HLWW Middle School Newsletter

Welcome to the HLWW Middle School Monthly Newsletter! We hope this will provide additional insight on the many activities and events taking place at HLWW.

If you wish to be added to the mailing list, please email adamlakerpride@hlww.k12.mn.us

• April 1: Classes Resume
• April 16-18: MCA Math Test Grade 5 and 6
• April 19: No School
• April 22-26: MCA Math Test Grade 7 and 8
• April 29-May 2: MCA Science Test Grade 5
• May 6-8 : MCA Science Test Grade 8
• May 6: Middle School Choir Concert 7PM
• May 14: Middle School Band Concert 5th/6th Grade 6:30, 7th/8th 7:30
• May 24: MS Field Day 12:30
• June 6: Last Day of School (Early Release)

Elijah Klatt, Owen Loge, Hannah Wilson, Kaylee Lanars

Emma Probst, Tori Thorson, Wiley Wiegert, Maddie Decker

Howard Lake Lion Steve Weber, Kirsten Heber, Holly Eberhard, Nicole Erickson, Brianna Paul, RJ Weege, Julia Anderson

by Kevin Riemenschneider

M.S. Social Studies Teacher

This school year, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Middle School provided a new current events course for its eighth grade students. The purpose of this course is to expose students to issues that are happening at the state, national, and global level and allow them the opportunity to further research and form their own conclusions on how those issues should be resolved.

Since the beginning of the school year, students have covered a variety of topics including the political differences between Republicans and Democrats, the pros and cons of the media, the U.S. trade war with China, and government shutdowns. Each day students are provided with a new topic. From there, they receive background information which generates classroom discussions. The topics that have stirred the largest debates include protests, students’ rights in schools, the building of a border wall, and the death penalty. I have enjoyed listening to the students’ opinions on a variety of topics and also commend the students on how respectful they are to one another when conversing on any issue that stirs controversy.

During the midterms last fall, students partook in the “2018 Classroom Election.” Students nominated five candidates within the classroom and were then split up into groups to campaign on behalf of those candidates. Their goal was to create a platform for their candidate on school-related issues such as cell phone use, school lunches, and bullying. Students created posters and video advertisements that both promoted their candidate and criticized their opponents. The students had a blast! The results were both creative and hysterical. Our final candidates did a remarkable job in debating each other, but more importantly, in showing how important these issues are in our school.

By Travis Eldred, 7th and 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher

On Friday, March 8th students at Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Middle School participated in a Food for Kidz packing event. This was the third year that the district participated in this service learning project. Students in grades 5-8 participated in the event through their social studies classes. Through various fundraisers the school was able to raise $5,000 to purchase enough materials to pack 38,400 meals! Students worked in groups of about 10 to bag, weigh, seal, and box all the meals.

Meals that are packed for Food for Kidz are typically shipped to the nations of Haiti, Honduras, Afghanistan, and Sierra Leone. The meals have also been sent to states like Texas and North Carolina to help with relief efforts from hurricanes. The district would like to thank all students and community members that either volunteered time and/or donated money to this cause.

By Jackie Hartneck, Special Education Teacher

As a special education teacher I adapt and modify curriculum as needed, but I still hold high expectations for all of my students. I want them to feel confident in their learning. One way I do this, is by having students track their own progress in reading and math. By tracking their own progress students are learning graphing skills, students are better informed about their progress of learning, students are able to hold themselves accountable to do better, and students seem to be more confident learners.

Each day students come into my room, get their fluency charts from the bin, and independently get started working on their reading and math fluency. When the students finish their timings, they graph their scores and then raise their hand for me to meet with them individually. Reading, understanding, and labeling a graph are skills that we started working on at the beginning of the year. This strategy has increased positive, constructive conversations between the students and I. We are able to discuss where they are at, where I want to see them get to, and how are they going to get to that level. Also, by having students track their own progress they are also building more self confidence and are pushing themselves to reach higher levels and are taking ownership of their work. Seeing the smiles on their faces each day shows me learning holds a special place in their heart.

By Pat Weseloh, 6th Grade Science Teacher

The annual 6th Grade Science Fair was held at the HLWW Middle School on Tuesday March 19. 117 sixth graders prepared solo or group projects and displayed them for viewing by other students and family members. There were a total of 77 projects on display this year.

1st Place Winners- Jaya DuRose and Isabel Morress, Mason Dolly

2nd Place Winners- Caleb Diers and Holly Hughes

3rd Place Winners- Paige Pederson, Julia Anderson, Dillon Skiles and Cannon Patenaude

Honorable Mention: Owen Loge, Dylan Marketon, Trey Tondera, Brock Stender, Gideon Riemer, Oliver Anderson, Braden Boogaard, Lucas Pawelk, Kyle Jetson, Max Bielefeldt, Brianna Paul, Kaley Russell-Schulze, Lydia Graham, Nicole Krzmarzick, Jillian Mello, Zachary Thorson, Abby Bloch, Chloe Kieser, Emma Probst, Agnesa Penkert, Julia Swartzer, Mikayla Klemz, Abbie Bobrowske, Addison Onkka, Carly Hand, Mara Elg.

by Ben Anderson, 5th Grade Science Teacher

Two years ago, HLWW elementary and fifth grade updated their math curriculum to Pearson Envision. We had an older version of Pearson curriculum previously. One of the online features fifth graders are using are known as Practice Buddies. After a lesson, students are able to log into their Pearson account on a chromebook and access their online assignments. These Practice Buddies are impactful because they give students instant feedback during their assignment.

When students submit their answer, they find out if their answer is correct or incorrect immediately. They also get three attempts to answer each problem until it is graded as incorrect. The immediate feedback helps students catch their mistakes without negatively affecting their grade on their assignment. Also, when a student’s answer is incorrect, the program gives them tips and hints to correctly solve the problem. After three incorrect attempts, the program will demonstrate the steps needed to solve the problem correctly.

Then, students can choose to try again. They will get a similar question to answer to regain credit for their previously incorrect answer. There are also several “Help” options students can choose if they do not understand the problem. They can view an example, watch a video lesson, and review an animated lesson. The negative aspect to these Practice Buddies is that students need a device and internet access. However, students enjoy getting immediate feedback which often increases their confidence. This program also doesn't punish students for getting the incorrect answer. It rewards them for being resilient and allows each student to get a successful grade on their assignment. If a student needs more guidance and practice, that experience is provided for them with this online program.