1. Spring is Here …. FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS- March 2017 Issue 7
PS/IS 226 Panther Pride Press
“Together We Make Our
School a Success”
Ms. Trovato 6th
Grade Social Studies
"All roads lead to Rome." Our 6th
graders are learning about the rise
and fall of the Roman Empire. Students
will learn how one of the greatest
civilizations rose to power and how its
legacy lived on through our modern
world.
Ms. Sapienza- 7th
Grade Social Studies
The spring unit for the 7th graders will
focus on the created of our
Constitution. Students wil be using The
United States Constitution: A graphic
adaptation by Johnathon Hennesey to
visualize the powers and restrictions of
our federal government. The unit will
conclude with an in depth analysis of
the Federalists and Anti-Federalists
where students will use to popular
Hamilton soundtrack to help them
distinguish between the two political
groups of the 1800s.
Ms. Sapienza- 8th
Grade Social Studies
The 8th graders will be using march to
focus on World War I ad the impact the
"Great War" had politically, socially,
and economically around the world.
After their mid-unit assessment,
students will dive into the
achievements of the Progressive Era- a
time of flappers, new inventions,
moneymakers, and movie stars! The
unit will wrap up with their fist regents
based thematic essay, which will
surely be the student's most
challenging essay of the year.
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
It's that time of year again - time to buckle down and prepare
ourselves for the state test. We will be doing rigorous lessons in our
new unit in preparation for those high demands. Our new unit is all
about poverty - the effects of it and how we might be able to end it.
Our first text is a challenging one - written by Jeffrey Sachs, "The End
of Poverty" is all about the implications of poverty and what we can do
to end it in our lifetime. We will be critically examining the bold claims
Sachs makes in his argumentative essay and considering whether his
ideas are even feasible. We are already embarking upon exciting new
conversations about what it means to be a prosperous society and
whether it's really our responsibility to help those in need.
Ms. Stansici 8th
Grade ELA
Eighth Grade continues its art unit with the story, "Zebra" by
examining various literary layers that make this a favorite story. Some
of the skills include character types, mood, imagery, and inference.
Students will soon take a page out of the story to create their own art
projects using mixed media.
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog’s Day this year, so I
guess we should have known that winter wasn’t quite ready to sit back
and let us enjoy an early spring quite yet. Even so, the temperature is
gradually increasing, and spring is on its way as our students continue
learning and growing at 226.
2. Panther Pride Press- March 2017- Issue 7
Ms. D’Acierno- 6th
Grade Mathematics
For the month of March, our 6th grade Superstars are marching into Algebra.
They are writing algebraic and numerical expressions, writing and solving
equations, using substitution to prove expressions are equivalent, and writing,
solving, and graphing inequalities. This is just a few of the many skills our 6th
graders will be mastering. Lets enjoy the ride and practice, practice, practice so
we come close to perfect ;) Don't forget the NYS Mathematics state exam is on
May 2, 3, and 4!
Mr. Greene- 7th
Grade Mathematics
The state exam is right around the corner! But there is no need to fear, Mr.
Greene is here, and we have all worked so hard. We just have to keep the pedal
to the metal and we will do great! We are now on to our Geometry unit where we
will be learning all about circles, angles, and how to represent the perimeter
and area of all different types of geometric figures. Expressions and equations
are in the books, the Go Math books that is, but those skills will be essential
towards students' success for the rest of the year and throughout their
mathematical careers in 8th grade, high school and beyond. "Success is built on
the essence of hard work".
Mr. Hadzovic- 8th
Grade Mathematics
Today was a big day! We got our high school acceptance letters! In math news
we are heading fast into geometry. We will explore shapes and what happens
when we slide them around, reflect them, rotate them, and shrink or enlarge
them. Afterwards we will find the volumes of various three dimensional objects.
"There is geometry in the humming of the strings, there is music in the spacing of
the spheres." -Pythagoras
Ms. Salcedo-6th
Grade Science
The 6th graders are creatively designing their science expo display boards that
parallel the components of a simple science research report. This report
includes a title, statement of the problem, procedure (methods/procedure),
results, and conclusion to be presented during the Science Expo 2017. Come
and visit our Mad Science Expo 2017!
Ms. Salcedo- 7th
Grade Science
The 7th graders are busy writing their scientific papers which follow a standard
format, including both oral and visual presentations of scientific research. They
will present their research through oral reports, poster sessions, and displays
which will be held on March 23rd. Come visit our Science Expo 2017!
Ms. Toyber- 8th
Grade
Science
It's officially the month of our
Mad Science Expo! We
invite you all to join and
celebrate the wonderful
long-term scientific
investigation projects that
our students have been
working on so diligently.
Visit the Science Expo on
March 23rd and 24th,
located in the gym, as well
as student-led presentations
located in room 423. We
look forward to seeing you!
Mr. Kent- Digital Literacy
Digital Literacy students have
becomes informed, active
citizens in their democracy!
Using the website, icivics.org,
students have become
president for a day, have
decided court cases, and have
weighed in on hot issues of
the day. Perhaps a future
politician is sitting in our class
today!?
Ms. Reyes- Spanish Club
My bilingual learners after
creating their beautiful
Quinceaneras PowerPoint
presentations, they will start
writing persuasive
conversations in Spanish
by creating a power point
about a quinceanera
celebration.
3. 3
A Note from Our Guidance Counselor-Ms.
Tsekouras"
Dear 8th Grade Families, Round 1 High School results are in
Congratulations! All students who submitted a Round 2 application
by the due date will receive a letter with Round 2 results in May. If
your child received a Round 1 offer and then a Round 2 offer; the
Round 1 offer is no longer available. You cannot choose between
your Round 1 and Round 2 offers. An appeal to your Round 1 offer
will not be considered. If you received an offer to a program that
was not on your application, it is because the Office of Student
Enrollment could not match you to any of the programs listed on
your application due to several factors: Available
seat; Admissions methods; Admissions priorities; and If & where the
school ranked you for screened and audition programs. Appeal
forms will be available in my office after Round 2 results are
distributed. If you would like to submit an appeal, return a
completed and signed Appeal Form with the appropriate supporting
documentation to me by the due date listed on the form. 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 have been working hard on
their shading techniques to create
beautiful still life value drawings. They've
been learning how to use shadows,
highlights and a range of values to make
their drawings pop with bold contrast.
"Ms. Shammas & Class 804
The state exams are upon us
with ELA up first. Right now
it's all about finish lines not
finish times as students
sharpen their RACE strategy
for writing short responses. In
addition to brushing up on the
8th grade ELA standards
they're also fine-tuning test-
taking strategies through
daily instruction. Students
continue to lead class
discussion as well as
vocabulary instruction
through our "Word of the
Day" strategies. The Math
state exam is not too far down
the road either as we navigate
our way through systems of
linear equations. "There are
no secrets to success. It is the
result of preparation, hard
work learning from failure.” ~
General Colin Powell.
Ms. Swinton & 704 In ELA, class
In math, the students are wrapping up
applications of percent and will be
taking an assessment later on in the
week. In Social Studies, the students
are discussing the US Constitution. I
have split the class into two groups
(federalists & anti-federalists). The
students will be participating in a class
debate and role-play to deepen their
understanding of the topic. In science,
the students are wrapping up their
science expo project. The students are
working as a group to create their own
optical illusions as well as analyzing
the relationship between the eyes and
the brain. In ELA, the students are
currently reading the novel "The Boy
in The Striped Pajamas". The students
are reading independently at home, as
well as together in class. The students
have also been examining and making
literary analyses of narrative poems in
CodeX. I have been preparing the
students for the upcoming state ELA
exam by providing the students with
sight words each week in order to
increase their vocabulary. The
students have also been given test-
prep written assignments in class as
well as for homework that aligns with
the Common Core Standards.
Class 604- Ms. Pizzo In ELA,
students are preparing for their
upcoming state exam by
practicing test-taking strategies.
Students are learning how to
eliminate wrong multiple choice
options and how to justify their
correct answers. They have
been applying the RACE strategy
when answering short response
questions. When writing essays,
we have been practicing how to
organize our writing into
paragraphs. We are focusing on
identifying relevant text
evidence and explaining its
significance. In Math we will be
exploring expressions and
equations. Students are learning
how to evaluate expressions
involving exponents, write
algebraic equations, combine
like terms, and identify
equivalent expressions.
4. Panther Pride Press- March 2017- Issue 7
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
English as a New Language (ENL) Elective continues
this March with a literary analysis and shared read
aloud of Paul Langan's novel, The Bully. We will
explore the central idea of this book, as well as the
characters, setting, and plot of the story, by utilizing
theatrical tools like tableau, improvisation,
playwrighting, and scenework. In addition, students
in teams of two will be creating a 10 question Kahoot
about a chapter in the book for review and analysis.
Mr.Pratt and Mr. Convissar- Physical Education
Our incredible Lady Panthers volleyball team had a huge
quarterfinal win on Saturday, March 11, against an
undefeated team from Manhattan. It was a very tough match,
but as usual, the girls from 226 showed tremendous heart,
determination and a will to win that was just too much for
their opponent. We are now headed to St. Francis College for
the semi finals for the second straight year. Our pep band
added lots of excitement to the game as well. Go Panthers
Go!!
Classes 805 and 605 have many exciting activities planned for the month of March. In ELA, we are studying a unit
on working together. We will be focusing on skills such as sequence, author's purpose, and retelling. The genres
will include folk tales, animal fantasy, and realistic fiction. In Math, we will be revisiting addition and subtraction
and continuing division skills. We also have three class trips planned. In Science, we will be studying cherry
blossoms and visiting the Brooklyn Botanical Garden to see the cherry blossom festival. We will also be visiting
Prospect Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park for a day of fun and exercise.
