Meeting in the Middle
November 2015
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Thanks to all of you for your continued support and attendance at Parent/Teacher Conferences! The first trimester will end Wednesday, November 25th. Report cards will be mailed home Wednesday, December 2nd. Please continue communication with your child’s teachers to assure a strong end to the trimester! There will be no school on Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th.
Thanks to all of the parents chaperoning the 8th grade Washington D.C. trip! Without you, we could not offer such a great opportunity for our kids! Thanks to Jay Kirkey, Cheryl Elmer and the rest of the LMS staff for organizing and giving of their time to make this trip possible!
Our annual 8th grade EDP parent meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 11th. . During this meeting, parents will learn about the required EDP class for all eighth graders and will be given a preview of the high school Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements and learned about programs and opportunities available for high school students who attend the Genesee Career Institute. This is the first step for parents and students as we move toward the eighth grade transition to high school. Please contact the main office to RSVP for this event.
The next Parent Koffee Klatch meeting is Tuesday, November 17th from 4:00-5:00 PM in the LMS media center. We will go over upcoming events, fund-raising opportunities, and discuss general questions.
Please feel free to contact the main office with any questions/concerns you may have. Open, two-way communication is an important factor in the success of LMS.
Respectfully,
Julie Brown
November Calendar
November 11 8th Grade EDP Parent Night; Media Center; 6:00-7:30 PM
November 16 SCRIP Fund-raising Order Forms Out; Due December 1st
November 17 Parent Koffee Klatch; Media Center; 4:00-5:00 PM
November 18 Late Start: Classes begin at 9:45 AM
November 19 LMS Choir Concert; Cafetorium; 7:00 PM
November 25 End of First Trimester
November 26-27 No School
December 1 SCRIP Orders and Money Due to Main Office
December 4 Peanut Butter and Jelly Media Day
December 7 LMS Newsletter Posted
Talented Talons
Language Arts
In language arts, students are finishing up a nonfiction reading unit. Students learned how to successfully read and comprehend nonfiction using the SQ3R reading strategy.
Next, students will be working on a process description essay. Students will be tasked with writing a step-by-step how-to paper about an activity that they enjoy. Once finished with the writing assignment, we will then work on speaking and listening skills, as the students will be asked to create a presentation and show it off to the class!
Social Studies
Do you know the “Five Themes of Geography?” Students have been learning what it is like to be in a geographer’s world. As they are learning about being a geographer, students have discovered facts about deforestation in South America, how Dr. John Snow used geography to stop malaria in London, and why studying geography helps us understand the world around us. The students will be taking a test on Chapter One next week, but before the test we will be playing a fun review game of Jeopardy.
Math
We are finishing our unit on Expressions and Equations by learning how to use and analyze two variable relationships. Students have drawn a picture to represent a two variable relationship and are learning how to use a table and graph as well. Our next topic of study will be multiplying and then dividing fractions.
Science
It is amazing how much time flies when you are having fun! We can’t believe that it is already almost the end of the first tri-mester. So far the Talented Talons have had an exceptional year. Students have successfully transitioned to the middle school and are feeling more comfortable in their surroundings. Here are just a few reminders of what it takes to be a successful middle school student:
1. Come to class prepared. This means having all the materials necessary for that class period. (pencil, books, folders, homework, etc.)
2. Turn in all assignments – One of the biggest culprits of low grades is missing work.
3. Participate in class – This means engaging in class discussions, working cooperatively with peers, and asking questions when needed.
4. Be Respectful, Responsible, and Safe
We are looking forward to another fun and exciting tri-mester!
In Science we are exploring the changes of the state of matter. This includes freezing, melting, condensation, vaporization, sublimation, and deposition. Students have done an awesome job with their reinforcement practice work to support their understanding of the learning targets. They should also be keeping track of their progress on the learning targets in their interactive notebook. I am always available for those that need extra help.
Winged Warriors
Social Studies
We are starting chapter three. In chapter three, we will examine the question; What is culture? We will look at what influences how a culture develops. We will also explore economics and population. The students will learn about the different types of economic systems. They will learn how industrialized countries differ from developing countries. Finally, the students will look at how people around the world are connected. Please remember that books can be taken home for study. The pages to read ahead and study are pages 48-63. On pages 64-65 you will find review and practice.
Language Arts
Language Arts classes are finishing their intensive study of non-fiction this month. Students created and published Monster Newspapers. They will begin writing a process description essay this week and present their projects to the class in a “How To” presentation. Students will round out the trimester by writing argumentative essays. Please check ParentVue/StudentVue (online grade book) on a regular basis with your child.
Math
Math classes have finished topic three and have started working on relationships of two variables. Students will learn how to make graphs from tables of values and use equations to make tables. Topic 5 and 6 will cover fractions. Students will be learning how to multiply and divide fractions as well as learning when to multiply or divide and solve real world problems involving fractions and mixed numbers. Please check your child’s Digits account for all homework and grades. Keeping up on homework and asking questions in class is the key to doing well.
Science
We will spend the month of November learning about Matter and its properties and how it changes. Students have been keeping up with assignments, THANK YOU for your part in this area. Please remind your student to bring science notebooks to class EVERY DAY, we use it daily and is key for success in class. Continue to keep an eye on ParentVue to stay on top of your child’s progress. As always, if you have questions or concerns call or email.
Regal Eagles
Thank you to all of the parents and guardians who attended conferences. It is our pleasure to work with you and your students this year. Be sure to stay in contact with us throughout the year whenever you have concerns or questions.
The beginning of the year is an important time to promote good work habits. Don’t let these habits fade! Encourage your child to use the student planner and make frequent checks on homework and study time. Use ParentVue and StudentVue to stay informed of upcoming tests and quizzes and to encourage your child to keep up with assignments in a timely fashion.
Learning is in full force! The 7th grade students in Ms. Mazza's class are focusing their attention on the History of Southwest and Central Asia. They will focus on the discoveries scientists have made about prehistoric times, the characteristics of civilization, and where the first civilizations developed. Language Arts students are reading and writing in the genre of memoir. We are studying mentor texts to learn writing strategies, study form, and generate topics for our own writing. Science students are finishing up their Cell Analogy project and will begin presenting at the end of this week. We will start identifying parts of animal/plant cells next and create an edible cell!
Next month, seventh graders will take their first field trip to Rollerama before the break. Look for permission slips to come home next month.
Soaring Eagles
Thank you to all of the parents who attended Parent/Teacher Conferences. It was very nice to meet all of you. There are only a few weeks left in the trimester, so it is really time to buckle down. Please make sure that your child is caught up in all classes. If you haven’t received your Parent Vue login or are having trouble with your login, please contact the main office. The end of the first trimester is Wednesday, November 25. There is still quite a bit of time left for students to improve those grades! If you have any questions or comments, please contact your child’s teacher as soon as possible.
Language Arts classes have started working on writing a personal memoir in class. Please ask your child what they’re writing about and offer to read the rough draft! Social Studies classes will begin learning about the Middle East. Mrs. Boyer’s classes are working on percents.
Mr. Allessie had the privilege of going with the 8th graders to Washington DC. This is a remarkable opportunity for students to visit our nation’s capital! It’s never too early for our 7th graders to start fundraising to make this trip a reality!
8th Grade Newsletter
It’s been another busy month for the 8th Graders. The Washington D.C. trip was a success. The students had great weather to enjoy our nation’s capital. Linden Middle School was well represented by our 8th grade students. Thank you to Mrs. Elmer and Mr. Kirkey for organizing the trip. Also thank you to the parent chaperons who attended with our students. The students who stayed back traveled to the Holocaust Museum in Farmington Hills. Washington D.C. t-shirt orders will be coming home soon. This is a fun way to remember the trip!!
All first trimester EDP students traveled to the Genesee Career Institute on October 29th. Please ask your student what the Career Institute has to offer.
8th grade students will be taking a bowling field trip, December 22nd to Striking Lanes in Hartland. Cost is $12/child and includes transportation, 2.5 hours of bowling, 2 pieces of pizza, and a pop . Permission slips and details to come home after Thanksgiving. Each student will need to have a permission slip signed to attend.
Thank you to all the parents who attended parent-teacher conferences on October 15th.
We would like to remind parents that using ParentVue is a good way to keep track of your student’s progress. If you are unsure of your password, the Linden Middle School office can help. Remember to keep checking your student’s Digits math account, too! This will help track homework assignments and grades.
8th grade Science is gearing up for an interstellar experience!! Students will be working on a planet research paper. Ask your student about the planet they chose!
Language Arts students are reading “The Outsiders.” Look for them to become “Greasers” or “Socs” before Thanksgiving for extra credit!!