Courthouse field trip expectations

Students will be attending a courthouse field trip on March 4 or 6. The following are the expectations for students while being at the courthouse:  Proper dress (Khakis and nice shirt.  Some judges will not permit visitors to their courtroom if they are wearing jeans, shorts, flip-flops, etc.)

• No gum
  
• No talking inside of the courtroom
• No cameras
• No cell phones or iPods
• The courthouse requires that students pass through metal detectors.  They will be asked to remove everything from their pockets, their jewelry, and belts prior to entering the and courthouse.
• For lunch, students should bring their own packed lunch to eat on the bus or outside (weather permitting).

Following their court house visit, students will be transported to several neighborhoods in the city of Pittsburgh for a bus-guided tour of the area that corresponds to the topic that they are researching in their English class.

Spring Conferences

All parents and students will be invited to attend a conference in May. In order to close our 8th grade advisory program and to have time to reflect on middle school academically, each 8th grade student will be preparing to lead a parent-student-teacher conference. Our 8th grade advisory program has been reflecting on student work, progress, and goal setting while meeting bi-monthly throughout the school year. Each parent and student will have a student-led conference in May after school, so you will be offered an opportunity to meet with a faculty member and your student before the end of the school year.  Your student's advisor should contact you at the end of April or beginning of May, so please be on the lookout for that message coming soon - the time will be upon us sooner than we can imagine!

Since we've planned to meet with each parent and their student during the student-led conferences in May, our March conferences have a very limited number of spots. If you need to speak with the 8th grade team as a whole group before the May conference dates, we can send an invitation to you to include you in those conferences.  If you do not have any pressing concerns, we are looking forward to seeing you at student-led conferences in May!  The students are doing a great job of preparing for their conferences and we can't wait to meet with everyone later this spring! To receive a conference invitation, please email Doug Haskins.

Read Across America

Monday is Read Across America! 

On Wednesday, the 8th grade will visit the book fair in the library! Read more about the book fair here!  Please send cash or checks made out to “AMS Parent Network.”

Celebrate literacy and read a book with us!

Science layered curriculum final week begins Monday!

Students in science continue to work through the layered curriculum. The checkpoint for Friday is 48 pts. Students should be adding the points they have earned as a check for progress. To be successful in the layered curriculum students should bring home some activities to complete each week.

Students can pick and choose which assignments to complete. However, several activities have due dates:

 Upcoming Due Dates

B-10 Atomic Scientist presentation due tonight
B-9 Periodic Wall due Friday 
B-14 CT Question of the week due Friday 
A-2 Presentation: Periodic Table Groups due Monday
A-6 Quiz: Elements and their properties Wednesday

Read more about the layered curriculum from an earlier blog post.

Research Update

In English class, we are halfway through our research project!  Students have done a great job researching and organizing their ideas - it's been awesome to watch all of the hard work happening in English class!  We are about to start digging in to the drafting process, and will focus on in-text citations, embedding quotes, and polishing all of these facts into final products!  Ask your student what they have learned about Pittsburgh - and stay tuned for the exciting things we are going to do with their new found knowledge!

Events and Dates

Friday, February 28
[Science] LC 48 points due
[Pre-Algebra] Comparing Data 3
[Science] LC B - 14 Critical Thinking Question Week Two

7:00pm [Event] Bowling Social Parent Network

Tuesday, March 4

[Field Trip] Courthouse field trip

Wednesday, March 5
[Science] LC A - 6 Quiz: Elements and their Properties
 [Event] 8th graders to visit the book fair

Thursday, March 6

[Field Trip] Courthouse field trip

Friday, March 7
[Math] Study Island Data Analysis due for all student
[Reading] Study Island Figurative Language due
[Science] All LC points (100 pts = 100%
[Science] LC B - 15 Critical Thinking Question Week Three
[Science] LC Unit Test (ALL STUDENTS)


Wednesday, March 12
2-Hour Delay Teacher In-service

Friday, March 21
No School

Tuesday, March 25
9:50am [PSSA GRADE 8] MATH & READING

Wednesday, March 26
9:50am [PSSA GRADE 8] MATH & READING
11:56am[PSSA GRADE 8] MATH & READING

Friday, March 28
9:50am [PSSA GRADE 8] MATH & READING

Monday, March 31
9:50am [PSSA GRADE 8] MATH & READING

Tuesday, April 1

9:50am [PSSA GRADE 8] MATH & READING

Wednesday, April 2
[AMS GRADE 8] Reading/Math PSSA Tests make-up

Thursday, April 3

9:50 am [PSSA GRADE 8] Writing PSSA Test

Friday, April 4 

9:50 am [PSSA GRADE 8] Writing PSSA Test

Monday, April 7
9:50 am [PSSA GRADE 8] Writing PSSA Test

Wednesday, April 9
9:50 am  [PSSA GRADE 8] Writing PSSA Test

Friday, April 18
No School - Spring Vacation

Monday, April 21
School back in session

Thursday, April 24
[Event] National Pay It Forward Day

Friday, April 25
11:59am
Pay It Forward - Volunteer Symposium

Monday, April 28
9:53am [PSSA GRADE 8] Science PSSA

Tuesday, April 29
9:53am [PSSA GRADE 8] Science PSSA

Wednesday, May 7
2-HOUR Delay Teacher In-service

Friday, May 9
[Event] History Center Field Trip & Strip District Tour

Monday, May 12
[KEYSTONE EXAM GRADE 8] Algebra Students

Tuesday, May 13
[KEYSTONE EXAM GRADE 8] Algebra Students

Tuesday, May 20
Kennywood Field Trip

Monday, May 26
No School - Memorial Day Holiday

Friday, June 6, 2014
Last day of school for students!

Click here to see more events, dates and homework on our calendar.

PSSA snack collection continues...

PSSA snacks are needed! Learn more here! If you are able to donate a case of water or snacks please contact Mrs. Hickman.  

Our graph is updated regularly as donations are received. 

Spring field trip forms are due!

Spring field trip forms are due! Read more: http://www.edline.net/files/_xGIPx_/3ae779a926bb01fe3745a49013852ec4/2014_field_trip_full_packet.pdf  Return the forms and payment to Mr. Smith Field Trip Dates: 3/4 or 3/6 Allegheny County Courthouse 5/9 Heinz History Center & Strip District 5/20 Kennywood

This week...

This week...

Tue: Reading essay

Wed: civics test & English notes

Thu: Pre-algebra take home test due

Fri: sci-48 pt checkpoint
 
PSSA date changes: http://amsgrade8.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html 

Field trip forms due!

Bowling Social

REMINDER:

Friday
7-9 pm
Paradise Lanes
$15
8th graders: return payment to Mr. Haskins for the Parent Network


More: http://amsgrade8.blogspot.com/2014/02/bowling-social.html