Middle School Minute
January 20 - 23, 2026
Please Join PTA!
If you haven't already, please join the AAA PTA!
📕 ELA 📕
Mz. Estelle
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
EBW Framework (evidenced based essays): This week will focus on learning to write essays. Students will begin the process with an overview of the whole framework. Then, I will break it down into bite-sized pieces to ensure understanding.
Evidence-Based Writing (EBW): A framework for writing responses to literature (and other subjects) that uses text evidence to support claims. "EBW" stands for evidence-based writing.
Purpose: Help students start essays, organize body paragraphs, and include textual evidence clearly so writing is faster and more confident.
Applicability: Useful across subjects (English, history, science, etc.) — any assignment that requires arguing a position with evidence.
EBW Definitions:
Response to Literature: An essay that answers an essential question (a prompt) about a text using evidence from that text.
Essential Question: The prompt or essay question students must answer.
TAG: Introductory sentence convention standing for Title, Author, Genre — used to introduce the text.
Claim: The thesis or main answer to the essential question; the final sentence of the introductory paragraph.
Summary (in intro): A brief (2–3 sentence) recap of the main plot or main idea — no minor details.
Premise: The opening sentence of a body paragraph; a reason that supports the claim (a more elevated term for "reason").
Introduction to Evidence: A short lead-in to a quote or piece of textual evidence (simple starters like "the author states").
Evidence: A direct quotation or specific textual detail chosen to support the premise and claim.
Justification: Two sentences in a body paragraph explaining (1) how the evidence supports the premise and (2) how the evidence supports the overall claim.
Concluding Paragraph Components:
Restated Claim: Reworded version of the original claim (first sentence of conclusion).
Summary of Evidence: One sentence per body paragraph summarizing the evidence (no new evidence).
Mic-Drop Sentence: Final, memorable concluding statement that leaves the reader with a strong closing thought.
EBW Key structural overview:
Introductory paragraph: TAG → brief summary (2–3 sentences) → claim (thesis).
Body paragraphs (each): Premise (reason) → introduction to evidence → evidence (quote) → two-sentence justification (connect evidence to premise and to claim).
Conclusion: Restate claim (in different words) → summarize evidence (one sentence per body paragraph) → mic-drop concluding sentence.
EBW Practical tips highlighted:
Keep introductions concise and focused on main plot/idea.
Always introduce and justify quotes; don’t drop quotes without context.
Use EBW across classes to strengthen all writing assignments.
Follow the one-sentence-per-body-paragraph rule when summarizing evidence in the conclusion (i.e., one summary sentence for each body paragraph).
EBW Next step promised: A deeper lesson focused on the introductory paragraph (TAG, summary, claim) with step-by-step guidance.
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)
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
Please be sure your student is keeping up with membean and iReady. This is a weekly grade. This unit is leading up to an argumentative essay. Please check PowerSchool for any missing assignments.
Ms. Fletcher
Updates coming soon . . .
➕➖ Math ➖➕
Mr. Moore
This week in 6th grade math, students will continue building confidence with Number Systems and Algebraic Thinking.
What we are learning:
Multiplying and dividing integers (positive and negative numbers)
Evaluating algebraic expressions by substituting values for variables
Students will focus on recognizing patterns, explaining why rules work, and practicing independent problem-solving. Lessons will use a small number of carefully selected Math Reveal problems to encourage deeper thinking rather than rushing through many questions. Targeted i-Ready lessons will continue to support and reinforce learning.
Our goal is for students to struggle productively, build perseverance, and gain confidence in their mathematical reasoning.
Enfoque de Matemáticas – Semana 3
Esta semana en matemáticas de 6.º grado, los estudiantes continuarán desarrollando su comprensión de los sistemas numéricos y el pensamiento algebraico.
Lo que estamos aprendiendo:
Multiplicación y división de números enteros (positivos y negativos)
Evaluar expresiones algebraicas sustituyendo valores en las variables
Los estudiantes se enfocarán en reconocer patrones, explicar por qué funcionan las reglas y practicar la resolución de problemas de manera independiente. Las lecciones incluirán un número reducido de problemas clave de Math Reveal para fomentar un aprendizaje más profundo. Las lecciones de i-Ready seguirán apoyando y reforzando estas habilidades.
Nuestro objetivo es que los estudiantes desarrollen perseverancia, confianza y razonamiento matemático sólido.
Thank you for your continued support at home!
Sincerely,
Rico Moore
6th Grade Math
Ms. Whitney
Updates coming soon . . .
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 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. :-)
🧪 Science 🧪
Mz. Estelle
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
We are going to begin our SuperHero Project this week. Students will have 4 days in class to complete the project. The project will have 2 parts to submit, a portion on Canvas and a portion on paper. Students will be applying everything they have learned this quarter. This will count as a test grade. A day will be due Thursday January 29th and B day will be due Friday January 30th.
Students will be handed a study guide next week for a test (A day Monday February 2nd and B day Tuesday February 3rd). The expectation is that students will fill in the study guide using their notes prior to the test (A day Thursday January 29th and B day Friday January 30th).
Ms. Plummer
Next week students will continue their study of force and motion, as they continue their STEAM challenge. Students have been designing and building their own rollercoasters using various materials such as cardboard and tape for the coaster's construction. Over the next week students will be putting the Engineering Design Process and Newton's Laws of Motion into action using real world connections.
📜 Social Studies 📜
Mrs. Hester
- Teapot Dome - Due Sunday, January 18
- Harlem Renaissance Flocabulary - Due Friday, January 30
- Chapter 9 - Roaring Twenties
- TEST - Friday, January 23 (A) Monday, January 26 (B)
Study at www.socrative.com
Room Name: HESTER
Mr. Garner
We will be learn about latitude and longitude. We will also begin preparing for our first test.
Mr. Hughes
We will take an open- notes quiz on Ancient India on Tuesday and Wednesday. Then we will jump into Ancient China, where students will learn about ancient religions, some cool philosophers, and the Silk Road!
📚Library📚
Stop by the library to pick out your next great read, and be sure to check out our new arrivals, including trending graphic novels and nonfiction books.
Need a book recommendation? Ask Ms. Lord—I’d love to help you find your next favorite book!
🎭 Fine Arts 🎭
🤡 Clowns - Ms. Stricklin 🤡
https://www.whyaaa.org/ms-stars--clowns.html
All students did an excellent job auditioning for 67 Cinderellas. We had over 150 students audition for the show. This is an excellent problem to have, but it means that students that did an excellent job on their monologues still didn’t get a part in the show. We only had 40-50 parts available. I am so proud of all of them. They did an amazing job. The audition was for a grade, so those will be going in soon.
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.
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
All students did an excellent job auditioning for 67 Cinderellas. We had over 150 students audition for the show. This is an excellent problem to have, but it means that students that did an excellent job on their monologues still didn’t get a part in the show. We only had 40-50 parts available. I am so proud of all of them. They did an amazing job. The audition was for a grade, so those will be going in soon.
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.
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 ✍🏻
- Free Verse Imitation Poem - Due Friday, January 23
- OPEN-MIC - Thursday, January 22 - 6pm
🧰 Theatre Tech - Mr. Stricklin 🧰
Back to the scene shop this week. Time to clean and build.
🎭 Theatre - Mr. Feemster 🎭
In Intro to Theatre, we are learning the fundamentals of improvisation. Students are participating in a variety of activities designed to enhance their creativity, quick thinking, and teamwork. Our first improv performance is scheduled for the end of the week, providing a platform for students to demonstrate their newfound skills in a supportive environment. Additionally, don't forget about the Vocabulary Quiz at the end of the week! The list of words can be found on Canvas. This week, we also had a Parts of the Stage Quiz to reinforce students' understanding of stage terminology.
Theatre 1
This week, Theatre 1 students are diving into the world of Shakespeare with our exciting Shakespeare Unit. We are currently exploring The Comedy of Errors, focusing on its rich language, comedic elements, and intricate plot. Students will engage in lively discussions and character analysis throughout the week. Our unit will culminate in a scene performance at the end of the week, where students will have the opportunity to showcase their interpretations and understanding of Shakespearean comedy.
Thespian Production
Our Thespian Production class is in full swing as we rehearse our one-act play for next month's festival. This is an exciting opportunity for students to refine their performances and prepare for a competitive setting. We also have an upcoming field trip to watch Twelfth Night at the VBC. Please note that forms were due, and the cost is $10. Don’t forget to submit the money and forms for the festival as well!
Upcoming Event: Sweets & Songs
Get ready for an afternoon of entertainment and delicious treats! Join us for Sweets & Songs from 3-5 PM, where our talented Thespians will perform while you enjoy sweets on stage. It promises to be a fun and beautifully set up event. Don’t miss the chance to support our students and enjoy a delightful afternoon. Tickets are available now, so be sure to purchase yours soon! We are looking forward to an exciting week filled with performances and learning. Keep up the wonderful work, and let’s make this week memorable!
💃Dance - Ms. Fuqua 💃
See graphic below for information on the Spring Dance Show!
🎻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 🎨
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