Swann Lion Times

Be sure to talk with your Lions each night about what standards they are working on and what activities they are doing to master those standards! Here is some general information to get the conversation started.

In Math, students use the Open Up curriculum. Click here to see the Open Up lessons for all grade levels! 6th graders are working with ratios, 7th graders are working with proportional relationships and ratios, and 8th grade is working with slope.

In ELA, students are mid-way through their first units. 6th grade is reading Percy Jackson, 7th grade is reading A Long Walk to Water, and 8th grade is reading Summer of the Mariposas.

In Social Studies, 6th graders are working on Mesopotamia, 7th grade is learning about the Age of Exploration, and 8th grade is working on the American Revolution.

In Science, 6th graders are working on states of matter, 7th graders are learning about speed-distance-time equations, and 8th graders are in their evolution and earth science unit.

6th graders are working with ratios. See if they can apply that concept to this scenario. To make 1 batch of sky blue paint, Clare mixes 2 cups of blue paint with 1 gallon of white paint. Explain how Clare can make 2 batches of sky blue paint. Explain how to make a mixture that is a darker shade of blue than the sky blue. Explain how to make a mixture that is a lighter shade of blue than the sky blue.

7th graders are working on ratios this week. See if they can apply their knowledge to this scenario.On a map of Chicago, 1 cm represents 100 m. Select all statements that express the same scale.

1. 5 cm on the map represents 50 m in Chicago.
2. 1 mm on the map represents 10 m in Chicago
3. 1 km in Chicago is represented by 10 cm the map
4. 100 cm in Chicago is represented by 1 m on the map.

8th graders are practicing slope! The slope of a line is a number we can calculate using any two points on the line. To find the slope, divide the vertical distance between the points by the horizontal distance aka "rise over run"! Here is a line drawn on a grid. There are also four right triangles drawn. Do you notice anything the triangles have in common?

This week, our Forensic Scientists partnered with volunteers from NC A&T to learn how to identify unknown agents. They tested their mystery substances' reactions to iodine, vinegar, heat, and water; made observations; and used that data to hypothesize what the agents were.

Esta semana, los estudiantes de Sra. Zegarra experimentaron con la idea de inertia y la primera ley de Newton. Usaron un huevo y plato para ver lo que pasa cuando se cambia la fuerza en un objeto. This week, Sra. Zegarra's students experimented with the concept of intertia and Newton's First Law. They used an eff and plate to see what happens when you chnge the force on an object. Recreate the experiement here!

Social Emotional Learning is an important part of our culture. Classcraft supports the SEL framework that promotes social emotional learning within our school. Here's an article that provides an insight on why social-emotional learning is so important.

Classcraft Article: Why is Social-Emotional Learning Important?

Video: What is Social Emotional Learning?

Along with Classcraft we use PBIS framework to support students each day. Access the article below to learn more about the benefits this framework has in middle school. We desire for students to have positive experiences that foster personal growth and academic progress.

What are the benefits of using PBIS in middle school?

Please visit our district SEL Department page to get more info about how we are "Better Together" in making sure we take a holistic approach to supporting our students using the CASEL model as a guide. GCS District SEL Department

We are excited to welcome Swann's family and friends into the school this year! Our focus is on increasing parent engagement. We have a list of teams we are looking for folks to serve on throughout the year. Click on the interest form below and let us know how you want to be a part of our Lion Pride this year!

1. Fill out the interest form for volunteers, and we will call you or email you when opportunities arise.

2. Register as an official GCS volunteer here.

Swann is a proud PTA school! Click here to join our PTA as a parent, student, community, or staff member. If you are interested in serving on the Board, let us know and we will put you in touch with the current PTSA reps! School is better when we work together!

For more information or if you are interested in serving on the PTA Board, please reach out to swannpta@gmail.com.

Want to support our teachers this giving season? Click here to donate to Swann's teachers' Donors Choose campaigns! We are all we need! Go Lions!

Ms. Dorsey is serving our 6th grade and N-Z 8th grade students.

dorseyc2@gcsnc.com

Ms. Kelly is serving our 7th grade and A-M 8th grade students.

kellyc2@gcsnc.com

Because our counselors work with students all day, email is a good way to contact them when you need them!

In October, our social and emotional learning focus is on self control. Every other Friday of the month of October our students will participate in lessons that focus on the meaning of self control and how to establish self control in challenging situations. It is our goal to take a holistic approach to student development to ensure our students are progressing in all areas. Character trait recognition will take place at the end of each month to recognize our students that are exhibiting our monthly character trait.

It's time to cheer on our Lion Pride! The Fall game schedule is on the website!

The second round of fall sports has begun! Check the Athletics page of the website for times and dates of games. For students interested in Winter sports, go ahead and make sure you have all needed forms now! All necessary forms are also posted on the website. Remember that any athlete must have a current physical on file to participate.

Canvas Family Access

Parent Portal Access

Swann Calendar

Swann Athletics

10/24 8th Grade Science Interim Test

11/2-3 Teacher Workdays

11/8 Math Interim Test

11/10 Veteran's Day--No School

11/14 ELA Interim Test

11/20 Math 1 Interim Test

11/22-24 Thanksgiving Break

12/22-1/2 Winter Break

5/24-31 EOG Testing

Email: battlep@gcsnc.com boccim@gcsnc.com winsted@gcsnc.com
Website: https://www.gcsnc.com/site/default.aspx?DomainID=114
Location: 811 Cypress St, Greensboro, NC 27405, USA
Phone: 336-370-8100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swannlions
X: @swannmiddle

Instagram: @swannmiddleschool