Principal's Ponderings
December 2013
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Each and every year, it seems as if December comes more quickly than the year before! Yes, the countdown is on for the end of 2013! With the approaching winter break, it is so important to help your child stay focused on school. Please continue to communicate with teacher and use ParentVue to monitor you child's progress.
The last day of school before winter break is Friday, December 20th. Classes will resume Monday, January 6th. Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, January 16th. This trimester, conferences will run from 3:00-7:00 PM.
I want to continue to remind you about our Middle School Eagle Hotline. This hotline is a place where students can anonymously text in reports of bullying, harassment, suicide risk, abuse, drug use, etc. The Middle School Eagle Hotline phone number is (810) 373-2131. The line will be monitored outside of school hours/days. Community Mental Health also has a 24 hour crisis hotline for help outside of school at (810) 257-3740.
The Web link www.TeenCentral.Net helps to children and young adults facing a crisis. This is an interactive Web site run by KidsPeace and is committed to giving hope, help and healing to students in crisis. The bottom of the District Web site has a link titled “Suicide Prevention-Facts, Signs, and Intervention.” This is a six-page document put out by KidsPeace to further help students and families.
Pleased never hesitate to contact the school with any questions or concerns you may have! Have a great winter break!
Sincerely,
Julie Brown
Mr. Koledo enjoys the VFW luncheon.
LMS Student Council thank local veterans.
Students listen to veterans' tales.
Talented Talons
Language Arts
In language arts, students have been working on a process description essay. Students have been tasked with writing a step-by-step how-to paper about an activity that they enjoy.
After Thanksgiving Break, we will then work on speaking and listening skills, practicing public speaking in front of the class. Finally, the students will be asked to create a presentation and show it off to the class!
Science
Matter comes in a variety of forms, and now that we know how to measure matter, we are going to focus on the changes of the state of matter. This includes freezing, melting, condensation, vaporization, sublimation, and deposition. Students have done an awesome job with their independent practice choice work to support their understanding of the learning targets. They should also be keeping track of their progress on the learning targets in their interactive notebook. I am always available for those who need extra help.
Social Studies
Students just completed Chapter One and performed very well on their tests. We finished the unit with some fun hands on activities. Students worked with a partner and pretended to be a geographer looking at satellite views of the earth. They had to guess what the images were and apply latitude and longitude knowledge in figuring out where the images were located. Next, students made globes. Hopefully, these globes are hanging up in their bedrooms. It was great fun. After Thanksgiving, our next unit will be on World Culture. Students will be learning about where the people of the world live and why these areas are so populated.
Math
Congratulations to all those Digits users who have been patient and persevered through the hit and miss connection issues we’ve been having lately. The company is aware of the problems, and they are working on a solution. There is a huge correlation to homework completion and test scores. (See poster outside of Ms. Beckman’s room.) We are starting a new trimester so kick it off by setting a 100% completion goal for math homework and watch your grade soar like an eagle.
Winged Warriors
Social Studies
We are starting chapter 3. In chapter 3, we will examine the question; What is culture? We will look at what influences how a culture develops. We will also explore economics and population. The students will learn about the different types of economic systems. They will learn how industrialized countries differ from developing countries. Finally, the students will look at how people around the world are connected. Please remember that books can be taken home for study. The pages to read ahead and study are pages 48-63. On pages 64-65, you will find review and practice.
Math
Over the next two topics, we are starting to work with fractions. Topic 5 and 6 are multiplying and dividing fractions, mixed numbers, and whole numbers. All lessons can be found under “practice” on the Digits site. Also, all grades for math will be found on the Digits site as well. Homework should always be done the night it is assigned. If for some reason the internet is down or the website is having difficulties, I will allow additional days to do the assignment. Please be aware that students can re-do an assignment for full credit before the due date.
Language Arts
Students are finishing their intensive unit study of non-fiction by writing their own narrative pieces on a memorable moment of their lives. Students will also be writing “how-to” papers and creating a presentation for the speaking requirements of the 6th grade curriculum. We will be revisiting non-fiction throughout the year. Students read non-fiction regularly in science and social studies and are encouraged to use SQ3R every time they read. Students will begin their study of fantasy fiction in December. They will be reading fantasy stories in class and a novel independently. Weekly spelling lessons and Friday spelling tests will continue. The next reading log is due on Monday, December 16.
Science
We will spend the month of December learning about the States of Matter and how and why matter changes state. I was pleased with the results of the Chapter 1 Test and our First Trimester exam. As always, if you have questions or concerns email or call.
Regal Eagles
With a new trimester comes a fresh start! It is time to discuss and enforce positive work habits. Make it routine to check StudentVue or ParentVue for homework, upcoming tests, or missing assignments. Insist that your child use the school planner. Ask your child practice questions before tests and quizzes. Your support makes all the difference!
Talk about the curriculum with your child. Knowing specific questions to ask them keeps you from getting a shoulder shrug or the answer “Nothing” to the question, “What did you do today?”
Social studies classes are studying chapters five and six, the Middle East. Ask your child about the current events in the region. In science, your child is learning about plant and animal cells and studying their parts under our new microscopes. Ask your child what they have seen and how to prepare a slide. Trimester two in language arts begins our unit on the genre Mystery. The novel And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie is always a student favorite!
All seventh graders are headed to RollHaven on December 20th. Look for permission slips to come home soon. Let’s celebrate our friendships and an awesome first trimester!
Soaring Eagles
The second trimester begins Monday, December 2nd. Grades will be starting over, so everyone will begin with a clean slate. Please encourage your child to turn work in on time and take ownership of that responsibility. Please remember that e-mail and ParentVue are excellent ways to keep in contact with your child’s teachers.
As the new trimester begins, Social studies classes will continue to learn about Asia. Language Arts classes will be diving into the mystery genre and reading the Agatha Christie classic, And Then There Were None! Math classes will continue work multiplying and dividing rational numbers.
We have started planning our annual field trip to RollHaven in Flushing on December 20th. Permission slips will be coming home very soon!
8th Grade News
The 8th grade will be taking a field trip on Friday, December 20th. We will be traveling to Rollhaven in Grand Blanc. The cost is $12.00 and includes lunch. Each student will need to have a signed permission slip to attend. Please be looking for the permission slip to come home in the first part of December.
It is already the start of the 2nd trimester! We would like to remind parents that ParentVue is a good way to keep track of your student’s progress. Also, teachers are posting homework assignments with due dates and upcoming tests/quizzes on ParentVue to keep you informed. If you still cannot access your account, please call the office. It is also important to keep checking your student’s Digits math account. This will help you check for missing assignments!
It is December, and it’s cold outside. Please make sure your student is prepared to go outside everyday after lunch! They need coats, hats, gloves, and all winter accessories with them at lunch.
8th grade Science classes have been exploring the Solar System. That means planet reports are due! Ask your child about the planet they chose to write about. They should be able to tell you some interesting facts they discovered while traveling through the internet at warp speed!
Language Arts finished the 1st trimester with an “Outsiders” Day. Many students enjoyed dressing as a “Greaser” or a “Soc.” This wrapped up our Realistic Fiction study. The 2nd trimester will focus on Biographies.
Don’t forget about the Linden Follies! It is held at Linden High School on December 5th. Two shows will be held for your convenience. The first show is 5pm and the second show is 7pm.
Linden Follies supports the local Christmas Express program. It is a good time, and you can see all your favorite Linden Community Schools’ talented personnel.
Writers of the Month
As part of the Writer of the Month program, each month students will be honored for completing an exceptional piece of writing. These selections will be on display in the Media Center. The Writers of the Month for November are:
Quinn Arnold, Morgan Rettenmund, Lauren Hall, Paige Harden, Kaleigh DerPilibosian, Ellie Klocek, Nathan Katzenberger, Avery Koan, Alli Bush, Zack Jaksa, Miles Eaton, Leila Bailey, Tyler Matheson
Calendar
Monday, December 2
LMS Newsletter Available on Web site
LMS Book Fair Begins; 7:00-2:30 PM
Thursday, December 5
LMS Bullycide Presentation @ LHS; 8:00 AM
LCS Annual Faculty Follies; Shows at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Thursday, December 12
LMS Band Concert @ LHS; 7:00 PM
Friday, December 13
LMS Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive; Students bring in Peanut Butter and Jelly to participate in Media Day; Extra Peanut Butter allows students to be included in a cash prize drawing!
Friday, December 20
8th Grade Class Field Trip; 10:00 AM
7th Grade Class Field Trip; 10:30 AM
Winter Break begins at End of Day
January 6, 2014
Classes Resume
January 10
Progress Reporting Period Ends
Student Council Crazy Hat Day
January 14
LMS Parent Koffee Klatch Meeting; Media Center; 4:00-5:00 PM
January 16
LMS Parent/Teacher Conferences; 3:00-7:00 PM
January 20
No School for Students
February 3
LMS Newsletter Available on Web site