League of Innovative Schools & Digital Promise Video includes AMS students & teachers!

On a day in late October, the League of Innovative Schools visited Pittsburgh for their annual conference. As part of the itinerary, school officials from across the United States visited Avonworth Middle School. Some highlights of the activities that day were made into a video. Check it out here: https://t.co/OrWQWXlGfe

Reminder! Pancake Breakfast Friday!

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

Read about the pancake breakfast on Edline. 

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. 

Happy New Year!

WELCOME 2016! 

School resumes on Monday, January 4, 2016! 

Don't forget to read your AR book! AR due January 5!

Reminder! AR Due January 5!

Reminder!

AR Points are due Tuesday, January 5.

Don't wait until Holiday Break to read your books!

Parents, you can check your child's reading progress!  Click on the link below and login with your child's login information.  

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays
and have a fun, safe
winter vacation 

School resumes on Monday, January 4, 2016! 

AMS Children's Hospital Auction and Winter Vacation

 

AR Due Soon!

Reminder!

AR Points are due Tuesday, January 5.

Don't wait until Holiday Break to read your books!

Parents, you can check your child's reading progress!  Click on the link below and login with your child's login information.  

Student Articles Printed in the School Newspaper

The AMS newspaper club printed the second issue of The Herd. Check it out online:

AMSTheHerd.info 

The newspaper club meets after school on Tuesdays.

The next meeting is January 5, 2016.

Children's Hospital Free Care Fund!

Greetings! Every year, the Avonworth School District comes together to raise money for the Children's Hospital Free Care Fund. One of our biggest fundraisers for this drive are the auctions organized by the High School and Middle School Student Councils. The Middle School auction will take place on Wednesday, December 23rd. Each year we rely on donations from local businesses, families and individuals in order to have a successful auction. If you would like to make a donation or have any questions about the Middle School auction, please contact Emily Hickman (ehickman@avonworth.k12.pa.us). We are happy to accept donations during school hours in the Middle School office. Thank you in advance for your generosity on behalf of the children who receive services through Children's Hospital's Free Care Fund.

Second nine-weeks Grading Period to End Soon

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. 

Scholarship Information

Each year the Carson Scholars Fund offers a chance to win a $1000 scholarship investment towards your attendance at a four-year college or university. Unfortunately, Avonworth Middle School can only offer one name to be recognized each year.  The application requirements and our deadlines are listed below.

Application Requirements:

• The student must be a positive role model for his or her peers.
• A 3.75 or better on a 4.0 grading scale is required. Core classes of Mathematics, English, Reading, Social Studies, and Science are the only classes calculated for this requirement. (An “A” in all five core classes or four classes at an “A” level and one class at the “B” level will meet this requirement).
• Completion of the packet of interest is explained below.

Read more about the deadlines and application process on the school website. 

Book Club

Eighth graders just finished the American Revolution Book Club Project in Mrs. Galecki’s reading class.   Each book club had four scheduled reading and literary analysis assignments to complete over a four week period.  After completing each assignment, students shared their prepared analysis and response to the text during a scheduled, structured book club discussion session.   Students proved that they can engage in student-led, higher-level critical discussions about literature.  They shared their analysis of their texts' literary techniques, historical facts, conflicts, point of view and themes. 

 

Students will continue their study of the American Revolution in reading class by analyzing The Declaration of Independence.

Waves Menu Assessments in Science

 

Students are currently working on self-selected assessments as we learn about waves in the current learning unit. Through a menu, students can pick and choose which assessments they would like to complete. 

Here are a few menu highlights:

- Waves "TIC-TAC-TOE" menu sheet describes each assessment activity

-  Students must complete three assessments (10 points each) 

- Assignments available on the science website  

- Full credit (100%) is 30 points and there is no extra credit

 - Grading checkpoints will be posted to science grade reports on 12/14, 12/16, & 12/22 

- Watch the Wave Assessment YouTube video

Tic-Tac-Toe Assessment area in Lab 110. Students can pick three assessments from nine choices.

Make-A-Rubric Station allows students completing a Free Space (Freestyle) activity the chance to also create a rubric for grading the project. 

2015 Advisory Games

On Tuesday, 11/24/15, students in the 8th grade participated in the 2nd annual AMS 8 Advisory Games! Students used cooperation and teamwork skills to solve problems and earn points!

Read the newspaper article written by Sara C. for the AMS The Herd! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! 

No School for students  Wednesday, November 25 (ACT 80 Day) through Friday, November 27

School is in session Monday, November 30.  

Veterans Experience

On Wednesday, November 18, thirty-six 8^th grade students traveled to the Heinz History Center for the annual Veterans Experience Workshop.  

These students spent the school day with local veterans who shared their personal stories of service in our nation’s military.  Students earned eligibility for this field trip by completing an essay and creating questions for the veterans.  

While at the History Center, students first toured the “World War II – We Can Do It!” exhibit with local Vietnam War veterans and History Center volunteers Larry Woods and Jack Sheehan.  

Later, students rotated through four stations, each featuring a veteran from a different war.  Students listened to first-hand testimonials, examined primary source artifacts, and asked questions to veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.  Each student left the experience with detailed notes about the lives and stories of the veterans.  Students are encouraged to share these testimonials in print, online, or with family and friends.

In addition, the students participated in a panel discussion with all of the veterans where they discussed topics such as following orders in the military, the difficulty in returning home after combat, changes in communication technology, and their favorite memory from their time overseas.  Students took detailed notes from all of the veterans’ stories and were encouraged to share them with others in the future.  

Thanks again to veterans Walter Patton (World War II), Dave Borland (Korea), Gordon Lam (Vietnam), and Cynthia Davis (Vietnam) for spending the day with our students.

Mock Trial

In English, students are gearing up for the Flowers for Algernon Mock Trial!  Students are acting as lawyers and witnesses to decide whether or not Charlie Gordon should have had the surgery to make him intelligent.  The trial will take place on Monday. 

IM1 Students to take Keystone Exams in May

Mark your calendars!  The 8th graders who are enrolled in Integrated Math I (Algebra), will take the Keystone Exams the week of May 16.  For more information on the keystone exams, please go to www.pde.state.pa.us or see the page on the AMS Grade 8 Blog.

Daily Text Messages to End 11/30

Starting Monday, 11/30, the 8 grade team will be sending students a weekly preview via Remind text messages. From that day forward, there will no longer be daily reminders. Students are encouraged to use their assignment books. 

The AMS Weekly Planner can be seen at the following webpage:

http://www.edline.net/pages/Avonworth_Middle_School/Team_Teaching/8th_Grade/AMS_Grade_8_Weekly_Planner

The 8th Grade daily homework calendar can be found on the 8th Grade Edline page: http://www.edline.net/pages/Avonworth_Middle_School/Team_Teaching/Team_Calendars/8th_Grade_Calendar

Science Experiment Digital Badges

Congratulations to the 8^th graders who earned a digital badge during the first nine-weeks grading period! Digital badges were processed this week and emails sent to students and parents.

No School Friday, 11/13/15

No School for students & staff

Friday, 11/13/15

due to previously held
parent-teachers conferences

Read more here about Grade 8 Parent-teacher conferences.  

Changes to Daily Text Messages to Start Soon!

Starting November 30, 2015, the eighth grade team will transition from daily text messages to a weekly preview to be sent on Monday afternoon. Only big projects and assessments will receive a special update text during the week.

Students are encouraged to use their assignment book each class period to record homework. Also, the Grade 8 Team Google Calendar found on the 8^th grade page will be a resource for students to use. The calendar can be found here: http://www.edline.net/pages/Avonworth_Middle_School/Team_Teaching/8th_Grade

Every student can access the Google Calendar through their log-in. By going to the webpage calendar.google.com, students can enter their school Google Account information. 

8th Grade Students to take PSSA Tests

Students in Grade 8 will take PSSA tests in April and Keystone Algebra Exams May. The 8th Grade Team will post more information to the AMS 8 Blog in early 2016.

Below are the testing windows published by the PA Dept of Education. During these time periods, students will be completing each of the required 8th grade PSSA subject tests.  

ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL ON TEST DAYS

Avoid scheduling doctor appointments, vacations or other out-of-school activities during testing times. Participation in PSSA/Keystone 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.

Plastic Materials Needed

We need clean plastic recyclables! Students are learning about energy in science, and they will need materials for their model waterwheels.  

EXAMPLES
- 2-liter pop bottles 
- whipped topping containers
- coffee canisters
- plastic cups

Plastic recyclables make great building materials! We will recycle the waterwheels after the project ends. 

Read more about the waterwheel project online.  

A waterwheel constructed using plastic recyclables.