Upcoming Events and Dates

Friday, November 7

 [Reading] Book Club Session #2 Reading and Sticky Notes due Friday, November 7

 [Social Studies] 13 Colonies Map DUE

Monday, November 10

 [Social Studies] Up Front Magazine World Affairs 2015

Tuesday, November 11

 Veterans Day - No school - Parent Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, November 12

 [Reading] Study Island Character due Wed, Nov 12

 [sci] Week Two Assessments due

 [sci] Week Two Layered Curriculum ends today!

 [Social Studies] Study Guide in class

Thursday, November 13

  [Social Studies] Study for test

 [Social Studies] Up Front Magazine worksheet DUE

Friday, November 14

 [Reading] Book Club Session #3 Reading and Sticky Notes due Friday, Nov 14

 [IM1] Quiz

 [Social Studies] Chapter 4 TEST

Friday, November 21

 [Reading] Book Club Session #4 Reading and Sticky Notes due Fri, Nov 21

 [Event] Anne Frank Presentation

Tuesday, November 25

 Grade 8 Advisory

Wednesday, November 26

 No school for students - ACT 80

Thursday, November 27

 Thanksgiving Holiday - No school

Friday, November 28

 Thanksgiving Holiday - No school

Monday, December 1

 School is in session

Wednesday, December 10

 2 Hr Delay Teacher In-Service

Parent Network Fundraiser

A parent network soup fundraiser was passed out early this week! Ask your student for the order form. 

Sale runs from 11/03/14 to 11/12/14!                                                                                                                                               

AMS Student Council Magazine Sale

Although the magazine sale wrapped up last week, student council is still accepting magazine orders through next week. If your student has sold any magazines (or you or your family members would like to place an order) please feel free to do so! Checks should be made out to Avonworth Middle School.​

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween

Friday, October 31, 2014

Mock Trial

The verdict is in! English 8 spent last week preparing for a Mock Trial. The purpose of the trial is to develop argumentative reasoning - using evidence to prove an argument in an organized and clear manner. Students acted as lawyers or witnesses and developed arguments that proved that the doctors from the short story "Flowers for Algernon" were either liable for their actions during the experiment on Charlie Gordon or that they were not liable. Students did a great job! Visiting judges included Dr. Ralston, Mrs. White, Mr. Hall, Mrs. Applegate, Mrs. Clare and Miss Spiker. Each decision was a tough one, but students had a chance to understand how strong arguments are developed and presented to an audience.

BYOT Device Policy

Layered Curriculum started this week

Students will be completing a layered curriculum starting Wednesday, 10/29, until the end of November. A layered curriculum is a unit of study designed to allow students to choose activities from a bank of possible activities. The daily mini-lessons teach specific topics and skills while students work on content at their own pace. The layered curriculum’s assignment sheet, a menu of possible tasks, indicates all of the offered activities and their point value. Most of the assignments are available on the class website, www.HaskinsSci8.info.

Only a single grade will be on Edline reports for each category such as “C1, C2, etc.” The weight will be as indicated on the assignment sheet.

When your child has completed an assignment, the teacher will sign the assignment sheet (menu) in the project folder. All graded work should be added to the project folder. Here are some helpful websites to guide you through the layered curriculum:

About the Layered Curriculum

Menu of assignments

Assignments on the website

Project folder for science class

Sent 3:00 PM 10/28/14 via Remind to all subscribers

[science] Students need to bring their project folder with 3 fasteners to class tomorrow. Some folders have been stored in the lab!

Second-nine week grading period begins!

The second-nine week grading period
begins today, Tuesday, October 28!

Don't forget that Student Council is sponsoring Spirit Week! Oct 27-31!

Sent 6:44 PM 10/26/14 via Remind to all subscribers

Don't forget that Student Council is sponsoring Spirit Week! Oct 27-31! Tomorrow is PJ Day! Read more: http://amsgrade8.blogspot.com/2014/10/spirit-week.html

Grade 8 Parent Conferences

There are no more available Grade 8 conference appointments for Nov 3 and 5. If there is an academic concern, we can arrange a conference during the team planning time as well as before, or after school. Please email Doug Haskins for the team meeting availability.

Reminder: Science test on Friday!

Sent 3:00 PM 10/23/14 via Remind to all subscribers

Tomorrow (10/24): Science test! 

Review the study guide online! https://sites.google.com/a/avonworth.k12.pa.us/sci8/unit-b/unit-b-review-1

First nine-week grading period ends

The first-nine week grading period ends on Monday, October 27. 

Spirit Week

Avonworth Student Council would like to announce that the first spirit week of the year starts Monday, October 27th  - Friday, October 31st

• Be cozy for Pajama Day on Monday!
• Leopard and plaid? Great combination for Mismatch Day on Tuesday!
• Who is twinning? You are - on Twin Day on Wednesday!
• Show your 'Lope pride with Red and White on Thursday for Spirit Day!
• Dress up like your favorite character (from a play, movie or book) for Favorite 
• Character Day on Friday!

Please remember that all spirit week wear must be dress code compliant - so no 
hats, masks, weapons or clothing that does not meet dress code standards! We 
can't wait to see all of the great outfits next week!!

AMS Grade 8 Parent Teacher Conferences

The 8th grade team will be holding needs-based parent-teacher conferences on November 3 and 5. An appointment is required to meet with the team. Please visit our conference booking page at the following address:

http://amsgrade8.blogspot.com/p/fall-parent-teacher-conferences.html

All conferences will be booked through the website. A confirmation email will be sent to you within 24 hours of creating the appointment. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Doug Haskins either by email or by contacting the middle school at (412) 366-9650.

Reminder: Civics test Wednesday

Sent 3:00 PM 10/21/14 via Remind to all subscribers

Tomorrow (10/22): Reminder! Civics test! See more dates on the Grade 8 Calendar:

http://www.edline.net/pages/Avonworth_Middle_School/Team_Teaching/8th_Grade/8th_Grade_Calendar

Also, tomorrow is a 2-hr delay! 

Support the AMS/AHS Band!

Sent 3:00 PM 10/22/14 via Remind to all subscribers
 
Avonworth marching band has been nominated for Band of the week on
WPXI. Please get the word out that we need everyone to vote. Here is
the link. http://wpxi.upickem.net/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=151069Voting Period Mon, Oct 20 2014 12:00 PM - Fri, Oct 24 2014 12:00 PM

October-November Important Dates

Thursday, October 23

 [English] Mock Trial begins

 [Social Studies] North Korea Inside the Shadows

Friday, October 24

 [sci] Unit Test: Newton's Laws

 [Social Studies] Study Island in Civics

Monday, October 27

 Spirit Week! Oct 27-31

Tuesday, October 28
  [sci] Lab Report: Investigating Falling Objects due

  [End of First 9 Weeks]

Wednesday, October 29

  [Start of Second 9 Weeks]

Tuesday, November 11

 Veterans Day - No school

Wednesday, November 26

 No school for students - ACT 80

Thursday, November 27 & Friday, November 28

 Thanksgiving Holiday - No school

This week...

Sent 11:00 AM 10/19/14 via Remind to all subscribers

This week... 
Monday:

AR due

Tuesday:

IM 1 Quiz
Science Quiz

Wednesday:  

Civics test

 The Outsiders movie

Friday:

Science unit test 

The Outsiders: A Novel Look at Film

Eighth grade students just finished reading and studying the award-winning novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.  Since it was first published in 1967, it has remained a popular book among teenagers here at Avonworth.

We will conclude the novel unit by watching the PG-13 movie, The Outsiders: The Complete Novel on  Wednesday, October 22.  The Francis Ford Coppola movie was rereleased in 2005 and captures the spirit of the young adult characters and themes prevalent in the novel.   The author S.E. Hinton helped direct the movie and even played a small part in it. 

Students will learn how to critically watch the film and reflect on key elements of the novel as they complete their “Movie to Film Analysis” sheets.   After comparing and contrasting the movie’s character development, conflicts and themes to those within the novel, students will write and discuss their own reviews of the movie.

If you do not want your student to view the movie, please download, sign and return the linked form by Monday, October 20.   An alternative activity will be provided for students who will not watch the movie.

Magazine Fundraiser

Please remember to sell magazines for the student council! This fundraiser supports many school activities and field trips! 

October Important Dates and Events

Friday, October 17

[Social Studies] Up Front Ebola DUE

Monday, October 20

Reading] AR due
[Social Studies] Immigration Stations DUE

Tuesday, October 21

 [IM 1] Quiz

 [sci] Quiz: Newton's Laws

Wednesday, October 22

 [Social Studies] Chapter 2/3 Test

 2 Hr Delay Teacher In-Service

 [event] Outsiders Movie

Friday, October 24

 [sci] Unit Test: Newton's Laws

Tuesday, October 28

[End of First 9 Weeks]

Wednesday, October 29

[Start of Second 9 Weeks]

Magazine Fundraiser Post Cards

Message sent via Remind on Monday 10/13/14 at 4:30PM

Please remember to fill out and return your magazine fundraiser postcards. They are due to your period A teachers tomorrow!

This week...

Sent 3:00 PM 10/06/14 via Remind to all subscribers

This week... 
No School 10/13 for students - ACT 80 Day
Wed: Reading-Finish The Outsiders & Theme Stcky Nte Assgnmnt due 
Fri: Civics-Test Chptr 2&3

No School - Monday

Monday, October 13

No School for students - Columbus Day

ACT 80 Day for teachers and staff

First Issue of The Herd

Check out the first issue of The Herd, the AMS student newspaper club's publication, online! Students can join The Herd! The staff and sponsors are always looking for students to write articles about Avonworth for the paper! The next meeting will be Tuesday,  October 14. The staff meets in room 110 from 3:00 - 4:00 PM.

Grade 8 Article: Veterans Visit Avonworth Middle School

Magazine Sale

The annual student council magazine sale had its kick off on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8!  If you are a current subscriber or are interested in getting any new titles please consider purchasing your magazines through our fundraiser.  All proceeds to go AMS Student Council and allow us to provide programming throughout the year, support classroom activities and organize social and charitable activities.  Please ask your students for their packet so that they can get you signed up to enjoy a subscription through our fundraiser!

October Events and Dates Updated

Thursday, October 9

 [Social Studies] Complete Step 3 of Historical Editorial

Friday, October 10

 [sci] quiz: velocity & acceleration 

 [Social Studies] Historical Editorial

 [Event] Halloween Social

Monday, October 13

 No School for Students - ACT 80

Tuesday, October 14

 [Social Studies] Historical Editorial Project DUE

Wednesday, October 15

 [Reading] Finish Reading The Outsiders and Complete Theme Stcky Nte Assgnmnt by Wed, 10/15

Friday, October 17

 Read AR Book - AR Points Due Monday, October 20

 [Social Studies] TEST on Society and Citizenship - Chapter 2 and 3

Monday, October 20

 Read AR Book - AR Points due

Wednesday, October 22

 2 Hr Delay Teacher In-Service

Tuesday, October 28

 [End of First 9 Weeks]

Wednesday, October 29

 [Start of Second 9 Weeks]

Visit our calendar online! 

This week...

Sent 3:00 PM 10/06/14 via Remind to all subscribers

This week: 

Tue, Wed, & Thu ISS flyover!http://amsgrade8.blogspot.com/2014/10/students-to-track-iss-next-week.html 

Fri: Science quiz w/ study guide online (https://sites.google.com/a/avonworth.k12.pa.us/sci8/unit-b/velocity-accleration) & Social

Students to track the ISS next week

Next week students in science class will be encouraged to track the International Space Station (ISS) as it appears in our night sky. This is a great way to think about the role of Newton's Laws, motion, and gravity. Finding the ISS is easy due to the various websites that post the location and viewing dates and times. However, there is a small window in which it can be viewed. Also, we will need a clear night to view the flyover. In class, we will explore the impact of sunlight reflection, the shadow of the Earth, and visibility of the ISS during our early evening or early morning.

Pittsburgh, PA - Dates, Times and Where to Look for the ISS: 

Night	Duration	Angle	Start Direction	End Direction
Tue Oct 7, 8:34 PM	3 min	65°	10 above WSW	65 above NNW
Wed Oct 8, 7:45 PM	6 min	69°	10 above SW	16 above ENE
Thu Oct 9, 8:35 PM	2 min	28°	23 above WNW	26 above N

The ISS can be tracked through several different websites and apps:

NASA Spot the Station - Pittsburgh

Astro Viewer  ISS website

ISS Spotter app available in app stores

Space Station being tracked using the Night Sky app on an iPhone.

Is this math or science class? It's both!

The students in the eighth grade are participating in a series of STEM, also known as science, technology, engineering and mathematics, activities in their math and science classes. First we are working through Ramp It Up!, which is an investigation into Newton's principles of motion. Student teams in the different science classes are independently investigating what happens to an object as it rolls down a ramp. As the unit unfolds, students learn about classical physics problems and some of the history behind so many of the discoveries of the 17^th century. They are then applying those principles to everyday problems using scientific investigation.

Students using the ramps in science class.

This week...

Sent 3:00 PM 9/29/14 via Remind to all subscribers

This week:

10/1: IM1 & Math8-quizzes

Science students must bring their science books to class all week!

Middle School Social

The next middle school social is scheduled for Friday, October 10, from 7:00-9:30PM.  It is the Halloween costume party!

What's in the box?

Students experimenting
with the black box.

In science class, we just concluded our work with "the black box" project. We referred to this as the black box because students never see what is inside. Wikipedia  describes a black box as "a device which can be viewed solely in terms of its input, output and transfer characteristics without any knowledge of its internal workings."

With the investigation into the black box concluded, the students had to design what they imagine could be the apparatus inside the black box. Using observation and experimentation the students had to use their data to help define the inner workings. Students discovered that when water was added, sometimes only a fraction of the water exited the box. Other times, the black box released more water than was added. Students had to make inferences about what would cause water in the box to behave in this manner.

Students had to defend their ideas in class by explaining how well their concepts matched the data collected during the investigation. The class discussed each team's ideas and helped them to make needed modifications.

At the end of the project, the students completed a writing activity where they discussed their confidence in their designs. Through the course of the black box experience, students were employing skills in perseverance, teamwork, critical and skeptical thinking, and problem-solving. You can see student work on the lab blog at http://amslab110.blogspot.com.

Student model of the inner
workings of the black box.

Student explanation for the
black box phenomenon.

Grade 8 Math Update

IM 1 and Math 8 will have a  quiz on Wednesday, October 1. 

  

October events and dates

Monday, October 13

 No School for Students (Columbus Day) - ACT 80

Wednesday, October 20

 [Reading] AR Points Due!

Wednesday, October 22

 2 Hr Delay Teacher In-Service

Wednesday, October 27

 First Nine-weeks ends

Environmental Club

Students are welcome to join the environmental club. Our first meeting will be on Wednesday, October 1 until 4 PM in room 110. We will be talking about environmental projects at our school. Also, we will start the paper recycling for the middle and high schools. If you have questions, please see Mr. Haskins or Mrs. Abate.

Summer Vacation Story for The Herd

Have you had an interesting summer vacation? Well you should share it with us! If

your vacation was exciting, adventurous, horrific, or just plain fun you should send it to

the Avonworth’s Middle School newspaper! We are looking for your summer vacation

stories. If you have a good story for the newspaper summer vacation section, you should

share it with The Herd by sending it to Mr. Haskins, The Herd school newspaper sponsor. You

will have your final draft printed in the newspaper or posted to our website!

This week...

Sent 3:00 PM 9/22/14 via Remind to all subscribers

This week: 

Tuesday: [Science] unit test (study guide online) &  [Reading] AR Progress Check

Wednesday: [Reading] Study Island Inferences due

Thursday:  [English] Advertising Project

Students learn how to honor the flag

On Friday, September 12, 2014, Avonworth Middle School was visited by local veterans from the South Hills Veterans Honor Guard. The 8th grade team would like to express our gratitude to Brian Allen, US Marine, Vietnam Veteran, Bruno Fontenasi, US Navy, Vietnam Veteran, Paul Kubas, Army Air Corps , WWII Veteran, Shannon Crowley, US Air Force, Ret. Lt. Col., Joseph Cevarr, US Air Force, Vietnam-era, and John Normile, US Army, Vietnam-era. The students have been learning about USA Symbols in civics class.

Students learn how to ceremonially raise the flag each morning. To the Colors is usually played and the flag is hoisted quickly into place.   

Veterans explain how the flag is to be retired each evening. Typically, Retreat is played on the bugle and all military personnel salute. The flag is lowered slowly with dignity and ceremony. 

The students were taught how to fold the flag so that it may be presented to the next of kin at a funeral service. 

Following a rifle volley, the students were taught how to salute the flag while a bugler played the taps. 

The Black Box Conversation

Students experimenting with the Black Box in Lab 110.

Students in science have begun the conversation about the Black Box with two other schools. Eighth graders at Quaker Valley Middle School in Sewickley and Milford Grade School in Milford, Illinois have joined the students at Avonworth in discussing the results of experiments and possible solutions with the Black Box dilemma.

In science class, the students have collected data from the Black Box and have share their inferences and observations with the other laboratories using the blog located at http://amslab110.blogspot.com/. The students have been posting comments and sharing ideas across the different schools.

This is part of the skills unit where students are learning and practicing the work done by scientists. The graphic below explains that part of the work done by scientists which includes community analysis and feedback.  By sharing the results of the Black Box experiment, the students are experiencing the tasks scientists endure to propose and modify ideas due to collected data as well as feedback from the scientific community.

The Black Box project will end with the students proposing final solutions to the question, "What is inside the Black Box?"

The Week Ahead!

Tuesday, September 23
- Science Test
- AR Progress Check

Wednesday, September 24
- Study Island Inferences due

Materials needed for the science lab!

Parents and students are asked to bring to school their clean, plastic recyclables. We are looking for 2-liter bottles, plastic cups (such as those from fountain drinks), and containers (such as Cool-whip and butter). Students will be using these materials for several engineering projects this school year. We will accept these materials throughout the school year.

What's good for use in Lab 110:

• Any plastic bottles

• 2-liter bottles 

• 20 oz or 1-liter bottles

• Any plastic cups (recyclables - new not required)

• Plastic containers

• whipped topping

• butter / margarine spread

• peanut butter/ jelly

• sugar

• coffee

• snacks

What's not good for lab 110:

We cannot use aluminum or steel cans or glass bottles. 

This week...

Sent 3:00 PM 9/15/14 via Remind to all subscribers

This week: 

Tuesday: School Portrait Day

Wednesday: Pre-Algebra Quiz  & Algebra: Quiz

Thursday: Civics USA Symbols Test 

Special Event Tomorrow

Students and teachers in the 8th grade will participate in a flag retirement ceremony tomorrow morning with local veterans. This activity is part of the patriotic symbols unit in civics.

Parent Resource - AR Renaissance Home Connect

Click on the button below and check out Accelerated Reader Renaissance Home Connect, a terrific parent resource for monitoring your child's AR progress.

• Use your student's AR login information. 
• Monitor AR quiz scores.
• View the"Bookshelf" and see all the books your student read in middle school.
• View progress towards reaching an AR point goal.
• Sign up for email alerts about quiz results.

Tweets from #lab110

Students using data to explain a mysterious phenomenon- black box #lab110 pic.twitter.com/sZu26RRLlE
— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) September 11, 2014

Solving the mysteries of the black box using experimentation and observation #lab110 pic.twitter.com/hCCJhBq2EJ
— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) September 11, 2014

Students started to implement their experiments with the Black Boxes today. Neat observations & inferences! #lab110 pic.twitter.com/hx4hsTEt9G
— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) September 10, 2014

AMS School Portrait Day

School Picture Day

Avonworth Middle School

Tuesday, September 16, 2014 

Forms were sent home with students on Thursday, September 11.

Science Quiz Friday

There is  a science quiz to be held on Friday, 9/12/14. Students are encouraged to use the study guide online: https://sites.google.com/a/avonworth.k12.pa.us/sci8/home/quiz-review-science-experiments 

Prudential Spirit of Community Award

Students may apply for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award! Learn more by clicking on the link below:
http://www.edline.net/files/_4EK7N_/fb100197baf71fec3745a49013852ec4/2015_Prudential_Spirit_of_Community_Award.PDF