Thank You!!!

Just a quick note to the families that had sent the 8th grade team facial tissues during our health and wellness drive! Thank you!!! We collected over 50 boxes of tissues that will be shared with the grade 8 classrooms! 

Sincerely,

Grade 8 Team

The donation of facial tissue boxes gathers in Mr. Haskins's lab!

Using Creativity in English

In English class this week, the eighth graders used their creativity in the Maker Space. The students were able to use fantastic equipment such as the 3D Printer and the Laser Engraver. Each group invented a product that is going to help improve everyday life. Next, the students will take on the challenge of using persuasive writing to sell their product. Stay tuned!

Civics Classes Review the Republican Debate

Photo courtesy of Mr. Hall
 from Twitter (@mhall_AMS)

Last week in Civics, students watched clips from the most recent Republican Presidential Candidate Debate on their Chromebooks.  

After watching, students responded to a question that was posted on the message board in Google Classroom asking them which candidate was their favorite and which one seemed "most presidential".  

Students also posted questions they would like to ask the candidate in the online message board.

Examples of student posts to message board from the Period D class:

"I think that Carly Fiorina seems the most presidential because she uses statistics and facts rather than her own opinions to support her argument."

 "What did Donald Trump do politically in the past few years?"

"What does Senator Paul mean by the constitution restrains the government, not the people?"

"I agree that they need to stop arguing with each other and start telling us about their plans for our country."

New Science Unit uses Menu Assessments

The students have been learning about motion in science class. To assess our learning, we are using a menu of options. Students must earn up to ten points for full credit for part one which is due Wednesday, 10/7/15. More information and the menu choices can be found on the science website.

Newton’s Laws of Motion - CALENDAR

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
9/21 Black Box	9/22 Black Box	9/23 Black Box	9/24 Ramp It!	9/25 Ramp It!
9/28 Reading & Sensor Activity #1	9/29 Reading & Sensor Activity #2	9/30 Notes & SR Input #1	10/1 Notes & SR Input #2	10/2 Activities & SR Input #3
10/5 Review SR Input #4	10/6 Workday! Complete your assessments!	10/7 Final Day for B1 “2-5-8” Menu “B1 Quiz”	10/8 Newton’s Laws Workstations & Reading Activity	10/9 Newton’s Laws Workstations & Reading Activity
10/12 NO SCHOOL	10/13 Notes & SR Input #1	10/14 Notes & SR Input #2	10/15 Activities & SR Input #3	10/16 Activities & SR Input #3
10/19 Workday! Complete your assessments!	10/20 Final Day for B2 “2-5-8” Menu “B2 Quiz”	10/21 Experiment Falling Objects	10/22 Experiment Falling Objects	10/23 Experiment Falling Objects
10/26 Unit Review	10/27 UNIT B EXAM (All students to complete) END OF 1st 9-Weeks	10/28 Start of the 2nd 9-Weeks	10/29	10/30

Science Health & Wellness Extra Credit

Students can earn one PREP point for bringing a box of facial tissues for the 8th grade team. The last day for the extra credit is Friday! 

Is this math or science class? It's both!

The students in the eighth grade are participating in a series of STEM, also known as science, technology, engineering and mathematics, activities in their math and science classes. First we are working through Ramp It Up!, which is an investigation into Newton's 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 17^th century. They are then applying those principles to everyday problems using scientific investigation.

Students working on the Ramp It Up! activity in a combined math and science class. 

Science Extra Credit - Health & Wellness for the 8th Grade

Dear parents, 

The 8th grade team needs facial tissues to help keep our students and rooms healthy! Students can bring a box of facial tissues for one additional prep point for the next science quiz! I will be accepting boxes of facial tissue through October 2. All of the donations will be share among the 8th grade team teachers to supply their rooms. 

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

Sincerely,

Mr. Haskins & AMS 8 Team

Materials Needed for the Advertising Project

Dear Parents/Guardians,

In English class next week, we are beginning our advertising unit.  For this unit, in groups, the students will be creating their very own products.  They will then develop a sales pitch using persuasive writing techniques. To build their product, it would be very helpful if the students could collect as many household items as possible.

If you could please help your child collect some of these items, it would be greatly appreciated. Items that would be very helpful include (but not limited to):

• Toilet paper rolls
• Paper towel rolls
• Buttons
• Cereal boxes
• Tissue boxes
• Yarn
• Plastic bottles
• Egg cartons
• Shoe boxes
• Popsicle sticks
• Pipe cleaners
• Rubber bands
• Duct tape
• Hot glue sticks
• Fabric swatches

We will begin to build our products no earlier than Wednesday, September 23. Thank you so much for helping make your child’s experience in middle school a great one.

Miss Raitano and Mrs. Abate

English Advertising Project

Two-Hour Delay Wednesday

There will be a 2 hour delay on Wednesday, 9/23/15.

Black Box Blog

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/  Soon, students from Milford, IL will be joining us on the discussion.

AR Progress Check

AR

Midterm Progress Check & Quiz September 22, 2015

Click the icon below to access the Home Connect log-in for Accelerated Reader. Parents, ask your child for the AR Home Connect letters that were sent home Wednesday.

https://hosted321.renlearn.com/24471/HomeConnect/

Special Symbols on Edline Reports

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, there is a new grading scale in effect. You can see the new grading scale on the AMS website. 

Univ. of Pittsburgh SWE Event for Middle School Students

The following is a message from University of Pittsburgh SWE and AMS/ASD does not sanction the following the message or their activities. 

Dear students and parents,

You are invited to University of Pittsburgh Society of Women Engineer's Middle School Engineering Day. The flyer with all details of the event and how to sign-up for the event is linked below. The event is Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 9 am to 1 pm and the event is free! Please forward this on to your students/parents of 6th-8th graders and to anybody else who may be interested. Thank you for your support.

The link for signing up is below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pitt-swe-middle-school-engineering-day-tickets-18506309871

Middle School Engineering Day Committee

University of Pittsburgh Society of Women Engineers
Outreach
Click here to view the info postcard

KidScience at the Zoo

The following is a message from Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium and AMS/ASD does not sanction the following the message or their activities. 

KidScience (middle school) brochure

ZooU (high school) info

Application

Reference Form

Scholarship Form

The KidScience program at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, is seeking to recruit students with a strong interest and ability in science.  KidScience is a two-year program aimed at students in grades 6-8 who are interested in science, research, animal behavior, and conservation.  It is an intensive, but fun, program that introduces students to scientific principles and research methods within a zoo environment. 

KidScience is a two-year, year-round program. Classes for the upcoming school year will begin October 3rd, and we will continue accepting applications for the 2015-2016 school year through mid-September. Students will attend class at the Zoo every other Saturday from October through May. The program will continue with a summer camp, which runs Monday through Thursday for three weeks in July 2016.  Throughout the program, students will learn research methods and problem solving techniques, which will allow them to conduct their own research projects on a favorite zoo animal.  In addition to research, the kids are exposed to local and international conservation issues, and they often work with peers on fun and educational group activities.  KidScience is tuition-based, but there are full scholarships available to any students who may need them. 

 Contact Information:

Amanda (Mandy) Revak KidScience & Zoo U. Coordinator One Wild Place Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-365-2567 (Tues. – Sat.) fax 412-665-3661

Science Extra Credit/Enrichment Opportunity

Students can earn four additional Prep Points for the unit test in October! Students will need to attend two after school meetings until 4:30 PM. Read more about the project and earning a digital badge by clicking here. Online sign ups continue through the Thursday, 9/17/15. 

AMS 8 BYOT Policy

Students are reminded to follow the BYOT 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.

Reminder! AMS 8 Curriculum Night - Tonight!

REMINDER

Tonight, September 10, 2015 

6:30 - 8:30 PM

Middle / High School Auditorium

6:30 - 8:30 PM

The 8th grade team would like to welcome our parents and guardians to curriculum night, Thursday, September 10, 2015! 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 Pictures!

Tuesday, 9/15, is AMS school portrait day! 

Wear your outfit and a smile for your picture!

Forms were sent home earlier this week.

Happy Labor Day!

Read more about Labor Day!

You're Invited! AMS 8 Curriculum Night

Thursday, September 10, 2015 

6:30 - 8:30 PM

Middle / High School Auditorium

6:30 - 8:30 PM

The 8th grade team would like to welcome our parents and guardians to curriculum night, Thursday, September 10, 2015! 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.