October 2013
Notes from the Office
We had a GREAT September, and our students had fun running through the sprinklers, playing games, and watching scary movies at
our Friday the 13th Lock-In! We’d like to thank everyone who helped with “Thank a Police Officer Day” by donating items and their time
to create thank you cards and packages for local law enforcement. In addition, it was great to see some new faces at our first WVCC
meeting! Everyone is welcome to join us the second Monday of each month to see what is coming up for our campus. Thank you!
Classroom News
Mr. Schoppet
6th Grade – Ancient History
In September, we made Maps of Mesopotamia, one of the earliest places that civilization formed, as we learned about land formations and how
they determine human geography. In October, we're going to learn about the first people, the beginnings of agriculture, and the Sumerians.
7th Grade – World History
In September, we learned how historians and archaeologists study the past. Specifically, we've been studying the Romans and the beginning of
the end of their Empire. In October, we'll switch to talking about the Islamic World: learning about their culture, religion, and how they affected and
continue to affect the World in which we live today.
8th Grade – U.S. History
The 8th Graders have been learning about the early exploration of America—from the Spanish, the Dutch, and, now, the English.
We spent some time reading Native American stories and making totem poles. Currently, they are working on filming interviews with
historical explorers, which gives the students an opportunity to really get to know who these explorers were and also have some fun
by sharing what they learned with the rest of the class. Soon, we'll begin our Chapter on the American Revolution. I'm excited for this
chapter because, by learning about the birth of our nation, we'll also learn more about what it means to truly be an American.
Mrs. Banerjee
7th and 8th Grade Language Arts
In September, we started our short story unit and exploration of plot, setting, character and theme in literature. The 7th
graders are reading A Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury and Marigolds by Eugenia Collier, while the 8th graders are
reading The Treasure of Lemon Brown by Walter Dean Myers and The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell. Some
of the fun and exciting projects that students are working on this month include: making posters for story titles, creating
tear art representations of story settings, having a debate on hunters vs. the hunted, researching the Harlem Renaissance
and blues music, and using iPad apps to make presentations in class. In October, we will continue with short stories, and
our theme will be Irony & Ambiguity in literature. The 7th graders will read “The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allen
Poe and the 8th graders will read “The Lady or the Tiger” by Frank Stockton. Additionally, the 7th graders will host a
masquerade (based on “The Masque of the Red Death”), our annual Language Arts Halloween event.
Both grade levels will review and practice punctuation and capitalization in grammar, and continue to work on their weekly vocabulary words. We’d
like to congratulate the winners of the Spelling Jumble: Katie Springs, Luke Rode, Ivan Karpov, and Christopher Dunson!
Ms. Rutter
5th and 6th Grade Language Arts
Last month, 5th grade students wrote acrostic poems for 9/11 using vocabulary words from the Pledge of
Allegiance. In October, the students will perform oral presentations that revolve around monsters and
coffins. Students will be asked to write stories about their monsters and why they should live in the
classroom. Throughout the semester, 5th and 6th grade students will continue to work on narrative writing.
In Art Class, students created drawings by using their initials in various objects (now displayed behind Ms.
Rutter’s desk). This month, the class has moved on to studying Frieda Kahlo de Rivera, the famous Mexican
painter. To further their studies, the students will create self-portraits.
Mrs. Sanford
5th Grade Science and Social Studies
In 5th Grade Science, we have been studying the "Structure of Living Things." Our Explore Activities included examining cells,
making slides with onion skins, and classifying plants after careful observation. We will next study "Human Body Systems."
In 5th Grade U.S. History, we are exploring "The First Americans." We will create class murals about each of the Native
American regions: the Arctic, Southwest, Plains, Eastern Woodlands, and Pacific Northwest.
Mr. Mikles
6th Grade Science
In September, the 6th graders worked on and completed a joint map project with their History lessons, and then made topographical maps out of
foam and corks. This month, the students will create a map of the core of the Earth as well as experience a rock-hardness lab. The students will
also be starting work on their first research project of the year.
7th Grade Science
In September, the students completed cell drawings and worked on a microscope lab where they looked at their own cells vs. onion cells, and
observing the differences between the two. This month, the students will work on on levels of organization in both a drawn and a performancebased project.
8th Grade Science
In September, the students understood how atoms were made and how atomic thought has evolved. Through experiments completed with
corks, the 8th graders also gained an idea of size and complexity of the atom and what an ion and an isotope are. In October, the students will
work on ionic and covalent bonds through activities ranging from basic mathematical equations to the creation of practice models. There will be
a bonding activity that will use candy where the students will build molecules and be able to eat them after they are done!
Book Club
This year’s WVMS Book Club is up and running. We meet every Thursday at lunch. The 5th/6th grade club chose Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. The
7th/8th grade club picked The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. We have students join our group every week.
Happy Spooktacular Birthday to You . . .
Anthony
Langden
Aidan
Micah
Luke
Tyler
Matthew
Sebastian
Kyra
Laurence
October 2013
Mon
Tues
30
Wed
1
Thurs
2
Fri
3
4
Walk-a-Thon
7
8
10
11
15
9
Progress Reports
16
14
17
21
22
23
24
28
29
30
31
Halloween Dress Up Day
18
Halloween Dance & Haunted House
25
DEAFinately Magic Assembly
1
November Dates to Remember
11/01 Can Food Drive Begins
11/02 Public Open House
11/11 Non-Academic Day/Teacher In-service
11/13 Picture Make Up Day
11/15 End of 1st Trimester
11/18-11/22 Spirit Week
11/18 Parent Teacher Conferences Begin
11/22 Canned Food Assembly/Spirit Day
11/27 Non-Academic Day
11/28-29 School Closed for Thanksgiving