January/February
Issue 2017
Arbutus Middle School ~
6th Grade News
Eagle
Update
The second quarter will be ending on January 13th and report cards will be sent home on
January 26th. Please continue to encourage your child to routinely monitor their grades
for missing and/or incomplete work. Check your child’s supplies to ensure that they are
ready to meet with success for the remainder of the school year.
Sixth grade students should have their multiplication and division facts memorized. Make
flash cards for unknown facts, practice on math websites, and complete timed quizzes to
help with memorizing facts through the 12 times tables.
Language Arts
In ELA Unit 2: Changes in Our Perspective – Discovering Mythological Allusion, students will be working to answer the
following essential questions:
•
What life-lessons can be learned from the heroes and villains of ancient Greek mythology?
•
How does an understanding of ancient mythology and allusion enhance a person's ability to analyze, evaluate,
and critique?
As part of the unit, Making Cultural
Connections, Reading students will
continuing researching artifacts of a
particular culture in order to create a
“museum” to showcase the five artifacts
that best reflect that culture. In order to
prepare for this assignment, students will be
learning about the elements that make up
culture and looking at specific aspects of
these elements in other cultures.
Reading Resource students will continue to
work on i-Ready, comprehension, and
fluency lessons.
Foreign Language
Reading
The GT essential questions:
•
How does an understanding of ancient mythology enhance a reader’s ability to interpret meaning?
•
How does exploring the archetype of the hero’s journey in literature help us understand universal ideas and
themes?
•
How does storytelling change, yet remain the same, across cultures and over time?
will be addressed as students work cooperatively through unit two: The Glue of the Universe.
Español: Students will start a new unit where
they will read, write and express all the things
they like to do, places they like to go, etc. We
will review numbers, weather, seasons, days of
the week, and months of the year. They will also
work on a project to show all the things they
have learned so far from the beginning of the
school year.
Mathematics
Grade 6 math students will be studying ratios. They will be using equivalent ratios, unit rates, and manipulating
between the two all in the name of using them to solve real world problems. Ask them about the golden ratio!
Other News
World History
Science
Sixth grade science is exploring the Earth
to learn about its structure, plate
movement, and natural disasters.
In World Cultures we are wrapping up our unit on
Ancient Civilizations. We surveyed the great cultural
and scientific contributions of the Ancient Egyptians,
Mesopotamians, Indians and Chinese. We analyzed
and debated which of these great ancient
civilizations impacted our modern world the most.
Now we boldly begin a brand new unit. We stand
witness to the rise of Empire. The Greeks, the
Romans, the Chinese Dynasties, the Mayans. We
will examine these and more great pillars of our
human story. And in so doing, we will improve and
enhance our reading comprehension, critical
thinking, analytical, geography and argumentative
writing skills.
NorthBay News:
•
Scholarship Application for students on FARMs is due 1/20
•
Chaperone forms are due 2/28. Contact [email protected] for background check
packet. We still need chaperones, and they go FREE!
•
Look for permission slips to come home in mid January with payment options. The
cost will be $250.
7th Grade Team
7th Grade Language Arts
GT:
Students will continue to learn about World War II and the Holocaust through the novel, Parallel Journeys.
Allegories from Dr. Seuss and different artifacts of propaganda will connect students to the past as they
analyze experiences from both sides of the Holocaust.
Standard:
Students will continue to learn about diversity and its importance in our society through their reading of the
drama, A Raisin in the Sun. This particular genre of Drama will give students a rich experience with society’s
challenges during the 1950’s in Chicago. Students will compare the diversity of the 1950’s to the diversity of
our current culture.
7th Grade World Cultures
Students in 7th grade World Cultures are in the midst of their Middle East Unit for the months of January and
February. Students are examining the similarities and differences between the three monotheism religions
that began in the Middle East: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. They are also analyzing the causes and effects
of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Students will examine both perspectives and arguments as to why each
group should own the land of Israel/Palestine. In the last indicator of the Middle East Unit, students will
examine the roles of oil and water in the Middle East. Countries in the Middle East profit from their vast oil
holdings, but struggle to provide adequate amount of fresh drinking water to its people.
Math
The GT Algebra 1 students have finished their introductory unit about patterns and functions. Now they will
discover how linear equations can be used to model real world data in order to make predictions. The
students are learning through several projects done in the classroom and at home. Each student is
responsible for collecting data for a topic of their choice and using the regression analysis skills learned in
class to determine relationships and make predictions.
Pre-Algebra students have just started Unit 3. We are beginning the unit by reviewing distributive property
and combining like terms before moving in to writing & solving expressions from word problems, writing &
solving equations from word problems, solving one & two-step equations and inequalities, and slope. This
unit combines many skills that the students have previously learned, including integers & fractions.
Science
Standard: The new unit is called “Changes Over Time” and focuses on the evolution of different species on
the planet. Students will learn about adaptations, heredity and mutations.
GT: The new unit is the Physics of Waves and starts out focusing on the general aspects of waves and then
goes into specific types of waves. Students will have a laser reflection project where they must bounce a
laser light off of at least 6 mirrors and eventually hit a target. Students are encouraged to create shapes with
the laser beam.
Reading
7th Grade Self-Contained Reading will be finishing up their work on making inferences based on informational
text and literature. In February, we will be working on finding the theme of an informational text, as well as
identifying story elements in literature.
i-Ready students will be taking the mid-point diagnostic in order to show growth from the beginning of the
year. Students will then continue to work on deficient skills in order to build upon overall reading
comprehension.
8th Grade Team
As we bundle up for winter, we continue to work hard during the second half of second quarter! Math 8
students will continue their journey through Unit 2.3, Linear Equations. Students will write and solve equations to
represent real-world scenarios. In Algebra I, students have recently explored linear equations. Now the students are
applying these equations to analyze data sets. Students are writing lines of best fit and linear regression equations in
order to predict values. This unit allows students to explore multiple features in the graphing calculators.Students in
GT Geometry recently finished the unit on proving lines are parallel or perpendicular. They will now begin analyzing
characteristics of triangles and proving triangles congruent.
Greetings from America’s Past! The last couple weeks we have been closely examining the issues that arose by
our Independence from England! We have examined the words used in the Declaration of Independence, the
weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the enduring strength of our Constitution. We have also spent a great
deal of time on the Bill of Rights and seen how this document protects the rights of individuals. An important
distinction was drawn to show how these rights are not always guaranteed for juveniles!
As we continue our studies, we will see understand how George Washington’s desire not to be a permanent President
and the other precedents he set continue to influence America today! This unit will continue to examine early actions
by Washington and his successor John Adams before we start to explore American Expansion with Lewis and
Clark. Thanks for continuing to motivate your student to be the best historian they can be!
The thematic focus of the GT Language Arts unit is understanding and connecting to emotions,
specifically focusing on how authors create different emotions. Students are finishing the first half of the unit
by evaluating the authenticity and true-to-form film adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. During the
second half of the unit, students will read either Dracula or Princess Bride. Students will conduct research to
gain background knowledge and cultural setting of their novel. Students are continuing to read a book report
book outside of class in order to submit a book report project at the end of December.
Grade 8 Standard Language Arts students have continued to discuss the theme of connecting to
emotions. They have examined A Midsummer Night’s Dream for elements of humor and The Tell-Tale Heart
for elements of suspense. To continue their study of William Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe, students chose
to focus on either Shakespeare or Poe to compose an argumentative essay about one of the mysteries
surrounding the author’s life. The next novel we will be reading is Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech.
Students are also continuing to read a book report book outside of class in order to submit a book report
project at the end of December.
Right now students in Mr. Krieger's Environmental Science classes are finishing the last horizon of the SOIL
UNIT! As we approach winter break we'll be preparing for our benchmark exam and then as we leap into the new year
we'll be getting a start in our WILDLIFE unit. Students will learn all about how we interact with wildlife and how wildlife
interact with their ecosystems. With lessons on specific animal types such as deer, bears, birds and fish......we'll be
doing plenty of critical thinking to keep us warm in the winter time.
During December and January eighth grade standard science classes are exploring applied chemistry. Students
will learn how to identify trends on the periodic table including which elements are the most reactive and which are
elements are metals, non-metals and metalloids. Classes will be filled with hands on activities and labs to determine
physical and chemical changes well as how to create chemical reactions. Students will be able to provide evidence that
a reaction occurred and interpret the law of conservation. The unit will come to exciting close examining substances to
determine pH and making connections to the harmful impact of acid rain.
Special Area Updates
Music
The AMS Music Department is up and running now that we’re back from Winter Break and our students have many
exciting musical opportunities coming up!
All band and orchestra students are participating in a chamber music project in class which will expose them to the
benefits of playing in smaller, student-lead ensembles (duets, trios, quartets, etc.) This student-centered learning
activity will culminate in the students performing for each other in a “recital” at the end of the month. So far the
students seem to be enjoying the opportunity to work independently and are doing a great job!
Speaking of small ensembles, Baltimore County hosts a Solo and Ensemble Festival on February 25 th for those 7th and
8th grade students who would like to extend this performance opportunity even further and play their small ensemble
music for a judge who would offer critical feedback on their playing. They also receive a rating, and those students
receiving the highest possible rating (a “I” or “Superior”) are eligible to participate in the Maryland State Solo and
Ensemble Festival held in May. The details for this festival were sent home in a letter with your child. The deadline to
register for this event is January 25th.
There are many important performances coming up in the spring, including the Catonsville Area Showcase Concerts at
the end of February/beginning of March, BCPS Band, Orchestra, and Chorus Assessments in mid-March, and our annual
Side-by-Side Concert in April. With that in mind, after-school rehearsals have begun again for AWE, Concert Orchestra,
Festival Choir, and Smash Hit Singers. Activity buses will resume on Tuesday, January 24th, and Jazz Band will resume
rehearsals on Thursday, January 26th.
For all students attending the Music in the Parks field trip in June (Hershey Park), financial obligation forms have been
sent home outlining how much of the $100 fee has been collected and how much is still owed. The remaining payment
is broken up into two segments, one due 1/31 and one due 3/31. Of course the whole amount can be paid at one
time, and information about chaperone opportunities are included on the form as well. If you haven’t received this
very important blue paper from your child in AWE, Jazz Band, Festival Choir, or Concert Orchestra, please ask for it
ASAP!
Please feel free to email your child’s music teacher if you have questions or concerns about your child’s progress in
class, check out our Music Department website (arbutusmiddleschoolmusic.wordpress.com) for more information, and
like us on Facebook to receive the latest updates about the goings-on in the music department.
Music Makes a Difference,
Kelly Boyle
James Miskimon
Caitlin McCleary
School Counselors
Kathy Gardner
Grade 6 (Last Names A – K)
Grade 8
[email protected]
Taylor Edwards
Grade 6 (Last names L – Z)
Grade 7
[email protected]
Expect the Best From Your Child…And Get It!!! What makes students successful? Expectations play a key role. If
parents and teachers hold high expectations, children usually live up to them. This holds true in academics, in athletics,
and it is true for behavior as well.
Emphasize these three A’s:
Attendance – show your child that you believe regular attendance is important.
Attitude - There is a strong connection between positivity and high performance… Encourage your child to identify the
positive items in their life even when things seem to be going wrong.
Achievement – You need to set goals in order to achieve goals and be successful.
Together we model these three successful techniques. Why not start a discussion with your child one night during
dinner? Make a plan and expect the best!
While holding high expectations, keep in mind that this period of adolescence can be tough for children and of course
the parents/guardians that have to live with them! Remember that testing limits/rules and moodiness are normal
behaviors for Middle School adolescents. However, if you feel that your child’s behaviors are too extreme to be
considered typical, please consider making an appointment with your child’s School Counselor, or Pediatrician to
discuss available resources.
Do you feel your child could benefit from counseling?
Hope Health Systems Keypoint Health Services both offer school based mental health services at Arbutus Middle. Their
services include, but not limited to: assessments, prevention, intervention, counseling, support, mentoring, classroom
observation, consultation, trainings, group counseling options, family counseling options, and many more services. For
more information on Hope Health’s and Kepoint’s Counseling Programs, contact your child’s School Counselor, Ms.
Gardner or Ms. Edwards, at the Arbutus Middle School Counseling Office for more information: 410-887-1404.
From the School Nurse:
Changes in Immunization Requirements
All 7th grade students in 2017-18 (next school year) will be required to provide proof of having received a dose of
meningococcal vaccine (also called Menactra) and a booster dose of Tdap (also called Boostrix and Adacel.) These
vaccines are in addition to the vaccines required for kindergarten. Most children receive these vaccines at age 10 or
11.
Parents of current 6th graders are urged to



Check with their child’s health care provider to see if the child has received these vaccines.
Schedule an appointment for the child to receive these vaccines BEFORE September 5, 2017.
Provide verification of the immunizations to the school nurse.
More information about these vaccines is available at the Office of Health Services website
http://www.bcps.org/offices/sss/health/.