Maple Avenue Middle School
October 2017 Newsletter
Student of the Month
The Aviator Team would like to congratulate Bethany Shifflett as our Student of the Month!
Bethany is the daughter of Robyn and Kevin Shifflett and sibling to Bailey Shifflett who is presently in tenth grade. Bethany is a “stand out and up-standing” Aviator citizen due to her intense focus, positive attitude, and work effort in all of her classes. Bethany is a very mature and driven student who takes on all challenges with great pride.
Besides being a wonderful academic student Bethany is an outstanding dancer. She began her performance career with cheer leading, but eventually dancing became her passion. Bethany pursues her dancing at La Performing Arts Dance Studio where she works tirelessly on her competition pieces. Bethany admits she gets very nervous right before dancing in solo competitions, but when she goes out on stage all nervousness is forgotten! Bethany’s hours of practice has given her many solo awards including 3 trophies, 3 medals, and 4 pins in the last three years. Bethany has also added trophies from group competitions in duet and trio performances.
Bethany’s ability to work individually and in a group is also evident in the classroom where she is a great role model and leader. If you think that dancing isn’t enough Bethany’s other passion is writing. Bethany has completed a 92 page book and is currently working a second book….. Move over J.K. Rowling! She was inspired to write after reading the Dark Dairies series. She is hoping that someday her books get published.
In the future Bethany isn’t planning on being a writer or dancer as a profession but would like those hobbies help her obtain a scholarship to a college such as Yale or Harvard. In college she would like to pursue a career in law and maybe even work her way into being a judge. Whatever Bethany chooses we know that she will be the best that she can be! Congratulations Bethany - keep up the great work of being you!
6th Grade: Team Bolts
In Mr. Baumgardner’s ELA and Social Studies the students have been reading, writing, and learning about Mount Everest. We are reading the novel Peak by Roland Smith which is a story about a young boy named Peak who is on an adventure to climb Mt. Everest. We will soon being learning about a young woman named Malala who is inspiring people all over the world. So, who inspires you? Learning about Malala will drive the ELA skills and standards. Please check the 6th grade homework page to see what is happening in class and to see if there is any homework.
In Ms. Willet’s ELA and Social Studies classes we finished our learning about Africa’s geography and culture and how the environment affects the people that live there. We have been working hard practicing text-dependent analysis skills. The students are honing their research skills researching countries in Asia to create an online “story” about his/her chosen country on the Sutori website. Next we will travel on to Europe.
Students in Mr. Crockett's ELA and social studies classes are working their way through their second novel. We will be comparing the narration techniques between the first two novels in a writing assignment, along with lots of other opportunities to practice professional writing. In social studies, students are just beginning a project to create a virtual field trip to a country in Europe.
Mrs. Koontz and Mrs. Raubenstine’s Core Connections 1 Math are currently concluding Unit 1, Rates and Ratios. Within this unit, students have not only learned how to right ratios and proportions, but also how to utilize them to solve problems. The unit concludes with a Sale Flyer Project and Unit test. Moving forward, we will be spending time in Unit Two, Rational Numbers and Operations. This will be a large unit of study focusing on the four number operations, developing number sense, and applying calculations.
Mrs. Koontz’s Core II Math class will soon be finishing Unit 1 which focuses on fractions, decimals, and integers. Students will continue to work with + and - integer tiles to model addition and subtraction of integers. The goal is not for students to memorize these mathematical practices, but develop these practices throughout the course will help them gain a more complete view of the mathematics they are learning. Students will use their understanding of integer and rational number operations not only in this unit, but throughout the remainder of of their math studies.
Mrs. Becker and Mrs. Smith’s Science classes have begun their study of Earth in Space. They will be learning about the Sun-Earth-Moon system, the solar system, plus stars, galaxies, and the universe. They will then move onto our planet Earth and its systems. The ebook and related resources can be accessed at connectED. Students will be engaging in activities in class that support these concepts and organizing their learning into their interactive science notebook.
The BLOC
ELA
Circuitry
7th Grade: Team Aviators
LIFE SCIENCE -
Students are steadily learning how to access the new integrated science ebook and learning tools associated with the science program. Students will be working in stations and mini labs to determine how things are classified as living and into what specific classification system. Properly using microscopes will be on the agenda next and delving into the microscopic world of microorganisms.
ELA-
As we finish up our class novel, The Outsiders, students will be working closely with various text-dependent analyses. Students will be perfecting their essays, working through elements of introductory, body, and concluding paragraphs. We will be maintaining a strong writing focus for the end of the quarter working with Ancient Civilizations in writing about Egyptian achievements. Students will finish reading and completing their independent novel projects as well.
History -
In Ancient Civilizations, we are in the middle of the desert! The Egyptians have our focus. Students will be comparing Kingdoms and governments! Once we are finished with the Pyramids at Giza, students will travel to the subcontinent of India! We will discover what Hinduism and Buddhism, the two well-known religions, are all about. World religions and customs will be our focus!
Math -
In math class students are learning how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers. We will wrap up the Rational Numbers Unit with order of operations. Students will take a test at the conclusion of the unit. At the end of October, we will begin the Expressions and Equations Unit. Students will learn a problem solving strategy called the 5D process.
Science
History
Math
7th and 8th Grades: Team Lightning
Science: Mr. Decker and Mr. Liberty
7th Grade:
7th Grade students are exploring the structure and function of cells and beginning to build a foundation as to how cells form tissues, which form organs, organ systems, and eventually organisms. Students will be creating a variety of products that showcase their learning and use of the 4 C’s.
8th Grade:
Students are working on their understanding of Newton’s laws of motion that govern planetary motion. To help students fully understand the concepts that are involved they will be building balloon powered cars that are tasked to carry as many pennies as possible 36 inches. They will also be producing a video that shows their understanding of each of these concepts.
Math: Mr. Heller and Mr. Liberty
7th Grade:
Students are moving from review materials in Chapter 1 to new concepts and skills. Students are encouraged to put their best effort into classwork and practice. This is the practice and repetition that makes a strong math student! Also, based on PSSA scores, class performance, and MAP diagnostic testing, students will start to be grouped strategically for remediation and support. The goal is for all students to be successful in math!!
8th Grade:
Core 3: We just recently finished up Chapter 2 which covered simplifying expressions, and combining like-terms using algebra tiles. These manipulatives should give students a more concrete understanding of how like-terms can be combined, and how we can keep and equation “balanced.” Looking forward, Chapter 3 involves students’ looking at tables to develop equations, and graphing those equations. It is important students keep up with the homework so get the practice they need to be successful with the Core 3 content as the concepts get more abstract.
Algebra: Students are now able to find the inputs and outputs of functions, and are also able to describe a graphed function completely (including intercepts, vertices, and shape). Chapter 2 focuses on linear relationships where students learn about slope-intercepts form, and how to tell how steep a line is. We will use the skills of graphing linear relationships throughout the year which makes it a pivotal chapter. Questions are strongly encouraged as the algebraic concepts we are covering are very new to students. So far we are off to a great start!
English: Mr. Peglow and Mrs. Trout
7th Grade:
Students will finish the novel The Outsiders this month and continue working on the skills needed to write text dependent analyses. The focus for this month will be on organizing and expanding on paragraphs to ensure there is enough detail for a reader to visualize what he or she is explaining. So, for grammar we will be working with adjectives and adverbs to assist in helping them with the descriptive aspect of the writing.
8th Grade:
Students will continue reading Ender's Game as we come to its unbelievable conclusion. We will continue working on written responses and the Narrative as well. The effort will be to start moving away from the simple sentence and begin combining sentences to achieve more fluid and diversified writing rather than a simple, robotic style.
Social Studies: Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Trout
7th Grade Ancient Civilizations:
Students in Ancient Civilizations are in the process of deciphering one of the most interesting and well-known civilizations in world history: the Egyptians. Upon finishing up our Unit on Ancient Egypt, students will venture to Ancient India where the formation of two well-known religions occurred: Hinduism and Buddhism. Students will compare and contrast several major world religions during the next month or two.
8th Grade U.S. History:
Students in U.S. History are currently in the midst of examining the American Revolution. Over the course of the next month, students will study the trials and tribulations of a new independent nation. Students will scrutinize our nation’s first governments: the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution. We will examine the successes and failures of each.
Group Discussion
Hands On!
y=mx+b
8th Grade: Team Sky Pilots
Students are off to a fantastic start in Math. They’re adapting well to the concept of having a Growth Mindset; we’re focusing on growth and learning this year! Geometry and Core 3 students each completed unit 1 assessments and are working on unit 2. The integration of technology into the math curriculum is having a positive impact on student engagement and learning. Songs and animated videos are being used to introduce or reinforce math concepts. Online math games are being used to help to practice computational skills.
Science has gotten off to a smooth start. We started out the year with the Scientific Method. Student groups are investigating a problem and are applying their knowledge to test their hypothesis. We are working with a new science series: McGraw-Hill ConnectEd. This can be used 100% online. So far the kids really seem to be enjoying it. I am trying a quasi-flipped class. Students are given time to research and dig in the topics in class. We then have discussions, labs, and activities to further support what they have learned. The students can download the apps onto their phones or computers at home. They are FREE!!! and having them on those devices gives then the opportunity to stay caught up regardless of location. :). Currently we are working through the Physics Unit.
English class is closing our study of Ender’s Game and the fiction focus in the next couple of weeks. Students will review fiction concepts such as foreshadowing, cause and effect, characterization, tone, mood, and setting analysis. Students will be engaged in a multifaceted, cross-curricular project that asks them to evaluate good leadership.
Any class activity or reading that is incomplete at the end of the period should be finished independently and turned in the next day. Any missing assignments can be accessed and printed directly from MMS.
History classes are currently finishing up their study of the formation of the original 13 colonies. They are producing online colony recruitment posters. They have completed a digital breakout on the 13 colonies. They will next begin to examine the causes of the American Revolution. They will write an essay on the causes of the American Revolution.
Video Production
Forces of Motion
Sorting & Stations
White Out Dance!
Friday, Oct 27, 2017, 05:00 PM
Maple Avenue Middle School, Maple Avenue, Littlestown, PA, United States
Parent Teacher Conferencces
Keep an eye out for the conference appointment sign-ups...Coming Soon!
Spirit Week @ MAMS
Guidance Department News
Build a positive parent-child relationship to support learning
Studies show that positive adult influence is critical to children’s success. Kids who have healthy adult role models:
Feel more secure and optimistic than kids without role models.
Are less likely to cheat on tests.
Are more likely to feel happy.
Are more likely to believe in their own future success.
Are nine times more likely than other kids to earn straight A’s.
What’s the secret to being a solid role model for your middle schooler? There isn’t one. Instead, there’s a list of common sense things you can do to keep your child motivated and feeling loved. You should:
Get to know him. Don’t make snap judgments about his character. Take time to find out what makes him tick.
Offer specific praise. Middle schoolers get a bum rap; they’re sometimes seen as troublemakers. Don’t let that perception stand. When your child does something great, say so!
Listen to him. Don’t dismiss your child’s opinions because he’s “just a kid.” Spend time together and pay attention when he tells you something. This may be the biggest motivator of all.
Source: G.E. Joseph, Ph.D. and P.S. Strain, Ph.D., Building Positive Relationships with Young Children, The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning, Vanderbilt University.
For more helpful information on parenting middle schoolers visit the parenting section of the MAMS website: http://www.lasd.k12.pa.us/mams/guidance/parenting-tips.
Spotlight on Mrs. Dailey and her PILOT Class...STEM in Action
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6th Grade
Grit
Maple Avenue Middle School
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Website: http://www.lasd.k12.pa.us/mams
Location: 75 Maple Avenue, Littlestown, PA, United States
Phone: (717) 359-4146
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