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| Drawing from the United States Department of Defense, Wikipedia Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Columbus-day.jpg |
No School for students - Columbus Day & In-Service for teachers and staff
Thursday, October 6, 2016
No School for Students Monday
8th Grade Parent-Teacher Conferences
The 8th Grade Team is scheduling needs-based parent-teacher conferences for October and November.
Read more about AMS 8 parent-teacher conferences on our blog:
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Join Newspaper Club
Join the middle school
newspaper club! We will meet in room 110 after school until 4PM on Tuesday,
October 11, 2016. The Herd needs cartoonists, writers, layout and graphic
designers, and social media promoters! If you have questions, see Mrs Abate
room 201 or Mr. Haskins room 110.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Donations for Stars!
Ending next Friday!
Donations of disinfectant wipes and facial tissues will be accepted in science class! Students can bring in one item for four stars during the current unit!
All of the donations will be shared among the 8th grade team teachers to supply their rooms.
All of the donations will be shared among the 8th grade team teachers to supply their rooms.
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
AMS 8 Specials Rotation Next Week
Students will be changing rotations on Tuesday, October 4. The next course can be found on the student schedule as "12" for periods B and H.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
8th Graders are Close Reading
Student groups guided their peers through a close read of a complex text this week in Mrs. Galecki's reading classes. Their presentations showcased their literary analysis of a short passage from the essay, "Too Dumb for Complex Texts?" Both the content and the complexity of the text encouraged students to develop insight about close-reading habits as well as those habits that may hinder their comprehension. The group literary analysis and presentation activity is one of many deliberate complex text reading exercises planned for eighth graders this year. 
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
BYOT Device Policy
Students are reminded to follow the BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) policy during school. Students should not have on their headphones/earbuds while walking in the hallways. Devices may only be used when a teacher allows the use of the device.
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Is this science or math class?
The students in the eighth grade are participating in a series of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities in their math and science classes. First we are working through Ramp It!, which is an investigation into 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 17th century. They are then applying those principles to everyday problems using scientific investigation.
This
unit is also exploring the "gamification" of the math and science
classrooms. Students will have opportunities for enrichment or review as needed. Students can earn digital badges for completing certain activities. Read
more on the science website.
Science Stars for Flu Season Preparation!
Dear parents,
It is beginning... the sniffles, coughs and germs are back! Donations of disinfectant wipes and facial tissues will be accepted in math and science rooms! Students can bring in one item for four stars during the current unit in math/science class! All of the donations will be shared among the 8th grade team teachers to supply their rooms.
Read more about the upcoming flu season at http://www.cdc.gov/features/
Thanks in advance for your assistance!
Sincerely,
Mr. Haskins & AMS 8 Team
Black Box Project
Students have published their results from the black
box project! Check out what they are saying on the blog! It is available on the
following website:
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
8th Grade Welcomes Visitor from the North Hills American Legion
On Monday, September 12, 8th Grade Students welcomed Retired Sgt. First Class Eber Tripp. Mr. Tripp spoke to students about his military service in both the Vietnam and Iraq Wars as well as the history of the US Flag. He then led students through a demonstration of how to properly salute, fold an American Flag, and retired a flag that has become damaged or unfit for display.
Monday, September 12, 2016
Grading Symbols and Scale Used by AMS 8 Teachers
Teachers
in the 8th grade use the grading symbols on Edline reports in different ways. Click here to see how each teacher uses the
special codes for scoring assignments. Also, you can view the current grading scale on the AMS website.
Friday, September 9, 2016
Flight 93 Virtual Field Trip
 |
| Students in the 8th grade watch and participate in the Flight 93 virtual field trip made possible by the National Parks Service. |
Thursday, September 8, 2016
How Do They Grow?
Many parents ask why we start the year out with the
Patterns Unit in math class. Many parents remember their elementary math
students using very similar problems. Using patterns provides an engaging
way to strengthen algebraic reasoning skills and structural algebra. This
week, we will finish this unit with a problem solving lab titled Stacking Cups.
Read more about the benefits of using patterns in the
classroom!
 |
| Patterns using stacking cups. |
Reminder: AMS 8 Curriculum Night
TONIGHT
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Thursday, September 8, 2016
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Middle / High School Auditorium
The 8th grade team would like to welcome our parents and guardians to curriculum night, Thursday, September 8, 2016! The night will begin at 6:30 PM in the auditorium. The curriculum night will allow parents and guardians to hear about the important events and activities the students will be involved in this school year.
School Picture Day 9/13
Tuesday, 9/13, is AMS school portrait day!
Wear your outfit and a smile for your picture!
Forms were sent home today (9/8/16).
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Join the newspaper club!
Join the middle school
newspaper club! We will meet in room 110 after school until 4PM on Tuesday,
September 13, 2016. The Herd needs cartoonists, writers, layout and graphic
designers, and social media promoters! If you have questions, see Mrs Abate
room 201 or Mr. Haskins room 110.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
You're Invited! AMS 8 Curriculum Night
Thursday, September 8, 2016
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Middle / High School Auditorium
The 8th grade team would like to welcome our parents and guardians to curriculum night, Thursday, September 8, 2016! The night will begin at 6:30 PM in the auditorium. The curriculum night will allow parents and guardians to hear about the important events and activities the students will be involved in this school year.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Parent Resource AR Renaissance Home Connect
What parents need to know about Home Connect:
- Use your student's AR login information. Your child's AR login information is included in the letter sent home today.
- You can sign up for email alerts about AR quiz results.
- View the"Bookshelf" and see all the books your student read in middle school.
- View your student's progress towards reaching an AR point goal.
Click on the button below and check out Accelerated Reader Renaissance Home Connect, a terrific parent resource for monitoring your child's AR progress.
Monday, August 29, 2016
Flight 93 Memorial Virtual Field Trip
On Friday, September 9, 8th Grade students will participate with other schools in a virtual field trip of the Flight 93 Memorial. The program will broadcast live from Shanksville, PA and is hosted by the National Park Service. Students will be able to interact with the hosts via Twitter using the #actiontohonor
Collaboration and Innovation in Math Class
After multiple days of collaboration, innovative thinking, and problem solving, we will begin our Patterns unit tomorrow, which encourages mathematical thinking through expression, equations, tables, graphs, and using mathematical models. We are off to a great school year! (A few pics from today's activity).
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Welcome!
Email to parents 8/25/2016
Dear parent/guardian,
On behalf of the 8th grade team, I want to welcome you to another great year at Avonworth Middle School! For our students and your son/daughter, this is an important year. It is our goal to help prepare our students for the challenges and demands of high school. Hopefully, your son/daughter will find the eighth grade to be an exciting experience.
Sincerely,
Doug Haskins and the 8th Grade Team
- Supplies (as found on Edline)
- Read the expectations and complete the form here
Contact Us
- Mrs. Abate, learning support teacher, sabate@avonworth.k12.
pa.us - Miss Raitano, English teacher, jraitano@avonworth.
k12.pa.us - Mrs. Galecki, reading teacher, kgalecki@avonworth.
k12.pa.us - Ms. Costantiono-Poruben, mathematics teacher, mcostantino-Poruben@
avonworth.k12.pa.us - Mr. Haskins, science teacher, dhaskins@avonworth.
k12.pa.us - Mr. Smith, social studies teacher, jsmith@avonworth.k12.
pa.us
Staying In Touch (Three helpful AMS 8 communication tools)
- Remind - AMS Grade 8 text messages (for students)
Students can receive a reminder of important information through the Remind text message service. The service is free and students can choose to receive text messages, notifications through the Remind App or an email. Click here to enroll!
- Google Calendar - AMS Grade 8 Homework & Event Calendar (for students)
The 8th grade calendar with homework reminders and other information can be seen on Edline under middle school teaching teams. Students may choose to add this calendar to their Google Account, a mobile device, or another digital calendar such as Outlook. Learn more about using the calendar from the AMS Parent Academy (Information).
- Stay Connected - AMS Grade 8 Blog & Weekly Newsletter (for parents)
To help parents and guardians stay informed, the 8th grade team provides a blog about the projects, events, and activities happening at school! You can see the blog on our site amsgrade8.blogspot.com or you can enroll in our weekly newsletter by submitting your email address. The newsletter will be sent after school each Thursday starting the first week of September.
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Daily Homework on the Google Calendar
Students:
Be sure to check the AMS 8 Google Calendar on the website. Each teacher posts the homework each night on the team's calendar. Also, you can find important dates and events.
Be sure to check the AMS 8 Google Calendar on the website. Each teacher posts the homework each night on the team's calendar. Also, you can find important dates and events.
Monday, August 8, 2016
Monday, July 11, 2016
Friday, June 3, 2016
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Freshman Expectations
On
Wednesday, June 1 ninth graders visited AMS 8 to discuss student expectations
in the high school. Students were given the sheet linked below to help them
transition to the high school.
Click here to download a copy of the ninth grade expectations.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Memorial Day - Monday, May 30 - No School
Monday, May 30
The 8th Grade Team honors the sacrifices of the men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. It's because of their bravery and dedication we commemorate this day.
Bridge Exposition held Today
8th grade students tested their bridges today during the Bridge Exposition, part of the Bridges to STEM Careers project. Twenty-nine bridges were tested by adding weight to the span until it collapsed. The winner, yet to be determined, is the one that holds the most weight and costs the least to build! In math and science class, students will be creating graphs, analyzing ratios of bridge cost to live load weight, and attempting to conclude which bridge was the winner of the competition.
A
special thanks to our guest experts, bridge engineers and architects from the
Pittsburgh Region. Representatives from HDR, Inc. and Michael Baker
International used their insight and expertise to help enrich this learning
activity. Bridge designs, results, pictures, and videos can be seen on the classroom website.
Update! End of the School Year
Library
All books are due back to the library by Tuesday, May 31
Civics Final Exam
June 1
Textbook Return
- Algebra – past due
- English & Reading - June 2
- Science – past due
- Social Studies - June 2
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Reminder! Grade 8 Commencement Wednesday
GRADE 8 COMMENCEMENT
June 1, 2015
7:00 PM
Middle School Auditorium
Students must be at school no earlier
than 6:20 PM, but no later than 6:40 PM. Students must be dressed in formal
attire:
Boys:
- Must wear a shirt with a collar and a tie- Must wear dress slacks - no blue jeans
Girls:
- Must wear dress, skirt, or dress pants- Must wear appropriate footwear - no flip flops
Students must follow the directions
of the teachers during the rehearsal and the night of the ceremony.
Pool Social
Sunday, June 5th
7:30p.m.-9:00p.m.
Avonworth Community Pool
- $5.00, pizza and concessions will be available at an additional cost
- All middle school students and upcoming 6th graders are invited
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Middle School Olympics
Friday, 5/27 is the Middle School Olympics! Some important reminders!
Tie-Dye (read more)
- White T-shirt
- 1 gallon zip-lock bag
Outside Events
- Be sure to bring sunscreen and water!
- Wear clothes for athletic events!
- Be sure to wear athletic shoes!
- Bring a sweatshirt to school (cool in the AM)
- A hat for in the afternoon is suggested (sunny and high in the upper 80's)
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