Please click on the link above to visit the PTO Newsletter!
Our PTO general meeting was this week and I really enjoyed visiting with our PTO parents. Thank you all for clarifying all of the fundraising opportunities and how they will look.
If your middle school student is anything like my 7th grade son, getting information from him is like pulling teeth (if you are a dentist this might not be a big deal, but even for a principal, it is very frustrating). Last year, we began writing about the month ahead and what parents can expect their student will be doing in class. This was very popular with the parents, so we will keep the tradition going.
6-1
Social Studies (Benitez)
This month we will be continuing to learn more about the 5 Themes of Geography. We are just about wrapping up our Location theme and will be continuing to go thru the other four themes for the remainder of the month. We will be doing a Landmark project and finishing our 5 Themes unit with a Benchmark at the end of the month and creating a individual 5 Themes of Geography poster in the beginning of October.
Language Arts (Gord)
This month we are working on summarizing literature and informational texts. We’ve read a few short stories together as a class and have completed plot diagrams and summaries on the stories. We will also be working on finding the central idea of a text and citing textual evidence to support an analysis or inference from a piece of literature. In addition, we will be working on narrative writing.
Math (Kalisz)
Honors and Advanced Math will be working on using integers in all operations. Honors has also been working with Decimals in Division and Multiplication. At level math will be working on operations using decimals. We will be incorporating some basic geometry. So look for Area and perimeter using decimals for measurement.
Shanks LA: This month we will be reading Literature and Informational Text. We will be finding the central idea, writing summaries, and learning how to cite textual evidence. We will also be working on Narrative Writing.
6-2
Decker LA: This month we will be reading Literature and Informational Text. We will be finding the central idea, writing summaries, and learning how to cite textual evidence. We will also be working on Narrative Writing.
Math (Mrs. Gartenberg) We are off to a wonderful start to the year. 1st and 5th period classes are beginning their pre-algebra experience while 6th and 7th period classes are learning integers. 3rd period class is reviewing decimal operations.
Language Arts (Gaedele/Cooper)
This month we are working on summarizing literature and informational texts. We’ve read a few short stories together as a class and have completed plot diagrams and summaries on the stories. We will also be working on finding the central idea of a text and citing textual evidence to support an analysis or inference from a piece of literature. In addition, we will be working on narrative writing.
Social Studies (Curtis)
This month we will be continuing to learn more about the 5 Themes of Geography. We are just about wrapping up our Location theme and will be continuing to go thru the other four themes for the remainder of the month. We will be doing a Landmark project and finishing our 5 Themes unit with a Benchmark at the end of the month and creating a individual 5 Themes of Geography poster in the beginning of October.
7-1
MATH
In math this month we will be working on evaluating expressions, both numerical and algebraic. We will also be doing a lot of work with setting up and solving story problems and exploring the basics of algebraic functions. (Ask your student to sing you the ESP song!)
SOCIAL STUDIES
We have begun our journey through American history with an examination of how and why the 13 colonies were founded, and how their climate and geography impacted their economic development. In the next few weeks, we will take a look at colonial way of life and thought in order to begin to understand the economic and intellectual developments that led to the American Revolution. We will also begin learning more about current events, especially about the coming presidential election.
7-2/8-2
8th Grade Language Arts - Mrs. Hain
In 8th grade Language Arts we are working on our cycle one targets. If you would like a list of the cycle one targets, they are listed on my website under 8th grade Language Arts. We have been reading both informational texts and literature texts to practice the learning targets. We have also been working on informative/explanatory writing including topic sentences, developing the topic with well-chosen and explained facts, and concluding sentences. Each week the students will be annotating and reflecting on an information text, or Article of the Week, relating to the theme of identity. The students will also have a reading log due weekly including a parent or guardian signature.
7th Grade Language Arts - Mrs. Hain
In 7th grade Language Arts we are working on our cycle one targets. If you would like a list of the cycle one targets, they are listed on my website under 7th grade Language Arts. We have been reading both informational and literature texts to practice the learning targets. We will focusing on identifying informational text organizational patterns and analyzing the structure of each. Ask your students to share with you the five organizational patterns. We are also working on narrative writing including developing elements of the plot and effective language. Each week the students will be annotating and reflecting on an information text, or Article of the Week, relating to the theme of identity. The students will also have a reading log due weekly including a parent or guardian signature.
Science - 7th (Frank)
This week we are finishing up the review unit on scientific method and controlled experiments. Our helicopter lab went well at the beginning of the year and we continue to shake off the cobwebs from our metric measuring skills. The first Benchmark is coming the week of September 17. We next move into the environment unit, become worm farmers, and learn a couple catchy tunes about symbiosis. Last year’s worm farming did not go very well, so we’re hoping for better success this year.
Science - 8th (Frank)
We are wrapping up the unit on controlled experiments with the annual rocket project. So far we have had a few excellent designs, including a couple new ideas never before created during this project. The creativity is awesome! We have only lost one rocket to date and none have landed on the school - yet. The first Benchmark comes the week of September 17, then we move into our chemistry unit.
Social Studies - 7th
In Mrs. Miller’s Social Studies class, we began our journey through American history by investigating the geography, economics, and cultures of the New England Colonies, Middle Colonies, Southern Colonies and Spanish Colonies as they developed in North America. As we push forward, students will discover the causes of the American Revolution and will learn how the battle cry of “No taxation without representation” led to the birth of a new nation in which “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” were protected natural rights for all. USA!! USA!!
Social Studies - 8th
In Mrs. Miller’s Social Studies class, the school year began with an introduction to the political spectrum and the basics of capitalism. We are now exploring how these concepts fit into the history of the Second Industrial Revolution. We began with a look at the technological breakthroughs that fed the rise of “big business,” and are now investigating how the ensuing need for labor led to a never before seen explosion of immigration and urbanization in the United States. Students will then discover how city, state and local governments began to work to meet the challenges of this rapid growth, and how political corruption then gave rise to the Progressive Era and an attempt to give Americans the “Square Deal” they deserved. Your child will be creating Facebook pages for the Progressive Presidents Roosevelt, Wilson and Taft – a student-favorite project that allows them to mix the history of yesterday with the technology and culture of today. Finally, we be looking at how America emerged as a World Power after a century of isolation as we “Remember the Maine!”
7th Grade Math- Carpenter
This month we have been focusing on the beginning fundamentals of Algebra. This includes things such as variables, expressions, equations & setting up story problems. The kids have all been singing the ESP song to help them evaluate expressions! The Algebra 1 students have also begun exploring the basics of their graphing calculators.
8th Grade Math- Carpenter
This month we have been focusing on expressions, equations & functions. The kids have also taken challenging word problems & identified the unknowns in order to create algebraic equations. We have begun using the TI-84 graphing calculators to create scatter plots, graph linear equations & identify values within a table.
8-1
Social Studies - Mrs. Shannon
The school year began with an introduction to the political spectrum and the basics of capitalism. We are now exploring how these concepts fit into the history of the Second Industrial Revolution. We began with a look at the technological breakthroughs that fed the rise of “big business,” and are now investigating how the ensuing need for labor led to a never before seen explosion of immigration and urbanization in the United States. Students will then discover how city, state and local governments began to work to meet the challenges of this rapid growth, and how political corruption then gave rise to the Progressive Era and an attempt to give Americans the “Square Deal” they deserved. Your child will be creating Facebook pages for the Progressive Presidents Roosevelt, Wilson and Taft – a student-favorite project that allows them to mix the history of yesterday with the technology and culture of today. Finally, we will be looking at how America emerged as a World Power after a century of isolation as we “Remember the Maine!”
Polidoro Science: Our quest to become skilled scientists is defined by the Rocket Design and Competition Project through mid-September. As September concludes, we begin a unit in Chemistry which will carry us through December.
Shanks Math: We are finishing up with Chapter 1 and will have our Chapter 1 Test soon! We will continue learning about variables and equations. We will be working on Chapter 2 following the test.
WELLNESS:
P.E.
HEALTH: Ms. Peters
Health Group 1 is finishing their second week. The 8th graders are learning about disease and disorder and the importance of making good decisions that impact an individual’s level of wellness. The 7th graders are focusing on the interrelationship of physical, mental/emotional, and social health concepts. The 6th graders are learning about the importance of safety and how to use first aid to respond to common injuries. Students completed an EDITH (Exit Drills in the Home) plan that will help them to safely evacuate their home in the case of a fire.
Encore
Orchestra: We have started our unit on memorizing major and minor scales in multiple keys for grades 6 through 8. Students will record each scale and arpeggio on a digital recorder. 6th grade will be working on one octave assignments and 7th through 8th grade students will be working on two to three octave assignments. Practicing scales are like taking musical vitamins. Get ready for some healthy musicians!
ART
We are finishing up our drawing units in all three grades and our first 2 hour free drawing is due at the beginning of class this Friday, September 14. We are starting our 3 dimensional projects next week-- 6th grade is doing clay animals, 7th grade is starting clay animals, and 8th grade will be making clay masks.
It has been a wonderful start to what appears to be an incredibly creative year!
Mrs. Kile
COMMUNICATIONS:
Students in all three grade levels have started preparation for their iMovie projects. Sixth graders
will be writing and starring in a silent movie to go along with the unit on body language. To go along with a unit on advertising, seventh graders are inventing a product to sell and writing a commercial to advertise the product. They will also act in their own commercials. Eighth graders are writing and acting in a public service announcement on a topic of concern. This goes along with a film study unit. All three grade levels will learn to use the green screen technology as well as edit their project using iMovie.
FACS
The school year is off to a great start with the 6th graders finishing up a unit on “Child development” and “Babysitting”. They are all excited about beginning their sewing unit. The 7th and 8th graders have been busy evaluating the nutritional value of their daily food intake by learning the skill of reading food labels. They are anxiously waiting to begin their cooking unit.
MUSIC
The 6th music classes have been working on some African drumming patterns and learning to play the keyboards.
7th grade has been studying the blues. We are going to be writing blues songs and performing them with chord accompaniment on the keyboards. Up next, the guiars
BAND
The 6th grade band will spend the month of September learning the basics of rehearsal etiquette, including proper posture, how to acknowledge a good performance, how to respond to a conductor, and what to do when the music isn’t quite right. Playing full band music is a very new and challenging experience, but its very enjoyable make improvements and hear the band’s progress. In lessons, students will be informally assessed by Mr. Craw to determine either a course of review, or to plan the next set of learning targets. September is a real “getting to know you” kind of month.
The 7th and 8th grade band will spend the next 6-8 weeks reviewing and refining their technique in five different key signatures. They will also review and refine ten critical rhythm patterns in five time signatures, learn instrument-specific techniques, and will learn and perform a solo. All of this information will be tracked on a mastery sheet before moving on to the new technique book in late October. Full band practice will focus on the elements of good tone production and balance. We’re already able to play through four full band songs, and rehearsals are really going well!
Social Studies (Benitez)
This month we will be continuing to learn more about the 5 Themes of Geography. We are just about wrapping up our Location theme and will be continuing to go thru the other four themes for the remainder of the month. We will be doing a Landmark project and finishing our 5 Themes unit with a Benchmark at the end of the month and creating a individual 5 Themes of Geography poster in the beginning of October.
Language Arts (Gord)
This month we are working on summarizing literature and informational texts. We’ve read a few short stories together as a class and have completed plot diagrams and summaries on the stories. We will also be working on finding the central idea of a text and citing textual evidence to support an analysis or inference from a piece of literature. In addition, we will be working on narrative writing.
Math (Kalisz)
Honors and Advanced Math will be working on using integers in all operations. Honors has also been working with Decimals in Division and Multiplication. At level math will be working on operations using decimals. We will be incorporating some basic geometry. So look for Area and perimeter using decimals for measurement.
Shanks LA: This month we will be reading Literature and Informational Text. We will be finding the central idea, writing summaries, and learning how to cite textual evidence. We will also be working on Narrative Writing.
6-2
Decker LA: This month we will be reading Literature and Informational Text. We will be finding the central idea, writing summaries, and learning how to cite textual evidence. We will also be working on Narrative Writing.
Math (Mrs. Gartenberg) We are off to a wonderful start to the year. 1st and 5th period classes are beginning their pre-algebra experience while 6th and 7th period classes are learning integers. 3rd period class is reviewing decimal operations.
Language Arts (Gaedele/Cooper)
This month we are working on summarizing literature and informational texts. We’ve read a few short stories together as a class and have completed plot diagrams and summaries on the stories. We will also be working on finding the central idea of a text and citing textual evidence to support an analysis or inference from a piece of literature. In addition, we will be working on narrative writing.
Social Studies (Curtis)
This month we will be continuing to learn more about the 5 Themes of Geography. We are just about wrapping up our Location theme and will be continuing to go thru the other four themes for the remainder of the month. We will be doing a Landmark project and finishing our 5 Themes unit with a Benchmark at the end of the month and creating a individual 5 Themes of Geography poster in the beginning of October.
7-1
MATH
In math this month we will be working on evaluating expressions, both numerical and algebraic. We will also be doing a lot of work with setting up and solving story problems and exploring the basics of algebraic functions. (Ask your student to sing you the ESP song!)
SOCIAL STUDIES
We have begun our journey through American history with an examination of how and why the 13 colonies were founded, and how their climate and geography impacted their economic development. In the next few weeks, we will take a look at colonial way of life and thought in order to begin to understand the economic and intellectual developments that led to the American Revolution. We will also begin learning more about current events, especially about the coming presidential election.
7-2/8-2
8th Grade Language Arts - Mrs. Hain
In 8th grade Language Arts we are working on our cycle one targets. If you would like a list of the cycle one targets, they are listed on my website under 8th grade Language Arts. We have been reading both informational texts and literature texts to practice the learning targets. We have also been working on informative/explanatory writing including topic sentences, developing the topic with well-chosen and explained facts, and concluding sentences. Each week the students will be annotating and reflecting on an information text, or Article of the Week, relating to the theme of identity. The students will also have a reading log due weekly including a parent or guardian signature.
7th Grade Language Arts - Mrs. Hain
In 7th grade Language Arts we are working on our cycle one targets. If you would like a list of the cycle one targets, they are listed on my website under 7th grade Language Arts. We have been reading both informational and literature texts to practice the learning targets. We will focusing on identifying informational text organizational patterns and analyzing the structure of each. Ask your students to share with you the five organizational patterns. We are also working on narrative writing including developing elements of the plot and effective language. Each week the students will be annotating and reflecting on an information text, or Article of the Week, relating to the theme of identity. The students will also have a reading log due weekly including a parent or guardian signature.
Science - 7th (Frank)
This week we are finishing up the review unit on scientific method and controlled experiments. Our helicopter lab went well at the beginning of the year and we continue to shake off the cobwebs from our metric measuring skills. The first Benchmark is coming the week of September 17. We next move into the environment unit, become worm farmers, and learn a couple catchy tunes about symbiosis. Last year’s worm farming did not go very well, so we’re hoping for better success this year.
Science - 8th (Frank)
We are wrapping up the unit on controlled experiments with the annual rocket project. So far we have had a few excellent designs, including a couple new ideas never before created during this project. The creativity is awesome! We have only lost one rocket to date and none have landed on the school - yet. The first Benchmark comes the week of September 17, then we move into our chemistry unit.
Social Studies - 7th
In Mrs. Miller’s Social Studies class, we began our journey through American history by investigating the geography, economics, and cultures of the New England Colonies, Middle Colonies, Southern Colonies and Spanish Colonies as they developed in North America. As we push forward, students will discover the causes of the American Revolution and will learn how the battle cry of “No taxation without representation” led to the birth of a new nation in which “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” were protected natural rights for all. USA!! USA!!
Social Studies - 8th
In Mrs. Miller’s Social Studies class, the school year began with an introduction to the political spectrum and the basics of capitalism. We are now exploring how these concepts fit into the history of the Second Industrial Revolution. We began with a look at the technological breakthroughs that fed the rise of “big business,” and are now investigating how the ensuing need for labor led to a never before seen explosion of immigration and urbanization in the United States. Students will then discover how city, state and local governments began to work to meet the challenges of this rapid growth, and how political corruption then gave rise to the Progressive Era and an attempt to give Americans the “Square Deal” they deserved. Your child will be creating Facebook pages for the Progressive Presidents Roosevelt, Wilson and Taft – a student-favorite project that allows them to mix the history of yesterday with the technology and culture of today. Finally, we be looking at how America emerged as a World Power after a century of isolation as we “Remember the Maine!”
7th Grade Math- Carpenter
This month we have been focusing on the beginning fundamentals of Algebra. This includes things such as variables, expressions, equations & setting up story problems. The kids have all been singing the ESP song to help them evaluate expressions! The Algebra 1 students have also begun exploring the basics of their graphing calculators.
8th Grade Math- Carpenter
This month we have been focusing on expressions, equations & functions. The kids have also taken challenging word problems & identified the unknowns in order to create algebraic equations. We have begun using the TI-84 graphing calculators to create scatter plots, graph linear equations & identify values within a table.
8-1
Social Studies - Mrs. Shannon
The school year began with an introduction to the political spectrum and the basics of capitalism. We are now exploring how these concepts fit into the history of the Second Industrial Revolution. We began with a look at the technological breakthroughs that fed the rise of “big business,” and are now investigating how the ensuing need for labor led to a never before seen explosion of immigration and urbanization in the United States. Students will then discover how city, state and local governments began to work to meet the challenges of this rapid growth, and how political corruption then gave rise to the Progressive Era and an attempt to give Americans the “Square Deal” they deserved. Your child will be creating Facebook pages for the Progressive Presidents Roosevelt, Wilson and Taft – a student-favorite project that allows them to mix the history of yesterday with the technology and culture of today. Finally, we will be looking at how America emerged as a World Power after a century of isolation as we “Remember the Maine!”
Polidoro Science: Our quest to become skilled scientists is defined by the Rocket Design and Competition Project through mid-September. As September concludes, we begin a unit in Chemistry which will carry us through December.
Shanks Math: We are finishing up with Chapter 1 and will have our Chapter 1 Test soon! We will continue learning about variables and equations. We will be working on Chapter 2 following the test.
WELLNESS:
P.E.
HEALTH: Ms. Peters
Health Group 1 is finishing their second week. The 8th graders are learning about disease and disorder and the importance of making good decisions that impact an individual’s level of wellness. The 7th graders are focusing on the interrelationship of physical, mental/emotional, and social health concepts. The 6th graders are learning about the importance of safety and how to use first aid to respond to common injuries. Students completed an EDITH (Exit Drills in the Home) plan that will help them to safely evacuate their home in the case of a fire.
Encore
Orchestra: We have started our unit on memorizing major and minor scales in multiple keys for grades 6 through 8. Students will record each scale and arpeggio on a digital recorder. 6th grade will be working on one octave assignments and 7th through 8th grade students will be working on two to three octave assignments. Practicing scales are like taking musical vitamins. Get ready for some healthy musicians!
ART
We are finishing up our drawing units in all three grades and our first 2 hour free drawing is due at the beginning of class this Friday, September 14. We are starting our 3 dimensional projects next week-- 6th grade is doing clay animals, 7th grade is starting clay animals, and 8th grade will be making clay masks.
It has been a wonderful start to what appears to be an incredibly creative year!
Mrs. Kile
COMMUNICATIONS:
Students in all three grade levels have started preparation for their iMovie projects. Sixth graders
will be writing and starring in a silent movie to go along with the unit on body language. To go along with a unit on advertising, seventh graders are inventing a product to sell and writing a commercial to advertise the product. They will also act in their own commercials. Eighth graders are writing and acting in a public service announcement on a topic of concern. This goes along with a film study unit. All three grade levels will learn to use the green screen technology as well as edit their project using iMovie.
FACS
The school year is off to a great start with the 6th graders finishing up a unit on “Child development” and “Babysitting”. They are all excited about beginning their sewing unit. The 7th and 8th graders have been busy evaluating the nutritional value of their daily food intake by learning the skill of reading food labels. They are anxiously waiting to begin their cooking unit.
MUSIC
The 6th music classes have been working on some African drumming patterns and learning to play the keyboards.
7th grade has been studying the blues. We are going to be writing blues songs and performing them with chord accompaniment on the keyboards. Up next, the guiars
BAND
The 6th grade band will spend the month of September learning the basics of rehearsal etiquette, including proper posture, how to acknowledge a good performance, how to respond to a conductor, and what to do when the music isn’t quite right. Playing full band music is a very new and challenging experience, but its very enjoyable make improvements and hear the band’s progress. In lessons, students will be informally assessed by Mr. Craw to determine either a course of review, or to plan the next set of learning targets. September is a real “getting to know you” kind of month.
The 7th and 8th grade band will spend the next 6-8 weeks reviewing and refining their technique in five different key signatures. They will also review and refine ten critical rhythm patterns in five time signatures, learn instrument-specific techniques, and will learn and perform a solo. All of this information will be tracked on a mastery sheet before moving on to the new technique book in late October. Full band practice will focus on the elements of good tone production and balance. We’re already able to play through four full band songs, and rehearsals are really going well!
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