The Eagle Gazette
A PUBLICATION FOR KMS PARENTS 3rd Edition 2018-2019
From the Principal's Desk
Dear Killough Family,
I know everyone enjoyed their Christmas break, and then received a momentary break with the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. So, everyone should be back in the groove of teaching and learning!
I would like to remind you that our students are entering the testing season, so it is very important that they come to school, on time, everyday. We need optimal focus and dedication to teaching and learning from all students, and especially the teachers and staff who serve them.
We want our students to be successful in all that they do...while here at Killough...and as they continue through High School, College and Career. Please remember, it takes all of us (Students-Parents-Teachers-Staff-Community Partners) to guide our students toa safe, and productive, life. Our students matter. You matter. Our teachers and staff matter. It All Matters! #IAMKMS
Let’s work together to push our students to a quality education and a productive Spring semester!
Sincerely,
Mr. Bilton
Principal
Library/Technology
Alief ISd has begun an exciting partnership with Houston Public Library. EVERY student and staff member has an HPL Learning Link account. With this account, students and staff have 24/7 access to over 150 digital resources provided by Houston Public Library as well as access to print materials. Best of all, it’s FREE! Mrs. Scholl is training all students through the English/Language Arts classes. We want everyone to take advantage of these learning opportunities!
Math
7th Grade:
Currently 7th grade math is wrapping up their unit of study with equations and inequalities. The unit test will be given January 30 & 31. For the rest of the grading period the students will study geometry concepts, such as circumference and area of circles, lateral and total surface area, and volume of prisms and pyramids.
7th Grade Pre-AP:
Currently 7th grade Pre-APmath is studying geometry as well. This part of the curriculum encompasses 7th and 8th grade geometry concepts, such as circumference and area of circles, lateral and total surface area, and volume of prisms, pyramids, cylinders, cones, and spheres.
8th Grade:
The next unit of study for 8th grade math is transformations. Students will learn about the properties and how to identify transformations such as translations (how a figure slides), reflections (how a figure flips), rotations (how a figure turns), and dilations (how a figure gets smaller or larger).
Pre-AP Algebra I:
Currently the pre-ap algebra students are studying exponential relationships. During this unit of study, students will learn how exponential relationships apply to real life. Some examples can include investments, modeling populations, and understanding how a coroner determines the time of death.
Social Studies
7th Grade:
This 9 weeks Texas history students will learn about historical context related to economic growth and expansion, the oil boom and urbanization of Texas in a time of conflict including the great depression and world wars. Selected students will also be preparing for our new and improved district history competition, Alief Race Through Time. These students will represent Killough in an interactive challenge of wits.
8th Grade:
This 9 weeks U.S. history students will learn about historical context related to the new republic, economic growth, President Andrew Jackson, westward expansion, and reform movements.Selected students will also be preparing for our new and improved district history competition, Alief Race Through Time. These students will represent Killough in an interactive challenge of wits.
ELAR
7th Grade
Students are studying various genres connected to Adversity & Life. Throughout this grading period, students will engage in inquiry and response using mini-qs, SARS, and expository essays. Some students participated in the Do The Write Thing Challenge and Scholastic Arts & Writing Contest. Literacy Night is March 5, 2019, we look forward to seeing all parents/families.
8th Grade
Students are studying various genres connected to Human Rights. Throughout this grading period, students will engage in inquiry and response using mini-qs, SARS, timed writings, and persuasive essays. Some students participated in the Do The Write Thing Challenge and Scholastic Arts & Writing Contest. We look forward to seeing all parents/families at Literacy Night March 5, 2019.
Science
Congratulations to Alief ISD Science Fair winners Kamil Syed (3rd Place) and Kathy Nguyen (7th Place).
The following students will represent Killough in the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston: 7th Graders - Kathy Do and Jarod Vincent & 8th Graders - Kamil Syed, Kathy Nguyen, Abby Vay, Michael Onwutalu and Lyna Dao.
7th grade science has started the New Year by investigating how biotic and abiotic components interact as a system. After examining watersheds, weathering and erosion, students will engage in the process of ecosystems changing and developing over time. 7th graders will end the year by exploring characteristics allowing life in space.
8th grade science classes are gearing up for the May 15th Science STAAR Exam. Currently investigating the movement of Earth’s plates, students will study the lunar cycle, tides, stars, wavelengths, ecosystems and how human activity affects ocean systems. In preparation for the STAAR exam, all 8th grade classes will complete a STAAR review consisting of 6th – 8th grade material.
STEM
- KMS STEM will enjoy an exciting 2nd semester. 7th & 8th graders will work together designing and constructing an activity and green space that will occupy areas around the school gym. Collaborating with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and HEB, KMS students will identify store problems, provide solutions, and present to ASME Mentors and HEB.
- Students will also show their knowledge and skills by participating in upcoming competitions such as SeaPerch (Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle), UH Mars Rover Celebration, Alief ISD Popsicle Bridge Contest and the Science Engineering Fair of Houston. Other events to look forward to are STEM Speakers, Expanding Your Horizons (girls only), UH Sandra Jones STEM Day, Kirksey Architecture, NASA, Rice University, Ferrari of Houston and the KMS STEM Conference. Lastly, KMS will collaborate with UH STEM in the UH Bounce STEM Zone summer program to promote healthy eating, physical activity and positive body image.
Fine Arts
- Our Killough Eagles took home 12 Ribbons at the Rodeo Art Show (three 1st place, nine 2nd place, and one 3rd place).
- Digital Art has come to Killough! Art I students are now learning to create using Adobe Photoshop and other Creative Cloud software.
- Students in Theater Arts will be creating their own costumes to study and perform the musical, Shrek.
CATE
New group exploring Design and Modeling, programming and building a helicopter model. They will work their way to an elevator challenge using the building and programming skills they have learned.
Gateway to Technology I:
Students will be starting a series of interactive projects:
Murder Mystery PBL
Brain dissection
Construction lessons for a service project
ESL
- ESL Department is beginning TELPAS in February. All our ELLs will be taking this state test. It has four components: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking and each is woth 25% of the overall student TELPAS composite score.
- Students will complete their TELPAS writing in each of their classes in February.
- Reading, listening, and speaking will be on a computer and administered in March.
- Please encourage your student to well.
Congrats 2018-2019 Killough Middle School Teacher Of The Year Ms. Mitchell
Killough Middle School
Email: contact@aliefisd.net
Website: https://www.aliefisd.net/Killough
Phone: 281-983-8444
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/killougheagles/?rf=712473328835367
Twitter: @KilloughEagles