Middle School Minute

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Honors English: We continue with our novel study and its comparison to the Hero’s Journey. Our novel is Miles Morales: Spider Man by Jason Reynolds. We continue studying Chapter 7 & 8. Chapter 9 is due next week. A calendar of readings is posted to Google Classroom. Students are using literary analysis to complete discussion questions, write short essays based on a novel prompt and taking short quizzes. Students continue to be responsible for work on iReady and ReadWorks. ReadWorks assignments are accessible via Google Classroom. iReady is accessible via Clever. Students should be completing 45 minutes of iReady per week in addition to two passed lessons (70 or better).

***Please know that classwork must be completed ON TIME. Per our class syllabus, no late work is accepted with the exception of excused absences. If your child is absent and misses work, all work should be completed within five days of return.

• Regular ELA - This week students will have assignments on Schoology, AcceleratedReader (AR), and i-Ready.

  • i-Ready - Students are required to complete 50 minutes of i-Ready Reading and two passed lessons. The more lessons they do and pass with an 80 or better; the more tickets they get to spend at the i-Ready store.

  • Accelerated Reader (AR) - Students need to be reading and taking AR tests. The only way to grow in reading comprehension is to practice.They need to look at their individual goal through Clever on Renaissance Learning.

  • Schoology -

  • Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief: We have just completed reading Ch. 5-7. We have not only learned about Percy Jackson but Greek Mythology as well. Students will participate in vocabulary, figurative language, text-dependent questions, and arts integration activities as we follow Percy Jackson through a heroic journey.

  • Next up:

  • Reading ch. 8-10

  • Quiz

  • Vocabulary

  • Figurative language

  • Comprehension Questions

Honors ELA - This week students will have assignments on Schoology, AcceleratedReader (AR), and i-Ready.

• i-Ready - Students are required to complete 50 minutes of i-Ready Reading and two passed lessons. The more lessons they do and pass with an 80 or better; the more tickets they get to spend at the i-Ready store.

• Accelerated Reader (AR) - Students need to be reading and taking AR tests. The only way to grow in reading comprehension is to practice.They need to look at their individual goal through Clever on Renaissance Learning.

• Schoology -

• Schoology -

• Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief: We have just completed reading Ch. 5-7. We have not only learned about Percy Jackson but Greek Mythology as well. Students will participate in vocabulary, figurative language, text-dependent questions, and arts integration activities as we follow Percy Jackson through a heroic journey.

• Next up:

• Reading ch. 8-10

• Quiz

• Vocabulary

• Figurative language

• Comprehension Questions

All periods will have a vocabulary quiz on Friday, April 4th. Vocabulary words will be given Monday, March 31st, and their review will be due on Wednesday, April 2nd.

All classes are writing a research paper on "A Woman in History". The rough drafts are due on Friday, April 4th.

First and fifth block are reading the Hunger Games.

Third and fourth block are completing assignments in Studysync which can be accessed on Clever.

In preparation for the i-Ready end of the year test, students will continue to review root words as well as complete 3 i-Ready lessons in their pathway (scoring 80% or higher). If they have completed their pathway, they must complete 1 lesson in Coursewave (scoring 80% or higher). The standard 8th Grade students will also continue to read and respond (3 paragraph essay) to the novel "The Lions of Little Rock." Advanced students will finish presenting their research on the 60's - background knowledge- before reading "The Outsiders."

We have been working on Finding Slope that involves adding and subtracting Integers. A concept that is still foreign to a lot of my students. They will have class assignments that will be due the next day followed by a test by Friday. The assignments are vital as they give students practice to make the mistakes on that day instead of on test day. The biggest hurdle so far is NOT coming to class prepared with the necessary materials. Too many have no pencils, notebooks and even laptops. That is not my job to provide everyday essential materials. I update grades at least two days a week. Wed and Fridays.

Important Announcements

• Math ACAP Testing: Next Wednesday and Thursday, our students will participate in the Math ACAP Testing.

• Action Items:

• Please discuss test-taking strategies with your child.

• Encourage them to reflect on what they have learned this year in math.

• Ensure they receive ample rest on both testing days to help them perform their best.

Celebrations of the Week

We are excited to share some of the wonderful learning experiences our students have had recently:

• 7th Grade Math: Students have been delving into linear equations and problem-solving strategies. Their growth in understanding equations, expressions, and inequalities is commendable.

• 7th Grade Accelerated Math: Our accelerated learners have been tackling percentages and complex problem-solving, demonstrating enthusiasm and skill.

We celebrate each student's progress and the efforts they put into their learning!

T Whitney 7th Grade Math

Students are required to complete 2 iReady math lessons ,2 iReady reading lessons (60 minutes each for both) per week during homeroom Monday-Thursday. The students took their ACAP Math assessment on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Students in 8th grade math will continue reviewing various standards in preparation for the upcoming iReady assessment. The practice and review will be incorporated during class time while we continue our learning process. The standards/topics for review and learning will include but not limited to polynomials, quadratic equations, factoring, scatter plots, line of best fit, transformations, the real number system, parallel lines cut by a transversal, properties of exponents, radical expressions, equations, systems etc...We will also have hands-on practice with experimental probability. Have a great week. :-)

Science: We continue investigations in AMSTI’s Weather and Climate Systems. We will be tying our knowledge of weather and climate with our project from the beginning of the year, DETECTS weather balloon. Investigations will include making clouds, modeling heat transfer and convection, and human impact on climate trends.

Our science text is available online at carolina science online. The link is posted to the Google Classroom. Username: Estelle Student; password: password123.

***Please know that classwork must be completed ON TIME. Per our class syllabus, no late work is accepted with the exception of excused absences. If your child is absent and misses work, all work should be completed within five days of return.

6th Grade
We will be learning about extreme weather this week. We will be completing a Severe Weather Brochure April 15th- 17th. The project will be due April 17th at the end of class. Students will be researching a Severe Weather event and creating an
informational brochure. April 18th (Elearning Day- There will be a Flocabulary to complete about Climate)

7th Grade

We will be starting a ecology culminating project Monday April 14th (A day) and Tuesday April 15 (B day) that will cover everything we have learned this quarter. Students will be researching an animal and the ecosystem they live in. The project is due April 23rd (A day) and April 24th (B Day). April 18th (Elearning Day- There will be a Flocabulary to complete about Invasive Species for ALL classes, A and B day both!)

Physical Science will be continuing to finalize their Natural Disasters projects this upcoming week. Project presentations begin on Thursday, April 17th.

6th Grade Social Studies:

- Cold War Flocabulary - Assigned for April 8-9 - Due April 13

- eLearning Day Assignment - April 18 - Civil Rights Flocabulary - Due April 20

I am excited to inform you that we will be beginning our next lesson on the continent of Africa. Throughout this lesson, we will be reviewing some of the rich history of the region and then diving into the various cultures and cuisines that make Africa such a diverse and vibrant place.

As part of this lesson, students will have the opportunity to engage in a project where they will create a cultural map of Africa. This project will allow them to explore and represent the different cultures, traditions, and culinary practices found across the continent.

I am looking forward to an enriching and educational experience for our students as we embark on this journey to learn more about Africa. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this lesson further, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you for your continued support!

For 8th World History: World History students will take a look at two of Greece's key city- states: Sparta and Athens. Students will compare and contrast the two city- states and what they expected of their citizens. We'll take a look at the Peloponnesian War and it's affect on the Greek city- states. Depending on time, we'll begin looking at Greek Mythology, including the stories of Zeus, Hera, Hades, and Poseidon!

• Make sure you are checking the website, www.whyaaa.org and join the Remind. Please turn in your $20 rental fee if you are renting.

• We have one more performance coming up on April 17 @ The Orion. Thank you to those few of you that came to perform for the Fine Arts Festival. We were few, but we were mighty. Please remember that performances are mandatory. We will be performing for the 40 Years of Magic gala at the Orion on April 17. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make every effort to have your child there for the gala. This is an astonishing accomplishment for our creative and performing arts magnet program. Most do not last this long. Check the website for more detailed information. https://www.whyaaa.org/ms-stars--clowns.html

• Performance Dates:

• April 17 40 Years of Magic Gala: The Orion

• May 1-4 Music in the Parks: St. Louis

• May 15 ACT Night: AAA Theater

• May 20 Last Day Performance: AAA Theater

Competition Clowns - After some recent cancellations, I only have 15 out of 36 Clowns going to competition. I have found a way to alter the partnerships, choreography, and the restructuring of the voice parts to make it work, but the kids are going to need extra help. I am willing to put in the work if you are. I want them to feel good about their competition pieces, and this is the only way that I have come up with.

Extra Rehearsals:

April 11 3:30-5:00pm (After School)

April 18 12:00pm-3:00pm (E-Learning Day)

April 25 3:30-5:00pm (After School)

Stars - Make sure you are checking the website, www.whyaaa.org and join the Remind. Please turn in your $20 rental fee if you haven't.

• We have one more performance coming up on April 17 @ The Orion. Please remember that performances are mandatory. We will be performing for the 40 Years of Magic gala at the Orion on April 17. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make every effort to have your child there for the gala. This is an astonishing accomplishment for our creative and performing arts magnet program. Most do not last this long. Check the website for more detailed information. https://www.whyaaa.org/ms-stars--clowns.html

• Performance Dates:

• April 17 40 Years of Magic Gala: The Orion

• May 1-4 Music in the Parks: St. Louis

• May 15 ACT Night: AAA Theater

• May 20 Last Day Performance: AAA Theater

Creative Writing:

The week and weekend of April 25 was too busy for our open-mic night due to middle school dance on Thursday and Panoply that weekend - please see the new tentative date below. Flyer with more information to come!

- Open-Mic Night - NEW Tentative Date - Monday, May 12, 6-7pm

- eLearning Day Assignment - April 18 - Complete Playwriting Lessons 3 & 4 and begin drafting your 10-minute play script.

See the flyer regarding dance merch!

Tickets for Princess and the Frog are coming soon! Stay tuned for more details!

Hello Academy String Orchestra Families and Students!

We are so thrilled that our OMPA assessment brought us back home with SUPERIOR rating on our performance pieces, and Excellent rating on our sightreading. We have taken the constructive feedback and comments to help us grow and improve further. THANK YOU ADMIN and parents who helped us get there and back safely:).

ALL STRINGS and parent support are asked to hone in on our Spring Concert music performances coming up. Help your student member practice at home with great focus and results. Sheet music should be with the student at all times when at school.

Orion Celebration Honor String Quartet April 17th. Be at Orion no later than 5pm for our 5:30 to 6:00 playing.

Piggy Opera strings will be TBA for rehearsing before the April 24th performances.

AAA FULL MUSIC DEPARTMENT will work with TRI-M providing and selling snacks and drinks for AAA MS Dance Great Gatsby Theme April 24th 6 to 8pm We need black and white cookies, rice krispy snacks, pre-made popcorn treats, eight ounce pony water bottle cases donated asap dropped off with Snodgrass or Peck music suite rooms 166/167.

Kind Thanks EVERYONE!

Information soon to come!

The Academy for Academics & Arts Art Department is now selling t-shirts! All funds raised will directly benefit our wonderful Prek-8th grade students in the Art Room. Please purchase a shirt to help support the AAArt Team! We can’t wait to see everyone wearing their art shirts!

Order here!

https://www.greenpeapress.com/campaign/p/aaa-art

6th Grade Updates

• Make sure you have signed up for the 6th grade Remind CLICK HERE

• Have students read at home for 30 minutes every day.

• Students need to be more mindful of the expectations here at school. Students are starting to bend and break the rules and procedures.

iReady in ELA and math will be graded based on work completed Monday - Friday going forward. Time and lessons completed on Saturday and/or Sunday will not count toward their iReady classwork grades.

Please encourage your students to complete their classwork at school. The goal is for students to not have much homework and to use their classroom instructional time efficiently. This should also help decrease the number of missing assignments students have in PowerSchool.

8th Grade Parents/Guardians: The 8th Grade Bridging ceremony is quickly approaching. It is a special ceremony with a unified look. The girls are to wear white dresses or a white pants suit and dress shoes. The boys are to wear blue, black, or khaki dress pants, a button down shirt, and a tie or bow tie and dress shoes. If you should have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Fletcher or Mr. Jones.