The Outsiders

THE OUTSIDERS

Report Cards

First Nine Weeks Grading Period

Report Cards Posted to Edline November 2, 2016

Tweets from the Science Lab

Students in #lab110 building a Rube Goldberg Machine. Science as a verb. pic.twitter.com/C1nSAiRMTA

— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) November 3, 2016

Students are learning about energy and specific heat in #lab110! They were excited to finally use the gas faucets at their seats. pic.twitter.com/xpSCp9uwPS

— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) November 2, 2016

Students in #lab110 learning about simple machines and mechanical advantage pic.twitter.com/40Laan15dk

— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) October 24, 2016

November Yearbook News and Information

November 2016

• Yearbook Cover Contest
• 2017 Yearbook Ordering
• Yearbook Photo Submission App "Yearbook Snap"

Click here to read November's newsletter! 

First Grading Period Ends October 27

First Grading Period Ends

October 27

Important Information

• ENGLISH:All late work due by Monday, October 24
• MATH: All late work due no later than Monday, October, 24
• READING: All late work due by Wednesday, October 26 
• SCIENCE: Last day to turn in work for science "C2- Chapter 5 Assessments" is Thursday, October 27
• SOCIAL STUDIES:  All assignments due by Wednesday, October 26

A Novel Look at Film

A Novel Look at Film

Please ask your child for the following letter that was sent home yesterday.  

Dear Parents/Guardians:

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 Monday, October 31.  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” online discussion in school.   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 watch the movie, please return the form below by Wednesday, October 26.  An alternative activity will be provided for students who will not watch the movie.  No action is needed if you approve of The Outsiders movie activity.

Thank you and stay gold!

Mrs. Galecki

8^th Grade Reading Teacher

If you DO NOT want your student to watch the PG-13 movie, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN this form by Wednesday, October 26. You can also email your request to me at kgalecki@avonworth.k12.pa.us.  Thank you!

_________________________________                       

  Student Name (please print)                                   

          My child does not have my permission to watch the rated PG-13 movie The Outsiders: The Complete Novel on Monday, October 31.  I would prefer that my child participate in an alternative activity.

X_______________________________                        ________________

Parent/Guardian Signature                                                Date

2016 Election Project

Happy Halloween - Monday, October 31

 Happy Halloween! 

 Monday, October 31

No Food or Drink in the Science Lab

Students are reminded that no food or drink (including water bottles) is allowed in the science lab due to safety concerns. Students are not allowed to consume food in the lab during period I.

AMS 8 in the News!

Just in case you missed the article in Wednesday’s Pittsburgh Post Gazette featuring Mr. Smith and his lessons on the 2016 Presidential Election, you can read it here!

Presidential campaign’s hostility challenges teachers https://t.co/p9mqLfaYBj pic.twitter.com/YC0BwcaNcM

— Pittsburgh PG (@PittsburghPG) October 19, 2016

Science Progress Reports on Edline

Students are currently working through menu assessments which allows them to choose which activities to be used as a grade. Each week (ending on Wednesday), students must complete 10 points to receive a score of 100%. To track student progress, a new progress report was added to Edline called "Unit C Week 1 end 10/19."

The grading period is to end on October 27. The final scores will be collected and added on Wednesday, October 26 from "week 2 assessments." To see the average of all graded activities since August, review the report labeled “Current Grade” on Edline. 

There are two progress reports showing current progress on Edline. Menu assessment progress will be reported in a separate progress report.

AR Points due by Thursday, October 20

AR Points due by Thursday, October 20.

Remember you can check your child's AR progress on Renaissance Home Connect. Click on the button below to access the Home Connect link.  Use your child's AR login information to access the site. 

"Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his needs, is good for him." —Maya Angelou

Reminder: 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:

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

Learning about Energy in Science Class

The new learning unit in science class is about energy. Students will demonstrate what they have learned about the topic through a series of menu assessments. Students get the power of choice through the menu and there are a variety of ways for students to show what they have learned about energy. All of the assessments for the menu can be found on the science website.

The menu assessments available on the science website. 

Students can earn up to 10 points for each week of the menu. Students can do as many assessments as they would like to get their total points. However, there is no extra credit. Student progress for each week will be monitored using a separate progress report on Edline. Only the overall, final grade for each chapter will be posted to the grading period report. 

There is also nightly homework for students to review and study the topics from class. Many of the tasks are videos developed to review the important terms and concepts regarding energy. Each assignment can be found on the science website's timeline. There is no credit or points for homework tasks, but they are essential to learning the ideas about energy. 

Unit C Energy Due Dates

Chapter 4 - Wednesday, 10/19   10 points (see special grade report on Edline)

Chapter 5 – Wednesday, 10/26  10 points (see special grade report on Edline) 

Chapter 6 – Wednesday, 11/2    10 points (see special grade report on Edline)

8th Grade Election Project Event!

Dear Parent/Guardian:

The 2016 Presidential Election season is upon us and voters have many questions to consider before they enter their polling place.  Who would make the best commander-in-chief?  How will each candidate’s economic policy impact me and my family?  What are the candidate’s different plans to fight terrorism? And, most importantly, who should I vote for?

Avonworth 8th grade students have the answers!  They will spend the month of October closely examining the policies and proposals of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in Civics class.  Then, on Tuesday, November 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., students will present their projects to parents, community members, and undecided voters at their 2016 Election Night event.

Parents/Guardians: Please plan to bring your child to the school on Tuesday, November 1 at 6:00 p.m. and stay for the presentations that will take place in several different classrooms in the Middle School.

Student projects and presentations will include the following topics:  Economy, Health Care, Foreign Policy, Fight against Terrorism, Social Issues, Immigration, Environment, and Gun Control.

Student projects and presentations are intended to be informative in nature, meaning that students will be instructed to report objectively on candidate’s policies and proposals instead of negatively attacking their opponent’s ideas.  

Official representatives from both the Democrat and Republican Parties have also been invited to attend this event.  While not in attendance at the presentations, information about Third Parties will also be introduced to students during Civics class so they can learn more about the important role Third Parties play in U.S. Elections.  The decision to not include Third Parties in this event is based the same criteria as the U.S. Commission on Presidential Debates who have set a 15% polling threshold in order for a candidate to appear on the upcoming presidential debates.  If any third party candidate were to reach that percentage and appear in the presidential debates, I would invite a representative from that party to attend our event as well as be a part of our student presentations.

In the meantime, I encourage you to talk with your child about the election and inquire about the project that they are completing in Civics class.  See you on November 1st!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions,

Jason R. Smith

jsmith@avonworth.k12.pa.us

8th Grade Civics

No School for Students Monday

Drawing from the United States Department of Defense, Wikipedia
Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Columbus-day.jpg

ACT 80 Day - Monday, October 10

No School for students - Columbus Day & In-Service for teachers and staff

Read more about Columbus Day from Wikipedia.

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:

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

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.

Halloween Glow In the Dark Colony Ball Tournament!

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. 

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. 

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. 

  

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.

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/flu/.

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:

http://amslab110.blogspot.com/  

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program

Click here to read more about the program
and application process.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program

Click here to read more about the program
and application process.

Reminder: AMS 8 Curriculum Night

TONIGHT
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).

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.

Happy Labor Day - September 5

Read more about Labor Day!

Monday, September 5
School is Closed

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. 

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.

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).