Middle School Minute
November 10 - 14, 2025
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📕 ELA 📕
Mz. Estelle
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
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Hatchet is the first in a series of five novels by Gary Paulsen (1939-2021), who won a Newbery Honor in 1988 for this gripping tale of survival. The hero of Hatchet and its follow-ups is young Brian Robeson, who must rely on his wits and instincts alone to stay alive in the Canadian wilderness. Preceding this excerpt from Chapter 5, 13-year-old Brian is left stranded on his own after his pilot has a heart attack and their plane crashes in a lake. The excerpt describes the day after the crash.
Skill: Academic Vocabulary - After learning the meanings of ten academic vocabulary words, students will be able to recognize and use them in a variety of contexts.
Analyze - v. to examine the parts of something in detail
Approach - n. an idea or action intended to deal with a problem or situation
Assume - v. to accept to be true without proof
Conclude - v. to decide by reasoning
Context - n. the set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation or event
Derive - v. to reason by deduction; to infer
Indicate - v. to state or express briefly
Interpret - v. to determine and explain the meaning of
Obtain - v. to come into possession of
Seek - v. to try to locate or discover
Skill: Compare and Contrast - After rereading and discussing a model of close reading, students will be able to compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres in terms of their approaches to similar themes.
Vocabulary:
Comparative response - n. an oral or written response in which a reader explains the similarities and differences between two or more things
Compare - v. to explain how two or more things are similar
Contrast - v. to show differences when compared
Genre - n. the different categories or types of literature, in which the main categories are fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama
Media - n. the plural form of the word medium; a means of sending a communication to an intended audience
Paraphrase - v. to restate an entire passage from a text in your own words
Quote - v. to use an author’s exact words and place them within quotation marks
Textual evidence - n. details from the text that a reader can use to support his or her ideas and opinions about the text
Checklist for Compare and Contrast
first, choose texts with similar subjects or topics
next, identify the qualities or characteristics of each genre
after, identify the theme in each work
finally, analyze ways in which the texts are similar and different in the way they approach similar themes and topics
think about what the characters or narrators do and say
think about what happens as a result of the character’s or narrator’s words and actions
Questions to ask to compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics
How does each text approach the theme and topic? How does the form or genre of the text affect this approach?
What are the similarities and differences in the subjects or topics of the texts I have chosen?
Regular ELA Independent Read: Red Scarf Girl - After reading Red Scarf Girl, students will write a short response that demonstrates their understanding of and connection to the text.
Vocabulary:
Critical - adj. expressing disapproval
Expose - v. to make known or apparent, especially to the attention of someone; to reveal
Revolutionary - adj. relating to or involving a radical change, sometimes political or social
Severe - adj. strict or serious; harsh
Testify - v. to state or affirm something under oath, usually in a formal setting such as a court
Honors ELA Close Read: Hatchet After engaging in a close reading and discussion of Hatchet, students will be able compare and contrast how the setting in Hatchet and Red Scarf Girl provides context to the main conflict in a short, written response.
Grammar Friday: Introductory Elements
Introductory elements come at the start of a sentence to give extra information or context. They are always followed by a comma. If you take them out, the sentence still makes sense. These elements can be single words, phrases, or clauses that help transition, show relationships, or add emphasis. Examples include words like "Suddenly," "Therefore," and "Indeed," or phrases like "Before the storm" and "Humming to herself." To check if something is introductory, try moving it to the end of the sentence; if it still makes sense, it's likely introductory.
- 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 2 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
Ms. Hunter
Permission slips for watching the Hunger Games in class went home Friday, Nov 7. We are planning on doing a compare and contrast of the book and the movie. Please reach out if you have any questions or do not want your student to participate. Final drafts of essays were due on Wednesday.
Ms. Fletcher
Students will finish the novel Inside Out & Back Again and complete activities centered around standard mastery (including writing an essay). Students must also complete 4 i-Ready English lessons scoring 80% or higher.
➕➖ Math ➖➕
Mr. Moore
Next week in math, we’ll review key concepts from our data and statistics unit — including Range, Mean, Median, Mode, Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD), and Interquartile Range (IQR). Students will practice interpreting and comparing data sets to strengthen their understanding before our upcoming assessments.
We’ll review with hands-on activities, practice in ALEKS, and group discussions to connect these concepts to real-world situations.
Thank you for continuing to support your student’s math growth!
Ms. Whitney
Hello Parents and Guardians,
As we continue our journey in mathematics, I wanted to share an update on what your students are currently learning.
📘 7th Grade General Math:
We are extending our understanding of integers to include rational numbers. This means your student will now be working with fractions and decimals, understanding their placement on the number line, and learning how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide these types of numbers in real-world contexts.
📗 7th Grade Accelerated Math:
Our accelerated students are continuing their focus on linear equations and slope. They are exploring how to represent relationships between variables and analyze the steepness of lines using slope, which is a foundational skill for Algebra.
🧠 Please continue encouraging your student to ask questions, complete assignments, and practice their math skills regularly.
💬 Question of the Day for Parent Engagement:
While grocery shopping or calculating tips at a restaurant, ask: "How would you represent this amount as a fraction, decimal, and percentage?" This is a great way to reinforce real-world connections to rational numbers and proportions!
As always, thank you for your support at home. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
Ms. Cuff
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 relations and functions (domain, range, functions, evaluating functions), linear and nonlinear functions, slope/rate of change, writing an equation of a line 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. :-)
🧪 Science 🧪
Mz. Estelle
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
Ms. Plummer
This week we will be continuing to work on our Chemistry My Way project. We will also be reviewing endothermic and exothermic reactions, and learning how to count atoms/balancing chemical equations. Please make sure your student comes to school prepared.
📜 Social Studies 📜
Mrs. Hester
- ISMs Vocab Quiz: Wednesday, November 12 (B), Thursday, November 13 (A)
Study on www.socrative.com, room name:HESTER
Students MAY NOT use notes on the quiz, so it is important to study.
- Veteran's Day Flocabulary Due by Friday, November 14
Mr. Garner
Make sure your student is studying for their upcoming test. Also on Wednesday, the 12th, we will be hosting a Veterans Day event from 9:00 to 9:30. We encourage any and all veterans to come.
Mr. Hughes
Students will be finishing their study of Ancient Egypt and we'll begin preparing for a test. Advanced level students will be writing a DBQ Essay and learning how to write historical essays.
🎭 Fine Arts 🎭
🤡 Clowns - Ms. Stricklin 🤡
New Performance Date: December 7th at 1:00pm has been added to the calendar. We have been invited to perform at the Orion for one of their winter/holiday events.
Makeup Design Class: Clowns’ makeup has arrived. Makeup class will be on Monday, November 10 and Wednesday, November 12.
Costume Parade 2:
Making Costume Only: The next costume parade is on November 13 and 14th . Click the link to sign up. I will send the Signup Genius to the Remind group as well. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044CA4AB29A0F94-60288320-costume
Rental Costumes Only: Costume parade will be Friday, November 14 during class. We will put our costumes on, and I will give them the finishing touches. Not all costumes will be ready since my seamstress had to make several. This will be a work in progress over the next few weeks.
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 🤩
New Performance Date: December 7th at 1:00pm has been added to the calendar. We have been invited to perform at the Orion for one of their winter/holiday events.
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 ✍🏻
All Making Comics papers will come home in a folder before Winter Break.
Stay tuned for an important update about a potential open-mic event in January.
🧰 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 1: As we conclude our scene study lesson in Theatre 1, students are engaging in a character analysis exercise. Each student will create a one-pager about a character from Skid Marks: A Play About Driving. This activity allows them to delve deeper into character motivations, relationships, and development, enhancing their understanding of the play and their performance skills.
Intro to Theatre: In Intro to Theatre, we are wrapping up our exploration of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales with a similar character analysis exercise. Students will each create a one-pager focusing on a character from the stories. This creative task encourages them to think critically about character traits and how these contribute to the humor and storytelling style of the play.
Upcoming Performances: Willy Wonka Jr. Don't miss out on the magical journey of Willy Wonka Jr., opening from November 7-9. Tickets are available now at WhyAAA.org. Join us for a delightful adventure into the world of pure imagination
💃Dance - Ms. Fuqua 💃
🎻Strings - Mrs. Peck🎻
🎵 Band and Choir - Mr. Snodgrass 🎤
Band:
Advanced Band -
The AAA Advanced Band will be performing for the Veterans Day program on Wednesday November 12, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. The attire is red AAA shirts and jeans. If you don't have a red AAA shirt, just wear a red shirt.
Continue practicing! Practice sheets are due Monday of next week.
Beginning Band -
Continue practicing and memorizing the letter names on the staff as well as the fingerings/slide positions. Practice sheets are due Monday of next week.
Choir:
Choir members will be experiencing Sight-Reading Factory next week as well as Music Theory.net. A musical terms test is coming up.
🎨Art - Mrs. Jackson 🎨
Students in all Visual Arts classes have embarked on their 'Insect Reduction Prints' project, exploring the technique of multi-layered printmaking. Last week, they began carving their first layer, and this week they will print it. They will continue to carve and print two additional layers, resulting in a vibrant, multi-colored print of an insect of their choice. We are thrilled to see their completed works!
Media Arts: Claymation Project
Media Arts students have teamed up to design characters and sets for their claymations. This week, we will start building the characters and sets. We are eager to begin the photography process for stop-motion animation!
Support the AAArt Department!
Don't forget to purchase your AAArt Department merchandise! Check it out at https://www.ladybugzdesigns.com/collections/aaa-art-department
📆 Attendance 📆
6th Grade Updates
Please review the 6th Grade Behavior Essentials