Poland Middle School Newsletter
November 2017
Monthly Message from the Principal Team
We can't believe it is already the end of November, and we are into the second nine weeks! The students have been working hard in classes and learning about what makes each person unique.
We were incredibly fortunate to have Freddie and Rose Seitz help bring real world understanding to our school book study of Wonder. Students were so excited to be able to hear Freddie's story and ask him questions. A large thank you goes out to our ELA teachers who helped create this wonderful opportunity for our students!
Eighth grade students were able to hear from the creator of the Love Rocks movement, Susan Dieter. The students were moved from her story and excited to continue the movement by creating love rocks of their own during Advisory.
We are excited about upcoming opportunities for students to show their passions for academics, athletics, and extracurricular opportunities.
Veteran's Day
Academics
Mix It Up Day
Classroom Happenings
Math
In Mrs. McMahon’s 8th grade math class we are working on expressions and equations. We are learning about exponent properties and scientific notation. Students are solving problems involving real world application of scientific notation. These concepts can be challenging, but the students are doing well. Through extra review and stations activities students are able to work with their peers to discuss these concepts and solve problems together.
Mrs. Hohloch’s 8th grade math students are learning about transformations while doing lots of hands-on activities. They also enjoy using my new Qball microphone in class to ask/answer questions. It is encouraging more students to participate during class.
8th grade Algebra students are working with area models to multiply polynomial expressions. This visual representation helps reinforce the idea of the distributive property and is the foundation for factoring polynomials in future lessons.
Welcome to Unit 3- Expressions and Equations in 7th grade mathematics! In this unit, the students will develop a deeper understanding of numbers. The students will learn how to solve one, two, and multi-step equations fluently. They will recognize that variables can be used to represent numbers in any mathematical problem. We will also discuss the difference between equations and expressions. The students will also learn about inequalities and how to graph them on number lines. We will relate all of these concepts to real-world happenings that all students could relate to!
In sixth grade, we are concentrating on prime factorization, greatest common factors, the distributive property, least common multiples, and real-life application via problem solving using the GCF and LCM.
In fifth grade, we have been concentrating on decimal addition and subtraction models. The students seem to be enjoying moving from the concrete three-dimensional base ten models, to the two-dimensional hundredths grids and then the student drawn models. It's great watching them go from concrete thinking to the standard algorithm.
English Language Arts
A “WONDER-Ful” Event
“Your deeds are your moments.” Mr. Brown, an important character in R.J. Palacio’s book and recent movie adaptation Wonder, plays a pivotal role as teacher. In Mr. Brown’s class, students discuss monthly precepts-or thoughts to live by- that challenge their thinking and perceptions. After every student at Poland Middle School read Wonder aloud, our guidance department encouraged students to write and display their own precepts. This is just one of several #choosekind initiatives inspired by the book.
Shortly after this activity, Freddie Seitz a Poland graduate, spoke to students and community members about the difficulties living with a facial difference, much like Auggie, the main character in Wonder. Students were able to ask Freddie and his family questions, take pictures, and even get their books signed!
LOVE ROCKS
In November, eighth graders heard Susan Dieter-Robinson, a Canfield native, speak about the tragic loss of her two daughters. Although her story is heart-breaking, her message is simple-to find joy even in the worst situations. In 2012, her family began making Love Rocks so that people could have something tangible to represent hope and love. Today, there are Love Rocks on every continent.
Poland students created their own Love Rocks to place around the community. If you find one, keep it, pass it along to someone who needs it, or place it somewhere new!
For more information, visit her website at https://www.love-rocks.org/.
Science
It’s hard to believe we are several weeks into the 2nd nine week period! We welcome back Mrs. Andrea Tekac, our 8th grade science teacher who is returning from maternity leave. Mrs. Tekac is getting to know her students and soon her classes will begin learning about plate tectonics. In conjunction with this unit, students will be making designing models of landforms in STEM class to be printed on the 3D printer. 7th grade students are exploring the properties of matter. For a real-world experience, they are testing the pH level of the water from their homes. Our 6th grade students are focusing on life science, specifically the area of mitosis. 5th grade students are exploring life science as well. One of their recent topics is consumers, producers and decomposers.
Social Studies
8th Grade-8th Grade students have been working collaboratively and researching the original thirteen colonies of the United States. Students gathered information about the geographic features, cultural characteristics, and government for each colony. Students used this information to create a foldable that they shared and presented to their classmates.
7th Grade- 7th grade students have been working on the structures of government comparing Athens and Sparta. The students have been working on map skills in relation to these ideas.
6th Grade-6th grade students were divided into groups and assigned an eastern hemisphere country: China, India, Egypt, Syria, and Iraq. Students spent class time researching the geographic characteristics for each country. Students then created a slideshow with their group that explains and give examples of the 5 themes of geography for each place. Students presented this information to their classmates. Students created graphic organizers to record information for each unique and interesting country.
5th grade-5th grade students are exploring how geography and climate affected early native american civilizations in North America. Students watched videos, read articles, and researched internet sites about the different cultural groups in North America. Students will be using this information to create artifacts about each unique region.
Specials Spotlight: Physical Education
School Counselors
November 8-10 - Mrs. Rowan, Mrs. Butch and Mrs. Mechling presented about the Signs of Someone in Crisis; Mental Health Awareness, and Violence Prevention through Sandy Hook Promise at the All Ohio Counselors Conference in Columbus, Ohio. They also attended this conference to gain professional development and grow as school counselors.
The Performing Arts Group had their first meeting on November 13 in the McKinley Gym. This group plans to meet once a month to start off and practice acting skills. If you are interested in joining, the permission slips can be found in the Guidance Office, and the next meeting is Monday, December 11 at 8:00 a.m.
The Kindness Club made Thank You cards to be donated to local elderly members of the Poland Community this month.
PANDA leaders went to Junior PANDA Camp on November 17-19. Our next meeting will be December 1 at 7:45 a.m. in the McKinley Gym.
Success Class explored listening skills this month through games and activities.
Upcoming in the month of December, students will work on Empathy, Growth Mindset skills and Career Exploration. The 7th graders will have a Junior Achievement Career Exploration lessons in a day on Friday, December 15 in their core content area classes. The 8th graders will visit the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center in the morning and have a Career Day in the afternoon on Friday, December 15, 2017.
Book Club
Love Rocks
Sports
Math Club and Performing Arts Group
Math Club
Students in grades 5-8 have the opportunity to join math club, regardless of math ability. Many students enjoy this time with their peers and learn many math concepts in the process. Students have opportunities to participate in contests throughout the year. Please visit this website to sign up and learn more about this exciting club: https://sites.google.com/site/polandbulldogmath/Performing Arts Group
We are excited to inform you that we are starting a Performing Arts Group here at Poland Middle School! The focus will be on learning how to act through the use of games and improv activities. We will meet once a month at 8:00am in the McKinley gym.
The meeting dates are as follows:
Monday, December 11
Monday, January 22
Monday, Febrary 12
Monday, March 19
Monday, April 16
Monday, May 14
Students can pick up a permission form in the office.
Choir Concert
Food Drive
Advisory
December Event Dates
12/1: Junior Leadership Dance [Grades 7 and 8] 7:00-9:00pm @ Poland Middle School Cafeteria
12/7: PTO Meeting 9:15am
12/12: Butterbraid PTO Delivery Pick Up 3:30-5:30pm @ Middle School Cafeteria
12/12: Grades 5 and 6- Band Concert 6:30pm and Choir Concert 7:30pm@ Poland Seminary High School Auditorium
12/13: Grades 7 and 8- Choir Concert 6:00pm and Band Concert 7:00pm @ Poland Seminary High School Auditorium
12/15: Career Day [Grades 7 and 8]
12/18: Red and Green Day-Students are encouraged to wear red and green today.
12/19: Ugly Sweater or Holiday Shirt Day-Students are encouraged to wear school appropriate ugly sweaters or holiday shirts today.
12/20: Pajama Day-Students are encouraged to wear school appropriate pajamas to school today.
12/21: Santa Hat Day [$1.00 Donation]-Students are encouraged to wear a Santa Hat with all proceeds going to the student council fund for community service projects.
12/22-1/2: Winter Recess [No School]
1/3: School Resumes