Middle School Minute

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Honors English

We continue working on argumentative reading and writing skills. Students are analyzing and responding to works by Malala Yousafzai and real-world persuasive emails/advertisements.

***Please know that classwork must be completed ON TIME. Per our class syllabus, no late work is accepted with the exception of excused absences. If your child is absent and misses work, all work should be completed within five days of return.

*** All sixth grade classrooms are in need of hand sanitizer and tissues. My science class is in desperate need of paper towels. We would be MOST grateful if you can send those items in.

Regular ELA - Next week students will have assignments on Google Classroom, StudySync, AcceleratedReader (AR), and i-Ready.

Grading Policy - Reminder students must turn their work in by the due date or it will become a zero. Late work will not be accepted unless the student is absent or it is an accommodation in their IEP or 504. Even with this there are limitations with how long they have to turn it in.

• i-Ready - Students are required to complete 50 minutes of i-Ready Reading and two passed lessons.

• Accelerated Reader (AR) - Students need to be reading and taking AR tests. The only way to grow in reading comprehension is to practice. The minimum requirements are: If the book is 100+ pages, they need to take a test at least every two weeks. If the book is less than 100 pages, they need to take a test every week. This goal will change as we get rolling.

• StudySync - We will be starting our poetry unit this week which will continue after winter break.

• Introduction

• Essential Question: How do relationships shape us?

• Vocabulary

• Defining Poetry

We will work on ACAP practice the week we return from Thanksgiving break. While on break, students are encouraged to work in their pathway on iReady for additional practice.

6th Grade Math

We will continue through the month of December in Algebra and Functions.

The focus will be in applying knowledge of arithmetic to read, write, and evaluate algebraic expressions.

Their domain in iReady will also be Algebra and Algebraic Thinking to supplement their learning focus. It is expected that at least two lessons should be completed and passed by the end of each week.

Class work exercises will be in Alek's with a quiz at the end of the week.

General Math – We will be taking our Unit 2 test on Proportional Reasoning, Tuesday November 19th. As we move forward, we will begin study of Circles structures and Proportions & Percents for our next unit. Students will need to have a calculator for the next two units. I am requiring they have a TI-38 https://a.co/d/eLO8IYj this is the information from Amazon.

Accelerated Math – We will be preparing to test for Unit 2 Dilations, Similarity and Slope. We will complete a review on The test will be Tuesday, November 19th. As we move forward, we will begin study of Circles structures and Proportions & Percents for our next unit. Students will need to have a calculator for the next two units. I am requiring they have a TI-38 https://a.co/d/eLO8IYj this is the information from Amazon.

**Beginning next week, iReady will be graded. Students are expected to complete 50 minutes of math iReady AND complete two lessons with a passing score. These will be classwork grades. **

6th Grade Science

We are going to review moon phases, then we are going to start learning about galaxies! Just a reminder that late work is not accepted except in cases of absences.

7th Grade Science

We are going to be completing a culminating project for our Genetics Unit. This will be a 100 point Test grade that will have 2 parts. 60% is on Schoology and 40% is a presentation with 3 options (a movie poster, a comic or a short story (any AI stories will be a "0")) This project will be due Tuesday December 10th for B Day and Wednesday December 11th for A Day.

Science: Students continue to work on an Engineering Design project: Wearable Alert System. Please see L1 Family Letter.pdf to view the family newsletter explaining the project. We are currently evaluating designs and developing new parameters for our next iteration of the project

For both my English and Science classes, students are accessing work via Google classroom. Within the google classroom, students have access to work on Flocabulary, ReadWorks, iReady, and NewsELA. Science students are also using Generation Genius to expand their science knowledge and skills.

***Please know that classwork must be completed ON TIME. Per our class syllabus, no late work is accepted with the exception of excused absences. If your child is absent and misses work, all work should be completed within five days of return.

*** All sixth grade classrooms are in need of hand sanitizer and tissues. My science class is in desperate need of paper towels. We would be MOST grateful if you can send those items in.

Civics

Grades are still in the process of being input and updated due to Mrs. Maynard's maternity leave and absence. If you have questions or concerns about your grade, please reach out to Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith and they will get you the information you need.

8th Grade World History: World History students will finish their study of Ancient Egypt after Thanksgiving week and then begin studying Ancient India. Students will learn about and complete assignments on Ancient Egyptian accomplishments and Ancient Indian geography and religions.

Advanced level students will examine some primary source documents left by Ancient Indians!

Make sure you are checking the website, www.whyaaa.org and join the Remind. Please turn in your $20 rental fee if you haven't.

**Check out the AAA Theatre and Stars and Clowns merch CLICK HERE. This is one of our fundraisers, so please show your support.

Make sure you are checking the website, www.whyaaa.org and join the Remind. Please turn in your $20 rental fee if you are renting.

• Upcoming Dates
• Makeup Dates:
  Nov. 18 Makeup Design Class (postponed)
  Nov. 20: Makeup Designs Due (postponed)
  Nov. 22 Makeup Design Class (postponed)
• Costume Dates:
Dec. 5: Final Costume Parade
Dec. 8: All Costumes must be complete before our performance on this date

**Check out the AAA Theatre and Stars and Clowns merch CLICK HERE. This is one of our fundraisers, so please show your support.

Congratulations on a great Fall concert!
Popcorn and Playing after school strings parties BOTH Monday and Tuesday, December 2nd and 3rd from 3pm to 4:30 pick up from front. December 5th evening concert call time 6pm. Wear black formal. Next day Assemblies wear RED T-Shirt and a santa hat or fun Christmas hat, black jeans are fine:) Happy Thanksgiving and see you next month!

Check out all AAA Theatre Info online @ WhyAAA.org/Ms-Theatre

February 2025 is National Magnet Schools Month, and we are thrilled to announce the 19th Annual National Magnet Schools Poster Contest! This is a fantastic opportunity for elementary, middle, and high school students to express their creativity. Each school can submit one poster!

Entries are DUE January 10th, 2025! Please turn them into your art teacher.

Poster Requirements/ Scoring Rubric

• Use of Pillar(s) Theme (Themes are: Diversity, Innovative Curriculum and Professional Development, Academic Excellence, Leadership, and Family and Community Partnerships) 30 pts.
• Poster Sizes: 8.5x11, 11x17, or 22x28 20 pts.
• Originality and Organization 30 pts.
• Use of Color and Design 20 pts.

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Middle School Art Students who would like to join National Junior Art Honor Society can now visit https://www.whyaaa.org/ms-art.html to fill out a membership application form.

• Make sure you have signed up for the 6th grade Remind CLICK HERE or HERE to join the class the code is @ceecdk
• Check PowerSchool often. Directions for creating a Parent Portal account are attached below.

iReady in ELA and math will be graded based on work completed Monday - Friday going forward. Time and lessons completed on Saturday and/or Sunday will not count toward their iReady classwork grades.

Please encourage your students to complete their classwork at school. The goal is for students to not have much homework and to use their classroom instructional time efficiently. This should also help decrease the number of missing assignments students have in PowerSchool.