8th Graders Declare Their Independence

To supplement their study of the American Revolution in civics class, eighth graders tackled the complex text The Declaration of Independence in reading class.  Students focused on identifying the texts' main ideas and translating it into modern day English.

Because scholars believe that Thomas Jefferson meant for the Declaration to be dramatically performed , students revealed their understanding of the document by completing their own dramatic reading in our makeshift Independence Hall.

Eighth graders were assigned a short passage from the Declaration to practice reading with proper phrasing, pronunciation, emphasis, pause and tone.     As “experts” of the text, students completed an impressive dramatic reading of this important document!  Many students even memorized their passages for extra credit.

  

Reminder! Second Nine-Weeks Grading Period Ends Soon!

Reminder! 
Second nine-weeks grading period to end
January 12, 2016

Learn more about the grading periods
from the AMS Parent Academy 

Report Cards to be published to Edline January 19. 

Students Studying Electrical Energy in Science

This past Monday, students started to learn about electricity in science class. Students will work through several learning activities, projects, and assignments to help them learn about electrical energy usage.

Starting Thursday, 1/7/16,  students will be coming home asking for help from their parents and guardians as they start a project called Action Plan. As adults paying the bills, we know the impact of wasted electricity on the budget. This project aims to help students understand electric utilities and how one simple change in behavior could lower the power bill!

One of the most important parts of the project is to read and collect data from the electric meter. Students are to check their meters nightly to collect data as a baseline for usage as well as monitor changes after implementing a plan to conserve electricity. There are two helpful pages on the website to assist families with reading the electric meter:

• analog electric meters (dials)
• digital electric meters (lcd display)

Students have been taught in class how to read the electric meters as well as conduct the calculations to determine the amount of energy used and the cost associated with using the electricity.

The outline of tasks for the project can be found on the science website.

Some other important resources from the electricity unit:

Graded Assessments

Electricity Learning Unit Calendar 

Notes from Class

Timeline (updated daily with important class information) 

Pancake Breakfast Next Week

Parent Network will be sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast 1/15/16 that includes great toppings and a drink for $3.

Read about the pancake breakfast on Edline.