Newsletter

Week 22 - February 6 - 10, 2023

2/5/2023

Upcoming Events
2/10/23 - Q3 Progress Reports
2/13-2/17/23 - Kindness Week (Valentine's Party 2/24/23)
2/20/23 - President's Day - No School
2/23/23 - Tentative Author Visit
3/5/23 - FOC Family Bowling Event @ Waveland
3/16/23 - Q3 Report Cards sent home
3/17/23 - School Improvement Day - No School for Students
3/22/23 - Graduation Picture Day
3/24/23 - CPS High School Offers Released
3/29/23 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School for Students
4/3-7/23 - Spring Break

8th Grade Announcements & Information
Please be aware that Graduation Picture Day is coming on 3/22/23 so you and your student can discuss what they might like to wear (cap/gowns are provided for the photo shoot; students may choose another outfit as well).

Progress Reports will be coming home on Friday as well as Star Reading/Math Scores. Please review the document attachment below in looking at the scores and feel free to reach out with any questions. We will also be preparing students for the annual IAR assessments with a review of sample test items to familiarize them with the testing platform and what to expect this month.

Homeroom/Advisory -
During Advisory this month, we are beginning Unit 2 of the 7 Mindsets Program: Passion First. We will begin lesson 2.1 Focus on Strengths.

ELA - We are beginning Unit 3: The Challenge to Make a Difference. Families should have received an email introduction about the unit which is focused on the study of Holocaust through the lens of literature. We will begin by unpacking the unit, vocabulary and the embedded assessments as well as delving into literature circle expectations and work as we explore a range of texts.

Writing - Students will be introduced to sonnets (English & Italian) and will have a choice between styles. Student sonnet drafts will be due 2/13/23. We will continue to work with Quill, our grammar program on a daily basis.

Civics/Social Science - Thank you for your support of the Coonley Elementary School History Fair. Congratulations to our students and the advancing projects. We will continue Unit 3 in Participate Civics looking back at where we began (What is power and how is it used?). Students will interview a family member about their use of power and are exploring power as it appears in our community organizations (schools, non-for-profit organizations, and daily life within our communities). Students are beginning drafting project proposals for a Civic Action Project with a focus on making a change/impact within their community.

Have a wonderful week-end.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at prmeegan@cps.edu.

a_parent’s_guide_to_understanding_star_results.docx.pdf
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Week 21 - January 30 - February 3, 2023

1/28/2023

Upcoming Events
1/30/23 - Coonley History Fair Viewing @8:00AM in MPR, Enter through Door 1 (Main Entrance)
2/1/23 - 12th Night Performance (8th Grade Choice)
2/3/23 - School Improvement Day - No School for Students
2/10/23 - Q3 Progress Reports
2/20/23 - President's Day - No School
3/16/23 - Q3 Report Cards sent home
3/17/23 - School Improvement Day - No School for Students
3/22/23 - Graduation Picture Day
3/29/23 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School for Students

Homeroom/Advisory - Please be aware that Graduation Picture Day is coming on 3/22/23 so you and your student can discuss what they might like to wear (cap/gowns are provided for the photo shoot; students may choose another outfit as well).

During Advisory this month, we are finishing Unit 4 and will begin focusing on Unit 2 of the 7 Mindsets Program: Passion First. We will complete 2.4 - Grow through your Life this week.

ELA - This week, students will be reading articles on the pros and cons of autonomous vehicles. They will complete our Unit 2 Embedded Argument Essay this week using evidence they have collected through an analysis of 4 articles on this topic. Students will select a position for/against and argue their position using claims, evidence, and reasoning while applying techniques of persuasion including logos, ethos and pathos to their essay.

Writing - We will complete drafting Ekphrasis poetry about an artwork/form of their choice.

Civics/Social Science - The Coonley History Fair is 1/30/23. We invite you to view projects from 8:00-8:30 AM in the MPR Room. Please enter through Door 1 (Main Entrance). This past week, students created an elevator pitch for their project and presented to the class. I have been impressed with their ability to translate their research/knowledge about their Frontiers/Pioneers into the History Fair Project categories. They had an opportunity to get feedback prior to presenting to the Amundsen/Lakeview judges on Monday (praise/push) and will apply this feedback to their presentations. So proud of their work and the opportunity to share it with our community.

Have a wonderful week-end.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at prmeegan@cps.edu.

Week 20 - January 23-27, 2023

1/20/2023

Upcoming Events
1/30/23 - Coonley History Fair @8:00AM
2/1/23 - 12th Night Performance (8th Grade Choice)
2/3/23 - School Improvement Day - No School for Students
2/20/23 - President's Day - No School
3/16/23 - Q3 Report Cards sent home
3/17/23 - School Improvement Day - No School for Students
3/22/23 - Graduation Picture Day
3/29/23 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School for Students
4/3-7/23 - Spring Break

Homeroom/Advisory - Many thanks to Ms. McLennen for helping to clean and organize new/processed books to our classroom library!! Please be aware that Graduation Picture Day is coming on 3/22/23 so you and your student can discuss what they might like to wear (cap/gowns are provided for the photo shoot; students may choose another outfit as well).

During Advisory this month, we are focusing on Unit 4 of the 7 Mindsets Program. We completed Overcoming Limiting Beliefs this week and will be delving into 4.3 Focusing Energy. With the short week, we will complete reading Just Mercy Chapter 16 next week as well as enjoy Reading Buddies with our 4th Grade Book Buddies.

ELA - Students developed questions looking at argumentative and persuasive techniques in preparation for a Socratic Seminar discussion next week. Students will discuss the content of the essays ("Should Employers Use Social Media Posts to Make Hiring Decisions" as well as "Representative Urges Action on the Media"). They will develop their accountable speaking skills with the use of a rubric focusing on the rhetorical techniques of logos, pathos, and ethos in argumentation.

Writing - We will begin exploring Ekphrasis, poetry about art. Students wrote a class poem, each adding lines of description and inferring thoughts/feelings for paintings by Kadir Nelson (Heat Wave) and Salvador Dali (Young Woman At A Window). Students are finishing up their History Fair Projects. They will use their project checklists to review their work and complete exhibits, documentaries, websites and papers by Wednesday. Students may need to work at home this weekend to put them in good shape for next week. The History Fair Workshop at UIC has been cancelled and I will share additional information about a new date when it is available.

Civics/Social Science - The Coonley History Fair is 1/30/23. Please save the date as parents/families are invited to view projects from 8:00-8:30 AM. Student projects are due next Wednesday.

Have a wonderful week-end.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at prmeegan@cps.edu.

Week 19 - January 17-20, 2023

1/13/2023

Upcoming Events
1/13/23 - 2nd Quarter Report Cards Sent Home Today
1/16/23 - MLK Jr. Day - No School
1/30/23 - Coonley History Fair @8:30AM

Homeroom/Advisory - Many thanks to Ms. Azar for helping to update and add new/processed books to my classroom library!! They are now available to students. Our new pilot schedule seems to be working well this week. Students completed their Star 360 Reading/Math Assessments this week which serve as a comparison in planning for the 2nd quarter. Be on the look-out, 2nd quarter Report Cards will be sent home today with your students.

During Advisory this month, we are focusing on Unit 4 of the 7 Mindsets Program. We completed 100% Accountable and will be heading into lessons on overcoming limiting beliefs, focusing energy, and growth though life. We will complete reading Just Mercy Chapter 16 as well as enjoy Free Reading Time.

ELA - Students are reading and analyzing non-fiction articles related to Springboard Unit 3: The Challenge of Utopia as a culmination of our science fiction novels and our research into Science Fiction and Dystopian Literature. Students will read and analyze several argumentative essays and the rhetorical techniques of logos, pathos, and ethos in argumentation.

Writing - Students enjoyed writing an Ugly Ode, which gives praise to an unexpected/underappreciated source. Students used Elizabeth Acevedo's Poem, Rat Ode, as inspiration. Next week, we will begin exploring Ekphrasis, poetry about art. Students will continue adapting their History Fair Papers into a History Fair Project of their choice (Exhibit Board, Website, Documentary or Extended Paper). All materials have been passed out and students have reviewed the rules/expectations for their project choice and have a checklist to guide their work. It is coming quickly so students may need to work at home.

Civics/Social Science - The Coonley History Fair is 1/30/23. Please save the date as parents/families are invited to view projects from 8:00-8:30 AM. Students will be adapting their History Fair Papers into a History Fair Project of their choice (Exhibit Board, Website, Documentary or Extended Paper).

Have a wonderful long weekend. Think about checking out King in Chicago, a short documentary about
King's involvement in the Chicago Freedom Movement on Prime Video.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at prmeegan@cps.edu.

Week 18 - January 9-13, 2023

12/23/2022

Upcoming Events
12/26/22 - 1/6/23 - Winter Break
1/9/23 - Return to School
1/16/23 - MLK Jr. Day - No School
1/30/23 - Coonley History Fair @8:30AM

Homeroom/Advisory - Many thanks to Ms. Putnam and Room 316 parents for a wonderful winter break celebration. The hot cocoa was a hit. Thank you as well for the New Year wishes and Happy Birthday wishes. I felt the love, even if I felt my age as well. I'm putting down some big numbers this year. I hope you all enjoy some time with family and friends, and my favorite wish - read a book for fun!! Have a wonderful Winter Break.

During Advisory this week, we will continue reading Just Mercy Chapter 15 as well as enjoy Free Reading Time. We are piloting a new schedule that will break up our Humanities block into two 60 minute periods. See 316 pilot schedule.

ELA - We will be focusing on Springboard Language/Grammar Lessons this week while we explore poetry in writing. We will explore Odes, Ekphrasis, Sonnets, Sestinas and a Wild Card in this fun reading/writing unit. We are also focusing on completing History Fair Projects.

Writing - Students will continue working on Quill individualized grammar lessons for the intermediate unit to focus their personalized plans. Students will be adapting their History Fair Papers into a History Fair Project of their choice (Exhibit Board, Website, Documentary or Extended Paper).

Civics/Social Science - The Coonley History Fair is 1/30/23. Please save the date as parents/families are invited to view projects from 8:00-8:30 AM. Students will be adapting their History Fair Papers into a History Fair Project of their choice (Exhibit Board, Website, Documentary or Extended Paper).

Have a wonderful Winter Break and Happy Holiday Season.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at prmeegan@cps.edu.

Week 17 - December 19-22, 2022

12/18/2022

Upcoming Events
12/19-12/22/22 - Spirit Week - See Below for details.
12/22/22 - Class Winter Break Party
12/23/22 - School Improvement Day - No School for Students
12/26/22 - 1/6/23 - Winter Break
1/9/23 - Return to School
1/16/23 - MLK Jr. Day - No School
1/30/23 - Coonley History Fair @8:30AM

Homeroom/Advisory - It is Spirit Week - see the image below for details to celebrate the Winter Spirit this week. We have many activities this week including the Coonley Spelling Bee on Thursday. We will cheer our class representative at the Bee. Go Adam!

During Advisory this week, we will continue reading Just Mercy Chapter 15 as well as enjoy Free Reading Time and our Winter Break Party on Thursday @ 2:30.

ELA - We completed our Science Fiction Novel Units. Students will take their final exam on12/29/22 for Nyxia, Across the Universe and City of Embers. We will continue our study of the Science Fiction genre looking at short stories/articles that explore Dystopias and Utopias. This week, we will delve into the year 2081 with Kurt Vonnegut's, Harrison Bergeron.

Writing - Students will continue working on Quill individualized grammar lessons for the intermediate unit to focus their personalized plans. Students will complete their History Fair papers, specifically body paragraph 5 (conclusion) and updates to their Annotated Bibliography. Students will have an opportunity for peer editing and teacher conferencing this week to ensure they are turning in their best work.

Civics/Social Science - We have completed Unit 2 in our Participate Civics curriculum. Students will be working on completing their History Fair papers this week. We will look at project options (Exhibit Board, Documentary, Website and Paper) as well as exemplars in each category so students have an opportunity to think about the best project style to represent what they have learned about their topic. When we return in the New Year, students will take what they have learned about their Pioneer or Frontier and create a visual representation through their project choice.

Have a wonderful Winter Break and Happy Holiday Season.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at prmeegan@cps.edu.

Week 16 2.0 - December 12-16, 2022

12/11/2022

Upcoming Events

12/22/22 - Class Winter Break Party
12/23/22 - School Improvement Day - No School for Students
12/26/22 - 1/6/23 - Winter Break
1/9/23 - Return to School
1/16/23 - MLK Jr. Day - No School
1/30/23 - Coonley History Fair @8:30AM

Homeroom/Advisory - Students will explore Winter Holidays Around the World in Cougar Connections this week through a video and National Geographic research. We will continue reading Just Mercy and watch a Ted-Talk from author, Bryan Stevenson.

ELA - We are nearing the end of our Science Fiction Novel Units. Students will continue to complete Science Fiction reading assignments and annotations for each chapter of Nyxia, Across the Universe and City of Embers. Students will share out their annotations (Words of the Wise, Tough ?’s, Contrasts & Contradictions, A-Ha, Memory Moments and Again & Again) as well as their Chapter Summaries created in storyboard that.com. As we read, students will continue to look for the characteristics of a science fiction anti-hero: the chosen one, have special powers, are outcasts/outliers, are unlikely/unlikeable heroes.

Writing - Students will continue working on Quill individualized grammar lessons for the intermediate unit to focus their personalized plans. Students will work on their History Fair papers, specifically body paragraph 4 (counterclaim) and body paragraph 1&2 (introduction and conclusion). Students will continue to add to their Annotated Bibliographies as they find sources.

Civics/Social Science - We will explore Launch 2.5: How can individuals govern through activism? We will complete Unit 2 with Launch 2.6 looking at the roles of individuals in the judicial system (Supreme Court Justice, Attorney, Juror, and Plaintiff) and how each plays a different role in seeking justice. We are nearing the end of Participate Civics and students have been thinking about a Civic Action Project that would help improve our school and/or community in Unit 4.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at prmeegan@cps.edu.

Week 16 - December 5-9, 2022

12/2/2022

Upcoming Events

12/22/22 - Class Winter Break Party
12/23/22 - School Improvement Day - No School for Students
12/26/22 - 1/6/23 - Winter Break
1/9/23 - Return to School
1/16/23 - MLK Jr. Day - No School
1/30/23 - Coonley History Fair @8:30AM

Homeroom/Advisory - On Monday, we will learn about International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and look for opportunities to celebrate everyone's unique skills, talents, and abilities. On Tuesday-Friday, we will be celebrating the Hour of Code Challenge. Each day, students will play, analyze and create a game.

ELA - On Monday, students will take a short comprehension quiz for their choice novel. Students will complete Science Fiction reading assignments and annotations for each chapter of Nyxia, Across the Universe and City of Embers. Students will share out their annotations (Words of the Wise, Tough ?’s, Contrasts & Contradictions, A-Ha, Memory Moments and Again & Again) as well as their Chapter Summaries created in storyboard that.com. As we read, students will look for the characteristics of a science fiction anti-hero: the chosen one, have special powers, are outcasts/outliers, are unlikely/unlikeable heroes.

Writing - Students will continue working on Quill individualized grammar lessons for the intermediate unit to focus their personalized plans. Students will work on their History Fair papers, specifically body paragraph 2 (how is your person/topic a pioneer and/or a frontier) and body paragraph 3 (looking at the short (during the time period) and long term (into the present) impacts of their topic.

Civics/Social Science - Students will have work time for History Fair papers.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at prmeegan@cps.edu.

Week 15 - November 28 - December 2, 2022

11/21/2022

Upcoming Events

12/2/22 - GoCPS Application Closes
12/2/22 - Walking Field Trip to Davis Theater for Chicago International Children's Film Fest @9:00 am
12/22/22 - Class Winter Break Party
12/23/22 - School Improvement Day - No School for Students
12/26/22 - 1/6/23 - Winter Break
1/9/23 - Return to School
1/16/23 - MLK Jr. Day - No School
1/30/23 - Coonley History Fair @8:30AM

Reminders: Please make sure your student has submitted their Field Trip Permission Slip for Friday.

Homeroom/Advisory - We will continue the 7 Mindsets: Unit 5.4 Elevate Your Perspective. We are continuing to read Chapter 12 of Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson as our Equity Read Aloud on Wednesdays. Thursdays - students will have time for Free Reading. On Friday, we will check Google Classroom Submissions to ensure all assignments were submitted, checked Aspen Gradebook for any missing word/assignments or opportunities for retakes, cleaned out binders, desks and lockers as needed.

ELA - Students will complete Science Fiction reading assignments and annotations for each chapter of Nyxia, Across the Universe and City of Embers. Students will share out their annotations (Words of the Wise, Tough ?’s, Contrasts & Contradictions, A-Ha, Memory Moments and Again & Again) as well as their Chapter Summaries created in storyboard that.com. As we read, students will look for the characteristics of a science fiction anti-hero which we explored through film clips of The Matrix and I-Robot. We'll see if our anti-heroes are: the chosen one, have special powers, are outcasts/outliers, are unlikely/unlikeable heroes.

Writing - Students will begin work on Quill individualized grammar lessons to focus their personalized plans. Students will work on their History Fair papers, specifically the context of their topic and creating a strong thesis statement to drive their paper.

Civics/Social Science - Students will focus on Launch 2.4 How Individuals Influence Government through Elections. Students will research the process of voting, and students will research who represents them in government looking at federal, state, and local representatives.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Break. I am thankful for being able to work with your students to discuss great books, find their voice as writers, and explore how they can use their skills, talents, and passions in civic life. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at prmeegan@cps.edu.

Week 14 - November 21, 2022

11/21/2022

Parent Teacher Conferences - Sign up @https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f4aa9ac2da6f94-8thmiddle