Reading Tasks due for Next Week

Reading Literary Terms Review

Literary Terms Packet
due Monday, 3/23

Literary Terms Test
due Wednesday, 3/25

Layered Curriculum Begins in Science

A layered curriculum is a way to allow choice and differentiation in the classroom.  Students can choose activities from a menu of assignments. Assignments can be modified to increase rigor or help a student struggling with the content. The daily “mini-lessons” teach specific topics and skills. The lessons range from ten to fifteen minutes which offers students ample time in class to conduct lab activities, complete worksheet activities, or plan a project. Students should choose assignments that interest them. They should also turn in activities on a regular basis.

Many resources for the layered curriculum are available on the internet.  Students will have a choice of assignments from a menu of activities. Students are to start with “Level C – Basic Knowledge” assignments and move to “Level B – Advanced Practice” and then on to “Level A – Assessment” assignments. Each class period starts with a mini-lesson and concludes with time to work on layered activities.

Scores for the layered curriculum will be tracked by the students in their layered curriculum activity guides (folder created in class). Copies are available from the internet.

Some assignments have specific due dates. There is a special layered curriculum calendar on the menu of assignments.  The online tutorials and assignments require a computer with internet access. All Unit G layered curriculum assignments are due by Friday, 4/17/15.

Calendar Update!

Thursday, March 19

[Event] Courthouse Field Trips

Friday, March 20

[SCI LC] Checkpoint 8 pts due

 [SCI LC] Parent signature for 2 pts {C10}

 [SCI LC] Word Wall due {C7}

Monday, March 23

[Reading] Literary Terms Packet Due

 [SCI LC] Word Wall Quiz open to all {C7}

Tuesday, March 24

 [SCI LC] Quiz- Atomic Structure in class {A4}

 [Social Studies] STUDY for Judicial Branch Test

Wednesday, March 25

 [SCI LC] Week One Question due {B13}

 [Social Studies] STUDY for Judicial Branch TEST

Thursday, March 26

 [SCI LC] Checkpoint 38 pts

 [SCI LC] Quiz: Radioactivity & Nuclear Reactions {A5}

 [SCI LC] Strange Symbols Poster due {B6}

 [SCI LC] Vocab TV due {C8}

Friday, March 27

 No School for Students - Schools closed due to previously scheduled parent conferences

 No School for Teachers

Monday, March 30

 School closed (inclement weather forgiveness)

Tuesday, March 31 - Friday, April 3

 Spring Vacation - No School

Monday, April 6

 [SCI LC] Flashcard quiz {C6}

 School in Session (Inclement weather make up day)

Tuesday, April 7

 [SCI LC] Atomic Scientist Presentation due {B10}

 School in session

Wednesday, April 8

 [SCI LC] A-2 Periodic Table Presentation due

 [SCI LC] Critical Thinking Question Week 2 due {B14}

Friday, April 10

 [SCI LC] Checkpoint 48 points

 [SCI LC] Quiz: Elements & their properties {A6}

Monday, April 13 - Thursday, April 16

 {TESTING} ELA PSSA

Friday, April 17

 [SCI LC] Critical Thinking Question Week 3 due {B15}

 [SCI LC] Last day to turn in LC - all assignments due

 [SCI LC] Unit Test (ALL STUDENTS) {A7}

Tuesday, April 21 - Thursday, April 23

 {TESTING} Math PSSA

Monday, April 27 & Tuesday, April 28

 {TESTING} Science PSSA

Courthouse Field Trip Expectations

Students will be attending a courthouse field trip on March 17, 18 or 19. 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 courthouse.
• For lunch, students will be eating at the Ross Park Mall food court. Students should bring money or a packed lunch.

Grading Period to End

The third-nine weeks grading period will end on Tuesday, March 17, 2015!

Headphones for Civics Class

Students should bring headphones/earbuds to civics class on Friday.

Science Quiz

Science Quiz

Monday, 3/16/15

Review Online

Layered Curriculum Begins Monday

Atoms Layered Curriculum

Students in science class will begin their new unit on Monday. Each student needs a portfolio folder with three fasteners for this unit. Many students purchased these folders at the beginning of the school year and stored them in the lab.

Snow Days Make Up

From the Avonworth School District website:

The Avonworth School District School Board of Directors voted at the Monday, March 9, 2015 regular meeting to forgive the inclement weather makeup day for March 30, 2015.  Therefore, the spring break will be as follows: March 30 - April 3, 2015. School will be in session on Monday, April 6, 2015.

                          

This calendar change is contingent on there being no further loss of instructional days due to inclement weather. Friday, March 27, 2015 remains a parent-teacher conference day in the current calendar.

Calendar Update

Thursday, March 12

 IM 1 - Study Island

 Math 8 - Study Island

 [Reading] Submit Character Archetype Doc by Thurs, 3/12

 English Homework: Type of your Property Card

 [SCI] gas properties questions - textbook p 495 #3 & 4 due tomorrow

 [Social Studies] Up Front Magazine in Class

Friday, March 13

 IM 1 - Study Island

 Math 8 - Study Island

 Math 8 Quiz

 [SCI] F8 Lab: Properties of Fluids & Gases (online) due Friday

 [Social Studies] We The Jury simulation game

Monday, March 16

 [SCI] Quiz: Properties of Fluids & Gases

 [SCI] Notebooks collected for a check

Tuesday, March 17

[Event] Courthouse Field Trips

[Lunch] If on field trip, lunch to be eaten at Ross Park Mall

IM 1 Quiz

[End of the 3rd Nine-weeks]

Wednesday, March 18

 [Event] Courthouse Field Trips

 [Lunch] If on field trip, lunch to be eaten at Ross Park Mall

Thursday, March 19

 [Event] Courthouse Field Trips

 [Lunch] If on field trip, lunch to be eaten at Ross Park Mall

Friday, March 27

 No School for Students - Schools closed due to previously scheduled parent conferences

 No School for Teachers

Monday, March 30

 School closed (inclement weather forgiveness)

Tuesday, March 31 - Friday, April 3

 Spring Vacation - No School

Monday, April 6

 School in Session (Inclement weather make up day)

Tuesday, April 7

 School in session

Monday, April 13 - Thursday, April 16

 {TESTING} ELA PSSA

Tuesday, April 21 - Thursday, April 23

 {TESTING} Math PSSA

Monday, April 27 - Tuesday, April 28

 {TESTING} Science PSSA

Book Fair Extended

The Book Fair has been extended through Monday, March 9, and 8th grade students can still purchase items. Students need to bring money or check payable to the AMS Parent Network. 

Also, don't forget about the permission form and payment for the field trips in March and May. You can read more about the field trips on Stay Connected (AMS 8 Blog).

SNOW DAY!

After your fun in the snow... Take a trip to the island... Study Island! All students have math assignments that must be completed!  Also, AR is due soon! Be sure you take some time to read your book today!  Finally, why not take a minute to check for missing work on Edline? The nine-weeks ends in twelve days!

Message sent to student email accounts 9:00 AM on 3/5/15. 

Spring Ahead - Daylight Saving Time Starts Sunday

Remember to turn your clocks ahead on Sunday, 3/8/15! Daylight Saving Time starts!

Math Study Island

	IM 1 & Math 8 classes have Study Island assignments due by 3/13/15: Solving Systems of Equations. For Math 8, this assignment will count as a quiz score.

REMINDER: Cell Phone and Device Policy

AMS Semi-Formal Friday!

Needs-based parent-teacher conferences

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 you a conference invitation.  If you do not have any pressing concerns, we are looking forward to seeing you at student-led conferences in May!   To receive a March conference invitation, please email Doug Haskins, dhaskins@avonworth.k12.pa.us.

Field Trip Forms and Payment due Thursday

There are several field trips in March and May. Please return the permission form and payment to Mr. Smith by Thursday, March 5, 2015. 

Read more from the 8th grade blog. 

Download a copy of the information packet and the permission form

Calendar Update & Important Events

Thursday, March 5
No School (Inclement Weather)
[IM 1] Page 347 #1-7 & Study Island
[Math 8] worksheet angle relationships & Study Island
[Reading] Read AR book! Only 5 more days!

Friday, March 6

[IMPORTANT!] Field TripPermission Forms due to Mr. Smith
[Reading] Finish your AR books! Only 4 days left!
[Event] Semi-formal

Saturday, March 7

[Reading] Read AR

Sunday, March 8 

[Reading] Read AR
Daylight Savings Begins

Monday, March 9 

[Reading] Read AR
[SCI] F6 HW: Kinetic Theory worksheet due
[SCI] Study! Quiz: KineticTheory (Tuesday)

Tuesday, March 10
[Reading] AR POINTS DUE
[SCI] Quiz: Kinetic Theory (Tuesday)

Wednesday, March 11

2 Hr Delay Teacher In-Service

Friday, March 13 
IM 1 - Study Island due
Math 8 - Study Island due

Tuesday, March 17
[Event] Courthouse Field Trip
[Lunch] If on field trip, lunch to be eaten at Ross Park Mall
[End of the 3rd Nine-weeks]

Wednesday, March 18

[Event] Courthouse Field Trip
[Lunch] If on field trip, lunch to be eaten at Ross Park Mall

Thursday, March 19 

[Event] Courthouse Field Trip
[Lunch] If on field trip, lunch to be eaten at Ross Park Mall

Friday, March 27 

No School for Students

Schools closed due to previously schedule parent conferences

Monday, March 30

School in Session (Inclement weather make up day)

Tuesday, March 31 - Friday, April 3
Spring Vacation - No School

Monday, April 6 

School in Session (Inclement weather make up day)

Tuesday, April 7 

School in session

Monday, April 13 - Thursday, April 16

{TESTING} ELA PSSA

Tuesday, April 21 - Thursday, April 23

{TESTING} Math PSSA

Monday, April 27 - Tuesday, April 28

{TESTING} Science PSSA

Spring Conferences

Student-Led Conferences

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 before or after school. Each parent or guardian will be offered an opportunity to meet with a faculty member before the end of the school year.  The students are doing a great job of preparing for their conferences and we can't wait to meet with everyone later this spring!  Your student's advisor should contact you at the end of April, so please be on the lookout for that message.

Needs-Based March Parent Conferences

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 you a conference invitation.  If you do not have any pressing concerns, we are looking forward to seeing you at student-led conferences in May!   To receive a conference invitation, please email Doug Haskins, dhaskins@avonworth.k12.pa.us.

Baseball Try Outs

Try-outs for the Middle School Baseball team will take place on:

Tuesday, March 3

Wednesday, March 4

Thursday, March 5

All try-outs will be from 4:30 to 6:00 in the Gym.

In order to try out, you must have turned in a completed Physical form or Re-certification form to the school.  Both forms are available on AvonworthAthletics.com

If you have any questions, please email the coaches:  Duke Johncour (djohncour@avonworth.k12.pa.us) or Jason Smith (jsmith@avonworth.k12.pa.us)  

Math 8 quiz Friday

There is a quiz in Math 8 on Friday. 

Civics test Friday

There will be a test in civics on Friday, 2/27/15 on chapter 7.        

AMS Semi-Formal

Science quiz Monday

There will be a science quiz on Monday, 3/2/15. A study guide is available on the science website.

Field Trips in March & May

Students should have brought home information and permission forms for several field trips to be held in March and May. Click here to read more information from the AMS 8 blog. 

FIELD TRIPS AT-A-GLANCE

March 17, 18 or 19 - Allegheny County Courthouse

May 8 - Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center

May 12 - Nicky’s Family – JFilms Presentation & Strip District

May 19 - 8th Grade Celebration – Kennywood Education Day

Please send the permission form and payment to school in an envelope labeled with your child’s name by Thursday, March 5: 

•         Enclose signed, original permission slip (no hand-written notes please).
•         Total field trip money of $32.  Students may pay the $32 total with exact cash or by check payable to Avonworth Middle School Student Council.  

Download a copy of the permission form by clicking here.

Calendar Events and Dates

Friday, February 27

 [sci] F3 HW: Classification of Matter due Friday

 [sci] HW: watch properties of matter video (http://youtu.be/sIjuC4t9K_8 YouTube) & take notes

 [Math 8] Quiz

 [Social Studies] Chapter 7 TEST

Monday, March 2

 [sci] Quiz: Properties of Matter

Thursday, March 5

 [IMPORTANT!] Field TripPermission Forms due to Mr. Smith

Friday, March 6

 [Event] Semi-formal

Tuesday, March 10

 [Reading] AR POINTS DUE

Wednesday, March 11

  2 Hr Delay Teacher In-Service

Monday, March 16 through Thursday, March 26

 [PTC] Parent-teacher conferences(invite required)

Tuesday, March 17

 [Event] Courthouse Field Trips

 [Lunch] If on field trip, lunch to be eaten at Ross Park Mall

 [End of the 3rd Nine-weeks]

Wednesday, March 18

[Event] Courthouse Field Trips

[Lunch] If on field trip, lunch to be eaten at Ross Park Mall

Thursday, March 19

  [Event] Courthouse Field Trips

 [Lunch] If on field trip, lunch to be eaten at Ross Park Mall

Friday, March 27

 No School for Students - Schools closed due to previously schedule parent conferences

 No School for Teachers

Monday, March 30  - Friday, April 3

 Spring Vacation - No School

Monday, April 6

 School in Session (Inclement weather make up day)

Tuesday, April 7

 School in session

Monday, April 13 - Thursday, April 16

 {TESTING} ELA PSSA

Tuesday, April 21- Thursday, April 23

{TESTING} Math PSSA

Monday, April 27 & Tuesday, April 28

 {TESTING} Science PSSA

PSSA Tests in April

PSSA TESTING:

April 13 - 16   -  ELA (Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs.)

April  21  -23   - Math (Tues., Wed. ,Thurs.)

April  27 & 28  - Science (8th grade) (Mon., Tues.)

Avoid scheduling doctor appointments, vacations or other out-of-school activities during testing times. Participation in PSSA exams is a state requirement. Making up tests pulls students from their regular classes. As a result, they will miss valuable class time. It will be students' responsibility to make up any classwork you miss. Of course, if students are genuinely ill, please stay at home and take the necessary time off to get well. Students will perform better on a test if they are healthy.

Read more about the PSSA tests on our blog. 

Middle School Baseball to Begin

Attention:

Any 7th or 8th grader planning on trying out for baseball, there will be an open gym on Tuesday evening at 7 pm. Tryouts for the team will start Monday March 2nd.  All students must have a physical form turned in.  If the student has already participated in an Avonworth sport this school year, they only will need a re certification form signed.  The forms are available on the Avonworth website:  avonworthathletics.com

The Great Plankton Race

	A new unit has started in science class with The Great Plankton Race as our opening activity. Competition brackets, pictures and information can be found on the science class website. Students will be competing during the next class period.  Last year's elimination bracket during The Great Plankton Race. The new unit is on the  properties of matter and begins our study of chemistry. Assignments, notes, and videos can be found on the science class website. Students are always encouraged to check the classroom timeline when they are absent to review missed science class content.

AMS Semi-Formal

Heads-up! Student-Led Conferences 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.

Events and Dates

Friday, February 27
 [Civics] Test

Friday, March 6

 [Event] Semi-formal

Tuesday, March 10

 [Reading] AR POINTS DUE - March 10

Wednesday, March 11  

 2 Hr Delay Teacher In-Service

Tuesday, March 17

 [Event] Courthouse Field Trips

 [End of the 3rd Nine-weeks]

Wednesday, March 18

 [Event] Courthouse Field Trips

Thursday, March 19

 [Event] Courthouse Field Trips

Friday, March 27

 No School for Students - Parent-Teacher Conference Day

Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3

 Spring Vacation - No School

Monday, April 6

 No School - Spring Vacation

Tuesday, April 7

 School in session

Monday, April 13 - Thursday, April 16

 {TESTING} ELA PSSA (Click here to read more information)

Tuesday, April 21 - Thursday, April 23

 {TESTING} Math PSSA (Click here to read more information)

Monday, April 27 - Tuesday, April 28

 {TESTING} Science PSSA (Click here to read more information)