Canaan Families,

It has been a busy couple of weeks at Canaan Middle School. Our 6th-grade students traveled to the AWS Think Big Space at the high school. During their visit, they had the opportunity to use block coding to fly drones. Students really enjoyed attempting to complete the drone challenges!

We also had our 3rd quarter student awards ceremony for 5th and 6th grade. Students were recognized for their grades, but also several awards were given for our student's actions such as leadership, strong work ethic, and collaboration. In 5th grade, one of my favorite awards presented was the student-nominated awards. It was amazing to hear the kind words students had to say about others.

As we move into the next few weeks of school, students will be taking state assessments. Please note the dates listed at the bottom of the newsletter for when your student will be taking their assessments. We encourage students to get a good night of sleep the night before and breakfast in the morning.

As always, we appreciate your support and partnership this year. We look forward to a strong finish to the school year!

Mr. Walter, Principal

Canaan Middle School

Language Arts:

Students have been working hard to prepare for the Ohio State English Language Arts AIR Test. To prepare for this assessment, students have familiarized themselves with the testing portal by taking several practice tests and learning about general test taking strategies. Students will complete Part 1 of this assessment on Tuesday, April 18th. Part 2 will be the following day. Please continue to encourage your child to read for at least 20 minutes each day and check Canvas for missing assignments. Thank you for supporting your child’s reading!

Math:

It is hard to believe that we are only three weeks away from taking the Math State Test on May 2nd! We have covered the “power” standards for our grade level but are still finishing up some of the final standards. For the past week, we have worked on Geometric Vocabulary and finding number patterns / graphing ordered pairs. We have also started reviewing concepts from earlier in the year so we can clear away the cobwebs. To wrap up the year, we still will be working with conversions, line plots, and pllllllennnnty of review concepts!

Science:

Students learned about the properties of light this week, and were able to experience how light reflects, refracts, and shows all the colors in the rainbow using a prism. Students took a quiz covering these concepts, and we began studying the properties of sound. A quiz will be administered next Friday, 4/21, on the properties of sound before we “move” into force and motion. Students need to bring in a plastic water bottle and 4 caps/lids before 4/24 that will be used to create a balloon powered car!

Social Studies:

Students in Mrs. Smith’s classes have started learning about Native Americans and what regions they settled in across North America. They will be starting a project that will compare and contrast two regions of their choosing this week and will finish it up after ELA state testing. We will be ending the year with government concepts! It is hard to believe the year is almost over!

Next week on April 20 and 21, students will have their ELA state test. Students have been practicing and preparing for this test in their ELA class. Be sure to have your student get good rest the night before and eat a healthy breakfast!

Today, students received a copy of a medicine form and an emergency medical form for camp. Please make sure that you are asking for these when they get home. Both forms are due by Friday, April 28th. Please read the directions carefully and let us know if you have any questions.

Students will also need to bring a plain white t-shirt and have camp fees ($137) paid by Friday, April 28th.

Mark your calendars! Medicine drop-off will be Tuesday, May 9th from 2:30-3:30pm and Wednesday, May 10th starting at 7:00am.

6th Grade Camp Luggage Drivers NEEDED!

What: To drive our luggage to and from camp for our outdoor education program!

When: Wednesday (May 10th morning) and Friday (May 12th morning)

Where: To Camp Oty’Okwa (South Bloomingville, Ohio)

What do we need: We need vans, SUVs, pickup trucks with enclosed trailers!

Why: Our buses aren’t large enough for all of us and our luggage!

How to sign up: Email Miss. Bumgarner at bumgarau@japioneers.org and let me know when you can drive and what you will be driving. I will get back to you with the details!

In honor of Earth Day, students learned the importance of reducing waste and plastic pollution, improving habitats, and preventing harm to wildlife and humans. Students also discussed steps they could take to make a positive impact in their neighborhoods, parks, and school. They made a difference by picking up litter around the school building and the playground.

6th Grade Enrichment learned about the universal characteristics of cultures, then used this information to create their own culture in small groups. Artifacts that represented each culture were created, buried, and then dug up by the other group to simulate an archaeological dig. Students will carefully examine the artifacts to gather information about the culture, then compare their findings with the original creator's notes.

5th & 6th Grade Band Spring Concert

Tuesday, May 17th @ 7:00 p.m.

at the Jonathan Alder High School Gymnasium

• The front doors to J.A.H.S. will be open by 6:00. The gymnasium is down the main hallway

make a left, and is in the back of the building in the athletic wing.

• Parking for the concert is also available in the back of the high school.

• This is a dress-up occasion.

• 5th Grade Band members should report to the High School Band Room by 6:30pm.

• 6th grade Band members report to the High School Choir Room by 6:30pm

**All band students will need to bring their instruments and music home with them on this day**

We look forward to performing for you and seeing you there!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

hennigju@japioneers.org for Mr. Hennig

Commonsense Media

Commonsense Media is an online tool that can help parents and students make informed decisions regarding media use. This tool can be used for many types of media, including books, movies, video games, and apps.

Canvas is a Learning Management System that is used in grades 5-12 at Jonathan Alder. You and your student will find a lot of information about the school and your student's classroom through this platform. It is VERY important to stay connected and log on to Canvas. This link should help you log on and explain Canvas.

April 18: 5th Grade ELA State Testing Part 1

April 19: 5th Grade ELA State Testing Part 2

April 20: 6th Grade ELA State Testing Part 1

April 21: 6th Grade ELA State Testing Part 2

April 27: 5th Grade Science State Testing

May 2: 6th Grade Math State Testing Part 1

May 3: 6th Grade Math State Testing Part 2

May 4: 5th Grade Math State Testing Part 1

May 5: 5th Grade Math State Testing Part 2

Newsies tickets are available at our website. www.Jamb-arts.org. Please note the first tier on each level is rows C, F, I, L. If you would like to purchase an ad for the program, (business, personal, or a shout-out to the cast) you can reach out to Mr. Mayes, Tiffany Eudaily, or a cast or crew member for an Ad Form.

Our next music booster meeting will be held Monday, April 24 at 7:00 in the High School Choir room. It’s a great way to meet other music parents and to stay in the know about schedules and information.