Little Falls School Number 1 April Newsletter

							                      Little Falls School Number 1
                                   Monthly Newsletter
May 6, 2011                                                               www.lfschools.org

“If you’ve got enough enthusiasm so it infects other people, everybody is going to do better.”
                                      -Willie Mays
What’s Coming Up:
      Monday May 9th-Thursday May 12th Grade 5 NJASK and grades 6,7,8 Make-ups
      Monday, May 16th – Faculty Meeting 3:10 Tech. Lab
       Monday, May 16th – Piano Recital 7pm-8:30pm
      Tuesday, May 17th – Geometry Honors Exam 9am in the cafeteria
      Wednesday, May 18th – Advanced Spring Concert 7-9pm
      Thursday, May 19th – “Keeping on the Right Track” 8th grade assembly 9:30 am
      Monday, May 24th – Beginners Spring Concert 7-9pm




      Wednesday, May 25th & Thursday, May 26th – 8th Grade Trip to Washington DC
      Wednesday, May 25th – PTSA Installation Dinner
      Monday, May 30th – Memorial Day




              April Students of the Month
5th Grade: Jake Bejarano 6th Grade:: T.J. Genardi & Nicholas Joyner
7th Grade: Erik Holzak         8th Grade: Samantha Broeckel & Christine Ifezue




Fifth Grade
        Reading
  In reading, the students will continue to prepare for the NJASK. The classes will keep working on their reading
comprehension skills and answering open-ended reading response questions. The students are finishing up their books
that they have been reading during Reading Workshop: Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor and The Tale of Despereaux
by Kate DiCamillo. Mrs. Strippoli is very excited to be back. She is so proud of the students and how much they have
grown as readers. She is looking forward to working with the students for the remainder of their 5th grade year.
   Keep in mind that the NJASK for the 5th grade will be May 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th. Please make sure your children
are well rested, have a good breakfast, and arrive at school on time during these days.

Math
   Our math classes have moved from fractions to the area of measurement and geometry. Students have been busy
converting between measurement units for both the US Customary and Metric systems. They have explored
measurements for length, liquid, capacity, time and temperature. In addition, they are learning to identify and label
rays, line segments, lines, angles, and polygons. The students have reviewed the processes for determining area and
perimeter of rectangles and squares and most recently are learning to draw and measure angles using a protractor.

Science and Health
   In Science, the classes are finishing up a chapter on Earth's landforms. Their test is next week. They will also be
discussing Earth Day, and how to protect our environment. The classes have been reading about cyber bullying in
Health and will be making "Stomp Out Bullying" posters. They also discussed autism and learned about how
challenging this disorder can be.

Social Studies
    Earlier this month we wrapped up a unit of study about the lives of British colonists during the 1700s (chapter 7 of
our textbook). Ask your child the difference between an artisan and an apprentice! There were many important jobs in
the growing cities and villages of the 13 colonies.
    In mid-April we saw the seeds of conflict begin to grow in the colonies (chapter 8). The Spanish, French, and British
all claimed land in North America. Our students learned about the French and Indian War, which introduced us to
George Washington as he led British soldiers in that conflict. In May we will look at some factors and causes that led
the colonies into the American Revolution.




  Sixth Grade
         In Math, we have calculated the percent of a number, including finding the tax and tip of certain values.
Students are encouraged to calculate the tip on a food bill if possible. The next unit we have studied is our unit on
Measurement. Students have been converting length, weight, and capacity of various objects. They have been using
rulers, math reference sheets and calculators both in class and on homework assignments in preparation for the NJ ASK
test.
         Next, we will venture into our Geometry Unit, in which students will see that math is all around us! They will
be classifying polygons and angles, and using daily classroom and household objects to do so. We will be measuring
angles using protractors, and will be calculating the area and perimeter of polygons, as well as the area and
circumference of circles.

        Lastly, please continue to use our textbook at home as well as our website (www.eduplace.com) for study
tips/extra help. Students are encouraged to email me at acruz2@lfschools.org if they need homework assistance after
school.

    This month in Science the students continued exploring the Water cycle and then moved into the ocean. They
    examined the different layers of the ocean and discussed in great depth, 5 major resources the ocean affords us as
    humans. When we get back from Spring break, we will begin our section on Sun, Moon, and Earth interactions.
    Topics that will be explored will be the reason why we have days and years and how our time frames here on Earth
    compare to those on other planets. The reason behind the seasons and how tides are formed will also be touched
    upon. Students will also investigate eclipses and the different phases of the moon. If time permits, we will be able to
    move beyond our moon and discuss what else is in our Solar System. Because of the vast amount of information and
    experimentation that comes with this topic, it will be our last one for the year. It will be an exciting and hands on
    unit that the students will have a lot of fun completing.
         In Language Arts, students have been reviewing, in preparation for the NJASK test, the various types of writing
that they have completed throughout the year. During the review process, the students have shown great progress and
improvement in completing these various types of writing assignments. Upon completion of the NJASK test (the first
week in May), the students will begin their International research papers. Each student will choose a country to
research and they will write a report informing others on different aspects of their country, such as the history, cultures
and traditions, popular sports or music styles, etc. Students will be using reference books as well as computers to
complete their reports. Although the majority of the report will be completed in school, there may be research as well
as portions of the report that need to be finished at home. All students are encouraged to keep a USB flash drive with
them, if they have one, as that is the easiest way to save their report to be able to work on it both at home and in school.

         This month is social studies the students in 6th grade have been exploring the Roman Empire. We learned
about the different classes of people living in Rome. In addition, students discovered that the government of the Unites
States is based on the republic government of Ancient Rome. During this chapter students also learned who Julius
Caesar and Cleopatra were. Christianity was introduced during this chapter and students learned how the Roman
Catholic Church was created and why the Roman Empire split into two parts.
         Our next chapter is Ancient Arabia. This will include an introduction to Islam and how the religion was
founded. Students will be able to find the similarities and differences in all three monotheistic religions. They will also
be able to discuss how each civilization organized its government and economy. These are the foundations for the
classes to understand concepts like modern politics, religion and economy.




                   Seventh Grade
  Mrs. Kearns
For the past two weeks, Mrs. Kearns' 7th grade math classes have been preparing for the NJ ASK. Each day, the
students take a mini NJ ASK quiz which consists of six multiple choice questions, one short constructed response
question, and one extended response question. Students have fifteen minutes to complete the quiz. After the quiz,
students participate in a multiple-choice minute game. Students have one minute to answer an NJ ASK like question
before they need to rotate to the next question. After five minutes, students discuss their answers with the group. After
five more minutes, I reveal the correct answers and students ask questions. Each night students make daily quiz
corrections and complete a worksheet that contains more standardized test prep questions.


Mr. Russo
For the past few weeks, students have been exposed to intense NJ ASK times writing practice, including persuasive and
expository essays, and narrative writing pieces. As the NJ Ask comes and passes, students will be starting the memoir
unit in language arts. In this unit, students will use what they learned from the Short Story Fiction Unit, and fusing it
with a true, emotionally significant experience from the past. In literature, students are completing independent book
analyses.

Mrs. Stroud

Mrs. Stroud’s seventh grade classes studied the persuasive essay. We read and evaluated different styles of persuasive
selections and planned our own essays. We used our Criterion on-line writing site to select, plan and write additional
persuasive essays. At the end of the month, students reviewed comprehension and writing skills.

Mr. Delfino
There is no better time to study plants then in the spring. During the month of April, we covered just about every
aspect pertaining to plants, from nonvascular to vascular, gymnosperm to angiosperm, seedless to seed and the many
different plant processes. We also had the opportunity to test how different types of soil played a part in seed
germination.



Mrs. Ermenville/ Mr. Simmons
In Social Studies, 7th graders have been learning about the geography, climate, resources and governments of countries
located in Africa. They have been introduced to African contributions to the world’s music, art and culture. As an area
in the world faced with many critical issues, students have discussed and proposed solutions to existing problems such
as the destruction of animal habitats, poaching of elephants, and the AIDS epidemic.




                                             Eighth Grade
NEWS-      The Eighth grade class trip is just around the corner. In just two weeks, at 6:30am on Thursday
May 25 , the eighth graders will be departing for their two day trip to Washington DC. We are all looking
        th


forward to an exciting, fun filled, educational tour of our nation’s Capital.

Science: In science, we have been working hard reviewing for the NJASK. Students have been working on sample
multiple choice and open-ended items in preparation for the upcoming test. In one of the open-ended items the
students conducted an experiment to see if purple or white flowers of the same species will grow best in rocky or
damp soil. Students created a hypothesis, designed a data chart, and will write a lab report for this experiment as
soon as the flowers begin to sprout. We also finished reviewing the Buckle Down workbook and have been working
on a review booklet in class. This review booklet will help the students reinforce key concepts that they will be tested
on the NJASK

Math: The Eight graders have been working hard, preparing for the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge
(ASK). In addition to this state test, the eighth grade algebra students are required to take the End-of-Course-
Exam in Algebra One. This test will be administered on May 24th, and the high school will use the results to
determine which students will be in honors geometry in ninth grade.


Language Arts: Eighth grade Literature classes are nearing the end of a powerful unit on The Holocaust. Students
read the play version of “The Diary of Anne Frank,” and viewed the 2001 video version of the story, comparing the
two genres. Each student selected a “survivor story” from the Holocaust and is completing a reading journal about
his/her story. Dr. Glassman is adding a special feature to our unit by presenting a workshop entitled “The Pigeon.” to
all eighth graders. Visiting the US Holocaust Museum in Washington DC this month will be especially meaningful to
the students, especially seeing the reconstruction of the secret annex where the Frank family hid.

        This week, confident 8th graders demonstrated their writing ability as they completed the NJASK8 test. We
are proud of the serious effort students put forth as they completed this lengthy state assessment. With testing
completed, Language Arts classes will focus on creative writing, including some fun forms of poetry.

Social Studies: In 8th grade social studies, we recently concluded a chapter on abolitionism and women’s rights.
They each choose a leader from this time period and created posters that highlighted the accomplishments of this
person. When we return from spring break, we will continue looking at the differences between the North and South
in the Antebellum period.
                                Educational Technology with Mrs. Opdenberg

“Zip drives are soooo 2000!” You can get 2 GB of free storage on www.DROPBOX.com. Occasionally, I make
recommendations for great, free services that will benefit my students! This one is useful for everybody. No more
shelling out cash to replace lost zip drives. No more crying over lost files!!! Students can store documents, photos and
videos in Dropbox and pick them up wherever and whenever they need them- even from a phone. You DO need to
create an account and download the dropbox program. If you use this link: http://db.tt/2RqUik7 then I will get extra
storage in my account (up to 8 GB), but that is beside the point! You can create an account to share or get free
storage space for everyone in your house who has an email account.

P.S. Students DO need email accounts in middle school. If you haven’t done so already, please help your child sign up
for one. Take the opportunity to remind them of all they have learned about being a good digital citizen, and make
sure you have their password.




                              BIENVENIDOS A LA CLASE DE ESPAÑOL!
                                     Señorita Cindy Capo: Capo@lfschools.org
3rd Grade: We will be learning the days of the week, months of the year, and family member words in Spanish this month.
4th Grade: We will be learning the days of the week, months of the year, family member words, and classroom objects in
Spanish this month.


                                                          Cycle 4
5th   Grade: We will review the Spanish alphabet, greetings, numbers 0-60, and telling time. We will also start our
research project on Mexico.
6th Grade: We will be reviewing the Spanish alphabet, numbers 0-100, telling time, and greetings. We will also start our
research project on Spain.
7th Grade: We will review the Spanish alphabet, numbers 0-1000, telling time, and greetings. We will also be working in
the computer lab to research Central American countries for a class project. French will be introduced later in the month.
8th Grade: We will be reviewing the Spanish alphabet, numbers 0-1000, telling time, and greetings. We will also be
working in the computer lab to research South American countries for a class project. Italian will be introduced later in
the month.
Note: Many of the lessons will be interactive, hands-on, and taught in the form of songs, games and other
cultural activities. Classroom time will be maximized and homework will be kept to a minimum.

*Please bring your workbook, a notebook, a pen or pencil, and a folder to every class. Thank you and I
look forward to an exciting school year!
                     Educational Media and Clubs with Mrs. Stroud
Cycle four students received orientation to our library/media center, including using the Destiny on-line catalog
and circulation procedures.

We are learning about the genres of fiction. Fifth graders are enjoying the story, Ribsy, by Beverly Cleary. Sixth
graders are investigating fantasy through the wonderful writing of Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Both grades visit the
computer lab each week where we learn how to access and use our research databases.



  -----E.R.A.S.E.----- Advisor: Mr. Delfino
April was Autism Awareness Month and the ERASE Club had the chance to get together and learn more
about this disability. We were very fortunate to have Mrs. Panepinto who was the School No. 1 liaison join us
and share some information with us. During our Autism Awareness Week, the members had an opportunity
to go into the classrooms for an autism presentation. Along with the classroom presentations, the club was
able to sell puzzle pieces pins to raise money for autism awareness.

  Band News from Mr. Kruzel                         This month was music in the school’s month. Instrumental students
have been working on many solos and duets in preparation for their upcoming concert. This year for the spring concert
students will be doing many exciting tunes such as Bohemian Rhapsody, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, and I’m a Believer. The
upcoming concert dates are May 18th for 7th & 8th grade and May 24th for 5th & 6th grade.




              Music with Ms. Weber
The seventh graders just finished learning about how repetition is used to create various forms of
music. We listened to some 50”s music that uses the repetitive four chord set as the harmonic basis
and also listened to how a composer can repeat a melody over and over again. With each repetition,
the other aspects of the music change so that we do not become bored by the repetition. We also went
in depth into the form of the fugue which uses a lot of repetition between the voices and we listened
to a famous fugue by a master, Johann Sebastian Bach. We finished up learning about variations
and how they can change the sound of repeating melodies.
The Student Council is looking forward to many exciting events in the upcoming months. We will begin
preparing for the Talent Show, which will be held on Monday, June 6th. Students in the audience are asked
to donate one can of food as part of our food drive. Permission slips for participants will be available at our
Student Council meeting on May 9th. The final date to turn in permission slips and lyrics is Wednesday,
May 18th. Our mandatory dress rehearsal will be on June 1st. In June, we will also be holding elections to
determine next year’s Student Council officers. Any interested students are encouraged to run for secretary
or treasurer. Motivated 7th and 8th grade students can run for president and vice-president. All speeches
are due on June 8th and we will hold a mandatory meeting for all candidates on June 13th. We look
forward to meeting our new officers!




                       Chess Club with Mr. Campbell
The School No. 1 Chess Club, sponsored by the PTSA, concluded a great season of chess with a pair of dramatic
tournament games on April 13. The Senior Tournament championship match featured 6th-grader Ian Smith facing off
against 8th-grader Joe Adorno, a four-year Chess Club veteran. After playing for almost an hour, Ian checkmated Joe
and was declared the winner. In the 5th-grade Junior Tournament, Johnny Goldinak defeated Jacob Leonard.
   Mr. Campbell appreciated all 57 students who signed up. The students made a lot of progress and played chess at
an impressive skill level all season long.