Ellsworth MS Newsletter
Here's what's happening in MS this week!
December 16, 2019
Dear parents,
We are in our final week of the second quarter. Please see each class and their exam schedule.
ENGLISH
6th Grade:We will be working on finishing “City of Ember” and analyzing the story for common literary elements which they will be applying to their own stories after break. There is no final exam but they will be required to do an analysis of the book. Please ask your student if they finished their No Red Ink assignments. These were to be finished last week but I’ll take late work on this.
7th Grade: We will be working on finishing “The Giver” and analyzing the story for common literary elements which they will be applying to their own stories after break. There is no final exam but they will be required to do an analysis of the book. Please ask your student if they finished their No Red Ink assignments. These were to be finished last week but I’ll take late work on this.
SOCIAL STUDIES
6th Grade: Sixth graders have a study packet for their exam on Friday December 20th. The exam will be over Maya, Aztec, Inca civilizations and will also include identification of things on a world and US map. They can use their packet on the test, but it will cost them 10%. We will be doing some more geography practice and review activities on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
7th Grade: Seventh graders have a study packet for their exam on Thursday December 19th. The exam will be over Maya, Aztec, Inca civilizations and will also include identification of things on a world and US map. They can use their packet on the test, but it will cost them 10%. We will be doing some more geography practice and review activities on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
8th Grade: This first semester we have gotten up to about 1821. This past week we did a reader’s theatre, which the kids seem to really really enjoy. This coming Monday the students will receive their exam study guides and will work on them in class for two days. It is a long one so that they can have all of the information that we have covered. The exam is Friday, December 20. They are allowed to use their study guide for a 12% subtraction of what they receive as a grade. I do tell the students that what is on the study guide is what could be on the test. I do not add anything that is not on the study guide. If they know the study guide then they will know the test. They will be able to make the decision that they feel is best for them.
MATH
6th Grade: 6th graders are working on adding and subtracting decimals. They have a quiz over this lesson on Monday. If you’d like to bring in an ice cream topping, please bring in Monday or Tuesday, if you’ve passed 10 lessons. This week we will be practicing multiplying decimals. On Thursday during the exam block, they will be taking their second iReady Diagnostic test. Over the break, students can work on multiplication facts and if they have access to the internet they can continue their iReady path.
7th Grade: 7th graders are learning about proportional relationships. They have a quiz over this lesson on Tuesday. If you’d like to bring in an ice cream topping, please bring in Monday or Tuesday, if you’ve passed 10 lessons. On Friday during the exam block, they will be taking their second iReady Diagnostic test. Over the break, students can work on multiplication facts and if they have access to the internet they can continue their iReady path.
8th Grade: 8th graders are finishing up their lesson on analyzing graphs. They will have a quiz over the lesson on Tuesday. If you’d like to bring in an ice cream topping, please bring in Monday or Tuesday, if you’ve passed 10 lessons. On Thursday they will be taking their second iReady Diagnostic test. Over the break, students can work on iReady and can continue their iReady path.
SCIENCE
6th Grade: We took a test over Ecosystems and we will be doing a variety of science related fun this week. During our exam time, we will be watching some Nature episodes through PBS.
7th Grade: Happy 150 years Periodic Table! We will be finishing our tour of the periodic table Monday before starting to prepare for Semester exams. The 7th graders will be taking a comprehensive semester exam that will count for 20% of their overall semester grade. Please encourage them to spend time at home preparing.
8th Grade: Happy 150 years Periodic Table! We will be finishing our tour of the periodic table Monday before starting to prepare for Semester exams. The 7th graders will be taking a comprehensive semester exam that will count for 20% of their overall semester grade. Please encourage them to spend time at home preparing.
ART
6th Grade: We will be testing our bridges that we created to span 36” and hold hotwheel style cars. The students will then have two days to see and practice still life as their final. Hope they all draw during christmas break.
PE
7th Grade: Students had another productive week in the gymnasium. I appreciate the growth and improvement in sportsmanship, participation, and teamwork over the last 7 weeks. Monday and Tuesday will be the last 2 days for the marking period. Students will participate in a net game/activity and an invasion game.
Please encourage your student to remain active over Christmas vacation and the new year. Teenagers need 1 hour of aerobic activity each day and 20 minutes of muscular endurance/muscular strength building activities 3 days per week.
SINCERELY,
The Middle School Team
8th English: Amanda Terryberry aterryberry@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
6th and 7th English Michele Hinkle mhinkle@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
6th Sci, 6-7th SS: Sue Goslee sgoslee@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
6-8 Math: Erica Stuck estuck@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
7-8th Science: Clayton Faivor cfaivor@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
8th SS: Laurie Yost lyost@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
Art: Kurt Zimmerle kzimmerle@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
Music: Ashley Ford aford@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
PE: Mark Drenth mdrenth@ellsworth.k12.mi.us