Principal's Ponderings
Linden Middle School
Dear Parents/Guardians,
What a wild winter we have had - so far! With six snow days in January, it has been hard to get into a routine! Let's hope that the weather in February is more mild!
This is the time of the year that eighth graders’ imminent move to the high school becomes more real! Students in EDP classes have begun working on high school schedules, and all students will soon be making high school course selections. The tentative date for the high school eighth grade parent only orientation is Tuesday, March 198h. It will be held at Linden High School from 6:00-7:30 PM. Please mark this important date on your calendars!
A reminder to parents of all 8th grade students! A parent meeting to go over the results of the ACT Explore test and to present an overview of the Educational Development Process (EDP) will be held at LMS in the media center on Tuesday, February 11th from 6:00-7:30 PM.
Please remember that information, including attendance and student grades, is available through ParentVue. Visit the LCS Web site for access to these programs. You will find a direct link under “Student”. As always, please contact the main office at (810) 591-0710 if you have any questions or concerns.
Julie Brown
Principal
Talented Talons
Science
Physical and Chemical Properties and Changes have us working on our first project of the year. Instructions will be given, and students should be working on the Learning Target based project. This project will replace the test for this unit. Students can either submit a PowerPoint Presentation or Prezi by e-mail or on a flash drive or create a poster with the appropriate information. Students are also asked to demonstrate a chemical change in front of the classroom. This is due sometime late February. Here is the e-mail address for submitting a PowerPoint Presentation: ccook@lindenschools.org
Math
For the most part, students have made a really smooth transition to on-line homework practices. To increase progress toward a successful math year, keep these tips in mind.
· Pay attention to the entry directions for each question. ie. - round to nearest tenth
· Don’t wait until the last day to complete homework as you may experience computer problems and then be unable to meet the deadline
· Read the helpful hints that pop up if you answer incorrectly instead of just choosing another answer
· Take advantage of the "show me another example" and "help me solve this" buttons to reinforce your understanding.
· Ask questions during or after class.
Parents please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at bbeckman@lindenschools.org
Language Arts
There are a lot of exciting things going on in language arts this month! We have just started our new unit on fantasy. Right now we are reading a fantasy play called The Phantom Tollbooth. After we finish the play, students will be participating in their first novel study for 6th grade: Tuck Everlasting. To finish up our fantasy genre unit, students will be able to use their own imaginations when they write their own fantasy narratives!
Social Studies-Mrs. Coleman
Students are learning about our neighbor to the north, Canada. We begin this unit studying about Canada’s geography, natural resources, and climate. Students have memorized the location of the territories, provinces, major cities, and major waterways. We are also comparing how Canada and the United States have similarities and differences. Next, we learn about Canada’s history and Canada Today. Some students have shared that their families have relatives living in Canada; and some students even have a family cabin on one of Canada’s beautiful lakes. This is a fascinating study.
Please make sure your child has the necessary equipment to be successful in class. All students need their own colored pencils and glue sticks. We do a lot of maps, drawings, and charts which require colored pencils. Students glue many of their assignments in their notebooks.
Winged Warriors
In Social Studies, the students are studying our neighbor to the north, Canada! We have several learning targets as we move through the unit. In chapter 6, section 1 the students are learning about the geography of Canada. They are identifying the major landforms, rivers, and lakes. They are learning about Canada’s major resources, and climate patterns. As we move through section 2, the students will learn how the British affected Canada’s history and how immigrants have influenced Canadian culture. Our study will wrap up with a study of what Canada is like today.
In Language Arts, students are continuing their study of fantasy story elements. Using the model from “The Phantom Tollbooth,” students are taking notes and writing a summary to independently practice the skill. Students are also expected to finish their fantasy novel that they are reading independently and complete their reading log, by Wednesday, February 5. They will apply their knowledge to complete the summary assessment of their novel on February 6. Students will also be giving oral “Book Talks” on their books this month. Weekly spelling and vocabulary lessons are continued to be assigned every Monday, and quizzes are on Fridays.
In math, students have been working on decimal computation as well as changing between decimals and fractions. In topic 8 we will be working with integers ( positive and negative whole numbers). This is the first time students have worked with integers. Please look for examples of integers and, when possible, point them out to your child. A great site for additional practice for students is AAAmath.com . Please have your child go there and find things we are working on for additional help. Also, remember that math grades are on the Digits site under your child’s account.
In science, we continue our study of Matter. After the extended vacation, the students returned and prepared for the Chapter 2 Test. We are currently learning about Physical and Chemical Properties and Changes. This chapter is a short one and will go quickly. Watch for the next test in a few weeks. We will then finish this text with an in-depth look at the Periodic Table. As always, if you have questions contact me via email or the phone.
Regal Eagles
Thank you to all of the parents who attended Parent Teacher Conferences on January 16th. We encourage parents and students to keep track of daily work and academic progress using school resources such as StudentVue and ParentVue. If you do not have Internet access at home, we are happy to supply you with grade reports upon request. Students, let’s continue to use your planners, stay organized, and turn in work on-time.
Finally, we would like to mention curriculum topics being covered. In language arts, we are in the middle of our mystery novel and will begin writing a mini-mystery. Students are studying photosynthesis in science class. Students will create their own textbook page with illustrations as their final project. In social studies, classes are beginning their study of Africa by examining its physical geography. The history of the continent will follow. Look for a project on ancient Egypt.
Soaring Eagles
We hope that everyone had an excellent extended Winter break. As we finish up the second half of the trimester, it is really time to buckle down. Please make sure that your child is caught up in all classes and encourage your student to turn in all assignments on-time; every point is important the final grade.
Thank you to all of the parents who attended Parent/Teacher Conferences. It was great to see so many parents out during such horrible weather! For those you who weren’t able to attend, updated grades are available on ParentVue.
Language Arts classes will find out “who dunnit” in the murder mystery “And Then There Were None” soon! After that, we will begin work on the City Research Paper. Social Studies classes are learning about the Middle East and discussing current events. Our next topic of study will be Africa! In math, students continue to work with simplifying expressions. Before the end of the trimester, we will move into solving equations and inequalities.
We had a great time at RollHaven. We would like to thank students who helped clean-up and who helped other skaters when they fell. We really appreciate our students’ safe, responsible, and respectful behavior! If you have any questions or comments, please contact your child’s teacher as soon as possible.
Eighth Grade News
Eighth graders are off to a great start in 2014! We are more than half way through the 2nd trimester. It is important to keep checking your student’s progress on ParentVue! (Synergy). Also, teachers are posting homework assignments with due dates and upcoming tests/quizzes on ParentVue to keep you informed. If you still cannot access your account, please call the office at (810) 591-0710. It is also important to keep checking your student’s Digits math account. This will help you check for missing assignments!
We have been enjoying the Polar Vortex that has descended upon Michigan this winter! Pelase make sure your student is prepared to go outside every day after lunch! They need coats, hats, gloves, and all winter accessories with them at lunch every day.
We would also like to thank the parents who attended Parent/Teacher conferences. It was great to see familiar faces and to discuss your child’s progress. The last Parent/Teacher conference will be in April.
The 8th graders were able to go bowling on January 17th! It was great to see so many students enjoying the lanes!
The permission slip for Longway Planetarium has gone home with your student. “Nine Planets and Counting” is closely aligned with 8th grade curriculum. We are sure the students will come away star struck!! The cost is $7, and students will need to bring money for lunch. Permission slips Were due the last week of January. If you child still wants to attend and forgot to turn in the permission slip, please contact one of his/her teachers. We will do what we can to make sure all students are able to attend!
January Writers of the Month
As part of the Writer of the Month program, each month students will be honored for completing an exceptional piece of writing. These selections will be on display in the Media Center. The Writers of the Month for January are:
Abby Skinner , Trevor Cekander, Ava Cota, Sherry Anderson, Katye Delliss, Benjamin King, Kenneth Thomas, Allie Hukill
LMS Calendar
February 3 LMS Newsletter Posted
February 7 Suicide Prevention Speaker; 7th Grade Classes; All Day
February 11 8th Grade Parent EDP Meeting; Media Center; 6:00-7:30 PM
February 12 Suicide Prevention Speaker; 7th Grade Classes; All Day
February 12 8th Grade Career Assembly; 8:00-9:00 AM
February 12 8th Grade Longway Planetarium Field Trip; 10:00 AM
February 17 No School
February 18 No School
February 28 WEB Media Day
March 3 LMS Newsletter Posted
March 11 LMS Choir Concert; Cafeteria; 7:00 PM
March 14 End of Second Trimester