Middle School Matters: 4/25/14

Middle School Matters April 25, 2014 General Announcements Middle School Matters For the Week of: 4.28.14     General Announcements:   Grand Friends Day: Friday, May 2 - All Middle School Bands and Orchestras will perform for GrandFriends on Friday- they need to wear their black and white for this event.  Please help them to remember!       6th Grade News   Bible:  Started a new unit on the Book of Exodus.  Bible memory choice # 2 is due on Friday. History:  Continue our study of the Roman Empire.  All paragraphs should be completed by Friday and compiled into one paper.    Language arts:  WOW!  What a fabulous Fine Arts Night!  Congratulations to the the sixth graders who worked so hard.  The displays were beautiful and the food was delicious. Thank you, parents, for your encouragement during this project!  Next week, the students will finish up their persuasive papers and we will begin discussing the techniques used when giving a speech. PE: This upcoming week on Monday and Wednesday the students will be taking their pickleball test.  Reminder:  6B will take their test on Monday, April 28, while 6A will take their test on Wednesday, April 30.   Orchestra:  This week Friday is Grand Friends Day so the 6th grade orchestra will perform in a combined concert with the 7th and 8th grade string groups!  Concert dress  is required  so black and white .  Students may change after their concerts are complete.  The 6th graders will also give a short concert on Monday for the preschoolers!  FUN! Science: Energy Test is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30. Spanish:   Final Family Tree Projects are due: Tuesday for 6A, Wednesday for 6B.  I can't wait to see them! Back to Top 7th Grade News Back to Top Bible:   Sanderson: We're reflecting on our Spiritual Journeys this week and are enjoying hearing from various ACS teachers and staff about how God has worked and is working in their lives.   Language arts: Today the Parent Review sheet for Paideia was due -- thank you for your cooperation and hard work in this project! Your comments on the students reviews are very valuable and appreciated!     On Wednesday, the third draft of the essay is due (the drafts that I will read over and mark up). I explained this third draft a bit in a previous email, but I will be sending an email soon to clarify.   PE:  This upcoming week on Monday and Tuesday the student will be taking their pickleball test.  Reminder:  7E & 7D will take their test on Monday April 28, while 7F will take it on Tuesday, April 29.     Pre-Algebra (Sanderson): We continue to study data, how to collect it, display it, and analyze it.   Orchestra:  Grand Friend's Day is this Friday-- May 2 and 6th. 7th and 8th grade string players will perform in the commons at 9:30AM.  Concert dress is required for this special day but students may change  right after!     Spanish:  7th graders will have a QUIZ over Ser vs. Estar:  7D on Wednesday, 7E on Thursday, 7F on Friday.   8th Grade News     Back to Top   Bible:  Huttenga: It's been a while since we've had a typical Bible class! This week, we will be returning to our study of the growth of the early church, specifically focusing on the dispute between Paul and the Judaizers (Salvation by Faith vs. Salvation by Works). I will also be assigning a sermon evaluation project at the beginning of the week. Stay tuned for details.    Geometry: We have finished our unit on similarity and proportions and are starting to work with trigonometric ratios in order to find missing sides and angles of right triangles.   History:  Our year continues with the study of the United States after the Reconstruction and before World War I.     Language arts: Book of Memories ch 4 is due on Monday; ch 5 is due on May 6. This week we began a new unit: the study of The Diary of Anne Frank (a play). Today we began building some context for the play by reading about the Holocaust, which we will continue on Monday.   PE:  The students will be taking their badminton test this upcoming week on Tuesday, April 29.  The review sheet has been posted on moodle for the students to study from.     Orchestra:    Grand Friend's Day is this Friday- May 2 and 6th, 7th and 8th grade string groups will perform in the Commons at 9:30 AM  .  Concert dress is required for this( Black and White-- Black socks and Black shoes!!!   Thanks for paying attention to all of the details!   Spanish:  8th graders will be finishing up their memory work (the Lord's Prayer in Spanish) on Monday, and have a TEST on Unit 10 on Friday.  Resources for study are posted on Moodle.     Athletics   For all up to date athletic information for 5th-8th grade athletics please click on the link below. http://bit.ly/ACS-Athletics    Softball, and Soccer schedules have been emailed out to each team.  If you did not receive an email from Mrs. Van Duyn please contact her.  Schedules have also been posted on the main athletic calendar and in an agenda form under each sport team.       Back to Top  Ada Christian School Faith.Strong In This Issue General News 6th Grade News 7th Grade News 8th Grade News Athletics Quick Links Homework Calendars 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade *To see homework, click on the link above and then select "login as guest." 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Middle School Matters: 4/19/14

Middle School Matters March 19, 2014 General Announcements Spirit Week is next week for all students!  See the Google Calendar for the events for each day.  (Matching Monday, Crazy Hat or Hair or Socks Tuesday, PJ Day for Wednesday, USA Day for Thursday and Blue/White/ACS Wear for Friday. Fine Arts Night: Thursday Night  6:30-8:00 Come enjoy the student's visual arts work displayed in the hallways,  it has been a very artistic year.   6th graders:  Arrive at 6:15 7th Grade: Come if you can and enjoy all your artwork on display.   8th Grade Band:  Arrive by 7:15 to band room, concert in Commons at 7:30 6th Grade News Art: 6d has both their torn watercolor landscape project and artist statements for the project due next week tuesday by the end of class.  6ki will be starting their clay unit next week in class and 6ki has an artist statement due next Thursday for the torn watercolor landscapes.   Band:  We are working on music for GrandFriends Day, music fundamentals and scales.   Bible:  Music Videos will be finished up in class this week.  Friday we will take the time to watch them and sing along.  They have done a great job, and you should ask them to show you the finished product.  Bible Memory # 1 is due on Friday, but can be said anytime this week.   History:  We are learning about Ancient Rome this week.  We are working on writing detailed summary paragraphs about some of the wonders of Ancient Rome.  The paragraphs will be put together in one paper that will be due the first week of May.   Language arts:  It has been so fun to see all of the display boards come into school.  The 6th graders obviously worked very hard on them!  Currently, the sixth graders are working on the beginning stages of their persuasion papers.  They are brainstorming reasons why their classmates should visit their World Fair countries (due Monday 4/21).  Students will formulate thesis statements and learn about introduction paragraphs next week.  We will also compile our portfolios in class.  We are looking forward to the World Fair night.  See details below.   DETAILS about World Fair during Fine Arts Night:   The night begins at 6:30 and ends at 8:00.  Students should arrive around 6:15 wearing nice clothing.  Parents often help students set up and put food in SMALL portions.  Any extra "stuff" can go under the table.   (Students should let me know if they need an outlet.  If so, also bring an extension cord.)     At the end of the night, all food and artifacts can go home, BUT PORTFOLIOS AND DISPLAY BOARDS MUST STAY AT SCHOOL. Students will need to stay by their board until 7:20.  At that point, they may wander around.  Students may leave at 7:45.     These students have worked SSOOO hard and have learned so much. Thanks for your support in this valuable project. It should be a fun night. Bring your camera and appetite!   Math: We have learned how to find the area and perimeter of squares, rectangles, parallelograms, triangles, trapezoids and circles. Monday we will combine them into compound shapes. Tuesday we will review and Wednesday students will be tested to see if they can find the area and perimeter of each of those shapes.   Science: We continue to explore energy transformations.  Test is tentatively planned before the end of the month.   Spanish:   Students will work on final drafts of their Family Tree projects, getting started in class and finishing at home for Friday's due date. Back to Top  7th Grade News All 7th Grade Students had a special experience on Maundy/Holy Thursday where we thought about the suffering of Christ and our response to his sacrifice. We had a seventh grade class meeting on Friday where we talked about How things at school are going for our class Some student relations policy reviews so we review and remember how we are called to treat each other Romance, food and lunches, body image, and getting along with each other Strengths of our class Things we need to work on Finishing strong for our 7th grade year Academically Socially Spiritually Being Good Leaders and also Good Followers We also talked about 8th grade and things to look forward to next year What a great class!! We are thankful to God for them! Algebra 7th/8th:  Test on Wednesday over chapter 10. Art: 7th grade should be completed with the building of their ceramic birds.  All class will be working on a project that seek to have the students visually display their faith, family, and self, please ask to see your students sketchbook and discuss with them what they are drawing for this project.    Band:  We are working on music for GrandFriend's Day, music fundamentals and scales. Bible:    VN: We continue to work on Isaiah and have an interesting project going - part 1 is due Tuesday. Sanderson: We'll be examining our own Spiritual journeys this week. Wanner:  We are working on 2 Samuel.  We have a Bible Memory quiz on Tuesday of Roman 12: 9 - 12.   History:  We have started our study of American History.  We are focusing on the Age of Exploration and the early settlements in the New World.  We will be finishing up this chapter next week.  Look for a quiz/test on this material early the following week. Language arts: The 7th graders worked very hard this week, and on Friday they finished the first draft of their Paideia essays -- great job, everybody!   This coming week will be very busy as well, so be prepared to work hard and prioritize well! Here is what's coming up: -Monday: Trouble projects are due. -Wednesday: We will take a "quest" (small test) on Trouble. A comprehensive summary of the book and a review guide (including the short answer questions from the quest) are available on Moodle to help study). -Friday: The second draft of the Paideia essay is due (parents stay tuned: I will be sending you more info because you play a direct role in this portion of the project!) Pre-Algebra (Sanderson): We're studying data - how to collect it, organize it, display it, and analyze it.  Students will complete a data collection/graphing project to go deepen this study. Pre-Algebra (Kiser): Next week we will wrap up our study of congruence, similarity and transformations. We will have our test on Thursday. Science: We are now studying the circulatory and respiratory system. Spanish:  We will continue our practice of SER vs. ESTAR  Back to Top 8th Grade News Pirates of Penzance DVD:  If you have not turned in your order form for the DVD, you may still turn it into the office on Monday.  Monday will be the final day before the order will be placed.  If you have lost the order form, click here to download a new one. Class Trip:  Arrangements have been made for the 8th grade class trip which will take place on May 21-23.  Once again the 8th graders will have a memorable trip traveling to Ohio for a river adventure and a day at Cedar Point.  An information letter will be going home next week with a few more details.   Algebra (Witte): We have started Chapter 10 on Polynomials and Factoring.  We will be working through this chapter this week.   Algebra 7th/8th:  Test on Wednesday over chapter 10. Art: 8th graders are working on their family shape projects.  It has been interesting hearing the conversation between students about the shape they have chosen for various family members and why.  Consider asking your student about what shape they are using to represent their family members.   Band:  Our Fine Arts Night Special Concert will be Thursday night - 7:30 p.m. in the Commons. Call time is 7:15.  We are also working on music for GrandFriend's Day, music fundamentals and scales. Bible:  8th Graders will be continuing to learn with the Willing to Wait program. History:  Open notes and worksheets test on the Civil War and Reconstruction on Thursday.  Progress reports for History were sent home with your child today, so if you have not checked their grades in a while, this is a good time.  I printed off a sheet for each student, and those with grades C+ or below as of Friday need to return their parent signed report on Monday.    Language arts: This week we finished reading Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, by Gary Schmidt. Next week, we will have a test on the book (Thursday). A review guide for the test will be uploaded to Moodle this weekend and will be reviewed in class on Monday. The third chapter (essay) of the Book of Memories project is due on Monday. Next week, students will also be given the instructions for the 4th installment of the project. Parents will be sent details about this as well. Next week we will also begin a new unit: The Diary of Anne Frank Science: We have finished our unit on Atmosphere and have started our unit on weather. Spanish:  Students have been memorizing the Lord's Prayer in Spanish and will recite for a quiz grade on either Monday or Friday next week.  Also, COMING UP:  Lunch at an authentic Hispanic restaurant, May 20th.  If you are willing to come along as a chaperone, please contact Mrs. Weaver.  It's fun to hear the kids speaking Spanish AND the food is great!     Back to Top Athletics Swimming: Our last practice is this Tuesday from 5 - 6:30. For the meet on Wednesday please have your swimmers to the pool at 5pm, the meet will start at 6pm. Swimmers should also bring a towel, water bottle, sandals, a pair of shorts or sweats and a shirt or sweatshirt. The pool deck can feel cold to some swimmers during the meet and they may want to have some clothes to put on. Back to Top  Ada Christian School Faith.Strong In This Issue General News 6th Grade News 7th Grade News 8th Grade News Athletics Quick Links Homework Calendars 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade *To see homework, click on the link above and then select "login as guest." Student Grades PowerSchool View Previous MSM MSM Archive School Newsletter Ada Connection 2013 Theme

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Middle School Matters: 4/14/14

Middle School Matters April 14, 2014 General Announcements HOT LUNCH ORDERS DUE ON TUESDAY AT MIDNIGHT FOR THE MONTH OF MAY!   Bus Driver Appreciation: The Bus Driver Appreciation Committee is in need of your help!  On Friday, April 25, ACS will be hosting a breakfast for all ACS and Forest Hills bus drivers to show our thanks for the invaluable job they provide to those families who use the busing service. To make this a success, we are in need of Fruit trays and Breakfast baked goods (store bought or homemade). If you are willing to provide, please contact Stacie Marsman at stacie.marsman@gmail.com by Monday, April 21.      Staff Appreciation:  Thursday and Friday, April 24th and 25th, 2014. Thank You Notes: Help us shower our staff and teachers with special notes/cards made by you and your children.  Buckets for each teacher will be in front of each teachers' doors on Thursday, April 24th and Friday, April 25th.  We also encourage your child to write a thank you note to at least one of their "specials" teachers or a staff member. Staff Continental Breakfast and  Luncheon: We will be showing our appreciation to our staff with a Breakfast on Thursday, April 24th and a Salad Bar Luncheon on Friday, April 25th.  Please sign up to bring food athttp://vols.pt/skFvZr.   Athletics: This week spring sports practices begin for 5th-8th grade track and field, 5th-8th grade girls soccer, and the 5th and 6th grade girls softball team.   If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Van Duyn at avanduyn@adachristian.org.   Currently the league is working on the soccer and softball schedule.  As soon as we have received the final schedule we will be emailing it out to each team.  In the meantime, for all up to date athletic information for 5th-8th grade please check the 5-8 ACS Athletic website which can be found thru the link below. http://bit.ly/ACS-Athletics    th Grade News Art: 6a has a torn watercolor landscape project due by the end of class this week Thursday.  All projects that are not completed will either sent home to be completed or worked on in noon room.  6b has a torn watercolor project due by the end of class next week Tuesday.  All projects that are not completed will either sent home to be completed or worked on in noon room.  Also homework for this week will be writing an artist statement for the torn watercolor landscapes.   Band:  Upcoming concert dates:  Friday, May 2 - GrandFriends Day Concert during school.  Thursday, May 15 - Spring Concert!  We will wear black and white for both of these events!  Please make sure that your child's black and white still fits (looks to me like some have grown!)  :) Bible:  Bible verse choices sheets should be turned in by Friday.  Working on music videos this week. History:  Congratulations to Megara on their Olympic victory in the 6th Grade Ancient Greece Games.  Ancient Rome activities begins this week. Language arts:  We are working hard!  Students are finishing up their newspapers and they are AWESOME.  Please ask your child to show you it!  Also, students are creating a cover page for their portfolios and a bibliography page.  We will begin working on our persuasive papers this week.  Due to missing so much school with snow days, we are a bit behind.  Persuasive papers may not make it in the portfolio on, but we will continue to work on them after Fine Arts night!  Many display boards came in before spring break and they are gorgeous.  If your child has not turned in the display board, it is due on Wednesday, April 23.   A FEW DETAILS about FINE ARTS night:   The night begins at 6:30 and ends at 8:00.   Students should arrive around 6:15 wearing nice clothing.  Parents often help students set up and put food in SMALL portions.  Any extra "stuff" can go under the table.   (Students should let me know if they need an outlet.  If so, also bring an extension cord.)   At the end of the night, all food and artifacts can go home, BUT PORTFOLIOS AND DISPLAY BOARDS MUST STAY AT SCHOOL.  Students will need to stay by their board until 7:20.  At that point, they may wander around.  Students may leave at 7:45.   These students have worked SSSOOOO hard and have learned so much. Thanks for your support in this valuable project.  It should be a fun night.  Bring your camera and appetite! Math: We continue to calculate area of shapes (trapezoid, circle, irregular figures) this week. Next week Monday and Tuesday we will review and will test on Wednesday, April 23. PE: This week in PE we will be learning about pickleball.  The students will have a test on pickleball in 2 weeks.  The review sheet is posted on moodle if they would like to study ahead of time.   Orchestra:  This week Friday-- Good Friday- the 6th grade string players will play the prelude music for the all school chapel..  So bring instruments and all music four days this week -- LEAVE ALL STRING INSTRUMENTS AT SCHOOL - FROM THURSDAY TO FRIDAY- this week only!-- Thanks so much. Science: We'll be studying energy transformations, various energy sources, and how we can be good stewards of God's creation in our use of energy. Spanish:   6th graders look forward to creating their árbol geneológico (family tree) this week!  They have much flexibility with these, but if you have any concerns about the project for your child please contact Mrs. Weaver to discuss. Back to Top  7th Grade News Back to Top Art: 7th graders are completing the building of their clay birds project and will transition to a project working on how to symbolize the students faith, family and self.  Please check the homework calendar for sketchbook homework.   Band:  Upcoming Concert Dates:  Friday, May 2 - GrandFriends Day Concert.  Thursday, May 15 - Spring Concert. We will wear black and white for both of these events!  Please make sure that your child's black and white still fits (looks to me like some have grown!)  :) Bible:   Sanderson: Students will wrap up a study of the journey of the Israelites during the time of the judges.  Next up, a focused-look at our own journeys with Jesus. Van Noord: We will be working on the book of Isaiah together.  This book is absolutely PACKED with amazing verses and prophecies regarding the coming of the Messiah. Wanner:  We will present our jealousy monster creations to each other in class this week and then begin our study of 2 Samuel.  Remember to study for Bible memory Roman 12: 9 -12.   History:  This week we are going to transition into our study of American History.  We will start by reviewing the Age of Exploration and examining the reasons for the exploration and the results of this exploration.  Depending on how things go, we may be looking at a quiz on this material by the end of the week. Language arts: Students will begin working on the first drafts of the Paideia project, which will be due this Friday. The second draft will be due next Friday (More thorough emails about drafts and the rest of the project to come soon). Students' Trouble projects are due next Monday. Trouble test will be next Wednesday. These two weeks will be busy, so students should work a little bit each night to stay on top of things! PE:  This week the students will be playing and reviewing pickleball.  They will have a test on pickleball in 2 weeks.  The review sheet is posted on moodle if they would like to study ahead of time.   Pre-Algebra (Sanderson): We will work on collecting, displaying, and analyzing data. (Holt Chapter 4) Pre-Algebra (Kiser): We will continue to work with geometric figures this week. Specifically rotations, reflections and translations on a coordinate plane. Orchestra:  Upcoming Concert Dates---- Please put these on your calendar-- Fine Arts Night- April 24th-- all 7th and 8th strings-- arrive to tune at 6:45 Perform at 7:00PM in the Commons--casual dress for Fine arts night only Grandfriends Day-- May 2 Middle School Concert- Thursday- May 15th Science: This week we will finish our study of amphibians.  We will have a quiz on Monday.  We will start a study of our senses next week. Spanish:  We will be learning more about the different uses of SER and ESTAR as we continue to learn about areas in and around the home. 8th Grade News Back to Top Pirates of Penzance:  All of the 8th graders are receiving an order form today to buy a DVD of the Pirates of Penzance.  If you would like to print off an order form now, you may click here.  Order forms are due in the office or to a homeroom teacher by this Friday.     Spanish Lunch:  All Spanish students will be having a Spanish immersion lunch experience on Tuesday, May 20, and will not need to order hot lunch that day.   Algebra (Witte): During algebra this week we will finish up looking at Chapter 9 and take a quiz on Wednesday.  Then we will begin our study of factoring quadratic equations.     Art:  8b is working on their family shape projects.  8a students will need to have their ceramic pot glazed by the end of class Friday or they will be marked late.  Please check the homework calendar for sketchbook assignments.      Band:  Upcoming Concert Dates:  Thursday, April 24 7:30 p.m. (call time is 7:15) - Fine Arts Night Concert in the Commons (8th band only - special time together - - please come and enjoy! - - students will dress a little more casual for this night) Friday, May 2 - GrandFriends Day Concert during school.  Thursday, May 15 - Spring Concert at night. (our final gig together) We will wear black and white for GF Day and also May 15. Please make sure that your child's black and white still fits (looks to me like some have grown!)  :)   Bible:  This week in Bible the 8th graders will be participating in the Willing to Wait program.     Geometry: We have finished our unit on analytic geometry and are working on similarity, size changes, and proportions. The next test is scheduled for April 23-24.   History:  Final Week of our Civil War Unit.  Final Civil War projects due on Friday.  All extra credit due on Friday too.  We will end the unit with an open notes "quest".   Language arts: This week we continue to study Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary Schmidt, and we will likely have a test next week (the exact date will be finalized soon). Students will also continue to work on the Book of Memories project: chapter 3 (early childhood memories) are due next Monday (April   PE:  This week  the students will be playing pickleball in class.  Next week we will start on our Badminton unit.  The students will have a quiz over Badminton in 2 weeks.  The review sheet is posted on moodle if the students would like to study ahead of time.     Orchestra:  Please put 3 concert dates on your calendar! Fine ARts Night - April 24th - tune at 6:45 and perform at 7 -- in the commons Grandfriends  Day-- May 2 Middle School Concert - Thursday May 15th   Science: This week we will finish our study of the atmosphere.  Next week we will begin our study of weather.   Spanish:  Students have been saying the Lord's prayer in Spanish (el Padre nuestro) and should start working on memorizing it for next week.  This will be worth a quiz grade.  Resources for the memory work are on Moodle.     Ada Christian School Faith.Strong In This Issue General News 6th Grade News 7th Grade News 8th Grade News Quick Links Homework Calendars 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade *To see homework, click on the link above and then select "login as guest." Student Grades PowerSchool View Previous MSM MSM Archive School Newsletter Ada Connection 2013 Theme

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