Middle School Minute
December 15 - 19, 2025
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📕 ELA 📕
Mz. Estelle
We continue our novel study of Miles Morales: Spider Man by Jason Reynolds. Students have been assigned their own copy of the novel. We are practicing literary analysis (something I did in college!!) by reading and dialoging with the text, defining vocabulary in context, and analyzing character. In addition, we have begun comparison of Miles’ story with that of “The Hero’s Journey.” We have reached chapter 8. Stay tuned for further news…
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
In “Scout’s Honor,” by Avi, three friends from Brooklyn, all Boy Scouts, go camping by themselves in the Palisades of New Jersey in order to earn merit badges and prove they are “tough.” But their trip turns out to be more of a challenge than they thought it would be.
First Read: Scout’s Honor - After an initial reading and discussion of the “Scout’s Honor,” students will be able to identify and describe character traits and setting details as well as articulate the conflict that is integral to the story’s plot.
Introduction - Avi is the pen name of Edward Irving Wortis (b. 1937), the Newbery Medal-winning author of more than 75 books for children and young adults. Avi was born and raised in New York City, and his childhood and adolescence were an inspiration for many of his stories and books. “Scout’s Honor,” presented here, is the humorous story of a nine-year-old boy and his Boy Scout friends who set out to the New Jersey “wilderness” to prove their toughness. Avi’s body of work spans many genres, from historical fiction to graphic novels. Yet his stories and books are united by their relatable and evocative depictions of young people in challenging circumstances, struggling to learn and grow.
Vocabulary
Absorbed - adj. polite or respectful
Approach - adj. showing desire for what someone else has
Courteous - adj. very great or large
Envious - adj. showing desire for what someone else has
Immense - adj. very great or large
Possession - n. something belonging to someone
Simultaneously - adv. done at the same time as something else
Read - Annotate
As you read, monitor your comprehension by:
Using context clues to make predictions about the boldfaced vocabulary words.
Making connections to personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society. You may use the following sentence frames:
To make connections to personal experiences:
How does this relate to my life?
What were my thoughts and feelings when I read this?
To make connections to ideas in other texts:
How is this similar to other texts I have read?
How is this different from other texts I have read?
To make connections to society:
How does this relate to issues in society?
How is this similar to or different from things that happen in the real world?
Quiz
Students will complete the ten question quiz using the story and vocabulary list if they wish.
Think
Students will answer five questions using evidence from the text to support each answer.
Skill: Story Structure - After rereading and discussing a model of close reading, students will be able to analyze how a particular sentence/chapter fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of theme, setting, or plot.
Vocabulary
Analyze - v. to examine the parts of something in detail
Flashback - n. a scene in a story, play, movie, or TV show that is set in a time earlier than the events in the main story
Plot - n. the sequence of events that take place in a work of literature
Setting - n. the time and place of the events in a work of literature
Story structure - n. the outline a writer uses to organize and tell a story
Theme - n. the central idea or message of a work of literature, often expressed as a general statement about life
Checklist for Story Structure:
In order to identify how a particular sentence, chapter, or scene fits into the overall structure of a text, note the following:
the author’s use of description, dialogue, and narration and how each develops the events of the plot
the pattern the author uses to organize the events within a story or chapter
chronological, or in time order
events out of time order
any literary devices the author uses, such as flashback, a part of a story that shows something that happened in the past
any particular sentence, chapter, or scene that contributes to the development of the setting, the plot, and the theme
how a particular sentence, chapter, or scene fits into the overall structure
To analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, or scene fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot, consider the following questions:
What are the key events in the story and when did they take place?
What impact does the order of events that take place in the story have on the theme, setting, or plot?
What literary devices does the author use? How do they affect the development of the plot?
How does a particular sentence, chapter, or scene fit into the overall structure? How does it contribute to the development of the theme, setting, or plot?
iReady: Students in Regular ELA are required to complete and pass 3 lessons with at least a 67%. Students in Honors ELA are expected to complete and pass 5 lessons with a 67% or better.
Regular iReady Grading - There are three components to the iReady requirements. Here is how I grade iReady Pathway requirements. (No minute requirement)
3/3 - 100
2/3 - 75
1/3 - 50
0/3 - 0
Honors iReady Grading - There are five components to the iReady requirements. Here is how I grade iReady Pathway requirements. No minute requirement)
5/5 - 100
4/5 - 85
3/5 - 70
2/5 - 55
1/5 - 40
0/5 - 0
Membean: Welcome to Membean! Your child will soon be using Membean, an online vocabulary learning system that helps students develop an excitement to know what words mean and how to use them with nuance and precision. Membean is completely personalized with regards to your child’s current level of vocabulary expertise and learning pace. Students must practice three days a week for 15 minutes in each session.
Regular Membean Grading -
Minutes Trained is 70% of their grade
Accuracy is 30% of their grade (Students achieving 60% or higher accuracy will get full credit)
Honors Membean Grading -
Minutes Trained is 60%
Accuracy is 40% (Students achieving 70% or higher accuracy will get full credit)
Ms. Hunter
Students are completing our winter holiday research project- this is a test grade and hopefully an opportunity to pull up students' overall grades.
Ms. Fletcher
Students will continue writing compare and contrast paragraphs. By the end of next week, they will begin studying the works of Edgar Allan Poe.
➕➖ Math ➖➕
Mr. Moore
🎉 Friday is a half day!
We will spend the last part of the week finishing any remaining i-Ready lessons, completing Math Reveal activities, and celebrating students’ hard work.
Estimadas familias:
Mientras nos acercamos a la última semana de clases, aquí les comparto lo que sus estudiantes estarán trabajando en Matemáticas:
Ms. Whitney
Hello Families,
This week, our 7th grade math students are wrapping up their unit on Integer and Rational Number Operations. They will be taking an assessment to demonstrate their understanding of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing both integers and rational numbers.
What’s Next?
We will begin our next unit on Expressions and Equations, where students will learn how to write, simplify, and solve one- and two-step algebraic expressions. This is a key foundation for success in higher-level math!
🔍 Ask your student: “Can you explain how to solve an equation like 3x + 5 = 20?” 🚀 7th Grade Accelerated Math Parent Update
Our 7th Grade Accelerated Math students are launching into a new unit focused on Proportional Reasoning. This includes solving real-world problems involving proportions, rates, and scale drawings—critical skills for understanding algebra and geometry concepts down the line.
👨👩👧 Question of the Day (Parent Engagement):
• “While we're comparing grocery prices, can you show me how you calculate which item is the better deal using a unit rate?”
Let us know if you have any questions or want tips on how to support learning at home. We're excited about the growth we are seeing in class!
— Ms. Whitney
As always, thank you for supporting your child’s learning. Regular practice at home, especially with basic operations and reviewing class notes, will go a long way in building confidence and mastery. If you have any questions or need additional resources, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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 the Triangle angle sum theorem, Exterior angle theorem, and Volume if time permits. Students will also be finalizing assignments. 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
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. The week of December 15 to 19, we will divert our attention to energy transfer.
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 December : https://scistarter.org/calendar
Please know that in my class, I 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
This week we will be modeling DNA and RNA. When we return from break we will be starting our lesson on Heredity!
Ms. Plummer
Welcome to the final week before Winter Break!!! This week we will be reviewing all semester topics involved with our study of Chemistry (such as Mixtures, Compounds, Solutions, etc.) with an artistic flare. Please make sure that your child is prompt and prepared for every class.
📜 Social Studies 📜
Mrs. Hester
Mr. Garner
We will be finishing our lesson on civic participation. We will also be having a Christmas party. Have a wonderful holiday season.
Mr. Hughes
This week we will continue learning about the world of Ancient India, specifically focusing on the religion of Hinduism, the Caste System, and the social system that supported India for millenia based on the Caste System! We'll be doing a couple of interactive activities this week as well.
📚Library📚
Hello Students and Families!
Here’s what’s happening this week in the Library Media Center:
⭐ Find the Elf Contest Continues!
Our library elf is hiding somewhere new each day. Find the elf, read the notecard, and submit your answer in the daily submission box for a chance to win fun prizes!
📖 Student Book Requests
Students can request titles they'd love to see added to our collection by using the Library Wish List at the circulation desk.
💻 Digital Citizenship Spotlight
This week, classes are learning how to evaluate websites, spot misleading information, and stay safe online using interactive activities and games.
📚 Chromebook Help
If your Chromebook is not working properly, stop by the library for assistance with loaner devices, repairs, and chargers.
🎉 New Books on Display
Check out our winter book display featuring new mysteries, graphic novels, and fantasy titles!
🎭 Fine Arts 🎭
🤡 Clowns - Ms. Stricklin 🤡
Check the website for more information https://www.whyaaa.org/ms-stars--clowns.html
December Dates and Times:
December 7th - The Orion Amphitheater - Call Time 12:30pm; Performance Time 1:00pm; meet at the pavilion where the food trucks are.
December 8th and 9th - Call time: 745 am Students must come dressed with full make up on; Performances: 8am-3pm. Students should still be able to take their usual way home. 8 shows over the course of two days. They will need lunch money for the food court in the mall. $20 is plenty. There will not be any time for shopping.
December 16 - ACT Night! This is our public performance! Please make sure you join us to see your student(s) perform. Call Time 6:30pm; Performance 7:00pm; meet in the theater.
December 19 - School shows and pictures. Call time 7:30 am meet in the theater.
7:30 Individual pictures
8:45 Elementary Performance
9:30 Group Pictures/Finish Individual pictures
10:30 Middle School Performance
11:00 finish any Individual pictures
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
🤩 Stars - Ms. Stricklin 🤩
Check the website for more information https://www.whyaaa.org/ms-stars--clowns.html
December Dates and Times:
December 7th - The Orion Amphitheater - Call Time 12:30pm; Performance Time 1:00pm; meet at the pavilion where the food trucks are.
December 8th and 9th - Call time: 745 am Students must come dressed with full make up on; Performances: 8am-3pm. Students should still be able to take their usual way home. 8 shows over the course of two days. They will need lunch money for the food court in the mall. $20 is plenty. There will not be any time for shopping.
December 16 - ACT Night! This is our public performance! Please make sure you join us to see your student(s) perform. Call Time 6:30pm; Performance 7:00pm; meet in the theater.
December 19 - School shows and pictures. Call time 7:30 am meet in the theater.
7:30 Individual pictures
8:45 Elementary Performance
9:30 Group Pictures/Finish Individual pictures
10:30 Middle School Performance
11:00 finish any Individual pictures
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 ✍🏻
- 6-panel mini comic books - Due Friday, December 19
- Save the date - Open-Mic January 22
🧰 Theatre Tech - Mr. Stricklin 🧰
This week? LAUNDRY! That's right, we're learning what those symbols on your clothes tag mean.
🎭 Theatre - Mr. Feemster 🎭
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 💃
🎻Strings - Mrs. Peck🎻
Hello Strings Families and Students! We're moving right along towards our next big endeavors and they are AAA Spring Concert/Festival Music pieces (2 for all strings and 2 for combined band and strings in the category called 'Full Orchestra') We're very happy to have given you 2 performances this semester. The November Concerts and the Winter Concerts helped inspire us and definitely helped us GROW! Please look forward to trying to secure your REGISTRATION if you're planning on having your child participate in the Smoky Mountains Music Competition Festival by going to #WHYAAA music dept links in any of we three music directors' pages (lead teacher for Festival Jenny Stricklin, or Mr. Snodgrass' or Mrs. Peck's pages in #WHYAAA.org) Please also look forward to more A or B combined blocks staying after school for fun Popcorn and Playing Practices. THE BEST POPCORN IS KROGER 6pack microwavable ORIGINAL BUTTER for 2.99:) Send some with your child-we have microwaves and napkins. Nobody goes HANGRY in our music classes! There's an AMAZING music concert coming up this Sunday, December 7 of choirs and orchestra at Whitesburg Baptist Church-see the attached link. Also don't forget this is the best season to go to all of our local music rental and purchase vendors for quality instruments and supplies. Lastly, our Smoky Mountain Competition trip has a finalized deadline for REGISTRATION this month. Get your student into the $50 initial start up registration to begin payment plan so Mr. Lindley can schedule. Our Best Always-MPeck
🎵 Band and Choir - Mr. Snodgrass 🎤
Choir & Band:
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.
The Winter Concert was an absolute success! The students did a wonderful job and I am very proud of them.
Happy Holidays!
🎨Art - Mrs. Jackson 🎨
Apply to be part of National Junior Art Honor Society today! Applications are due by Dec. 19th!
Click the link below to fill out your application⬇️ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScD2caCJHgLkguRWq6zbPYSLrtwaYGNiT2Qo9iSkQkLbEdksw/viewform?usp=sf_link
📆 Attendance 📆
6th Grade Updates
Please review the 6th Grade Behavior Essentials