Local News Update
December 2016/January 2017
Dear Parents/Guardians:
With the posting of this newsletter, we have about 16 school days before winter break and the imminent arrival of a New Year! This time of the year is one of fun and excitement, and it takes extra effort and attention to keep our middle-level learners focused and on-task at school. Please be sure to check ParentVue and contact classroom teachers to track your child's progress throughout December. If you need access to ParentVue, please contact the main office at (810) 591-0710.
Remember that we have late start on Wednesday, December 14th. Classes will start at 9:45 AM. The last day of school before winter break is Thursday, December 22nd . Classes will resume Tuesday, January 3rd.
I want to continue to remind you about our Middle School Eagle Hotline. This hotline is a place where students may anonymously text in reports of bullying, harassment, suicide risk, abuse, drug use, etc. The Middle School Eagle Hotline phone number is (810) 373-2131. The line will be monitored outside of school hours/days. Community Mental Health also has a 24 hour crisis hotline for help outside of school at (810) 257-3740.
The Web link www.TeenCentral.Net helps children and young adults facing a crisis. This is an interactive Web site run by KidsPeace and is committed to giving hope, help and healing to students in crisis. The bottom of the District Web site has a link titled “Suicide Prevention-Facts, Signs, and Intervention.” This is a six-page document put out by KidsPeace to further help students and families.
Remember that Scrip Gift Card orders are Due to the school on Tuesday, December 6th by the end of the day. Our annual Faculty Follies will take place on Thursday, December 8th at Linden High School. There are shows at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Tickets may be purchased in the Middle School office.
Pleased never hesitate to contact the school with any questions or concerns you may have! Have a great winter break!
Sincerely,
Julie Brown
Talented Talons (Beckman, Mazza, Thorin)
Language Arts: The students in Ms. Mazza's language arts classes are writing "Process Description" articles. After, they will conclude the activity with oral presentations of the process they described in their work.
Math: Classes have completed the first unit over Expressions and Equations. Many students are already comfortable thinking algebraically. Way to go Talented Talons! We have moved on to multiplying and dividing fractions. Math classes are currently competing in a friendly competition to see which class can have the highest class average on each test. The scores are always close and are certainly encouraging everyone to do their best. As always, current math grades can be seen via the Digits math program. Grades are transferred to ParentVue as we complete each topic. Feel free to email or call with any questions you may have or any concerns you’d like to share. bbeckman@lindenschools.org or 810-591-0747
Science: In science, we are nearing the end of our first area of focus this year; matter and its properties. Student lab reports were due on Monday, November 28, where students answered the question, "What happens to temperature when matter changes state?". A unit test will be given on Wednesday, December 7. Next we will begin our unit focused on chemical changes which will include student demonstrations and projects of chemical changes!
Winged Warriors (Adams, Baldridge, Cook, Kimball)
In Social Studies, we are working to complete chapter three. In this chapter, the children are learning the answers to the following questions: What is culture? Why are cultural symbols important? What influences how culture develops? The children are learning how people are connected all over the world. They are learning why refugees are a global problem, what causes famine, and how people in need get help.
For the next two topics, math classes will work with fractions. Students are learning to multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers and solve many story problems. Please be reminded that all tests can be retaken for a better grade. Students must do a review assignment before being able to take the test again. Students need to see me for the review assignment. Study Skills is also a place and time to get extra help on an concept or homework problems. Students can come over and get help after checking in with their study skills teacher.
In Language Arts, students are beginning their unit of Fantasy Fiction. They will be reading several short stories, a play, and the novel Tuck Everlasting. The focus will be on plot and character development. Students will also be doing an intense vocabulary study on using context clues to determine word meaning. “How-To” presentations begin on Monday, December 12.
Science students have been exploring the states of matter and how solids can become crystals or blobs (amorphous). They will be investigating how the transfer of thermal energy can change a substance from one state to another, and how different materials can slow down the heat transfer. They will be testing different materials for their insulation abilities by designing and building an insulated water bottle.
Regal Eagles (Coleman, Smith, Thorin)
The students had a great time bowling at the Holly Lanes! Thanks to all of our parents for supporting these great team-building activities!
Language Arts
In Language Arts, we are finishing up our memoir writing unit. Students were asked to think of a specific memory that has helped to shape who they are as a person. Using this memory, students crafted a narrative that included the thoughts and emotions that went along with this important event in their lives.
Next, we will begin our genre study of mystery stories. Students will continue practicing predicting and inference in their reading, as both of these skills are crucial when working with mystery stories. We will be exploring stories by famed authors Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. The unit will culminate in a novel study of …And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.
Social Studies
Social Studies students are finishing Lesson six this week, Exploring Four Empires of Mesopotamia. Ask your child about the justice of Hammurabi's Code. This Babylonian king brought much order and justice to the Mesopotamia region, but some of his laws and punishments certainly were different than today's. We learned about many of the four empire's achievements: from military strategies and weapons to amazing cultural inventions such as aqueducts.
Our next unit of study will focus on the geography and early settlement of Egypt, Kush, and Canaan. Students will participate in an experimental exercise in which they use their bodies to model the physical geography of ancient Egypt, Kush, and Canaan to learn about how environmental factors influenced early settlement in these areas.
Science
In science, we have been learning about cell organelles, or the mini organs within the cell. Students have learned that different types of cells have different organelles, and that the organelles are responsible for specific jobs within the cell. Students have been practicing labeling and identifying the organelles in animal, plant, and bacteria cells.
Next, students will be working a cell analogy collage where they will be comparing a plant or animal cell to something they are familiar with (ex: soccer field, classroom, city, etc.). They will be responsible for creating a poster of their analogy, and will need to draw a picture of an everyday object that resembles each organelle and explain the reasoning behind their analogy.
Lastly, students will conclude our unit on cell organelles by creating an edible cell. Students will be working on their own or with a partner to create an actual edible cake/cookie that represents either a plant or animal cell, and the organelles within it. They will also be responsible for writing a paper explaining all of the organelles, and creating a key or blueprint of their cell model/cake.
Eighth grade staff and students supporting Outsiders Day!
Seventh grade fun at Holly Lanes!
Gearing up for Peanut Butter & Jelly drive!
Soaring Eagles (Boyer, Marton, Strong)
As the second marking period continues, Social Studies classes will be learning about Asia. Language Arts classes will be diving into the mystery genre and reading the Agatha Christie classic, And Then There Were None! Math classes will be working on multiplying and dividing rational numbers.
We are planning our field trip to SkyZone in Brighton on Thursday, December 22. Permission slips are due Monday, December 5. This will be a great team-building experience, a fun trip for the kids, and a great way to ease into winter break!
Please remember that the holiday break will begin at the end of the day on Thursday, December 22, and classes resume on January 3, 2017. We hope you and your family have a great holiday season!
Eighth Grade Newsletter
8th grade students will be taking a bowling field trip, December 22nd, to Striking Lanes in Hartland. Cost is $12/child and includes transportation, 2.5 hours of bowling, 2 pieces of pizza, and a pop . Permission slips and details are coming. Each student will need to have a permission slip signed to attend.
It is already the start of the second quarter! We would like to remind parents that ParentVue is a good way to keep track of your student’s progress. Also, teachers are posting homework assignments with due dates and upcoming tests/quizzes on ParentVue to keep you informed. If you still cannot access your account, please call the office. It is also important to keep checking your student’s Digits math account. This will help you check for missing assignments!
It is December, and it’s cold outside. Please make sure your student is prepared to go outside everyday after lunch! They need coats, hats, gloves, and all winter accessories with them at lunch.
Eighth grade Science classes have been exploring the Solar System. Next stop, Stars and Galaxies!!
Language Arts had an “Outsiders” Day on Friday, November 18th. Many students enjoyed dressing as a “Greaser” or a “Soc.” This wrapped up our Realistic Fiction study. Language Arts will now focus on biographies.
Don’t forget about the Linden Follies! It is held at Linden High School on December 8th. Two shows will be held!The first show is 5pm, and the second show is 7pm. Linden Follies helps support local families in need this holiday season. It is a good time, and you can see all your favorite Linden Community Schools’ talented personnel.
LMS Bluberries "paying it forward!"
Our kids hard at work!
More Outsiders!
November Writer of the Month
As part of the Writer of the Month program, each month students will be honored for completing an exceptional piece of writing. These selections will be on display in the Media Center. The Writers of the Month for November are:
Elle Haney
Gabe Hay
Lilian Hevron
Evan Mann
Tyler McCabe
Aubre Moffatt
Ryen Padilla