http://www.boredpanda.com/top-10-photographers-for-travel-portraits/
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Tips for taking a Stunning Portrait
http://digital-photography-school.com/10-ways-to-take-stunning-portraits/
Tips for taking a good photo
http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/10-top-photography-composition-rules
Monday, October 26, 2015
Friday, October 23, 2015
House D -How are you doing survey
copy the link below and paste it into your browser's web address bar
http://tinyurl.com/ncnjxuu
http://tinyurl.com/ncnjxuu
Thursday, October 15, 2015
STAR link
To get to the STAR assessment, Copy and Paste the following link into your browser:
https://hosted99.renlearn.com/12260/
https://hosted99.renlearn.com/12260/
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Fwd: 8th Grade Boston Trip
If you have an email list for you students, please forward. Please see the
other email for further instructions.
Joe Smith
House A - Consulting Teacher
Boston Coordinator
Milton Town School District Radio
http://miltonsdr.blogspot.com/p/home.html
(802) 893-5529
----- Original Message -----
Dear 8th Grade Families,
As part of the rite of passage to high school and as a culminating
activity of your students time in middle school, we go on a three days,
two nights excursion to Boston.~ The dates of the trip are Wednesday, May
25th through Friday, May 27th.~ As part of this trip students will stay in
a college dorm room, see Blue Man Group or Shear Madness, visit the
Science Museum, walk the Freedom Trail, and have the opportunity to visit
local colleges, eat in Chinatown and/or in the North End, and visit other
museums in Boston.~ This is a trip that your student will never forget.
The total cost of the trip is $350.~ To help with the costs there will be
ample opportunities for your student to fund raise for the trip.~ Your
student has a fundraising account.~ The amount that your student raises
will be deposited into your student's account.~ In April, the remainder of
the balance will need to be paid.~ Families will also have to option to
just pay the $350.~ To get the most out of this opportunity, I would
strongly suggest that your student be responsible for a portion of the
cost.~ Partial scholarships will be available to students, if they have
participated in the fundraising activities.
For the student that raises the most money, we are looking for a unique
experience for them and a friend. It may be dinner at a North End
Restaurant or a special show. The prize will be offered based on the
student's interest.
Tentative list of this year's fundraisers:
September – PTA Fundraiser – All students who participate, 50% of the
profits from their orders will go towards Boston.
November – Thanksgiving Pie Sale
December – February – Calendar Raffle
February/March – Spaghetti Dinner
If you or your student would like to organize a fundraiser, please contact
me and will try to make your idea work.
A letter went home with your child yesterday stating how much they have
earned for Boston. Please ask them for it.
If you have any questions or suggestions for fundraisers, please contact
Joe Smith at [ mailto:jsmith3@mtsd-vt.org ]jsmith3@mtsd-vt.org or 893-5529.
Joe Smith
House A - Consulting Teacher
Boston Coordinator
Milton Town School District Radio
http://miltonsdr.blogspot.com/p/home.html
(802) 893-5529
__________________________________________________________________
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is
for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential
and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or
distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please
contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy/delete all copies of the
original message.
other email for further instructions.
Joe Smith
House A - Consulting Teacher
Boston Coordinator
Milton Town School District Radio
http://miltonsdr.blogspot.com/p/home.html
(802) 893-5529
----- Original Message -----
Dear 8th Grade Families,
As part of the rite of passage to high school and as a culminating
activity of your students time in middle school, we go on a three days,
two nights excursion to Boston.~ The dates of the trip are Wednesday, May
25th through Friday, May 27th.~ As part of this trip students will stay in
a college dorm room, see Blue Man Group or Shear Madness, visit the
Science Museum, walk the Freedom Trail, and have the opportunity to visit
local colleges, eat in Chinatown and/or in the North End, and visit other
museums in Boston.~ This is a trip that your student will never forget.
The total cost of the trip is $350.~ To help with the costs there will be
ample opportunities for your student to fund raise for the trip.~ Your
student has a fundraising account.~ The amount that your student raises
will be deposited into your student's account.~ In April, the remainder of
the balance will need to be paid.~ Families will also have to option to
just pay the $350.~ To get the most out of this opportunity, I would
strongly suggest that your student be responsible for a portion of the
cost.~ Partial scholarships will be available to students, if they have
participated in the fundraising activities.
For the student that raises the most money, we are looking for a unique
experience for them and a friend. It may be dinner at a North End
Restaurant or a special show. The prize will be offered based on the
student's interest.
Tentative list of this year's fundraisers:
September – PTA Fundraiser – All students who participate, 50% of the
profits from their orders will go towards Boston.
November – Thanksgiving Pie Sale
December – February – Calendar Raffle
February/March – Spaghetti Dinner
If you or your student would like to organize a fundraiser, please contact
me and will try to make your idea work.
A letter went home with your child yesterday stating how much they have
earned for Boston. Please ask them for it.
If you have any questions or suggestions for fundraisers, please contact
Joe Smith at [ mailto:jsmith3@mtsd-vt.org ]jsmith3@mtsd-vt.org or 893-5529.
Joe Smith
House A - Consulting Teacher
Boston Coordinator
Milton Town School District Radio
http://miltonsdr.blogspot.com/p/home.html
(802) 893-5529
__________________________________________________________________
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is
for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential
and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or
distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please
contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy/delete all copies of the
original message.
Friday, June 12, 2015
Summer Reading letter
June 2015
Greetings students and families of Milton Middle School,
As one year winds down, we are already gearing up for the next; can you believe it? Without rushing things, we do want to let you know about the summer reading expectations. We are excited to announce that we will be reading 2015-2016 Dorothy Canfield Fisher (DCF) selection, No Summit out of Sight by Jordan Romero. Students will be given a copy of the book by 6/15; this copy will be theirs to keep and annotate. With its connections to exploration and larger message about persisting, this title is a great fit with our upcoming curriculum. Students should bring in their copies, having already read them, on the first day of school. If your child is unable to receive his or her copy by this Monday, it will be available to pick up from the elementary school throughout the summer.
In addition to reading this title, we are expecting all students to continue their independent reading. Vermont's reading standards challenge students to read one book every two weeks. Many students love to plunge in and read over the summer with all that free time. Others need some structure, encouragement, and strategic planning -- plan regular time for reading, read with your child, listen to books on tape or digital recordings, read books then watch the movies, take trips to the library. In fact, the Milton Public Library is offering some fabulous summer programming under the theme Unmask. We have included a list of all of this year’s DCF titles on the back of this letter. Please visit the websites listed below for more information about the books, including recommended ages and descriptions. Additionally, the folks at the Milton Public Library are helpful resources for book recommendations. Families, this could be a wonderful opportunity for you to enjoy some excellent young adult literature, while supporting your child with his/her reading expectations.
When we return in August, in addition to school-wide celebrations of the book No Summit out of Sight, each house will have its own way of discussing and working with the books.There is also a chance that our school will be invited to participate with the Vermont Public Radio program Dorothy’s List. Keep track of those questions and talking points!
So, find a nice sunny spot, curl up, and get lost in some fabulous literature. If you have any questions, please direct them to the appropriate humanities teachers.
Happy Reading!
The MMS Humanities Team
For an annotated list of the 2015-2016 DCF titles:
For a list of books with high interest, background building, current trends for all the students in grades 5th-8th.
Monday, June 8, 2015
8th grade speaker survey
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19h10pRitcP_1RSPu8-bA8Pm7u6mb5R9v-4tWo3Z4CCg/viewform?usp=send_form
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Thursday, May 7, 2015
House D Auction postponed and Tri 3 Progress Reports
Hello Parents,
Tomorrow, your son/daughter will be bringing Trimester 3 progress reports home. Attached will be a bright half sheet of paper which needs to be returned to advisory teachers with your signature. This acknowledges that you have received and read the progress reports. As always, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact any one of us. Thanks.
We have postponed our House D auction until next week (Friday, May 15) because we are have a school wide "Fun, Run, Walk, Barbeque" hosted by the Boosters tomorrow. We are still in need of many "auction" items (small games, snacks, $5 gift cards - iTunes, Subway, Dunkin Donuts, or anything you think adolescents would like). The auction is a way for our students to spend their D-Backs that they have been earning for the past several weeks. It also is a great incentive..........since implementation of our "Goals and D-Back" program, we are seeing much improvement in work completion. Any help with auction items would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Enjoy the rest of the week.
House D
Tomorrow, your son/daughter will be bringing Trimester 3 progress reports home. Attached will be a bright half sheet of paper which needs to be returned to advisory teachers with your signature. This acknowledges that you have received and read the progress reports. As always, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact any one of us. Thanks.
We have postponed our House D auction until next week (Friday, May 15) because we are have a school wide "Fun, Run, Walk, Barbeque" hosted by the Boosters tomorrow. We are still in need of many "auction" items (small games, snacks, $5 gift cards - iTunes, Subway, Dunkin Donuts, or anything you think adolescents would like). The auction is a way for our students to spend their D-Backs that they have been earning for the past several weeks. It also is a great incentive..........since implementation of our "Goals and D-Back" program, we are seeing much improvement in work completion. Any help with auction items would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Enjoy the rest of the week.
House D
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Announcements and Weekly Goals: 4/27 - 5/1
Hello Parents,
I hope everyone is doing well. This week in Humanities/ Social Studies, we are continuing with our "Road to Revolution". We are examining the events and reasons that led to our American Revolution. This will be over the next 4 weeks and will include some drama, broadsides, and various connections to present day (or recent) revolutions. We will then examine government types and why we chose the government we have today. Tonight, students should be interviewing an adult in the household with questions related to revolutions.
Next Friday (5/8), we will be holding an auction so students can use their "d-backs" (team currency). After many weeks, students have been collecting quite a few of these, so an auction is a great way to spend them (also a great incentive). We are looking for small items such as school supplies, snacks, small games, $5 gift cards - Subway, iTunes, dunkin donuts, and any other kid fun item they would get excited over. We would appreciate the help because the more items we have, the bigger the auction. Students can drop the auction items with their advisory teacher. Thanks.
Below are the goals for the week:
____ SS Chap. 7, Sect. 3 worksheet
____ SS Interview (due Wed)
____ SS Road to Revolution vocabulary
____ LA Vocab 1-4
____ LA Reading log
____ LA The Last Dog Argument - graphic organizer
____ SC Vocab. Weather and Climate
____ SC Water Cycle / Heat Flow questions
____ M 6th: complete nightly homework in packets. 12.3, 12.4
____ M 7th: complete nightly homework in packets. 7.4, 7.5
____ M 8th: finish packets 2.3, 3.1.
Have a great week.
House D
I hope everyone is doing well. This week in Humanities/ Social Studies, we are continuing with our "Road to Revolution". We are examining the events and reasons that led to our American Revolution. This will be over the next 4 weeks and will include some drama, broadsides, and various connections to present day (or recent) revolutions. We will then examine government types and why we chose the government we have today. Tonight, students should be interviewing an adult in the household with questions related to revolutions.
Next Friday (5/8), we will be holding an auction so students can use their "d-backs" (team currency). After many weeks, students have been collecting quite a few of these, so an auction is a great way to spend them (also a great incentive). We are looking for small items such as school supplies, snacks, small games, $5 gift cards - Subway, iTunes, dunkin donuts, and any other kid fun item they would get excited over. We would appreciate the help because the more items we have, the bigger the auction. Students can drop the auction items with their advisory teacher. Thanks.
Below are the goals for the week:
____ SS Chap. 7, Sect. 3 worksheet
____ SS Interview (due Wed)
____ SS Road to Revolution vocabulary
____ LA Vocab 1-4
____ LA Reading log
____ LA The Last Dog Argument - graphic organizer
____ SC Vocab. Weather and Climate
____ SC Water Cycle / Heat Flow questions
____ M 6th: complete nightly homework in packets. 12.3, 12.4
____ M 7th: complete nightly homework in packets. 7.4, 7.5
____ M 8th: finish packets 2.3, 3.1.
Have a great week.
House D
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Monday, April 13, 2015
Weekly Goals 4/13-4/17 and a few announcements
Hello Parents,
I hope everyone is enjoying this nice weather we are starting to have. The students definitely notice.........lots more requests for "having class outside" . This week we will begin our SBAC (standardized tests) testing beginning on Thursday. Please make sure that students are well rested. Also, on Friday afternoon we will be walking over to the high school to see the award winning "Beowulf".
This week's goals are the following:
____ SS Sovereign state worksheet (due Tue)
____ SS Why Gov't / Sovereign state QUIZ (Wed)
____ SS Chap. 7, Sect. 1 questions (end of class Wed)
____ SS Chap 7, Sect. 2 questions (Fri)
____ M Complete nightly assignments
_____ LA Reading Log Due Friday
_____ LA Book reports Due Friday
_____ LA Vocabulary 5-8____ SC Season Simulation work (Tues)
____ SC Assessment - Seasons (Wed)
Have a great week.
House D
I hope everyone is enjoying this nice weather we are starting to have. The students definitely notice.........lots more requests for "having class outside" . This week we will begin our SBAC (standardized tests) testing beginning on Thursday. Please make sure that students are well rested. Also, on Friday afternoon we will be walking over to the high school to see the award winning "Beowulf".
This week's goals are the following:
____ SS Sovereign state worksheet (due Tue)
____ SS Why Gov't / Sovereign state QUIZ (Wed)
____ SS Chap. 7, Sect. 1 questions (end of class Wed)
____ SS Chap 7, Sect. 2 questions (Fri)
____ M Complete nightly assignments
_____ LA Reading Log Due Friday
_____ LA Book reports Due Friday
_____ LA Vocabulary 5-8____ SC Season Simulation work (Tues)
____ SC Assessment - Seasons (Wed)
Have a great week.
House D
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
As many of you are aware, we have a very large lunch group this year. House C and D eat together in the cafeteria from 12:00-12:25. Most kids take 5-10 minutes to chow down and then spend the rest of the time period socializing, which is great.
Lately, the behavior has become too loud, rowdy, unsafe, and messy. Kids have been throwing food, leaving food and trays on the tables, and there has even been some vandalism of cafeteria supplies. Students were given a stern warning on Friday to clean up their act but no major progress was made this week. So.... we are going to assigned tables in the cafeteria for the next seven days (until April break) to try to re-set the expectations. Students will be sitting with their advisory groups at assigned tables. Students will be dismissed one table at a time.
Students can earn back the privilege of sitting where they want by doing the following things:
-speaking in a reasonable way (no screaming or swearing)
-treating the cafeteria supplies with respect (tables, trays, silverware, etc.)
-treating the cafeteria workers with kindness and respect
-picking up after themselves at the end of lunch (dumping trays, throwing away trash)
We hope that by practicing the correct behaviors in a more structured environment, the students will understand what is expected of them and be able to do this even when sitting with their friends.
Lately, the behavior has become too loud, rowdy, unsafe, and messy. Kids have been throwing food, leaving food and trays on the tables, and there has even been some vandalism of cafeteria supplies. Students were given a stern warning on Friday to clean up their act but no major progress was made this week. So.... we are going to assigned tables in the cafeteria for the next seven days (until April break) to try to re-set the expectations. Students will be sitting with their advisory groups at assigned tables. Students will be dismissed one table at a time.
Students can earn back the privilege of sitting where they want by doing the following things:
-speaking in a reasonable way (no screaming or swearing)
-treating the cafeteria supplies with respect (tables, trays, silverware, etc.)
-treating the cafeteria workers with kindness and respect
-picking up after themselves at the end of lunch (dumping trays, throwing away trash)
We hope that by practicing the correct behaviors in a more structured environment, the students will understand what is expected of them and be able to do this even when sitting with their friends.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Weekly Goals: 4/6-4/10
Hello Parents,
We hope everyone had a good weekend. Last Thursday's "Power to the People" Humanities celebration was a success. It was great to see the wide variety of projects and topics.
Our "D-Back" program is becoming very successful. This past Friday, we had the most students yet complete all of their goals to earn D-Backs. We are hoping to continue this success this week. Please check your son's/daughter's planner on Friday to see if all goals were met (circles indicate incomplete work). Below are the goals for this week:
____ SS Why Gov't? worksheet
____ SS Sovereign State worksheets
____ LA Vocab 1-4
____ LA Reading Log
____ LA Power to the People Reflection
____ SC Energy Angles Part I (Tues)
____ SC Energy Angles Part II (Wed)
____ SC Energy Angles Part III (Fri)
____ MA Complete homework assignments
____ MA Complete 2 Ten Marks with 70% or better
____ MA Complete Journal reflection
Let us know if you have any questions. Have a great week.
House D
We hope everyone had a good weekend. Last Thursday's "Power to the People" Humanities celebration was a success. It was great to see the wide variety of projects and topics.
Our "D-Back" program is becoming very successful. This past Friday, we had the most students yet complete all of their goals to earn D-Backs. We are hoping to continue this success this week. Please check your son's/daughter's planner on Friday to see if all goals were met (circles indicate incomplete work). Below are the goals for this week:
____ SS Why Gov't? worksheet
____ SS Sovereign State worksheets
____ LA Vocab 1-4
____ LA Reading Log
____ LA Power to the People Reflection
____ SC Energy Angles Part I (Tues)
____ SC Energy Angles Part II (Wed)
____ SC Energy Angles Part III (Fri)
____ MA Complete homework assignments
____ MA Complete 2 Ten Marks with 70% or better
____ MA Complete Journal reflection
Let us know if you have any questions. Have a great week.
House D
Power to the People Reflection
please complete reflection using the following link:
Power to the People Reflection
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nSgogq2QB6uCe1GT1kMhTCIgRzNOLsUB2StdVwXyZUM/viewform?c=0&w=1
Power to the People Reflection
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nSgogq2QB6uCe1GT1kMhTCIgRzNOLsUB2StdVwXyZUM/viewform?c=0&w=1
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Upcoming "Power to the People" Celebration
Hello Parents,
Humanities (Social Studies/Language Arts):
“On Thursday 4/2 from 5:30pm-7:30pm at the high school, Milton Middle School students will celebrate the culmination of their learning during the Power to the People unit. Students have been engaged in an examination of the historical struggle for all Americans to gain their full civil rights. We have followed the struggle for equality of African Americans, women, and gay Americans, paying particular attention to the current state of these struggles. The students have worked on their literacy skills in the areas of research, informational and reflective writing, as well as speaking, and listening. The learning has been synthesized in the form of an artistic representation of a group's struggle and/or the changemakers who have worked to secure civil rights for all. Please join us in celebration and attend what is sure to be a powerful and enlightening evening.”
Students have been working hard on their projects. By the end of tomorrow, their written piece of the project should be complete. This is a 6 paragraph "artist's statement".
We hope to see you at the celebration!
Mr. Badeau, Ms. Talbot, Ms. Lovell, and Mr. Burton
Monday, March 16, 2015
Links to different mediums of art that inform and influence the audience about a struggle for equality:
The
following are links to help allow student to interact and analyze
art, while also becoming more informed about Human Rights issues
across the globe:
Child
Labor:
Children
in Poverty:
Mentally
Disabled Abuse:
Physically
Disabled discrimination:
Starvation:
Homlessness:
“Ethnic
Cleansing”:
Medicine:
Human
Trafficking:
Civil
Rights:
Keep
your eyes on that prize: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIBxTAPYw54
Michael
Jackson- Black or White: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjZwi_PJiio
Women's
Rights:
No
Doubt- Just a
Girl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o8-1Zfop94\
Rosie
the
Riveter: http://www.makers.com/blog/famous-women-who-have-channeled-rosie-riveter
Homosexuality
Discrimination:
Mackelmore-
Same Love:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQngzapK5dM
https://www.scoutsforequality.org/ -
slideshow at top of page
racism/discrimination against Muslims:
Are
All Terrorists Muslims? It’s Not Even Close (oly 6%)
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/14/are-all-terrorists-muslims-it-s-not-even-close.html
has
a play button on the right to hear quotes about practicing Islam
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Weekly Goals: 2/16- 2/20
Hello Parents,
We are now into our third week where we have incorporated our "goals" program for students. I have to say that we are already seeing the success of having the "D-Back" and Friday "activities" room incentives. More students are actively trying to meet goals set at the beginning of each week. We hope that we will continue to see more students meeting all goals. This translates into greater productivity of the students during the week. We want students to continue to develop better work habits and a stronger work ethic. You can help by checking your son/daughter's planner to see if goals are met on Friday (circle means goal was not met and initials means goal was met) and using this week's goals listed below as a way to check in during the week to see if the work is being completed. Thanks. Below are the goals for this week:
____ SS Civil Rights worksheets completed (3)
____ SS Journal Entry #2
____ LA Reading log or book Report
____ LA Immigration narrative reflection
____ S Complete plate tectonics homework (Fri)
____ M (6th-8th) Complete assessment
____ M (6th-8th) Complete 4 Tenmarks
____ M (6th-8th) Complete daily assignments
Have a great week.
House D
We are now into our third week where we have incorporated our "goals" program for students. I have to say that we are already seeing the success of having the "D-Back" and Friday "activities" room incentives. More students are actively trying to meet goals set at the beginning of each week. We hope that we will continue to see more students meeting all goals. This translates into greater productivity of the students during the week. We want students to continue to develop better work habits and a stronger work ethic. You can help by checking your son/daughter's planner to see if goals are met on Friday (circle means goal was not met and initials means goal was met) and using this week's goals listed below as a way to check in during the week to see if the work is being completed. Thanks. Below are the goals for this week:
____ SS Civil Rights worksheets completed (3)
____ SS Journal Entry #2
____ LA Reading log or book Report
____ LA Immigration narrative reflection
____ S Complete plate tectonics homework (Fri)
____ M (6th-8th) Complete assessment
____ M (6th-8th) Complete 4 Tenmarks
____ M (6th-8th) Complete daily assignments
Have a great week.
House D
Thursday, February 5, 2015
House D "D-Back" Incentive Program
Hello Parents,
We have launched a new incentive program this week to help build work habits and a stronger work ethic within students. This program rewards those students who are doing the things necessary to be successful in school. This includes completing classwork, putting effort into work, completing homework assignments, demonstrating appropriate behavior, and showing up prepared to learn. At the beginning of each week, students will write down goals in their planners that have been set for the week. Most often these are work based, but sometimes they can be announcements of up coming quizzes or tests. This will give the students a preview of what is expected in each core class for the week. This week (we started yesterday), students wrote the following goals in their planners which you can see in a list format:
____ LA (Language Arts) - Reading log
____ LA - labor conflict summary
____ SS (Social Studies) - completed Rosa Parks questions
____ SS - 1st journal entry
____ SS - Timeline (this was due last Friday but several students did not turn it in)
____ M (Math) - complete homework assignments
____ M - Journal Entry
6th grade - Explain how to find % of number
7th grade - demonstrating understanding of integer and rational number operations
8th grade - demonstrating understanding of how to solve a system of equations
____ S (Science) - questions and hypothesis (complete - typed in google docs)
____ S - Procedure typed and complete in google docs
On Fridays, we will initial on each line if the goal is complete or put a circle around it to indicate that the work was not done. This will help you get a better glimpse of not only what we are covering but if your son/daughter is completing the work. We created our own currency called "D-Backs" which students will earn in each class if they complete the goals for that class. We are also incorporating other ways for students to earn D-Backs such as through demonstrating Habits of Mind. We will then have chances for students to spend the D-Backs on a variety of things or events. Lastly, the last block of the day on Fridays will be used as "work rooms" or "activity rooms". Work rooms will be used for students who have not completed goals for the week. There will be teachers there to help when needed. Activity rooms are used for games and other organized "fun" things for students who completed all goals. We are hoping this will serve as an incentive for students to be more productive during the week. Let us know if you have any questions. We will be putting together an email list to send the goals directly to parents on Mondays to help build better communication between our House and you.
House D
We have launched a new incentive program this week to help build work habits and a stronger work ethic within students. This program rewards those students who are doing the things necessary to be successful in school. This includes completing classwork, putting effort into work, completing homework assignments, demonstrating appropriate behavior, and showing up prepared to learn. At the beginning of each week, students will write down goals in their planners that have been set for the week. Most often these are work based, but sometimes they can be announcements of up coming quizzes or tests. This will give the students a preview of what is expected in each core class for the week. This week (we started yesterday), students wrote the following goals in their planners which you can see in a list format:
____ LA (Language Arts) - Reading log
____ LA - labor conflict summary
____ SS (Social Studies) - completed Rosa Parks questions
____ SS - 1st journal entry
____ SS - Timeline (this was due last Friday but several students did not turn it in)
____ M (Math) - complete homework assignments
____ M - Journal Entry
6th grade - Explain how to find % of number
7th grade - demonstrating understanding of integer and rational number operations
8th grade - demonstrating understanding of how to solve a system of equations
____ S (Science) - questions and hypothesis (complete - typed in google docs)
____ S - Procedure typed and complete in google docs
On Fridays, we will initial on each line if the goal is complete or put a circle around it to indicate that the work was not done. This will help you get a better glimpse of not only what we are covering but if your son/daughter is completing the work. We created our own currency called "D-Backs" which students will earn in each class if they complete the goals for that class. We are also incorporating other ways for students to earn D-Backs such as through demonstrating Habits of Mind. We will then have chances for students to spend the D-Backs on a variety of things or events. Lastly, the last block of the day on Fridays will be used as "work rooms" or "activity rooms". Work rooms will be used for students who have not completed goals for the week. There will be teachers there to help when needed. Activity rooms are used for games and other organized "fun" things for students who completed all goals. We are hoping this will serve as an incentive for students to be more productive during the week. Let us know if you have any questions. We will be putting together an email list to send the goals directly to parents on Mondays to help build better communication between our House and you.
House D
Friday, January 30, 2015
Tri-mester 2 Progress Reports
Hello Parents,
We want to let you know that students are bringing Trimester 2 progress reports home today. They are in an envelope with a bright yellow half sheet of paper attached to it. Please review the progress reports with your son/daughter. Initial the yellow sheet so we know that you reviewed the reports and send that sheet back to school with your son/daughter to be handed to the Advisory teacher by no later than Friday, February 6. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the specific content teachers. The email addresses and phone #s are on the yellow sheet. Thank you.
Have a great weekend.
House D
We want to let you know that students are bringing Trimester 2 progress reports home today. They are in an envelope with a bright yellow half sheet of paper attached to it. Please review the progress reports with your son/daughter. Initial the yellow sheet so we know that you reviewed the reports and send that sheet back to school with your son/daughter to be handed to the Advisory teacher by no later than Friday, February 6. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the specific content teachers. The email addresses and phone #s are on the yellow sheet. Thank you.
Have a great weekend.
House D
Monday, January 26, 2015
Humanities - Social Studies: 1/26 - 1/30
Hello Parents,
I hope everyone had a good weekend. We are into our last week of the unit on Industrial Revolution / Exploitation. Here is what is happening this week:
Monday: homework is to study for Quiz. Two worksheets (Life in the North, and Telling it Like it is).
Tuesday: Quiz
Wednesday: homework is to complete rough drafts for written pieces on timeline assignment (I attached that assignment on Edmodo so if you are not connected as parent, have your son/daughter open their account so you can have access to it)
Thursday: rough drafts due
Friday: by end of class, hand in completed timeline
On a side note.......when we began a review for the quiz, I asked students to get the two worksheets out. Most students went into their binders and found them easily. There were quite a few students who lost one or both. A good activity for home would be to help your son/daughter organize their binders (for those that need it). I was trying to make a point that in order to study for the quiz, they need the completed worksheets to study from. Building good work habits and work ethics are essential for success........this is a theme we will continue to work on especially for those 8th graders moving on to High School next year.
Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks.
Mr. Burton
I hope everyone had a good weekend. We are into our last week of the unit on Industrial Revolution / Exploitation. Here is what is happening this week:
Monday: homework is to study for Quiz. Two worksheets (Life in the North, and Telling it Like it is).
Tuesday: Quiz
Wednesday: homework is to complete rough drafts for written pieces on timeline assignment (I attached that assignment on Edmodo so if you are not connected as parent, have your son/daughter open their account so you can have access to it)
Thursday: rough drafts due
Friday: by end of class, hand in completed timeline
On a side note.......when we began a review for the quiz, I asked students to get the two worksheets out. Most students went into their binders and found them easily. There were quite a few students who lost one or both. A good activity for home would be to help your son/daughter organize their binders (for those that need it). I was trying to make a point that in order to study for the quiz, they need the completed worksheets to study from. Building good work habits and work ethics are essential for success........this is a theme we will continue to work on especially for those 8th graders moving on to High School next year.
Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks.
Mr. Burton
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Science Fair Due Dates
We have been working hard in class coming up with science topics of interest, doing research, and coming up with testable questions. Here are some important due dates:
Wednesday, January 21 Choose Topic
Wednesday, January 21 Collect and read background information
Wednesday, January 21 Ask a testable question and write hypothesis
Thursday, January 22 Design a fair test, identify variables, create data table
Thursday, January 22 Complete materials list and procedure
By Monday, February 2 Perform investigation and collect data
Tuesday, February 3 Complete data table and graphs
Thursday, February 5 Write Data Analysis section
Monday, February 9 Write Results and Conclusions section
Tuesday, February 10 Finish putting poster together
Thursday, February 12 Science Fair Night!!!!
Here is a copy of the letter sent home with students in the first week of January.
January
5, 2015
Dear
Families and Guardians,
We
are excited to be holding the second annual Milton Middle School
Science Fair on the evening of February 12, 2015. This will again be
on the same evening as the February Milton Community Dinner so you
can enjoy a great meal before experiencing the impressive work our
students will be showcasing.
All
students in grades 6-8 will be expected to participate in the science
fair. Hands-on scientific investigation and engineering will be
highlighted that evening with students demonstrating their
understanding and application of STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and math) principles. Over the next six weeks students
will research, design, test, analyze, and present a project that uses
scientific inquiry to solve a problem. As twenty first century
citizens, our students will have to make some of the toughest
decisions of any generation, based on their understanding of emerging
science and technology. Doing science is essential to understanding
science. Science fairs involve students in the practices of science
and engineering, requiring them to apply those skills to a topic of
interest to them.
Time
will be given to students during the school day to work on their
project. We recommend that students continue much of this work at
home as well. Students will be given project guidelines and
time-lines at school and teachers will check in with them
periodically. However, much of the work will be self-directed.
Families are encouraged to offer support and reminders, but allow
children to do the projects by themselves.
We
are encouraging support from the community in helping to once again
make this experience a beneficial one for our students and for Milton
Middle School. Please call or email with any questions or potential
resources. More information will follow as the night of the Science
Fair approaches.
Thank
you very much in advance for your support!
Sincerely,
Milton
Middle School Science Teachers:
Rob
Decicco – House A Greer Krembs - House B Nathan Caswell
– House C Janet Smith – House D
893-5511
893-5519 893-5507 893-5528
Monday, January 12, 2015
Humanities- Social Studies 1/12-1/16
Hello Parents,
I hope everyone had a good weekend. This week we will continue with our work on life during the Industrial Revolution. We will have more of a focus on what life was like in the North where the Industrial Revolution took root. Work for the week is as follows:
Monday night :Study for quiz (notes and vocabulary) - notes have been uploaded to student Edmodo accounts
Tuesday: Quiz - Industrial Revolution
Wednesday: homework is to finish guided reading questions if they were not completed in class.
Friday: possibly a quiz on material from guided reading questions. I will announce on Wednesday if there is going to be a quiz.
Have a great week.
Mr. Burton
I hope everyone had a good weekend. This week we will continue with our work on life during the Industrial Revolution. We will have more of a focus on what life was like in the North where the Industrial Revolution took root. Work for the week is as follows:
Monday night :Study for quiz (notes and vocabulary) - notes have been uploaded to student Edmodo accounts
Tuesday: Quiz - Industrial Revolution
Wednesday: homework is to finish guided reading questions if they were not completed in class.
Friday: possibly a quiz on material from guided reading questions. I will announce on Wednesday if there is going to be a quiz.
Have a great week.
Mr. Burton
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Humanities- Social Studies: 1/5-1/9
Hello Parents,
I hope everyone had a nice holiday. We are back in action and are starting our next unit of study. The unit will focus on "The Industrial Revolution" and the different consequences of that time period. Yesterday, I began with a present day look at "overseas" factory work for U.S. businesses. Today and for the rest of the week I will go back in time to look at the origins of the industrial revolution and how the factory system evolved. So far, no homework is planned as we only have a classroom set of textbooks that we are working from. If needed, I may make photocopies, or lend out books if individual students fall behind in classwork. Let me know if you have any questions. Have a great week.
Mr. Burton
I hope everyone had a nice holiday. We are back in action and are starting our next unit of study. The unit will focus on "The Industrial Revolution" and the different consequences of that time period. Yesterday, I began with a present day look at "overseas" factory work for U.S. businesses. Today and for the rest of the week I will go back in time to look at the origins of the industrial revolution and how the factory system evolved. So far, no homework is planned as we only have a classroom set of textbooks that we are working from. If needed, I may make photocopies, or lend out books if individual students fall behind in classwork. Let me know if you have any questions. Have a great week.
Mr. Burton
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