News

M.S. 5 Grade 8 Newsletter

8 Grade Teachers
December
2014
and Important
Dates:
th

Dec 12th Middle School Winter Formal

(Dance) 3:30pm to 5:30pm
Dec 17th Evening Winter Concert
6:00pm
Dec 19th Middle School Holiday

ELA: Ms. Edwards, Ms. Delgado

Math: Mr. Porciello, Ms. Ellison
Social Studies: Mr. Langley
Science: Ms. Phillips-Santos, Mr. Melendez, Ms.
Ellison
Foreign Language: Ms. Suero
Technology: Ms. Edwards
Theater: Ms. McLeod

Homeroom Teachers

Concert 1:30pm 2:30pm

801: Ms. Edwards

806: Ms. Ellison

802: Mr. Porciello

808: Mr. Langley

Winter Recess is Dec 24th to January 4th

Grading Policy
The grades for middle school are broken down as follows:
Classwork/Participation
Notebooks

25%
20%

Homework
Formal Assessment

15%
40%

Notes from the Teachers:

Mr. Porciello (Math) rporciello2@schools.nyc.gov.

This month in math, we will be working on the unit of linear equations. Students will explore relationships
between variables that form linear relationships, i.e. straight lines. Useful websites for homework help are
also www.regentsprep.org and Khan Academy: www.khanacademy.org

Ms. Edwards (ELA) cedwards22@schools.nyc.gov

In ELA this month, students will be introduced to a new focus of study on creating, drafting and revising
personal essays that can convey strong emotion and tell powerful individual stories. Students will discover
how to find the best anecdote, or personal story to hook and compel the reader. We will be exploring
various types of essays in hopes of improving our writing in this crucial year before high school.

Mr. Langley (Social Studies) rlangle@schools.nyc.gov

In Social Studies, the students are learning about the settlement of the American West. We are currently
learning and analyzing the Transcontinental Railroad and its completion. During this time period theyll also
be exploring the nations policies and development as the United States begins growing from the Civil War.

Ms. Phillips-Santos/Mr. Melendez (Science) portmorristech@gmail.com

In Science we are completing our unit on Data Analysis in mid-December and beginning the following unit on
Reproduction. In Data Analysis, we are conducting inquiry by posing testable questions and gathering,
presenting, and analyzing data in various formats, particularly tables and graphs. Our Unit Performance Task
will take place across a week. Students will gather data across several days in a simulated public health
investigation. Their findings will be presented in a Socratic Seminar and then published in an Investigative
Report afterwards. This published report must be peer-reviewed and is due by Thursday, December 11th.

Parent Involvement:
Parent involvement is crucial for success. You can help by ensuring your child is completing his/her
homework assignments and studying. Please feel free at any time to contact any one of the teachers by
calling the main office (718-292-2683).