Illing Insider
June 15, 2021
Greetings Iling Families!
While there were many changes and challenges along the way, we were able to maximize instructional time while keeping at the forefront the well-being and safety of our students and staff. I am extremely proud of all of our students. They have overcome so much and have done so well despite the challenges they faced. I wish our 8th graders success as they move on to high school and anticipate a more typical experience in the fall for our incoming 7th and 8th graders.
A few things to be on the lookout for, we will send a notification via email when final grades are updated in Home Access Center. A hard copy of the report cards will also be mailed to the home address in our records. Lastly, information regarding schedules for the 2021-2022 school year will be sent via email and posted on our school website in August.
I hope you all have a safe and fun summer!
Iris Gomero
Principal
Calling all Illing library books!
Chromebooks do not need to be returned unless your student is moving out of Manchester next school year.
Below is a great video with Illing's summer reading suggestions, book trailers & talks:
Click below for the Governor's summer reading challenge and materials:
Next, check out the 2021 - 2022 Nutmeg Award nominees for Middle School books:
* "New Kid" by Jerry Craft, winner of 2021 Nutmeg Book Award
National Junior Honor Society
NJHS is a program set up for middle school students who strive to excel in school and be the best student they can. The goal of NJHS is to teach students how to be leaders in their community. Some pillars of this club are service, character, and citizenship.
The NJHS has a website that provides information about what is going on in our school community, talks about what people are passionate about lately, what could happen in the community, deliver inspiring quotes to motivate others, etc. If you're curious, keep an eye out for our posts!
Click below for Manchester Public Library Summer Programs Grades 6 - 12:
Social Studies
In social studies, students are finishing their final unit of the year on East Asia. In the past weeks students have been examining issues and solutions that have occurred as a result of high population density in this region. Specifically, students have closely studied the Japanese capital city, Tokyo, to learn how a community can best support a large population living in limited space. For the remainder of the year students will engage in a debate regarding whether or not the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics should happen, and a dive into Japanese pop culture by studying Manga and Anime.
Science
In science students are finishing their Physical Science Unit by wrapping up a paper helicopter lab on Newton’s Second Law of Motion. In this lab students tested how mass affects the force of the landing of the helicopter. To do this, they worked in groups to make paper helicopters and added 1-3 paper clips to change the mass of each one. Next, they measured the time of each drop at a consistent height and recorded their data for each trial. Then, using the speed and acceleration equations students were able to calculate the force of each helicopter landing using Newton’s Second Law of Motion formula, Force = Mass x Acceleration.
SEM-R (Accelerated Reading Enrichment)
In SEM-R we are wrapping up our final unit - analysis and critique. Students are working on completing their final assignment of the year which is focused on Kwame Alexander’s The Undefeated. Students had project options to choose from - a one pager, a reimagining of Alexander’s book in Google Slides, or a poetry assignment. These assignments were due Wednesday, June 9. Students then had time to work on any owed assignments. All owed work was due by Friday, June 11. Students should be continuing to read independently over the summer.
Math
Students in Math are wrapping up their last unit on writing and solving 2-step equations. We have learned a lot this school year, not only academically but also overall with technology and new ways of learning. It is highly recommended and encouraged that students continue to use the online math program DreamBox throughout the summer so that they may continue to practice their math skills. They are to complete 5 lessons a week as their goal. The goal is reset on Mondays. Feel free to use this as a way to earn something at home.
DreamBox Link: https://play.dreambox.com/login/ngs2/pjwf
Username: 26FirLas (example: John Smith; 26JohSmi)
Password: ID number twice (example: 1234512345)ELA
Students in Language Arts have finished their investigation into their argumentative topics. They researched and developed claims about their debatable issue, supported their claim with text evidence and explanation from a variety of sources, and created rebuttals against counterclaims to bolster their points. This unit was a culmination of their practice in reading and comprehending texts and using found information to explore topics in the nonfiction world.Music
Students had a great quarter learning how to play drums, guitars, ukuleles and pianos. They know at least four different chords which opens a great selection of music for students to play along with. We are very excited about the work Tufts students did.
Students that participated in Ensembles at Bennet: Ensembles are not an automatic placement at Illing! If you wish to get back to playing your instrument, please make sure you sign up to join. Also, if you have an instrument at home that was rented from Bennet, please return it to the IMS staff and we will happily get it back to Bennet for you.
Social Studies
In social studies this quarter we recently completed our Modern Africa Projects where topic choice and project choice were student driven choices. Click below to check out some examples:
Rory Corso - Women's Rights in Africa
Kyler Showers - Hidden Toll of COVID in Africa
Alexis Grondahl - Healthcare in Africa
Nadia Jones - Life of LGBT+ community in Africa
Kairi Gillespie - Women's Rights in South Africa
Caden Carek - Deforestation in Africa
Carina Brown - Human Rights in Africa
Nadia Milewski - Women's Rights in Africa
Kaylee Coughlin - Struggles in Africa
ELA
In Language Arts class we have been working on completing our five paragraph argument essay. Students crafted an introduction that drew their reader’s attention to their debate and introduced their position. They wrote body paragraphs outlining the reasons for taking their position, and even included a counter-argument paragraph that addressed points for the “other side of the debate.Thank you very much to Dartmouth students and parents for all of your hard work, both on this essay, and throughout the year.
Science
Students have been learning about Energy Transfer. Forces in motion are all around us each day. Energy is driving these forces and movements. Students will make predictions,observe,collect data and explain how forces cause motion.
Students will design ,build and revise Rube Goldberg machines to perform a task using their understanding of different forms of energy and energy transformations .
Ex: pop a balloon / tip over a cup/drop a coin in a cup
Students will present and analyze each other’s machines. ( Post their device on flipgrid)
Students will reflect on what they learned from completing their Rube Goldberg machine engineering task on energy transfer.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge of energy transformation in a summative written assessment in the form of a CER ( claim/evidence /reasoning) activity.
In the last physical science lesson students will explore and explain Newton’s three Laws of Motion. They will explore Space X ‘s rockets through a rocket modeling activity.
They will collect data on the distances traveled by rockets of different masses.
They will discuss the benefits of space missions to the International Space Station.
(Real life connection)
Reading
This summer, please encourage your child to visit our school online library. SORA is easily accessible and the book selection will allow students to best read and apply their learning of the strategies as well as build their fluency and comprehension. These books can be accessed through Sora, EPIC or other online book programs.
Students will continue to select independent “Just Right” books as well. These self selected -SIR-books should challenge their reading and assist with building comprehension, vocabulary, focus, and reading stamina. They will continue to monitor their reading growth through Weekly Reading Logs and mindful self regulation. Initial reading goals are to read 20 plus minutes a day and better their individual best each week (time, focus, stamina).
Kudos to those students who have completed all their classwork assignments.
Special SHOUT OUTS to those students who have had GREAT attendance and class participation.
As we bring this 2020-2021 school year to a close- I congratulate the students and parents for ongoing stamina and diligence in participating remotely.
Students had to create and draw a made up character of their own using a digital application or hand drawn design incorporating a forest theme. Below are 3 standouts from Ms Ruberto's class:
Drawing by Elias Rivera
Drawing by Audrina Risley
Digital Drawing by Nadia Jones
Team URI teachers and students showed their spirit during crazy hair day on the last full week of school. We wish all families an enjoyable and safe summer!
To the students and families of Team Central:
Without a doubt, this past school year is one we will not forget. It was a roller-coaster ride to say the least. There were high points. Teaching small cohorts for the bulk of the year was a true highlight for us. We really got to know your children in these classroom settings. It may surprise people when I say this, but this year was one of my favorite years of teaching for that reason. And then there were the lows: the Covid anxiety, the remote learning woes, the quarantine blues, and so much more. As teachers, we felt as if we were on a unique journey with our colleagues and students, one that we won't soon forget. We'd like to think that what your children lost in academic instructional time they made up for in life lessons, particularly those of endurance, resilience, problem-solving, and dealing with uncertainty. Students and teachers learned a lot, especially in terms of technology, together, and that was pretty cool. We hope you and your families enjoy a wonderful summer. Everyone deserves some peace and relaxation time. We wish you and your children the best of luck in the future, and hope they visit us as 8th graders next year.
Thank you so much for your support,
Sarah Burdacki and Team Central teachers
Team Syracuse wants to thank our awesome 8th graders for a memorable year. We are so proud to have watched you grow this past year and cannot wait to see what the future holds for all of you. Enjoy your time in the high school, we will miss you!
Students of Team UConn,
This year you all have made some personal achievements. You have learned resilience, you've built the ability to be flexible and go with what the world has thrown at you. There have been a lot of changes this year, and that’s what life is all about. You have also learned something else - perseverance. Not to give up, and take it one day at a time. As you head off to high school, your goal is to be a better person and invest in yourself!
All of your teachers on UConn want you to know that we are proud of all of you!
Good luck in the future!
- Jeff Naidorf & teachers of Team UConn
Science
As the year is coming to a close, students in Science classes have been finishing up their learning about genetics and evolution. We recently took a look at various animal "hand" x-rays to understand how many characteristics and anatomical structures we may have in common with seemingly unrelated animal species, like owls, bears, and even whales.For the final few days of school, students will be engaging with an engineering challenge in which they will work in small groups to create a tall and strong tower completely out of recycled newspaper. Teamwork and collaborations will be at the forefront of this competitive design challenge.
ELA
Language Arts classes on UConn completed their final argument essay. Over the past few weeks, the students have worked diligently on developing their voice to effectively argue a position on a chosen topic. The skills that they developed are necessary for their success in high school and beyond. I am proud of the progress they have made. Ask your students to show you their work. Enjoy your summer.Social Studies
Social Studies classes on Team UConn wrapped up the unit on the Civil War and Reconstruction. Students examined the causes and effects of the Civil War. After analyzing the devastation of the Civil War, students evaluated various plans to rebuild and reunite our country during Reconstruction. We then examined the long-lasting effects of Reconstruction policies on African Americans.
Math
We have wrapped up our final Math test of the year and are taking some time to reflect, to recognize and celebrate one another, and to give thanks to others for what they have accomplished, and who they have been to us in our community. One way this is taking place is in the form of written letters. Each time that a letter is being read out loud, the rest of the class calls out who they believe this letter is addressed to, based on what it says. It is so much fun for the students to hear what others see in them, and to have the rest of the class affirm those words. We are thankful for this year, and hopeful for the next one!Have a great summer and good luck in high school!
Congratulations to the 2021 Illing Baseball team on winning the CRAL championship!!
Attention 8 Grade Athletes
Congrats to our new Athletic Director!
What's coming up?
Mon June 14th 7th Grade Field Day & Cookout/Awards Day
Tues June 15th 8th Grade Field Day & Cookout
Wed June 16th - LAST DAY of School - HALF DAY/EARLY DISMISSAL
Free Meal Pickup for Students
- Bennet -- 11:00 a.m.- Noon
- Buckley, Waddell & Illing -- Noon -1 p.m.
- Bennet -- 3-4 p.m.
- Frozen meals will still be distributed at MHS from 3-4 p.m. but just on Mondays and Wednesdays instead of five days a week. (Monday distribution will be for meals through Wednesday lunch; Wednesday distribution through Friday dinner.) The pick up area at MHS is on the Freshman Center side of the building; use the parking lot off of Summit Street and follow the bus loop to the first set of doors.
Contact Us
Email: igomero@mpspride.org
Website: www.mpspride.org/illing
Location: 227 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester, CT, USA
Phone: (860) 647-3400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Illing-Middle-School/802258026499553
Twitter: @MPS_Illing