HASBROUCK HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Superintendent’s Report
November 30, 2005

Curriculum and Instruction -
High School –

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT –

Mrs. Schneeweiss’ Communications classes are currently working on their research projects entitled Reality Check. Students research at least 3 post secondary schools to ascertain what possible choices they may make for their futures. The research includes SATs needed, costs such as tuition both in state and out of state, possible majors, location, size and courses offered. In part two students research possible careers and the costs that come with living on their own. Part three is their summation of the project including what they have learned from their experience. The students are also diligently working on filming Public Service Announcements, newscasts and learning how to edit on our new computer programs.
Mrs. Schneeweiss’ Drama class is beginning a unit on stage fighting that focuses on conflict in a scene. They are also busy rehearsing and memorizing scenes and monologues from stage and screen including scenes from Some Like it Hot and The Turning Point. They are continuing to progress in their study of improvisation and audition techniques.
Mrs. Geftic’s journalism students are currently completing the first full edition of the Pilot’s Log. This issue will feature in-depth articles on volunteering, junk food and gasoline costs. To help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, the Pilot’s Log sponsored a trip to the NJ Community FoodBank, Second Harvest, in Hillside, NJ where 59 students cleaned, sorted and packed canned goods to be shipped to New Orleans. The entire staff wishes to thank the Board of Education for providing the transportation to this most important event.
Mrs.Geftic’s English 12 students have completed a unit on Gilgamesh. They are currently working on writing college essays. Particular attention has been given to sentence structure, transitional devices, grammar and usage. The students are currently studying Chinese poetry.
Mrs. Geftic’s English 10 students are reading The Crucible by Arthur Miller. In the context of the historical Salem Witch Trials, this play shows many innocent people being accused of crimes/sins they did not commit. Throughout history, society has been blinded to similar occurrences, or "witch hunts." Indeed, Miller wrote The Crucible in response to one of those "witch hunts" that took place in his time period--McCarthyism. Students will research the background of the Salem Witch Trials, McCarthyism and other "witch hunts" throughout history to find their causes, evaluate their consequences and develop a solution that would help avoid and/or prevent such "witch hunts" in the future. Besides acting out the play, students will be creating a letter to the editor of a newspaper, a HSPA practice exercise, telling what society should do to prevent innocent people from being accused and presumed guilty in the future.
Mr. Smith’s English 9 students are continuing their study of the short story genre by an in-depth study of “ The Birds.” Time and attention is being given to the reading strategy of taking notes while you read and making predictions based on elements of foreshadowing. After completing “The Birds”, we will go on to reading and discussing the short story, “The Scarlet Ibis.”
Mr. Smith’s Genres in Critical Thinking class recently completed an in-depth study of producer Tim Burton. Films viewed and discussed included Beetlejuice, Big Fish, Edward Scissorhands, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Time and attention was given to Burton’s fascination with the complexities of the human imagination as well as how human’s deal with isolation and the supernatural. The next unit of study will focus on various musicals from different time periods.
Mr. Smith’s HSPA 10 class continues to rigorously prepare for the HSPA through frequent practice with picture prompts and reading comprehension exercises. Time and attention has recently been given to distinguish between main idea and general topic in a piece of reading.
Mrs. Czekaj’s English 10 classes have concluded a unit on literature of the Colonial period, and now are reading Arthur Miller’s drama about the Salem Witch trials, The Crucible. Students are enjoying playing parts and enacting their roles in front of the class. They have also learned how to prepare an annotated bibliography in proper MLA format.
Mrs. Czekaj’s Shakespeare students celebrated their learning of Henry IV Part One through a variety of individually selected projects, including a storyboard, a PowerPoint presentation, and presentations of memorized scenes. Now they are reading the comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Mrs. Czekaj’s AP/College English 12 classhas finished their study of Miller’s modern tragedy Death of a Salesman, and compared it to the classic tragedy Oedipus Rex by studying Aristotle’s definition of tragedy. Now they are reading Homer’s Odyssey, and concurrently compiling an autobiographical portfolio of their own best writing.
Mr. Pankiewicz’s Themes in Literature class continues to read texts that challenge society’s archetypal hero. Works such as Mitch Album’s Tuesday’s with Morrie, Adrienne Rich’s poem, “Power”, and works by Toni Morrison and Ernest Hemingway have been read, discussed, and further investigated through projects and essays.
Mr. Pankiewicz’s English 10 Honors class continues to act out Arthur Miller’s The Crucible in class. Historical comparisons and new literary criticism have been of major emphasis. In addition, students have been reading works by prominent American authors independently.
Ms. Kos’ English 9 class has just finished viewing the movie version of John Steinbeck’s classic novel, Of Mice and Men. Students are now working in the computer lab on their first formal paper on that novel. Students will be urged to think critically and to consider the personal and political themes so prevalent in this novel.
Ms. Kos’ English 10 class has been reading aloud (in parts) “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller. After an extensive history lesson (mirroring their work in their U.S. History class) students are beginning to grasp the idea of the allegory and its power and importance as well as the historical context in which this play was written. In November, Ms. Kos’ class will join the mainstream 10th graders and watch a recent film version of this important play.
Ms. Kos’ English 11 class has finished their work on Beowulf and has ‘fast-forwarded’ to the 20th century to read a contemporary British novel. Students are enjoying Lord of the Flies and are doing a number of projects aimed at exploring group dynamics and power structures. At this novel’s completion, (around Thanksgiving) students will return to their textbook with a unit on “The Canterbury Tales.”
Ms. Kos’ English 12 class is continuing to read aloud Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Work on this important novel will continue until after Thanksgiving and will incorporate current events materials, as well as other readings about racism and tolerance. Students will be urged to utilize critical thinking skills to address these important topics.
Mr. Van Dam’s English 11 classes have completed their unit on the Anglo-Saxon epic of Beowulf. The students are currently working on a mini-unit of poetry that is intended to develop their critical reading skills as well as foster an appreciation for the riddle-like nature of poetry. Students will begin their medieval unit by reading excerpts from the Arthurian legend.
Mr. Van Dam’s English 11-Honors class is currently working on their presentations that offer summary, analysis and insight into John Gardner’s Grendel. Students are concentrating on their oral presentation strategies as well as creating visual aids that serve to compliment and augment the conclusions contained within their presentation. The Medieval Unit will begin at the beginning of the second marking period.
Mr. Van Dam’s English 12-Honors class has completed their research projects and their oral presentations. They continue to work on their college essay rewrites and specific scholarship essays. The class is beginning their study of the epic of Gilgamesh and will focus on a comparative study of the values and literary styles in a sample of epic poems.
Mr. Van Dam’s English 12 HSPA class continues to work on their SRA persuasive writing tasks and will soon begin their reading PATs.
Ms. Monetti’s Genre and Critical Thinking classes just finished a unit on Alfred Hitchcock. We watched The Birds, Psycho, and North by Northwest. Throughout this unit, we discussed and learned about Hitchcock’s style. Students will hand in a final project on Hitchcock by the end of marking period one. We have just started a new unit on movies by the director Tim Burton. Burton has directed such movies as Beetle Juice, Edward Scissorhands and A Nightmare Before Christmas. As you can see we are going to stick with the strange and mysterious for a while.
Ms. Monetti’s English 10 classes have concluded a unit on the Colonial period and are currently reading and acting out The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
Ms. Monetti’s English 11 classes have just finished reading the first part of the epic of Beowulf. Students will hand in a storyboard on the significant events of the first part of the epic or an essay that discusses the examples of leadership in part one. We will close marking period one with the conclusion of the epic and a final test on Beowulf.
Ms. Monetti’s HSPA class is still practicing the different parts of the test. We are currently concentrating on persuasive writing.
Mrs. Meyer’s English 9 class in continuing their study of the short story having just finished The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst. In addition they have each selected an individual novel to read as an outside reading assignment.
Mrs. Meyer’s English 9H class continues to study the genre of the short story having just finished an in-depth study of the American writer Edgar Allan Poe. They will continue to study various short stories for the remainder of the month of November after which they will review the parts of speech and the parts of a sentence. They will concentrate on the various ways of writing complex sentences.
Students in Miss Venneman’s HSPA English 9 classes are examining various samples of persuasive text. In addition, they are reading To Kill A Mockingbird and participating in class discussion during which they analyze various elements of the text.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION / HEALTH –

The High School physical education classes are participating in football, tennis and fitness units. Introduced this year is a walking unit where the students wear pedometers to measure the number of steps they take, calculated into how many miles they have walked. Mr. Scuilla and Mrs. Kolich give the students goals to reach everyday and the students seem to enjoy the unit.
Mr. Tessaro’s, Mr. Delcalzo’s, and Mrs. Miller’s driver education classes are preparing for the state driver education test this marking period.
Mr. Caruso’s 12th grade health class began an in-depth discussion on the importance of a healthy life style in the areas of diet and exercise. Food choices were discussed and determinations were made about nutritive value. The documentary “Super Size Me” was used to impact the discussion on poor diet and the dangers of steady diet of fast food choices. Each student was given the formula to calculate BMI (Body Mass Index) and determine where his or her personal BMI number fell on the chart (Healthy, Overweight, Obese).
Ms. Gaccione’s 9th grade health class finished up the suicide unit after watching the film “Dead Poets Society”. Written assignments were given in regards to the signs and symptoms of suicide and how to help an individual who is thinking about suicide. Students are currently learning about family life and human sexuality.

INDUSTRIAL ARTS DEPARTMENT -

Mr. Masucci’s Industrial Arts classes refinished and varnished the table for the fax machine in the main office. They made new numbers for the field house out of plywood, painted and sealed with varnish.

The classes also made shelves for Tom Matty’s computer room and strips for a new banner to be hung in the gymnasium.

ART DEPARTMENT -

Mrs. Reed’s drawing classes have completed their work in perspective drawings. Students were given three perspective lessons to complete. Each one was more advanced than the other. The classes have also completed a collage drawing where students created a collage that contained a descriptive word and then drew the entire collage using a wide range of tones. The classes have used a graphing technique in order to reproduce a complex image in a simplified way. Presently students are creating a black and white image using the stippling technique.
Mrs. Reed’s graphic design class has completed their work in designing a layout of a greeting card. Students chose the theme for their cards. The class has also completed a patterning project where students created wrapping paper for a specific theme, and audience. Students had colored copies made of their designs in order to see how images look when they are printed. The class has created visual representation of words using only four squares and black and white. Students have completed logos for stores that they picked at random. Students are presently working on creating a design layout for C.D.covers.
Mrs. Kritzer’s Advanced Art class has painted their homes and rooms on canvas in the style of New Orleans’ artist Michopoulos. The students learned about the big easy’s most famous modern painter who uses architecture as his subject. The students had to make their subjects look as though they were dancing in the wind. They are also working on a cover that might appear in a bookstore if their autobiographies were written.
Mrs. Brinker’s drawing and photography classes visited the Museum of Modern Art on Wednesday, October 26th with Mr. Pankiewicz’s creative writing students. Students were given a guided tour of the museum where they learned about the architecture of the museum. Students were actively involved with a museum educator as they learned about some of the modern masterpieces that related to the work they are now doing in their own drawing classes.

WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT -

Mrs. Carr’s Spanish IV & V AP students put together a Spanish newspaper with each student assigned a topic to write about. In addition, students are doing their “show and tell” every other day.
Mrs. Squillace’s Spanish I students learned more detailed ways to express likes and dislikes.
Mrs. Cafferty’s Spanish III students are learning to talk about keeping in shape and training to participate in sport activities.
Mr. Eggmann’s French II/III students are now actively reading French newspapers and then discussing news items with their classmates in French.
Mrs. Carr’s Spanish II classes will be working on ongoing dialogs and completing their review of Spanish I while the Spanish IV class will be writing a short story using the preterite versus the imperfect. Mrs. Carr’s Spanish VAP wrote an original fairy tale for class presentation.
Mrs. Cafferty’s Spanish III class researched the “Day of the Dead” and wrote a paper on it with an accompanying poster.
Mr. Eggmann’s French IV/VAP class is reading Candide and will write a French book report.
Mrs. Washburn’s students are using the Internet to research various Italians who came to this country and how they are grateful to be celebrating Thanksgiving.
Mrs. Squillace’s Spanish I class continues to drill verbs and adjectives.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT:

Mr. Vanamo reports that two high school concert choir members auditioned for the Bergen County High School Chorus on October 27th.

GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT –

It has been a busy month in the guidance department. Counselors continue to process applications.
Admissions officers from the following colleges have visited our school and met with students: William Paterson University, Rutgers University, University of Scranton, Ramapo College, Seton Hall, St. John’s University.
On October 27th, the Mrs. Steveson and Mr. Schimel met with senior parents to discuss applications, documentation, the support services of the guidance department, scholarships, etc.
A trip was made to the Newark campus of Rutgers University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology where our juniors and seniors explored labs, dorm rooms and had a Q and A with current college students. There will be on-site admissions meeting with New Jersey City University on November 9th.
Progress reports were reviewed with students in need.
Counselors went to Lincoln School with the 9th grade Humanities class to meet with kindergarten students and read original books about health and safety issues.
A presentation was made to possible candidates for Boys State.
Information about the Governor’s Schools was provided to current juniors.
Counselors supervised groups of the 9th grade Peer Transition program at the Meet and Greet and the first module, “Time Management”.

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT –

Mrs. Michaeli’s AP statistics class learned how to calculate the Least Squares Regression Line from data, use it to predict y for a given x, and interpret correlation. They also learned how to model nonlinear data.
Mrs. Michaeli's Algebra 2 classes learned how to sketch the graphs of inequalities with two variables, absolute value equations, draw a scatter plot, the line of best fit, and to use it to predict y for a given value of x. They also reviewed HSPA problems involving clusters 1 and 2.
Mr. Mastropietro’s Calculus AP students are currently working with derivative. The calculus/statistics students are working with limits.
Mr. Mastropietro’s HSPA 9 students are working with rational and irrational number with operations. HSPA 10 students are working with inequalities and algebra skills. Advanced math students are working with matricies in chapter 2.
Mrs. O’Brien’s 9th grade classes are all in full swing. All students at all levels are solving linear equations. The fundamental students are working with equations with the variable only on one side where as the Algebra I students are solving equations containing the variable on both sides. Of course, all students are expected to work with fractions and solve equations that contain the distributive property. Bravo to all my students for a job well done in this section.
Mrs. Healey’s precalculus classes are calculating with exponents to base 10 before completing a unit on logarithms.
Mrs. Healey’s Fundamentals IV is completing a chapter on radicals and integers in preparation for the college placement test.
Mr. Strama’s Geometry Class is working on Angles of polygon’s. We will be completing Chapter 2. Students will continue to do proofs. Chapter 3 will focus more on proofs then ever before. We will prove triangles similar and congruent based on Angles and Sides. Computer Programming students will continue to work on their mathematical programs. They implement various mathematical concepts using Loops, Input, Let, and various other statements. We will continue to work on these programs to enhance their computer literacy.
Mr. Monks’ Algebra I class took a Mid Chapter 3 test involving solving mutli-step equations with variables on both sides of the equation.
Mr. Monk's Honors Algebra II class has completed Chapter 3 involving linear systems with three variables.
Mr. Monks’s Geometry class has completed their work in Chapter 2, which finished up with identifying polygons and included angles.
Mr. Monk’s Fundamentals of Geometry class is currently working with identifying types of triangles and determining the angle measurements.
Mr. Monk’s HSPA 11 class is working through Cluster II topics, which focus mostly around Geometry.
Mrs. Rad’s Fundamentals of Algebra 2 class has been solving basic algebraic equations as well as word problem applications.
Mrs. Rad’s hspa 9 class has been solving a variety of problems including evaluating expressions involving powers, developing and applying a variety of strategies for determining area, applying and evaluating scientific notation, and distinguishing between rational and irrational numbers.
Mrs. Rad’s Integrated IV has been busy working on budgets including and calculating average monthly expenses, adjusting a budget and using a budget based on income.
Mrs. Rad’s hspa 10 class has been distinguishing between rational and irrational numbers, evaluating expressions containing powers and roots, and applying scientific notation. They have also been applying a variety of strategies for determining area.
Mrs. Stoehs’ Fundamentals of Geometry class is beginning to study congruencies.
Mrs. Stoehs’ Fundamentals of Algebra has begun to look at algebraic fractions.
Mrs. Stoehs’ HSPA 11 is into cluster II, which concentrates on geometric terms and properties.

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT –

Mrs. Hicswa - The students in all classes are working on a unit on the cell and cell transport. They are viewing electron micrograph photos of various cells and cell parts. Labs are in progress during which the students are making slides of plant and animal tissue in order to view the cell organelles. Films are being viewed that show various types of cell transport occurring in Protists, etc.
Mrs. Hicswa’s Honors class will be performing a lab on cell transport and the affects of various substances on that transport.
Mr. Pignatiello – This month the AP Chemistry students will attend a lab at FDU that will involve electrochemistry. The students will get hands on experience in a college setting dealing with a lab that is quite involved.
Mr. Pignatiello’s Chemistry CP and Honors students will be looking at reactions in depth. They will learn how to balance and predict products as well. The students will perform many experiments this month that will aid in the understanding of how reactions behave.
Mrs. Stoehs’ Environmental Science class is studying biomes. As a project the students will choose a biome to explore. They will be responsible for reporting back to the class about what they have learned.
Mrs. Stoehs’ Earth Science students are beginning to look at energy. They will find alternative means of energy, their pros and cons, as well as costs and possibilities.
Mr. Binazeski’s physical science classes worked on a Identification of Rocks Lab as well as learned about renewable energy resources. The class is currently working on map making techniques. The Environmental Science class presented a PowerPoint presentation on various Environmental Legislation. The students have been learning about ecosystems and biodiversity.
Mr. Binazeski attended a seminar at NJIT on Environmental Issues and will be introducing this material in the coming weeks.
Mr. Lentis’ CP Physics: The students were given a quiz regarding momentum, and started Chapter eight which refers to the concept of energy and power. Homework and activity will also be given. We will cover circular motion and the center of gravity.
Mr. Lentis’ AP Physics class began with chapter five and will cover chapter six (work and energy) and linear momentum.
Mr. Lentis’ students in the chemistry class will learn to predict the products of different types of reactions, the mole concept, and stichiometry. They will also perform various experiments.

TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTION –

Computer Applications I: Mrs. Marano has asked the class to create a business package consisting of a company logo, business cards, letterhead, mailing label, and business envelope and company brochure. Students are using Microsoft Word and Microsoft Publisher to complete
the tasks.
Computer Cycle 9: The ninth grade students are creating a basic resume and cover letter to apply for a job. Mrs. Marano had the students review templates in Microsoft Publisher and then create the resume in Microsoft Word.

MEDIA CENTER-

Mrs. Mikulka-

During October Mrs. Czekaj's 10th grade English classes came in to work on
annotated bibliographies, Mr. Van Dam's 12th grade honors English class researched creation myths, Ms. Squillace's and Mrs. Cafferty's world language classes researched countries where the language they're studying is spoken, and Mr. Binazeski's environmental science students created power point presentations. Ms. Wolf brought in her 6th grades for Library orientation, and an introduction to the online catalog. Mr. Pankiewicz' and Mrs. Geftic's Journalism students come in often to do research and to type their articles. Mrs. Nestory's 6th graders did Internet research on Ancient Egypt. Mrs. Washburn's classes have been in to use the computers, and Mrs. Gay's 7th graders have begun an Election Day project using the Internet.

Art displays in the LMC this month include beautiful woven baskets, paintings, and shoes decorated with reproductions of art masterpieces. Students have been using the conference room to record their essays for Voice of Democracy, when the room is not in use by Mrs. Philburn, our ESL teacher, or Mrs. Gerstein, our new speech teacher.

Our new books that were delivered in August are finally unpacked and are presently being cataloged and processed for faculty and student use. Some of our older periodicals have been discarded (but kept on discard shelves in the library office for the use of the art classes). Our Library Bookmark with the Dr. Burnett Eglow LMC web address and database passwords for home use has been updated for the 2005-2006 school year.

SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT-

World History: Mrs. Valenti's students have concluded their unit on Ancient Egypt. They created their own "tombs" which reinforced many concepts about mummification and the funerary traditions of the Ancient Egyptians. This project required them to write their names in hieroglyphics, create a small mummy (usually by wrapping a small figure with gauze), and recreate Canopic jars (the jars that contained mummified organs of the Pharaohs). But at the same time, this project was a way for the kids to tell me a bit about themselves. For example, the inner walls of a pharaoh’s tomb told stories about their lives. In their tomb, a shoebox, they created a collage about their lives. They picked 4 themes about their lives,
and decorated each wall with one of those themes. For example, one of the inner walls may have been pictures of their friends.
Honors: The students have completed a unit comparing the earliest civilizations
that inhabited both the Nile River Valley and the Tigris/Euphrates River Valley.
This included understanding the social class systems, types of leadership,
inventions/achievements and religious beliefs. A separate reading, which
compared women from both societies, was assigned for both discussion and writing purposes.
World History: We have begun a unit on the Ancient Middle East. This is
important because we focus on the many groups that have inhabited this part of the world over time. It also gives the students an understanding of why the Middle East is such a complex place today. A video on Ancient Mesopotamia was shown and it highlighted the development of government and laws. The students were able to witness an ancient ritual, known as the "Ordeal”, which is still practiced in the remote villages of Iraq. The footage was taken in an Iraqi village where 2 men were accused of theft. They had to submit to a test given by a holy man known as a "mubashi". They had to touch their tongues 3 times to a red hot metal plate. The mubashi then "read" their tongues in an effort to gain divine intervention to determine their guilt or innocence. The achievements of various groups, and how these have impacted our society today, has also been focused on. The Phoenicians gave us the foundations for our alphabet, the Lydians introduced coined money, and the Hebrews molded the idea of an "Ethical World View". This particular achievement of the Hebrews is important because it presents the idea that leaders must uphold the laws and lead by example.
Honors World History: We have completed a unit on the early river valleys of
the world. Particular focus has been given to the rights of women and how people adapt to their environments.
Mrs. Valenti’s US I class has focused on the events leading up to the
Revolutionary War. Specifically we have given a great deal of attention to the
rights of individuals, the establishment of governments and economics. Students
have written papers on some of the social issues facing the colonies, such as
witchcraft. Students viewed an A&E program about witchcraft in America as a way to introduce the material to them.
Mrs. Lewites World History POR

Our class just completed a unit on Ancient Egypt. We are focusing now
on the emergence and decline of civilizations that developed in the
Fertile Crescent and the Ancient Middle East. Our journey will take us
through the Sumerian civilization, the invasions of Mesopotamia, and
the important contributions made by smaller states to later
civilizations

Mrs. McGinty’s USI classes have been reviewing key concepts from world history and tying them into our discussions about the settlers who came to the "New World". The concepts from world history, such as Protestants vs. Catholics, religious persecution, expansionism and exploration, are all key to understanding why people chose to risk their lives by coming to the "New World". The cultural effects of colonization, and how it still affects our present day society, has been focused on as well. This would include the ideas of racism and ethnic/racial identity.
Beginning in October, students in USI have been interpreting the key factors that led to the European colonization of the Americas, as well as how the original thirteen colonies took hold in what is now the United States. In addition, they have been analyzing the economic, social, and political growth of the colonies, and examining how the colonies and Britain began to grow apart. They will end this month analyzing the causes of the American Revolution and understanding important events of the war as well as the roles played by significant individuals and New Jersey, during the conflict.
Mrs. McGinty’s USII classes have been examining life in the United States at the turn of the century. They have been analyzing significant turn of the century trends in such areas as technology, education, race relations, and education. They have also been tracing the emergence of modern America with an examination of the Progressive Movement. They are able to explain how the Progressive Movement managed to increase the power of the government to regulate big business and to protect society from the injustices fostered by big business. They will end this month with the study of how individuals and events moved the U.S. into the role of a world power and the recognition of the effects of economic policies on U.S. diplomacy.

Mrs. McGinty’s US II Honors class has examined primary documents and analyzed selections from relevant literature selections. The class completed projects that catalogued elements of mass culture from the turn of the century; they will have completed their research for the next project (an historical monologue) by the end of November. This class worked diligently to complete their first “DBQ” chapter test (for chapter 16), which required them to analyze and synthesize previous and new information.
Ms. Cassidy’s US History classes have completed their study of the Salem Witch trials. The conclusion took place with the students watching “3 Sovereigns for Sarah”. The students are now studying the American Revolution.
Ms. Cassidy’s A. P. History class have reviewed and studied to Jacksonian Democracy. The students have taken practice tests and continue to write essays and D.B.Q’s.
Mr. Ketcho’s Life Management classes daily business current event topics discussed, finished Chapters 2 – Understanding Yourself & Chapter 3 – Managing Family Life. Lecture, tests, vocabulary terms, for review questions, application for decision making, life situation problems, class work, and homework reinforcing the material were completed. Also, a Resume/Cover Letter/References/Thank-You Project lead to student interviews for an actual job. (Discussed Below)

BUSINESS DEPARTMENT-

Mr. Ketcho’s Accounting I classes daily business current event topics discussed, started and finished Chapter 2 – Starting a Proprietorship: Changes that affect Owner’s Equity and Chapter 3 – Analyzing Transactions into Debit and Credit Parts. Tests, study guide quiz, work together problems, on your own problems, and homework assignments covered.
Mr. Ketcho’s Automated Accounting II - Daily business current event topics discussed, Chapter 2 – General Ledger - Service, and began Chapter 3 – GL – End of Fiscal Period for a Service Business and Bank Reconciliation. Tutorials, practice problems, applying your information skills all completed. Also, a Resume/Cover Letter/References/Thank-You Project lead to student interviews for an actual job. (Discussed Below)
Mr. Ketcho’s Word Processing I and II classes have completed the assignments #1 to #55 in.“101 Word Processing Exercises” pages # (1-61) for the month.

Mr. Ketcho’s Period #8 – Computer Applications 8 Cycle completed the following four application projects in Word, Excel & PowerPoint:
#1 – Century 21 Basic Keyboarding pages # (3-22)
#2 – T-Shirt Factory (A Keyboarding Simulation) Jobs # (1-15) pages # (4-41)
#3 - 101 Spreadsheet Exercises # (1-28) pages # (1-30)
#4 – PowerPoint Company Project – Overview, Industry, Competition, Financial, Conclusion – (5-10) slide presentation with a theme and company selected by the students.

The Interview Process was a continuation of our Resume/Cover Letter/References/Thank-You Project. The Interviewing process was covered over a two week period in October, which ended with student interviews. The interview process is as follows:
#1 – Do research before the interview
#2 – Dress for success
#3 – Typical interview – on-time greeting, overview by interviewer, questions by interviewer, questions by interviewee, close & next steps
#4 – Illegal questions – race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability

Middle School-

WORLD LANGUAGE:

Mrs. Cafferty’s seventh graders worked on talking about familiar foods and discussed what they and their classmates are wearing.
Mrs. Squillace’s eighth graders are talking about their projects on South American Spanish speaking countries in Spanish in groups.
Ms. Krysz’s Spanish sixth grade class have been learning the Spanish alphabet, colors and useful phrases. They have also been discussing the art and architecture of Spain as well as food and customs of the country.
Ms. Krysz’s sixth grade Spanish classes had the opportunity to view a virtual tour of buildings by the architect Antoni Gaudi through the use of the laptop and projector that are part of the pilot program for grade 6.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT:

Mr. Ascolese reports that practice has begun in the sixth and seventh grade symphonic band in preparation for the holiday season concert in December

Mr. Vanamo reports that students attended the Bergen County Junior High School auditions on October 19 at Benjamin Franklin H.S. in Ridgewood.

Mr. McCarthy is covering the baroque, classical, and romantic periods of music in the seventh grade cycle class with American music in the eighth grade cycle class.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT:

Ms. Wolf’s Sixth Grade classes are busy working on their grammar section of the course. They will begin talking about some common mistakes in writing and the many techniques for addressing these errors. The students will be completing a variety of writing assignments including picture prompts, expository writing, and descriptive writing. In addition, the students will complete a persuasive letter about something dealing with the school. They will then send these letters to Mr. Luongo. The classes will also continue with their Spelling Units by testing their spelling and vocabulary.

Miss Venneman’s Literature 7 classes are continuing on an epic adventure with Ulysses as he struggles through various conflicts to reach his beloved home of Ithica.

Ms. Dolan’s 6th Grade Literature classes had a week of testing and are once again reading Tuck Everlasting. They had their first vocabulary test on October 17, 200 and will complete Tuck Everlasting by the end of October. They had a special lesson on October 31, 2005 on point of view using the new 6th grade technology. More information will be provided after the lesson has been completed.

Mrs. Rowland’s 7th grade English class has learned how a persuasive essay is glued together. In groups students wrote sample outlines for newspaper editorials.Students were taught persuasive elements and had to incorporate the following: hook line, vocabulary, transitions, and an impression on the reader in their own editorial. Following that, students wrote an outline for homework. Working off the outline, this activity culminated in a timed persuasive writing as per GEPA standards

Mr. Sicilian’s 8th Grade English classes are currently working on the second unit of vocabulary words as a part of the vocabulary development program. Students are continuing to work with suffix endings and prefixes as means for expanding the original vocabulary words. In addition, the students are using several internet resource sites to find context clue sentences. Students use the found sentences as models for their own sentence writing.

All classes are working on a unit titled “The Sentence”, whereby we are exploring the types of sentences that 8th graders should be writing in their essays. Students are working on compound, complex, compound-complex sentence writing skills, and revising and editing skills. These isolated activities will enhance the “varied sentence” writing necessary in GEPA writing assessments.

Students recently completed their first informal journal essay with an emphasis on self and peer evaluation of their writing. Students are very much at ease with this process, having completed similar activities in 6th and 7th grade.

8th grade students recently completed essays for the VFW Patriots Pen Contest, in which they were asked to write on the theme “Who Are Today’s Patriots?” The essays were submitted voluntarily, yet the Honors class completed them as a requirement.

The Honors section recently worked on an Internet research activity on “autobiographical” writing as a preliminary activity to begin work on their own autobiographies. We are “mapping” out the components of this project to include original writing as well as a technology integrated, multi-media presentation for the end of the year.

Mr. Colangelo’s 7th Grade Literature classes are continuing on their epic adventure with Ulysses as he struggles through various conflicts to reach his beloved home of Ithaca.

Mr. Colangelo’s 8th Grade Literature class recently finished an extensive lesson on literary devices and terms. They will begin reading “Flowers for Algernon,” which follows the life of a once dim, witted man who finds intelligence through a special operation. The students will also be preparing for the GEPA Examination throughout the month of November.

Mr. Colangelo’s 7th Grade Creative Writing class is in transition. The first cycle class completed the Creative Writing course in which they completed various journals, an autobiography, new articles, stories without endings, and letter writing. The most recent cycle class will be introduced to the course and begin with an extensive study of literary terms.

Mr. Colangelo’s 6th Grade Study Skills class is in transition. The first cycle class completed the Study Skills course in which they learned ways to improve themselves and be more successful at home and at school. The most recent cycle class will be introduced to the course and begin a project where they will create a HW Survival Kit (in cooperative learning groups).

Mr. Stillman's Literature 8 classes got into the Halloween spirit by reading the
suspenseful short story "The Monkey's Paw." They then compared that story to the
short story, "The Third Wish."

Mr. Stillman's Literature 8 Honors class has concluded their study of Parallel
Journeys and has begun reading short stories within the curriculum.

All of Mr. Stillman's classes have begun preparing for the GEPA.

ART DEPARTMENT

Mrs. Reed’s 7th Grade Art class has learned about the life and works of Picasso. Students then created abstract self- portrait paintings using the techniques of Picasso. Students have learned about the life and works of Chagall and his techniques in surrealism. Students are presently creating surrealist drawings that they will create into a stain glass like project (construction paper and tissue paper).

Students have completed their Chagall pictures and have learned about the life and works of O’Keeffe. Students created reproductions of O’Keeffe’s using oil pastels. Cycle has ended and the second cycle has begun.

Mrs. Kritzer’s 8th grade Art cycle are working on a sculpture unit. The students constructed paper mache vases out of colored tissue. They tried to make foil Halloween creatures which you may have seen when they sprat painted them outside. Mrs. Kritzer learned how to make these creatures at her in-service that was held on Friday, October 7th, 2005.

Mrs. Brinker’s 6th grade students completed the first cycle of 6th grade art on October 28th. These students have learned about art from various cultures of the world. There are several hand made reed baskets on display in the HS Media Center that were created by these talented young artists.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
The Middle School classes have completed their football unit for the first cycle and are starting Cycle 2 with soccer skill drills leading up to eventual game play.

Mrs. Miller’s 6th grade Cycle 1 health class worked with the Lions-Quest curriculum and discussed various issues dealing with adolescence. The also spent two weeks discussing the dangers of drugs, tobacco and alcohol, culminating with a project of designing an Anti-Smoking poster. Mrs. Miller’s student teacher, Allison Banca, brought many great

Mr. Delcalzo’s 7th grade health class finished up the cycle with disease prevention. They discussed about HIV and AIDs virus dispelling misinformation about the disease.

Ms. Gaccione’s 8th grade health class spent two weeks with Lt. Mullins discussing the dangers of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and violence. Upon completion of the DARE program, students also began the CPR unit. Students spent the rest of the marking period learning CPR through lectures, written assignments, and videos with practice sessions.

Mr. Masucci’s Life skills class reviewed all of the hand tools, their parts and uses. They have learned to construct napkin holders.

SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT:

Mrs. Wallace's sixth grade Social studies classes toured the globe with a program that shows satellite images all the way down to the buildings and cars, anywhere on earth. We explored Hasbrouck Heights, saw the high school fields and then, using our map skills and knowledge of coordinates, picked places like Tokyo and Paris and virtually visited the cities. Students were aghast at the Eiffel Tower and the shadow it cast all the way across the river. Buildings in Tokyo seemed to be tall, even the residences, which students learned were a ramification of the population explosion there. Students continue to participate in fundraising for the hurricane Katrina victims, and will contribute all that is raised to the Red Cross. Lincoln and Euclid schools seem far away as the students begin to feel the effects of what a "Community" really is.

Mrs. Wallace’s room 215 has been converted into a "Time Machine" as the sixth grade Social Studies classes begin their virtual Archaeological digs to explore ancient civilizations through several time periods and regions on the earth. Students begin the descent into a virtual tomb of a pharaoh, but are then plummeted into the present for a look at present day elections.

They will be exploring the world of politics by participating in a unit about local elections together with the Record newspaper. Lessons will be drawn from Current event headlines regarding the campaigns and political aspirations of candidates.

Mrs. Gay's Social Studies students are continuing to explore the philosophies upon which the United States' Constitution was based. They analyzed excerpts from the Blue-Back Speller, a children's reading book from the late 1700's, and searched for evidence of the values of civic virtue which were being passed on to young students of the day. In a cooperative learning format, they discussed additional primary evidence- quotes from Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, and George Mason, which are indicative of the Framers' fear of abuse of power. The students are also focusing on the problems facing the birth of a modern Constitution- that of the country of Iraq.

Mrs. Gay's Social Studies classes are taking part in the Youth Leadership Initiative Mock Election sponsored by the University of Virginia. To prepare them to make an informed decision in their choice for governor, they
created resumes for Jon Corzine and Doug Forrester using information obtained on the Internet. They also examined the candidate’s views on the issues that are critical to the voters of New Jersey. The students are also examining the events that led to the American Revolution, and their eventual impact on the writing of the United States Constitution. In a role-playing activity, the students are penning letters to the "Editor of the Colonial Times" which advocate their Loyalist or Patriot views.

Mrs. Rucci’s Eighth graders played their first Review Game of the year along with an Explorer Match puzzle they made themselves. Recent topics are the exploration of the Americas and how England was able to get control, and the development of the 13 original colonies. Using our Junior Scholastic magazines, reading and/or map skills activities were about Iraq, President Bush’s Supreme Court choices, Mexico, National Hispanic Heritage Month, and the Gulf Coast after the recent hurricanes. Students are frequently asked to “report” on current events.

Mrs. Rucci’s Eighth graders have been collecting information about NJ’s gubernatorial race. They will identify key issues, decide which candidate they align with most, and then take part in a mock election.

In the textbook we are covering the American Revolution. Students are being reminded of the sacrifices, bravery, and foresight of the colonists in their endeavor to create the United States. In class, students will perform an American history play called “The Founding Fathers.”

Topics in the recent Junior Scholastic magazines include: the 60-year anniversary of the United Nations, World Affairs Atlas and Almanac, globalization, and modern-day China. Many activities such as practicing map skills, analyzing statistics, and relating to political decisions are generated from Junior Scholastic.

MATHMATICS DEPARTMENT:

Miss Krysz’s Algebra class have been working with variable expressions and the order of operations. They have also submitted their first GEPA practice packet on cluster 3B.

Mr. Strama’s honors geometry class will be working on chapters 5,2, and 3. The students will also present an oral presentation on a mathematician of their choice.

Miss DiPiano’salgebra students are learning to solve variable expressions in anAlgebraic format. Rules for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are being introduced and practiced. Students will then begin Investigating Fractions.

Mrs. Caputo’s mainstream classes are busy reviewing fractions and mixed numberswith all four computations. We’ve had three quiz to date and soon will be our first chapter test.

Mrs. Caputo’s honors class is currently working with rational and irrational numbers, equivalent fractions and decimals. We’ve had four quizzes thus far with a chapter test on the way 10-6.

Students of the month in seventh grade for the month of September are Joseph
Daidone and Samatha Pankiw. The 7th and 8th grade dance was very successful, visited by about 125 students. We are currently busy planning our 6th grade dance consisting of prizes for best costume, dance contest, and more. Our Peer to Peer leaders are currently planning the year's events, smoke-out and kick –Butt’s Day and a school wide assembly for all to benefit .

Mr. Sickel’s classes are currently working with stem and leaf, box and whiskers Graphs in chapter1.

Mr. Sickel’s honors class is currently working with frequency tables, central tendency and other graphs in Chapter 1. The GEPA folders are up and running. Cluster IIIB were given out and will be collected Thursday 10/6 by all classes. Mr. Sickels’ extra curricular activities consist of chaperoning the 7th and 8th grade dances and attending the Football game against Wood-Ridge.

Mr. Aldea's class will be starting the unit on Geometry. The focus will be to learn the basic geometric figures, identify patterns, define the different types of angles and apply them, as well as identify types of polygons and find the measures of their angles. This unit will stress the fundamental geometry concepts seen on the GEPA examinations.

Mrs. Dunne’s classes have completed two cluster packets and Cluster 1C is due on October 14. Mrs. Dunne’s Algebra 1 class is using matrices to organize data and add or subtract the two matrices. Math8 classes have learned signed rules using integers and will apply them to all rational numbers. Students have learned how to use the power keys on the calculator and are evaluating algebraic expressions that contain powers.

Miss Krysz’s 6th grade geometry classes have been working on lines and angles. They have been measuring angles with protractors and bisecting angles and lines using a compass. The 6th grade Algebra class has been working with divisibility rules, finding greatest common factors and least common multiples in preparation for fractions. The students have completed 3 GEPA packets.

Miss DiPiano’s 6th grade algebra students have been investigating fractions. They are learning divisibility rules, prime factorization to find the greatest common factor and the least common multiple, and how to write fractions as decimals and decimals as fractions. Students are also solving word problems by working backwards as well as completing their Gepa packets. The geometry students have completed a survey project where they polled an audience and showed their responses in several different graphs. Students are now identifying and comparing angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, and other figures.

Mr. Strama’s 6th grade class will be working on decimals and ordering them. Comparing decimals and fractions will also be discussed. The students will begin using variable terms in equations.

Mrs. Caputo’s 7th grade math mainstream classes finished the 1st marking period with decimals and fractions. We are moving towards integers and using all four computations of negative and positive numbers. Gepa IC will be handed at shortly. The honors class in grade 7 is currently working on percents. We will continue in chapter 7 with percent of change going into the 2nd marking period.

Mr. Sickels’ 7th grade mainstream students just completed chapter 1 and will be moving onto chapters 7 and 8. Honors classes just completed chapter 1 and will be working on chapter 8 and 4. They are currently conducting a survey on M&M candy and graphing the results.

Mrs. Dunne’s algebra classes are beginning the chapter on rational numbers. They are developing a number sense that uses divisibility tests. The Honors students are solving linear equations that include skills using combining terms, distributive property and variables on both sides.

Mr. Aldea will be conducting the after school program E-Nopi which will run throughout the month of November three days a week from 3-4pm.

Mrs. Caputo attended a math workshop here in Heights. All the materials were excellent and applicable in my class. I will use most, if not all of it. Mail merge was the other workshop I attended. Currently, I am using this for POS when average

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT -

Mr. Rispoli’s classes are finishing their unit on Newton’s Laws. They will then begin applying those laws to all different types of motion. Finally the laws will be applied to simple machines.

Mrs. Toy’s - The 7th grade science classes have begun their unit on microscopes. After familiarizing themselves with the microscope, they will examine the world of the unseen by using slides and microscopes. While using the microscopes, the 5 Kingdoms of Living Things will be introduced and explored.

Mr. Cassiere’s students are working on the metric system. Students will be conducting an experiment that illustrates the concept of density. Students are given several objects varying in size, mass, and density. Students are asked to find mass and volume to calculate density. Objects are then tested for buoyancy in water.   Digital scales, graduated cylinders, and water displacement containers will be used by students within the lab.

Mr. Rispoli’s 6th grade science classes have been learning about work and mechanical advantage. They identified when work was being done. The classes also calculated how much work was done when given examples. Mechanical advantage was applied to simple machines.

Mrs. Toy’s 7th grade science classes are studying the Kingdoms of Living organisms
along with their characteristics. They will be using their new knowledge to
understand the structures of cells.

Mr. Cassiere’s Students are examining the properties of substances and their potentials for change. They will conduct several experiments illustrating how matter changes and the various phases of matter. These experiments will parallel chapters 8 and 9. 8th grade classes will be finishing up the initial Chapter on Geometry, including topics such as Translations, Reflections & Symmetry. Subsequently, we will begin a new chapter on applications of proportion. The honors class is working on a Geometry project. This project directly relates to the material covered up to this point. The project consists of a group presentation as well as a short paper to be handed in.

Euclid School –

Math

Pre School is working with their numbers 1-10. They are using Millie’s Math House on the computer to reinforce their number recognition. They are learning to identify a square. Kindergarten has been working on their numbers from 0 through 10. They have been working on number relationships by creating equal groups. They are completing activities that show one to one ratio. They are focusing on more than and fewer than and utilizing graphs to display their findings. Grade One is identifying how many are left. They are finding the difference by writing subtraction sentences. They are practicing their problem solving skills through the use of manipulatives. They are using addition rules to complete function tables for sums. They are focusing on the strategy, “Write a number sentence”. Grade Two is comparing and ordering numbers with picture words and symbols. They are identifying numerical positions. (first, second, third) They are using greater than, less than, and equal signs to compare two digit numbers. They are learning to count backwards and to understand the relationship between addition and subtraction through the use of fact families. Grade Three is working with odd and even numbers. They are using a hundreds chart to skip count and are identifying place value of three digit numbers. They are rounding to the nearest thousand and focusing on front-end estimation. They are also adding three and four digit numbers. Grade Four is comparing numbers. They are using number lines to order numbers through millions. They are solving problems using the strategy making a table. They are rounding whole numbers. They are creating bar, line, and circle graphs. They are working on double-digit multiplication and continue to work on their mad minutes. Grade Five is adding and subtracting whole numbers and decimals. They are rounding whole numbers and decimals. They are writing and evaluating numerical and algebraic expressions. They are completing problems of the week involving multiple skill areas. They are dividing two and three digit dividends by a single digit.

Science

Pre School is focusing on dinosaurs and woodsy animals. Kindergarten is learning about autumn through picture books, poems, and informational stories. They are describing the type of weather we experience during the fall season and are discussing the variation in the colors of the leaves. Grade One is learning about the needs of plants and animals. They are identifying nonliving things. They are learning about the forest habitat. They are identifying particular plants and animals found within this type of region. They are discussing and understanding how plants and animals adapt to assist them with survival. Grade Two is learning how animals are different from one another. They are learning that living things adapt to their functions in a specific environment and both plants and animals can adapt to different temperature ranges. Students are using the scientific process (inferencing, recording, and communicating data) to explain if plants need light. Grade Three is learning to classify different minerals via their natural characteristics. They are introducing the important of soil in relation to minerals. They are identifying and classifying vertebrates and invertebrates. They created models of the spine. Grade Four is studying the effects of weathering. They are learning about erosion, landslides, and avalanches. They are creating mobiles that depict these terms. Grade Five is identifying ecosystems. They are researching characteristics of biomes and using their comparison skills. They visited the website www.blueplanet.biome.org to create biome charts.

Social Studies

Pre School is Celebrating Children’s Book Week and learning about Thanksgiving. They are learning about corn and popcorn. Kindergarten is learning about the first Thanksgiving. They are reading about the Pilgrims and Native American Indians. They are preparing a Thanksgiving play for their families. Grade One is learning about the six step problem solving process to use in different social situations. They are obtaining information using a variety of oral sources, like interviews. They are learning about Mary McLeod Bethune and characteristics of good citizenship. They are creating simple maps to identify the location of places within the classroom. Grade Two is learning about their state. They are studying the state flower, bird, tree, and capitol. Each student is creating a state display from one of the states within the United States. They also are identifying individuals from the past or present who have made a significant contribution to their community and/or nation. (Benjamin Bannekar) They are demonstrating their map and globe skills and are obtaining information from visual sources. Grade Three is identifying and describing the characteristics of a good citizen. They are identifying, describing, and comparing various types of communities. (farming, suburban, urban) They are naming different modes of transportation and writing narratives about their communities. Grade Four is learning about the different regions in New Jersey. They are learning the characteristics of the Appalachian Ridge, Valley and Highlands. They are learning the role glaciers played in the formation of these land forms. Grade Five is interpreting information on a graph. They are continuing their study of Early American Cultures and their changing ways of life. They are focusing on causes and effects of migration to the Americas and the characteristics of the Mayan Civilization. They are developing and understanding of the Aztec and Incan cultures and creating Venn Diagrams to compare these various cultures.

Language Arts
Pre School is learning to recognize the letters f, m, and l. They are learning about opposites like left and right and top and bottom. They are using Bailey’s Book House on the computer to reinforce letter recognition. They are also learning to click and drag pictures to make greeting cards. Kindergarten is blending the phonemes “at” and “ap” to form words. They are learning sight words (we/go) and practicing the identification, sound, and formation of the letters n and d. They are counting syllables and identifying parts of a word when a syllable is deleted. They are listening and orally responding to text. They are sorting rhyming cards and locating the title and author of a story. Grade One students are identifying final phonemes (k,ck). They are creating word charts with “ick” and “ack”. They are explaining the difference between a k and ck. They are reinforcing their comprehension and fluency skills. They are writing contractions and telling sentences using a magazine picture prompt. They are recognizing the order of events within a story. They are identifying the telling part of a sentence and practicing their letter formation. They are focusing on initial blends and reviewing the short u sound. They are completing their final drafts of Space Pup’s Adventures. Grade Two is writing friendly letters using the five main parts of a letter. (heading, greeting, body, closing, signature) They are practicing how to generate complete sentences. They are creating lists of proper nouns. They are reading a photographic essay and practicing their picture prompt writing. Grade Three is reviewing their decoding skills needed for new vocabulary words. They are reading Nate the Great and practicing how to answer specific comprehension questions. They are independently reading leveled readers and identifying narrative elements of a story. They are writing and identifying subjects and predicates. They are discussing the author’s purpose for a story and writing homographs. They are writing directions using time order words and compound sentences. Grade Four is working with compound subjects and predicates and how these can be utilized to expand and improve sentences. They are writing friendly letters and continuing to practice narrative pieces. They are completing book reports and identifying character traits. They are writing words with suffixes and practicing vocabulary. Grade Five is completing their book reports. They are reading Folk Tales from Asia and creating a summary. They are reading books for all learners to reinforce comprehension. They are writing words with inflectional endings and combining sentences to create compound sentences. They are editing letters and using appositives in their writing. They are identifying time order words to utilize in how to essays.

Health
All of the students in grades Pre K – 5 enjoyed learning about their bodies and how to take care of them. Slim Good Body did a presentation to all. In addition, students learned how their brains work from a presentation given by Jack Brannigan.
Everyone is involved in learning about the food pyramid and healthy foods. Students are donating goods for a food drive to those in need.

Library and Computers
Kindergarten is learning to open, operate and close a computer program. Grade One is listening to and discussing a nonfiction piece on Thanksgiving. Grade Two is listening to and discussing a historical event. Grade Three is reviewing basic functions of Inspiration. Grade Four is listening to and viewing a Thanksgiving story. They are identifying fact vs. fiction. Grade Five is identifying examples of inappropriate web sites. They are reviewing the Street Smarts video.

World Language
Kindergarten has learned my name is…and how are you as well as learning Spanish words that start with A,B,C,D. Grade One has learned how to say hello, how are you? What’s your name? Goodbye, weather, and familiar colors. Grade Two has learned house and furniture vocabulary, colors, and numbers. Grade Three has learned how to locate people and things in a room, community, workers, and toys and drawing familiar objects and describing them. Grade Four has discussed Spain and the people speaking Spanish/English, and days of the week along with talking about foods they like and dislike. Grade Five has learned place settings and types of food at the grocery store, weather, and talking about their food likes and dislikes.

Art
Kindergarten has worked on making choices, and building fine motor skills as they completed their portraits of a scarecrow. They related culture to history and used patterns in their designs to create totem poles. Grade One is completing a still life using gourds. They are recreating objects to reflect their true size and improving their cutting skills. Grade Two is building fine motor skills by braiding and stringing single beads to complete a wampum pattern. Grade Three is creating adjacent watercolor pictures. They are practicing their highlighting techniques with pastels. Grade Four is painting on canvas and creating 3-d houses. Grade Five is working with clay to make ornaments and delving in pop art.

Physical Education
Kindergarten to Grade Two is working on rolling a ball for accuracy. They are learning a proper stance of bending the knees and proper foot positioning. Grades Three to Five are working on their football skills. They are practicing lateral and double passes and a fake off. All are working on sportsman like conduct and following rules.

Music
Kindergarten is practicing beat through marching and tapping. Grades One and Two are working on rhythm. Grade Three is working with interpretation. Grades Four and Five are preparing for the winter concert.

Lincoln School -

Mathematics:
Kindergarten students are learning to identify numbers 0-5 by using bear counters and connecting cubes. Next they will be learning the numbers 6-10. Our first graders are solving addition problems with sums to ten by using different strategies such as “using a number line” and “memorization.” They will be continuing with addition and subtraction concepts over the next couple of weeks.   The second grade recently completed a unit on reading tables, graphs, and charts. Next, they will begin the process of regrouping with two-digit numbers. The third grade has been subtracting whole numbers across zeros and will soon be completing calculations with money. Fourth graders are presently multiplying 2, 3, and 4 digit numbers by one digit. They are also working on multi-step open-ended problem solving procedures and will begin learning to multiply 2-digit time 2-digit numbers. The fifth graders recently completed two digit division into 4 and 5 digits as well as Greatest Common Factor and factor trees. They will soon be learning to add and subtract fractions

Science:
Kindergarten classes recently completed a chapter on living and nonliving things. They performed an experiment which compared the growth of a seed to that of a marble. Our first graders are learning about how plants and animals survive in their environment through adaptations. The second graders recently completed a healthy unit on plants and how the adapt to various environments including the prairie smoke plant and the octopus tree. They are going into a unit on the animal kingdom. The third grade recently completed a unit on living things and how they interact with one another (Chapter 3). Next, they will be studying predators and prey in Chapter 4.   The fourth grade is investigating a unit on weather including movement of weather, weather instruments, predicting weather, and global warming. Our fifth graders completed a unit on ecosystems, biomes, food webs and food chains. They will nest begin a social studies unit on early stages of colonization

Social Studies:
Our kindergarten students are working on a unit called “who we are”, which identifies family and community relationships. They are also learning about the traditions associated with Thanksgiving. The first grades are studying about communities and traditions. The second grade completed a study of neighborhoods and communities, which included a lesson on voting. They are now learning about the Pilgrims and Indians and the contribution that they made to our civilization. The third graders are finishing a unit on types of communities in the USA and will soon be studying communities abroad. The forth and fifth grades are working on science units

Language Arts:
The kindergarteners spent time investigating the vowel short “a” for two weeks and will next learn about the letter “n”. They recently read the story I Am and I Like. They are working hard to complete journal entries on a daily basis related to the curriculum. Our first graders recently read Boot for Beth and will begin reading Space Pup and Where do frogs Come From. They are also learning to identify the “telling and naming parts” of sentences. The second graders are engaged in a unit on nouns as well
as writing friendly letters. They also completed their first book report. They recently read the story Helping Out.   The third grades recently completed a unit on nouns; singular, plural, possessives, common, and proper. They are beginning a unit on paragraph formation in the near future. The fourth graders recently completed reading the story the Stone Fox. They will begin their first book report in fantasy in the near future that will be in the form of a diorama. They are also focused on expository writing that utilizes onomatopoeias and similes.   The fifth graders are responding to weekly writing prompts of various genres and just completed a unit on simple and compound sentences. They will be starting a unit on informative speeches and public speaking while reading From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basile E. Frankweiler.

Physical Education:
The Kindergarten and First grade students are refining their simple motor skills and spatial awareness by practicing running, footwork, balance, and zigzagging activities. The second through fifth graders completed their physical fitness training and will soon begin a football unit.