Sandwich Middle School
October Newsletter 2018
6th Grade News
6th Grade News- HAPPY FALL~
The students are now getting used to the routine of moving from class to class and are working to organize themselves and their assignments. Many are really doing well with this, and some still need to be sure to bring their supplies each day and to find a time after school to work on their homework so that it is completed on time, especially after an absence. It is their responsibility to get this work caught up and turned in. There are some rooms that offer additional help beyond Advisory time (during the lunch hour or after school), and hopefully students are using that time to their advantage to ask questions and practice skills. They bring their lunch up while they work. The sixth graders have also completed the first round of MAP testing (fall).
Here are some of the AWESOME things taking place in the sixth grade classrooms academically this month:
Social Studies- Exploring the lands of Ancient Egypt
Science-Studying Earthquakes and they will get to see if they can build a model that will withstand an earthquake! We will then move on to explore the inner workings of volcanoes.
Language Arts- Will be working on Informational Text, such as text features and text structures
Math- Will be exploring integers and then moving on to numeric and algebraic expressions
Instructional Math- Will be learning the Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and Dividing of Fractions.
Instructional L.A.- We will be busy working on our own literature book selections, comprehension and vocabulary skills, figurative language, and writing.
***We would like to congratulate these two terrific students for their hard work and dedication to doing their best at school! GREAT JOB!!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR STUDENTS OF THE MONTH:
CJ Swanson and Nicolette Romano
7th Grade News
As we fall into October, many things are happening with the 7th grade. Social Studies is continuing its journey through Colonial America and rapidly moving towards the American Revolution. Along the way, we will be meeting some of the most important Founding Fathers and exploring why the Colonies decided to break free from England in the 1770s.
For Language it seems that the students have started to settle into their new 7th grade routine. We have been working diligently every day in class. We have been reviewing the elements of fiction and apply them to our reading of short stories. We have also covered text features that are used in informational text. Your student will have weekly independent reading that is assigned the first day of the week.
Please check in with them regarding this assignment and discuss what they are reading and learning for that week. As we move into October, the students will begin reading the screenplay Brian's Song. They really enjoy this unit as the students will take turns reading the different parts. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact any of the teachers in 7th grade.
In the math classes, we just finished up our unit on rational numbers. During this unit, the students learned about fractions and decimals. They learned how to add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers with like and unlike denominators. They also learned how to incorporate mixed numbers as well. The next unit we will be working on is ratios and proportions. During this unit, the students will learn about rates/ratios, unit rates, and how to convert unit rates. They will also learn about proportional and nonproportional relationships by setting up ratios, proportions, graphing, constant rate of change, and slope. After this unit is complete, we will begin working on percents.
In the pre-algebra classes, we just finished up our chapters on expressions, equations, integers, and exponents. During these chapters, the students reviewed how to evaluate expression and solve equations using the four basic operations. They also learned how to solve basic inequalities, combine like terms, graph on the coordinate plane and interpret graphs and tables. In the second chapter of the year, the students reviewed using the four operations involving integers and solving equations and inequalities using integers. They are also learned about exponents, properties of exponents, and scientific notation. The next chapter we will be going over is on rational and real numbers. During this chapter, the students will learn about using the four operations to solve rational number equations and inequalities. They will also learn about the squares of numbers, square roots and cube roots. We will then move on to ratios and similarity.
In science, we are continuing to work on the chemistry unit. We will be learning about elements, compounds and mixtures. We will do several labs to reinforce what we are learning. We will then move onto the atom and the periodic table.
Students of the month are: Emily Beltran and Rex Novak
8th Grade News
First quarter is well underway, and it’s been a great start to the school year! The eighth grade year tends to fly by for the students; soon, they will be planning their schedule for high school. Until then, though, there is a lot going on in their classrooms right now.
In math, we have been working on number sense and our real number system. Students are doing a great job jumping into algebra and solving for variables. In science, we’re working on matter and then starting a unit on the periodic table. After the completion of this unit, we will be moving into chemistry. In language arts, the regular language arts students are reading The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. We’ve been working on our reading strategies by analyzing literature—both fiction and nonfiction. The AT language arts students are in the midst of piloting a new literature book called My Perspectives by Pearson. This is a challenging, yet engaging textbook that will help students think critically while analyzing literature. In American History, we are studying industrialization of America and building towards an Urban America.
Reminder, students are working toward their first semester reward. Also, progress reports are sent home every two weeks. Please, continue to check Tyler SIS to monitor your son/daughter’s progress.
Students of the Month are Melanie Rodriguez and Luiz Baez. We appreciate their great attitudes and work ethic.
News from the LRC
The Scholastic book fair is just ending as I write this. I have my fingers crossed that it will be a huge success. It is always great when you see somebody getting a new book! The profits from the book fair will be used to buy more books for the LRC.
READING ROCKS @ SMS
October will also be the start of something BIG in the LRC. The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award Program begins. All students have a chance to participate. If they read at least of three of the twenty nominated titles, students will be eligible to vote for the state-wide winner in February. Thanks to the Sandwich Education Foundation, multiple copies of the books will be available for checkout. At the end of the program qualifying students will be invited to a voting party held in February. The party will be during Advisory so nobody will miss it. I will be book talking several of the titles in the Language Arts classes. More information about Rebecca Caudill is available at www.rcyrba.org
Explore News
Explore Picks Lexie Romano as Student of the Month!
The explore team has had the privilege of having Lexie Romano in class for three years now. In the last month, she has really impressed us this month because she has gone out of her way to help another student and help resolve a potential issue in class by her kindness and inclusion. We thank her for showing true leadership in a time of need. Great Job Lexie!
Speech and Drama News
Wow, half the quarter has already passed us by. That seems almost unbelievable to me.
Speech & Drama I (6th grade): We have finished reading Arsenic & Old Lace and have discussed characterization. We have also given two short speeches. We will move onto learning about plot diagrams and how to put together full-length speeches. We will compare speeches to Big Macs and read other shorter plays to continue our work with plot diagrams.
Speech & Drama II (7th grade): In 7th grade we have turned to a review of grammar, specifically of writing a complete sentence and subject/verb agreement. Sadly, texting shortcuts and words like, ‘cause and kinda have crept into everyday language, but remains unacceptable in scholarly writing. We have reviewed what a plot diagram is and have applied that to a play and movie titled, “Wait Until Dark” Since the main character is a blind lady, we have also had fun trying out blind activities! We are moving on to writing a movie review before we start with the two big items of the quarter, presenting the “How To” speech and presenting a monologue.
Speech & Drama III (8th grade): So far this year we have finished up with introducing a partner in class, telling 3 interesting stories about ourselves, and work on perfecting our introductions and conclusions. We then learned about the different types of stages and began to read the play, “Harvey”. We will compare the play to the movie and in between short speeches we present in class we will learn about technical theatre and how to put on a show. We will go to the Sandwich Opera House to see backstage and understand how the lights and sound are worked. We will wrap up the quarter by reading “The Foreigner” and considering the technical challenges of putting on this show.
Sandwich Middle School Students of the Month
Springfield Trip open to 7th grade Students and Parents
Springfield Trip open to 7th grade Students and Parents
Come join the annual trip to Springfield, Illinois. The trip is scheduled for Saturday, October 27, 2018.This one day trip is a fun-filled trip to see for yourself why Illinois is truly the "Land of Lincoln" We will visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential museum, the old capitol building, his law office, his tomb, and other Springfield historical sites.
· Travel with your classmates and with WorldStrides touring company. Please sign up by September 10, 2018 for a guaranteed spot. People who sign up later are on a first-come, first-serve basis and may be billed a small late fee as it gets closer to the departure date.
· The total cost per person is $124. Monthly payments ARE available. We will have a tour guide with us for the entire time we are in Springfield. Chaperones who attend will be in charge of a small group of students (maximum 8) as we tour the Presidential museum and will take a head count of these students as we go from site to site.
· Transportation to and from Sandwich Middle School will be on a charter bus with cushy seats and a DVD player.
· Also included in the price is an 8 by 10 group photo, lunch, and a buffet dinner.
3 ways to Sign up…
1. go online at www.worldstridesdiscovernow.org
2. call WorldStrides' Customer Service at 1-800-468-5899
3. mail in the registration form in the envelope (Students can get these from Mrs. Sgiers or from his/her Social Studies Teacher)
USE TRIP ID# 163997
Please do not send registration forms or money to the middle school!
A $49 deposit will hold your spot on the trip or you may pay in full ($124). The balance must be paid before 10/16/18.
Please Email Mrs. Sgiers at ksgiers@kidsroe.org, send a note, or call the school at 815-786-2138 x23204 for any questions.
The Wizard of Oz Trip
Last year we had such a great time seeing a show, we decided to do it again! Please join us in a night out where we will enjoy a wonderful dinner together at Fireside Grille in Sugar Grove followed by a professional production of The Wizard of Oz at the Paramount Arts Center in Aurora.