MS Newsletter
Here's what's happening in MS this week!
March 6, 2017
Dear Parents,
This week is the beginning of the 4th marking period.
ENGLISH
6th Grade: We will begin our research unit this week. Students will learn to evaluate websites and pick out key information from them. We will take a quiz on the root words tele, photo, them, and hydr on Friday.
7th Grade: On Monday, we will finish totem poles (due at the end of class). Later in the week, we will begin pre-reading activities for our next class novel, The Giver. Throughout this unit, we will continue our grammar study, and we will work extensively on argumentative writing.
8th Grade: We are continuing our study of Soul Surfer and we will be looking at other examples of people who have overcome a difficult situation in their lives. We will continue grammar studies with subject/verb agreement and proper punctuation.
SOCIAL STUDIES
6th Grade: We have been continuing our study of Ancient China by learning about the different dynasties and emperors. Next we will be exploring three Chinese philosophies: Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism.
7th Grade: We have been continuing our study of Ancient China by learning about the different dynasties and emperors. Next we will be exploring three Chinese philosophies: Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism.
8th Grade: We started learning about the Industrial Revolution and all the amazing innovations, including John Deere tractors. We also learned about the bad side, reading about the conditions in a meat packing plant before there were regulations. Some students commented they might never be able to eat sausage again.
MATH
6th Grade: We had a quiz Friday on percents that we will finish on Monday morning. Next, we will begin reviewing for our chapter test that will be at the end of the week!
7th Grade: We had a quiz last week on inequalities (greater than, less than, greater than or equal to, less than or equal to) and we will review Monday for our Chapter test that will be on Tuesday. 7th graders will move on to modeling geometric figures.
8th Grade: 8th graders have been solving linear equations and we will be finishing our chapter this week. Expect a test either Thursday or Friday!
SCIENCE
6th Grade: We are continuing our study of the theory of how the Earth’s plates move. Students have begun working on individual projects chosen from a project menu to demonstrate their knowledge of Plate Tectonics. Projects will be due Monday March 13th.
7th Grade: In 7th grade science, we are investigating species’ reproductive strategies. Sexual vs. Asexual reproduction are the two methods used by different species. Sexual reproduction allows for more genetic diversity while asexual reproduction allows for quicker reproduction. A quiz will be done on Tuesday or Wednesday.
8th Grade: Students are investigating the geologic time scale. It is broken up into different Eons, Eras, Periods, and Epochs. Students will learn about the different forms of life throughout Earth’s history and the mass extinction events that have occurred.
SINCERELY,
The Middle School Team
6-7th English: Nic Dziadosz ndziadosz@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
8 English: Amanda Terryberry aterryberry@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
6 Science, 6-7th SS: Sue Goslee sgoslee@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
8 SS: Michele Hinkle mhinkle@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
6-8 Math: Erica Stuck estuck@ellsworth.k12.mi.us
7-8 Science: Clayton Faivor cfaivor@ellsworth.k12.mi.us