ACS Middle School Matters: MSM 5/9/14

Middle School Matters

May 9, 2014

General Announcements

Middle School Matters

General Announcements:

Spring Concert for the Entire Middle School: Thursday, May 15, 7:00 p.m. at ACS.

6th Grade News

Art: 6th grade students are working completing their ceramic chickens. Next week Thursday 6ki has a quiz on ceramic terms and 6d will have their quiz on 5/20.

Bible: Bible Memory Choices # 4 due Friday. Continuing our study of the Book of Exodus

History: This week will be a study of the geography and countries in Europe.

Language arts: The sixth graders did an OUTSTANDING job on their persuasive speeches. Thanks for encouraging them in this area. They have officially completed World Fair. I, however, need to finish up some of the grading. As for the rest of the school year, we will be reading The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmit. This is an entertaining story about a boy in the 60s who is able to make sense of his own world as he reads through William Shakespeare plays.

PE: This week we will be finishing our fitness unit.

Science: 6th graders will be a part of an "Energy Expo" this week, sharing information about energy sources and consumption. Students are working hard to be creative teachers!

Spanish: We will finish our Family Tree Presentations this week. The students are doing a great job of using the many things learned this year in a test of fluency and comprehension!

7th Grade News

Art: 7th graders are working their layer of life project, which are trying out nicely. After we complete the layers of life we will be painting the ceramic birds that were created out of clay.

Bible:

Sanderson: We are looking at what the Bible has to say about prayer. Final Bible memory work is Ephesians 3:16-21 due May 29 in class. We will look at Jewish Feasts and Festivals in upcoming weeks.

Wanner - 7th graders will be working on their king puppet project this coming week.

History: We have been looking at the first colonies in America over the past week and a half. We are working on a poster project that will be due on Wednesday that advertises for one of the original colonies. We will be taking time in class on Monday and Tuesday to work on these.

Language arts: 7th graders are working on the final revisions for their Paideia projects; the final draft is due next Wednesday (May 14). In addition to the final draft, students must also hand in their graded 3rd drafts and rubrics.

We will also return to studying written and spoken rhetorical techniques, with a special focus on the verse 1 Peter 3:15

PE: This week in PE we will be finishing our fitness unit.

Pre-Algebra (Sanderson): We're exploring probability and the fundamental counting principle. Students will have a quiz this week. We will soon take some time to review some of the concepts that have been the toughest for us this year.

Spanish: 7D has a quiz on MONDAY, and 7F has a quiz on FRIDAY. This is the second quiz in the unit and is on vocabulary (inside and outside the house), use of estar for location, and 5 de mayo. 7E is working on higher numbers next week -- all the way up to 999,999,999!

8th Grade News

Last chance PHOTO books or CD for Pirates of Penzance: We don't want to miss anyone, so please let Mrs. DeKoster know right away if you would like one but didn't yet turn in an order!

Sub Sandwich Sale! We will be making our sub sandwiches on Tuesday afternoon. We hope to have them finished by the end of the day for you to pick them up. The class as a whole sold over 1250 subs!

Algebra (Witte): We are working on some lessons from chapter 12 this coming week.

Art: 8th graders are working on completing their Frank Stella family shape project.

Bible (Huttenga): Next week, we will conclude Paul's second missionary journey and discuss his defence of the Resurrection.

Students have assignments due on Tuesday and Wednesday. Students should also keep in mind that the sermon evaluation project is due on May 27.

The 8th graders have been given the instructions for their "take-home" Bible exam, which will also count as the final chapter of their Book of Memories project. This will be due next Friday.

Bible (Witte): Next week we will be looking at the Passion Week of Christ. We will also continue reading together from the book called The Case for Christ. Friday the take home Bible Exam is due. This will also count as the final chapter of their Book of Memories project.

Geometry: We have finished our unit on trigonometry and tested this past week. Our final unit will be on circles, arcs, inscribed angles, tangents and secants.

History: This week we will study the 1920's and 1930's and prepare for our History Exam next week Monday and Tuesday. Multiple Choice Section (5/19), Essay Section (5/20)

Language arts: With the LA exam behind us, students will return to their study of The Diary of Anne Frank.

Students will also be spending some time working on their final chapter of the Book of Memories project, due next Friday (this will also count as the 8th graders' Bible exam)

PE: This week in PE we will be finishing our fitness unit.

Spanish: We have a guest coming from GRCH Monday to speak briefly to 8th graders about advanced placement opportunities. Each high school is different, as is each student, so if you have any questions about whether your child should attempt entering into Spanish 2 next year, please feel free to contact Mrs. Weaver. We will be spending the next couple weeks in a comprehensive review of all their Spanish, from 3-8th grades!

*We still need a couple parent volunteers to accompany us to the Mexican restaurant on Tuesday, May 20! Do you eat? We invite you to join us! Let the kids order for you in Spanish.

Athletics

ll winter sports uniforms need to be turned in to Mrs. Van Duyn. We are still missing about 3 from each team. Please check your child's closet for a leftover basketball uniform.

Fall sports sign-ups for 5th - 8th

grade are now out. Please click on the link below to sign your son up for boys soccer or your daughter up for girls volleyball. You may also find the link by going to the ACS 5-8 Athletic page. The sign-up deadline will be August 8.