The document provides updates from various middle school teachers at PS/IS 226 for the month of November 2016. Key updates include: - 6th grade focusing on analyzing poetry about challenges and famous people's lives. - 7th grade starting a new unit on sports, examining whether physical strength or mental alertness is more important in athletics. - 8th grade continuing their "Survivor" unit by reading short stories and analyzing characters who face challenges in extreme environments.

1. What is New from the Middle School Teachers…..Volume 1 Issue 3- November 2016
PS/IS 226 Panther Pride Press
“Together We Make Our
School a Success”
6th
Grade Ms. Issa: The sixth grade just finished analyzing and creating poetry with their unit
on challenges and how they help shape people. The unit will dive into critical reading and
writing about the lives of two famous people and the challenges in which shaped them into
becoming who they are today. Their written pieces will consist of the techniques the author
uses to describe the challenging experiences of the characters. Through both the reading and writing portion
of this unit, students will discover how experiencing challenges can affect and strengthen a person throughout
their life.
7th
Grade Ms. Jompulsky: The seventh grade is excited to embark on our brand new Code X unit all about
sports. We will be critically reading two texts--one about running and the other about football-- in order to
engage in discussions and written pieces about whether physical strength or mental alertness is more
important in athletics. We will be challenging ourselves and perhaps even changing previously held ideas
about what it takes to be successful in the world of competitive sports.
8th
Grade Ms. Giordano: The 8th Grade is on an adventure with our Code X "Survivor" unit. Here we learn all
the skills needed to embark upon a short story and a novel excerpt. We are delving into close readings with
student-led accountable talk discussions by reading the stories of "Keesh" and "Life of Pi". Both tales are about
two brave young men who tackle the challenges of extreme environments. Each class has gone to the Ryder
Library to check out independent reading novels and get a tour. We are looking forward to our next trip
where we will learn all about the Ryder Library Research Data Base Program.
These seniors are focusing on college and career readiness as they dive into their “College Life 101”-
themed unit. In addition, they are re-examining the craft of argumentative writing in order to
support and develop their claims. We will also be debating the idea of traditional colleges versus
Ms. D’Acierno: Our 6th grade students are tackling real-world
fraction problems and applying all operations with fractions in Chapter 2 of the Go Math
curriculum. In viewing videos on www.flocabulary.com and www.brainpop.com, students are enjoying the
topics and creating their own songs and poems to help them remember fraction rules. Let's keep up the
momentum 6th grade rock stars!!!
7th
Grade Mr. Greene: Our 7th grade students soared through our ratios and proportions unit, learning all
about proportional relationships in tables, graphs, and real world scenarios, in addition to real world
problems with percent’s. We are now well on our way to one of if not the most important units of our school
year, expressions and equations. In this unit students will be learning all about how to use algebraic
expressions and equations to help shed light on real world problems, and explore the world of what it takes
to a be a real world mathematician. Keep up the great work 7th grade, and never forget, "success is built on
the essence of hard work."
8th
Grade Mr. Hadzovic: The 8th grade is soaring through space with their bulletin board projects about
galactic distance and the speed of light. We are truly thinking like scientists now. Up next for the B and C
class are proportional and non-proportional linear relationships. Afterwards, we will quickly dive into slope.
For the A class we are going to be continuing expressions and lead into equations. Can you help us find x?
How about a system of x's? These superstars will know how to solve a system of linear equations very soon!
6th
Grade Ms. Travato: The 6th Graders are
focusing on the 4 ancient river civilizations.
Students will analyze how geography played
a major role of development in society and
early civilizations.
7th
Grade Ms. Sapienza: The 7th grade is
moving into our second part of our first
unit- Colonization in the Colonies. Students
will be focusing on the three regions of the
colonies in North America. Some of the text
sources that will be analyzed include the
Diary of John Smith and Pocahontas,
interactions between Natives and the
Europeans, and court evidence from the
Salem Witch Trials. This analysis is in
preparation for our field trip to Historic
Richmond Town in Staten Island on
November 22nd.
8th
Grade Ms. Sapienza: This month the
seniors will be learning about urbanization
and industrialization, with a focus on New
York City during the late 1800s. Connections
between our technological inventions we
have today and from the 19th century will be
made through a group cross text-based
study. Students are going to be studying
several push and pull factors that influences
immigrants to come to the United States and
make connections to their own immigration
stories. Texts and video diaries from
immigrants will be explored and analyzed.
This unit is to help prepare them for our
field trip to the Lower East Side Tenement
Museum on November 23rd.
Before beginning U.S. History Part 1,
students are reviewing Geography and
studying different types of maps. This
skill will allow them to analyze and
interpret historical texts and events in
future units. Geography will play a large
role in the first major unit of study-
Gmail accounts have arrived! Each student in the middle school has
received a "psis226.org" domain Google account. Now teachers/students can work together using Google
Applications!
This month my bilingual learners are finishing
their Spanish menus. Next, they will learn about
the cognates techniques which they will be
applying to our next project.

2. Panther Pride Press- Volume 1- Issue 3 November 2016
JH
Ms. Trombetta: This month 6th grade band
students have been working on the first 5 notes of
the B-flat scale, the basis of beginning band playing.
Seventh grade band students are focusing on Level 1
literature and expanding their range and rhythm
reading skills. Eighth grade band students are
working on Level 2 literature and you will hear the
fruits of their labor at the holiday concert on
December 15th. Several 8th grade band students
have been working on their audition material for
various high schools. We wish them luck and hope
they continue to play their instruments in high
school regardless of where they are accepted.
Ms. Salcedo 6 & 7th
Grade Science -The 6th graders are focusing their
explorations on the various forms of energy, transformations, and their
uses. They are designing models/systems that will demonstrate the use and
transformation of energy. As they continue exploring the concept of energy,
students will understand the application of potential and kinetic energy through simple machines.
The 7th graders are exploring topics about the surface of Earth, as well as the natural phenomena
that causes the surface to change over time. The students are excited to create models representing
the lithosphere, which will help them understand the dynamic processes wearing away at the Earth's
surface. They will also conduct controlled as well as secondary research to investigate the processes
that are changing the face of the Earth.
This month our seniors are exploring forces and how they affect the motion of objects. Through a
series of hands-on activities and experiments, they identify the concepts behind the different forces
and Newton's laws of motion. On the other hand, our 8th grade Living Environment seniors are
exploring and experimenting on biochemistry and the biochemical reactions that have to occur to
create us and allow us to survive. Always remember to: Keep Calm and Science On!
Mr. Pratt: Bump, Set, SPIKE! Enter the gym any day of the week and you will see our students
practicing various volleyball skills. The students are preparing to compete in volleyball games
throughout the month. We are currently in the middle of boys and girls soccer leagues. Three
lucky classes will also be going on an exploration through the woods of Staten Island. So far, only
success!
Mr. Geraci: Students have been studying the
Mexican celebration "Dia De Los Muertos" or Day of
the Dead, which takes place at the beginning of
November. They have been creating amazing works
of art using images associated with this celebration.
Skeleton faces, also knowns as "Sugar Skulls"
detailed with floral patterns have become very
popular images.
Monthly Highlight From Ms. Monthy“Monthly Highlight from Ms. Montanes”
The month of November is full of opportunities and important dates for our students. Our fall sports
season is in full swing and we are preparing for our annual student election. Eighth grade student
elections will take place on November 7th in the auditorium. Recently, we completed our first marking
period at 226. We also conducted our first student-led conferences. Thank you to all the students and
parents who attended. It’s important that students see your support and communication with the
school regarding their academic progress. We look forward to continuing to work together to provide
your child with the best educational experience here at Alfred De B. Mason. On behalf of our faculty,
we hope you have a great Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends. This year, I am once
again very thankful for the opportunities to lead a student-centered staff, to collaborate with
supportive parents, and to work with your incredibly talented children within a strong community.
Thankful to be a Panther!
Dear 8th Grade Families, I hope that you are off to a
great start attending the Open Houses of High
Schools you are interested in. Remember to sign their
attendance sheet and include your child's OSIS
number (very important for the Limited Unscreened
High Schools). Here are a few things you should be
doing this November: -Reviewing the High School
application process -Attending auditions and
interviews, if applicable -Continuing to attend open
houses and go on school visits/tours Remember, the
High School Application is due on December 1, 2016.
You can list up to 12 program choices on your
application. Use the High School Directory or [School
Search] to explore programs of interest.
Schoolfinder.nyc.gov is available in
Spanish as well, and you can access the
site via any web browser or device
including smartphones. It's an amazing
tool! Please feel free to contact me with
any questions about the process. I can
be reached at: (718) 234-4940
extension 4611. (Please do not leave
messages for me at my old extension -
4341 or dial #7 on phone
menu/directory. I do not have access to
my old extension). Thank you. I am
happy to help.
A Note from Mrs. Tsekouras

3. Panther Pride Press Volume 1 Issue 3 November 2016
Ms. Pizzo: Students in Class 604 are continuing to
explore the theme of survival in ELA. They have
just completed a writing task in which they
examined a character's speech, thoughts, effect on
others, actions, and looks. Next, we will be reading
and analyzing the poem "Life Doesn't Frighten Me"
by Maya Angelou. Students will apply close reading
strategies to analyze the poem's text structure,
point of view, and figurative language. We are
beginning our fraction unit in Math. Students will
learn how to simplify, multiply and divide fractions.
In addition, they will also learn how to distinguish
between terminating and repeating decimals. At
home, students should continue practicing basic
multiplication and division facts. They should
also complete at least 3 Achieve articles per week.
Class 704 is moving along in the first
unit of Code X. Students continue to
read, annotate, and analyze the novel
excerpt "Call Me Maria", by Judith
Ortiz Cofer, and the poem "The Road
Not Taken" by Robert Frost.
Afterward they will write a narrative
essay about their own personal
experiences of an important event or
decision in their lives. In math, they
will be engaged in the Number
System. Students will be applying
integer operations using the Order of
Operations, as well as
studying rational numbers and
decimals.
Ms. Shammas: What inspires the will to survive? Our swashbuckling seniors are exploring this theme through an excerpt from the epic
text "Life of Pi." While the journey the protagonist Pi takes is a fictitious one, students are making their own personal connections to this narrative. By
comparing their own experiences of survival and struggle to that of Pi, they are able to make deeper analyses of the text, character, plot and themes.
Mathematically speaking, learners are trying not to "blow it out of proportion" by determine proportional relationships in real world applications. They are
expanding upon these concepts by finding and plotting slope - remembering that they have to RISE before they RUN!
Ms. Mallen and Ms. Tse: Classes
805 and 605 will be continuing
to work hard in the month of
November. In ELA, we will be
reading and exploring the
features of informational texts. In
Math, we will be working on
measurement skills that can be
used in the home as well as
multiplication computation skills.
This month we will continue our
weekly walking trip to Shoprite to
continue to reinforce our skills in
counting money, reading food
labels and receipts. We will also
be visiting Prospect Park to enjoy
a day of exercising and admiring
the fall foliage throughout the
park.
Ms. Thomas: In Digital Literacy students have been
engaging in varied strategies to enable them to become
better readers. Currently, our digital learners are learning
how to “set the purpose” for their reading by unpacking
the “thought questions” provided by Achieve 3000 to
understand what key information they should be
gathering as they read various informational texts.
Mrs. Halpern: Middle School open access has now begun on Monday and
Wednesday during period 5 lunch. Students attending open access may
borrow books, complete homework assignments or work on projects. If
you would like to attend open access, firstly go to the library during
homeroom to get a pass. Secondly, go down to each lunch in the
cafeteria. After eating lunch head up to the library and sign in Middle
School, open access has now begun on Monday and Wednesday during
period 5 lunch. Students attending open access may borrow books,
complete homework assignments or work on projects. If you would like
to attend open access, firstly go to the library during homeroom to get a
pass. Secondly, go down to each lunch in the cafeteria. After eating lunch
head up to the library and sign in.
This month our ENL students will continue exploring
the world of grammar through the magical art of theatre
and "kahooting". Recently, students completed third person Point
of View narratives in groups that they then performed and re-enacted
through miming for their peers. This month, newcomers will be working
on a digital literacy project in which they will write the narrative to a
wordless picture book and create a digital video of their final product.