Poland Middle School Newsletter
December 2017
Monthly Message from the Principal Team
As the year winds down, we are so happy to reflect on our students and the many experiences from the first four months of this school year. We are so grateful to serve our students, teachers, and families each and every day.
We hope that you and your families enjoy a holiday full of peace and joy and the new year brings health and happiness to you all. From our hearts, we sincerely thank you for a wonderful year thus far and we are humbly appreciative of the way in which you have welcomed and supported us. We look forward to an exciting 2018!
Band Concert
Student Council
Student Spirit
Classroom Happenings
Math
In our fifth grade math classes, we have completed our concentration in addition and subtraction of decimals and have been concentrating on whole number double and triple digit multiplication, estimation, finding and using patterns, measurement comparison, and problem solving. We have also incorporated algebraic thinking of finding the unknown.
In sixth grade math, we have concentrated on finding the greatest common factor and least common multiple of two or more numbers. Our study has enabled students to problem solve using the GCF and/or LCM in multiple real-life scenarios and they have discovered when the GCF and/of LCM are used as tools to find solutions. This concentration has led us into our current study of mixed number/fraction estimation, fraction modeling, and multiplying and dividing fractions.
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. In the pictures provided, the students used algebra tiles as a hands-on manipulative in order to simplify expressions. 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 Mrs. McMahon’s 8th grade math class we are continuing to work on expressions and equations. We have been learning to solve linear equations with variables on both sides and realizing that there is not always one solution to an equation. We will build from what we learned about solving linear equations and start graphing them on a coordinate plane. Also, students participated in completing an Hour of Code and created a Google Doodle.
Mrs. Hohloch’s 8th grade math students are discovering how to use rigid and nonrigid transformations to show that figures are similar. They first had to learn about scale factor. To do this, they did a quick activity to determine what all the enlargement numbers had in common and what the reduction numbers had in common.
Algebra students are learning how to write equations for story problems to solve systems of equations. They are also continuing to practice simplifying with exponents and solving absolute value problems.
English Language Arts
This month grade 5 students took the Spelling Bee qualifying test to determine representatives for January’s School Spelling Bee and have been working on DARE essays for graduation. Fifth grade students also had many new opportunities this month such as yearbook, chess club, book clubs, and math clubs.
This month in sixth grade we continued exploring the way authors introduce, elaborate, and illustrate key individuals, ideas, and events. We have spent time discussing how these writing techniques will help to contribute to our own writing, especially when we come to our Argumentative writing project. We then began to read articles on the science of video games and began tracing claims authors use in their writing. This month we have also continued the practice of student debate and Socratic seminars. We are integrating our reading and writing skills with the speaking and listening skills that help us formulate group decision making.
Seventh graders have been working hard this nine- weeks on several standards. The quarter started with analyzing literature for various components. This skill was used to maneuver into writing a literary analysis. Writer’s Workshop was used to learn various organization techniques to help with their writing as well as using evidence and elaboration within their writing. Central Idea and the development of central idea in a piece of nonfiction writing, as well as using context clues for word meaning, have also been a focus. Students have completed lessons using the Universal Design for Learning, which is a technique that promotes student choice in order to promote student learning, in order to learn these skills.When we return from Winter Break, we will be diving further into nonfiction by analyzing how individuals, ideas, and events within a text impact each other. This will lead into our next piece of informational writing.
Please encourage your students to keep reading on their own time. That truly is their only homework most of the time. They set quarterly goals for themselves, and working towards meeting those goals is extremely important.
The 8 grade is continuing to study narrative techniques-how authors make their writing interesting. We analyzed several mentor texts, including three versions of A Christmas Carol-traditional, picture book, and graphic novel. Students will then apply their knowledge of these techniques in order to write a multi-paragraph literary analysis. In addition, students started their study of test-writing as a genre and worked in groups to talk about how test writing is both the same and different from authentic, real-world writing. The 8-grade teachers would like to invite you to practice some of these skills on Family Night, January 23, from 6:30-7:45. More information will be coming home!
Science
Our 5th grade science students are currently finishing their Life Science Unit by researching invasive species and their impact on the ecosystems they inhabit. Next, they will be moving on to their Earth and Space Science Unit.
The 6th grade students are learning that organisms do not live forever therefore reproduction is necessary for the continuation of every species. Traits are passed onto the next generation through reproduction.
The 7th grade science students are working on Energy/ Energy Transformations. Students are working on demonstrating energy transformations in our everyday lives ( using flashlights, cooking meals and using moving vehicles etc....).
In December, 8th grade students learned about the historical scientists and their data that contributed to the present-day plate tectonic theory. They also learned how GPS satellites and receivers monitor plate movement today. Finally, students worked in small groups researching the three different types of plate boundaries and choosing one to creatively model and explain. Be sure to check out some pictures of their finished products in next month's newsletter!
Social Studies
5th grade-5th graders have spent December learning about the different Native American cultural regions of North America. Students have spent time researching the Eastern Woodlands, Great Plains, Desert Southwest, and Pacific Northwest Cultural regions. Students have compared the governments, cultures, and lifestyles of these diverse tribes and the role geography played in their development. Students will be creating a foldable to display the information they learned about these interesting cultural regions. These skills will allow them to make future generalizations about Central and South American cultural regions later in the year.
6th Grade-6th grade students have been exploring their first eastern hemisphere river civilization, Mesopotamia. Students are learning about the geographic characteristics that led to the development of the Sumerian and Akkadian cultures. Students have spent time reading informational texts about the enduring legacies these cultures left behind. Students have also connected the material to the world they live in today. Students worked in groups to solve a critical problem in the middle east today, lack of fresh potable water. Students used information they learned from the past to solve present-day problems that affect many civilizations today.
7th Grade-7th Grade students have spent the month exploring the Roman Empire’s enduring impact on western civilization. Students have been reading rigorous materials and citing specific examples Roman arts, architecture, engineering, and government. Students are using these citations to explain the significance of these Roman contributions.
8th Grade-8th grade students have spent time learning about the causes and factors that led to American Independence. Students have been surveying primary documents from several iconic historical figures from the time period, such as, John Adams. This perspective has allowed students to form a deeper understanding of the causes and effects that led to American Independence.
Specials Spotlight: Band
School Counselors
The 7th and 8th grade students explored various future career pathways throughout the month of December. In the beginning of the month, Mrs. Rowan went into the classes to facilitate career exploration through having the students create their own Ohio Means Jobs Backpacks. This backpack will be used throughout students middle and high school education to help guide in planning for their futures. WIthin the Ohio Means Jobs Backpack, the students completed a career interest inventory to gather how their personal interests relate to what future occupation they may choose. They also discussed the Career Profile and learned about the six Holland Codes.
Then, on Friday, December 15, 2017 the 7th grade students participated in a Junior Achievement Career Exploration Day where outside career counselors and parent volunteers taught six different lessons throughout the school day. These lessons focused on helping students make connections to their personalities and interests in what they may want to do in the future.
The 8th grade students visited the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center on the morning of Friday, December 15, 2017 to explore future career training opportunities there. In the afternoon, the students participated in an interest driven Career Day where they were able to listen to, interact with, and ask questions of five persons from various occupations. The career fields to choose from were: Attorney, news anchor, nurse, military, teacher / principal, occupational therapist, sports writer, graphic design, doctor, electrician, police officer, funeral home director, sports management, veterinarian, financial advisor, artist, cosmetology, engineer, personal trainer, pharmacist, speech therapist, chef, and chamber of commerce.
Success class has been exploring self-control and how to apply it to the classroom setting.
Kindness Club created Holiday cards and decorated mini Christmas trees that were donated to Sunrise Nursing Home in Poland. PANDA donated gifts to families in need and participated in their own Holiday gift exchange/ party.
School Dance
Math Club
Basketball
January Event Dates
12/22-1/2: Winter Recess [No School]
1/3: School Resumes
1/4: PTO Meeting 9:15am
1/6: Ski Club 7:45am PSHS Parking Lot
1/11: School Spelling Bee
1/12: Waiver Day [No Students]
1/15: No School
1/20: Ski Club 7:45am PSHS Parking Lot
1/22: Performing Arts Group 8:00am McKinley Gym
1/23: 8th Grade Family Night 6:30pm-7:45pm
1/27: Ski Club 7:45am PSHS Parking Lot
2/1: PTO Meeting 9:15am
2/2: Student Council Grades 7 and 8 Dance