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

No School - Monday

Monday, October 13

No School for students - Columbus Day

ACT 80 Day for teachers and staff

First Issue of The Herd

Check out the first issue of The Herd, the AMS student newspaper club's publication, online! Students can join The Herd! The staff and sponsors are always looking for students to write articles about Avonworth for the paper! The next meeting will be Tuesday,  October 14. The staff meets in room 110 from 3:00 - 4:00 PM.

Grade 8 Article: Veterans Visit Avonworth Middle School

Magazine Sale

The annual student council magazine sale had its kick off on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8!  If you are a current subscriber or are interested in getting any new titles please consider purchasing your magazines through our fundraiser.  All proceeds to go AMS Student Council and allow us to provide programming throughout the year, support classroom activities and organize social and charitable activities.  Please ask your students for their packet so that they can get you signed up to enjoy a subscription through our fundraiser!

October Events and Dates Updated

Thursday, October 9

 [Social Studies] Complete Step 3 of Historical Editorial

Friday, October 10

 [sci] quiz: velocity & acceleration 

 [Social Studies] Historical Editorial

 [Event] Halloween Social

Monday, October 13

 No School for Students - ACT 80

Tuesday, October 14

 [Social Studies] Historical Editorial Project DUE

Wednesday, October 15

 [Reading] Finish Reading The Outsiders and Complete Theme Stcky Nte Assgnmnt by Wed, 10/15

Friday, October 17

 Read AR Book - AR Points Due Monday, October 20

 [Social Studies] TEST on Society and Citizenship - Chapter 2 and 3

Monday, October 20

 Read AR Book - AR Points due

Wednesday, October 22

 2 Hr Delay Teacher In-Service

Tuesday, October 28

 [End of First 9 Weeks]

Wednesday, October 29

 [Start of Second 9 Weeks]

Visit our calendar online! 

This week...

Sent 3:00 PM 10/06/14 via Remind to all subscribers

This week: 

Tue, Wed, & Thu ISS flyover!http://amsgrade8.blogspot.com/2014/10/students-to-track-iss-next-week.html 

Fri: Science quiz w/ study guide online (https://sites.google.com/a/avonworth.k12.pa.us/sci8/unit-b/velocity-accleration) & Social

Students to track the ISS next week

Next week students in science class will be encouraged to track the International Space Station (ISS) as it appears in our night sky. This is a great way to think about the role of Newton's Laws, motion, and gravity. Finding the ISS is easy due to the various websites that post the location and viewing dates and times. However, there is a small window in which it can be viewed. Also, we will need a clear night to view the flyover. In class, we will explore the impact of sunlight reflection, the shadow of the Earth, and visibility of the ISS during our early evening or early morning.

Pittsburgh, PA - Dates, Times and Where to Look for the ISS: 

Night	Duration	Angle	Start Direction	End Direction
Tue Oct 7, 8:34 PM	3 min	65°	10 above WSW	65 above NNW
Wed Oct 8, 7:45 PM	6 min	69°	10 above SW	16 above ENE
Thu Oct 9, 8:35 PM	2 min	28°	23 above WNW	26 above N

The ISS can be tracked through several different websites and apps:

NASA Spot the Station - Pittsburgh

Astro Viewer  ISS website

ISS Spotter app available in app stores

Space Station being tracked using the Night Sky app on an iPhone.