HMS Bearcat Bulletin
September 2019
A Note from Ms. Buschmann
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Reading Tips for Middle School Students
Submitted by Anne Worland, HMS Title I and Gifted Teacher
As a mother of four children, I understand the struggles of beginning school, getting routines going, and keeping a million schedules together! I also know that as kids get older, it can sometimes be more difficult to get them to read every night. Research shows, however, that this is essential to success. Here are a couple of reading tips to try with middle school kiddos:
Choice. Choice matters to most children, but especially middle school kids! So, let them choose their reading material, their location, their lighting, their position, etc. Give them as many choices as you can, except for the expectation that they will read 20 minutes or more each night.
If your child has a special interest in sports, dinosaurs, K-pop, World War II, whatever --- help them find books and articles featuring their passion. Reading will be a lot more fun if it is about a subject they’re interested in!
Have your middle schooler read to a younger sibling or family member. This builds fluency and expressive reading, and it will help everyone out in the evenings. Conversely, your younger child can also read to their older siblings-- boom! Two issues resolved!
If your kids are binge-watching their favorite show, make them turn the subtitles on and mute the sound. Now they’re reading, and they are being entertained!
Show interest in what they are reading. Ask questions and share your own experiences with your kids. Whenever possible, make reading an enjoyable experience, not a chore.
Listening to an expert read aloud can increase engagement and enhance comprehension. Download audiobooks from Scenic Regional Library with a valid library card, or check out this website, which has links to thousands of free audiobooks. https://bookriot.com/2016/09/15/11-websites-find-free-audiobooks-online/
Some students struggle with lengthy reading assignments. If your child hesitates to pick up a book that is long or seems too difficult, encourage them to read shorter, more manageable selections. This could be a shorter book, a magazine, or online resources.
Build vocabulary through games and apps that help students’ comprehension by “unlocking” difficult words. Dictionaries are one old-school way of building vocabulary, but in this day and age, it’s often quicker to just ask Siri or Alexa. Take advantage of these digital resources, and make sure your kids feel comfortable asking questions about passages they don’t understand.
Teacher Professional Development Days
October 14
November 4
January 3
January 27
March 9
Student of the Month
4th Grade: Gunnar, Allison, Aubree, and Katelyn (not pictured: Zoey)
5th Grade: Aaden, Kamrynn, Hallie, Alaina, Kadence, and Wyatt
6th Grade: Gavyn, Hope, Courtney, Kylie, Erika, Amy, and Alaina (not pictured: Nichole, Jozlan)
7th Grade: Cassie, Donna, Mia, and Gavyn
8th Grade: Gavin, Will, Anthony, Natalee, Amelia, Preston, Alyssa, Kody, Morgan
Boxtops for Education
Watch the 44-second video below for an overview.
Ongoing Fundraising Efforts
Please keep in mind a couple of easy ways to raise funds for HMS.
1. Boxtops for Education
2. Shutterfly- start your order at our storefront and 8% of each purchase will be sent to HMS.
Visit our Storefront: hermannmiddleschool.ShutterflyStorefront.com
3. Best Choice UPC's
4. Coca-Cola Give: Put codes from bottles or12-packs or cases of cans in and designate Hermann Middle School as your giving partner at Coke.com/Give.
Pictures from HMS
Upcoming Events
September
September 12- 7th and 8th Grade Football Scrimmage @St. Clair, 5:30
September 12- Board Of Education Meeting, 6:00
September 16- Title I Open House, 5:30- 6:30
September 18- End of the first Mid-Quarter
September 19- 7th and 8th Grade Football @St. James, 5:00
September 23- "Go Gold for Kids" StuCo Pediatric Cancer event @ the basketball game
September 23- 7/8 Girls Basketball vs. Owensville, 5:30
September 26- Cross Country @Belle, 4:50
September 26- 7/8 Football vs. Union, 5:00
September 26- 7/8 Girls Basketball @ St. James, 5:30
September 27- 7/8 PLC Group B
September 27- Student of the Month Assembly, 2:45
September 27- Homecoming
September 30- October 3- 7th Grade Girls Basketball Tournament @Home
September 30- October 3- 8th Grade Girls Basketball Tournament @ Washington
October
October 3- 7/8 Football vs. Pacific, 5:00
October 5- Boys Basketball Trivia Night Fundraiser, 5:00
Hermann Middle School
Email: nbuschmann@hermann.k12.mo.us
Website: hermann.k12.mo.us
Location: 164 Blue Pride Drive, Hermann, MO, United States
Phone: 573.486.3121
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HermannMiddleSchool/
Twitter: @HMSBearcats