MSM Exploratory News

Middle School Matters   January 22, 2015 General Announcements Next week is our Week of Exploratory and we are very excited to spend this time with our students learning about some different areas of God's world.  Below are some special Exploratory Week Announcements.   Drivers Still Needed:  We still have a need for parents to volunteer to drive and chaperone several of our exploratory activities next week, Jan. 27-30.  Several of our activities need 3 or 4 chaperones each day so that students can go off campus and have unique learning experiences.  Please consider signing up for one or two spots if possible.  This is roughly a 2 hour time commitment for each time you volunteer.  Please sign up today!     To visit the Volunteer Spot website, use this link:  http://vols.pt/sis93m   No hot lunch next week. Please send a lunch each day. There is hot water available if you would like to send Mac-n-Cheese or noodles of whatever type.   Requesting Recyclables: If you have any clean milk jugs or 2-liter bottles, please bring them to Ms. Sanderson's room.  Thank you!   Requested Announcement:  Lowell High School will again be hosting our annual parent and student Freshman Orientation on Thursday, February 12, 2015 from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM in the Lowell Performing Arts Center. Please enter on the West side of the building. This orientation is for parents and their children who will be entering high school in the fall of 2015.   Specific Exploratory Class Announcements Winter Survival (Sessions 1): Dress warm, we will be spending most of our time outside.  You need to bring your hat, gloves, and snowpants.   Scrapbooking (Session 1): Please bring an acid-free scrapbook, pictures (around 50 prints), double-sided tape, additional acid-free paper, and stickers.  If you have scissors, templates, cutting boards, etc. at home, please bring them to share...just make sure that your name is on them.   Dessert Theatre (Session 1):  Please bring your SCRIPTS and PENCILS.  We will be doing lots of blocking and choreography, but will also learn some warm-ups and play some fun theatre games.  For after school rehearsals, please continue to check the website:  http://acsdesserttheatre.weebly.com/   Digital Photography (Session 1): Please remember to bring a digital camera to class and have your computer fully charged. Be ready with a creative mind and good attitude!   CSI: ACS (Session 1): Please make sure you have a pencil.  Bring your computer as well!   Yearbook (Session 2):  If you are a part of the Yearbook Exploratory, please bring your laptop to class.  Most of the work we do in this exploratory is done online, so your laptop is necessary.  Thanks.   Strategy Games (Session 2): All materials required for this class will be provided for you; the only thing you must bring is a sharp mind and a good attitude. We will spend the first day going over the basics of several games, and then we will set up shop in room 413 and the student lounge.   Craft & Serve (Session 2): Bring in any empty milk jugs or 2-liter pop bottles that you may have.  If you have any old jeans, feel free to bring these as well.   Winter Adventure Club (Session 2 & 3):  Tuesday – ICE SKATING  We will head downtown to Rosa Parks Circle.  If you bring along an extra few dollars we might stop to get hot chocolate at a nearby restaurant.  Bring along ice skates if you have them for this day.  If it is not too crowded, we might try to play some broom ball or hockey.   Wednesday – CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING  We will be going to Palmer Park to learn how to cross country ski.   Thursday – DOWNHILL SKIING OR SNOWBOARDIN/G  We will head to Cannonsburg Ski Area.   You are welcome to bring your own equipment along or they will provide us with skis or snowboards.  HELMETS ARE REQUIRED TO SKI FOR SCHOOL EVENTS so bring yours along.  PLEASE COMPLETE THE PERMISSION FORM FOR CANNONSBURG THAT IS ATTACHED AND RETURN TO MRS. DEWEERD BY FRIDAY!  Friday – SNOWSHOEING  We will be going to Hemlock Crossing County Park to learn how to snowshoe.  Park guides will also be taking us through their nature trails and teaching us about winter animals.   Creating Art (Session 3): For this week students should plan on bringing their computer to the session. Student will also need to bring in old receipts (grocery, hardware, clothing, etc) from home for a project.  Please also wear old clothing because some of the materials that we will be using could damage/stain the clothing that is being worn.     Set Painting (Session 3): Get ready for some fun painting.  Bring paint clothes!  You will get paint on your pants, shirts and even socks.   Boxing Fitness (Session 3):  Please bring PE/workout clothes for Boxing Fitness.  You will also want to bring a water bottle with you.  Special Note:  To maximize time at the gym, we are going to meet at 1 pm in Mr. Kiser's Room.  If you are not finished eating your lunch, you can take it with you as we drive to the gym.     Bowling (Session 3):  We are going to have a great week bowling lots of strikes.  Special Note:  To maximize time at the Bowling alley, let's meet in Mr. Witte's room at 1 pm.  This will help us get organized and loaded on the bus more quickly and allow us to bowl more.  Thanks.   Film Study (Session 3): We will be watching a series of three movies throughout the week. However, it will be important for you to bring a pen or pencil to class as you will be required to take attentive notes that will fuel our discussion of each film. Fairy Tales (Session 3): We are looking forward to a great week exploring and developing our acting skills! If you have any extra costumes/props, you will be asked to bring some towards the end of the week. Look for more information to come.     Back to Top Athletics Below is the "rainout link" that you can click on to sign-up for text messages or emails that will go directly to you when there is a game cancellation thru the GRACEAC league due to weather.  Otherwise you can always call the cancellation hotline, which will run thru the end of basketball season.  Both links are also posted on the 5-8 Athletic Website. https://www.rainedout.net/team_page.php?a=2168760b8c4cda9d4efa.   For all up to date athletic announcements, game schedules, addresses to games, cancellations due to weather, sports sign-ups, etc., please go to the ACS 5th - 8th grade Athletic website.   http://bit.ly/ACS-Athletics     Back to Top Ada Christian School Faith.Strong 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

 

 

 

 

 

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MSM 1.15.15

Middle School Matters   January 15, 2015 General Announcements Volunteers Needed for Exploratory Week:  This January 27 - 30 is Exploratory Week for our Middle School.  We are looking for parents to help drive and chaperone for a few of our activities during the week.  Your time commitment can be as big or as small as you would like--help for one morning or help for four afternoons.  Please use this link to see all of the different volunteer opportunities that are needed and sign up today!   A Representative from Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp will be visiting ACS on Thursday, Jan. 22.  Any student interested in attending the camp can receive a scholarship if they audition for the Blue Lake Rep. during band and orchestra classes on January 22. Scrapbooking materials:  Do you have any extra or unused scrapbooking materials?  If so, we would love to have them/borrow them for the scrapbooking exploratory class.  Please bring them to the office.  If you want something returned, please note that as well.  Thanks in advance.   Plastic milk jugs: Does your family drink lots of milk?  Please bring clean and dry plastic milk jugs to Ms. Sanderson's room.  We'll use them for an exploratory project. A letter was received from Schools for Sierra Leone, thanking our Middle School for raising $595.63 for books for a library for Kabala Christian School.  The full letter will be up on Moodle soon. 6th Grade News Art: In class we continue to work on completing the Egyptian styled self-portraits.  Next up is a self-portrait in the style of Picasso.  There will be a quiz the week February 2 on how to draw a self-portrait.  Please check the homework calendar for quiz dates and sketchbook due dates.    Band:  Another great quiz this past week!  No quiz this week - just working on our method books and songs. Bible:  Bible Memory Verse - Philippians 2: 1-11, 14 & 15 due Wednesday.  Bible Unit 3 Test on Friday. History:  Mesopotamia Project # 2 due Wednesday.  Global Studies Weekly # 16 due on Thursday this week instead of Friday. Language arts:  The students did very well on their tests this week.  Please check the grades on Powerschool.  I cannot send the tests home as their are many students who still need to take the test.  We continue reading and learning through short stories. Orchestra: The super 6th graders are learning Country Wedding Dance and Do-SI-Do and will have playing a playing quiz - violins will quiz first on Monday. Science: We will begin to study chemical reactions. Spanish:   The 6th graders are doing a GREAT job learning how to describe physical traits (hair and eyes) while using their newfound verb skills.  We will continue this next week while creating self-portraits with descriptive sentences to display.  They will have one class period in which to work on these, but may take them home to finish as needed.     Back to Top 7th Grade News Algebra (7th):  We'll be diving deep into chapter 7. Students should expect to take their test on Friday. Art:  In class the 7th graders have started painting their Lego self-portraits.  Please check the homework calendar for sketchbook assignment due dates.   Band:  We are working on The Tempest and also on rudimentary skills, scales and skill builders during class. Bible: Memory work Psalm 33:12-20 due Tuesday. History:  Next week in history we will be focusing on the history of Africa.  After taking a big picture approach, we will look at a couple of powerful stories including the story of the Lost Boys.  There will be a retake of the Africa Map Quiz on Wednesday if some students would like to try again. Language arts: We continue our reading of Trouble by Gary Schmidt. Our unit on the novel will come to a close sometime after the Week of Exploration.     We have also kicked off the initial stages of the Paidea project. Students are being asked to spend some time looking over possible topics (historical figures) for this long term research paper. I have recommended to students to have at least three possible topics in mind by Tuesday of next week (as no two students may research the same person, it is a good idea to have a Plan B and C in case the most desired topic has already been selected).     -Students have some reading and comprehension questions due on Monday Pre-Algebra (Sanderson): Quiz on 7.1-7.4 on Thursday (ratios & proportions). Orchestra:  Focus on English Folk Song and our 2 pieces for the Moxie Strings concert.  There are lots of  tricky bowings and counting! Keep up the great work. Science: Students are working on their butterfly project.  They should also be studying the butterfly powerpoint for a future quiz over some of those butterflies that are common to our area.   Spanish:  Due to last Friday's Snow Day, 7C will have their Kitchen Vocabulary Quiz this coming Wednesday, January 21st.  Later in the week, both classes will launch into the world of conjugating regular -AR verbs.     Back to Top 8th Grade News Dessert Theatre:  Thank you, parents, for all you do to allow these kids to make rehearsals!  Most will go until 5:15 (as scheduled) but there are a couple Fridays we need to shorten for the sake of others who need the gym:  January 30th and February 6th we will adjourn at 5 sharp.  Your link:   http://acsdesserttheatre.weebly.com/rehearsal-schedule.html Algebra (8th):  Chapter 7 test on Thursday. Algebra (Holtrop): We are working through chapter 7. We will be covering some big concepts. If your student needs added help I have posted tutorials on Moodle to help them understand. Art: In class 8f and 8d classes have worked through planning out the paint scheme for the family shape project and begun painting.  8e will need to be completed with plastering by next week Friday.   Please check the homework calendar for sketchbook assignments.    Band:  We have a number of new songs we are working on.  Great sounds especially on the "Pure Michigan" theme song. Bible:  We are continuing our close study of Passion Week. Students researched Passover and how it connects with the New Covenant that Jesus made at the Lord's Supper. Next week, we will be looking at Jesus' death and resurrection. Geometry: We are starting chapter 8 on perimeter and area of geometric figures.  We will be memorizing formulas and incorporating algebra skills into our problem solving.  The quiz and test on this unit will be after exploratory week. History:  Next week we will be reviewing for our chapter 11 test.  The test will be on Wednesday.  Student have access to a set of flashcards on moodle and a review sheet.  Class time on Monday and Tuesday will be used to help review the material.   Language arts: Next week we will be wrapping up our latest bout with grammar. Shortly after Week of Exploration, though, we will have a brief review of the material and a quiz.     Students have kicked off the 8th grade Book of Memories project, a long-term creative writing assignment that will extend into May. Look forward to the final product of this assignment: it will be an awesome memento to look back and reflect on as the 8th graders continue to move into life after middle school.     -No homework over the weekend; students have their first section of the Book of Memories due next Friday (1/23/15). Orchestra:   We are working hard on the 2 pieces that we will perform with the Moxie strings  group.  Be sure to get the shifting in tune and the correct bowings/rhythms.  Keep up the great work.  Science: Presently studying Earthquakes   Spanish:  8th Graders are now reviewing fruits (and adding several new ones.)  If your student was not here in 4th grade they should study their online Flashcards to keep up.  We will be using this vocabulary while learning how to use a couple irregular verbs, along with direct object pronouns:  So, some new concepts coming up!  QUIZ this week on fruits and table settings:  8F on Wednesday, 8D and 8E on Thursday.  Just matching for now. Back to Top Athletics 5-8 Athletics:   Below is the "rainout link" that you can click on to sign-up for text messages or emails that will go directly to you when there is a game cancellation thru the GRACEAC league due to weather.  Otherwise you can always call the cancellation hotline, which will run thru the end of basketball season.  Both links are also posted on the 5-8 Athletic Website. https://www.rainedout.net/team_page.php?a=2168760b8c4cda9d4efa.   For all up to date athletic announcements, game schedules, addresses to games, cancellations due to weather, sports sign-ups, etc., please go to the ACS 5th - 8th grade Athletic website.   http://bit.ly/ACS-Athletics   Back to Top Ada Christian School Faith.Strong In This Issue General News 6th Grade News 7th Grade News 8th Grade News Athletic 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

 

 

 

 

 

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Middle School Matters 1.12.15

Middle School Matters   January 12, 2015 General Announcements Invite Others to ACS Information Night: Ada Christian School is hosting our Information Night for Prospective Families Tuesday, January 13 at 6:30. Please invite your family and friends to learn more about our school and ways we partner with parents to equip students for service in God's world.   BASBAC: This week Friday - Pizza and Pop for Middle School Only - Buck-a-slice, buck-a-can.  Yay!   Midterm Reports Coming Soon:  This coming Friday, all of our middle school students will take some time to check their progress so far for our 2nd trimester.  Students will be filling out a form and setting a few goals for the remaining part of the trimester.  Please ask your student to show you this form this coming Friday.  Thank you.   Middle School Exploratory Week:  We are going to need your help!  We have several opportunities for parents to help with driving and chaperoning different groups of students on Jan. 27-30.  Some unique opportunities include getting behind-the-scene tours of local manufacturing plants, small businesses, and doctor offices.  Help a group of students learn at a veterinary hospital or even take two hours to go bowling.  There is much fun to be had.   A sign-up website is being set-up and will be shared with you very soon.  Look for an email from school with the link in the next few days.   ***Students will be receiving a letter informing them of their exploratory classes on Tuesday***   6th Grade News Art: Students continue to work through the portrait project.  Most students are working on completing the Egyptian styled portrait.  We will be moving on to our last portrait which will be done in the style of Picasso.  Please check the homework calendar for assignments.     Band:  Great work on the March Slav quiz this past week!  1/15 quiz on either #175 or #176.   Bible:  Bible Memory - Philippians 2:1-11 due on Wednesday.  It is very long now, so they need constant practice.  Bible test on Unit 3 next week Friday.   History:  Continuing our study of Mesopotamia.  The first part of our project is due on Thursday.  Each project also should include 2 pages of notes, and a bibliography page.  Next week Wednesday Project part 2 due due, and the final part of the project is due Tuesday Feb. 3.  They should be working on these projects a bit every night to be prepared.   Language arts:  Test on Tuesday, January 13.  This test will be on PREFIXES and the ELEMENTS of a SHORT STORY.     Math (Kiser): We continue to work with Integers. Please encourage your child as they wrestle with these skills. Here is an integer rules handout students can use as a reference.   PE: We are diving into our football unit. Students are practicing their football skills and preparing for the Super Snow Bowl. Check out Moodle to see what the Super Snow Bowl is all about!   Science: Test will be coming on Thursday.  Review materials are posted on the class moodle page.   Spanish:   We will continue using new vocabulary to talk about hair and eye descriptions.     Back to Top 7th Grade News Algebra (7th):  Tomorrow students will be taking their Cumulative Test. It's hard to believe we're half way through the course! For the remainder of the week we will be solving systems of equations.   Art:  Both class are working on doing a self-portrait in the style of LEGO. Please check the homework calendar for sketchbook assignments.     Band:  Great work on the quiz this past week.  We are working on some new songs and ear training/aural perception.   Bible: Quiz on Psalm 33:12-22 on Tuesday, Jan. 20.   History:  We are studying Africa and have focused on the geography of Africa so far.  This Thursday we will take a map quiz on identifying 30 African countries.  We are practicing in class and there are tools on moodle to help review.  Next week we will also start looking at the history of Africa.  Coming soon we will learn more about Nelson Mandela and the Lost Boys of Sudan.     Language arts: We are continuing to read Trouble, by Gary Schmidt. 7th graders have a summary assignment due on Wednesday. On Wednesday, I will be introducing the class to the long-term research-writing project Paideia. Students will be briefed on the details of the assignment and be given a list of topics. Students should begin skimming information about topics they may be interested in, and be ready to have a topic specifically selected next week. Parents, this project is a big one, so you will receive many specific details in an email later this week.   PE: We are diving into our volleyball unit. Students are practicing their volleyball skills and putting them to the test during game play. There will be a test at the end of the unit. A review sheet and flashcards are posted on Moodle.   Pre-Algebra (Kiser): Test on Ch 6 Percents this Thursday.     Pre-Algebra (Sanderson): Quiz over 6.1-6.4 (area/perimeter of triangles & quadrilaterals, using the pythagorean theorem & finding the circumference of circles) on Tuesday 1/13.  Students may check their email for additional review materials from Ms. Sanderson.   Science: We are studying butterflies and learning some of the more common ones found in our area.   Spanish:  We are learning various kitchen vocabulary and will have a QUIZ this week:  7C on Friday (1/16) and 7D on Wednesday (1/14).     Back to Top 8th Grade News Requested Announcement from NorthPointe Christian High School:   8th Grade students and families, You are invited to discover what sets NorthPointe Christian High School apart at one of our two upcoming events:   Tuesday, January 13th -  Information Night at 7:00pm ​Discover more about NorthPointe's high performing athletics, college prep academics, award-winning fine arts, vibrant spiritual community, and much more!   Thursday, January 29th - Preview Day: shadow a student 7:35am - 2:35pm (RSVP required) Experience firsthand what it is like to be a NorthPointe student.  In the words of a recent Preview Day attendee, "Everyone was welcoming and kind.  I felt like I actually went there."   Please contact Brittany Johnson with any questions or to RSVP: johnsonb@npchristian.org, 616.942.0350 x276   DESSERT THEATRE:  Some necessary scheduling changes have occurred due to our Snow Day Friday.  Please check the website for details:  http://acsdesserttheatre.weebly.com/  Students should be working on getting "off book" (having songs and lines memorized) for everything up to p. 45 in their scripts.   Algebra (Boerkoel):  Working on chapter 7 where our focus is linear systems.   Algebra (Holtrop): Students will be taking their Chapter 6 test on Wednesday. We will be focusing on linear systems next.   Art: 8f and 8d classes need to be completed with plastering and have a coat of gesso on their family shape portraits.  8e will need to be completed with plastering by next week Friday.   Please check the homework calendar for sketchbook assignments.      Band:  Great work on the scales and Patapan songs this past week. We continue with musical workouts and new songs as well.   Bible:  We have been studying what is commonly known as Passion Week for Jesus- the week leading up to his death and resurrection. It has been broken down into a day-by-day look into major events, where they took place, and how Jesus suffered during those days.   Geometry: We have finished chapter 7 on congruent triangles and will have the test Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 13-14.  We are starting to work on area and will integrate many of our algebra skills while solving area and volume problems over the next few weeks.   History:  Next week we will be finishing up our study of Chapter 11 by focusing on changes in the South and the challenges in the West during the early to mid 1800s. The Chapter 11 test will be scheduled for early the following week.     Language arts: We're pushing along with grammar and diagramming the parts of speech. Students will receive details about the Book of Memories writing project this week.   PE: We are diving into our volleyball unit. Students are practicing their volleyball skills and putting them to the test during game play. There will be a test at the end of the unit. A review sheet and flashcards are posted on Moodle.   Science: We have a volcano test on January 13.     Spanish:  In addition to working on our current unit, we are learning the Lord's Prayer in Spanish.  Memorizing Bible verses and prayers is always good, but doing these in Spanish is a great way for the students to develop better fluency, too.  It will be a while before this will be due, but students may want to begin working on it sooner rather than later.  It is posted in their current unit on Moodle.     Back to Top   Athletics Below is the "rainout link" that you can click on to sign-up for text messages or emails that will go directly to you when there is a game cancellation thru the GRACEAC league due to weather.  Otherwise you can always call the cancellation hotline, which will run thru the end of basketball season.  Both links are also posted on the 5-8 Athletic Website. https://www.rainedout.net/team_page.php?a=2168760b8c4cda9d4efa.   The 7th and 8th grade basketball schedules have been emailed out to both parents and coaches.  If you did not receive a schedule please contact Angela Van Duyn.  Schedules can also be found on the 5-8 Athletic Website.   For all up to date athletic announcements, game schedules, addresses to games, cancellations due to weather, sports sign-ups, etc., please go to the ACS 5th - 8th grade Athletic website.   http://bit.ly/ACS-Athletics     Back to Top Ada Christian School Faith.Strong In This Issue General News 6th Grade News 7th Grade News 8th Grade News Athletic 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

 

 

 

 

 

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