendoza@braination.net) and/or phone.

Thanks!

Ms. Mendoza

Post-Thanksgiving

November 26, 2018 (Monday)

Welcome back, Parents & Students!  :)

During this first week back, we will be hitting the ground running with WRITING!  Please immerse your Student in reading material that is enjoyable to them.  By reading consistently, their fluency improves, and they get first-hand knowledge of grammar rules, which is a vital element to our writing component!  Please see the chart below for how you can help your child gain power and knowledge by simply opening up literature- a book, comic book, magazine, etc...

Since it is Monday and ELA/R was in Reading Skills today, Unit Guides will be handed out tomorrow (Tuesday, 11/27).  Nonetheless, below are assignments that we be in the Gradebook for this week:

Grade 6

• Thanksgiving Reflection W/ 5 Compound & 5 Complex Sentences (1-Page Minimum) - SEE TEAMS.
• Reading Plus - 2 Vocabulary, 2 Reading Passages

Grade 7

• Thanksgiving Reflection W/ 15 Comma Rules (1-Page Minimum) - SEE TEAMS.
• Reading Plus - 2 Vocabulary, 3 Reading Passages

Grade 8

• Reading Plus - Complete All Assigned Reading Plus Boxes - SEE TEAMS.
• Comma Rules Notes & Assignment

Thank You!

Ms. Mendoza

Checking-In / Updates!

Hi!

  I wanted to pop-in and say 'Hello!'  We are currently weeks away from Thanksgiving, and that means that our Second Unit Project will begin shortly for ELA/R.  Students were already given their Unit Guides at the beginning of the Unit, so please ask them for those handouts, as they should be in their binders (behind the ELA/R tab).  For your convenience, they are listed below:

6^TH Grade:  

ELA/R & Social Studies & Science: ComicCon is looking to feature new superhero and villain masterpieces!  What script can you create that encompasses dramatic terminology and figurative language, similar to your readings of dramatic texts within Unit #2?

Math? - Please contact Mr. Cox.

7^TH Grade:

ELA/R & Social Studies & Science: European exploration is expanding throughout Texas and human bodies are adapting to this change.  Using figurative language, what dramatic script can you create from the perspective of at least three out of the ten body systems from either a Native American or a European explorer?

Math? - Please contact Mr. Cox.

8^TH Grade:

ELA/R & Social Studies ONLY: Colonists have experienced both positive and traumatic life events.  Using figurative language, write a soliloquy/narrative poem from the perspective of a colonist of your choice.

Science & Math? - Please contact Mr. Favata & Mr. Cox.

  Secondly, if you are not signed-up for "Remind 101", please find more information here on my Blog regarding that; it is a faster way of connecting to me via text-messaging (without giving out my phone number, of course).  :)  Be aware that I try to give out at least one update per week regarding assignments, news, etcetera.  I did mention the other week about changing around Units; students will still need their Non-Fiction Novels, but it will not be until next semester, as I have switched our Units around.  I apologize to those who did not receive this information!

  Tomorrow (Thursday, 10/25), I will be giving out more information to your student(s) regarding ELA/R Activates (Assignments) that are upcoming for the remainder of Unit #2.  You may connect to the link that includes this Assignment information by clicking here:  Core Class - Assignment Logs. I try to keep this as updated as possible so that you are aware of items going in the Gradebook, and it is usually updated at the beginning of each week.

Lastly, Renaissance STAR will take place this Friday (10/25) during the first few hours of school. If your student has a laptop/tablet, please have them bring it on this day, as school computers are limited. You may wish to send your child to school with a book to read, as well, that way they may read silently as others are testing.

This is all I have for now. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me any time via Remind 101, e-mail, and/or phone. I appreciate your support and time!

Thank You,

Ms. Mendoza

*For TEAMS information, please see below, as well...

TEAMS Access

1. Office.com.
2. There are different apps in here; all available thru this online access.  Click on “TEAMS”.
3. Username: janesmith08@inspirecharter.com / Password: XX/XX/XX (DOB)
4. You can click on different classes to see class “Conversations”, and at the top, there are tabs for “Files”, “Class Notebook”, and “Assignments”.

*ASSIGNMENT LOG* Link

Please use this Assignment Log link to see all ASSIGNMENTS & DUE DATES for ELA/Reading & Social Studies: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aLDjcsLwDyBc2Qo2SP8Cbsp8JvrwarWa0tUI5z6seas/edit?usp=sharing.

Thank You!

-

*Remind 101: Remind 101 is an app that keeps students connected to important due dates from their Facilitators.  See below for how to sign-up...

• 6TH Grade: Text @afiag to number 81010.
• 7TH Grade: Text @afiagr to number 81010.
• 8TH Grade: Text @afiagra to number 81010.

*Reminders will be sent out throughout the school year, and you may contact me on there if you have any questions/concerns at any time throughout the school year.

-Ms. Mendoza

Compiled Unit Projects - 6/7/8

Unit #1 Project Scenarios - AFIA Middle School

6TH

Anne Frank Island

You and your friends have crash landed on an uninhabited island. You start a civilization.
Many generations have passed and newcomers have arrived. What will they come to know
about your civilization?

Focus Questions

Science: What are 5 safety hazards that the people on your island might encounter and
what signs can you create that demonstrate that concern?

ELAR: What can you create that details how your island/civilization came to be?

Math: What type of conversion might you make to adjust 3 island recipes?

SS: What will the newcomers learn about the civilization through the culture traits that
they observe?

7TH

Texas Indian Market Day

The Native groups of Texas will meet for a Market Day to sell their goods and tell their story.

Focus Questions

Science: What are 5 safety concerns that your Native group might encounter and what signs
can you create that demonstrate that concern?

ELAR: What experience will you share that illustrates a typical market day for the Natives of Texas?

Math: What is my cost/profit? Cost Analysis sheet?

SS: What product can I create that will represent my tribe of Texas and be something that I
can sell at a Native Market Day?

8TH

Voyage

It is the 17th century and you are on a voyage from the “Old World” to the “New World”.

Focus Question

Science What are 5 safety concerns that the colonists might encounter and what signs can
you create that demonstrate that concern?

ELAR What can you create that portrays life’s obstacles on the journey from the Old World to the New World?

Math What type of calculations would you have to do on a voyage from the Old World to the
New World?

SS What was life like for the Europeans that came to settle in the New World?