Middle School Minute

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Mz. Estelle

English: We continue our novel study of Miles Morales: Spider Man by Jason Reynolds. Students have been assigned their own copy of the novel. We are practicing literary analysis (something I did in college!!) by reading and dialoging with the text, defining vocabulary in context, and analyzing character. In addition, we will begin comparison of Miles’ story with that of “The Hero’s Journey.” Stay tuned for further news…

ELA students are responsible for completing 60 minutes AND two (2) passed lessons (70% or better) each week on iReady. This reading is for a grade. In addition, students should be reading something of their choosing. We will have a Book Talk to complete this nine weeks.

Ms. Stricklin

In “Scout’s Honor,” by Avi, three friends from Brooklyn, all Boy Scouts, go camping by themselves in the Palisades of New Jersey in order to earn merit badges and prove they are “tough.” But their trip turns out to be more of a challenge than they thought it would be.

First Read: Scout’s Honor - After an initial reading and discussion of the “Scout’s Honor,” students will be able to identify and describe character traits and setting details as well as articulate the conflict that is integral to the story’s plot.

Introduction - Avi is the pen name of Edward Irving Wortis (b. 1937), the Newbery Medal-winning author of more than 75 books for children and young adults. Avi was born and raised in New York City, and his childhood and adolescence were an inspiration for many of his stories and books. “Scout’s Honor,” presented here, is the humorous story of a nine-year-old boy and his Boy Scout friends who set out to the New Jersey “wilderness” to prove their toughness. Avi’s body of work spans many genres, from historical fiction to graphic novels. Yet his stories and books are united by their relatable and evocative depictions of young people in challenging circumstances, struggling to learn and grow.
Vocabulary

Absorbed - adj. polite or respectful
Approach - adj. showing desire for what someone else has
Courteous - adj. very great or large
Envious - adj. showing desire for what someone else has
Immense - adj. very great or large
Possession - n. something belonging to someone
Simultaneously - adv. done at the same time as something else

Read - Annotate

As you read, monitor your comprehension by:

Using context clues to make predictions about the boldfaced vocabulary words.
Making connections to personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society. You may use the following sentence frames:

To make connections to personal experiences:

How does this relate to my life?
What were my thoughts and feelings when I read this?

To make connections to ideas in other texts:

How is this similar to other texts I have read?
How is this different from other texts I have read?

To make connections to society:

How does this relate to issues in society?
How is this similar to or different from things that happen in the real world?

Quiz

Students will complete the ten question quiz using the story and vocabulary list if they wish.

Think

Students will answer five questions using evidence from the text to support each answer.

iReady: Students in Regular ELA are required to complete and pass 3 lessons with at least a 67%. Students in Honors ELA are expected to complete and pass 5 lessons with a 67% or better.

Regular iReady Grading - There are three components to the iReady requirements. Here is how I grade iReady Pathway requirements. (No minute requirement)

3/3 - 100
2/3 - 75
1/3 - 50
0/3 - 0

Honors iReady Grading - There are five components to the iReady requirements. Here is how I grade iReady Pathway requirements. No minute requirement)

5/5 - 100
4/5 - 85
3/5 - 70
2/5 - 55
1/5 - 40
0/5 - 0

Membean: Welcome to Membean! Your child will soon be using Membean, an online vocabulary learning system that helps students develop an excitement to know what words mean and how to use them with nuance and precision. Membean is completely personalized with regards to your child’s current level of vocabulary expertise and learning pace. Students must practice three days a week for 15 minutes in each session.

Regular Membean Grading -

Minutes Trained is 70% of their grade
Accuracy is 30% of their grade (Students achieving 60% or higher accuracy will get full credit)

Honors Membean Grading -

Minutes Trained is 60%
Accuracy is 40% (Students achieving 70% or higher accuracy will get full credit)

Ms. Hunter

Students have now enrolled in Membean, a vocabulary learning platform. They should be completing 2 lessons a week in addition to the 2 lessons of iReady. They are receiving class time to complete these. We will work on informational texts next week.

Ms. Fletcher

As they continue to write paragraphs next week (based on the novel they have just completed) students will analyze how a text makes connections among and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or categories). They will also analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept.

Students also must complete 4 i-Ready English lessons scoring 80% or higher. Though they work on these in class, I encourage them to work on the lessons at home as well.

Mr. Moore

Focus: Area of 2-D Shapes (Standard 6.26)

Hi Families,

Next week in math, we will begin our new unit on Area. Students will learn how to find the area of several 2-D shapes, including rectangles, triangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, and composite figures (shapes made by combining simpler ones).

Students will work in class on both ALEKS assignments and a Teacher Assigned iReady Mastery Check to help strengthen their understanding of these essential skills.

What We’re Learning This Week

Finding area of rectangles and composite figures

Using the formula A = ½bh for triangles

Calculating area of parallelograms

Using trapezoid formulas

Applying area skills to real-world problems

Preparing for our Friday Area Quiz

Assessments This Week

iReady Mastery Check Assignment (mid-week)

Area Quiz on Friday

There will be no homework outside of ALEKS and the assigned iReady lesson.

Thank you, as always, for your support and encouragement!

Ms. Whitney

Topic Focus: Operations with Rational Numbers – Fractions & Decimals
This week, 7th grade students are deepening their understanding of rational numbers. We're reinforcing key concepts like adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions and decimals in real-world and multi-step problems. Students are learning how to apply these operations to solve word problems with confidence and precision.

Parent Tip: Ask your child to help you with a measurement task around the house that involves fractions or decimals—like doubling a recipe or converting measurements while building something.

📬 7th Grade Accelerated Math Update

Topic Focus: Writing and Solving Linear Equations from Tables, Graphs, Equations, and Word Problems
Our accelerated students are building foundational algebra skills by working on identifying linear relationships in various forms. They are learning how to write and solve equations based on data from graphs, tables, and real-world scenarios. This work is preparing them for Algebra I concepts coming later in the year.

Parent Tip: While reviewing bills or planning a trip, ask your student to help estimate total cost or distance using a table or graph. Let them explain how they set up and solved the equation.

How You Can Help at Home (All Students):

Review math vocabulary like rational numbers, linear equation, variable, solution, slope.
Encourage your student to explain what they learned today in their own words.
Practice basic operations (especially with fractions and decimals) through real-life activities like cooking or shopping.

If you'd like additional resources or suggestions for supporting your student at home, feel free to reach out. Thank you for your partnership!

Ms. Cuff

Greetings students and AAA family,

Each week in math, we will continue working on refreshing previously learned skills and standards to remediate weak areas and achieve mastery for all students. These reviews will be included in the lesson as well as bell work, before strategies, cooperative learning and partner work. Next week we will continue with evaluating functions, slope/rate of change, writing equations of lines etc.... The students must complete 2 iReady math pathway lessons each week. This will be worked on in and out of school (homework). Have an amazing week. :-)

Mz. Estelle

We continue our study of Earth’s Dynamic Systems. In this unit we investigate earthquakes, volcanic activity, and tsunamis among other forces that shape our planet. Please know that our hands-on investigations can only be completed in class. It is EXTREMELY important to be IN CLASS and ON TIME.

For my 5B Science class, we will wrap up our GEMINI project with a field trip to UAH’s Open House. Permission slips will go out Monday, December 1 and need to be returned by Thursday, Dec 4, 2025.

In science, we are using our online textbook as only a limited number of printed copies were supplied with our AMSTI kits. The textbook is available at Carolina Science Online. Username is: Estelle Student; password is: password123.

Not required but fun: SciStarter’s Citizen Science November: https://scistarter.org/calendar

Please know that in my class, I will be starting to assign silent lunch for students who come to class without charged computers. It is the expectation that students come to class prepared. Please make a designated spot in your house to prepare school materials.

Mrs. Thrasher

This week we are going to be practicing Meiosis with VR and an online virtual learning worksheet. After we learn about meiosis, we will be learning about DNA and RNA

Ms. Plummer

This week we will be presenting our "Chemistry My Way" projects. Please make sure that your student comes to school prepared to present on their chosen presentation day (students have already signed up on the Sign-Up Genius) with all necessary materials and group members. Thank you and have wonderful

Mrs. Hester

- WWI Flocabulary - Due Tuesday, December 2

- Capitalism v Communism paper classwork assignment - Due Friday, December 5

Mr. Garner

The Students will have a test when they return from Thanksgiving Break. After the break, we will continue our work on economics, covering supply, demand, and scarcity.

Mr. Hughes

This week we will be presenting our "Chemistry My Way" projects. Please make sure that your student comes to school prepared to present on their chosen presentation day (students have already signed up on the Sign-Up Genius) with all necessary materials and group members. Thank you and have wonderful

Library Corner: Thanksgiving Break Reading Challenge

Hello Triple A Middle School Families

This week in the library, students have been exploring our refreshed displays and discovering new titles in our popular graphic novel sections.

Looking ahead to Thanksgiving break, we invite students to participate in a Turkey Trot Reading Challenge:

Pick any book of your choice.
Read for at least 20 minutes on three different days during break.
When you return, stop by the library to share a highlight or favorite part of your reading. Participants will be entered into a drawing for a small prize!

Encourage your student to join in. Reading over the break is a fun, relaxing way to keep their minds engaged and discover new favorites.

Happy reading!

Tyletha Lord

AAA Middle School Library Media Specialist

🤡 Clowns - Ms. Stricklin 🤡

December 4th - All Students making or renting costume parade. There is no need to sign up; I will see you all there from 3-4:30pm.

December 7th - The Orion Amphitheater - Call Time 12:30pm; Performance Time 1:00pm

December 8th and 9th - Final Schedule TBD - 8am-3pm. Students should still be able to take their usual way home. 8 shows over the course of two days. Permission slip is coming. Students will need to pay $15 for the trip. They will need lunch money for the food court in the mall. $20 is plenty. There will not be any time for shopping.

December 16 - ACT Night! This is our public performance! Please make sure you join us to see your student(s) perform. Call Time 6:30pm; Performance 7:00pm

December 19 - School shows and pictures. 7:30 Individual pictures

8:45 Elementary Performance

9:30 Group Pictures/Finish Individual pictures

10:30 Middle School Performance

11:00 finish any Individual pictures

Join the Remind: https://www.remind.com/join/aaa2526

If you missed the Music Competition Parent meeting. Check the website for more information https://www.whyaaa.org/ms-stars--clowns.html

Please continue to bring in caboodle checklist items.

Rental/Fabrication Forms were sent home two weeks ago with students. I need to know whether you plan to rent or make your costume. If you plan to rent, you can pay the $20 rental fee in cash, checks made payable to AAA, or on myschoolfees.com.

🤩 Stars - Ms. Stricklin 🤩

December 7th - The Orion Amphitheater - Call Time 12:30pm; Performance Time 1:00pm

December 8th and 9th - Final Schedule TBD - 8am-3pm. Students should still be able to take their usual way home. 8 shows over the course of two days. Permission slip is coming. Students will need to pay $15 for the trip. They will need lunch money for the food court in the mall. $20 is plenty. There will not be any time for shopping.

December 16 - ACT Night! This is our public performance! Please make sure you join us to see your student(s) perform. Call Time 6:30pm; Performance 7:00pm

December 19 - School shows and pictures. 7:30 Individual pictures

8:45 Elementary Performance

9:30 Group Pictures/Finish Individual pictures

10:30 Middle School Performance

11:00 finish any Individual pictures

Join the Remind: https://www.remind.com/join/aaastar84

If you missed the Music Competition Parent meeting. Check the website for more information https://www.whyaaa.org/ms-stars--clowns.html

Please continue to bring in checklist items.

Rental Forms and Contracts were sent home with students that have not turned in theirs. Please, sign and return. Make sure you have paid your rental fee. You can pay the $20 rental fee in cash, checks made payable to AAA, or on myschoolfees.com.

✍🏻 Creative Writing - Mrs. Hester ✍🏻

- Poetry Out-Loud Field trip for 7th & 8th grade creative writers - Friday, December 5. (Please return field trip form ASAP)

- Making Comics Final Assignments to be completed on paper - please check PowerSchool for missing/incomplete assignments.

- Copies of mini-comic books available to purchase later in December.

- Save the Date for Upcoming Open-Mic Performance - January 22

🧰 Theatre Tech - Mr. Stricklin 🧰

We are currently working on Scenic Design. The kids are drafting designs for the stage, elevation view and floor plans.ly.

🎭 Theatre - Mr. Feemster 🎭

Theatre

This week, our classes are wrapping up the reading of Letters by Evelyn Merritt. Students have been diligently working on daily worksheets to enhance their understanding of the play's themes and characters.

In addition to our academic pursuits, we are taking a moment to express our gratitude to veterans. Each student is writing a heartfelt letter that will be sent through Operation Gratitude, allowing them to connect personally with those who have served.

Our students will bring their memorized monologues from Letters to life through performance on Nov 24/25th in class. This is their major test grade for the unit.

💃Dance - Ms. Fuqua 💃

This week, we're reviewing student choreography pieces and going over dances for our upcoming dance showcase "Soul Train: The New Edition". I'll be giving students new formations and also go over performance needs.

🎻Strings - Mrs. Peck🎻

Hello String Families in Middle School! Our Harvest Concert performances were so extraordinary! So much positive growth and feedback! I attached student comments to this email:) Please read them. WINTER CONCERTS coming up include a strings set of three very traditional pieces. Monday, December 1st we will do school concerts in our HOUSE colors and then evening performance in the same formal White long-sleeved button down and black long formal pants (no jeans and sneakers). We've tapped further into our musical brains by MEMORIZING the music! Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving Break. December 1st Winter Concertwear REMINDER: Daytime=House colors Evening=formal black and white

docx

insert_drive_file

2025 2026 Strings Calendar FIRST SEMESTER - Mary Peck

Newsletter Nov. printout takehome.pdf

Download

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🎵 Band and Choir - Mr. Snodgrass 🎤

All Choirs and Bands:

December 1, 2025 is our annual AAA Music Winter Concert. Beginning Band, Advanced Band, Concert Choir and Orchestra will be performing.

There will be 3 performances. 2 school performances and 1 evening performance. The evening performance is for parents, families and friends.

The school shows will be at 9:30a.m. for middle school and 1:00p.m. for elementary school. The attire for the school shows will be house shirts or house colors and jeans. 6 Houses, 1 Family!

The evening performance will be at 6:30p.m. Call time is 6:00p.m.

Evening Concert Attire:

Concert Choir Girls - Choir dresses

Concert Choir Boys - White dress shirt (not a polo), black dress pants (not jeans), the black vests and bow ties will be given by Mr. Snodgrass.

Beginning & Advanced Bands - White dress shirt (not a polo), black dress pants (not jeans), the black vests and bow ties will be given by Mr. Snodgrass.

GIRLS IN BAND & CHOIR WILL WEAR CHOIR DRESSES...