The Falcon Reporter
The Official Fowler Newsletter
Important Dates
November
December
January
Team Notes
6th Grade
Congratulations to all 6th grade Star Students!
In social studies, students will continue their study of Latin American geography, history and culture. Students will complete a Culture Pizza project during this unit of study, in which they will focus on the culture of an assigned Latin American country.
Sixth graders have been busy studying decimals, fractions, ratios and their relationships this six weeks. They will continue Module 3 by diving into percents. After Fall Break, we will begin Module 4, which involves comparing, ordering, and computations with negative integers and the Cartesian Coordinate Plane. The students should be monitoring their weekly progress on MATHia as we usually have between 2-4 lessons per week due on it. This is a great way to spiral and practice concepts that have already been taught in class. Also, remember that teachers are available most mornings and afternoons for tutorials. Please check the 6th Grade Math Website for updated agendas and homework if you need to reprint anything.
In Science for the third six weeks, we will continue our study of Energy. We will review potential and kinetic energy, learn about energy transformations, and be able to distinguish between conduction, convection, and radiation as it relates to heat transfer. After the completion of our energy unit, we will begin our study of Astronomy. In this unit, we will learn about gravity as a force. We will study the properties and locations of celestial bodies, and understand the equipment and transportation necessary for space travel.
In ILA, the students will begin working on their expository essay, which is about how a change in life has affected them. In addition to the expository essay, the students will begin their Research Unit which will teach them about MLA citations and relevant/reliable sources to use along with how to cite them. The students will choose an item to learn about how it has evolved throughout the years.
7th Grade
7th graders have been very adventurous this fall! Texas history classes have been traveling back in time to the Spanish Colonial era from 1680-1760 and the Mexican National era. This past week, we traveled to the year 1821; Mexico has won independence from Spain, and Texas is now part of Mexico. Students will be learning about empresarios (such as Stephen F. Austin) who began colonization of Mexican Texas with settlers from the United States in Unit 3.
All science students are beginning their journey through the human body systems. We will be working on science labs to help students gain a better understanding of the human body.
Math classes are beginning to study non-proportional linear relations. We will then move into percentages. Please involve our mathematicians as you budget for your holiday shopping and take advantage of those great discounts!
It's expository writing time in ILA. All on-level and Pre AP ILA students are writing expository essays by focusing on writing a thesis that is supported by examples and evidence. Students are encouraged to read outside of class to expand their expository writing skills and vocabulary.
8th Grade
Our 8th Grade Scientists are working on their second ADI (Argument Driven Inquiry) lab as we begin our study of physics. Over the next 6 weeks, students will focus on force, motion, speed, acceleration, velocity, and Newton’s Laws.
U. S. History is wrapping up Unit 2. The students are learning why the Colonists broke away from Britain and created the Declaration of Independence.
In ILA the students finished reading The Giver to better understand the stages of a hero's journey. Using a variety of texts to support their thinking, they will write a definition essay to answer the essential question: What defines a hero? Then our class will get ready for our next unit of study where we will focus on how commercialism impacts daily life and how research enhances the ability to persuade. Pre-AP ILA classes finished up their novel unit and will soon jump into a media unit. They will look at how advertisers use a variety of techniques to persuade an audience and how authors and editorialists use language to influence readers.
Math 8 will be working on linear equations then will start learning about being financially responsible, and algebra will be working on sequences and exponential functions. Finally, 8th grade geometry students will continue working on area and perimeter of polygons on the coordinate plane.
Technology Class Information
All the students are having a good time and learning a lot in the computer classes at Fowler.
The following is a summary of the learning that has been occurring in the classes.
Multimedia I: Terri Silver
The students have been continuing to develop their PhotoShop Element skills. They have learned how to do a stroke effect and other cool effects. The students learned about the psychology of color. Next they will learn how to add color to a black and white picture. They will also create an original magazine cover featuring themselves on the front. The inside stories reflect will their personalities and interests. In the future, the students will learn how to edit sound using Soundtrap. They will create their own sound effects and do projects before incorporating their sounds in other software. They are becoming experts at using the software in class.
Multimedia II: Terri Silver
Students have been extending their knowledge of PhotoShop Elements. They have learned about creating logos and made their own personal logos. Then, they created a letterhead for their own personal stationery. The students have also explored online software called PIXLR. They can use this software at home if they need to edit pictures. They had to learn how to use the software on their own as if they had new software at home. Now the students are involved in creating a video for a contest, Take Care of Texas. I can’t wait to see what they come up with.
In the future, we will also be learning some basic web development – the students will learn some basic html code and be able to create simple websites. They will also develop a QR code and an animated gif. Stay tuned for more fun information from this class.
Animation: Terri Silver
The students have been creating animations using Flipbook 2D software and Premiere Elements. They have worked on creating a beach scene and are currently working on creating a haunted house. Sound is also incorporated in the animations. The students are working hard and doing a wonderful job with their animations. I am so proud of them. Look for more information about the Animation class in future newsletters.
Counselors' Corner
As we enter the final 6 weeks of the first semester, we know that all of our students have been working very hard. Please join us in encouraging your student to stay focused as we approach the winter break which also marks the end of first semester. We know they will finish strong!
Below are some important dates at Fowler that we want you to know about.
November 7, 2018 - Power to Change Classroom Meetings – Gratitude
November 13, 2018 - Hannah 4 Hope (Suicide Prevention) Presentation – All three grade levels
November 14, 2018 - Power to Change Classroom Meetings – Digital Citizenship
November 15, 2018 - 8th Grade Career Day
This is an exciting opportunity for our 8th graders to learn about different careers as they begin to set goals for their future. We are asking 8th graders to dress professionally on this important day.
November 28, 2018 - Power to Change Classroom Meetings - Healthy Relationships
December 5, 2018 - Power to Change Classroom Meetings - Everyone is Important/Accountability
December 12, 2018 - Power to Change Classroom Meetings – Curiosity
December 21, 2018 Faculty-Student Basketball Game
The class from each grade level that collected the most monetary donations for our Small World Angel program will get to take on Fowler staff members in a fun, “friendly” game of basketball. The Falcons are guaranteed to win, while supporting many families in our area.
From the Desk of Nurse Violet
TIPS TO KEEP YOU HEALTHY DURING THE FLU SEASON
1. WASH YOUR HANDS!!
Most cold and flu virus are spread by direct contact. Someone who has the cold/flu and sneezes into their hand passes that germ to the telephone, keyboard, glass, doorknob etc.... only to be picked up by the next person. So, wash your hands often! If no sink is available, use hand sanitizer or rub your hands together very hard for a minute or so! You should be washing your hands for as long as it takes to sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
2. DON’T COVER SNEEZES AND COUGHS WITH YOUR HANDS!
Because germs and viruses cling to your bare hands you risk passing along your germs to others! Use a tissue and then throw it away immediately. Wash your hands after that. If you don’t have a tissue, turn your head away from people near you and cough/sneeze into your elbow.
3. DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE!
Cold and flu viruses enter your body through the eyes, nose and mouth.
4. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS!
Water flushes your system, washing out the poisons as it rehydrates you. You can tell if you’re getting enough water if your urine is close to clear.
5. DO AEROBIC EXERCISE REGULARLY!
Aerobic exercise helps increase the body’s natural virus-killing cells.
6. EAT FOODS CONTAING PYTOCHEMICALS!
“PHYTO” means plants and the natural chemicals in plants give the vitamins in food a supercharged boost! Increase your intake of green, red and yellow fruits and vegetables.
7. EAT YOGURT!
Some stories have shown that eating a daily cup of low-fat yogurt can reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25%. Researchers think that the beneficial bacteria in yogurt may stimulate productions of immune system substances that fight disease.
8. RELAX!
If you teach yourself to relax, you can activate your immune system on demand. There’s evidence that when you put your relaxation skills into action, your interleukins – leaders in the immune system response against cold and flu viruses – increase in the bloodstream.
Catherine B. Fowler Library News
MackinVIA—Frisco ISD’s Database Portal
MackinVIA is Frisco ISD’s portal to all of the databases the district has to offer, including Gale, Ebsco, and World Book Encyclopedia online. Databases provide students with up-to-the-minute, reliable resources that are relevant and appropriate for school research. These resources should be the first place students go to gather information. Students can simply go to www.mackinvia.com, enter the student ID for the user name, and eight digit birthday for the password. Please contact Mrs. Laferriere at laferrm@friscoisd.org with any database questions.
Save the Date
Our Scholastic Spring Book Fair will run February 4th-8th!
Awesome Author Visit!
New York Times bestselling authors Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs visited Fowler 6th graders on October 9th, and we had a great time! They were here to promote their new novel, The Darkdeep, a creepy Goonies-inspired adventure that students are going to love!
Lost Library Books
Please encourage students to treat library books that have been checked out to them with care. Books that are left unattended in classrooms, the cafeteria, and hallways often end up missing.
If a book does end up lost, replacement fees can be paid online. Please see the library web site http://bit.ly/fmslibrary (which can also be found from Fowler’s home page). Click on the link that says “Click here to donate books or pay for lost ones.” Your student can obtain the replacement cost from the library. The system allows you to pay via credit card or electronic check. Be sure to put your student’s name in the notes section so that his or her account can be cleared.
Orchestra Students Make All Region
Best Buddies
A huge thank you to each of the volunteers and the Best Buddies for making our Match Party a huge success. We have a record breaking 97 members this year. Both Mrs. B and I are very excited about the year ahead. Be sure to check out our Best Buddies Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/fowlerbestbuddies. Also, please remember to do your Friendship Updates online at www.bestbuddiesonline.org. If you do not know how to do this, please stop by my room (506) or by Mrs. B’s room (520). Thank you for helping make a difference in the lives of our kids.
-----Mrs. Burris and Mrs. B
Spanish Club
Despite our technology issues, we had a blast with our first Spanish Club meet! Everyone was actively participating in learning about the Latin culture and even had delicious churros to go along with our activities. As we were enjoying our tasty snack, the club leaders lead the members through a short history behind the churro and introduced Flamenco Music. Afterward, we had a fun trivia game about Latin culture for extra churros! From questions about the ingredients of a churro to what popular dances of the Latin culture are, everyone learned something new and competed against each other to get the right answer. All in all, it was an amazing time!
Written by: Claire Zhu and Shruti Gupta
Fowler Cheer
Fowler Middle School
Email: fowler@friscoisd.org
Website: http://schools.friscoisd.org/ms/fowler/site/home
Location: 3801 McDermott Road, Plano, TX, USA
Phone: 469-633-5050
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FowlerMSFISD/?fref=ts
Twitter: @FowlerFalcons07