Middle School Minute
Week of September 7 - September 11, 2026
Your Update on What's Happening in Middle School This Week
6th Grade
Mz. Estelle - ELA and Science
***Special announcement: ****
The week of September 21, 2026 AAA will be starting our build for our “outdoor” classroom. Sixth grade science students have the opportunity to help with the build. Please see the attached flyer for information and a chance to donate your time, supplies, and money. Thank you in advance!
Habitat Learning Lab Project flyer
Honors English:
We continue our novel study on Miles Morales, Spider Man by Jason Reynolds. Please see the attached calendar of readings for information about assigned chapters for each week. Students are expected to be prepared for a quiz (which counts as a classwork grade) each Monday after completing the reading and assignments connected to the previous week’s content. Currently, we are covering chapter 7.
Miles Morales Calendar of Readings
Science: This entire semester we are studying Earth’s Dynamic Systems. This includes the study of earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, weathering and erosion and the fossil record. Our driving question, one we will return to all semester after each lesson is “How do the dynamic systems of Earth change its surface?”
We have learned to inventory a science kit (from AMSTI) in preparation for upcoming investigations. This week we explore the phenomenon of earthquakes, what they are and how they affect our world. We build an earthquake resistance structure using our knowledge of the earthquakes thus far.
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: Citizen Science from scistarter. Science for every day of the month.
Ms. Stricklin - ELA
📚 What Are We Doing This Week?
Now that I have retaught annotations, textual evidence, context clues, and figurative language, students will have an opportunity to improve their original grades. I will reassign these lessons in StudySync so students can complete and resubmit them.
📝 Monday and Tuesday: We will briefly review each skill, and students will have class time to complete their reassigned StudySync lessons.
⏰ Important Deadline: All reassigned lessons must be completed and submitted by Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. If a student does not complete and resubmit an assignment by the deadline, the original grade will remain in the gradebook.
📖 Beginning Wednesday: We must move forward with our Close Read: “Eleven” assignment. Students have already completed most of this lesson, so the only remaining task is to write a short literary analysis essay using textual evidence from the story.
Students should use their class time wisely and check StudySync carefully to make sure every reassigned lesson has been submitted.
Ms. Hester - Social Studies
- Young People's History of the U.S - Chapter 1 comprehension questions due Sunday, September 6. (Will still accept if submitted on Monday, September 7)
- Navajo Flocabulary due Monday, September 7 - will lock after that day.
- Chapter 1 open-book test grades are posted in PowerSchool. Most students have had the chance to make test corrections. Test correction grades will be updated by the end of the week. No more class time will be dedicated to the test. Students who haven't finished or who have not had time to make corrections will need to schedule a time with me either during school or before or after school.
Mr. Moore - Math
What We Are Learning Fractions and Decimals: Converting between the two forms and solving operations.
7th Grade
Ms. Thrasher - Science
We are learning about cell organelles this week. We are going to be starting a Cell Analogy Project. More information will come out next week about it.
Late Work Policy:
All assignments, projects and hands on activities are to be turned in by the next class day (or listed due date) except in cases of absences.
2 days late = -10%
3 days late = -20%
4 days late = - 30%
5 days late = -40%
After 5 class days, all assignments, projects and hands on activities will not be accepted and will become a 0% in the grade book.
Mr. Garner - Social Studies
We will begin studying why historians break history into chunks, how to use timelines, and how weather and other push-and-pull events affect human settlement.
Ms. King - ELA
This week, we’ll begin exploring personal narratives. Students will learn how to turn their own experiences into engaging stories by focusing on setting, details, dialogue, emotions, and “show, don’t tell” writing. We’ll also continue practicing the writing process and strengthening our grammar and punctuation skills along the way.
Mrs. Bradford - Math
Accelerated Math 7 Classes
Students will complete the unit on Ratios, Proportion, and Percents. Test will be given on Thursday, September 10th.
Math 7 Classes
Students will complete the unit on Number Sense. Test will be given on Thursday, September 10th.
All students should bring their Math binders, laptops, and chargers to every class, every day.
8th Grade
Ms. Plummer - Science
This week we will continue our study of Chemistry, focusing on the properties of matter and introducing the periodic table of elements. We will continue our inquiry labs from AMSTI learning about the nature of matter, density, and filtering mixtures while beginning to learn more about chemical properties of matter specifically.
Ms. Cuff - Math
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 Linear and nonlinear functions, Real Number System and Scientific Notation (some classes). The students must complete IXL lessons to fill in gaps and remediate on skills. This will be worked on in and out of school (homework).
Have an amazing week. :-)
Ms. Fletcher - ELA
As we continue with the short story unit, students will make complex inferences from the structure and content of a text, including comparison and contrast, problem and solution, and cause and effect to draw logical conclusions about the author’s perspective.
Mr. Hughes - Social Studies
This week we'll finish our study of early Christianity and the Byzantine Empire and we'll have an open- notes test in the 2nd half of the week. Students will get to use class notes for the test
Arts and Electives
Ms. Lord - Library
AAA Library Weekly Newsletter
Saddle Up to Read!
Howdy, Families!
September is an exciting month in our school library! We are celebrating reading, discovering new books, and getting ready for our upcoming Book Fair. There are lots of ways for students and families to join in the fun!
SADDLE UP TO READ! — BOOK FAIR
September 9–14
Our school Book Fair is coming soon, and this year's theme is:
SADDLE UP TO READ!
Students will have the opportunity to browse a variety of books and find their next great read. Whether your child enjoys graphic novels, fantasy, mysteries, sports, adventure, or realistic fiction, there will be books to explore!
We also need BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEERS!
The Book Fair is quickly approaching, and volunteers are greatly needed to help make this event a success. If you are available to help, please sign up using the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BA4A72AA1FCC07-65407185-aaabook
Thank you to our families and volunteers for helping us make reading a celebration!
SEPTEMBER IS LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH!
A library card opens the door to a whole world of books!
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and students and families are encouraged to sign up for a public library card.
The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library encourages families to sign up today at:
You can also scan the QR code on the flyer to get started.
More books + more resources + more reading = more opportunities to learn!
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE LIBRARY?
This month, students will continue to:
- Discover new books and authors
- Explore different genres
- Practice research and digital citizenship skills
- Participate in reading activities
- Learn how to use library resources
- Celebrate reading during our Saddle Up to Read Book Fair!
FAMILY READING TIP
Ask your student:
“What are you reading right now?”
Give them an opportunity to tell you about the characters, story, topic, or something interesting they discovered. Even a few minutes of conversation about a book can help encourage positive reading habits.
SADDLE UP, READ ON!
Thank you for supporting our school library, encouraging your student to read, and helping us create a school community where books, curiosity, and creativity are celebrated!
Happy Reading!
— AAA Library
Ms. Stricklin - Stars and Clowns
🎭 Clowns Update: Costume Design Week
This week, Clowns will begin designing their individual performance costumes! Each student will create three different, fully colored costume designs. Students may also include inspiration pictures to help explain their ideas.
Costume designs should:
Reflect a fun, colorful, and age-appropriate clown character.
Show creativity through color, shape, pattern, and movement.
Be easy for the audience to see and understand.
Allow the student to sing, dance, and move safely.
Fit securely while leaving some room for growth.
Be realistic enough to create using currently available fabrics and materials.
📅 All three completed and fully colored costume designs are due Friday, September 4.
After completing their designs, each student will conference with Mrs. Stricklin and the design team to select and approve one final costume. Students should not purchase fabric or begin construction until their design has been approved.
🎨 The fabric-swatch project and signed rental or fabrication form are due September 17.
Families have two costume options:
Fabrication: Families choosing to have the approved student-designed costume made must find their own seamstress.
Rental: Families choosing to rent a costume from Mrs. Stricklin must submit the signed rental form and the $20 rental fee by September 17.
🎬 Once a design is approved, its colors, fabrics, trim, and overall character concept may not be changed without permission. Completed costumes must be durable, safe for performing, and labeled with the student’s name.
🎭 Stars Update
The Academy Stars are currently learning the notes and vocal parts for their first two songs:
“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town”
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
I have been incredibly impressed with how well students are working in their voice-part groups. They have helped and encouraged one another while working hard to keep their groups focused and on track. I am so excited about this year’s Stars group and cannot wait to see what they accomplish together!
📅 Important Deadlines
Due Friday, September 4:
Family Commitment Contract
Behavior Contract
Rental Agreement
$20 rental fee, paid by cash, check, or card through SchoolCash
Students must submit all required contracts and agreements along with the rental payment by the deadline.
🎬 Stars Checklist: All remaining Stars Checklist items are due by September 24.
Ms. Hester - Creative Writing
- Landlady Comprehension Questions are past due.
- Landlady Post-reading activity due Sunday, September 6.
- Please continue to check the workshop schedule and make sure workshops are submitted on time.
- Newspaper articles should be in progress. Please try to have first drafts complete by September 11 so we have time to make edits and format the newspaper for distribution.
Mrs. Jackson - Art
Our Visual and Media Arts students have jumped into the school year with impressive creativity! After mastering the 7 elements of art, Visual Arts students folded intricate origami dinosaurs, designed illustrated foldables to showcase their learning, and transformed their names into eye-catching bubble letter artwork. Meanwhile, Media Arts students also crafted origami dinosaurs and explored the 7 elements of art through a hands-on scavenger hunt—capturing photos throughout the school and justifying how each image represented a specific element. They've also designed vibrant digital neon signs featuring their names, blending technology with artistic expression.
Ms. Fuqua - Dance
Our dancers have been working hard as we continue preparing for our upcoming production, “A Cinematic Dance Experience”! 🎥✨ Students are learning choreography, building performance skills, and developing the technique needed to bring our show to life.
🩰 Vocabulary & Technique
This week, students put their dance vocabulary and technique to the test with a vocabulary quiz! Students were challenged to both identify each vocabulary term and demonstrate the movement correctly.
Our vocabulary words were:
• Pirouette – a turn performed on one leg
• Passé – a position in which one foot passes or rests near the knee of the supporting leg
• Battement – a beating or brushing action of the leg, typically extending away from the body
• Chassé – a traveling step in which one foot “chases” the other
I was so proud to see students not only remember the terminology, but also put their knowledge into movement! 🥰👏🏽
🎬 Show Preparation
Our dancers are continuing to learn and clean choreography for “A Cinematic Dance Experience.” As we get closer to the performance, students will continue working on memorization, musicality, technique, formations, performance quality, and teamwork.
Every class brings us one step closer to showtime! 🌟
Keep dancing, keep learning, and keep preparing to shine!
— Ms. Fuqua 💗
Mrs. Peck - Orchestra
Mr. Snodgrass - Band and Choir
Beginning Band:
Beginning band students will continue counting and writing rhythms, identifying note and rest values, as well as drawing the notes and rests. The students will begin learning the lines and spaces of the staff.
Thursday September 10, 2026, the students will be tested on their two instruments of choice. Gadsden Music will come to the school and test the students. The instrument they score the highest on will be the instrument they will play. Gadsden Music will come back to AAA and have an “Instrument Night”. On that evening, parents will be able to rent instruments. Parents…I encourage you to RENT the instrument and not buy the instrument. The renting of the instrument will go towards the purchase of the instrument. If you buy an instrument and your child decides they don’t want to play anymore, you’re stuck with an instrument. Whereas you rent the instrument and they decide band is not for them, just return the instrument. If you cannot afford to rent an instrument, let me know and I will find an instrument for them.
Choir Classes:
30 students signed up to attend the University of Montevallo Honor Choir Festival. The festival will take place Monday September 14, 2026. Permission slips have already gone home and there are no more available spots. Chaperones are welcomed free of charge.
The Huntsville All-City Choral Festival auditions will be held at Whitesburg Middle School on September 21 and September 22, 2026. All vocal tracks of the music is posted in Canvas along with the pdfs of the sheet music. The actual festival will take place at Trinity United Methodist Church on Airport Road October 29, 2926. Please encourage your children to listen to their voice parts and learn the music.
Advanced Band:
Parents…Please encourage your children to bring their instruments home so they can practice. Practice sheets will begin this week and will be a part of their grade. I am not a believer that practice makes perfect, but I DO believe that practice makes PROGRESS.
Remember…The $100.00 “Fair Share” fee is due Monday August 31, 2026. A BIG SHOUT OUT and THANK YOU to all the parents/guardians who have already paid the “Fair Share” fee in full and those who are paying in installments. We appreciate your support!
Mr. Stricklin - Theatre Tech
The theme of the week is Vocabulary. Learning the words around the industry.