Ellsworth MS Newsletter
Here's what's happening in MS this week!
November 11, 2019
Dear parents,
Thank you for coming to conferences last week!
ENGLISH
6th Grade: At the end of this week, students will have a vocabulary test. The words are available on Google classroom to help them study. We are currently working on an Argumentative Paragraph which will be due on the 20th. We are working on the process in school so hopefully they only have to focus on vocabulary and spelling at home.
7th Grade: At the end of this week, students will have a vocabulary test. The words are available on Google classroom to help them study. We are currently working on an Argumentative Paragraph which will be due on the 20th. We are working on the process in school so hopefully they only have to focus on vocabulary and spelling at home.
8th Grade: This week we will have grammar lessons on compound subjects and verbs, direct and indirect objects, and subject complements. We are also starting a new writing unit and will be reading six thematically-paired texts and answering the question, “How can we achieve happiness?” At the end of the unit the students will write a synthesis essay.
SOCIAL STUDIES
6th Grade: We will be doing some research to investigate what happened to the Mayans. Why did they disappear? Students will evaluate some sources and come up with their own theory as to their disappearance. We will also be resuming vocabulary practice with a quiz this week. Vocabulary will be posted in Google classroom by Monday morning and the quiz will be on Friday.
7th Grade: Mayan Culture projects were due November 7th. If you student has a “0” in powerschool it’s because they failed to submit their assignment to me. They may do it this week, but will not receive full credit. This week we will be doing some research to investigate what happened to the Mayans. Why did they disappear? Students will evaluate some sources and come up with their own theory as to their disappearance. We will also be resuming vocabulary practice with a quiz this week. Vocabulary will be posted in Google classroom by Monday morning with a quiz on Friday.
8th Grade: Ask your students to tell you the Preamble if you haven’t already heard them singing the School House Rock song that goes with it. They have been working this past week on that and Monday, November 11 have a quiz over it. They also learned the 6 Principles of the Constitution as well as the 6 Goals of the Constitution.
MATH
6th Grade: The 6th graders will revisit fractions this week, learning how to divide fractions. There will be a quiz over the lesson at the end of the week.
7th Grade: 7th graders will discover how to solve real life problems with rational numbers this week. We will add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers. There will be a quiz at the end of the week.
8th Grade: 8th graders continue to learn more about functions. We are comparing functions and we will have a quiz on their comparisons at the end of the week.
SCIENCE
6th Grade: We will be discussing the term “biodiversity” this week as well as looking at threats and protection for biodiversity. It is our last week for Kids in the Kitchen with Mrs. Brown. She will be coming on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
7th Grade: We completed the mystery powder lab in class on Thursday. Students tested 5 different white powders for chemical and physical properties and identified them as detergent, baking powder, baking soda, corn starch, and salt. We will have our 3.1 Properties of Matter quiz on Wednesday, then go on to studying changes in matter.
8th Grade: We completed the mystery powder lab in class on Friday. Students tested 5 different white powders for chemical and physical properties and identified them as detergent, baking powder, baking soda, corn starch, and salt. We will have our 3.1 Properties of Matter quiz on Tuesday, then go on to studying changes in matter.
ART
6th Grade: The students will be working on practicing their color mixing and blending skills by creating a pop art using candy wrappers as inspiration.
PE
7th grade students had another great week in the gymnasium. They continue to show improvement in throwing and catching skills and defending space. I also appreciate their conduct and positive interaction with peers.
Week 3 will focus on transitioning between offense and defense, anticipating movement of the ball, and passing the ball to an OPEN/UNDEFENDED teammate during invasion activities. Every period will also include improving cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance and strength, and flexibility (Health Related Physical Fitness).
Please encourage your student to participate in 60 minutes of aerobic activity daily. Aerobic activity does not have to be sports related. Any full body movement that elevates the heart rate for 60 minutes will work.
SINCERELY,
The Middle School Team
8th English: Amanda Terryberry aterryberry@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
6th and 7th English Michele Hinkle mhinkle@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
6th Sci, 6-7th SS: Sue Goslee sgoslee@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
6-8 Math: Erica Stuck estuck@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
7-8th Science: Clayton Faivor cfaivor@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
8th SS: Laurie Yost lyost@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
Art: Kurt Zimmerle kzimmerle@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
Music: Ashley Ford aford@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
PE: Mark Drenth mdrenth@ellsworth.k12.mi.us