Maple Avenue Middle School
October 2018 Newsletter
Student of the Month: Katelyn Gilbert
Throughout her schooling Katelyn has received the Presidential Fitness Award, and Blue and Gold Honor Roll. In her free time she participates in soccer, playing all positions for AYSO. Katelyn also enjoys riding her Quarter Horse, Utani, in Western horseback riding. She hopes to join the Volleyball team here at Mams this spring. Katelyn’s favorite subject and teacher is English with Miss Sabol. Her favorite novel is The Outsiders. You can catch Katelyn on a hot day enjoying some chocolate chip ice cream. Katelyn hopes to work as either an FBI agent or elementary school teacher. She hopes to help people in some way.
Spirit Week at Maple Avenue... 1 Town 1 Team!
6th Grade
Miss Sestina's Class
Mr. Gilbert's 8th Graders
Mr. Urey's Homeroom
Mr. Popoff's Students
Miss Enoff & Class
Mr. B's Reading Class
Mrs. Cashman's Heros
Crockett & Crew
Miss Sabol's 7th Graders
8th Grade
6th Grade
6th Grade: Team Bolts
Mrs. Becker and Mr. Urey's science classes have begun their study of Earth in Space. They will be learning about the Sun-Earth-Moon system, the solar system, as well as stars, galaxies, and the universe. Assignments can be found posted in Schoology and they can log into their text book from this link:
https://my.mheducation.com/login
Miss Collins’ English Language Arts classes have been rotating into different stations to learn and practice conflict, plot and theme. We have connected our stations with our marking period one novel, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. We continue to read four chapters a week and meet in small groups to dig deeper into the novel through discussions and engaging activities. In Geography, we have started our first region of the world, the United States and Canada. Our unit question is, “How has location influenced life in the United States and Canada over time?”. Students are using their map skills from the previous chapter to analyze the physical and cultural features of the region while comparing and contrasting the two countries.
Mr. Baumgardner’s ELA classes have recently finished reading the novel Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. We are working through and learning how to become better writers. Throughout the month of October, we will also be exploring the nonfiction genre and will be learning how to annotate while reading. We will continue to work on grammar skills and word study on a weekly basis, which hopefully will help improve our writing.
In Geography class, we are into Chapter 2: The United States and Canada. During this chapter we are learning about the government and economy of these two countries. We have also explored many maps of the countries and have used these maps to complete a 2026 Winter Olympic project. In this project, the students had to decide where the best place would be to hold the 2026 Winter Olympics. Since our textbook is online (www.discoveryeducation.com), the students are able to access it from home via their Chromebooks.
Ms. Willet’s ELA and SS classes are finishing up our first fiction unit and Hoot. The students are showing their learning with an end of novel project and a TDA writing. They are also digging deeper into proper strategies and techniques for TDA writing. In SS the student are learning about the US and Canada. They are learning how location has influenced life in the US and Canada, and how these countries have become influential politically and economically.
Mrs. Koontz and Mrs. Raubenstine’s Core Connections 1 Math are currently concluding Unit 1, Numbers and Operations. Within this unit, students worked with fraction and decimal operations as well as factors. The unit concludes with Unit test. Moving forward, we will be spending time in Unit Two, Ratios and Proportions.
Mrs. Koontz’s Core II Math class will soon be finishing Unit 1 which focuses on fractions, decimals, and integers. Students will continue to work with + and - integer tiles to model addition and subtraction of integers. The goal is not for students to memorize these mathematical practices, but develop these practices throughout the course will help them gain a more complete view of the mathematics they are learning. Students will use their understanding of integer and rational number operations not only in this chapter, but throughout the remainder of of their math studies.
7th Grade: Team Aviators
The 2018-19 school year is moving right along, and we already find ourselves in October! Not only is the time approaching to carve jack-o-lanterns and stock up on Tootsie Rolls, Blow Pops, and candy corn, but it is also time to start thinking about parent-teacher conferences. If you have questions or concerns regarding your learner, November is the time to address those issues by scheduling a conference with the Aviator Team teachers.
Math
In math class students are learning all about integers. They will become proficient at adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing rational numbers. We will conclude the Rational Numbers Unit by reviewing Order of Operations.
In addition to the weekly homework assignments, all students will be required to work on an individual learning path using the Edgenuity program. The learning paths are designed to meet each students individual weaknesses in math, so they can grow as a learner.
Science
Students did EXCELLENT on our first Unit - “Tools of Science”. Way to go!! We are launching into our first Unit in the ebook which is Foundations of Chemistry - Chapter 10. Students will be given their ConnectEd Log in and Temporary password. Students will be able to log into the Mc Graw HIll Science Ebook through a browser or through their Apps if they are on their ipad.
Things are looking great!
Social Studies
In social studies, we have been learning about Ancient Egypt. We learned about the different gods of Egypt and what roles they played in Egyptian society. We also explored mummification and how the Egyptians embalmed the body. Throughout October, we will be exploring Ancient India. We will specifically dive into the religion of the region and its characteristics. At the end of the month,we will be having a notebook check. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at martinom@lasd.k12.pa.us
English
Students are continuing to work diligently through reading The Outsiders as we wrap up the month. Please check out schoology for the assignments and tasks. Expect English to get a little spookier as we start our Harris Burdick and Poe Unit. Students will be reading various short stories from both collections to analyze how authors create and use suspense. Keep in mind students have their independent novels to read and those projects are due October 26th. Please continue to reach out for your child’s success at sabols@lasd.k12.pa.us
7th & 8th Grades: Team lightning
SCIENCE Mr. Decker and Ms. Enoff
7th Grade:
7th Grade students are exploring the structure and function of cells and beginning to build a foundation as to how cells form tissues, which form organs, organ systems, and eventually organisms. Students will be creating a variety of products that showcase their learning and use of the 4 C’s.
8th Grade:
Students are working on their understanding of Newton’s laws of motion that govern planetary motion. To help students fully understand the concepts that are involved they will be building balloon powered cars that are tasked to carry as many pennies as possible 36 inches. They will also be producing a video that shows their understanding of each of these concepts.
MATHEMATICS Mr. Heller and Ms. Enoff
7th Grade:
Students are moving from review materials in Unit 1 to new concepts and skills. Students are encouraged to put their best effort into classwork and practice. This is the practice and repetition that makes a strong math student! Also, based on PSSA scores, class performance, and MAP diagnostic testing, students will start to be grouped strategically for remediation and support. The goal is for all students to be successful in math!!
8th Grade:
Core 3: We currently finished student MAP conferences, and are in the middle of Chapter 2 which covers simplifying expressions, and combining like-terms using algebra tiles. These manipulatives should give students a more concrete understanding of how like-terms can be combined, and how we can keep and equation “balanced.” Looking forward, Chapter 3 involves students’ looking at tables to develop equations, and graphing those equations. It is important students keep up with the homework so get the practice they need to be successful with the Core 3 content as the concepts become more abstract.
Algebra: Students are now able to find the inputs and outputs of functions, and are also able to describe a graphed function completely (including intercepts, vertices, and shape). Chapter 2 focuses on linear relationships where students learn about slope-intercept form, and how to tell how steep a line is. We will use the skills of graphing linear relationships throughout the year which makes it a pivotal chapter. Questions are strongly encouraged as the algebraic concepts we are covering are very new to students. So far we are off to a great start!
ENGLISH: Mr. Peglow and Mrs. Trout
7th Grade:
Students will finish the novel The Outsiders this month and continue working on the skills needed to a write text dependent analysis. The focus for this month will be on organizing and expanding on paragraphs to ensure there is enough detail for a reader to visualize what he or she is explaining. For grammar we will be working with adjectives and adverbs to assist in helping them with the descriptive aspect of the writing.
MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) scores and goal sheets are coming home this month. Your child’s teacher is dedicated to providing material and lessons that will meet the student’s readiness level. Please take a moment to discuss your student’s goal with them and let them share with you their action steps toward meeting their goal. By working together we can all ensure student growth.
8th Grade:
Students will continue reading Ender's Game as we come to its unbelievable conclusion. We will continue working on written responses and the Narrative as well. The effort will be to start moving away from the simple sentence and begin combining sentences to achieve more fluid and diversified writing rather than a simple, robotic style.
SOCIAL STUDIES Mr. Popoff and Mrs. Trout
7th Grade Ancient Civilizations:
Students in Ancient Civilizations are in the process of deciphering one of the most interesting and well-known civilizations in world history: the Egyptians. Upon finishing up our Unit on Ancient Egypt, students will venture to Ancient India where the formation of two well-known religions occurred: Hinduism and Buddhism. Students will compare and contrast several major world religions during the next month or two.
8th Grade U.S. History:
Students in U.S. History are currently in the midst of examining the American Revolution. Over the course of the next month, students will study the trials and tribulations of a new independent nation. Students will scrutinize our nation’s first governments: the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution. We will examine the successes and failures of each.
8th Grade: Team Sky Pilots
Students are off to a fantastic start in Math. They’re adapting well to the concept of having a Growth Mindset; we’re focusing on growth and learning this year! Geometry and Core 3 students each completed unit 1 assessments and are working on unit 2. The integration of technology into the math curriculum is having a positive impact on student engagement and learning.
Science has gotten off to a smooth start. We started out the year with the Scientific Method. Student groups are investigating a problem and are applying their knowledge to test their hypothesis. We are working with a new science series : McGraw-Hill ConnectEd. This can be used 100% online. So far the kids really seem to be enjoying it. I am trying a quasi-flipped class. Students are given time to research and dig in the topics in class. We then have discussions, labs, and activities to further support what they have learned. The students can download the apps onto their phones or computers at home. They are FREE!!! and having them on those devices gives then the opportunity to stay caught up regardless of location. Currently we are working through the Physics Unit.
English class is closing our study of Ender’s Game and the fiction focus in the next couple of weeks. Students will review fiction concepts such as foreshadowing, cause and effect, characterization, tone, mood, and setting analysis.
Any class activity or reading that is incomplete at the end of the period should be finished independently and turned in the next day. Any missing assignments can displayed on the Sapphire website, and students have a paper copy and digital copy of the class syllabus that they can reference.
History classes are currently finishing up their study of the formation of the original 13 colonies. They are producing online colony recruitment posters. They have completed a digital breakout on the 13 colonies. They will next begin to examine the causes of the American Revolution. They will complete a PBL on leading figures of the American Revolution.
Counselor's Corner
Friendships can make middle school a happier place
Middle school is the age of the peer. There will probably never be another time in your child’s life when people his own age are more important. And while your child may dream of being popular, he doesn’t need that to be happy and fulfilled. He does, however, need a few friends he can count on. Encourage your child to:
Introduce himself to new students or any students who seem friendly. A smile is usually a sign that a child is open to a new friendship.
Look for people with interests that match his. Activities and clubs can be a haven for children who need help making friends. It’s hard to spot a child with similar interests just by walking through the halls.
Build on friendships that have potential. It’s important to have people to talk to at school. But the strongest friendships include spending time together outside of school. If your child has been eating lunch and walking to class with the same three people for the last month, suggest that he invite them to your house to hang out. Or, offer to drive them to the movies.
School counselors support learning and offer guidance
Has your child met with his school counselor? If not, he’s missing out on a wonderful resource. Middle school counselors have specialized training that allows them to understand and support students as they face the unique challenges of middle school. School counselors support students through this important time of development by supporting academic and social/emotional needs.
Your child’s school counselor can help him:
- Set and meet goals. Your child’s counselor can help him define what he hopes to achieve in middle school and beyond.The counselor can then nudge him toward the right classes and extracurricular activities to help meet those goals.
- Resolve conflicts. If your child is struggling with something in school—whether academic or social—his counselor can guide him through it.
- Find extra support. The counselor can assist with finding whatever outside resources your child of family needs to thrive in middle school.
Reprinted with permission from the October 2018 issue of Parents Still make the difference!® (Middle School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2018 The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc.
Bolt PRIDE Focus for October
Bolt Pride Focus
Among other causes, October is emotional wellness, bullying prevention, and positive attitude month. We will be focusing on these areas during our monthly bolt pride meetings. Part of bullying prevention is correctly identifying what bullying is and learning appropriate ways to respond.
“A student is being bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more students. Bullying implies an imbalance in power or strength. The student who is bullied has difficulty defending himself/herself.” ~Dan Olweus (1993)
By raising awareness and working together to build a positive learning environment, all students can focus on academic growth.
A Message from the School Nurse
Reminders from the nurse’s office:
All 6th graders are required by Pennsylvania school health law to have a physical to enter the sixth grade. The school physician will be here in December to provide physicals if you would like your child to receive one. Please return the completed physical form or the choice for the school physician by December 3, 2018.
All 7th graders are required by Pennsylvania school health law to have a dental exam to enter the seventh grade. If you have not already done so please return completed dental form. Date to be announced for Mobile Dentist in January.
Flu season is just around the corner and now is a good time to schedule that flu shot appointment if you have not already done so.
PILOT (Pursuing Innovative Learning Opportunities for Tomorrow) is Flying High
Kenzie Hull & Rebecca Lanahan created a mini-documentary to provide advice to students at MAMS. The intended audience is sixth grade.
Podcasts can be found on Stitcher or Anchor created by various students.
If any of the topics below interest you, check out the episodes created by 8th graders:
* HMBR - Halftime Marching Band Review
* MAMS Hustle - Sports Show
* Game Changers - Sports and Extra Curricular Debate
* Mind Your Language - History of Language
* MAMS Race - Animal Trivia
* H&B Podcast - HS Volleyball News
* NFL Week 1 Predictions - NFL News Coverage