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SOUTHWEST MIDDLE

Spotlight: NC Math II Eighth grade scholars have been studying

probability - both simple and conditional,

but focusing on the latter. Many scholars

had learned basic probability in the sixth

grade, but they agree that their knowledge,

confidence and expertise in this area have

grown greatly as they've delved into more

complex scenarios.

As a culminating activity to this unit,

they worked in groups to show details of

how they would solve probability problems

dealing with real life situations. They

displayed the sample spaces, explained the

formulas they've learned to use and

concluded with their answers. They then

presented these charted problems to their

peers.

March 2017 Issue 3

13624 Steele Creek Road

Charlotte, NC 28273

Third Quarter Talent Development Newsletter

Seventh Grade

Ray Adams

Barnetta Boston

Alecia Bryant

Tonya Harris

Lisa Johnson-Ritchey

Charlotte Pohlig

Academic Conversations & Writing

Southwest Middle School’s Instructional

Leadership Team has been diving deeper into

instructional best practices. Scholars have been

focusing on pre-writing in all content areas. This

includes incorporating use of graphic organizers,

thinking maps, brainstorming, listing, annotating and

more! Using the aforementioned strategies support

comprehension of the text, scholar-to-scholar

discussion, helps organize thinking and sets the stage

for future writing. This focus is crucial in scholars

demonstrating college and career readiness.

Principal: Barry Blair

P: 980.343.5006 F: 980.343.3239

Sixth Grade

Cato Burgess

Patricia English

Tiffany Reavis

Geoffrey Reckerd

Kimberly Richardson

Mary Solan

Eighth Grade

Marilyn Bollinger

Nicole Cayea

Grant Joreid

Martha Little

Anna Marcello

Olivia Robinson

7th

Gra

de

Ma

th

Geometry has been the focus this quar-ter. Many hands-on activities are being uti-lized to develop students’ conceptual under-standing of the various geometric topics and formulas. For example, students used indi-rect measurement strategies to discover the origin of pi. Students then used their discov-ery that ratio of the circumference of any circle to its diameter is always a little more than 3 to derive the formula for calculating circumfer-ence. We also looked at the relationship be-tween the radius and area of a circle.

Project-based learning is also evident throughout the curriculum as students apply this new knowledge to students solve real-world problems. This quarter students created a misleading advertisement involving the math concepts learned, as well as utilizing literacy strategies for a pizza company.

During the 3rd quarter scholars focused

on the study of ratio's/proportions and ge-

ometry. The ratios unit include use of per-

cents which provided for many real world

application including sales tax, tip, and dis-

counts.

The geometry unit consisted of 2-D Area

and 3-D surface area and volume of shapes

and complex figures. Included in this unit

was a study of circles and cylinders.

6th Grade Math

HO

NO

RS

TEAC

HER

S

Academic Facilitator: Tiffany Taylor

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Prior to and during the first days of reading Roald Dahl’s memoir BOY,

scholars used research and writing skills to create foldables sharing

“Something About the Author.” Scholars incorporated skills outlined in com-

mon core writing standards as they “gathered, quoted, and restated infor-

mation from different sources while assessing the strength of each source

and providing information to construct a bibliography.” Students were en-

gaged in the practice of “writing for varied audiences, purposes, and periods

of time.” Related activities included creating visual images of events during

“The Great Mouse Plot,” “Norway,” and “St Peter’s,” sorting the images se-

quentially, and using those images as prewriting, as well as using Dahl’s words

as a mentor text. Please visit our classrooms and ask your scholars to share

their handiwork!

Spotlight: 6th Grade

Eighth grade language arts is

working on Project-Based Learning.

Scholars have completed reading A

Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hans-

berry and are now creating their

projects.

The projects include movie post-

ers (which must show leading actors

and actresses and a scene from the

book), a trailer script to go along

with the poster, and a soundtrack

incorporating songs and lyrics. The

songs must explain why they

are appropriate for a specific scene

in the book.

8th Grade

7th Grade

English Language Arts

Many gifted scholars will either already know the concepts to be taught or will demonstrate an understanding of them very quickly. We, as educa-tors, are constantly looking for ways to extend their knowledge of the con-cept by providing enrichment activities within each lesson. One way, we extend lessons for all scholars is through academic conver-sations. We have learned that if scholars can express their opinion with facts or claims that are supported by the concept that is being taught, then they will have a deeper understanding of the subject and the con-cept. We work in partner groups, blog, and have Socratic discussions in class. Parents can practice these same strategies at home by asking their schol-ar about his or her opinion of things that are happening in the world through news, social media as well as local social events.

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore—

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over—

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Harlem

By

LANGSTON

HUGHES

Southwest Middle School

Needs Volunteer

End of Year

Testing Proctors

More information:

https://goo.gl/ dg1poj

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Social Studies: 7th Grade

Scholars in eighth grade science classes created group posters and presenta-tions on the different energy resources. Also, they participated in a lab using gummy bears to show osmosis.

Science: 8th Grade

For our World War I unit scholars will be re-creating trench warfare. They read six primary resource documents with their group, analyze the readings, and then based off of what they learned they create a represen-tation of what a trench would have looked like during WWI.

In social studies this quarter, we are completing various activities in which

scholars are required to use their critical thinking skills as well as their crea-

tivity skills. Some activities consist of analyzing the different trade routes

used by Age of Exploration sailors and reenacting their movement in the

classroom, reading primary source text to determine if the Declaration of

Independence is plagiarized, and thoroughly understanding the American,

French, and Latin American revolutions in order to be able to create an origi-

nal song that describes in detail one of those revolutions.