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