Middle School Minute

If you haven't already, please join the AAA PTA!

https://academypta.com

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 are to complete 45 minutes weekly of Membean vocabulary practice. Time is given in class, but if incomplete, students should complete for HOMEWORK. Independent reading is always encouraged.

We will begin a novel study this week. All classes will read Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. I have some fun things in store, but all activities correspond to the AL Course of Study standards for 6th grade. If students do well during the unit, we will watch the TV series/movie based on the novel and complete discussions and writing assignments that compare and contrast the book with the series/movie.

Students will bring home a book contract for you to sign and return. Students may not take the book home until the signed contract is returned.

An audio version of the book will be available, but it is not a high-quality recording. You may choose to purchase a better audiobook if you think it will help your child, or you may read the required sections with your student.

The novel study is designed to be enjoyable — my students always look forward to it. That doesn’t mean that the activities, assignments, or essays are optional. This is my way to review what we have learned before the students move on to 7th grade.

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)

We have an upcoming test on April 14 covering background information on Shakespeare and Julius Caesar. Students have received several packets on information and guided notes. A blooket will be made available closer to the date of the test.

Updates coming soon . . .

📝 A Note from the Teacher

Next week is a very important week for our classroom as we tackle the Math ACAP (Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program). Our students have worked incredibly hard this year mastering the Alabama Course of Study standards, and now it is their time to shine!

To help them stay focused and perform their best, we are shifting our schedule to prioritize confidence and rest.

🗓️ Week at a Glance

Monday: ACAP Strategy & Review Day. We will be playing interactive review games to sharpen our skills and boost our confidence.

Tuesday - Thursday: Math ACAP Testing Window. Please ensure students arrive at school on time.

Friday: Post-Testing Review & Celebration. We will wrap up the week by reviewing some of our favorite math concepts and enjoying some "brain break" activities.

🚫 Homework Update: No iReady!

To ensure students are not "over-taxed" after testing, there will be NO iReady assignments required for this week. Use that extra time at home to relax and recharge!

💤 Tips for a Successful Testing Week

We want every student to feel physically and mentally prepared. Please help us by focusing on the "Big Three":

Early to Bed: Ensure your student gets a full, good night’s rest every single night.

Healthy Breakfast: A protein-filled breakfast helps keep their brains fueled through the testing session.

Updates coming soon . . .

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 Surface Area, Line of Best Fit and ACAP Prep. The students must complete 2 iReady math pathway lessons each week (resumes after ACAP testing this week). This will be worked on in and out of school (homework). Have an amazing week. :-)

Specifically for next week (April 27 to May 1) we jump into how the planets in our Solar System interact with each other. In these lessons, students explore gravity and what influences it. They examine data and create graphs to understand the relationships among gravity, mass, and weight. They are also introduced to Einstein’s concept of the space-time continuum, build a simple physical model to portray it, and use the model to conduct empirical studies of how masses behave within it. Throughout the lesson, students use the claims, evidence, and reasoning (CER) strategy to construct and support their scientific arguments.

Please know that more than just covering content, students are learning the skill of recognizing patterns in natural phenomena. Identifying patterns helps us identify problems and take steps to solve them.

Students will complete their artistic interpretation of moon phases this week.

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 April : https://scistarter.org/calendar

Chapter 11 Lesson 5 - Past Due

WWII Flocabulary - Due April 12

Chapter 11 - WWII - TEST

Monday, April 13 (A)/ Tuesday, April 14 (B)

Study on www.socrative.com

Room name: HESTER

We will be beginning our study of the countries in Europe.

This week we will explore the Greek city- state, also known as a "polis". We'll also take a look at the city- states of Athens and Sparta, two of Greeces most famous city- states!

✂️ Blackout Poetry Contest Reminder It’s not too late to enter our Blackout Poetry Contest! Here’s how to participate: Come into the library Select 1 of 4 provided poems Black out words to create your own unique poem Scan or email your final piece to tyletha.lord@hsv-k12.org 🎁 All entries will be entered for a chance to win a gift card! We can’t wait to see your creativity shine!

🎨 Student Poetry Showcase Some of your classmates’ poetry is already on display in the library! Stop by, check it out, and get inspired by the amazing work your peers have created. We look forward to seeing you in the library this week—whether you’re entering the contest, checking out student work, or finding your next great read!

Check the website for more information https://www.whyaaa.org/ms-stars--clowns.html

Clowns have really come a long way this year. They have shown growth in all areas: music, showmanship, and behavior. I cannot wait to see where they take this from here. We will continue with our semester plan as we prepare for competition, ACT Night, and last day performances.

Semester Plan for Clowns

April 6-10 Choreograph “Happy Face Medley”

April 13-17 Learn Notes/ Memorize “Smile”

April 20-24 Learn Notes/ Memorize “Smile”

April 27-May 1 Block/Stage “Smile”

May 4-8 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

Creative Writing:

10-minute play reading activity - Past Due

Drama Flocabulary - Past Due

Lesson 1: How to write a 10-minute play - Due April 12

Updates coming soon . . .

This week in dance, our middle school students have been hard at work bringing Moana’s Adventures to life! Dancers are continuing to rehearse and refine their choreography, showing great focus and growth each day.

Students also had the opportunity to try on costumes, which has everyone excited as the show starts to feel more real! Along with rehearsals, we’ve been focusing on stage etiquette—including entrances and exits, spacing, and how to carry themselves confidently during a performance.

We’re so proud of the effort and energy our dancers are putting into this production!

✨ Reminder: Moana’s Adventures t-shirts are now available for purchase! You can order yours here: https://www.vibrantprestige.com/products/aaa-dance-spring-2026-t-shirt

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to showtime!

We will perform two shows for the school during school and the evening show is for family and friends. We will dress in our concert attire. Black vests, black pants, and black ties and black formal choir dresses. All band students and choir boys will need to wear their own black pants and white shirts. Vests and ties will be sent home for students who don't have them.

Updates coming soon . . .

Please review the 6th Grade Behavior Essentials