Wednesday, October 30, 2013

8th Grade - the Capstone Year

Ever wonder what learning looks like as students progress through their last year at TMS?  Here's a peak at what 8th grade is doing today.

In Science, students are synthesizing their understanding of Plate Tectonics...


The pictures here show the various ways students can demonstrate their knowledge of forces that shape the earth, landforms at plate boundaries, mountain building, and continent building.  And, students can even use Minecraft, a highly complex and relevant app!  Below is an outline of their expectations and assessment.


And here, a student explains his group's learning...



In math, students thinking is extended by taking "obscure" information and processing it into an equation - having students think backwards about these problems solidifies their understanding.  I'm just nerdy enough to want to do these problems myself.


In math, quick check-ins with students give perspective on which students are following through with their work and which skills need reteaching.


In social studies, the MAP word of the day is integrated into daily content.  In this case students are modifying the answer to make it correct.


In English, students are writing thesis sentences to begin argumentative writing: Is Edgar Allen Poe mentally ill?

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