FMS Parent Information SMORE
March 12, 2024
WHY DON'T TEACHERS CONTACT PARENTS WHEN THEIR CHILD IS STRUGGLING ACADEMICALLY?
Teachers do contact parents, and things are not the way they used to be. Teachers are expected to contact parents of students who are failing their class using the Grade Alert forms that go out mid-quarter, and the At-Risk letters that go home with report cards 2nd and 3rd quarter. Teachers are also expected to grade assignments that are handed in by the due date in a timely manner so that parents can see how their child is doing in real time in Canvas and PowerSchool.
PARENTS CAN ALWAYS KNOW HOW THEIR CHILD IS DOING ACADEMICALLY WITHOUT WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO CONTACT THEM
Parents, you have the ability to access PowerSchool and Canvas to see how your child is doing anytime you like. Parents no longer need to wait to hear from someone. You can see what is going on right now. Once you sign up to be a Parent observer for Canvas and PowerSchool you have access to grades and assignments, and you can see what has been submitted for grading and what has not been completed. Students in middle school are making choices about the work they do or don't do. We need parents to stay on top of what their child is or isn't doing so that they can address issues early in the year and early in the quarter.
If you ask your child how they are doing and they tell you they are doing great, you can immediately check for yourself and praise them or have that conversation about why they are not doing well. It doesn't take much time, and our students whose parents and guardians are checking their PowerSchool and Canvas regularly tend to have higher grades and better outcomes.
Just taking the time to get connected and working with your child to support them in meeting their academic expectations makes a huge difference for students in middle school. Your support is appreciated!
DOWNLOAD THE FCS APP AND SEE YOUR CHILD'S GRADES IN POWERSCHOOL AND MORE
FMS AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING IS FREE AND SLOTS ARE AVAILABLE!
Tutoring Information:
- After school tutoring runs on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week on regular school days (no tutoring on holidays, early release days, or inclement weather days)
- The tutors are the teachers that work here! Your child will be in good hands.
- Tutoring time is 3:30-5:00pm
- Parents will need to pick up students before 5pm or by 5pm at the latest (transportation is not provided).
- A Parent/Student program contract must be signed by the second session the student attends (click the button below or have your child get a paper copy from their teacher)
FMS CALENDAR - KEEP TRACK OF EVENTS AT FMS!
REMINDER - AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING IS ON MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY
MARCH
3/11-3/14 ELA/SCIENCE 8 REMEDIATION WEEK
3/12 Soccer AWAY Wake Prep
3/12 Battle of the Books today - FMS hosting
3/13 Soccer AWAY Terrell Lane Middle School (playing at Louisburg Magnet High School)
3/14 Early Release - students are released at 12:30 pm
3/15 Teacher Workday - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS TODAY
3/18 Ballgames (softball and baseball) AWAY Hawley MS
3/20 NC Check-In #3 Science 8
3/21 NC Check-In #3 Reading
3/25 Last day of Quarter 3: report card pick-up after Spring Break
3/26 FCS Semi-Annual Parent Summit 9am-10am Faith Baptist Youngsville *email heidiboardman@fcschools.net if you are interested in having your voice heard at this district wide event hosted by Dr. Schuhler.
3/26 Ballgames HOME vs Terrell Lane Middle School (all HOME games at Franklinton Park)
3/26 FES/LOMES rising 6th graders visit to Franklinton Middle School
3/28 Ballgames HOME vs Cedar Creek MS
3/29 NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
SPRING BREAK: 3/29 - 4/7 ENJOY THE TIME OFF!
APRIL
4/8 First day back - be ready to hit the ground running! We are now in EOG prep season.
4/9 Report Card Pick-up 3:30 - 4:30 pm in the cafeteria
4/11 Ballgames AWAY North Granville MS
4/15 Ballgames AWAY Cross Creek MS
4/17 Ballgames AWAY Bunn MS
4/18 - 4/23 Remediation week Math
4/22 Ballgames HOME vs Vance MS
4/24 NC Check-ins #3 Math 6-8, NC Check-ins #2 Math I
4/24 Ballgames HOME vs Wake Prep
4/25 Band 8th Grade Field Trip
4/26 Scientist visit grade 6
MAY
5/1 i-Ready Math Diagnostic EOY
5/2 i-Ready Reading Diagnostic EOY
5/3 Cafeteria Worker Appreciation
5/6 - 5/23 EOG REMEDIATION SCHEDULE MONDAY - THURSDAY
5/6 - 5/10 TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK - SHOW OUR TEACHERS SOME LOVE!
5/8 EARLY RELEASE - students are released at 12:30pm
5/8 School Nurse Appreciation
5/11 SNEAKER BALL SEMI-FORMAL DANCE
5/16 SPRING CELEBRATION BAND CONCERT AND ART SHOW
5/24 SCIENCE EOG (8TH GRADE ONLY)
5/27 NO SCHOOL - get your rest for the rest of the EOGs!
5/29 MATH EOG
5/31 READING EOG
JUNE
6/3 - 6/7 Remediation week for RETESTS
6/5 Athletic Awards Ceremony
6/7 EARLY RELEASE - LAST DAY OF REGULAR SCHOOL - 8TH GRADE CELEBRATION 9AM
6/10 EOG RETEST DAY - MATH
6/11 EOG RETEST DAY - ELA
6/12 EOG RETEST DAY - SCIENCE 8
Students are not very good at monitoring their own work completion at this age, but they need to be actively learning how to do that. Parents, you can help with this - establish a schedule for checking grades/assignment completion.
SCHOOL COUNSELOR: MS. GILBERT
Helpful Resources
NC211.org (or call 211)
Food Finder (FoodBank of Central NC)
Hope4NC (or call 1-855-587-3463)
TransitionsLifeCare.org (or call the Grief Line 919-719-7199)
National Domestic Violence Hotline (or call 800-799-7233)
SuicideCrisisLifeline.org (or call 988)
National Alliance of Mental Illness/NC (or call 800-451-9682)
Vaya Health (or call their Behavioral Health Crisis Line at 800-849-6127)
How to Contact Ms. Gilbert:
Complete and submit this form: Counselor Request Form
Or send email to: marygilbert@fcschools.net
Or call FMS at 919-494-2971 ext. 298
HEADS UP 8TH GRADE PARENTS! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION!
8th Grade!
If your 8th Grade student did not register for High School at FHS Fast Track last week, please have them bring me their completed course registration form for 9th grade. FHS will come to FMS on March 22nd to complete registration with these students!
Help Your Child Practice Good Self Care So They Are Ready To Learn Every Day:
Help them have good sleep habits (8-10 hours every night)
Help them eat well-balanced meals (instead of Takkis and Mountain Dew for lunch)
Limit caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas - some kids are more sensitive to caffeine)
Hydrate with enough WATER every day
Exercise daily - take walks together
Help them UNPLUG
Help them to aim to do their best, not be perfect
Write in a positivity journal (What’s going right? What good things happened today? etc.)
Help them identify what they can and can not control
GRADE 6 TEAM
SCIENCE: MS. DOWNUM
I wanted to remind you that our upcoming test is scheduled for March 20th. We'll be diving into the fascinating topic of Earth in the universe. It's an exciting opportunity for our students to expand their knowledge about our place in the cosmos.
In addition to academic subjects, we're also focusing on important life skills. Currently, we're discussing the concept of making amends. It's more than just saying sorry—it's about understanding the impact of our actions and taking responsibility for them.
As we approach the end of the school year, I encourage you to support your student in finishing strong. Consistent effort and dedication will ensure a successful conclusion to the academic year. PowerSchool will be the best to help your student succeed.
SOCIAL STUDIES: MR. CALDERON
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope you are having an amazing day. The lesson this week focuses on the early history of Christianity, next week we'll be learning about Islam and their conquests in the old world. In addition we will be looking at the Middle Ages to wrap up our sections before we go on Spring break.
As always I ask you to talk to your children about finishing the work in class. I don’t give homework but if a student doesn’t finish the work in class they would have to finish it at home.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at luiscalderon@fcschools.net
Very respectfully,
Mr. Calderón
MATH: MR. MITCHELL
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope this message finds you well. I am thrilled to share some wonderful updates from our dynamic 6th Grade class at Franklinton Middle School.
Utilizing Khan Academy for Skill Support:
In our ongoing efforts to support student learning, we're utilizing Khan Academy to provide additional assistance for students who may be struggling with specific skills. Khan Academy offers comprehensive resources and instructional videos that can help reinforce classroom learning and address individual needs. I encourage you to explore Khan Academy with your students and utilize its resources to strengthen their understanding and mastery of key concepts.
Preparation for EOGs and Unit 8 Test:
As part of our commitment to academic excellence, we're dedicated to weekly "From the Jump" assignments, where we dive into last year's EOG questions. I urge you to actively engage in discussions with your students about these assignments to deepen their understanding and prepare them for the upcoming EOGs. Mastery of these questions, along with focused preparation for the Unit 8 test on algebraic expressions, will be key to their success.
From the Jump Quiz and Weekly Notes:
As part of our strategic assessment approach, students participate in a From the Jump Quiz every Friday. Using weekly notes on the From the Jump paper has proven to be a valuable tool for enhancing their understanding. Consistent practice through these quizzes positively impacts their readiness for assessments.
Grades and Classroom Readiness:
A friendly reminder for students to complete 60 minutes and pass 2 lessons in iReady each week, which not only contributes to their grades but also enriches their overall education. I'm pleased to report that student behavior remains excellent, and their consistent engagement in schoolwork is commendable.
General Preparedness:
To maintain a focused learning environment, it's essential for students to arrive with charged Chromebooks, notebooks, and writing utensils every day.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at brandonmitchell@fcschools.net. Your collaboration is deeply valued.
Thank you for your unwavering support.
Warm regards,
Mr. Brandon Mitchell
ELA: MS. CRUDUP
Greetings families,
We have started a new novel, The Boy who Harnessed the Wind, focusing on Problem Solving. This book tells the inspiring true story of a young inventor. Throughout this module, we will delve into test strategies while also practicing for the upcoming Standardized Tests. Please check the announcements for my class to see what we are covering in class.
Next week, Thursday 3-21 we will have our final ELA NC Check-in. The students are diligently working during remediation this week and engaging in stations in the classroom to prepare. If your child could benefit from additional support, they can still sign up for tutoring after school.
In light of allergy season, we kindly request that you consider sending in Kleenex for the classes as we are going through them quite quickly.
Please note that my email address has changed. While I have legally been Ms. Crudup all school year, I just received my new email today.
As always, thank you for your collaboration in your child's education.
Warm regards,
Ms. Crudup
GRADE 7 TEAM
MATH: MS. JENKINS
March is an exciting month for math scholars around the world. We will be exploring interesting math facts and discovering math all around us. We look forward to celebrating Pi Day on March 14th. This week we will finish testing on Unit 5, Equations and Inequalities. Next week we will begin Unit 6, Geometric and Measurement Reasoning. In this unit, students will extend their knowledge of circles and apply their knowledge of proportional relationships to the study of circles. In the second section, students analyze and describe cross-sections of prisms, pyramids, and polyhedra. Students will learn how to use the formula for the volume of a right rectangular prism and solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume.
We are quickly approaching the end of the quarter so please encourage your students to turn in all makeup assignments as soon as possible.
Things to remember:
~Class attendance is important
~Remember the school and classroom rules. (Exhibit responsible behavior at all times)
~Bring your materials (Chromebooks(charged), notebooks, and pencils) to class daily.
~Get a good night's rest and come to class prepared to work.
~Math I-Ready assignments are important. Believe in yourself, you can do it!
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at litishajenkins@fcschools.net.
SCIENCE: MS. BRACKETT
Dear Parents,
I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to provide you with some updates regarding our science class as we approach the end of the Motion and Forces Unit.
Next week, we will be concluding our study of Motion and Forces, and a test on this subject is scheduled for either Thursday or Friday of the week. To prepare for the test, I encourage your student to review their notes or go over the notes pages in Canvas. This will help reinforce the concepts we've covered in class and ensure a successful understanding of the material.
Following the Motion and Forces Unit, we will be diving into an exciting exploration of Earth in our upcoming unit. We will be delving into topics such as Earth's atmospheric layers, geographic layers, and weather. I am confident that this unit will capture the students' interest and provide them with valuable insights into the world around them.
As we approach the end of the school year, it's crucial to maintain a strong commitment to completing assignments on time. Please work with your students to ensure they are keeping up with their science assignments. I want to remind you that assignments turned in late will incur a 10% deduction for each day they are overdue, so it's important to emphasize the importance of timely submissions.
Let's work together to make the end of the year a successful and rewarding experience for our students. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to me via email or by calling the school. Your involvement and support are greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your cooperation, and I look forward to a successful remainder of the school year.
Best regards,
Ms. Brackett
Science Teacher
SOCIAL STUDIES: MR. JONES
Hello Parents and Guardians!. We have finished learning about the Great Depression and Roaring 20’s and are going into World War 2. Your students have a project that they have been working on for two months that is due this Thursday 3/14. The current unit will go until March 28th. When learning about war, it is important to appreciate the gravity of history. I have a zero tolerance policy in my classroom for disrespectful comments towards those impacted by war.
When talking about World War 2 we will discuss heavy topics such as the Holocaust and internment of Japanese Americans. When viewing sensitive material, there will be permission slips that will need to be signed in order for your student to participate in that activity.
Quarter 3 will end on March 25th so please ensure that your students are getting all of their work turned in on time and fully completed. Make up work is earned by those who have consistently put in the effort throughout the year who might need a little help raising their grade. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at hunterjones@fcschools.net
ELA: MS. BAECHLE
Good evening students and families as we approach the end of Q3 on Monday, 3/25. Please be sure you are checking with your students to see what work they are missing and ensure they make it up in order to receive credit. Overall we had some solid growth in some categories, though we want to still focus on overall reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skill-sets. We continue Q3 and each day/week this week with a fresh start and an agreement I would like both students and parents to partake in for continued growth and success for the remainder of the school year and beyond!
Growth Accountability Agreement:
I will complete daily work (assigned in class)
I will finish any work that was not completed in class for homework
I will come to class prepared (work completed and a charged chromebook)
I will not disrupt the learning environment, or others
I will check Canvas daily for updated assignments and due dates
I will check Powerschool regularly for grades and missing assignments
I will always try my best
I will ask for further support from my teacher is I don't understand an assignment (tutoring)**
I will maintain a growth mind-set for my academic and personal growth and goals!!
Expectations:
Update: We have been working on improved behavior in ALL classes. Students are to come to class on time, prepared and ready to work. If they are not following the non-negotiables, they will receive a warning to correct their chosen behavior before they are sent to ALC with a write-up and a parent contact. I have seen improvement in behaviors the past week and expect that to continue with consistency and daily practice.
Overall, students have done a solid job with maintaining a positive behavior in class, as well as keeping up to date with their work. I appreciate you speaking with your students about their personal and academic goals on a regular basis. Remember that each quarter every student begins with a 100% in their classes. What they decide to do with their grades and achievements are up to them.
Check-in three: The next check in is just around the corner next Thursday, March 21st. Be sure to remind your student to do the following:
Before the test:
-Get enough rest
-Eat a balanced breakfast
-Review
During the test:
-Annotate/color-code passage(s)
-POE
-Error Analysis
-Take your time (pace yourself) and answer ALL questions
Curriculum: We continue our final novel of “A Long Walk to Water.” Students are focusing on: symbolism, character point of view, and analysis of textual quotes. This is done through utilizing classroom anchor charts, various graphic organizers and station work to enhance challenging standards including: teacher led, vocabulary, I-Ready, and comprehension.
This Week: Recently, students took a “Mid-Unit” Assessment where they were to select and analyze quotes, make textual connections among characters, and respond to short response text-based questions. Students continue to experience weekly (2x) station rotations to enhance various language skills/standards, as well as working collaboratively with peers in an environment where the teacher(s) observe and students lead the discussion and work completion.
Next Week: We are roughly at the halfway mark of the text, “A Long Walk to Water,” while making deeper connections among character POV, content vocabulary, and comparing and contrasting character journey’s and what resources were essential to survive challenging situations. Students continue to utilize a series of skills including: color-coded annotation, a strong focus on content vocabulary, a variety of written responses, utilizing a variety of graphic-organizers, anchor texts, etc.
Q4 Project:
This is our final project of the year. Students will be provided a choice board and rubric with explicit directions. If they have a Google slides or a writing piece they select there are additional directions for what is to be completed. The hope is that they have fun, express their voices, and be creative for their final project!!
Due dates and check in on progress date are TBD**
Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ru-JNz2Aw54ssHtik8LMkSJLKU7n9qlbNlrbm5dw2IQ/edit?usp=sharing
Homework: Students should expect homework two to three times weekly in order to continue to develop their skill-sets and to see growth. Please ask your child what work they have for homework, or have not completed on a regular basis to help keep them on track. Work is updated regularly for access on Canvas. Grades are also updated weekly and viewable on Powerschool. Students should expect classwork (homework if not completed) and study guides to maintain an understanding of reading both inside and outside of class on a weekly basis.
Grades: Student grades are present on Canvas, and are now viewable to students and guardians on Powerschool. Students are expected to check their grades on a regular basis and reach out to their teacher for make-up work, or additional time to complete an assignment if they have been absent. I allow a one week timeframe to make up work before an assignment becomes a zero.
I-Ready: Is a proven and resourceful data-driven program that allows teachers to see tri-annually where a student is at in their comprehension level by grade lexile. It also allows teachers to view the data and see where students have mastered a skill, and what areas need additional practice. A students growth or lack thereof on their pathway is a factor in potential summer learning or even retention ol their grade, which is why it is so essential to their weekly learning**
Students are expected to complete two passing lessons from their pathway each week. In addition, they will be assigned “teacher assigned lessons” at times to enhance what is being taught in class, which is to be completed by the end of the week for a grade. The teacher chosen assignment will focus on a skill-set currently being taught or reviewed in class in order to strengthen a specific skill.
We are currently utilizing I-Ready incentives for every two passing lessons per ELA and Math each week. This incentive began right before the holiday break. Students have an opportunity to receive an incentive of their choice for their hard work.
Tutoring: Tutoring occurs weekly each: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3:30-5:00 pm in the cafeteria. Please ask your student about a tutoring contract to view and return attached below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KHba-Ciy9XIx3mbAu6Ki7mwwocNfgA1dOxvI7Qcg3V8/edit?usp=sharing
I will be there on Mondays and Thursdays for additional support in ELA.
Students have worked hard thus far during Q3 and their efforts and growth have shown! The goal is to maintain that focus and effort for the remainder of the school year! Keep up the good work :)
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any further questions or concerns: kimberlybaechle@fcschools.net
GRADE 8 TEAM
MATH: MS. CUNNINGHAM
We are currently working within the Functional Reasoning/Systems unit. In this unit, students have been introduced to the concept of a function as a relationship between “inputs” and “outputs” in which each allowable input determines exactly one output.
Students will continue to work with relationships that are familiar from previous grades or units (perimeter formulas, proportional relationships, linear relationships), expressing them as functions.
Students have been introduced to the term “function” as describing a relationship that assigns exactly one output to each allowable input.
Students have connected the terms “independent variable” and “dependent variable” (which they learned in grade 6) with the inputs and outputs of a function.
We have learned to use equations to express a dependent variable as a function of an independent variable.
We will move into working with tables, graphs, and equations for functions, learning the convention that the independent variable is generally shown on the horizontal axis.
They will work with verbal descriptions of a function arising from a real-world situation, identifying tables, equations, and graphs that represent the function, and interpreting information from these representations in terms of the real-world situation.
Looking ahead: Math Remediation is set for Thursday, April 18, Friday, April 19 as well as Monday, April 22, and Tuesday, April 23, 2024 with the 3rd NC Check-in being Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
Please be sure you are checking canvas and powerschool. There are many students who are not completing the expected work in their classes by the indicated deadline. The third quarter ends on March 25th.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions michellecunningham@fcschools.net
Pictures below are from our group review for the Unit 2b assessment, working collaboratively to solve problems on parallel lines being cut by a transversal line and solving for different angle measurements and missing angle measurements in a triangle in preparation for our assessment. Working collaboratively ensures active participation and engagement, leading to deeper understanding and retention of concepts. Students are also learning to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and work as part of a team, which are both essential skills in academic and professional settings. Collaborating with peers exposes students to different viewpoints and approaches, fostering critical thinking and creativity.
ELA: MS. FROST
Remediation Week
Student Growth is Our Goal!
In Preparation for the 3rd NC Reading Check-In / March 11 - March 14, FMS has allotted time for remediation each morning 8:30 - 9:30 Monday through Thursday. I will work with groups of students Monday through Thursday with a focus on test taking strategies, vocabulary, and annotation skills. Mr. Downum, our student’s Social Studies Teacher, will provide additional support during the time allotted to work on annotations (color coding) and note taking. It is imperative that your child puts forth his or her best effort on this last state benchmark as it is an indication of how your child will score on the End of Grade Reading (EOG) assessment. I ask that you talk with your child about the importance of this assessment as some students are not taking the assessment seriously and are clicking through the answers. This behavior is only hurting your child and his or her improvement in Reading, as well as, placement in High School Classes.
Ways to Support and Encourage Your Child Daily!
Please check PowerSchool and our Canvas page for the most up-to-date work assigned to your child. It has become an issue that students are not completing work as the deadline indicates on our Canvas Page. I cannot reiterate enough that responsibility is on your child to email the teacher with the title(s) of completed assignments completed after the due date. Otherwise, as teachers, we do not know the student went back to complete an assignment.
“Station Rotations” Continue With Much Success!…
There are four stations:
Novel Study Station: (Includes independent / small group reading of the novel titled, Inside Out and Back Again with text-dependent questions for comprehension checks.
Comprehension Station: Students work on reading short reading selections with questions in alignment with the Reading EOG.
I-Ready Learning Pathway Station: This time provides students with time in class to work on personalized instruction via his or her Learning Pathway.
Vocabulary Station: Students learn vocabulary terms using a multitude of both online and paper and pencil platforms.
Most importantly, during this time, I am able to rotate and provide small group instruction via a Teacher Led Station in preparation for the Reading EOG.
Friendly Reminders: Homework
Students are expected to read the assigned classroom novel titled, (Inside Out and Back Again) via SORA outside the school day in order to meet our Ultimate Reading Goal; Reading Standard 10. (30 minutes per night)
Weekly, students are required to work on their Learning Pathway in I-Ready, as well as, teacher assigned lessons for 45+ minutes.
NOTE: At the request of Ms. Frost, unfinished classwork may be assigned for homework.
Parent and Child Communication Helps Tremendously on a Daily Basis!
Sample Questions To Spark Meaningful Discussion… (Each question should be followed by probing questions) “Tell me more”…
What’s something you learned that you didn’t already know?
What is the best thing that happened at school today?
What is the worst thing that happened at school today?
Did you show kindness to someone today?
What is something you were really good at today?
Is there anything you regret saying or doing at school today?
Did something make you feel frustrated today?
Tell me something you know today that you didn’t know yesterday!
What was the hardest rule to follow today?
Which task was the most difficult for you today?
If you could get a do-over, what would you change about your school day today?
What makes you happiest at school?
What makes you the most nervous about school?
What makes you the most frustrated at school?
Who do you partner with to do group work in class?
Did you feel left out today?
What made you feel the most proud today?
Tell me about a time you asked for help today.
How would you rate your day on a scale of 1 to 10?
What questions did you ask your teacher today?
What’s one thing you wish you could erase from your day?
Please Check PowerSchool as the Third Nine Weeks Comes to a Close!.....
Please contact me at annafrost@fcschools.net
ELECTIVES TEAM
CTE: MS. SMITH
6th grade:
In our sixth-grade keyboarding class, we're diving into an essential skill: gross words per minute (GWPM). As young typists, it's crucial to understand the speed at which we can accurately type words. GWPM measures the total number of words typed, including errors, within a set time frame. By focusing on our GWPM, we're not just aiming for speed, but also accuracy. Through fun exercises and practice sessions, we're honing our typing skills to become proficient typists. Students will begin to take a typing test every week. Students will keep track of their GWPM to evaluate and reflect on their growth.
7th grade:
In our 7th grade class, we're diving into the exciting world of HTML and CSS through the engaging platform of code.org. HTML, the backbone of web pages, is like the blueprint for structuring content, while CSS adds the stylish design elements that make websites visually appealing. Through interactive lessons and hands-on activities on code.org, students are learning how to create their own web pages from scratch, mastering essential tags, attributes, and properties. They're experimenting with colors, fonts, layouts, and more, gaining a deeper understanding of how to manipulate elements on a webpage to achieve their desired look and feel. With code.org, our 7th graders are not just consumers but creators of the digital world around them, empowering them to express their creativity and build valuable skills for the future
8th grade:
In our 8th-grade coding class, students are diving into the exciting world of animation using Code.org. They're learning how to code sprites, which are dynamic characters or objects in a digital environment, and adding text to create captivating animations. Through hands-on activities and interactive lessons, students are gaining valuable skills in programming logic and computational thinking while unleashing their creativity. As they progress, they're discovering the power of coding to bring their ideas to life on the screen, sparking their imagination and paving the way for future innovation in the digital realm.
DRAMA: MS. HATTEN
As we prepare for Spring Break, keep these things in mind: The end of the quarter is March 25! I know you don’t want to be spending your week doing work, so get caught up now!
8th grade is completing their mystery unit this week. We should have some great ideas for a game and I hope to have students playing those next week!
7th grade is completing their Musical Theatre History unit. My A Day class has almost finished their displays for our project, and my B day class has been working on some great new (rewritten) songs that I hope to share with you when students finish them.
6th grade is wrapping up the Theatre History with a viewing of The Tempest by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men in class. Shakespeare is hard folks! BUT: We can do it!
BAND: MS. BROWN
Band: Students have been working really hard and improving every single day. We have been diving into a vocabulary unit that helps the students decipher their new music and understand the style the piece needs to be played in. We will have a midterm the week before spring break that is a review of all we have learned. Students are allowed to use their notes so please encourage them to write down the things we are discussing, which will set them up for the greatest success.
Our concert is set for May 16th at 6:30 in the FMS auditorium. This concert is always a special one because you as parents/friends/family get to see the growth that the students have demonstrated from the first one in December to this one in May. We are looking forward to putting on a wonderful show for you. Please encourage students to bring their instruments home over spring break so that they can be practicing and keeping the music fresh in their minds.
Music Appreciation: We are about half way through our unit on music in various US wars and the way music was used for not only encouragement but also propaganda. We have been discussing the effect of music and the power that it has, not just on the entertainment industry but to influence other things going on in our world. This will end right before spring break and students will have an open note test before they leave. We will be going to our instrument unit next, which also encompasses our “instrument creation” project. If you have any cardboard boxes that you are no longer using, please send them in with your student so we can start collecting materials for that.
As always, thank you so much for your support and involvement. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have.
Anna Brown
ART with Mrs. CLIFTON
Our Artist have just finished their final projects for their Contour Drawing lesson. They contour drew their backpacks with as much detail as possible and then they added words and images to the background, the theme was the, “Things They Carry”. I am very proud of them for the effort and work they put into these.
CHECK OUT SOME AMAZING PROJECTS BELOW!
Up next is our lesson on 3D Castles. In this lesson out artists will:
Students will generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Students will organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Students will refine and complete artistic work.
Students will analyze/critique and interpret artistic work.
Students will use sequencing comprehension to write about the process of their work.
Students will collaborate in this lesson, teaching them how to organize and work together on a project.
Students will use a variety of different tools, and media to create their Castle.
CTE: MS. SMITH
6th Grade:
Hi families, sixth-grade students are being introduced to the fundamentals of numeric keypad usage. They are learning the layout and functionality of the numeric keypad, including its arrangement and the corresponding keys for numerical input. Through interactive activities and practice exercises, students are developing proficiency in entering numbers efficiently using the numeric keypad. Additionally, they are being introduced to basic calculations and formulas, enhancing their mathematical skills while simultaneously honing their typing accuracy and speed. By mastering the numeric keypad, students are equipped with a foundational skill essential for future academic and professional endeavors that require numerical data input.
7th Grade:
Hi families, seventh-grade students are immersed in the world of app development, focusing specifically on the Input, Output, Storage, and Processing Model (IOSP) and the creation of an app proposal. During this unit, students explore the essential steps involved in developing a successful app, beginning with observing existing apps to understand their features and functionalities. Through hands-on activities and collaborative discussions, students analyze user needs and preferences, identify problems that can be solved through an app, and brainstorm innovative ideas for their own applications. Furthermore, they learn to formulate clear app proposals outlining the purpose, target audience, features, and design considerations. By engaging in this process, students not only cultivate their creativity and critical thinking skills but also gain a deeper understanding of the iterative nature of app development and the importance of thoughtful planning in creating impactful digital solutions.
8th Grade:
Hi families, eighth-grade students are immersed in a dynamic exploration of coding concepts essential for creating interactive games and animations. Through engaging activities, students are introduced to the draw tool, which enables them to manipulate shapes, colors, and designs within their projects. They delve into the concept of variables, learning how to store and modify data to create dynamic elements within their code, such as tracking scores or changing object properties. Additionally, students explore the power of random number generation in coding, understanding how to incorporate randomness to add unpredictability and excitement to their games and animations. By mastering these concepts, students not only enhance their coding proficiency but also foster creativity and critical thinking skills as they design and develop their interactive projects.
BAND: MS. BROWN
Hello, band students and families!
We have been working on our concert music and studying not only notes and rhythms but also various styles that we can play our instruments in. We are working on making educated decisions on our music style and knowing how to go back and forth between styles. One thing I am encouraging students to do is think about whether or not they would be interested in working on a solo or a duet. These are specifically for students who feel like they are ready for an extra challenge and want to further their musicianship. If your student is interested in this, please have them come see me.
Our concert will be on May 16th at 6:30 pm in the FMS auditorium. The students have grown so much in just a short time and I can’t wait to showcase their amazing talents. This is a free event so please plan to be there to support your students.
Thank you for your support and, as always, please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions or concerns!
Anna Brown
THANK YOU TO OUR FMS PARENT LEADERS!
DPAC Parent Leaders this year:
Vanessa Bell
Antonia Autrey
Mizan Gebremichael
School Improvement Team Parent Leaders this year:
LaTasha Gaskin
Stacy Cilas
Parent Summit Members this year:
LaTasha Gaskin
Vanessa Bell
Caroline Omari Wango
Twyla Isreal
SAFETY IS A PRIORITY AT FRANKLINTON MIDDLE SCHOOL!
PLEASE NOTE:
Students are not allowed to leave the school building during the school day on their own. Parents and guardians must come into the main office and sign their child out if that child will leave the building for any reason.
If the person coming in to pick up your child is not on the list in PowerSchool, they will not be allowed to leave the building with your child unless you call the office to give us permission to have someone else sign your child out.
Please do not call the main office to have your child sent out - we will inform you that you need to come into the office in person and sign your child out.
Thank you for helping us to keep every student safe while on our campus!