Meeting in the Middle
May Newsletter
Dear Parent/Guardians:
It’s May! Where did the year go? It’s hard to believe that in just over a month we will be saying good-bye to our eighth graders and preparing for a new class of sixth graders!
As May grinds on, we are moving along with the M-step testing. eighth grade is completely finished, and the seventh grade is well underway. I appreciate all of the support from families and students.
We are beginning to make plans for the traditional end of year eighth grade activities. We will hold the eighth grade recognition ceremony on Tuesday, June 9th from 8:00-9:30 AM. Students may be signed out of school after the celebration. The next parent meeting to plan the traditional Yearbook Signing Party is Tuesday, May 5th at 6:00 PM in the media center. This celebration does not happen without eighth grade parent volunteers. Please help us get this event ready for our eighth graders!
To attend the annual eighth grade activities, students must return permission slips. Students will be given a letter and permission slip on Friday, May 8th. The permission slip must be turned into advisory teachers by the due date indicated on the slip. Students who do not return a signed permission slip will not be allowed to participate in the events.
Unfortunately, it is also that time of the year to consider student summer school requirements and retention. Toward the end of May, I will make summer school information available. On June 4th, teachers will meet and make summer school recommendation. I will be in touch with families of those students who will be required to attend summer school to be promoted to the next grade. This summer, we plan to provide limited transportation for summer school. Again, more information will come out toward the end of the month.
I continue to stress the importance of helping students stay focused and on-track as the year winds down. We have much to do before June 9th. Please continue to encourage your child to stay current with school work and continue communicating with teachers.
Thanks for a great year!
Sincerely,
Julie Brown
Talented Talons
Imagination Station Field Trip- permission slips due to Mrs. Cook by May 11th
Language Arts: Students just finished a grammar unit on pronouns. In the unit, WE learned about pronouns and how THEY are helpful to US. Next students will be working on an argumentative essay. In this essay students will be required to take a stance on a particular topic, and then argue their point. At the end of the year, students will work on a poetry project that will task them with going outside and create various types of descriptive poetry.
Math: DATA DATA DATA -We’ve just begun the study of statistics! Ask your son/daughter what a good statistical question is. How can you organize and display data? What’s a box and whisker plot? Lots of new vocabulary and concepts are introduced during the last two topics of the year. Keep up the good grades by continuing to complete Digit’s homework and preparing for tests and kick off summer feeling great.
M-STEP state math test will be given May 26th -29th. Get plenty of sleep and eat a good breakfast to ensure you can do your best.
Social Studies: In Social Studies, students have been learning about Central America and the Caribbean Islands. Wouldn't it be a fun ecotourism field trip to Costa Rica zipping through the jungle? Ask your child what country he/she would like to visit. Students will be having their test next week over this unit. Next, we will be researching a country in South America. Students will be making a poster and presenting the country to the class. The poster will consist of maps, pictures, and lots of information about the country. This is a big individual project.
Science: Throw your hands up for the Layers of the Earth! We are having a good time jamming to the Layers of the Earth song! Ask your child to share it with you. The students are working on a 3D model of the Layers of the Earth as a Performance Task this unit. This is/was due May 4th. Models will be displayed in the classroom. After the Layers of the Earth Unit, we will be tackling Plate Tectonics! Please remember to check ParentVue for updated grades and missing assignments and let me know if you have any questions. Ms. Cook – ccook@lindenschools.org
Winged Warriors
Regal Eagles
We are in the home stretch, but there is a lot more information to cover. Here’s what is happening in our core classes.
Students are studying South Asia, focusing on Chapter 14 "India." So far, we have learned about the physical features of the land, climate, and resources. We will continue this unit by exploring the history and culture of the region.
Mythology is the last unit to cover in language arts. We will learn a little about the Greek culture and their reasons for writing myths. Continue to look for vocabulary and a piece to read at home each week. After we finish studying the genre, students will be writing their own original myth and working on persuasive writing.
In Science we are beginning our unit on Heredity and learning how traits are passed on from parents to offspring. We are learning how to predict traits using Punnett squares as well as looking at dominant and recessive characteristics.
Don’t forget that we are headed to the Grand Slam School Day Event at the Cooley Stadium in Lansing, Michigan on May 20th. Dress for the weather and bring money to cover the cost of lunch and souvenirs.
Thank you for attending conferences. Your partnership is appreciated! Finally, set your goals for our last half of trimester three and take steps to meet them each day!
Soaring Eagles
The end of the year is quickly approaching, spring sports are in full swing, and it’s starting to feel like summer outside. As the weather gets warmer, please encourage your student to stay focused on school. The testing window for the 7th grade is wide open! We all appreciate their focus, hard work, and diligence during this testing period. Testing will conclude on May 15.
When students aren't testing, they are in class continuing to learn! In language arts, students are excited to discover more about Greek mythology and the heroes. Students are working on surface area and volume in math and will end the year with statistics and probability. In social studies, students will be visiting the country of India and then moving on to China. We will conclude the year by learning about the land down under…Australia.
On May 20th, the 7th grade will be going on a field trip to Lansing to see the Lugnuts play baseball! Please plan on sending money with your child for food and souvenirs. We are hoping for a warm, sunny day at the ballpark!
If you have any questions or comments, please contact your child’s teacher as soon as possible. Updated grades are available on ParentVUE. If you do not know your child’s log-in information, please contact the main office at 591-0711.
8th Grade Newsletter
It has been a long winter and chilly spring but hopefully the Michigan warm weather will be here soon! Please make sure your student is properly dressed according to the school dress code. For your reference, use a 4 by 6 inch card to measure the length of skirts, shorts (from the knee) and necklines!
It is never too late to check your student’s progress on ParentVue! (Synergy). 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!
Language Arts is exploring the futuristic world of Science Fiction! We have been to Utopia, read about robots and much more. This trimester we will write a persuasive essay and read science fiction novels. May the force be with you!
8th Grade Science did water testing on Wednesday April 22nd. Great Job everyone! On Friday May 1st, a few 8th grade Science students participated in the Super Science Friday at the University of Michigan-Flint campus. Students took part in different sessions in a day of experimental learning and fun!
Last but not least, CEDAR POINT! The trip will take place Thursday, June 4th. The bus leaves LMS at 6:15 A.M. and returns @ 10:30 P.M. The cost is $80 and includes ticket, transportation and an unlimited drink wristband! Checks can be made payable to Linden Community Schools. Permission slips have been sent home!
April Writer 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 April are:
Sarah Vesper
Dominic Bonasse
Calendar
Tuesday, May 5 Parent Koffee Klatch Meeting; Media Center; 4:00-5:00 PM
Tuesday, May 5 8th Grade Parent Meeting for Yearbook Party; Media Center; 6:00 PM
Monday, May 11 7th Grade Science Testing Begins
Monday, May 18 6th Grade ELA M-Step Testing Begins
Friday, May 22 OK2Say Presentation for 6th Grade Class
Monday, May 25 Memorial Day - No school
Tuesday, June 2 LMS Choir Concert 7:00 PM
Thursday, June 4 8th Grade Class Trip to Cedar Point - All Day
Monday, June 8 REQUIRED 8th Grade Recognition Rehearsal; 8:00 AM
Tuesday, June 9 Last Day of School - 1/2 Day
Tuesday, June 9 8th Grade Recognition; 8:00-9:30 AM