Poland Middle School Newsletter
January 2018
Monthly Message from the Principal Team
We have had a great start to the new year! Students are getting back into the school routine and creating new goals for the second half of the year. Excitement is filling the hallways with many students participating in new clubs and digging deeper into academic contents.
We were excited this month to host an 8th grade family night where students and parents were able to have a friendly competition with BreakoutEdu boxes to dig deeper into content standards. This activity really shows the collaboration and inquiry that our students engage in daily. Additionally, we were extremely excited for two honors that our school received this month. Mr. DiPietro was honored with the Dunkin Donuts Class Act Teacher Award and our school received a Middle School Kindness Challenge Award thanks in large part to our 8th grade team.
In other exciting news, our Math 24 team had an outstanding showing at the Math 24 competition in Campbell! Fifteen of our students were top 16 medalists at their grade levels. A special congratulations to Carmen and Henry for 1st place overall finishes and Derek for 3rd place overall finish. Additionally, our 8th grade team had many of its projects funded on donors choose. The team was able to receive headphones, puzzles, individual dry erase boards, calculators, motors for STEM, Kindles, and guided reading strips, as well as many other items. Thank you to all who generously donated for our students! These items will be put to good use.
Lastly, there are many exciting opportunities available for our middle school students. Please see the dates below in the newsletter for scheduled activities. Additionally, there is a tab at the bottom of the newsletter with our daily announcements. The daily announcements can also be viewed on Poland Middle School's webpage in the left column under "Daily Announcements."
We are looking forward to the second half of the year!
Clubs
Academics
Award
Classroom Happenings
Math
In Mrs. McMahon’s 8th grade math class we are continuing to work in the world of Algebra. We recently finished Unit 7, which covers finding slope using the formula and similar triangles. This all leads us to make connections to their 7th grade curriculum where they learned all about proportional relationships. Next we are going to tie together everything we have learned about solving equations, graphing equations, putting equations into slope intercept form and understanding the meaning of slope and the y-intercept. Students will use all of these prior concepts to solve systems of linear equations.
Mrs. Hohloch’s algebra students are beginning to investigate the concept of exponential functions. They will discover exponential growth through situations such as a multiplying rabbit population or a colony of bacteria. They will experiment with consecutive bounces of a ball to represent exponential decay. Students will then begin working with arithmetic and geometric sequences and learn to write recursive sequences.
Mrs. Hohloch’s math students have been working with the properties of exponents to be able to simplify exponential expressions. This will lead them into working with scientific notation. Students will learn how to convert between standard form and scientific notation. They will learn how to perform operations with numbers written in scientific notation and how to compare numbers in scientific notation.
In 7th-grade math we are currently finishing up our third unit which was on Expressions and Equations! This unit was a building block for Algebra. The students worked very hard to master the learning objectives set in place for them. Next, we will begin to review for our Midterm. The Midterm will cover our first three units of study, The Number System, Ratios and Proportions, and Expressions and Equations. We feel it is important to review these important concepts since we are already half way through the school year!
In 7th-grade advanced math, the students are about to embark on their second 8th grade unit of the year which discusses Linear Relationships! In this unit, the students will learn about the slope of a line as well as determining if proportional relationships exist in graphs, tables, and equations! They will also learn how to represent linear relationships multiple ways.
In sixth grade math, we recently concluded our concentration in mixed number and fraction multiplication and division. This unit included determining the correct operation to use when problem solving real-life scenarios and using order of operations when solving multiple operation (+,-,x, & division) fraction/mixed number equations. We are now beginning our concentration in ratio/proportional relationships, finding and using proportions to problem solve, creating and using ratio tables, and creating and completing input/output data.
In 5th grade, we are learning to use lists and prime factor trees to find the Greatest common factors GCF and the least common multiples LCM. We are concluding our concentration in decimal place value, modeling and solving decimal addition, subtraction, and multiplication and solving real-life problems involving decimals. We are now beginning our concentration in divisibility rules and moving toward adding and subtracting fractions, simplifying fractions, and then multiplying and dividing fractions.
English Language Arts
Currently in fifth grade we have just begun our new unit on Paired Texts and Connections. Throughout this month students will continue to study nonfiction texts in a number of ways. First, students will be introduced to the nonfiction text structures authors use to organize their ideas (Description, Sequence, Compare/Contrast, Cause/Effect, and Problem/Solution). Our classes will discuss why authors choose these structures and how their ideas are connected for form new learning. Students will then learn about the interactions and connections between two or more individuals, events, or places. Finally, students will wrap up the unit by tying these new concepts into comparing paired texts for their information and how each author's perspective defines a reader's ability to gain new understandings.
In 6th grade language arts this month, we have been working on our Argumentative Writing Unit. Students have spent time reading, annotating, and analyzing technology articles in order to write a thesis statement and claim on the topic of a "Shut Down Your Screen Week". Students have been working through the writing process with Writer's Workshop lessons and activities on various topics, such as writing a hook, finding relevant evidence, locating a counterclaim, and writing a rebuttal statement. The final product will be a six paragraph essay. This month we also have continued our student discussions and debates through Socratic seminars. We will begin to study nonfiction texts and comparing various aspects of these texts.
As the second nine weeks comes to a close, our 7th grade ELA students continue to enjoy reading independently while tracking and expanding their vocabulary acquisition through WOW (Words of the Week) and silent reading. In addition, we concentrated on using context clues to determine the meaning of unknown words in a text as well as the impact the vocabulary word has on the text. As a class, we switched our reading genre to nonfiction and have explored many interesting informational texts. With these texts, our students have mastered their ability to determine both an overarching central idea of an entire text as well as a central idea of a section of a text. We also explored our creativeness by writing “Things to do if…” poems which allowed the students to imagine themselves as an inanimate object through the poetic device of personification. Our students really enjoyed this opportunity to play with language. Another large part of this nine weeks was spent on writing literary analysis. Students analyzed two texts to find a common theme and wrote a formal essay with evidence and citations.
As the snow plows moved the snow recently, we are plowing our way through the interactions of individuals, ideas and events in informational texts. Looking at how these three components interact and connect in our own daily lives and applying them to our texts.
Next, we are attacking text structures or the way texts are organized and onto informational writing. Finally, we will write argumentative essays also in the third quarter. Usually, students look forward to this task as we all know that teens love to share their opinions.
Please continue to communicate with us as questions or concerns arise and actively engage your student in a conversation about the book they are currently reading.
Miss Aebischer’s and Mrs. Shaffer’s grade 8 ELA classes are currently working on writing a literary analysis. Through mini-lessons, mentor texts, hyperdocs, modeling, and stations, students are learning about this writing genre’s characteristics, revising and editing their writing with their peers, and reflecting on their progress and process. Students are also working towards meeting the SMART goals they set for themselves in regards to their independent reading.
Science
Happy New Year! Despite the cold and snow, we are continuing on with our learning about our how our world works. 8th grade science is beginning a new unit that continues to explore the geology of Earth. In this unit, students will learn how the interactions between the hydrosphere and lithosphere result in constructive forces that build up and destructive forces that break down Earth's surface. The processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition are revisited from previous grades and further investigated.
The 7th grade classes will focus on how energy is transferred into and out of an open system with thermal energy. They will also learn about electrical energy and waves.
6th grade is starting a chapter on rocks and minerals. They will start by learning properties of minerals, extending into uses of rocks and minerals and following up with the rock cycle and how soil is made and preserved.
The 5th grade students just began a unit on Earth and Space science. They will be studying night/day and the seasons how they are a result of the relationship between the sun and earth.
Social Studies
8th Grade-8th grade students are studying the causes of the Revolutionary War by analyzing primary documents. Students have been working in small groups to deconstruct these important documents and see how they helped shape the nation. Students have been using graphic organizers to help organize the content from these materials and presenting it to the class.
7th Grade-7th Grade students will be spending the month of January studying the golden age of Islamic Achievements during the Middle Ages. Students will demonstrate their knowledge by making timelines that show the relationships between important achievements. Students will also be designing maps that show the impact Islamic civilization had on Europe during this time period.
6th Grade-6th grade students have been studying the geography of their Egypt during the last month. Students have participated in a variety of activities relating to this distinct landscape. Students have completed sorts studying the movement factors of Egypt as well as completing RAFT writing projects that put them in the roles of Ancient Egyptian citizens. 6th grade social studies has also been collaborating with Mrs. Marconi and the STEM classes. Students have been designing 3D tiles using online software that depicts the topography of Egypt as well as many of significant human features that have been built there as well. Students will be printing their tiles in the STEM lab and using them to learn about Egyptian topography in the Social Studies classroom.
5th grade-5th grade students are beginning to learn about the native american cultures of South America and Mesoamerica. Students first stop on the history train is the Mayan Civilization. Students are learning how to study ancient civilizations using the G.R.A.P.E.S. method. This method has students focusing in on the important characteristics of a civilization, like, geography, religion, achievements, politics, economics, and social structure. Students will be collecting this information for the Aztecs, Incas, and Mississippian civilizations as well and producing a foldable that demonstrates knowledge of the material.
Specials Spotlight: Choir
A future goal that I have for the middle school is to create an honors ensemble for 7th and 8th grade students that can compete with other local schools at adjudicated events and other performances around Poland and the surrounding areas. It has been a pleasure getting to know the middle school students and I hope they continue singing long after they leave the middle school!
School Counselors
In success class, the students learned about grit and growth mindset. The students set goals that they will evaluate at the end of the 9 weeks.
In 6th grade, Mrs. Butch went into the math classes to teach a goal setting lesson. The students set a goal pertaining to math which they will evaluate at the end of the 9 weeks.
Students in Poland Local Schools will partake in multiple events throughout the month of February to “Capture Kindness” and realize that kindness, inclusion, and empathy start with one.
The Kindness Club is making tie-knot blankets to donate to the Beatitude House in Youngstown for families in need.
Start With Hello Week Themes:
Monday 2/5 Poland Pride Day
Wear Poland Gear to show we are a committed to keeping our community connected
Tuesday 2/6 Superhero Day
Dress like a superhero or wear something that expresses what makes you unique and super. Please no capes or masks.
Wednesday 2/7 Celebrate Everyone’s Differences Day
Please wear unique, crazy, or mismatched clothes to show off how we are all special in our own way!
Thursday 2/8 Green Day
Wear Green to support Sandy Hook Promise Start With Hello
Friday 2/9 Be Comfortable With Who You Are Day
*NO ONE EATS ALONE DAY-- mixing it up at lunch.
Wear school appropriate pajamas to be comfortable with who you are.
Students will be encouraged to sit with someone new at lunch to encourage connectivity and inclusion.
Andre Elliott, program director at Mahoning County Juvenile Court, will be coming to talk with the students in grades 5-8 about Start With Hello during advisory time on Thursday, February 8, 2018.
School Nurse-Mrs. LeFoer
Permission slips were sent home with all 5th grade students on Thursday, 1/11 in regards to, "Growing Up Night". Thursday, Feb 22 will be the girls night and Wednesday, February 28 will be the boys night. Both begin at 6:30 in the cafeteria. Please return your forms to the school.
On January 26th, a letter went home with 6th grade report cards in regards to vaccine requirements for the start of the 2018 school year for all 7th graders. If you have any questions, please contact me at 330-757-7003.
Sports
Academics
Sports
February Event Dates
2/1: PTO Meeting 9:15am
2/2: Student Council Grades 7 and 8 Dance 7:00-9:00pm Middle School Cafeteria
2/5: Start with Hello Week-Wear Poland Pride to show how we connect to our community
Fish in a Tree Book Club Panera on Market Street 3:45-4:45pm
2/6: Start with Hello Week-You are a Superhero Day!-Wear what makes you unique or super
2/7: Start with Hello Week- Celebrate our differences by wearing mismatched clothes
2/8: Start with Hello Week-Wear Green to support Sandy Hook Promise's Start with Hello Week
2/9: Start with Hello Week-Be comfortable with who you are and wear school appropriate pajamas
Mix it Up at Lunch Day
2/14: 9th Grade Placement Test (Either 7:30am-8:30am or 3:30pm-4:30pm)
2/15: 9th Grade Placement Test (Either 7:30am-8:30am or 3:30pm-4:30pm)
Parent Teacher Conference Night
2/16-2/19: No School
2/22: 5th Grade Girls Growing Up Night (5th Grade) 6:30pm in the PMS Cafeteria
2/28: 5th Grade Boys Growing Up Night 6:30pm in the PMS Cafeteria
9th Grade Scheduling Meeting Poland Seminary High School Auditorium 7:00pm
3/1: PTO Meeting 9:15am