Middle School Minute

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Mz. Estelle

Honors English: We continue with our project on narrative writing/script writing for a puppet play. In addition we are practicing independent reading time with a weekly record of our progress using a reading log/buddy exchange document.

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.

Ms. Stricklin

This week, we will be starting a new unit called Testing Our Limits. Our first story is called “The Mighty Miss Malone.” We will continue to focus on essential skills and strategies for middle school ELA that will help us work smarter, not harder. We will have the following lessons on StudySync this week.

Skill: Content Vocabulary - Terms About Hardship

Defeat
Hardship
Resilience
Thrive
tumult

Skill: Recognizing Genre - After learning about the genre of fiction, students will be able to identify and describe characteristics of fantasy, mystery, and realistic and historical fiction.
Skill: Academic Vocabulary

Analyze
Approach
Assume
Conclude
Context

Skill: Making Connections - After reading and discussing a model of close reading, students will be able to make connections in order to improve reading comprehension.

iREADY: Students in Regular ELA are required to complete 50 minutes and pass 2 lessons with at least a 67%. Students in Honors ELA are expected to complete 60 minutes and pass 3 lessons with a 67% or better.

iReady Grading - There are three components to the iReady requirements. Here is how I grade iReady Pathway requirements.

3/3 - 100
2/3 - 75
1/3 - 50
0/3 - 0

Ms. Hunter

We are wrapping up our reading of the Hunger Games and will be having an end of unit test on Thursday, October 2. We will also have a bellringer check on Tuesday, September 30. All bellringers for the quarter will be available on Canvas, but your student should have been keeping up with them throughout the quarter.

Ms. Fletcher

Next Tuesday or Wednesday, students will have a test on Part I of Inside Out & Back Again. It will be a 3 paragraph essay. An audio version of the novel as well as a pdf is available for them to read and review (add to their notes) in the module on Canvas.

Next week will be the last week for students to complete their weekly 2 lessons of their Pathway. (It's designed to meet students where they are academic regardless of the grade.) They must score 80% higher for each lesson, and they must work in i-Ready for 1 hour. Every Wednesday during class, they'll be given the opportunity to work on their pathway (up to 40 minutes unless there is another scheduled activity). They must complete the rest of their time at home. If they complete both lessons with 80% or higher, that grade for the week will be 100% in PowerSchool. If not, they will receive a zero. They have until 3:00 PM each Friday. Those students who have tested out of i-Ready will receive an alternate assignment.

Mr. Moore

Next week we’ll continue our work with collecting and analyzing data, and students will also learn how to make predictions from the data they collect. At the end of the week, there will be a test on data collection, analysis, and predictions. Please encourage your student to review their notes and practice problems — they’ve been doing great!

Ms. Whitney

Update coming soon...

Ms. Cuff

Greetings students and AAA family,

Each week in math, we will continue working on refreshing previously learned skills and standards in an effort 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 Real Number System and Scientific Notation. 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. :-)

Mz. Estelle

We continue into October with studying Weather and Climate. Next week we prepare for presenting our learning at UAH’s Open House on October 17. It’s in-depth use of graphs, plot points, raw data. Please be looking for a permission slip to come home soon. If you are willing to chaperone, we certainly can use your help. Please note your willingness to chaperone and the permission slip or contact me at kim.estelle@hsv-k12.org.

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. Student notebooks and information about DETECTS is available at uahdetects.org.

Not required but fun: SciStarter’s Citizen Science October activities: https://scistarter.org/calendar

Mrs. Thrasher

We are starting a new unit "Human Body Systems" with the levels of organization and after Fall Break we will be learning about the muscular, skeletal, respiratory, circulatory, digestive and nervous systems.

Lastly, with the end of the quarter on Friday, October 3rd, I would like all missing work submitted by Thursday October 2nd. Please check PowerSchool if your student has any missing assignments, they are marked with a "0" and an orange mark.

Ms. Plummer

We will be reviewing all topics from the past 8 weeks dealing with our introduction to matter, Chemistry, and atomic structure with an artistic flair! All students will be creating and presenting an Arts Enhanced project displaying what they have learned in Physical Science.

Mrs. Hester

- Chapters 4 & 5 - Industrialization & Urbanization

- TEST: Tuesday, September 30 (A) / Wednesday, October 1 (B)

- Study on socrative.com; room name: HESTER

Mr. Garner

We will be wrapping up learning about the different political theorists who helped shape American Democracy. We will review our study guide on the 30th and 1st, and then we will administer the test on the 2nd and 3rd. Have a great week.

Mr. Hughes

We will finish up our study of Mesopotamia and will be taking an open- notes quiz this coming week. Students have their class folder which they may have during the quiz. A reminder that the Homework from this week will be due on Tuesday, September 30. It is a QuizIzz review game.

🤡 Clowns - Ms. Stricklin 🤡

Join the Remind: https://www.remind.com/join/aaa2526

The first costume parade is October 15 and 16. There will be a Signup Genius sent in the Remind.

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 caboodle checklist items.

Rental/Fabrication Forms were sent home two weeks ago with students. I need to know whether you plan to rent or make your costume. If you plan to rent, you can pay the $20 rental fee in cash, checks made payable to AAA, or on myschoolfees.com.

🤩 Stars - Ms. Stricklin 🤩

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

Please continue to bring in checklist items.

Magnet Fall Arts Festival is on Saturday, October 18th, from 10 AM to 1 PM. Traditionally this is a Stars only and not Clowns performance, but many other groups will be performing as well. Make sure you check with your arts teachers for the schedule. Costumes are not ready for this performance, so students will need to wear some combination of black and red. It is their choice.

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 ✍🏻

Students enjoyed their first visit from the Alabama A&M Poetry Club this week. A&M Poets will be returning for more visits after Fall Break, and we hope to have a combined performance later in the Fall.

- Fiction Story Final Drafts - Due Friday, October 3

🧰 Theatre Tech - Mr. Stricklin 🧰

Moving to the shop to get our hands dirty. Let's build something! Dress accordingly.

🎭 Theatre - Mr. Feemster 🎭

I am inviting our talented 6th-8th graders to become a part of something truly special—the Honor Society and Theatre Club - Thespian Troupe 89345.

Being a member of our Thespian Troupe opens up a world of opportunities to develop your skills in theatre, leadership, and teamwork. It’s a chance to collaborate with like-minded peers, participate in exciting productions, and enjoy exclusive events and workshops.

Why Join Thespian Troupe 89345?

Artistic Growth: Enhance your acting, technical, and creative skills through hands-on experiences.
Leadership Opportunities: Take on roles that help you grow as a leader and team player.
Community Engagement: Participate in community events and showcase your talents.

Application Deadline: October 1

To apply, simply visit WhyAAA.org/MS-Theatre and fill out the application form. Don’t miss the chance to be part of a vibrant community that celebrates creativity and passion for the arts!

We can’t wait to welcome new members and see the amazing contributions you will bring to our troupe. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

💃Dance - Ms. Fuqua 💃

We’re in the middle of preparing for our fall showcase Soul Train: The New Edition! We’ve been picking up some old-school dance moves and digging into the history behind Soul Train.

🎻Strings - Mrs. Peck🎻

Hello AAA String Orchestra Families and Student Members! It was sincerely a delight to meet and speak with so many AAAmazing parents last night at Open House! We were able to touch base about our upcoming last two weeks of September (noticing calendar Popcorn/Playing parties after school for Bday and Aday groups, while also securing important dates of performances ahead. Many parents also VOLUNTEERED to provide snacks for our Mondays of fun fellowship and music-making. Lastly the LINK FOR THE SPRING FESTIVAL OPTIONAL TRIP is here so that you can prepare first, by going to the Thursday, September 25th 5:30pm meeting. NEW and CONTINUING strings members are all invited! We can learn and prepare selected music works for our hopeful 1st place string orchestra performances (which will be performed at our home base Spring Concert at AAA also) It's really turning into a most exciting 2025-2026 AAA Magnet Middle School String Orchestras schoolyear!- Our Best Always-Mary Peck-Artistic Director/Educator/Maestra

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2025 2026 Strings Calendar FIRST SEMESTER - Mary Peck

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🎵 Band and Choir - Mr. Snodgrass 🎤

All-City Choral Festival auditions will take place September 22-23, 2025 at Whitesburg Middle School. Auditions will begin each day at 4:00 p.m. and end around 5:30 p.m. For those students who are auditioning, we have been using the majority of class time to make sure that the students are prepared. At home, please remind them to listen to and sing through the All-City songs. We want all student who are auditioning to be chosen. That can only happen if the students know their music. Remind them to practice their All-City music!

Parents, if you have not joined TalkingPoints, you need to join NOW...This is the way that I communicate with you. Here's how you join:

For AAA Concert Choir:

Text to the number (480) 841-0253 and in the message type 962099 and hit send.

For AAA Advanced Band:

Text to the number (406) 325-0895 and in the message type 769341 and hit send.

For AAA Beginning Band:

Text to the number (239) 301-5241 and in the message type 953497 and hit send.

Beginning Band:

Students started playing their instruments this week! There are several students that have not been tested yet for their instrument. Please call Hallman's Music at (256) 830-2303 to set up an appointment for instrument testing. Hallman's is open Monday - Friday from 12;00p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and the address is 1920 Sparkman Drive Suite 2. Right down the street from AAA.

If you are having difficulty renting or finding an instrument, please message me in TalkingPoints or email me ASAP. I can help you find an instrument for your child. The book that you need to purchase is called Standard of Excellence Book 1.

Advanced Band:

Practice sheets will go home as a part of their grade. They MUST practice! Any 5 of the 7 days of the week for at least 20 minutes is the required practice schedule. Parent's please sign each practice sheet before your child turns it in.

Our MOTTO: Mediocrity is NOT acceptable: People come to hear EXCELLENCE!

🎨Art - Mrs. Jackson 🎨

Congratulations to Meredith Almaguer Garcia for being one of 12 students chosen from all over Huntsville and Madison to have artwork featured at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens Galaxy of Lights! We are so proud of her and cannot wait to see her artwork on display! Lee Visual Art's Magnet Program will be visiting AAA on Oct. 3rd! This is a fantastic opportunity for 8th grade students who are interested in the Magnet Visual Arts Pathway to engage with and ask questions to the Visual Arts Teachers at Lee. Spots are limited- please encourage your 8th grader to sign-up ASAP! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA5A928ABFEC34-58809416-leevisit More Art Contest Opportunities: Please visit www.whyaaa.org/ms-art to see new contest opportunities for your student to submit entries to!

Art students who are interested in signing up for National Junior Art Honors Society! Please fill out an application on the www.whyaaa.org/ms-art website. Deadline to apply is October 31st!

My Amazon Wishlist:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2K9OTEY7SRJGD?ref_=wl_share