MYP Weekly Update
September 15th, 2023
Message from the Coordinator
Midterm
Good afternoon, MYP students and families!
We’re halfway through the second quarter, and I want to take a moment to celebrate the work our students are putting in. Some of the progress I’m most proud of happens in small moments, like when a student asks a question they were hesitant to ask, uses feedback to revise an assignment, or tries a different approach when the first one doesn’t work.
Students, take a minute to think about something you can do now that felt harder at the beginning of the quarter. Give yourself credit for that growth. Then choose one goal for the next few weeks. It might be turning in assignments on time, speaking up more in class, or asking for help before you feel behind. Start with one step you can take this week.
Parents and guardians, thank you for the encouragement you give our students at home. As you look over midterm grades together, try asking, “What are you proud of so far this quarter?” and “What’s one thing you’d like to work on before the quarter ends?” Those conversations can help students see their progress and decide what to do next.
I’m proud of our MYP Bengals and excited to see what they accomplish in the second half of the quarter. Thank you for being part of our MYP community at Williams Middle School!
Interims will be sent on November 11, 2026
Important Information
Community Service Opportunity
Why do MYP students complete service?
Service is an important part of the MYP because it encourages students to use their knowledge and skills to make a positive difference in their communities. Through service, students develop empathy, responsibility, leadership, and a better understanding of the needs of others. Reflecting on their experiences helps students recognize their growth and understand how even small actions can create meaningful change.
IB Learner Profile Attribute of the Month
Why is it important?
The MYP Learner Profile helps students develop the knowledge, skills, and character needed to succeed in school and beyond. Its ten attributes encourage students to become thoughtful, caring, open-minded, principled, and confident members of their communities. By practicing these qualities, students grow into responsible global citizens who are prepared to make a positive difference in the world.
MYP Study Hall
Please note the day change! Study hall will now be on Mondays and Thursdays.
Grading Policies
Teacher Updates
Ms. Bethea- ELA 6
We are studying Module Two in ELA. Our focus is narrative writing. We are reading various selections from our textbook. Parents please remind your student if he/she makes up a missed classwork or absent assignment- I should be emailed so that the assignment may be updated in PowerSchool. This update may take a couple of days. Students should NOT email me their completed assignments. All assignments should be uploaded in Google Classroom.
Homework:
Classroom Extensions-
IXLs, Projects, Writings, or assignments not completed during class.
Dr. Spencer- Science 6
This week, students began their next topic, Heat Transfer, with notes and Savvas assignments. They will continue on this topic next week.
Homework:
Savvas assignments
Mr. Cuello Spanish 6
During the week, the students were learning about time and Hispanic celebrations; they actively developed their language skills through collaborative, hands-on activities. They began by practicing how to ask and tell the time on the hour and half-hour, taking notes on the singular and plural uses of "es" and "son," and playing clock-matching games in pairs. Next, they expanded their time-telling abilities to include minutes by using split-clock diagrams, writing on mini whiteboards, and drawing clock hands on worksheets to practice the "y" and "menos" rules. For the cultural integration, they rotated through five interactive stations over two days, where they read about traditions such as Día de los Muertos, Las Posadas, quinceañeras, Cinco de Mayo, and cumpleaños. At these stations, they completed passport tasks that included reading festival schedules, matching event cards, ordering procession pictures, and drawing comparative diagrams, while also responding to inquiry questions. Later, the students participated in team-based clock races and partnered to ask and answer "¿A qué hora es...?" questions about schedules. Finally, they demonstrated their learning through a multi-part summative quiz that assessed their listening, reading, and writing skills, which included drafting a short celebration invitation in Spanish and completing a self-reflection on their progress.
rcuello@fsd1.org
Dr. McCord- Math 6
This week, students identified dependent and independent variables and used patterns to write and solve equations. Students were scheduled to complete a quiz on Lessons 4.7, 4.8, and 4.9 on Friday, but due to no school and field trips, it is rescheduled for Tuesday Nov. 10. There was no school on Tuesday for Election Day, but students have an IXL assignment for Reviewing Topic 4 (8 skills with work for 4 problems each skill) due on Nov 12. *Students with A average are exempt from this assignment. Module 4 Test is Friday, Nov.
Next Week: Next week, students will quiz on Tuesday, connect tables, graphs, and equations, and review Module 4. The Module 4 Assessment (LinkIt) is planned for Friday, November 13.
Ms. Watson- Social Studies 6
Mr. McAninch- German 6
The class is moving headlong into a unit on school objects and life. Students will learn German vocabulary, phases, concepts, and grammar related to successfully attending and graduating from school and telling time. The students will also spiral review basic conversation and introductions.
Mr. Sponic- Theatre Arts 6
TA I students are finishing their pantomime performances, and we are ending our nonverbal communication unit. A-day students performed on Friday, 11/6, and B-day students will perform on Monday, 11/9. Afterward, we will begin a unit on traditional Japanese theatre.
Homework:
B-day students should rehearse for their performance on Monday, 11/9.
Tuesday/Wednesday: Paraphrasing Practice Edpuzzle
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Ms. Bethea- ELA 7
We are studying Module Two in ELA. Our focus is narrative writing. We are reading various selections from our textbook. Parents please remind your student if he/she makes up a missed classwork or absent assignment- I should be emailed so that the assignment may be updated in PowerSchool. This update may take a couple of days. Students should NOT email me their completed assignments. All assignments should be uploaded in Google Classroom.
Homework:
Classroom Extensions-
IXLs, Projects, Writings, or assignments not completed during class.
Ms. MacDonald- ELA 7
This week we will continue with the selection, “Ball Hawk”. Students will test a test on this selection, Tuesday, November 10th. Then we will continue with our unit by reading, “Batting After Sophie”.
Homework:
Each night students may have homework that they will need to complete on skills that were practiced or the selection that was read that day in class. Students need to make sure that all assignments are completed by 11:59 of that day to receive full credit.
Dr. Spencer- Science 7
This week, students began their next topic, Modeling Chemical Reactions, with notes and Savvas assignments. They will continue this topic next week.
Homework:
Savvas assignments
Mr. Lide- Science 7
This week students started the second half of our unit on chemistry. We are learning how to balance chemical equations. Our test on this topic will be 11/16. Next week, we will continue to develop this skill along with working on our school garden project.
Homework:
Each Day: Finish Classwork
Friday: Interactivity - Exothermic vs Endothermic graphs
Dr. McCord- Math 7
This week, students began Module 6 by writing two-step equations, solving two-step equations, and solving equations using the distributive property. There was no school on Tuesday for Election Day.
Next Week: Next week, students will complete a quiz on Lessons 6.1-6.3 on Monday, November 9. We will then solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, two-step, and multistep inequalities.
Mr. Knight- Math 7
This week my students and I began Module 6 by writing and solving two-step equations and solving equations that involve the distributive property. We are discovering how to represent unknown quantities and determine solutions while keeping equations balanced. Next week, we will investigate inequalities, including solving inequalities with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Family Connection: Ask your child to describe a situation in which an equation could represent an unknown cost or quantity.
At-Home Tip: Review inverse operations together and encourage your child to explain why each operation is used when solving an equation.
Ms. Watson- Social Studies 7
Ms. Brandenburg- Social Studies 7
This week students were assigned groups and selected content for their South America Research Project. Students also went on a field trip to Charleston and experienced Gullah / Geechee Culture first hand. Next week, students will continue investigating and creating their projects on South American Geography. Next week we will also have a lesson dedicated to Veteran’s Day.
Homework:
Students should be studying and reviewing information each night. Students have access to their slides for Physical Geography of South America.
Mr. Sponic- Theatre Arts 7
TA II students are finishing their unit on Ancient Greek theatre. A-day students performed on Friday, 11/6, and B-day students will perform on Wednesday. 11/11. B-day performances are delayed one class period due to losing a day of rehearsal for the Charleston field trip on 11/5. Students will have their AGT test on Thursday and Friday, 11/12-13.
Homework:
B-day students should rehearse for their performance on Wednesday, 11/11. Please make sure you are off-book and have completed your mask for the performance that day.
Study for the test on Thursday/Friday, 11/12-13.
Mr. Cuello- Spanish 7
To honor El Día de los Muertos, the students engaged in a series of immersive, hands-on activities that celebrated culture and memory. They researched inspiring historical figures, artists, and ancestors, then wrote thoughtful, three-part biographical tributes exploring the histories and impacts of those they chose to honor. They studied the rich symbolism behind traditional ofrenda elements, explaining the significance of items like cempasúchil, pan de muerto, and candles, as well as three personal objects representing their subjects' lives. Using their creativity, they built vibrant, multi-tiered visual displays—including physical shoebox ofrendas, digital posters, and illustrated tribute boards—decorated with traditional motifs. Throughout the process, the students meticulously edited their writing, cited their sources, and completed self-checklists to ensure cultural accuracy. Finally, they shared and discussed their finished ofrendas, reflecting on how these enduring traditions preserve history and connect communities.
rcuello@fsd1.org
Mr. McAninch- German 7
The class is moving headlong into a unit on work, pleasure and celebrations. Students will learn German vocabulary, phases, concepts, and grammar related to successfully working and maximizing the enjoyment of free time. The students will also spiral review separable prefix verbs and modals.
Ms. MacDonald- English I (high school credit course)
English I students will have their first test on ACTs 1 & II of Romeo & Juliet on Wednesday, November 11th. Then we will proceed with reading ACT III.
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Homework:
Each night students may have homework that they will need to complete on skills that were practiced or the selection that was read that day in class. Students need to make sure that all assignments are completed by 11:59 of that day to receive full credit.
Mr. Knight- MYP Geometry 8 (high school credit course)
This week, we reviewed triangle congruence criteria, completed the scheduled quiz, and continued with congruence in right triangles and overlapping triangles. We also practiced organizing information and explaining our reasoning rather than relying only on a diagram’s appearance. Next week, we will finish Module 6, complete its review and assessment, and begin studying perpendicular and angle bisectors.
Family Connection:You can support students by encouraging them to explain each step of a solution aloud.
At-home tip: When your student solves a geometry problem, ask, “What information do you know, and how does it support your conclusion?”
Mrs. Carter- MYP Art 8 (high school credit course)
Ms. Morillo- MYP Spanish 8 (high school credit course)
Students are reading chapter 7/ 8 of a book in Spanish and have finished a project to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. We continue to study 9th grade content. They will have a test on Unit 3 next week.
essaysamorillo@fsd1.org
Mr. McAninch- German 8 (High School Credit Class)
The class is moving headlong into a unit on school objects and life. Students will learn German vocabulary, phases, concepts, and grammar related to international and domestic travel. Likewise, we will spiral review telling time by interpreting open times for businesses and travel (plane, train and bus) schedules.
Mr. Lide- Science 8
This week students began our unit on astronomy. We have focused on the solar system (mainly characteristics of planets). Next week, we will begin learning about phenomena resulting from the sun/earth/moon system, such as seasons, tides, and moon phases.
Homework:
Each Day: Finish Classwork
Wednesday: Graphic Organizer - Moon Phases
Friday: Kahoot: Tides, Seasons, Moon Phases
Ms. Brandenburg- Social Studies 8
This week students looked at the Electoral College and our systems for electing members to Congress. Students also began their look at President Andrew Jackson including the “Corrupt Bargain” and Nullification Crisis. Next week, students will review Westward Expansion and have an in depth quiz on Westward Expansion on Thursday (Nov 12). Next week we will also have a lesson dedicated to Veteran’s Day.
Homework:
Students will have a Khan Academy Assignment to review Westward Expansion before their quiz.