Middle School Minute

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English: We have begun reading The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. As usual we are using literary analysis to have a conversation with the text in order to obtain a deeper understanding of it. Students have been issued their own copy of the memoir. The book should be taken home each night and return with the student each day. Thanks for being prompt and prepared!

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. :-)

Space Systems Exploration is our unit of study. The Solar System, planetary dynamic systems, and how our beautiful planet and Moon interact is the focus of this study. Please make an effort to do some sky gazing during this unit. There are loads of astrological events to make part of your day: WLRH Sky & Space, citizen science, anything NASA…

Specifically for next week (April 6 to April 10) we will complete our study of phases and why we experience them. Additionally, we are studying how the Moon affects tides. We move on to planetary systems (planets in OUR Solar System) and the processes that are shared among them.

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 March : https://scistarter.org/calendar

This week we are going to learn about carrying capacities and limiting factors in an ecosystem. We are also going to start to learn about energy pyramids, food chains and food webs.

This week we will be finishing ACAP testing, beginning Tuesday with Math and finishing with Science on Thursday. We will continue reviewing all standards taught throughout the school year with a heavy emphasis on both Chemistry and Physics. Please make sure your child is in class on time with all necessary materials.

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

ACAP testing, and we will begin our lesson on South America.

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!

Celebrate National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month, and we are turning the library into a hub for creative expression! We are officially kicking off our Blackout Poetry Contest, where students can book pages into original poetic masterpieces.

How to Participate: Students can stop by the library to grab a page and get started.

How to Submit: Once a poem is finished, students should scan their document and email it directly to tyletha.lord@hsv-k12.org.

The Prize: Winners will have their work featured on library display and earn a special reward!

Read, Test, and Win!

A quick reminder to stay on track with your AR goals.

Read: Dive into a new genre or finish that series you started.

Test: Take your quizzes to maintain your accuracy and point totals.

Earn: We have prizes waiting for students who are hitting their milestones and showing great reading growth!

Tech & Innovation

Our week with Ozobots was a huge success! It was inspiring to see students using logic and color-coding to bring their ideas to life. We are continuing to find new ways to blend these tech skills with our research and literacy projects.

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 . . .

Intro to Theatre**

This week, we're honing our skills by exploring how conflicting objectives and stakes can create compelling scenes. Students are participating in exercises designed to enhance their understanding of character motivations and interactions.

**Theatre 1**

In Theatre 1, we're focusing on our "Page to Stage" project for A Thousand Cranes. This endeavor promises to be a transformative experience in bringing a script to life. Students are delving into character backgrounds, motivations, and relationships to gain a deeper understanding of their roles. This analysis not only enhances their performances but also enriches their appreciation of theatrical storytelling. Through discussions and reflections, students are uncovering the depth and authenticity needed for powerful stage portrayals.

**Thespian Production**

Our Thespian Production class is busy crafting pieces for the upcoming 10-Minute Play Festival. Students are taking on various roles—directors, actors, and crew members—collaborating to bring these short plays to life. This festival is an invaluable opportunity for students to showcase their talents and understand the theatrical process through teamwork and creativity

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!

Updates coming soon . . .

Please review the 6th Grade Behavior Essentials