Alanson Middle School Monthly Newsletter

January 10th, 2014

What Else is
Happening at
Alanson Middle School?

What’s Happening in the Classroom?

Mrs. Woodbeck
English Events:
English 6
Ella Enchanted is on the home stretch. We will finish reading the book soon and will be writing a cause/effect essay, doing a book report project, an informal reading inventory, watching the movie, and writing our own fairy tales.
English 7
We recently finished The Westing Game. Although this book can be a bit confusing during the reading it is all tied together at the end and we find out who committed the crime of killing Sam Westing. An informal reading inventory, a book project, a book report wheel, and the movie will culminate the reading of this book.
English 8
A persuasive essay will complete our reading of The Devil’s Arithmetic. Eighth graders have enjoyed this novel even though it is quite intense. We will be doing our Lincoln unit next which involves biographies and research of a famous person.
Flex Reading Requirements: Each student is expected to read, summarize, and complete a test/project for 3 books this trimester. This is easily accomplished if students pace themselves with one book per month (Dec/Jan/Feb). Many students have completed the book for December and are working on January’s book. Let’s all work hard to achieve credit for our intervention time.
Mrs. Morse
Social Studies 6
We recently concluded the American Revolution project in class and they turned out amazing. The amount of time, effort, and collaboration that went into the projects was impressive. Social Studies will now be starting a unit on the Constitution and early American government.
Mrs. Liederbach
Math Events:
6th graders have learned how to evaluate algebraic expressions given a specific value for the variable. We used a tape diagram and a double number line model to solve problems involving ratios. They are currently learning about the distributive property and working on their understanding of dividing fractions.
7th graders enjoyed using a protractor and ruler to make geometric shapes with given conditions. They were also challenged to calculate the area of irregular shapes. 7th graders are continuing to make progress on the goal of knowing how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all positive and negative fractions and decimals with ease! Ask your child how they are doing on this goal.
8th graders have been learning how to do computations with exponents and numbers written in scientific notation. They are doing an awesome job of working with these very large (and very small) numbers! Problems such as “A Million Dollars” and “Giantburgers” have been challenging them to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them! This is one of the eight mathematical practices in the new Common Core Curriculum.
Social Studies Events:
6th graders recently completed a unit on immigration to the United States. Using leveled reading books, students learned about either Irish, German-Jewish, Chinese, or Mexican immigration during the 1800’s and 1900’s. They learned why they left their homeland, the challenges they faced, and the contributions they have made to our country.
Mrs. Cheshire
Science Events:
6th graders have begun learning about the classification of living things. While learning about classification each student researched and presented two different organisms. In addition, with a partner they created their own classification charts. Next, our class will be learning about the different biomes around the world and how organisms adapt to each biome. Ask your child what types of organisms live in the environments around here.
7th graders have begun learning about cells and the cells’ different organelles. During this process the students are working in groups and built 3D models of both plant and animal cells. These cell models will be showcased for all the middle school students. The 7th grade class will continue on their cell journey, while learning about how cells function.
8th graders are continuing through the plate tectonic unit that included plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanoes. During this journey through Earth the student have and will continue exploring plate tectonics in a variety of ways including building an earthquake-proof model, creating a volcano travel brochure, along with interacting in games and activities.
Social Studies Event:
7th graders learned about the first hominids on earth, how they survived, and what caused changes by creating outstanding projects. We are now learning about the different civilizations of Ancient Africa and comparing them through a group webquest.

2014
Happy New Year! We hope everyone had a safe and wonderful holiday season.
Viking of the Month
Congratulations to the following students!
6th grade– Isaac Kroll
7th grade– Zac George
8th grade– Jillian Kenwabikise
Dinner & Dance
The AMS Leadership Team is on the final leg of preparing for the upcoming dinner and dance next Friday, January 17th. Dinner will begin at 5:50 and the dance will follow from 6:00– 9:00. The cost is $5.00 per student. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time (by Wednesday, January 15th). We are looking forward to an evening of fun and socialization. Please call or email Mrs. Cheshire if you would like to volunteer. We are in need of adult help with a variety of jobs.
Bake Sales
Thank you for all the donations of baked goods for the bake sale. So far the middle school has raised over $200! We will continue with the bake sales to raise money for the upcoming dance and other activities. The next two bake sales will be on Thursday, January 24th & Thursday, February 21st .
Donations Please!
This seems to be the season for colds and we are going through Kleenex quickly. If possible please donate a box to the Middle School. Thank you.

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This story can fit 150-200 words.
One benefit of using your newsletter as a promotional tool is that you can reuse content from other marketing materials, such as press releases, market studies, and reports.
While your main goal of distributing a newsletter might be to sell your product or service, the key to a successful newsletter is making it useful to your readers.
A great way to add useful content to your newsletter is to develop and write your own articles, or include a calendar of upcoming events or a special offer that promotes a new product.
You can also research articles or find “filler” articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a variety of topics but try to keep your articles short.
Much of the content you put in your newsletter can also be used for your Web site. Microsoft Publisher offers a simple way to convert your newsletter to a Web publication. So, when you’re finished writing your newsletter, convert it to a Web site and post it.

Caption describing picture or graphic.

Inside Story Headline

This story can fit 100-150 words.
The subject matter that appears in newsletters is virtually endless. You can include stories that focus on current technologies or innovations in your field.
You may also want to note business or economic trends, or make predictions for your customers or clients.
If the newsletter is distributed internally, you might comment upon new procedures or improvements to the business. Sales figures or earnings will show how your business is growing.
Some newsletters include a column that is updated every issue, for instance, an advice column, a book review, a letter from the president, or an editorial. You can also profile new employees or top customers or vendors.

“To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the story here.”

Inside Story Headline

This story can fit 75-125 words.
Selecting pictures or graphics is an important part of adding content to your newsletter.
Think about your article and ask yourself if the picture supports or enhances the message you’re trying to convey. Avoid selecting images that appear to be out of context.
Microsoft Publisher includes thousands of clip art images from which you can choose and import into your newsletter. There are also several tools you can use to draw shapes and symbols.
Once you have chosen an image, place it close to the article. Be sure to place the caption of the image near the image.

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Volume 1, Issue 1

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Alanson Public Schools

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