MS Newsletter
Here's what's happening in MS this week!
March 12, 2018
Dear parents,
Thank you to all who attended conferences last week and spent time at our science fair!
ENGLISH
6th Grade: This week, we are continuing our analysis of information found online, practicing skills to spot misinformation. Students will use these skills to conduct research on a shared topic. Students will have a spelling test on Thursday, so study your words! This marking period, students have an independent reading project. For the first step of the project, students must select and READ a book that interests them by the time we return from spring break (April 3rd). Books, whether fiction or nonfiction, must tell a story (no Guinness Book of World Records, etc.) and must be new to your student.
7th Grade: This week, we are continuing our work with memoirs. After we finish our brainstorming, we will begin drafting outlines. In the lessons that follow, we will learn how to effectively incorporate figurative language, sensory descriptions, and dialogue. Students will have a spelling test on Thursday, so study your words! This marking period, students have an independent reading project. For the first step of the project, students must select and READ a book that interests them by the time we return from spring break (April 3rd). Books, whether fiction or nonfiction, must tell a story (no Guinness Book of World Records, etc.) and must be new to your student.
8th Grade: We will have a special guest this week. Mike Bennett from The Bennett Agency in East Jordan, will be visiting to present awards to the three winners of the America and Me essay contest that we entered last fall. It will be exciting to see who won! We will continue our grammar studies with a focus on action verbs, linking verbs, intransitive verbs, transitive verbs, active voice, and passive voice.
SOCIAL STUDIES
6th Grade: We have been learning about and comparing cultural components that are found in different regions of the world such as language and money. This week we will be exploring some of the major religions of the world. Students are also working on a research presentation on a country. They are to include cultural components such as language, government, flag, food, music, art, money, religion, sports, traditions and celebrations.
7th Grade: We have been learning about and comparing cultural components that are found in different regions of the world such as language and money. This week we will be exploring some of the major religions of the world. Students are also working on a research presentation on a country. They are to include cultural components such as language, government, flag, food, music, art, money, religion, sports, traditions and celebrations.
MATH
6th Grade: 6th graders took a test on applying ratios and rates on Friday. Please encourage your child to make corrections and take retakes if necessary. This week we will be learning all about percents and how every number can be written as a decimal, fraction, and a percent.
7th Grade: 7th graders will be learning about cross sections through 3D shapes. We will also explore angle relationships that exist when two lines intersect. There will be a quiz on Thursday.
8th Grade: 8th graders reviewed for M-Step last week and this week we will begin our unit on Geometry. We will be exploring patterns and designs that occur when objects are rotated, reflected, and translated in a coordinate plane. Expect a quiz on Thursday.
SCIENCE
6th Grade: Science fair projects have been graded. Students may do corrections to add items that they forgot to include for partial credit. Corrections will be accepted through Wednesday. Students may do an extra credit Independent Science Investigation this marking period. Forms are available in the room. We will also be continuing our study of matter.
7th Grade: Science fair projects are done! All students were able to complete their projects in time for the fair. Way to work together 7th grade! We have started a unit on Photosynthesis and will be starting a germination lab and growing plants!
8th Grade: Science fair projects have been graded. Students may do corrections to add items that they forgot to include for partial credit. Corrections will be accepted through Wednesday. Students may do an extra credit Independent Science Investigation this marking period. We will also be wrapping up our oceanography studies finally.
SINCERELY,
The Middle School Team
6-7th English: Nic Dziadosz ndziadosz@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
8 English: Amanda Terryberry aterryberry@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
6&8th Sci, 6-7th SS: Sue Goslee sgoslee@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
8th SS: Olivia Speicher ospeicher@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
6-8 Math: Erica Stuck estuck@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
7th Science: Clayton Faivor cfaivor@ellsworth.k12.mi.us