TALENT
DEVELOPMENT
NEWSLETTER Volume 17, Issue #2
IN THIS ISSUE
6th Grade Language Arts
6th Grade Math
7th Grade Language Arts
7th Grade Math
8th Grade Language Arts
8th Grade Math
Extras! Mr. Milligan to Present The Pigman Nationally
Piedmont Middle School, An IB World School
6th Grade Language Arts
Have you ever wondered if you would have survived if you were passenger on the Titanic? This past
quarter, we read Titanic: Voices from the Disaster and were able to cover non-fiction elements in
the classroom. However, the best part of this unit was the cross-curricular activity that we did with
the math classes. This problem-based learning required students to complete different tasks. As
they accomplished the tasks, they were one step closer to knowing if they would have been a
survivor of that fateful voyage. While not all students “survived” the Titanic, we did get to write
brochures based on our reading and activities in class. These brochures pushed students to look at things from a
different point of view, as well as use research to sell someone a ticket on the ship.
We are currently in our poetry unit, where students are reading a text called Here in Harlem: Poems from Many Voices.
They are analyzing poetic devices such as figurative language, rhyme, and meter to draw conclusions about what the
speaker is trying to communicate about his or her life and situation. While the educational benefits of studying poetry
are wonderful, we are going to push students to be introspective. They will use our text as a model by creating their
own poetry anthology, “Here in Charlotte”, that shares what they feel is important about growing up in Charlotte. We
are accelerating classes and pushing them based on their needs, so some students will be composing their poems
differently than other students.
At the end of January, we will begin another novel study unit that is completely differentiated. Students will have a list
of novels to choose from based on the rigor and interest level that we feel is appropriate. Students will then do self-
guided reading and application lessons that will demonstrate their understanding of the literary elements we have
studied thus far, as well as those we will be adding to their ever growing bank of knowledge. Allowing students to select
their own books encourages students to engage with a text that is high interest, to their ability level, yet impactful just
the same.
As we wrap up the poetry unit and begin our novel study, we encourage all students to engage with the texts in a
meaningful way. As we study theme and the authors’ messages, we hope that students will take something other than
the definition of figurative language with them into their future studies. We know the interest based projects,
differentiation, and project based learning that we are doing will allow students the opportunity to do this, but we hope
that they enjoy it at the same time.
Talent Development
Newsletter 2017-2018
Volume 17, Issue #2
Quarter 2
Piedmont Middle School, An IB World School
6th Grade Math First, the math department would like to acknowledge how fortunate we are to be able to work with the wonderful young scholars at Piedmont. Thank you for sharing them with us!
This quarter, our main focus has been Algebra. It is amazing to see how much math these students have learned over the last few months. From inverse operations, to substituting values for a variable, the 6th graders have really come a long way so far, and we aren’t even halfway through the year. We also celebrated our favorite “Choice Project”, (our Culture Menu project), with our Culture Meal. As usual, it was a GREAT time, and we celebrated our diversity and learned about our different cultures.
Our Math Counts team continues to work hard, and they have their first competition on February 3rd.
In the second semester, we look forward to continuing our Algebra unit, and also teaching the topics of Geometry, Statistics and Probability, and Coordinate Graphing. In the second semester, we will also conduct some fun problem-based learning, one of which involves creating giant rectangular prisms out of loose plastic, then blowing them up with a
fan….you’ll see! ☺
Thanks again for sending your children to Piedmont, they are the reason that this school is so wonderful!
Quick Riddle: If 6 rabbits can dig 6 holes in 6 minutes, how long will it take 12 rabbits to dig 12 holes?
ANSWER: 6 minutes…can you explain why?
7th Grade Language Arts This quarter we have all read different novels based on the needs of our classes. In all units, we are practicing active reading strategies including making predictions and inferences. One example of such an activity is in Ms. Hagerman’s class where we made “Think Boxes” that required students to make inferences, predictions, connections, and ask questions for each chapter of The Giver. They will use all of the information that they have gathered to complete their final projects: a Socratic seminar and a problem-based “Utopia.”
Further, we are looking at characterization. In Ms. Potter’s class, she is using the FAST approach where students are analyzing the protagonist of Hatchet through Feelings, Actions, Sayings, and Thoughts. As students look at these character traits, we have active discussions and use evidence to discern whether the character is dynamic or static. This is a personalized approach because all students will eventually be able to come to the same conclusion, but the evidence and support they select are all different.
Piedmont Middle School, An IB World School Finally, we are looking at point of view in fiction. The “Conscience Keeper” completed in Mr. Milligan’s class is a perfect example of interest/choice project. Throughout the reading of Scorpions, students had to make choices to determine what the “angel” and “devil” on the main character’s shoulders would “say.” When students insert themselves into the novel this way, they are developing critical thinking strategies and active reading strategies. While these are three different texts, students will be able to accomplish the same task in the end: our quarter 2 common assessment. We have differentiated to best suit our students and their learning styles and we hope that they have come home sharing the amazing things they have done and learned. As we wrap up this quarter, we are all starting another novel. These units will focus on tiered lessons, project based learning, critical thinking, and using the text as evidence. While we do all of these things, we are going to focus on fiction and slowly transition into non-fiction before the end of the quarter. We look forward to educating your child and meeting his or her needs as a gifted learner.
7th Grade Math “Why do I have to learn this?” “When will I use this in the real world?” As math teachers, these are questions we encounter on a daily basis. During middle school, we are teaching students the building blocks of math and skills they will need to do higher levels of math in the future.
Students have learned how to solve one, two, three and even four step equations and inequalities! They have evaluated real-world situations, wrote an equation, and then solved their own equations. Once they demonstrated proficiency, we moved into evaluating and solving inequalities. They have also learned how to find unit rates and use them to write equations, create tables, and even graph the results. Ask a 7th grader if something is proportional, and they can tell you, as well as provide justification for their answer. Students have applied constants of proportionality (“C.O.P.” as we call it) in so many ways, including basic calculations, solving real world problems, and creating posters from real-world situations. In addition to the above, we are differentiating for students who are ready by instructing from problems in the Foundations of Algebra textbook (an 8th grade resource!) In the upcoming quarter, students will work with scale factor, and geometry (angles, triangles, area and circumference, scale drawings, volume and surface area). More collaborative work will take place as they take on the challenges of scale application. We are looking forward to the scale model project. It is a culmination of what they learned in the first and second quarters dealing with scale, ratios, proportions, and measurement. This project is an impressive display of our students’ talents in so many ways. They show off not only their mathematical precision and skills, but also their creativity, research skills, writing skills, and their evaluative skills. This also entails students to think outside the box to solve problems, a necessary skill for today’s pupils. Students have a lot to be proud of this quarter and we are only half way through the school year. Watch out for the upcoming challenges students are going to encounter…they are even more exciting!
Piedmont Middle School, An IB World School
8th Grade Language Arts Throughout second quarter, TD 8th Grade ELA students were invited to choose, read,
read, and re-read works of fiction. Before, during, and after reading--students wrote
formal and informal journals, papers, and short answers analyzing the works they were
reading. They explored concepts related to identity and how it is formed, conformity
and its role in society, and how the historical context of a work impacts on its tone and
meaning. Students explored a variety of genres ranging from science fiction, to realistic
fiction, to horror. They delved into word webs and Vocabu-Lit books to ensure that
they have SAT ready vocabularies. Many students took on extra responsibilities by
leading small group discussions, Socratic Seminars, and taking part in literary study
circles. Some built bridges between works of fiction and real life events, others created
original art based on literature, and still others looked closely at literary devices like
syntax and diction and their impact on theme.
8th grade ELA teachers found inspiration for accelerating and compacting lessons from
College Board AP preparatory materials, Vanderbilt University's Programs for Talented Youth and Johns Hopkins Talent
Development Units. It was a busy and exciting quarter, and we look forward to transitioning into the study of non-fiction
with our very talented students during 3rd quarter. Stay tuned!
8th Grade Math
Students in Math 8 learned how to solve for 𝑥 using the distributive property, combining like terms and variables on
both sides. They also learned that some equations have one solution, no solution and some have infinitely many. This
was done in a two week tiered lesson that including videos created by Mr. O’Neal for students that needed extra help.
Students then began the unit on systems of equations. We are currently in a competition against all math classes during
this unit to increase the level of engagement since this is the hardest unit of Math 8 for the majority of students. The
class that wins out of Ms. Henderson, Ms. S-R, and Mr. O’Neal, will receive a pizza party sponsored by the two losing
teachers. It has been fun and the winners are announced at the end of the unit that ends in January.
Half year Math I students learned about polynomials, foiling and
factoring, the Pythagorean Theorem, the quadratic, growth and
decay and how to simplify a radical. Students finished up the
quarter and semester by taking the Math I End of Course test.
Students did very well. Students are now looking forward to the
next math course – Math II that is half Algebra 2 and half
Geometry.
TD students in Math I full year are also working very hard on equations of lines and solving systems of equations.
Students created a City Map using their knowledge of slope, y-intercept and equations of lines. Like the half year Math I
students, they “Rescued a Princess” using their knowledge of systems of equations and inequalities. Students also
learned how important systems of equations are as they applied their knowledge to real world applications.
Piedmont Middle School, An IB World School
Mr. Milligan to Present The Pigman Nationally 7TH grade language arts teacher, David Milligan, has been selected to present his
Pigman Mock Trial Unit at the AMLE Middle Grades Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii.
His proposal was one the few selected out of a pool of over 160 submissions. The
title of his workshop is Motivating Students through Authentic, Hands-On Projects.
He was previous selected to present his unit at the North Carolina Association for
the Gifted and Talented Summit. Mr. Milligan, a 2010 finalist for CMS Teacher of
the Year, is in his 13th year of teaching at Piedmont (19th overall). He previously
taught in Harlem in New York City. As a first year teacher he was faced with the
difficult task of working with reluctant readers. In an attempt to motivate his
students he decided to turn the novel he was reading, The Pigman by Paul
Zindel, into a court case. In the 19 years
since, his Pigman Mock Trial has evolved into
an honors level project geared towards
challenging academically gifted students.
With the incorporation of technology, the
use of former students as jury members, the
participating of staff and faculty members,
and the addition of the International Baccalaureate curriculum, Mr. Milligan’s
project has become a rite of passage and a staple for 7th grade language arts at
Piedmont Middle IB.
Watch more about the trial: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yappc23CV1N3tWp4AH-b7N1aV9j0zRIW/view?usp=sharing
The Piedmont Talent Development Team Academic Facilitator Karen Gorman [email protected]
6th Grade Language Arts
Caleb Chandler [email protected]
Caitlin Hash [email protected]
Ann Tapia [email protected]
7th Grade Language Arts
Rachel Hagerman [email protected]
David Milligan [email protected]
Kerrigan Potter [email protected]
8th Grade Language Arts
Cynthia Alexander-Brown [email protected]
Patrice Frilot [email protected]
Cherie Page [email protected]
6th Grade Mathematics
Aaron Kollar [email protected]
Lindsay Kryszak [email protected]
Emily Swift [email protected]
7th Grade Mathematics
Emily Burrell [email protected]
Susie Palgut [email protected]
Teresa Peterson [email protected]
8th Grade Mathematics
Lauren Henderson [email protected]
James O’Neal [email protected]
Cecelia Sizoo-Roberson [email protected]
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