The document provides an overview of what various classes at PS/IS 226 Panther Pride are focusing on for the month of September. Some of the key points mentioned include: - 6th grade ELA classes focusing on close reading strategies and the RACE strategy. 7th grade ELA reviewing essay writing skills and discussing "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens." 8th grade ELA starting a "College 101" unit. - 6th grade math learning order of operations. 7th grade reviewing concepts like number systems and ratios/proportions. 8th grade refreshing skills and learning new content. - 6th grade science exploring the nature of science through inquiry. 7th grade developing

1. Welcome Back! …. FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS- September 2016 Issue 1
PS/IS 226 Panther Pride Press
“Together We Make Our
School a Success”
ELA for 6 grades Welcome Back! We are all very eager to start this school year
with so many new and exciting things ahead! This month we are focusing
on close reading strategies and how to think critically when reading, in
order to respond elaborately and creatively. We are also working on
reading, analyzing, annotating and responding to text dependent questions
while using the RACE strategy. Additionally, students are learning to be
responsible for their own behaviors and classwork/assignments. We ask to please
monitor that your child is reading 30-45 minutes a day in order to improve fluency,
vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills.
7th
Grade ELA- Before jumping into the first unit in Code X, Mrs. Alvarez' 7th grade
ELA class will be going over their argumentative and informative essay writing
skills. They will also learn different strategies that will help them cite important
details in a text. Other 7th
grade classes have been exploring how to be successful
both in and out of school as we read Sean Covey’s “The Seven Habits of Highly
Effective Teens” Students have been asked to examine their behaviors in order to
develop their best selves. Furthermore, they have revisiting and brushing up on
how to use the “Race” strategy in answering questions.
8th
Grade ELA –The future graduates have hit the ground running. We are off to a
great start. They are focused on college and career readiness and as they dive
into “College 101” themed unit. running! These seniors are focusing on college
and career readiness as they dive into their
“College Life 101”- themed unit. In addition,
Our 6th Grade Mathematicians are flexing their math muscles by learning the
Triple O (Order of Operations) PEMDAS rap! Based on their learning styles’
survey, we learned 75% of students self-identified as visual/kinesthetic learners.
Many students were eager to perform their version of singing and dancing
in front of their classmates. Go 6th Grade Rock stars!
Mr. Greene 7th
graders, Last year your hard work, dedication, and
determination, paid off with amazing gains on the math state exam. This
year we are off to a hot start, we will be taking our math skills to the next level and
going through key concepts such as the number system, ratios and proportions,
expressions and equations. Remember, “Success is built on the essence of hard
work”. Let us shoot for the stars my panthers!
Mr. Hadzovic/ Mr. Kent/ Ms. Shammas 8th Grade: Math is the only
subject that counts! Our senior mathematicians are refreshing
their expertise from last year while also moving on towards new
content. A great mathematician once said, “Dividing two numbers is called
computing; knowing which two numbers to divide is called mathematics. “ We
seek to increase the understanding of students and not just build up rote
Ms. Trovato 6th
Grade
Grade 6 is exploring the five
themes of Geography and
getting ready to make our first
hands-on project.
Ms. Sapienza 7th/
Grade is
studying U.S. History Part 1.
Students are learning geography
and maps. This skill will allow
them to analyze and interpret
historical texts and events in
future units. Geography will play
a large role in the first major unit
of study- Native Americans and
Christopher Columbus.
8th
Grade
Our seniors are studying U.S.
History Part 2. The students are
currently focusing on the
importance of studying history
and how historical knowledge
can help in the future.
Ms. Pizzo
Students in class 604 are learning
how to use the RACE strategy
when answering questions. We
are also practicing answering
independent reading. In Math,
students will be learning how to
add, subtract, and multiply
decimals.
Ms. Mallen and Ms. Tse
Classes 605 and 805 will be
exploring a variety of life skills
both in and out of the classroom.
In Math, we are telling time,
counting money, and
computations. We will be taking
a weekly walking trip to
Shoprite. In ELA, we will be
working in small group using
different strategies to improve
our reading comprehension
skills.
Our 6th
grade Digital Literacy learners are super excited to investigate the
eight components of the Digital Literacy curriculum topics include: internet
safety, privacy and security, relationships and communication, cyber
bullying and digital drama, digital footprint and reputation, self -image and
identity, information literacy, and finally creative credit and copyright. We can’t wait
to explore the wonders of the web all while being digitally responsible!

2. Panther Pride Press- September 2016- Issue 1
“A Note from Our Guidance Counselor-Ms. Tsekouras"
Ms. Trombetta
6th graders are getting their first
middle school music experience
by practicing rhythms and
melodies from around the world
on various percussion
instruments.
7th graders are expanding their
musical abilities by learning
about complex rhythms, 5- 6 part
arrangements and performing on
percussion instruments.
8th graders will build on musical
knowledge learned in 6th and 7th
grade and work with groups to
compose original songs and
arrangements.
Band students continue to play
their instruments after taking
time off in the summer. Please
encourage your child to practice
Seniors and families please keep in mind...Letters are going out soon
and the forms need to be returned to Ms. Tsekouras in person by October
6th in Room 203. She will pre-register your child and provide the
appropriate test and/or audition ticket(s) needed.
Some schools require that you pre-register for their Open Houses. The
Specialized H.S. Open House dates are on a separate flier; you will receive
this as well.
There is also another wonderful opportunity/H.S. Fair - hosted by Career &
Technical Education on Saturday, October 29th from 9am-2pm.
Location: George Westinghouse H.S. 105 Johnson Street, Brooklyn.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding the Public High
Schools & the Admissions process. I can be reached at: (718) 234-4940
extension 4611 or email me at: DTsekouras@schools.nyc.gov.
HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSIONS FAIRS:
Brooklyn Technical H.S. on Saturday 9/24/16 or on Sunday
9/25/16 from 10am-3pm
Sunset Park H.S. on Saturday, 10/15/16 or on Sunday, 10/16/16 from 11am-
3pm.
George Westinghouse H,S. Career & Technical Education on Saturday,
Ms. Salcedo 6th
Grade Science
The sixth grade scientists are busy exploring the
nature of science through the inquiry process. They
engaged in scientific inquiry to enhance their science
skills such as hypothesizing, manipulating variables, analyzing data,
conducting experiments, writing claims, and communicating results.
Ms. Toyber 7/8th
Grade Science
This month, the seventh graders are focused on developing their inquiry
skills through the various research methods such as controlled experiment,
field study, and secondary research. They are also exploring the scientific
method to enhance their inquiry skills.
8 th Grade: This month our wonderful 8th grade graduates have been
introduced to the various scientific process skills such as (but not limited to)
observing, classifying, measuring, making inferences, predicting, and
communicating. Additionally, we explored safety rules and expectations
within a laboratory room. We encourage everyone to explore the world
around them, and to always Keep Calm and Science On!
Mrs. Reyes’ students started off the
year by getting to know one
another. They then researched the
Spanish speaking countries of the
world. Next, these bilingual
learners excitedly constructed
maps reflecting what they learned
about each of these interesting
cultures. Bravo!
Mr. Pratt/ Mr. Convissar
Our physical education classes
have been working extremely
hard. Between running, jumping,
power skips, high knee kicks, butt
kicks, stretching, push-ups, curl
ups and all those soccer drills, we
have been quite busy. Many boys
and girls are looking forward to
making our C.H.A.M.P.S. soccer
team. Good luck to all who are
trying out.
Mr. Geraci’s students are ready for a new year of creating, imagining and
expressing themselves. This month, students have been making drawings
using a palette of fall colors and images of leaves and pumpkins to create
beautiful designs for autumn.