Middle School Minute

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From Mrs. Suwarow (Title I)

We are still missing 11 School/Parent/Student Compacts! These are the orange sheets sent home at the beginning of the year. Students are aware of and have received additional copies. You are welcome to check if your child has turned it in by emailing me at misty.suwarow@hsv-k12.org

Mz. Estelle

Honors English: Our letters are turning into full, fleshed-out stories! Ask your child about how work-shop is going. We continue with our project on narrative writing/script writing for a puppet play. In addition we are practicing independent reading time with a weekly record of our progress using a reading log/buddy exchange document.

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. Students are also responsible for completing their Summer Reading Project, required by the district, by September, 19, 2025. Please see the HCS website for information regarding the Summer Reading Project.

Ms. Stricklin

This week, we will continue to focus on essential skills and strategies for middle school ELA that will help us work smarter, not harder.

iREADY: Students in Regular ELA are required to complete 50 minutes and pass 2 lessons with at least a 67%. Students in Honors ELA are expected to complete 60 minutes and pass 3 lessons with a 67% or better.

iReady Grading - There are three components to the iReady requirements. Here is how I grade iReady Pathway requirements.

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

RACES STRATEGY

It is time to start applying what the students have learned about the RACES strategy to nonfiction and fictional texts. There will be assignments on Canvas and StudySync this week.

R: Restate the question - Turn the question into a statement to start your first sentence.
A: Answer all parts of the question - Double-check. There may be more than one part to the question.
C: Cite the text to support your answer - Give a direct quote from the text. Don’t forget to use quotation marks. Make sure to introduce your quote with a phrase like:

For example
According to the text
The author states that

E: Explain your citation - Explain how your evidence helps you prove your point. Use phrases like:

This quote shows how
This evidence proves that

S: Summarize or sum it up. This final step involves restating your main points and providing a concise conclusion to your response after explaining your evidence and arguments. Use phrases like:

In conclusion
To summarize
In closing

MLA FORMATTING

The students will learn the essential elements of MLA formatting, which is vital for them when incorporating quotes or paraphrases in their writing. Here are the key points:

Citations: Each time a student uses a quote or paraphrase, they must include a parenthetical citation with the author's last name and page number. The punctuation should be placed outside the citation.

Basics of Formatting:

Heading (Left Side):

Student's Full Name
Teacher’s Name
Class Name
Date (day month year)

Header (Upper Right Corner):

Last Name + Page Number (included on the first and all subsequent pages)

Font and Spacing:

Times New Roman, 12-point font
Double-spaced throughout
1-inch margins

Examples of In-Text Citations:

According to Dumas, Dantès is “a fine, tall, slim young fellow” (1).
The author states that Dantès has “black eyes and hair as dark as a raven’s wing” (Dumas 1).

We often have short stories without an author and/or page numbers. In this instance, do the following:

In the passage, it says, “Sarah felt a wave of relief wash over her as she went back to her seat, proud of herself” (“Sarah’s Spelling Bee Challenge,” par. 5).
"Because the way you grow old is kind of like an onion or like the rings inside a tree trunk or like my little wooden dolls that fit one inside the other, each year inside the next one. That's how being eleven years old is" (Cisneros, par. 3)

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

Students will learn about figurative language this week and how it affects our comprehension of a story. We will start with similes, metaphors, and personification.

Vocabulary for figurative language:

Context - the events, situations, or language that surround a particular word, phrase or piece of text that help explain its meaning
Figurative language - expressions used for descriptive or rhetorical effect that are not literally true but that express some truth beyond the literal level
Figure of Speech - a word or phrase not meant to be taken literally, but rather used for effect
Simile - a figure of speech that uses the word like or as to compare two seemingly unlike things
Metaphor - a figure of speech that compares two seemingly unlike things but implies a comparison instead of stating it directly with the word like or as
Personification - a figure of speech in which an animal, an object, a force of nature, or an idea is given human form or qualities

CLOSE READ: ELEVEN - TEST

There will be a summative assessment on StudySync this week. It is called, Close Read: Eleven. We have been working with this story off and on since the beginning of the semester.

In this lesson, students will engage in a close reading of the story "Eleven" by Sandra Cisneros, focusing on how childhood experiences influence our understanding of identity and maturity. The key objectives include:

Understanding Figurative Language: Students will identify and analyze the use of figurative language in the text.
Connecting Experiences to Themes: They will explore how Rachel's experiences in the story relate to the essential question: "How do our experiences and emotions in childhood influence our perceptions of adulthood and the challenges we face?"
Constructed Response Writing: Students will write a short constructed response using the RACES strategy and new vocabulary.

The lesson will incorporate group discussions, guided practice, and independent writing to foster critical thinking and engagement. By the end of the lesson, students will have shared their reflections and insights, enhancing their comprehension and analytical skills.

Ms. Hunter

We are wrapping up our book study of the Hunger Games. Students will complete a poster project on symbolism in the Hunger Games and prepare for an upcoming comprehension test on the book.

Ms. Fletcher

Students will continue their novel study of Inside Out & Back Again learning about poetic devices (rhyme, meter, and theme), and poetic elements (simile, metaphor, ...etc.) This study will generate lots of reading and writing. Every week, students must complete 2 lessons of their Pathway. (It's designed to meet students where they are academic regardless of the grade.) They must score 80% higher for each lesson, and they must work in i-Ready for 1 hour. Every Wednesday during class, they'll be given the opportunity to work on their pathway (up to 40 minutes unless there is another scheduled activity). They must complete the rest of their time at home. If they complete both lessons with 80% or higher, that grade for the week will be 100% in PowerSchool. If not, they will receive a zero. They have until 3:00 PM each Friday. Those students who have tested out of i-Ready will receive an alternate assignment.

Mr. Moore

Next week in math we’ll be diving into collecting and analyzing data. Students will create surveys, organize results, and use graphs to make sense of the information. They’ll also practice mean, median, mode, and range in fun, real-world ways. Ask your student what kind of data they’re collecting.

Ms. Whitney

Update coming soon...

Ms. Cuff

Greetings students and AAA family,

Next week in math, we will continue working on refreshing previously learned skills/standards with fractions, conversions between decimals and fractions, properties of exponents, simplifying radical expressions, performing operations with radicals, etc...This will be included in the lesson as well as bell work. We will be exploring the Real Number System this week. The students will use Venn Diagrams and sorting charts to identify and categorize as part of this learning process. 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 into October with studying Weather and Climate. This past week we launched our balloons. Now we will analyze the data we receive from the HAB’s launch to answer a science question we’ve chosen. This is in-depth use of graphs, plot points,and raw data. In October we will be headed for UAH to present our findings. Yes! It’s a field trip!!!!

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. Student notebooks and information about DETECTS is available at ideaslabuah.org.

Mrs. Thrasher

Updates coming soon...

Ms. Plummer

Next week we will present our research projects (scientists and the atomic theory) in class, along with furthering our study of the periodic table and how it is used and organized. Students will begin to learning about the types of chemical bonding and how electrons are used in the process.

Mrs. Hester

-Immigration Primary Sources assignment should now be complete and submitted in Canvas.

- Political Cartoon Compare and Contrast

- Due Sunday, September 21 - Chapter 5 Lesson 2

- Due Sunday, September 21 *New tentative test date: Chapter 4 & 5 Industrialization and Urbanization Test - Tuesday/Wednesday, September 30/October 1 - Study for Chapter test at socrative.com/ Room name: HESTER

Mr. Garner

Please make sure your students play the blooket located on Canvas to help them study for their test on Monday and Tuesday.

Mr. Hughes

8th World History will do a trading activity this next week, and we will start winding down our study of Ancient Mesopotamia. A homework assignment will be given this next week (a Kahoot! game). This will be due for A Day students on Thursday, Sept. 25 and will be due for B Day students on Friday, Sept. 26. We will prepare for a quiz to be given the week of Sept. 29- Oct. 3

🤡 Clowns - Ms. Stricklin 🤡

Music Competition Parent meeting 9/25 at 5:30 in the auditorium.

Please continue to bring in checklist items.

Rental/Fabrication Forms were sent home last week 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 🤩

Music Competition Parent meeting 9/25 at 5:30 in the auditorium.

Please continue to bring in checklist items.

Magnet Fall Arts Festival is on Saturday, October 18th, from 10 AM to 1 PM. Traditionally this is a Stars only and not Clowns performance, but many other groups will be performing as well. Make sure you check with your arts teachers for the schedule. Costumes are not ready for this performance, so students will need to wear some combination of black and red. It is their choice.

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 ✍🏻

- Chapter 6: Suspense & Chapter 7: Emotions - Due Sunday, September 21

- Alabama A&M University Poetry Club visit - Tuesday, September 23 (B-day)/ Wednesday, September 24 (A-day)

🧰 Theatre Tech - Mr. Stricklin 🧰

Moving to the shop to get our hands dirty. Let's build something! Dress accordingly.

🎭 Theatre - Mr. Feemster 🎭

I am inviting our talented 6th-8th graders to become a part of something truly special—the Honor Society and Theatre Club - Thespian Troupe 89345.

Being a member of our Thespian Troupe opens up a world of opportunities to develop your skills in theatre, leadership, and teamwork. It’s a chance to collaborate with like-minded peers, participate in exciting productions, and enjoy exclusive events and workshops.

Why Join Thespian Troupe 89345?

Artistic Growth: Enhance your acting, technical, and creative skills through hands-on experiences.
Leadership Opportunities: Take on roles that help you grow as a leader and team player.
Community Engagement: Participate in community events and showcase your talents.

Application Deadline: October 1

To apply, simply visit WhyAAA.org/MS-Theatre and fill out the application form. Don’t miss the chance to be part of a vibrant community that celebrates creativity and passion for the arts!

We can’t wait to welcome new members and see the amazing contributions you will bring to our troupe. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

💃Dance - Ms. Fuqua 💃

Updates coming soon . . .

🎻Strings - Mrs. Peck🎻

Hello AAA String Orchestra Families and Student Members! It was sincerely a delight to meet and speak with so many AAAmazing parents last night at Open House! We were able to touch base about our upcoming last two weeks of September (noticing calendar Popcorn/Playing parties after school for Bday and Aday groups, while also securing important dates of performances ahead. Many parents also VOLUNTEERED to provide snacks for our Mondays of fun fellowship and music-making. Lastly the LINK FOR THE SPRING FESTIVAL OPTIONAL TRIP is here so that you can prepare first, by going to the Thursday, September 25th 5:30pm meeting. NEW and CONTINUING strings members are all invited! We can learn and prepare selected music works for our hopeful 1st place string orchestra performances (which will be performed at our home base Spring Concert at AAA also) It's really turning into a most exciting 2025-2026 AAA Magnet Middle School String Orchestras schoolyear!- Our Best Always-Mary Peck-Artistic Director/Educator/Maestra

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2025 2026 Strings Calendar FIRST SEMESTER - Mary Peck

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🎵 Band and Choir - Mr. Snodgrass 🎤

All-City Choral Festival auditions will take place September 22-23, 2025 at Whitesburg Middle School. Auditions will begin each day at 4:00 p.m. and end around 5:30 p.m. For those students who are auditioning, we have been using the majority of class time to make sure that the students are prepared. At home, please remind them to listen to and sing through the All-City songs. We want all student who are auditioning to be chosen. That can only happen if the students know their music. Remind them to practice their All-City music!

Parents, if you have not joined TalkingPoints, you need to join NOW...This is the way that I communicate with you. Here's how you join:

For AAA Concert Choir:

Text to the number (480) 841-0253 and in the message type 962099 and hit send.

For AAA Advanced Band:

Text to the number (406) 325-0895 and in the message type 769341 and hit send.

For AAA Beginning Band:

Text to the number (239) 301-5241 and in the message type 953497 and hit send.

Beginning Band:

Students started playing their instruments this week! There are several students that have not been tested yet for their instrument. Please call Hallman's Music at (256) 830-2303 to set up an appointment for instrument testing. Hallman's is open Monday - Friday from 12;00p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and the address is 1920 Sparkman Drive Suite 2. Right down the street from AAA.

If you are having difficulty renting or finding an instrument, please message me in TalkingPoints or email me ASAP. I can help you find an instrument for your child. The book that you need to purchase is called Standard of Excellence Book 1.

Advanced Band:

Practice sheets will go home as a part of their grade. They MUST practice! Any 5 of the 7 days of the week for at least 20 minutes is the required practice schedule. Parent's please sign each practice sheet before your child turns it in.

Our MOTTO: Mediocrity is NOT acceptable: People come to hear EXCELLENCE!

🎨Art - Mrs. Jackson 🎨

Congratulations to Meredith Almaguer Garcia for being one of 12 students chosen from all over Huntsville and Madison to have artwork featured at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens Galaxy of Lights! We are so proud of her and cannot wait to see her artwork on display! Lee Visual Art's Magnet Program will be visiting AAA on Oct. 3rd! This is a fantastic opportunity for 8th grade students who are interested in the Magnet Visual Arts Pathway to engage with and ask questions to the Visual Arts Teachers at Lee. Spots are limited- please encourage your 8th grader to sign-up ASAP! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA5A928ABFEC34-58809416-leevisit More Art Contest Opportunities: Please visit www.whyaaa.org/ms-art to see new contest opportunities for your student to submit entries to!

Art students who are interested in signing up for National Junior Art Honors Society! Please fill out an application on the www.whyaaa.org/ms-art website. Deadline to apply is October 31st!

My Amazon Wishlist:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2K9OTEY7SRJGD?ref_=wl_share