Allen Village
News
11/16/12
November 2012
Junior Academy
Science
Students have been working on a variety of new topics
in science this quarter. Sixth grade has been studying
light and sound. Students are now able to explain how
light and sound travel, properties of light and sound, as
well as the electromagnetic spectrum. Seventh grade is
learning all about Sir Isaac Newton and his three laws.
Motion, force, gravity, and friction are only a few of our
new vocabulary words so far. Eighth grade has also
been studying light and sound. Eighth grade is
responsible for knowing all of the science grade level
expectations before MAP Test time. This includes much
of what they learned in sixth and seventh grade as well
as new eighth grade objectives. Their plate is full.
Eighth grade will be expected to visit Study Island over
Thanksgiving and Winter break so we can fit everything
in. Parents please encourage your child to visit Study
Island as often as possible.
1
Village Newsletter
November News
In English Language Arts class, we are learning to write in argumentative style essay format.
The purpose of this writing should help to not only develop critical thinking skills, but also do the
following: convince others to agree with your ideas, beliefs and hypothesis. Also, share values, accept
your argument and conclusions and adopt a way of thinking.
Over the fall break, your student will have at least two argumentative essays to write. Use the
following prompts to help your student to develop a claim:
•
•
•
•
•
Although some people believe _______________, it may actually be argued that ______________.
Some people feel that___________________. In reality, however, _________________.
Despite____________________, I want to argue that _____________________.
While it may be true that ___________________, the real point to consider
is that
______________.
Integer
metus.
Even though most people don’t see ____________, I want to suggest _____________.
Mrs. Reddick
Lorem.
Need Extra Work?
On the Allen Village School website, there will be a posting of helpful websites for all ages. Also,
byline
we have been taking the NWEA assessments. The NWEA assessments are used primarily to
[Name]
measure academic growth and inform instruction, and are tied to educational
objects such as
curriculum that is targeted to the needs and current academic achievement of each learner.
Each student should be receiving a score in the upcoming weeks for math and reading. Use the
student’s score to log into the appropriate subject website for extra practice.
For Reading
http://www.sowashco.k12.mn.us/ro/pages/studentlinks/map/reading.htm
For Math
www.sowashco.k12.mn.us/ro/pages/studentlinks/map/
Mr. Washington
Chance for AV $$$--Answer the
following question: What is the
shortest complete sentence in the
English language? Turn in answer
to Mr. White (Math)
Whatʼs Up in Social Studies with Mr. Hodges:
Sixth Grade is currently wrapping up their unit on Ancient Egypt. We have begun to explore
important river civilizations, Ancient Egypt, being the first of three. Students concluded our unit by
making a Front Page Newspaper Article or a Travel Brochure in correlation with what the have
learned about Ancient Egypt. Seventh Grade is currently wrapping up an inclusive unit on natural
disasters and the five themes of geography. We have compared Hurricane Katrina and Sandy, as
well as New Orleans to New York. Students are wrapping up this unit by making a flipbook that
defines the five themes of geography as well as compares and contrasts the geography of New
Orleans and New York. Eighth Grade is currently wrapping up their unit on “The First
Americans”. We have assessed several different Native American cultures and students
concluded this unit with an exam. We will do a lesson on the lives of Native Americans today
before moving on to the next unit.
Mr. Hodges
2
Village Newsletter
ACT Testing
8th grade students will take
the ACT test on November
16th and 26th. They will be
testes over Writing, Reading,
Math, and Science. This will
be good practice for some
students who plan to take the
ACT Explore test to enter
certain high schools.
Encourage them and cheer
them on.
AV $$$ for 8th Grade
Students
Students that have been
getting in their request forms
to send transcripts and get
recommendations from
teachers, will be receiving
large sums of AV $$$.
Are you
checking your
child’s
planner?
Students should be
showing you their
planners every night.
If they are not, then
please make sure you
check. We have to
work as a team to
make sure students
are completing their
homework and
showing you their
planner signatures.
November News
302 Studies
Did You Know?
5th graders are now on a weekly schedule for science and social
studies.
We hope this improves concentration and retention.
Science
Plants and animals are a part of an ecosystem. This is our focus for
2nd quarter.
Math
We are studying long division, how it relates to multiplication, and
representations of models.
ELA
When you come to a conclusion about something you don't already
know, based on what you do know, it is an inference. We are now
working on this skill as well as compound words and writing.
Mr. Hardy/Mr. Wilson
Students in Ms. Merritt's English Language Arts classes have been
identifying ways to make inferences while reading text. The use of
context clues has been emphasized, as well as plural nouns.
Students also learned how to make generalizations. For the Unit 2
major assignment, students have been researching a problem,
writing an argument addressing the issue, and identifying a solution
to the problem.
Thanks,
Ms. Merritt
2nd Quarter is in Full Swing!!
5/6 Math has been diligently working on fractions this quarter. We
will continue to expand on this skill as the quarter goes on. Be
sure to ask your student about factors, multiples, numerator, and
denominator.
5/6 ELA is in the midst of completing an endangered species
project. Students are expected to correlate their project to science
and identify the cause/effect relationship. Look out for their
finished projects. They will be presenting them to the class!
5 Social Studies finished their research on the Northeast region
and have presented their findings to the class. We will continue to
memorize state names throughout the quarter. Ask your child to
name some Southeast and Northeast region states.
Be sure to check your student's planner nightly!
Ms. Ho
3
Village Newsletter
November News
Thanksgiving from the Turkeyʼs Point of View
You have the opportunity to gain a volunteer hour, will your child can make AV $$$.
You may receive up to $500 if you and your child complete this story together.
There will be an additional $500 for the best story. We look forward to be interested
with your ideas.
Directions: You will write a Thanksgiving tale from the Turkeyʼs point of view. Of
course, this should be very amusing to say the least! Answer the following questions
to prepare yourself for this writing assignment.
1. Since you will be telling the story from the point of view of the turkey, what point of
view will you be using? ____________________
2. What is one advantage of that point of view?
_____________________________________________________________
3. What are you going to name yourself? (Keep in mind, youʼre the turkey.)
__________________________________
4. What kind of accent or dialect will you have? ________________________
5. What is your personality? (smart, dumb, nerdy, country, gangster, etc.) ____________
6. How would a turkey describe the following things? Example – it may not call a table
a table.
Instead a turkey may say that itʼs a big wooden slab with legs.
A table ____________________________________________________________
A knife _____________________________________________________________
An oven _____________________________________________________________
A man _____________________________________________________________
A kid _____________________________________________________________
4