Principal's Message

This coming December and January, students will be taking the NWEA-MAP test. This year, your student will be taking the test on their iPad .  Your student needs to make sure their iPad is fully charged on their testing days. If your student is absent or does not finish in the time frame we have blocked off, they will be able to finish the test  on the makeup days.

Math

What We've Been Working On

• What it means for something to be the solution to an equation, and what it means for an equation to have no solution
• How to use the equation to find answers efficiently
  
• Solving more complex equations with fractions and decimals

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• What does it look like when an equation has no solution?
  
• What does it look like when an equation has all solutions?

What We're Working on Next

• How to change any representation of data (such as a pattern, table, graph or rule) to any of the other representations.
  
• How to use the connections between patterns, tables, graphs, and rules to solve problems.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• How can you go from the table to the rule/equation?

Notes

• Check the calendar on Canvas for weekly homework assignments.
  
• Check Skyward for all test grades and if homework was "turned in".

Accelerated Math

What We've Been Working On

• We have been working on simplifying exponent expressions and solving equations that contain absolute values.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• Why are there two solutions to an absolute value equation?

What We're Working on Next

• Our current unit is about solving systems of equations.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What are five different strategies you could use to solve a system of equations?
• How do you determine the most efficient strategy to use?

Language Arts

What We've Been Working On

• We have wrapped up our sentence patterning unit called "Brushstrokes" in which students learned four different phrases they can add to basic sentences to vary the patterns. 

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• What is an appositive? How about a participle?

What We're Working on Next

• We will begin our Science Fiction unit by preparing to read the novel The Giver. Students will be getting a reading schedule on Wednesday, November 7, and we will send it home through email as well. There will be reading homework every night (usually two chapters each night). 

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What are some things you have learned about science fiction?

Science

What We've Been Working On

• We have looked at water on Earth and the Water Cycle.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• How does a water molecule travel through the water cycle?

What We're Working on Next

• Oceans' effect on the global climate

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• How do oceans help regulate Earth's temperature?

Social Studies

What We've Been Working On

• Students finalized their learning of map skills and took the unit test.
  
• Students began their next unit which focuses on Physical Geography.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• What are some examples of types of information you can learn from thematic maps?

What We're Working on Next

• Students will explore various physical features, including rainforests and mountains.
  
• Students will analyze the various ways in which different groups use the Amazon Rainforest for their survival and livelihood. 

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What is one fascinating thing you learned about how humans interact with the rainforest environment? 

Notes

• Students are choosing who they will be working with for the Global Festival project in the spring this week. A parent letter should have come home already. If you don't receive one from your child, please email us.

Communications

What We've Been Working On

• We have been working on our investigative news reports.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• Could you give your speech to me?

What We're Working on Next

• We will begin working and preparing for our media literacy test.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• While watching TV (or radio, internet ads, etc), what are some ways to analyze an ad?

Health

What We've Been Working On

• Decision Making Model
  
• Alcohol Effects, Addiction, and Influence

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• What are some decisions/responsibilities those who use alcohol have as users as well as bystanders?

What We're Working on Next

• Analysis of Decision Making
  
• Gateway Drugs, Medicine and Illegal Drugs

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What are considered to be "gateway drugs" - Explain why.

Notes

• Our unit on Relationships and Sexual Health is approaching in the next two weeks. Please look for an email with more information on the unit in a Skyward email blast coming soon.

Phy. Ed.

What We've Been Working On

• Mr. DeVoe's classes have been finishing up a flag football unit, while Mrs. Mozey's classes have been finishing up a soccer unit.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• Do you enjoy team sports? Why or why not?

What We're Working on Next

• Both PE classes will be inside more consistently and both classes will start with some Fitness related activities. In the second week we will move on to some indoor sports.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• Do you know where your PE shirt is and has it been washed this school year?

Band

What We've Been Working On

• We are beginning our study in our 8th grade lesson books.
  
• We are wrapping up our study of the Eb major scale. We are finishing testing the melody "Procession of the Nobles"

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• Play the Eb major scale for me.

What We're Working on Next

• We will studying and practicing our December concert songs:

1. Temblor
2. Ancient Curses
3. Darklands March
4. Ye Banks and Braes O' Bonnie Doon
5. Everything is Awesome 

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• Play a portion of "Everything is Awesome". I hear that is a fun song to play.

Notes

• 8th grade band students have had three home practice calendars:

1. DQ Blizzard (September 10-24)

2. Wendy's Frosty (September 24 - October 8)

3. Mary Poppins (October 8-22)

4. Apples (October 22 - November 5)

• Students should complete their calendar and turn in a hard copy to their teacher or turn in a digital copy to Mrs. Kim and Mr. Critzer's Canvas page. We ask for a parent signature to verify home practice times. Thank You!!

• Students should have turned in a recording of "Procession Of The Nobles". This should be turned in through Canvas by November 7.

Orchestra

What We've Been Working On

• Bow Hold Review and Assessment
  
• Finger Patterns
  
• Sixteenth Notes

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• Besides fingers moving in the different finger patterns, what also is changing?
• How does this work with different key signatures?

What We're Working on Next

• Finger Patterns playing test
  
• Sixteenth note rhythms

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• How can you improve playing finger patterns and sixteenth note rhythms with more ease?

Notes

• Students need to be working on a Practice SMART goal every two weeks. Document is found on Canvas.

Music X

What We've Been Working On

• We have been studying the piano keyboard.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• Please play the melody "Heart and Soul" for me.

What We're Working on Next

• We will continue our study of the piano. We will study the short melody "Chopsticks".

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• Are you ready to play the "Heart and Soul" piano test with Mr. Critzer?

Art

What We've Been Working On

• Students finished their self-portrait.
• Students created a composition for their mixed media project and started adding art media.  

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• How did you create the composition for your art project?  How did you incorporate Balance, Unity, and Movement?   

What We're Working on Next

• Students will critique another artist's mixed media project. Students will finish their mixed media project.
• Students will start creating their "artist reproduction."  

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• How do you provide a useful critique to a peer? How did you use the critique you received to improve your work on the mixed media project?  

Tech Ed

What We've Been Working On

• Finishing touches on Sumobots

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• How did your Sumobot do in battle? Better or worse than you thought?

What We're Working on Next

• Inventory Lego kits
  
• Start Production lab

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What is your biggest concern about going into the Production Lab?

FCS

What We've Been Working On

• We used our knife skills to slice, dice, and julienne fruit to make fruit salsa and cinnamon tortilla crisps.
• This week we learned about yeast and made focaccia bread and individual pizza.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• How did your pizza turn out? Would you do anything differently? When are you making them for us?

What We're Working on Next

• We will be reviewing nutrition and doing center rotations to practice reading food labels, identify serving sizes and locating calories. 

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• Next quarter, we will be focusing on Family and Child Development, Interior Design, and Advanced Foods.  

Spanish

What We've Been Working On

• Reading and Speaking assessments about ordering in a restaurant.
• Started critiquing restaurants.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• What did you order in the Speaking Assessment?
• How did you say the food was?
• What questions did you ask the server?

What We're Working on Next

• Practicing for and then doing the Writing Assessment about critiquing the service, atmosphere, food and service in a restaurant.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What will you write for the writing assessment?
• What app are you using to see different Hispanic restaurants?

Gifted & Talented

What We've Been Working On

• We have continued our unit on leadership characteristics and types of leaders.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• Can you name at least two important leadership characteristics?

What We're Working on Next

• We will turn our attention to the 7 Habits of Highly Effective teams and work on positive self messages and Habit 1: Be Proactive.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What does it mean to be proactice?

Notes

• Students have also been encouraged to participate in Wordmasters, a vocabulary competition. Ask your child to learn more.

PTO News

The District Legislative Action Committee (LAC) met October 10 with Jim Westrum, Wayzata Public Schools Executive Director of Business and Finance, as the guest speaker. All candidates for Minnesota House of Representatives seats in districts serving Wayzata Public Schools were invited. Mr. Westrum gave a brief overview of past accomplishments of LAC advocacy, an overview of public education finance in Minnesota and an update on the current financial position of Wayzata Public Schools. This year’s Legislative Platform is scheduled to be finalized at the November LAC meeting and approved at the December 10 School Board meeting. This Platform will guide LAC advocacy at the State Capitol during the 2019 Legislative Session which begins January 8.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Zohra Tridane, EMS’ LAC representative or visit the District Committees webpage.

Wayzata High School Theatre presents The Secret Garden at Wayzata High School in Auditorium 1. Performances Friday, November 9, 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, November 10, 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; Thursday, November 15, 7:00 p.m.; Friday, November 16, 7:00 p.m.; Saturday November 17, 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at whstheatre.com for adult $15.00, senior $12.00, student/staff $10.00.

Check out our addition of Discover Racquetball with Life Time! Find more information here. Beginners welcome! Register today!

Destination Imagination registration is open until Nov 7! Visit our website for more information.

Upcoming Events:
Young Scientist Roundtable - NASA's Stardust Mission: Bringing Comet Wild 2 to Earth - Tuesday, Nov 13, 7 p.m. at Central Middle School.
How to Learn Math - A Workshop for Parents: Nov 14 or 15 6:30-8:30 p.m., register here.
Both events are free, registration required only for How to Learn Math.

Register now for Fall Youth and Adult Enrichment! 

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