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Grades 6-8: IN-HOME Learning Resources
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6-8 English Language Arts & Reading
Free online resources to support literacy learning from home:
- NewsELA- Current event articles that are age-appropriate and relevant for all learners.
- Scholastic has free resources to keep students engaged and learning at home, for students in grades 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th.
- No redInk- Online resources to practice writing and editing skills.
English Language Arts (ELA) Grade 6
- Smithsonian TweenTribune Grade 6: Students can read and write a response to online articles from Smithsonian TweenTribune.
- Ranger in Time read-aloud Students can listen to Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail read aloud by author Kate Messner.
- Reading and Vocabulary Grade 6Students can practice reading, informational literature, and vocabulary through Khan Academy.
English 7 | English 7 Honors
- Smithsonian TweenTribune Grade 7: Students can read and write a response to online articles from Smithsonian TweenTribune.
- Ranger in Time read-aloud: Students can listen to Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail read aloud by author Kate Messner.
- Reading and Vocabulary Grade 7: Students can practice reading literature, informational text, and vocabulary through Khan Academy.
English 8 | English 8 Honors
- The Learning Network: Students can read and write a response to informational and argumentative articles through The Learning Network from The New York Times.
- Reading and Vocabulary Grade 8: Students can practice reading literature, informational text, and vocabulary through Khan Academy.
- Grammar Skills Practice: Want to improve your grammar skills? Students can practice through Khan Academy.
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6-8 Mathematics
Courses / Activities
Families can use the resources below for engaging math activities that will promote wonder and deepen sense-making skills.
- NRICH provides thousands of free online math resources, all developed by the math faculty at the University of Cambridge. Activities include challenges, puzzles, games, and explorations for all levels of mathematics.
- Math Before Bed provides interesting images with prompting questions to spark amazing math discussions. Currently offering free ebook downloads. Best for grades 6 - 8, but good for all!
- Figure This is a free online resource developed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Education, in order to provide families with interesting math challenges. Each challenge includes hints and solutions, and is also available in Spanish. Resources for students at any level of mathematics!
- Calculation Nation includes fun math games students can play against themselves or other students from across the nation. Created by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (requires Adobe Flash Player)
- Mathematical Connections Tour This 7 minute video from Stanford Univ provides context on the importance of math and how mathematical concepts are connected. (Bonus: it’s narrated by Jo Boaler, complete with British accent :)
- 101 Questions has quick visuals paired with the prompting question “What’s the first thing that comes to mind?” Once a student submits their response, they can see the responses of others. Helps promote noticing, wondering, and reasoning.
- Math Apps and Games Stanford University provides this vetted list of fun apps and games designed to strengthen mathematical reasoning.
Middle School Math (Math 6, Math 6 Honors, Math Rocks 6, Math 7, Math 7 Honors, Math 8)
Students can review what they’ve learned in math this year by accessing their math textbook online and/or through the online MATHia® modules provided by Carnegie Learning.
Algebra 1 Honors
Students can access their Algebra 1 HMH textbook online to review what they’ve learned in class so far this year.
Geometry | Geometry Honors
Students can access their SpringBoard Online textbook to review what they’ve learned in class so far this year.
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6-8 Science
Click here to learn more about xplore Learning Gizmos
Courses / Activities
To support your learning from home, engage in exploration within Gizmos, our online simulation software.
Grade 6
Log into Gizmo. Click on “Find Gizmos’ at the top of the page. Search for “Energy Conversions”.
Explore this Energy Conversions Gizmo. In the Gizmo you will:
- Create energy pathways to show where our energy comes from.
- Describe the different forms of energy.
- Identify ways that energy is converted from one form to another.
- Determine that sunlight is the primary source of most of the usable energy on Earth.
- Solar cells convert sunlight to electricity.
- Sunlight causes wind and rain, powering wind turbines and hydroelectric dams.
- Sunlight provides energy for plant growth.
- Plants or plant remains can be burned or eaten to provide energy
- Describe four types of renewable resources. (Extension)
Where does energy come from? How does energy get from one place to another? Find out how electrical current is generated and how living things get the energy to move and grow. Trace the path of energy and see how energy is converted from one form to another.
Grade 7 | Grade 7 Honors
Log into Gizmo. Click on “Find Gizmos’ at the top of the page. Search for “Homeostasis”.
Explore this Homeostasis Gizmo. In the Gizmo you will:
- Determine how our bodies maintain a stable internal temperature in spite of variations in outside temperature.
- Regulate the body temperature of a simulated person using clothing, exercise, and sweat.
- Understand the consequences of letting body temperature get too high or too low.
- Understand that food and water are necessary for the body to function.
- Understand that drinking water is required for the body to produce sweat.
Control a simulated person running on a treadmill. Your challenge is to use clothing, exercise, and sweat to maintain constant body temperature as air temperature goes up and down. Sweating (perspiration) can be controlled automatically by the Gizmo or, for a challenge, manually by the user. Don't forget to eat and drink!
Grade 8 | Grade 8 Honors
Log into Gizmo. Click on “Find Gizmos’ at the top of the page. Search for “Density”.
Explore this Density Gizmo. In the Gizmo you will:
- State the SI units used for mass and volume.
- Measure the volumes of irregular objects using water displacement.
- Discover that density can be measured.
- Predict whether an object will float or sink by measuring its mass and volume.
- Define the relationship between mass, volume, and density.
- Calculate the densities of irregular objects.
- Compare the densities of liquids.
Measure the mass and volume of a variety of objects, then place them into a beaker of liquid to see if they float or sink. Learn to predict whether objects will float or sink in water based on their mass and volume. Compare how objects float or sink in a variety of liquids, including gasoline, oil, seawater, and corn syrup.
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6-8 Social Studies
Courses / Activities
6th Grade Social Studies
7th Grade Social Studies
8th Grade Social Studies
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7-8 CTE: Career & Technical Education
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7-8 Speech & Theatre
Speech 1 | Debate | Oral Interpretation
Students can view the online source cited below and complete a journal entry to share with a family member or friend.
- View A Gifted Young Speaker Speaks About Believing in His Generation
- Journal answers to the following questions:
- Who believes in you and why do you feel that they believe in you?
- What are your talents and how do they relate to the speaker?
- Who is your village? Why?
- How do you relate to the speaker?
- If you were to be asked to make a motivational speech to a group at school, what would you want to tell them?
- Journal answers to the following questions:
- View How I Overcame My Fear of Public Speaking
- Journal answers to the following questions:
- How do you relate to the speaker and his fear of speaking?
- What is the root of your fear of speaking when you are chosen to speak in front of a group?
- What tactics discussed have you tried before speaking?
- What is the big message at the end of this talk?
- Journal answers to the following questions:
Theatre 1-3 | Technical Theatre
Students can view the online source cited below and complete a journal entry to share with a family member or friend.
- View War Horse - Joey - The Foal
- Journal answers to the following questions:
- What is the first puppet you remember seeing in a live performance or on television?
- What do you remember about that puppet and why do you feel it stands out in your mind?
- What is it about puppets that fascinates children?
- How does an object, like a puppet, show expression if it is unable to move its face?
- Journal answers to the following questions:
- View A Gifted Young Speaker Speaks About Believing in His Generation
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Art
Activities
Kindness Cards
- Please have your student watch this short video “Color your world with Kindness”.
- Consider how kindness impacts others, discuss the video together and ask what kindness looks like to your student?
- Then have your student create an image for the outside of a card - using, color pencil, marker or collage on approx 9 x 12 paper.
*Attention - submission date for Kindness cards is currently postponed until May.
Resources for the Kindness Card
- Please have your student watch this short video “Color your world with Kindness”.
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Band, Choir, and Orchestra
Band/Choir/Orchestra 6-12
Practice 30-45 minutes per day on a combination of the following:
Exercises for Skill Maintenance
- Articulation/Tonguing Exercises - Band
- Bow Stroke Exercises - Orchestra
- Breathing Exercises - Choir
- Long Tone Exercises - (Remingtons/Flow Studies/Etc.) - Band
- Long Bow Exercises - Orchestra
- Vocal Explorations (sirens, sighs, woos, etc.) - Choir
- Lip Slurs/Range Extension Exercises - Band
- Shift Position Exercises - Orchestra
- Scales (1,2 or 3 octaves) - Band & Orchestra
- Solfege patterns (scales, thirds, triads) - Choir
- Scale Patterns/Finger Exercises - Band & Orchestra
- Daily Rhythm Counting Exercises - Everyone!
Repertoire Practice - EVERYONE
- Sing or Play any UIL or upcoming Concert Music
- Consider Singing or Playing along with a high-quality recording on YouTube
- Work on any upcoming Audition Music
- Continue to work on any Solo and/or Ensemble Music you have
- Practice melodic and rhythmic Etudes assigned for lessons
- Sight-read at least one song, line or etude daily
Musicianship & Aural Skills
- Complete a Music Theory Exercise online
- Watch one or more performances on YouTube, such as:
- Play a familiar song by ear or Sing it in solfege, such as:
- Row, Row, Row Your Boat
- Mary Had a Little Lamb
- Amazing Grace
- Happy Birthday
- Play a familiar song in more than a new key or convert it from Major (do based) to Minor (la based)
- Practice online with a partner
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Computer Science/ Coding
Computer Science Resources
These resources are to support computer science development and practice programming skills.
- Girls Who Code at Home - unplugged and online activities for 3rd-12th grade students. Learn coding from the comfort of your home.
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LOTE: Languages Other Than English
Choice Boards
Students, the resources linked below are available for you to continue and extend your learning in your World Language course. Choice boards have been designed for each level of language study so that students may engage in listening/reading/writing/speaking practice based on topics previously addressed in the courses for that level. The choice boards are designed for students to select activities that align to their interests and/or practice needs. Links to authentic resources with a collection from all languages are provided as a starting point for students to engage in authentic resources. Each choice board is intentionally non-language specific and students should complete the activities in the language of study. ASL has a specific-choice board to align to expressive/receptive skills.
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Physical Education
- OPEN - Students and parents can access OPEN At Home Physical Education Curriculum opportunities.
- Coach Meger’s Fitness Games - Students and parents can access Coach Meger’s youtube channel for daily physical activities.