Middle School Minute
February 9 - 13, 2026
Please Join PTA!
If you haven't already, please join the AAA PTA!
📕 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. IT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR STUDENTS TO COMPLETE SOME OF THEIR IREADY WORK AS HOMEWORK! THIS IS A CHANGE. PLEASE BE AWARE. In addition, students should be reading something of their choosing.
Ms. Stricklin
GRAMMAR: Test Retake on Monday, February 9, 2026 - STUDY MATERIALS can be found on CANVAS
Subject and Object Pronouns
A pronoun takes the place of a noun. A subject pronoun is used as the subject of a sentence. An object pronoun is used as the direct object of a verb or as the object of a preposition. It is important to use them correctly when speaking and writing.
Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns are pronouns that show ownership (HINT: Do not use apostrophes).
Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns
Reflexive and intensive pronouns are pronouns that end in -self or -selves. They refer back to a noun or another pronoun in the same sentence.
A reflexive pronoun is an object pronoun that refers back to the subject and is important to the meaning of the sentence. If you leave out the reflexive pronoun, the sentence will not be clear.
An intensive pronoun can be used to emphasize, or intensify, a noun or pronoun. If you leave out the intensive pronoun, the sentence will still make sense.
GRAMMAR FRIDAY: Pronoun Shifts + Vague Pronouns CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRONOUN ERRORS VIDEO.
Key Points to remember:
A pronoun must agree in number and person with its noun antecedent.
Inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person should be avoided for clarity.
A common error is mixing singular and plural forms when referencing the same noun.
Switching between first, second, or third person point of view is also confusing.
Ensure that every pronoun has a clear, stated antecedent to prevent vague sentences.
WRITING: Response to Literature (RTL-Essay) - Students answer a prompt about a literary work.
What goes in an introductory paragraph? CLICK HERE FOR OVERVIEW VIDEO
TAG - Title, Author, Genre: This is a simple way to begin an introduction for an essay.
Summary - Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then: This is a summary method to make sure students only include the important details in 2-3 sentences.
Claim - This the final sentence of the introductory paragraph that directly answers the prompt without explaining why (explanations will be written in the body paragraphs)
What goes in a body paragraph? CLICK HERE FOR OVERVIEW VIDEO
Premise - VIDEO - This is the first sentence of your body paragraph and is the reason for your claim. Use a different premise for each new paragraph.
Intro to Evidence + Evidence - VIDEO
Intro to Evidence - Set the scene for your evidence by providing a brief introduction to the quote. It can be as simple as, “The author states.”
Evidence - This is a direct quote from the text that supports your premise and the claim you are arguing in your paper.
Justification - VIDEO - This is where you justify your thinking. First, explain how the quote supports the premise. Then, address how the premise and the quote support the claim.
iReady: Students in Regular ELA are required to complete and pass 2 lessons with at least a 67%. Students in Honors ELA are expected to complete and pass 3 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)
2/2 - 100
1/2 - 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)
3/3 - 100
2/3 - 75
1/3 - 50
0/3 - 0
Membean: Welcome to Membean! Your child is 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 10 or 15 minutes in each session.
Regular Membean Grading - 30 Minutes
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 - 45 Minutes
Minutes Trained is 60%
Accuracy is 40% (Students achieving 70% or higher accuracy will get full credit)
Ms. Hunter
I had individual conferences with every student in the 7th grade this week. There is a huge problem with students not completing assignments. Please check PowerSchool to ensure your child is keeping up with their work. iReady and membean are both required, weekly grades. We will begin our argumentative essay writing next week. It is extremely important that your student participate in all parts of the writing process.
Ms. Fletcher
Students must also complete 3 i-Ready assignments.
➕➖ Math ➖➕
Mr. Moore
What We’re Learning in Math Next Week
Next week in math, students will begin a new unit on measurement and unit conversion. This week will focus on understanding different measurement systems and learning how to convert units within the same system.
Students will learn how to:
Identify what is being measured (length, mass, volume, time)
Choose appropriate units for real-world situations
Understand the customary and metric systems
Convert measurements within the same system (for example, inches to feet or grams to kilograms)
Students will practice these skills using ALEKS, IXL, i-Ready, and a Math Reveal practice assignment. This work will prepare them for more advanced conversions and applications in the following week.
📘 Lo que estamos aprendiendo en matemáticas la próxima semana
La próxima semana en matemáticas, los estudiantes comenzarán una nueva unidad sobre medición y conversión de unidades. Esta semana se enfocará en comprender los diferentes sistemas de medición y en convertir unidades dentro del mismo sistema.
Los estudiantes aprenderán a:
Identificar qué se está midiendo (longitud, masa, volumen y tiempo)
Elegir unidades apropiadas para situaciones del mundo real
Comprender los sistemas de medición customary y métrico
Convertir medidas dentro del mismo sistema (por ejemplo, pulgadas a pies o gramos a kilogramos)
Los estudiantes practicarán estas habilidades usando ALEKS, IXL, i-Ready y una actividad de práctica en Math Reveal. Este trabajo los preparará para conversiones y aplicaciones más avanzadas la semana siguiente.
Ms. Whitney
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope you are all doing well! I would like to share an update on what our 7th grade math students are working on this week.
**7th Grade General Math** Students are finishing our chapter on **Proportional Reasoning**. This includes understanding ratios, rates, unit rates, and proportional relationships. We will have a **unit test on Tuesday, February 10**. After the assessment, we will begin our next unit on **Percents**, where students will learn how to find percent of a number, calculate discounts, tax, and tips, and apply these skills to real-life situations.
**7th Grade Accelerated Math** Students are completing our unit on **Solving Equations**. We will also have an **assessment on Tuesday, February 10**. Following the test, we will begin working with **Inequalities**, which will build on their equation-solving skills and introduce graphing and interpreting solutions.
Please encourage your student to review notes, complete assignments, and ask questions if they need help. Being prepared and getting a good night’s rest before testing day will help them do their best. Thank you for your continued support. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Warm regards,
**Ms. Whitney**
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 systems of equations and transformations. 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. Our overarching question to be answered through investigation is “How do Earth’s dynamic systems change the surface of the Earth?”
In this unit we investigate how earthquakes, volcanic activity, tsunamis, and forces of weathering shape our planet. This week we will model how weathering, erosion, and the rock cycle change Earth’s surface
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 February : https://scistarter.org/calendar
Mrs. Thrasher
This week we are starting our unit: Anatomy Over Time. This unit will have many assignments on paper and a few on Canvas.
Ms. Plummer
This week we will begin our STEAM Challenge to build Rube Goldberg Machines, where we will use our understanding of force, motion, and energy to solve real world situations. Please make sure that your child is in class on time daily to complete their work successfully. Any additional materials for building purposes are very much appreciated!
📜 Social Studies 📜
Mrs. Hester
Mr. Garner
We will work on studying for our states test. We will also work on our research projects.
Mr. Hughes
Updates coming soon . . .
📚Library📚
Literacy Night is coming! Join us on Tuesday, March 3, from 5:00–7:00 PM for an exciting Literacy Night! Enjoy fun reading activities for the whole family and grab dinner from food trucks on site. You don’t want to miss it!
Parents & Guardians: Please encourage students to read at least 15 minutes every day. Daily reading builds stronger readers—and it helps students succeed on AR tests too!
🎭 Fine Arts 🎭
🤡 Clowns - Ms. Stricklin 🤡
https://www.whyaaa.org/ms-stars--clowns.html
We have started our competition pieces, please avoid checking out of my class if at all possible. The front office calls for someone to check out at least 5-6 times during my class. It is disruptive, and we lose focus. This causes us to lose valuable rehearsal time. I know that sometimes, it cannot be helped. I do understand that.
I have broken down what we have left to do in the 13 weeks before competition. The schedule is tight. There is no down time. As of right now, the only after school rehearsals will be for the kids that are going to competition. That schedule is coming soon.
Semester Plan for Clowns: Week 1 was last week 2/2-6; Week 2 is 2/9-13 and so on
Week 1 - Finish choreography for “This Is It”
Week 2 - Learn Notes/Memorize “Make’em Laugh Medley”
Week 3 - Learn Notes/Memorize “Make’em Laugh Medley”
Week 4 - Choreograph “Make’em Laugh Medley”
Week 5 - Choreograph “Make’em Laugh Medley”
Week 6 - Learn Notes/ Memorize “Smile”
Week 7 - Learn Notes/ Memorize “Smile”
Week 8 - Block/Stage “Smile”
Week 9 - Learn Notes/ Memorize “Happy Face Medley”
Week 10 - Learn Notes/ Memorize “Happy Face Medley”
Week 11 - Choreograph “Happy Face Medley”
Week 12 - Choreograph “Happy Face Medley”
Week 13 - Clean/Run show
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 🤩
https://www.whyaaa.org/ms-stars--clowns.html
We have started our competition pieces, please avoid checking out of my class if at all possible. The front office calls for someone to check out at least 5-6 times during my class. It is disruptive, and we lose focus. This causes us to lose valuable rehearsal time. I know that sometimes, it cannot be helped. I do understand that.
I have broken down what we have left to do in the 13 weeks before competition. The schedule is tight. There is no down time. As of right now, the only after school rehearsals will be for the kids that are going to competition. That schedule is coming soon.
Semester Plan for Stars: Week 1 was last week 2/2-6; Week 2 is 2/9-13 and so on
Week 1 - Learn Notes/Memorize for “Wonderful Life”
Week 2 - Learn Notes/Memorize “Step One”
Week 3 - Choreograph “Wonderful Life”
Week 4 - Choreograph “Wonderful Life”
Week 5 - Learn Notes/ Memorize “Found/Tonight”
Week 6 - Choreograph “Step One”
Week 7 - Choreograph “Step One”
Week 8 - Learn Notes/ Memorize “This is Me”
Week 9 - Learn Notes/ Memorize “This is Me”
Week 10 - Block/Stage “Found/Tonight
Week 11 - Choreograph “This Is Me”
Week 12 - Choreograph “This Is Me”
Week 13 - Clean/Run show
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✍🏻 Creative Writing - Mrs. Hester ✍🏻
🧰 Theatre Tech - Mr. Stricklin 🧰
6th grade is learning how to use a drill.
🎭 Theatre - Mr. Feemster 🎭
We are excited to announce that Theatre 1 has transitioned into a new unit: **Creating Scenes with a Partner**. This unit is designed to foster collaboration and creativity among students as they work together to develop original scenes. We look forward to seeing the unique scenes each pair will create!
Intro to Theatre
In Intro to Theatre, students are busy rehearsing **The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales**. They are preparing to perform scenes soon, focusing on character motivations and comedic timing. This week, students will concentrate on refining their scenes and incorporating feedback from previous rehearsals to enhance their performances.
Thespian Production
Our Thespian Production class is finalizing preparations for the Thespy Individual Events. It's a crucial time as students put the finishing touches on their selections. We go to Festival on Feb 13-15!
NYC Trip Summer 2027
We are thrilled to offer an incredible opportunity for students to explore the vibrant world of theatre with our NYC Trip in Summer 2027. This adventure will include Broadway shows, workshops, and a chance to experience the cultural richness of New York City. Enrollment is open now at WhyAAA.org/NYC. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience! We are looking forward to a week filled with creativity, collaboration, and performance.
Keep up the fantastic work, and let's continue to make this semester unforgettable!
💃Dance - Ms. Fuqua 💃
This week, students prepared for their auditions for Moana’s Adventures. They practiced proper dance audition etiquette, focusing on confidence, focus, and following directions. Students also learned about African American dancers and musical artists by researching their background, writing three interesting facts, and creating a thoughtful illustration to go along with their work.
🎻Strings - Mrs. Peck🎻
🎵 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
🎨Art - Mrs. Jackson 🎨
Media Arts students have embarked on an exciting journey of creating armatures and clay figures for their Stop-Motion Animation projects. This provides them with hands-on experience in critical areas such as chroma key techniques, post-production editing, stop-motion animation, storyboarding, and understanding frame rates. These foundational skills are essential for producing high-quality animations and will significantly enhance their ability to convey stories through this unique medium. We look forward to witnessing the innovative animations that will result from their diligent efforts and creativity.
6th Grade Updates
Please review the 6th Grade Behavior Essentials