Poland Middle School Newsletter
April 2018
Monthly Message from the Principal Team
Fifth and sixth grade students had a blast at the glow dance this month! Students were able to dance, eat, and socialize with their friends. Students also enjoyed posing in the photo booth with the many props. Many thanks to the PTO who sponsored such a wonderful evening for our students.
Seventh and eighth grade students participated in the talent show this year. We were able to watch students dance, sing, and play instruments. Congratulations goes out to the seventh grade students for being victorious in Human Hungry Hippos! It was a wonderful night watching the talent, taking in the tremendous artwork our students created, and enjoying the plentiful cookies of the cookie walk!
The choirs and bands also had their spring concerts this month. It was wonderful to hear the progress made from the winter concert. Each of the bands and choirs worked hard throughout the year to put on great performances. Thank you to the directors for showcasing the amazing talents of our students.
As we are approaching our final weeks of the school year, we are gearing up for a busy May full of learning and activities. Please see the May schedule below.
Clubs
Art
Sports
Classroom Happenings
Math
8th grade
In Mrs. McMahon’s 8th grade math class we recently finished Unit 6, which covers the Pythagorean Theorem. Students performed a hands on Pythagorean Theorem activity with three-dimensional figures. They had to take measurements of a cone, cylinder, and rectangular prism and make the necessary calculations to find the diagonals. We are now learning about functions. This is their first introduction to this concept, and they will dive deeper into functions when they move up to the high school. The unit on Functions incorporates prior knowledge about slope, rate of change, proportional relationships, linear equations, comparing data in different forms, and much more. This is one of my favorite concepts because it brings a years worth of mathematics into one unit.
Mrs. Hohloch’s algebra students have finished their exploration of exponential functions. They learned how to write equations to show exponential growth and exponential decay, how to graph them, and how to compare them. They learned how to simplify numbers raised to a fractional exponent. Students have also been working on AIR practice problems to prepare for their end-of-course Algebra 1 exam. Factoring and solving polynomials is the next area to explore.
Mrs. Hohloch’s math students have moved past systems of equations and are now working with the Pythagorean Theorem. They will be learning how to find a missing side length of a right triangle, how to prove the Pythagorean Theorem, and how to find the length of a diagonal of a three-dimensional object. They will also work with the distance formula and discover that it is a form of the Pythagorean Theorem. Math students have also been working on AIR practice problems. Some upcoming topics in math class are functions and parallel lines cut by a transversal as well as working with similar triangles.
7th GRADE
In 7th-grade math class we are currently learning about probability and statistics! This unit is always a favorite among our students due to the multiple hands-on activities we will complete over the next few weeks. In this unit, the students will be required to put their mathematical minds to work as they develop an understanding of both theoretical and experimental probabilities as well as learn to analyze and communicate data effectively. Students will use real-world data to explore measures of central tendency and mean absolute deviation. The students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of theoretical probability to make predictions and then test those predictions using experimental probability. Lastly, the students will understand the different outcomes that can occur within probability.They will also understand that the actual outcome of a situation is not always the same as the most likely outcome!
6th grade
Sixth grade began the month with a concentration on writing and evaluating algebraic expressions and equations. We are now focusing on writing algebraic inequalities and problem solving real-world problems where algebraic inequalities are used to find solutions and or solution sets. Our focus has also included statistical studies involving histograms, box and whisker plots, plotting data, finding the mean, median, mode, range, gaps, outliers, etc. As in fifth grade, we have been regularly doing AIR practice by using review packets of released items, practice tests, and chromebooks.
5th grade
Fifth grade began the month with a concentration on multiplying and dividing fractions and mixed numbers. We are now focusing on Geometry by finding the volume of rectangular and triangular prisms via counting square units and using formulas. We are also using additive volume procedures to find the volume of odd-shaped 3-D figures. Focus also includes the study of polygons, solving problems using order of operations, and measurement conversions. We have been regularly doing AIR practice review with released item packets, practice tests, and chromebooks, as well.
English Language Arts
5th Grade This month our fifth graders began their Book Club projects. The students are working collaboratively to read a common book and share questions and deep thinking each week. The students have also been introduced to a Biography presentation where they will select a key individual and conduct research. 6th Grade Students in Mrs. Murray’s ELA classes have been working on finishing up an informative essay on The Great Depression. Students have been diligently working in writer’s workshop writing a thesis statement and crafting a 5 paragraph essay. Additionally, the students have just started working in literature circles. The students will be participating in a 5-week book study, where every member has specific job roles. The students will end with a final culminating activity, where they will create a final book project. This month Mr. DiPietro’s classes have begun some project-based learning activities. The quarter started with students learning about the research process and how good sources can be used to answer difficult questions. The students have begun selecting a topic and are evaluating websites, using digital tools, and are practicing their oral presentation skills. Students also learned about the three types of irony found in literary texts. 7th Grade 7th graders have been planning and writing their original narratives this month. They will experience mini-lessons to strengthen their creative writing and then workshop their pieces. They can choose to write their narrative in either a graphic novel, prose, verse, or drama. Empathy is something we decided to focus on for an oral presentation. They rotated in stations for two days in the library experiencing several issues that kids their age deal with. They are then using that information to present their thoughts and points about why it is important to be empathetic. 8th Grade 8 graders participated in a Glow Day classroom transformation. Using black lights and glow sticks, students rotated through four stations reviewing concepts such as connotation, mood and tone, literary analysis, and text structure. Whether playing spoons, bowling, or ring toss, students were engaged in literary conversations. In preparation for the DC trip, students will read, research, and write about various attractions they’ll visit.
Science
Four of our science/STEM teachers, Mr. Cullar, Mrs. Marconi, Mrs. Monteiro & Mrs. Moon traveled to Atlanta to present at the National Science Teachers Association Conference. Their presentation, Ready-STEM-Go, was well attended. In addition to their presentation, the teachers brought back exciting activities such as getting the opportunity for students to request photos to be taken from the International Space Station and learning about how the reintroduction of the wolf population to Yellowstone National Park has had a positive impact on that ecosystem..
This month, 8th graders have learned about Gregor Mendel and his 3 Laws of Inheritance. We applied these basic laws to characters from Harry Potter, and even created our own "Fantastic Beast" with unique genotypes and phenotypes. Next, students will examine the case of the white-peppered moth to learn how environmental changes may impact organisms of a species. In STEM class students completed an activity called Clipbirds that helped students see natural selection in action. This activity goes along with the life science unit students are completing in class.
7th grade science students are exploring the hydrologic cycle and how water changes states throughout the cycle. Students did a fun exploration as a water droplet traveling through the Incredible Journey of the Hydrologic Cycle.
6th grade science students have cycled through the rocks and are moving into the value of elements and what they are used for.
In 5th grade science we are finishing up our section on light energy. Students are using pinhole viewers to help them understand that light travels in straight lines. These also serve as a basic model of our eye and illustrate how light travels through our pupils and that causes the image to be upside down on our retinas! Directions to make a basic pinhole viewer like the ones we used in class are on Mrs. Moon’s website.
Social Studies
8th Grade-8th grade students recently finished researching the first 16 presidents. They will now be debating and presenting information in a bracket style tournament to determine which president merits the title of most accomplished.
7th Grade-7th Grade students are beginning to study the characteristics of feudal China which will eventually lead to the the development and expansion of the Mongol Empire.
6th Grade-6th grade students have are beginning to learn about the cultural characteristics of India. Students will be studying Hinduism, Democracy, and many other important features of ancient and modern India. Student will take on one of the roles of a caste in a group activity, and identify the discriminatory practices of the system.
5th grade-5th grade students finished Unit 4 which focused on Spanish Exploration of the New World. Students took part in Battleship latitude and longitude against a partner to practice saying, writing, and plotting coordinates correctly.
Specials Spotlight: Art
The big news for the students in 7th and 8th grade was the art show hosted on April 20th at 6pm. After working hard since 5th grade improving on their skills, the students were finally ready to show case their work!
All of the students did an amazing job on their art work and I am so proud of all of them. Thank you for everyone that entered their artwork and congratulations to all of our students that placed! All students that won a 1st or 2nd place ribbon will have their work sent to the Canfield Fair. The remainder of the student artwork will be returned to everyone before the end of the year. If you are going to the high school next year, the artwork will be returned to you there.
Congratulations to our overall winners from each grade.
7th Grade
1st Emily Beal
2nd Cassidy Smith
3rd Jenna Spagnola
8th Grade
1st Lydia Noble
2nd Ellen Ethridge
3rd Maddox Hando
School Counselors
The school counselor and English Langauge Arts teachers teamed up to create a unit lesson over empathy. The goal was to have the students explore empathy through station activities experiencing life through someone else's shoes. Then, they were asked to present to the class and answer the overarching question, "Why is it important to be empathetic?" Students did this to gain their own perspective on how to show empathy to others and treat others with kindness and compassion.
In preparation for state testing, the 7th and 8th graders also received classroom guidance lessons about stress and test anxiety and how to cope with this anxiety to become more mindful, calm, and live in the present or "here and now". As a result from this classroom guidance lesson, students in 7th grade created test anxiety affirmation posters to hang in their test sites on test day, and students in 8th grade created stress balls to use to help manage stress.
Dance
Sports
Talent Show
May Event Dates
5/1-5/4: Cheerleading Clinics and Tryouts for the 2018-2019 School Year [Grades 6 and 7]
5/2: Track @ Howland
5/3: PTO Meeting 9:15am
5/8: Algebra I Parent Meeting [Grade 7] 6:00-7:30pm @ Poland Middle School
5/9: Track @ Girard
5/15: Academic Honors Banquet [Grade 8] 6:00pm @ The Embassy
5/21: Washington DC Parent Meeting [Grade 8] 6:00-6:30pm @ Poland Middle School
5/21: Camp Fitch Parent Meeting [Grade 5] 7:00-8:00pm @ Poland Middle School
5/22: Talent Show [Grades 5 and 6] During School Day
5/23-5/25: Camp Fitch [Grade 5] Drop Off Poland Middle School 7:00am; Pick up Poland High School Parking Lot 12:45pm
5/28: No School
5/30-6/1: Washington DC [Grade 8]
6/4: Academic Awards [Grades 5 and 6] 9:00am @ Poland Middle School
6/5: Last Day
Grades 5 and 6: Fun Day
Grades 7 and 8: Academic Awards 9:00am @Poland Middle School
6/6: Waiver Day [No Students]
Academics
Academics
Arts
Spring 2018 Testing Dates-Poland Middle School
Mathematics
5th-8th Grade- 90 minutes (9:00-10:30am)
Monday, April 30th
Math pt 1
5th Grade & 8th Grade
Tuesday, May 1st
Math pt 2
5th Grade & 8th Grade
Wednesday, May 2nd
Math pt 1
6th Grade & 7th Grade
Thursday, May 3rd
Math pt 2
6th Grade & 7th Grade
Friday, May 4th
MATH MAKE-UP DAY
Science
5th-8th Grade- 75 minutes (9:00-10:15am)
Tuesday, May 8th
Science pt 1
5th Grade and 8th Grade
Wednesday, May 9th
Science pt 2
5th Grade and 8th Grade
Thursday, May 10th
Science MAKE-UP DAY