MS Newsletter
Here's what's happening in MS this week!
December 18, 2017
Dear parents,
The end of the 1st semester has arrived! Exam days are Wednesday-Friday.
If you haven’t had a chance to purchase a baby item for the Moms and Tots Center, you still have time. Collection deadline is Tuesday!
ENGLISH
6th Grade: We are wrapping up the semester with the NWEA tests for both language and reading. We will use IXL and classroom activities to practice on Monday.
7th Grade: We will finish final drafts of our creative writing stories on Monday. On Tuesday, we will take the language section of the NWEA test. During our finals block, we will complete the reading test.
8th Grade: We have finished our hero unit and we are wrapping up the semester with the NWEA test. Students will take the reading section as well as the language section with me.
SOCIAL STUDIES
6th Grade: We are wrapping up our Mesoamerica Unit and will be preparing for a unit test. I will post links to practice questions on the World Geography folder in Google Classroom which your students can access. The test will be during their exam time on Wednesday. FYI-this test grade will be included in the 2nd marking period grade in PowerSchool (there will not be an exam grade under E1).
7th Grade: We are wrapping up our Mesoamerica Unit and will be preparing for a unit test. I will post links to practice questions on the World Geography folder in Google Classroom which your students can access. The test will be during their exam time on Friday. FYI-this test grade will be included in the 2nd marking period grade in PowerSchool (there will not be an exam grade under E1).
8th Grade: The students have taken the Unit 3 test and the projects are due on Monday. We will prepare for the final exam which will be Wednesday morning. The exam is a composite of the unit tests plus a short essay.
MATH
6th Grade: 6th graders took a quiz on Friday on long division. This week we will continue to add, subtract, and multiply decimals. Several students still need to memorize multiplication facts. Practice at home using flash cards if you have them. On Wednesday, students will be taking the NWEA in lieu of an exam. Each student has been emailed a report explaining their current NWEA score and they can use IXL to practice learning targets. If you have questions, please email me.
7th Grade: On Tuesday, students will have a quiz on markup, markdown, sales tax, and tipping using percents. On Thursday, students will be taking the NWEA in lieu of an exam. Each student has been emailed a report explaining their current NWEA score and they can use IXL to practice learning targets. If you have questions, please email me.
8th Grade: Last Friday, 8th graders took a test on writing linear equations. We will begin a new module today learning about functions and how they apply to real life. On Friday, students will be taking the NWEA in lieu of an exam. Each student has been emailed a report explaining their current NWEA score and they can use IXL to practice learning targets. If you have questions, please email me.
SCIENCE
6th Grade: Early in the week, we will be wrapping up our activities on biodiversity in ecosystems. We will have a long quiz/ short test (let’s call it a “quest”) on Wednesday. We will be doing the Science part of the NWEA during their exam time which will be Thursday afternoon. Also, 6th grade won the Good Reads Warm Toes book and sock drive sponsored by the Student Council so they will get their cocoa and cookie treat on Thursday after they take the NWEA!
7th Grade: We will be wrapping up our unit on the Periodic Table. We will also be testing the soil sample taken by the Tip of the Mitt Watershed. On Thursday, students will be doing the Science NWEA for the second time. We are looking for great improvement from the first test in the Fall!
8th Grade: Students have been researching climate change and global warming for a debate before our break. They are either on Team Human, Team Nature, or the Jury. The Jury will be deciding which team presents their research and answer questions most convincingly. They also have a semester exam on our topics we’ve covered this fall: Weather, Atmosphere, and Climate. They have a study guide to work on.
SINCERELY,
The Middle School Team
6-7th English: Nic Dziadosz ndziadosz@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
8 English: Amanda Terryberry aterryberry@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
6&8th Sci, 6-7th SS: Sue Goslee sgoslee@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
8th SS: Michele Hinkle mhinkle@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
6-8 Math: Erica Stuck estuck@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
7th Science: Clayton Faivor cfaivor@ellsworth.k12.mi.us