Middle School Newsletter

Save the Date!

We’re excited to announce that 7th and 8th grade students will have the opportunity to participate in an Outdoor Education program at the Wisconsin Lions Camp this May! Prior to COVID, the 7th grade students participated in an outdoor camp experience at the beginning of the school year. Mrs. Schmidt is working to revive the outdoor camp experience for the Middle School students.

Please join us for an informational meeting on Tuesday, February, 25th at 6:30 PM in the Cafeteria during MS Conferences where we will provide important details about the trip, including the itinerary and associated costs.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Please make sure to read the "Family Message" at the end of the newsletter. It contains lots of information for families and contact information for teachers!

Karen Frey

7th Graders are just beginning to start their persuasive writing unit. We are starting out by "speed debating," during which students are given one side of a random topic and have to defend that side for one minute. Doing this will hopefully help them out when thinking about how to persuade someone and help them decide what kind of language to use. Students will get to choose their own topics for their writing assignments and will need to research to find sources to back up their claims. We will also go over how to organize their essays as well as how to prove their points well!

8th Graders just finished their movie theme essay before break. We watched Remember the Titans, and students had to find a theme that the movie tries to teach us and then write about which characters most show that theme. Students really enjoyed the movie, which made it a lot easier to write about! Next up, we will be beginning a unit on participles, gerunds, and infinitives to keep our grammar skills sharp!

REMINDER: Journals are due on the last day of every month!

Middle School Forensics wrapped up our season! We competed in the Trailways Middle School Forensics Meet here in Deerfield against other middle schools after school on Monday, 1/6! Forensics students were very excited to show off what they've been working on and to watch other students from other schools perform different kinds of pieces. They did amazing!

Last quarter in 8th grade science we were able to learn about magnetism and light waves. We are currently in our Earth, Moon, and Sun unit where we are learning about the movement of the Earth and moon as well as the moon phases. We will also get the chance to learn about space exploration and the development of the US Space Program. We will end this unit by watching the film Apollo 13. As we continue through quarter 3 we will be finishing up our unit in space and then moving on to our unit on natural selection. We will be learning about how different traits get passed on and how different species need different traits to survive.

Last quarter in 7th grade science we were able to finish up our study of earth science with our unit on rock formations where we learned about the different types of rocks and minerals. We then moved on to phase change where we learned about the motion of particles and how that relates to melting, freezing, and boiling. We are currently working on a project that pairs with this unit. Starting at the end of next week we will be moving on to chemistry.

“History is who we are, and why we are the way we are.” David McCullough

7th Grade -

7th grade students will finish up our study of Western Europe during the medieval period with a look at the influence of the Catholic Church and the Crusades. We will finish Europe by looking at major reasons for the decline of feudalism and the beginning of the Renaissance.

After that, students will start an unit on the rise of Islam in the Middle East. There will be an overview of the life of Muhammad as well as the basic beliefs of Islam.

8th Grade -

We will start Quarter 3 by examining American colonists’ basic beliefs about the purpose of government and the rights due to them as English citizens. After that, students will look at the reasons for the American Revolution and some of the highlights of how Americans defeated the English during the war.

The next few units will focus on the early part of the American history including the Louisiana Purchase, Westward Expansion and the start of the political conflicts that will ultimately lead to the Civil War.

Mr. Schneider is welcoming Term 3 students to the business department. Topics in Business 8 Exploratory include: creating a business plan, money in our lives, consumer skills, budgeting, credit, savings, investing, protecting yourself from consumer fraud and so much more! We learn, we share, we present and we are engaged each day with something new and fun! I look forward to working with all of the Grade 8 students this school year!

Welcome back to Art 8th Grade Students! We are kicking off our art-making by creating Neurographic Art as a collaborative group mural project. Neurographic Art can be used to transform our fears into something calm and beautiful through the process of thoughtful mark-making; dormant neuroconnections are awakened which can stimulate positive change in the mind of the artist.

Students started this process with a 10-15 second continuous line drawing that spanned their 2'x3' space and connected the 36'x3' long paper. Next circles were traced and intersecting lines' corners were rounded. Each student has been assigned a different color that they'll add across the mural in a timed rotational painting process! We're excited to share our finished project soon!

Welcome to art 7th grade group #3! Students are finishing up their mini artwork and the first set of Artist Trading Cards. Check out their work on our online Artsonia Gallery @ www.artsonia.com (type in Deerfield Middle & High School). Please be sure and sign up with Artsonia if you haven't already so you can access your child's artwork online and share it with family and friends. If you'd like to purchase products with your child's art 20% of the funds return to our art room! Need to sign up? Visit www.artsonia.com/parents and enter this Parent Code: FPBMFWRB.

Art Club invites you to the Empty Bowls Workshops

DMS/DHS Art Club will be hosting our annual Ceramic Workshops for Deerfield families and community members. Come learn how to make a hand-built or wheel-thrown bowl with the help of Art Club members. All are invited, no experience necessary, free will donations will go towards the Deerfield Food Pantry. All workshops are a drop-in style come any night, anytime between 3:30 - 7 PM.

Empty Bowls Workshop Dates

Monday, February 10 - Ceramic Building

Wednesday, February 19 - Ceramic Building

Monday, March 3 - Glazing

Tuesday, March 11 - Glazing

Wednesday, April 9 - Empty Bowls Event & Art Show | Soup Dinner | Bowl Pick Up

The Middle School Student Council wrapped up their annual Pies for a Purpose event to support families during the holidays. We were able to raise enough money to support four students during the holiday season. Thank you to everyone who supported our event, the kids sure did enjoy it!

Still in the works is a Winter Fun Night that will be held in February. Please be on the look out for the date and time so your child can attend. As always, thank you all for the great support and making Deerfield such a great place to be!

Lately staff has received questions from families seeking information about the most important school websites and also looking for tips on managing the many bits and pieces that make up middle school life. In order to help, we’ve put together the following suggestions for you.

Information You May Find Helpful:

Chromebooks:

It is very important that students come to school with their chromebooks charged and ready for the day. If a student is reluctant to charge their chromebook at home, then they should keep their charger in their chromebook case and charge it during first period class at school. We have many students unable to complete work in class because their chromebook was uncharged.

Canvas -

Canvas is an online management system that helps teachers organize work and assignments for students, however, not all teachers use it. So, Canvas is a great tool for teacher and student use, but it is not helpful for parents and families.

Skyward -

All middle school teachers (Core and Specials) post grades and missing work on Skyward which makes it the most important informational site for families seeking to understand how their child is doing in school. Students should check Skyward daily, and families should check Skyward once or twice a week. Any missing assignments should be completed and turned in as soon as possible.

The Homework Email -

This is sent out in the afternoon to students and families. Some parents/guardians find it helpful to sit down with their child in the evening and go over the list to see if daily assignments have been completed. Please encourage your child to finish any remaining work so that they are prepared for the next day’s classes.

Homework/Assignment Advice from 8th Graders:

Staff asked 8th graders what surprised them the most when they started middle school, and what advice they would give to incoming 7th graders. This is the gist of what they said: There is a big difference between the amount of homework assigned in elementary school and what is given in middle school. The biggest lessons they learned during middle school was: 1) Use the time given in class and resource to complete the work. Don’t socialize until the work is done. 2) Check Skyward every day to see what you are missing and turn it in right away so you don’t fall behind. 3) Use the homework email or the homework slides as a checklist during resource to make sure you haven’t missed an assignment for the day. 4) Organization! Keep on top of the mess.

Studying for Quizzes and Tests:

Teachers provide review tools such as study guides, note-taking opportunities, and practice games/programs (Kahoot, Blooket, Quizlet, DeltaMath) to help students get ready for quizzes and tests. We strongly encourage students to prepare for these exams by utilizing the resources available to them. Since tests and quizzes count more toward the final grade than assignments, failing one of these can ruin a classes’ overall grade. Please prompt your child to study for upcoming tests.

Absences -

Students are responsible for all school work assigned. If a student has been absent due to illness, doctor/dentist appointments, or vacation, they still need to complete the work they missed. Upon return to school, students should immediately check with teachers to see what needs to be done. Work should be completed as soon as possible. If your child has been absent, ask them if they’ve spoken with teachers and obtained the work.

Long-Term Assignments Like Independent Reading and Journals -

Many middle school students need help organizing long-term assignments such as IR and Journals. It may be helpful for your child to “chunk” these assignments; in other words, break them into smaller pieces. For example, students are given four weeks to complete four journal entries. Complete one journal entry per week to complete all four by the deadline.

As for Independent Reading, students are given nine weeks to complete all of their IR. Rather than ask your child to read a certain number of minutes per day, ask them to read a specific number of pages. Do this by dividing the number of pages in their IR book by the number of days they have to read it. This will put them on track to take an IR test every two or three weeks. As an example: there are 250 pages in their book, and you would like your child to take a test on that book in three weeks. 250 divided by 21 days = approximately 12 pages a day.

Finally, students are assigned Delta Math weekly. Each assignment is designed to help students understand the lessons being taught in class. Delta Math assignments come with helpful videos that show students how to solve the problems. Students have the entire week to complete their Delta Math as the assignments are due Friday by 3:13 PM. Please check with your child to make sure they are completing this important assignment.

Questions About Classes or Assignments:

Please contact the classroom teacher directly with any questions or concerns about a class, assignment, or missing work. We are more than happy to discuss your child’s academic progress or school-related concerns with you.

Language Arts - Hannah Nelson, ext. 4103, nelsonh@deerfield.k12.wi.us

Literature - Jason Mueller, ext. 4106, muellerj@deerfield.k12.wi.us

Math - Krissy Rathmann, ext. 4108, rathmannk@deerfield.k12.wi.us

Science - Elizabeth Fish, ext. 4101, fishe@deerfield.k12.wi.us

Social Studies - Kate Clements, ext. 4105, clementsk@deerfield.k12.wi.us

7th Grade Special Education - Stacey Kimmel, ext. 4110, kimmels@deerfield.k12.wi.us

8th Grade Special Education - Jeff Miller, ext. 4111, millerj@deerfield.k12.wi.us

ARISE Program - Tara Frana, ext. 2100, franat@deerfield.k12.wi.us

Spanish - Jennifer Schultz, ext. 1107, schultzj@deerfield.k12.wi.us

Technical Education - Nick Brattlie, ext. 1134, brattlien@deerfield.k12.wi.us

Art - Carrie Schmidt, ext. 1131, schmidtc@deerfield.k12.wi.us

Family and Consumer Education (FACE) - Tammy George, ext. 2115, georget@deerfield.k12.wi.us

Business Education - Keith Schneider, ext. 1142, schneiderk@deerfield.k12.wi.us

Computers - Gerry Wichlacz, ext. 1139, wichlaczg@deerfield.k12.wi.us

Health & PE - Hunter Jensen, ext. 1138, jensenh@deerfield.k12.wi.us

Health & PE - Jason Wierzba, ext. 4112, wierzbaj@deerfield.k12.wi.us

The Importance of Families:

We can’t do this without you. Your efforts with your child make our jobs easier. We appreciate the time you put in at home to make sure your child is on-track, keeping up with work, and doing their best. Many thanks to all of you!

Q: What is the world's tallest building?

Q: What did the pencil sharpener say to the pencil?

Q: What do librarians take with them when they go fishing?

Q: Why didn't the quarter roll down the hill with the nickel?

Q: How is an English teacher like a judge?

January 6-MS Forensics Meet at Deerfield

January 10-Ice Skating field trip

January 20-No School for Students

February 12-Early Release

February 19-Parent Teacher Conferences

February 25-Parent Teacher Conferences

February 28-No School for Students

March 5-Admirals Game Field Trip

March 7-Last Day of Third Quarter

March 24-28 Spring Break

Stop going in circles and get to the point

Bookworms

Because it had more cents

They both give out sentences