Contents
Important Dates
| January 31-February 4 New Voices Spirit Week | |
| February 1 – Lunar New Year Schools Closed | |
| February 21-25 Mid-winter recess | |
| March 10 – Parent- Teacher Conferences | |
| March 18 – End of 2nd Quarter | |
| March 29-30 – ELA Exam | |
| April 15- 22 – Spring Recess – School Closed | |
New Voices Guidance and Counseling
As January comes to a close, we are putting our efforts towards awareness! It has come to our attention that some students may not know how to go about accessing guidance and/or counseling. To respond to these concerns, posters with information on who we are, what we can help with, and where we sit have been posted all around the school building. This information is also available for you to view on the New Voices school website. It is our hope that as more students know that help is available and how to access it, they will take the initiative in seeking out that help when they need it. Additionally, as we have continued to gain insights from the DESSA screening data, extra counseling hours have been made available after school to respond to the need that this data has highlighted.
Best,
New Voices Guidance and Counseling
High School Information from Ms. Miller
Jupiter
Parents: Are you registered in Jupiter? Administration and Teachers use this to message parents. Please stay informed. If you need assistance reach out to Enid Parra, Parent Coordinator, eparra2@schools.nyc.gov. Please note that some information is only sent to parent accounts.
Math
Help Sites:
6th Grade
Understand and Use Ratio and Rate
At the end of the unit the students will be able to:
- Understand Ratios
- Use ratios to describe the relationship between two quantities
- Use bar diagrams and double number line diagrams to model ratio relationships.
- Generate Equivalent Ratios
- Use multiplication and division to find equivalent ratios.
- Solve problems by finding equivalent ratios.
- Compare Ratios
- Use ratio tables to compare ratios.
- Compare ratios to solve problems.
- Represent and Graph Ratios
- Use rates to describe ratios in which the terms have different units.
- Use rates and unit rates to solve problems
- Understand Rates and Unit Rates
- Use rates to describe ratios in which the terms have different unites
- Use Rates and unit rates to solve problems
- Compare Unit Rates
- Use ratio reasoning to compare rates and solve problems
- Solve Unit Rate Problems
- Use unit rates to solve problems involving constant speed.
- Use unit rates to solve problems involving unit price.
- Solve unit rate problems using an equation
7th Grade
Solve Problems Using Equations and Inequalities
At the end of the unit the students will be able to:
- Write Two-Step Equations
- Analyze word problems to write two-step equations
- Understand the relationship between the terms of the equation and the values they represent.
- Solve Two-Step Equations
- Use models to solve two-step equations.
- Compare algebraic and arithmetic solutions.
- Solve Equations Using the Distributive Property
- Solve equations using the Distributive Property
- Solve Inequalities Using Addition or Subtraction
- Graph the solution of inequalities on a number line.
- Solve inequalities using the Addition and Subtraction Properties of Inequality
- Solve Inequalities Using Multiplication and Division
- Write inequalities and solve them using Multiplication and Division Properties of Inequality
- Graph the solutions of an inequality on a number line.
- Solve Two-Step Inequalities
- Write and solve a two-step inequality to solve a problem
- Solve an inequality by multiplying or dividing by a negative rational number.
- Solve Multi-Step Inequalities
- Explore the relationship between two-step inequalities and multi-step inequalities
- Apply the Distributive Property to simplify and solve multi-step inequalities.
8th Grade/Algebra
In Unit 4, all algebra students will build off of their understanding of two variable equations and apply new concepts to bivariate data. They will engage in analyzing scatter plots for positive or negative linear trends, using lines to represent relationships between the variables, writing linear equations (manually and using their graphing calculator), interpreting these equations in context, and using the equations to make predictions beyond the scope of the data. One of the biggest focuses for students will be asking themselves, “Is there evidence that suggests an association between the variables?” Sometimes data will have a correlation while others will have a causal relationship. Distinguishing between the two can sometimes feel interchangeable. However, differences between correlation and casual relationships will be discovered as we move through our unit. One of the many reasons students study bivariate data is for analyzing various bivariate data sets using functions, designing and carrying out experiments, and making predictions about possible outcomes. Activating prior knowledge of association between two variables will provide a basis for correlation and allow students to measure how closely a model fits the data.
Art Electives
STEM (Mr. Burnworth)
6th Grade
6th grade: We are learning coding by developing mini-games on Scratch. Ask your student to show you their games! When you play their games ask them to show you the code describe how it works.
7th/8th Grade Majors
Majors: Continuing to work on our portfolios in digital and physical fabrication- don’t forget to look at your students portfolio located on google classroom! Ask your student how they felt about the tech/fab they worked with in the first three rounds!
We are also learning about design movements to help focus each students design aesthetic. So far we have discussed the Arts and Crafts movement, Art Nouveau and Art Deco.
Chorus (Ms. Kahn)
6th Grade
During the month of February, 6th grade students will examine how various elements of music affect the mood of a song. They will also start rehearsing their combined choral piece, “It’s All Right,” written by Curtis Mayfield.
7th/8th Grade Majors
7th grade chorus majors will dive into their new piece, “The Dream Keeper,” based on a poem by Langston Hughes. 8th grade chorus majors will continue practicing their Italian for the song, “Bella Ciao.” Both classes will begin a film-scoring composition project using solfege. The composer of the month will be Laufey. Laufey is a singer of Icelandic and Chinese descent who is emerging with her modern jazz style.
Graphic Arts (Ms. Eisenberg)
6th Grade
The sixth-grade graphics arts students will be introduced to digital painting. The students will learn how to draw and paint a self-portrait of themselves using Adobe Photoshop. They will learn the definition of a self-portrait. The students will learn how self-portraits can be both realistic and abstract in style. They will observe portrait artwork dating back to the 16th Century through to the 21st Century.
7th Grade Majors
The seventh-grade graphic arts majors have been studying endangered species. The class made a vector portrait using Adobe Illustrator of an endangered species during the month of January. In February they will learn how to use their portrait in a packaging design assignment. The class will be inventing a line of cookies for the company named Endangered Species Chocolate. Like a real Graphic Designer, they will learn how to design a cookie bag using the elements and principles of design. They will learn how to play the roles of an Illustrator, Copywriter, and Graphic Designer.
8th Grade Majors
The eighth-grade graphic arts majors will be finishing up their logo design project. During mid-February they will be introduced to the style of Pop Art and the artist named Andy Warhol. They will learn about propaganda artwork and how the Pop Art era emerged during the 1950’s. The students will design a vector portrait using Adobe Illustrator in the style of Andy Warhol.
Dance (Ms. Herlinger-Thompson)
6th Grade
Classes 603 and 604 will be applying their developing dance knowledge and understanding of the Dance Element: Body, Effort, Relationship, Space and Time to create an original class dance as a collaborating community of dance makers. Both classes will be presenting their dances during a school time performance at the end of the 2nd marking which will be video recorded and shared on our school website.
7th and 8th Grade Majors
Our 7 and 8 Grade Dance Majors will be kicking off Black History Month completing their reflection-thank you letters to America’s International Principal Ballerina Misty Copeland of American Ballet Theater for her surprise Zoom visit and discussion with us January 19, 2022. Our dance majors will also be researching and developing an independent dance project celebrating the life and legacy of an African-American dance artist/educator of their choice which they will be presenting in class before the end of the 2 making period.
Visual Arts (Ms. Herrity)
6th Grade
Students are learning the 7 Elements of Art as well as the Principles of Art while viewing renowned artworks in order to be able to assess and critique with informed vocabulary. Students are also being introduced to four artists from Johannesburg, South Africa that create passionate artwork from photography to interactive murals. We’re looking into the difficult history of South African apartheid, which was systemic segregation on grounds of race.
7th Grade Majors
7th grade art majors are encouraged to apply to the Summer Arts Institute – deadline is February 6! Every week students continue to receive a sketchbook homework assignment that puts their creativity to the test. Every single week is an opportunity to create an amazing artwork that can become a part of their portfolio. Students are always encouraged and are welcome to sign-out and borrow art supplies from the classroom to use for sketchbook homework assignments! We will also begin studying the human figure and practicing figure drawing techniques as studio sessions in the classroom.
8th Grade Majors
8th grade visual art majors are encouraged to apply to the Summer Arts Institute – deadline is February 6! In the classroom and as sketchbook homework – students are learning perspective drawing technique to be able to realistically convey 3-D forms on a 2-D surface. Some classes this month will be full-on studio sessions to practice drawing the human figure in movement and still from observation – as well as learning a method for quickly drawing the human figure in proportion.
Theater (Ms. DiRenzo)
6th Grade
601 & 602- We will be finishing up our ensemble games unit at the beginning of the month. We will then transition into our second unit, stage pictures, where we explore how best to use our bodies and the stage space to tell stories. We will also spend some time exploring our own human behavior and the various ways, other than just words, we express ourselves.
7th Grade Majors
As we have completed our studies of both Ancient Greek Theater and our reading of Oedipus, we will take some time to cap off our improv studies with some fun and challenging games. Early in the month we will begin our study of the Elizabethan Age and Shakespeare. We will also take some time to explore some creative writing prompts in preparation for our unit on playwriting.
8th Grade Majors
Students will be working on a literary study of the play Antigone by Sophocles at the same time as exploring the different elements of art such as color theory and symbolism, texture, shape, etc. and theater design, focusing on costume and set design. Groups will then use their previous study of stage composition in combination with theater design to produce a scene from Antigone.
***In all classes we will take some time to learn about the life of actor and civil rights activist Sidney Poitier, the first black Oscar winner.
Science
6th Grade
Energy
Students will identify the two main types of energy: Potential Energy and Kinectic Energy. Students will describe how different forms of energy support the Law of conservation of Energy.
7th Grade
Land Biomes
We will begin this month with our focus on land biomes, comparing the amount of rainfall and the average temperature range for each. Then we will examine and compare the physical and behavioral adaptations of the various plants and animals in each area. This will lead us into how living things are classified.
8th Grade
Functions of the Nervous System
In the month of February, students in Living Environment will be introduced to the parts and functions of the Nervous System. The relationship between neurotransmitters and receptors and how learning is accomplished will be the core understanding for this unit. Students will also be able to explain Feedback Loops and understand why these mechanisms are vital for an organism’s ability to maintain homeostasis. As always all lessons, review sheets, supporting videos and online textbook reference pages are included on Google Classroom.
Humanities
6th Grade
Sixth grade students will begin a new unit of study focusing on argument. First, they will immerse themselves in the genre by reading arguments on a variety of topics. Then they will begin a focused study on a specific topic. They will learn how to analyze and identify the most effective arguments. The culminating task will require each student to write an argument essay using the information gathered throughout the unit. In addition, they will read a series of nonfiction articles about Black and African American activists that have fought for social justice. They will use the information to help them discuss the following essential questions: · What causes prejudice? · Why is it important to speak out against injustice? · What does it take to change society?
7th Grade
.
Seventh grade students ended the CHAINS unit by participating in a Socratic Seminar to discuss how the 4th of July/Independence Day should be viewed today. They had a scholarly discussion incorporating the different perspectives they read about on the topic: African Americans, Native Americans, immigrants, etc. They will begin a new unit of study focusing on the Constitution to explore the essential question, “Is the Constitution a living document?” They will closely read nonfiction articles about current issues that demonstrate the principles of the Constitution in action. Their discussions will address the following questions:· What principle of the Constitution is at work?· Describe how the principle has been applied? · Why did the principle need to be applied in this situation?
8th Grade
Eighth grade students will begin a new unit of study focusing on the Civil Rights Movement. Students will read nonfiction articles to help them understand the historical context that contributed to the growth of the Civil Rights Movement. They will closely read about significant events and roles that individuals and groups played in fighting for justice and equality. Then they will look at current issues of social injustice in our society today. Some of the essential questions they will discuss: · What roles and responsibilities do people have to take in order to affect change?· What tactics are the most successful in affecting change? Why?
French
8th Grade only
8th Grade
We will begin a thematic unit based around time, weather and seasons during the month of February. Students will be have the opportunity to practice the following “I can” statements :
- I can give the time, dates and weather information
- I can list the seasons
- I can name activities and their times in my daily schedule
- I can recognize some common weather expressions
- I can understand the days of the week and the time
- I can understand some details in a weather forecast
- I can express the time and date as locals do
Students will also have the opportunity to understand the 24 hour clock and look at the role of weather and seasons when it relates to leisure activities in Francophone countries.
NEW VOICES | MS 443 