B e a r C L AW S
Volume 1, Issue 3
November 2010
NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Greenbelt
Middle School
Load Up Your
Lexicon!
trepidation
We have many exciting things going on
November at Greenbelt Middle School. Please
make sure you have scheduled your parentteacher conferences on Friday, November 12.
This is an excellent opportunity to see how
your child is progressing and to gain additional strategies to help your child home.
Feel free to contact your child’s teachers or
the grade level Guidance Counselor for your
appointment!
Quarter 1 report cards will be reA state of terrible dread or
leased to students on Monday, November 15.
alarm; apprehension
Trepidation is a
1.
α.
verb b. noun c. adjective
Which would NOT cause
trepidation?
2.
Α.
Β.
Edgar Allan Poe’s stories
A real corpse in a Halloween
maze
C. Nursery Rhyme about Baby Chicks
3.
Circle the synonym:
We will be recognizing all students who made
the Honor Roll for First Quarter and students
who have perfect attendance. The Honor Roll
assemblies will be held on Thursday, November 18. Please look for an invitation if your
child will be honored on this day. Students
will also celebrate with a skating party on
Tuesday, November 23.
the Yearbook!
Please “SAVE THE DATE” for the
PTA’s fundraiser at Chevy’s Restaurant located at 7511 Greenbelt Road in the Greenway Shopping Plaza. This should be a wonderful social event for all while we raise much
needed funds for the PTA.
The Greenbelt Middle Winter Festival is scheduled for Wednesday, December 8.
Please look for additional information in the
near future.
I would like to take this opportunity
to thank all of the parents who are committed
to helping us make at a difference at GMS.
Your support and dedication does not go unnoticed. I trust that you will enjoy the
Thanksgiving Holiday as you spend time with
Any students who did not have their family and friends. I am truly thankful for
picture taken on October 6 will have an oppor- each of you as continue to Reach for Success
at Greenbelt Middle!
tunity to for make-ups on November 17. if
you purchased pictures and would like to have
your child retake their picture, simply return
the complete packet of pictures and students
will be allowed to retake their pictures. Our
BEAR PRIDE!
goal is to have all students photographed for
A. Wonder B. Worry C. Interest
GMS Has an Official PTA!
We challenge you…
to use trepidation in a
Load up your Lexicon!
(Look for answers on p. 2)
Greenbelt Middle School now has an official Parent Teacher
Association (PTA)! This is the first time in ten years, and we are
thrilled! PTA officers were elected September and have already
held several successful meetings. The new PTA looks forward
to supporting GMS students, staff and parents in any way possible. If you’re interested in
joining, the membership fee is
$10.00 and meetings are held
on the second Tuesday of the
month at 6:30PM in the multipurpose room. Join us as we
celebrate and support the
changes and great things going on at Greenbelt Middle School this year!
Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 14, 2010 7:00-pm-8:30 pm
Fundraiser: Join us at
Chevy’s in Greenway Shopping Plaza on Tuesday, November 22nd from 6-8PM.
NOVEMBER
SUN
MON
TUE
1 No
2 No School 3
— Elections
School —
Teacher
Work Day
7
8
9
PTA 7:00pm
14
15 Quarter
1 Report
Cards Released
21
19
22
20
PTA Fund-
29
10
Book Bowl
Club
THU
FRI
SAT
4
5
6
11
12
13
Art Club
ParentTeacher
Conferences
18 Honor Roll
Assembly
19
20
26
24
THANKSGIVING
27
25
16 Superintendent’s
Address
17
23
21
24
22
THANKSGIV-
25
23
THANKSGIV-
ING
ING
raiser at
Chevy’s
28
WED
Book Bowl
Club
History Day
Project Info
Night
30
TAG / Honors
Eighth grade Forensics students Taibou Diallo and Diane Lamidi have one
more class at Prince George’s Community College that will complete their course
for this semester. They have enjoyed activities with finger printing and blood and
hair-follicle analysis, and they’ have even analyzed cow meat and got to take a
sample home! Did you know that humans have the same type of tissue in
their chin as cows do? Taibou and Diane got to take a sample of this meat, from
a real cow, home on a necklace last week!
Now its’ time for seventh grade
students from GMS to attend a college science course at PGCC. Starting in December, two seventh grade
science students will attend a Biology
course where they will have the opportunity to dissect a baby animal and
examine its insides! Ms. Gaymon has
nominated the students — look for
their names and opinions of the
course in the December issue of the
Bear Claws!
Testing
Thank you to all parents that
made sure your child was in
school on time to complete the
Quarter FAST Assessments.
2010 MSA results were sent
home with students. If you did
not receive your child’s results,
please contact Ms. Rorie, Data
Coach at 301.513.5040
1.b 2. c 3. b
November is NAtional
NOvel WRiting MOnth
(NaNoWriMo)! Have you
been wanting to write your
own novel but never seem to
find the time? Do you have
a great story and want to
share it with the world?
Get it published and
printed? Do you want to
chat with students just like
you who are writing their
own novels...in a month?
Then you should join
NaNoWriMo’s Young
Writer’s Program at
http://ywp.nanowrimo.org
. Teens all over the world
will be sitting down at computers or journals, writing
frantically. Why? Because
the goal is to finish an entire novel in ONE MONTH
— by November 30th! The
website has gadgets to track
your word count and chatrooms where you can share
your ideas with other
teens...what are you waiting
for? You should be writing!
2010
Page 3
Bear CLAWS
What’s cooking in
Science Department
Stem Fair projects are well on their way. Classes are still
visiting the library developing their research and experimental questions. The first 4-5 components of the Stem Fair will
be included in 1st quarter grades. Students and Parents
please me mindful that the Stem Fair is 50% of the 2nd
quarter grades.
6th Graders are working on measurements.
7th Grade: Human Biology and
Health just finished a unit on Organ
Systems and the students developed
projects to reflect each organ system.
8TH Grade: Cells and Heredity book.
Students are working on Genetics project in Chapter Three
creating a family of paper pets to demonstrate the traits that
are passed from parent to offspring.
Science Club will be beginning on
November 3. Permission slips will be going home at the end of this week October
29, 20l0. The science clubs members will
participate in county competitions, tutor
their peers and do all types of fun science
activities. If you love science join in and
have some fun!
Social Studies Department
There are many exciting things going on in the Social
Studies classrooms these days. The students of Greenbelt
have been learning about some exciting topics. Currently
the 7th graders are studying the major religions of the
world. They are also exploring the Arab-Israeli conflict.
The 8th graders are learning about the development of
the 13 colonies and how they would become the United
States of America.
This month in History: November
November 1, 1848 - The first medical school for women
opened in Boston. The Boston Female Medical School was
founded by Samuel Gregory with just twelve students.
November 1, 1950 - President Harry S. Truman was the
target of an unsuccessful assassination attempt by two members of a Puerto Rican nationalist movement.
November 3, 1903 - Panama declared itself independent of
Colombia following a revolt engineered by the U.S.
November 22, 1497 - Portuguese navigator Vasco Da Gama,
leading a fleet of four ships, became the first to sail round the
Cape of Good Hope, while searching for a sea route to India
November 19, 1863 - President Abraham Lincoln delivered
the Gettysburg Address during ceremonies dedicating 17
acres of the Gettysburg Battlefield as a National Cemetery.
November 20, 1789 - New Jersey became the first state to
ratify the Bill of Rights.
Mathematics?
Algebra-1
This first quarter, students in Algebra-1 have been working on understanding functions and solving equations. Some of the skills covered under understanding functions included: interpreting, sketching, and analyzing graphs from situations, identifying relations and
functions, evaluating functions, modeling functions using rules, tables
and graphs, writing function rules, using inductive reasoning in counting number patterns, writing rules for arithmetic sequences, and
translating and solving real world situations into algebraic equations,
among others. In solving equations, emphasis was given on realworld applications. Some of the skills learnt were: representing an
unknown amount when writing equations from a verbal sentence, using properties of equality to solve equations, solving one-step, two-step,
and multi-step equations, solving equations with variables on both
sides, using distributive property of equality to solve equations, writing ratio and proportion to solve real world problems, explaining and
justifying algebraic procedures and solutions for solving equations,
solving literal equations using formulas, and solving uniform motion
problems.
For their first project, students did the Calendar Equations Project
where they created a one-month calendar on a poster board with equations whose solutions indicate each day’s date. This project enabled
them to apply what they learned in class and “show off” their skills in
working with various types of equations. The project was discussed/
given on Oct. 1st; deadline was set for Oct. 25th, 2010. Information
about the project and its requirements were sent to parents so parents
can monitor their child’s progress.
Geometry
Geometry students were off to a very good start. Thus far, they have already finished Tools of Geometry, which included such skills as using inductive reasoning,
making conjectures, understanding basic terms and postulates, identifying segments, rays, and parallel lines, and finding the length of segments and measures of
angles. They also studied Reasoning and Proof, where they learned about justifying steps of a logical argument, and proving and applying theorems about angles
and converses. Students learned to identify angles formed by parallel lines and a
transversal, and used a transversal in order to prove that lines are parallel under
the topic Properties of Parallel Lines. Lastly, they learned to classify triangles by
angles and sides, and learned about triangle angle sum and polygon angle sums
under Triangle Relationships and Angle Sums.
For their first project, students analyzed and created advertising to
explore logical reasoning. They collected at least five ads from various
media and identified if-then conditional statements and the converse of
each of the conditionals they identified, and then analyzed the truth
value for each of the conditionals and converses they wrote. They also
had to create their own advertisement and identify the conditionals
and converses stated or implied in their advertisement and the truth
value of each.
Another project that they started working on this week is “Become a
Math Author” project where they have to write a Children’s Geometry
Story Book. Students have to choose a Geometry topic and Math standards from a list that was provided to focus their book on. For their
story, they have to pick at least 10 Geometry vocabulary words to support the math topic chosen. One of the requirements for the project is
that they have to read their story to at least two people and ask them
what they like about the story and what they would change to make it
better. Since it is a children’s story book, they must also provide illustrations, drawings or pictures, which can either be original or taken
from a source duly cited. Once the story books are finished, you might
be interested to come to our class to read them for yourselves. So watch
out for these story books, guys!
Page 4
Bear CLAWS
Reading Department
.All students in Reading
English Language Arts
classes have started their
study of poetry in class!
Every class will analyze a
variety of poetic elements,
styles, and types, but each
grade level has a “focus
poet”. Sixth
P
OET
RY W
ITH
IS P L
AN N
A
celebrate poetry. Students
will have the opportunity to
guide their parent (or other
relative) through different
poetic element activities, and
student-parent teams will
create an original poem to
present to the audience! It
will be tons of fun — plan to
attend in early December! To
get you started, student-created
PA
ED F
OR E
AR L
grade is
looking closely at
the poetry of Langston
Hughes; seventh graders are
beginning to study Jacqueline
Woods through her book Locomotion as well as Alfred
Noyes with a close look at his
poem The Highway Man;
eighth graders have started a
poetry unit centered around
Nikki Giovanni (with a splash
of Edgar Allan Poe)!
Greenbelt RELA Department has planned a special
event for students and parents to come together and
REN
T
Y DE
CE M
NIG
H
BER
the drum, by Nikki Giovanni
daddy says the world is a
drum tight and hard
i told him
i’m gonna beat
out my own rhythm
amusement park,
by 8th
i say the world is an
amusement park fun but expensive
T
metaphor poems are
—————————-—>
grader Jack Mills
i tell myself i can
afford it
here
All students completed the
Reading FAST assessment in
October, and students will
receive their scores back in
November. If you do not get
your score, please ask your
Reading teacher for it. We’re
looking forward to many
PROFICIENT and ADVANCED scores on this assessment!
jigsaw puzzle,
by 8th
grader Diane Lamidi
daddy says the world is a
jigsaw puzzle difficult and confusing\
i told him
i’m gonna put the pieces
together no matter what
Can you identify all of these famous examples?
Repetition
1. The road was a ribbon of moonlight…
2. once a snowflake fell on my brow...and it called its cousins and brothers…
Simile
3. if i cannot do what i want to do then my job is to not do what i don’t want to do Metaphor
4. What happens to a dream deferred…?
5. Tlot-tlot; tlot-tlot! Had they heard it? The horse hoofs ringing clear…
6. Talk of your cold! through the parka’s fold it stabbed like a driven nail…
7. Cat’s got your tongue
Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
Rhyme
Idiom
Personification
1. metaphor (The Highwayman, by Alfred Noyes) 2. personification (winter poem, by Nikki Giovanni) 3. repetition (choices, by Nikki
Giovanni) 4. alliteration (Dream Deferred, by Langston Hughes) 5. onomatopoeia (The Highwayman, by Alfred Noyes) 6. simile and
internal rhyme (The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert W. Service) 7. idiom (common American phrase)
More Math News
HOLA!
BONJ OUR!!!! GUTTEN-TAG!!!
CALLING ALL I
November is beginning of Second Quarter. Students will receive their first quarter Math and Reading FAST scores this
month.
NTERNATIONAL STUDENTS!!!
ARE YOU FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY???
The greatest unsolved theorem in
Mathematics is why some people
are better at it than others.
—Adrian Mathesis
COUNT ON US!
MATH HOMEWORK HOTLINE!!
(301-772-0080)
DO YOU SPEAK MORE THAN ONE LANGUAGE?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE YOUR CULTURAL
BACKGROUND??? ARE YOU INTERESTED IN
LEARNING ABOUT ANOTHER PERSONS CULTURE…..? THEN THIS CLUB IS FOR YOU!!!
GREENBELT MIDDLE IS PROUD TO PRESENT ITS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSOCCIATION. COME OUT AND EXPAND YOUR
HORIZION AND INTERACT WITH OTHER INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.
Meetings will be held on
Mondays from 4 to 4:45pm.
Need some help with homework?? Then you can Count on Us!!!
Tune in to Comcast-Ch 96 or Verizon-Ch 38 on Mondays and
Wednesday from 5 to 6pm to have your questions answered on
LIVE TV, or email your question to [email protected]. Inquire
with your Math teachers for further details.
Congratulations to the following students on having the
highest score on the First Quarter FAST
Jason Parada: 100%!!!, Advance (Algebra 1)
Angelica Ceballos: 100%!!! Advance. (Algebra 1)
Brenda Diazdelvalle: 95%, Advance (Algebra 1)
Owosela Babjide: 91%, Advance (ADA/Math 8)
Look for the 6th and 7th grade top scorers in the next issue.
ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE SEE MS. JAMES!!!
Band Schedule and Events
Nov. 6 - Band at Saturday school (special practice for Honor Band audition)
Nov. 8 - Honor Band auditions @ Kenmore Middle 6pm
Nov. 10 - Jazz ensemble auditions 4-5 pm in the band room (please see website for more info)
Nov. 16 - Wind ensemble rehearsal 4 - 5:30 pm in the band room
Nov. 17 - Jazz ensemble rehearsal 4-5:30 pm in the band room
Nov. 18 - Pep band auditions 4 - 6 pm in the band room (please see website for more info)
Nov. 20 - Band at Saturday School
Page 5
Bear CLAWS
Art Class
ha s
Art Class
a NEW w
ebsite!
Wine corks
Art class is
in need of
everyday materials you have
around your house for future fun
and exciting projects. Donations
can be dropped off in the art
room, room 106.
msart
url.com/g
y
in
.t
w
w
w
Fabric Remnants/Scraps
Colored plastic lids
Plastic food storage containers w/lid (from take out food, etc)
Fake flowers, old mugs, old cups, old bottles or beer caps
Old kids’ toys
Newspaper/Magazines
Strands of beads or anything metallic
Paper towel/toilet paper rolls Pretzel/dog treat plastic jars
String, yarn, ribbon scraps
Buttons
Milk jugs
It’s Cold and Flu Season Again!!!
It’s not always easy to tell the difference between a small
cold and a nasty flu. Here are some helpful hints:
FLU
COLD
•
•
•
•
•
•
⇒ For a temperature above 100.4 degrees F with an oral ther-
Sudden onset
Slow onset
High fever
No (or mild) fever
Severe exhaustion
Mild exhaustion
Dry cough
Severe or Hacking cough
Headache
Usually no headache
⇒ Has a constant cough and/or difficulty breathing
Decreased appetite
Normal appetite
⇒ Is complaining of feeling ill, has a lack of energy, and/or de-
Muscle aches
Usually no muscle aches
Chills
Usually no chills
Usually NO sore throat
Sore Throat
Hand-Washing Tips
•
WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD
HOME FROM SCHOOL
Wash hands before eating and cooking
Wash after touching animals
Wash after using the bathroom
Wash after blowing your nose, coughing and sneezing
Use warm water and soap; lather for 20 seconds
Make sure to get in between fingers, underneath
finger nails and around the wrists
Rinse and dry well with a clean towel!
mometer
⇒ Student must be fever-free without fever-reducing medication (such as Tylenol or Motrin) for at least 24 hours before
returning to school
crease in activity
⇒ Students must stay home for the first 24 hours on antibiotic
therapy
⇒ Vomiting and/or diarrhea. Student may return to school 24
hours after last episode.
⇒ Stomach pain that is constant. If vomiting starts after the
pain begins, call your health provider that day.
⇒ Headache that is interfering with activities
⇒ Yellow discharge on the eye lashes in the morning that
comes back after being wiped off lashes; eyes are red (get an
appointment with your doctor!)
⇒ A skin rash that causes itching and/or is on most of the body
Volume 1, Issue 3
Page 7
Buy your Yearbook!
The 2010-2011 WINNING
Yearbook cover is
yearbook before Dec 1st in
order to lock in your discounted pre-sale prices visit
TIME TRAVEL
the school website at
Pre-sale for your GMS www1.pgcps.org/
Yearbook will begin Monday, greenbeltms
Oct 4th and end Wednesday,
Dec 1st
Pre-Sale prices
are:
$25.00 for your 20102011 Yearbook
$3.00 for a "send-off
line"
Yearbook personalization is available
during Pre-sale
ONLY
History Club
We are excited about
our plans for National
History Day at Greenbelt Middle! History Day
is a required element in
the TAG program for seventh and eighth grade
students. Any other students interested in participating in History Day are
encouraged to
see Ms. Doepel
in Room
27. We are
planning lots of
educational and fun activities to help us with
our historical investigations into this year's
theme: Debate and Diplomacy Successes,
Failures, Consequences.
For more details
and to order your
Book Bowl Competition
Two competitive teams have formed — an enthusiastic
sixth grade team of eight students led by Captain Zainab
Gafari, and a smaller but still motivated eighth grade team
of four led by Captain Olushola Omomo! Students have
started studying their first of ten books, and they are preparing for the big competition in January with memory
games and challenges every week.
Which team will you be cheering for in January? Look
for more details and an official date of the Competition —
coming soon!
NEXT MEETI
NG —
WEDNESDA
Y, NOV. 10!
Math Club
Mr. Braza is sponsoring our school’s Math Club this school
year. Through this club, we hope to assist, stimulate and develop students’ interest in Math and increase their Math
skills through learning and competition. Some of the possible
activities might include Math puzzles and games, help with
Math homework, peer tutoring, learning new Math skills,
presentations by other Math teachers and guests on preidentified topics, and maybe a school-wide Mathematics
Olympiad to showcase the skills of our students through individual or group competitions. We encourage everyone to be
involved in this Club. An interest meeting will be held very
soon, so watch out for further announcements.