Middle School Minute

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Mz. Estelle

We are back to our usual routine! Please remember that all procedures and expectations that were in place prior to Winter Break are still in place for the second semester.

English: We start a new novel this nine weeks! We are studying Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. This is a memoir in verse, so we will get to read and create some of our own poems. As usual, we will be utilizing literary analysis throughout the duration of the study.

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.

Ms. Stricklin

The focus of the this week is to analyze nonfiction texts and enhancing grammar skills.

We will be focusing on analyzing nonfiction texts to identify the central idea and supporting details.

Learning objectives include:

Identify the central idea in a passage.

Cite and connect supporting details.

Use strategies like rereading titles and key sentences to determine the central idea.

Grammar Friday!

Identify and correct pronoun-case errors (subjective, objective, possessive). Revise sentences for pronoun agreement and avoid ambiguous antecedents.

Ms. Hunter

This unit is going to prepare students to write an argumentative essay. iReady and Membean will be graded on a weekly basis.

Ms. Fletcher

Updates coming soon . . .

Mr. Moore

Week 2 Math Focus (English)

This week in 6th grade math, students will focus on adding and subtracting integers (positive and negative numbers) and using the order of operations to solve multi-step problems. Students will practice explaining their thinking and working more independently through Math Reveal activities and targeted i-Ready lessons. Calculators may be used when appropriate to support understanding.

Enfoque de Matemáticas – Semana 2 (Español)

Esta semana en matemáticas de 6.º grado, los estudiantes trabajarán con la suma y resta de números enteros (positivos y negativos) y el orden de las operaciones para resolver problemas de varios pasos. Los estudiantes practicarán explicar su razonamiento y trabajar de manera más independiente utilizando actividades de Math Reveal y lecciones específicas de i-Ready. Se permitirá el uso de calculadoras cuando sea apropiado para apoyar la comprensión.

Ms. Whitney

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to a new semester of 7th Grade Math! Whether your child is enrolled in the Accelerated or Foundational math track, we are excited to support them in reaching their academic goals this year.

To help every student be successful and ready to learn each day, please review the following information and supply requests:

✅ Required Daily Materials

Scientific Calculator
A TI-30X calculator is recommended. These are available at Walmart and other stores for around $15. This tool will be useful throughout middle and high school math courses.
Composition Notebook (for Math Only)
Students must have a dedicated composition notebook for math class. This will be used for notes, examples, and problem solving.
Charged Chromebook or Charger
Technology is used daily. Students must either arrive with their Chromebook fully charged or bring their charger with them to class.
Pencils & Erasers
Writing in pencil is preferred for math so students can easily make corrections.

✏️ Classroom Donations (Optional but Appreciated)

If you’re able to donate, our classroom can always use:

Pencils
Copy paper
Boxes of tissue

💬 Responsibility Reminder

Please talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for class each day. Bringing all necessary materials and being ready to focus helps set them up for success and supports a positive learning environment for everyone.

Thank you for your continued support! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at:

twannette.whitney@hsv-k12.org

Sincerely,
Twannette Whitney
7th Grade Math Teacher
AAA Middle School

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 the probability and systems of equations.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. This coming week we study earthquake waves by investigating waves in water, using springs to re-create P-Waves and S-Waves, and analyzing a seismogram.

Please know that our hands-on investigations can only be completed in class. It is EXTREMELY important to be IN CLASS and ON TIME.

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 for January : https://scistarter.org/calendar

Mrs. Thrasher

Welcome back!!!

We are started our unit on Heredity by learning important vocab words. This week we are going to be learning about Punnett Squares and applying the words we learned to the Punnett Squares.

We will also have a Vocab Quiz A day- Wednesday Jan. 14th and B Day- Thursday Jan. 15th. Students received the vocab words (A day- Tuesday Jan. 6th and B- Wednesday Jan. 7th) along with a review Blooket the same day.

Ms. Plummer

This week we will begin our study of Physics which will include an in-depth study of force, motion, and their connections to the world around us. We will begin with delineating between balanced and unbalanced force with a STEAM challenge to help all students with visualizing the impact of force on the world around us. Please make sure that your student comes to school properly dressed for lab activities, building/construction challenges, and the weather.

Mrs. Hester

- Chicago Race Riots Assignment in Canvas

- Due Friday, January 16 - Harlem Renaissance Flocabulary

- Due, Friday, January 30 - 1920s Radio Broadcast Assignment is upcoming - students have not selected groups or topics yet. More information to come.

Mr. Garner

We will be learning about the different continents, and the class will also begin working with various vocabulary terms that are required to study geography.

Mr. Hughes

We will wrap up our study of Ancient India . Advanced students will work on a DBQ Activity and students will prepare to take a test on Ancient India January 20 & 21

Welcome Back from the Middle School Library!

Welcome back! We hope everyone had a restful break and is ready for an exciting new semester. The middle school library is thrilled to welcome our students back and support them as they grow as readers and learners. Accelerated Reader (AR) tests are now open, and students may begin taking quizzes on books they’ve completed. Throughout the semester, students can earn points, prizes, and special library rewards just for reading! Encourage your child to visit the library often, find books they enjoy, and make reading a regular part of their routine. We can’t wait to see our readers shine!

🤡 Clowns - Ms. Stricklin 🤡

Mandatory auditions for "67 Cinderellas" is next week on Tuesday, January 12th starting at 3:30pm. Students must prepare a 30 second monologue. Monologues can be found on the website. Please, encourage your student to perform it for you before they have to audition. It will ease their nerves, and they will be less likely to forget it.

🤩 Stars - Ms. Stricklin 🤩

Mandatory auditions for "67 Cinderellas" is next week on Monday, January 13th starting at 3:30pm. Students must prepare a 30 second monologue. Monologues can be found on the website. Please, encourage your student to perform it for you before they have to audition. It will ease their nerves, and they will be less likely to forget it.

✍🏻 Creative Writing - Mrs. Hester ✍🏻

- 3rd 9 Weeks Genre Study: Poetry

- Alliteration and Other Types of Figurative Language Canvas Assignment - Due Friday, January 16

- Last visit with Alabama A&M Poets on Wednesday, January 14

- Open-Mic Night - Thursday, January 22 @ 6pm in the AAA Auditorium

🧰 Theatre Tech - Mr. Stricklin 🧰

Back to the scene shop this week. Time to clean and build.

🎭 Theatre - Mr. Feemster 🎭

Intro to Theatre

This week marks the beginning of our final theatre performance unit with an exciting Agatha Rex Scene Study. This adaptation of Sophocles' Antigone offers a contemporary twist on the classic tale, providing an engaging platform for students to explore themes of power, justice, and individuality. Students will read the play and work towards a memorized scene performance scheduled for December 15th and 16th. Important Reminder: For 6th graders in Intro to Theatre, these are the final couple of weeks before the class switch. When we return from Winter Break, Tech Theatre and Theatre Performance classes for 6th graders will swap. Be prepared for this exciting transition!

Theatre 1

In Theatre 1, we are diving into the adventurous world of Treasure Island. Students are currently reading the play and will work on memorizing scenes for a performance on December 15th and 16th. This classic tale of pirates and treasure hunts will provide ample opportunity for students to develop their acting skills and bring these timeless characters to life.

Thespian Production

Our Thespian Production class is focused on finalizing Thespy Individual Event (IE) selections, which are due as soon as possible. Additionally, we are preparing for our upcoming meeting on December 18th at 5 PM. This meeting will be a crucial opportunity to discuss our progress and plan for future events.

Upcoming Auditions

Exciting news! Auditions for 67 Cinderellas will take place during the first week after we return from Winter Break. Students interested in auditioning should check out the information available at WhyAAA.org/MS-Theatre. This is a fantastic opportunity to participate in a magical production and showcase your theatrical talents. We look forward to seeing all the wonderful performances and continued dedication from our students as we approach the end of this semester. Keep up the great work, everyone!

💃Dance - Ms. Fuqua 💃

Middle school dance students will engage in structured instruction focused on proper audition etiquette and choreography in preparation for their upcoming dance production, Moana’s Adventures. The curriculum will incorporate musical theatre techniques alongside the study of Hawaiian history and cultural traditions, with an emphasis on Hula Kahiko and Hula ʻAuana as foundational movement forms.

🎻Strings - Mrs. Peck🎻

WOW I'm smiling ear to ear for 2026! We've taken our yearbook photo, and we've begun our 3rd sector of 'the track and field relay' - running the 3rd and 4th AND BEST for the prize:) January entails a group of selected and superior strings who will be asked through a formally signed and parent approved letter being returned by January 16th, to join TRI-M music honor society, with the ceremony induction taking place January 26th. January also entails all orchestral strings students getting our most important music literature pieces for Spring Concert (which will also be featured as our contest pieces at the Smoky Mountain Music in the Parks Competition optional trip). All the lead AAA Music Dept. teachers have recently been sent the confirmed list of members confirmed for the trip. It's going to be ridiculously rewarding, fun, and developmentally spectacular! (and a gentle reminder for any confirmed status to check on their current payments to be made next:) Sincere and Kind Thanks-Our Best Always-Mary Peck-AAA 4th-8th Magnet String Orchestras

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Rental providers AAA recommends - Mary Peck.docx

2025 2026 Strings Calendar FIRST SEMESTER - Mary Peck

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🎵 Band and Choir - Mr. Snodgrass 🎤

Arts yearbook group pictures went well on January 7th. Sometimes in the near future, we will take individual band and choir pictures for you to purchase.

Parents, please join TalkingPoints if you haven't already. If your child is in two groups, you have to join the two groups. This is the way I communicate with parents. The codes are as follows:

AAA Concert Choir: Text to the number (480) 841-0253 and in the message type 962099 and hit send and follow directions.

AAA Beginning Band: Text to the number (239) 301-5241 and in the message type 953497 and hit send and follow directions.

AAA Advanced Band: Text to the number (406) 325-0895 and in the message type 769341 and hit send and follow directions.

Beginning and Advanced Band: Practice sheets will be a part of your child's grade this semester. They will bring home a practice sheet for the week, circle the days they practiced, and you will sign it. Here are the practice sheets date for January:

January 6-9

January 12-16

January 20-23

January 26-30