Maple Avenue Middle School
May 2018
Student of the Month
8th Grader: Andrea Ottomano
The Sky Pilots are pleased to present Andrea Ottamano as the May Student of the Month for 2017. Andrea resides with her parents in Hanover and has no siblings.
Andrea is an excellent student. She has made the Gold honor roll every marking period throughout her middle school career. Her favorite subjects are math and ELA, and she would someday like to be an accountant. She plans to take business math courses at the high school.
When Andrea is not attending school, she remains quite busy with her softball team, the Delaware Cobras. She plays for this traveling team and has tournaments as far away as Georgia and South Carolina. She will play in 11 tournaments this spring and her team is ranked 50th in the nation.
Andrea enjoys watching softball on television and roots for the Louisiana State Tigers. She also roots for the Baltimore Orioles and enjoys watching their games.
Congratulations to Andrea!
MAMS School Dance- This Friday!
You will not want to miss this event. This carnival-themed dance will be held outdoors, and there will be a Dunk Tank and a bounce house obstacle course. Bring $1 for a chance to DUNK your favorite teacher!
$5 entrance fee (snowballs and popcorn included)
$2 Pizza
This event is for current MAMS students only.
Team Bolts: 6th Grade
Mrs. Koontz and Miss Ambrose’s Core 1 math classes are transitioning to our Statistics unit which has students collecting and displaying data using multiple representations including stem and leaf plots, dot plots, histograms, and box plots. Students will also be analyzing data to determine the different measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode, range). In the second section of this unit students will be demonstrating their knowledge by collecting and displaying data to make conclusions and to describe the “typical” value. Although the year is coming to an end, students should remain organized and push to succeed this final marking period. Have a great summer and get plenty of rest for next school year!
Mrs. Koontz’s Core 2 math class is transitioning from Probability to Geometry. Within this unit, students will be exposed to a variety of geometric concepts including angle relationships, area and circumference of circles, surface area, and volume of 3-dimensional objects. It is important that students stay focused and driven as this year comes to an end as we will be revisiting concepts we have explored throughout the entire year. Have a wonderful summer, and come next year ready to better yourself and expand on what you already know. Have a great summer and get plenty of rest for next school year!
Students in Mrs. Becker's and Mrs. Smith's Science classes are well into their study of physical science. They have been learning about atoms and molecules, the properties of matter, and the physical and chemical changes of matter. Students will move onto energy and energy transformations, then waves, light, and sound to end out the year. Always students should be reviewing on a daily basis and using the many components found in connectED to reinforce what is happening in the classroom.
Social Studies classes have been touring the landscapes of Brazil and Canada in recent weeks. Students have learned about the demographics, physical features, culture, and political topics in each of these large countries.
In ELA class, the focus has been on vocabulary and nonfiction texts. During vocabulary in Mr. Crockett’s class, his students performed a poem from memory that can been viewed on this website Poetry Alive Padlet.
Team Aviators: 7th Grade
LIFE SCIENCE-
AHHHH…. Spring is in the air. We will wrap up this year’s science classes with new information on chemistry, and spiral back and touch on concepts with earth and space science from last year! Science CDTs will be given Mid May and each student has been in a class and one on one conference setting personal goals to improve their understanding and learning for science. Lastly, it has been a pleasure working with all the students on the Aviator Team and I wish them all the best moving into 8th grade.
ELA-
As we wrap up the year, students will be reading their final class novels Drums, Girls, Dangerous Pie and/or Make Lemonade. Students will be completing a list of assignments weekly based on their MAP scores from the winter. Students have recently set goals in their specific growth areas for the spring MAP assessment. Students will be working in their specific goal areas for assignments for both novels.
History -
The Renaissance and Reformation will be the last events that students will discover before they become 8th graders! Along the journey, students may need to sling arrows like Robin of Loxley, avoid the Black Death, survive the Crusades and envelop many of Europe’s distinguished figures. The Renaissance delivered such pioneers/artists as Leonardo da Vince, Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello, William Shakespeare, Martin Luther, and Copernicus.
Math -
We have made it to our final unit...Geometry. Students will be looking into different shapes, both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional. Students will be working on a project to end our unit. Students will be taking their MAP test in a week. They have set goals and hopefully will reach them!
Team Lightning: 7th and 8th Grades
SCIENCE
Mr. Decker and Mr. Liberty
7th Grade Science:
Students are wrapping up their study of the Earth and moving towards the impact humans have on the Earth. Students will choose a specific area and propose potential solutions for the environmental problem. After CDT tests at the end of May, students will be conducting a field study project outside the walls of MAMS.
8th Grade Science:
Students are working on simple machines; levers, inclined planes, wheel and axle, pulley, screws, wedge. As we learn about these we are learning how to calculate the mechanical advantage of each machine and understand how the use of these machines makes our lives easier. Throughout this section we will be applying our understanding of simple machines to build mouse trap cars, and create a Rube Goldberg machine.
MATHEMATICS
Mr. Heller and Mr. Liberty
7th and 8th Grade Math:
Spring is here, and it's time to celebrate a successful completion to PSSA testing! All classes are working on a review for the year to prepare us for our final PIA. Although more work is being completed in class, parents can still be checking agendas for any work or projects that needs to be completed at home.
Algebra
Students just finished up prepping for the Keystone Exams which will be taken the week of May 14th. My should feel proud of their accomplishments and what they have achieved this year. Their knowledge base and understanding of Algebraic Concepts is much stronger than it has ever been which is why they should feel confident when taking the Keystones. Following these standardized tests, we will work through inquiry based projects for the remainder of the year. We are almost there -continue to gROW, and next stop...Geometry!
ENGLISH:
Mr. Peglow and Mrs. Trout
7th Grade:
Students will be reading their way through “Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie” for the remainder of this month. There is a focus on reading literature, reading informational texts and vocabulary. Students have set goals to improve in these areas choosing actionable steps to take responsibility for their growth. Soon, they will take a final MAP assessment which will show overall growth in reading skills. Students are working very hard to meet their goals, we are very proud of them and you should be too!
8th Grade:
As the year winds down to a close and students begin looking towards summer and high school, they will be completing their graduation speeches, finishing their novel Fever, and completing their final “farewell” tasks to wind up the month and their career as middle school students. Students will also receive their 9th grade summer reading assignments to complete over the summer months. Students will be tested on these readings their first week back to school next year, so please assist them in helping to complete this task. Any questions regarding this summer reading task should be sent to their high school 9th grade English teachers.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Trout
7th Grade Ancient Civilizations
The final hurdles students will encounter before the school year ends will be the Renaissance and Reformation. Europe experienced a “rebirth” after one of its darkest time periods. This “rebirth” was a revived interest in art and literature. Many of Europe’s preeminent figures evolved during the Renaissance including: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rafael, Donatello, William Shakespeare, Martin Luther, and Copernicus. Advances also occurred in science and education as well during the Renaissance.
8th Grade U.S. History
As the year comes to an end, students will focus on life after the American Civil War. Students will see the assassination of one of our nation’s greatest Presidents, Abraham Lincoln. Because of Lincoln’s untimely death, President Andrew Johnson encounters the responsibility of reconstructing the nation. Students will compare and contrast the reconstruction plans of Lincoln and Johnson. Along with the Reconstruction Era ends, students will analyze the Progressive Era. The last hurdle students will face before crossing the finish line will be the Spanish-American War.
Team Sky Pilots: 8th Grade
What an exciting time we are having in English class this month! Students will be fully immersed in The Book Thief filled with character analysis, dramatic readings, and inferences! In small groups, students are assuming roles and reading On the days they are not reading, they’re learning historical information that is relevant to the play and analyzing characters. Students are completing extension activities that are anchored in historical aspects that surround their work with The Book Thief.
Core Connections 3 put forth a tremendous effort in preparation for the Math PSSA completed in April. As the year comes to an end students will continue working on expressions and equations. They’ll have opportunities for inquiry based learning activity. Students will learn how to use the Desmos Graphing calculator.
Geometry students will complete chapter 9 and begin chapter 10, Circles and Conditional Probability. Students will learn how to use the Desmos Graphing calculator.
Science has been studying Astronomy, investigating our solar system and then the objects in the Universe. We will soon come back to Earth and investigate earthquakes, volcanoes, landmasses, ecosystems, ecology and then investigate how human systems interact.
In History, the entire eighth grade will attend a field trip to the Gettysburg National Military Park. They will take part in Park Service Programs—The Slyder Farm, Caring for the Wounded and the National Cemetery Fallen Soldiers. Students will complete a book using the book creator app. They will then focus on a ThingLink map of the Civil War.
Thank you for a great year! The Sky Pilot Team wishes our students the best as they venture through the high school toward their goals and dreams!! It has been an AWESOME YEAR!!!!!
A Message from the Guidance Counselor
From the counselor:
This month I will be spending a lot of time with the 8th graders exploring careers. This information is useful in helping them decide which pathway to choose when they move on to high school. I have also been wrapping up our OLWEUS Bullying Prevention Program for the school year. So far, the data shows that most instances of bullying that was reported initially was resolved after it was addressed the first time. That means that this program is working, and hopefully it will continue to expand and grow here at MAMS next school year. It was an absolute pleasure to learn and grow with the students here at MAMS. Mrs. Allison had some large shoes to fill, and she will be returning next school year as your School Counselor. I wish the entire student body much happiness and success in their future! -Ms. Webb
Help your middle schooler finish the school year strong
Even though the school year isn’t over, most middle schoolers are already thinking about summer vacation. The last few weeks of school, however, are just as important as the rest. It’s vital for your middle schooler to stay focused so she can finish the school year strong.
To motivate your child to keep working hard as the year winds down:
1. Stick to routines. It’s easy to get wooed by warmer temperatures and more daylight. If you find yourself letting her hang out with friends longer and longer and stay up later and later, it’s time to get back on track. Morning comes as early as ever, and if your middle schooler doesn’t get enough sleep at night, she may be worn out and unable to focus in class.
2. Stay interested in her schoolwork. Don’t stop asking your child about what’s happening in her classes just because by this point you’re pretty familiar with what goes on there. Show her you still care about her education and the things she is learning in school.
3. Maintain expectations. Remind your child that if her grades begin to slip near the end of the year—or if she stops completing her homework—there will be consequences. The thought of missing a summertime movie or trip to the pool may inspire her to buckle down.
Reprinted with permission from the May 2018 issue of Parents Still make the difference!® (Middle School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2018 The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc.
Dates to Remember
May 8 Spring Concert 7 pm
May 11 Mother's Appreciation Breakfast 6:30-730 am
May 11 Dance 5-7:30 pm
May 14 & 15 Keystone Exams, Algebra 1
May 18 Father's Appreciation Breakfast 6:30-730 am
May 25 & 28 No School, Memorial Day
June 4 Field Day
June 6 8th Grade Farewell
June 8 Last day of school, Act 80 day
Information from the School Nurse
Students going into 7th grade need to have MCV (meningitis vaccine) and Tdap (tetanus, diptheria, pertussis booster) by the 5th day of school. Any students who do not have a vaccination record into the school with the two vaccinations will be excluded from school on the 6th day. All days that student are excluded will be illegal absences. Please work on your child getting his/her immunizations updated over the summer prior to school starting and parents may drop the shot record at off at MA school office.
Also students going into 7th grade are required a dental exam and copy of dental visit submitted as proof. Dental forms have been already mailed out.
8th Grade Farewell Details
Request for Farewell Photos
Respectfully,
Jason Peglow
6th & 7th Grade Awards and Recognition- Parents Welcome!
7th Grade Awards Assembly: Friday, June 8th at 9:30 am in the MAMS Auditorium
Exercise Science (8th Grade PILOT Elective)
Two groups of eight-grade students signed up to take an exercise science PILOT elective with Mr. Martin. Two days a week they are in the classroom learning the basics of anatomy and physiology and how they relate to exercise.
Through projects and discussion, we answer some of the basic questions of exercise science such as: Why does aerobic exercise make you healthier? How does lifting weights make you stronger? Why are some people better sprinters and others better distance runners? How does heart rate affect how I’m working out? What muscles am I using in each exercise? How can I achieve my fitness goals?
Students also develop a fitness plan and two days a week lift weights in the high school weight room. High school students Hannah Riley, Sam Barnes, and Josh Stevens have been assisting the MAMS students as they carry out their routine and learn how to lift weights to meet their individual goals. One day a week is reserved for a variety of cardio activities that keeps students in their target heart rate zone for the class period. If you are interested in exercise check this PILOT out in 8th grade.