Young

SS:  Today we finished our presentations.  Mr. Frens came in to see a few of the groups.  They did great!

Math:  Weekly homework is due Friday.  Fraction-decimal-percent conversions on the back of the coloring page are due Thursday!  See the math notebook pages under the link to the right to remember how to do them.  Calculators are OK. 

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we discussed how to attempt to find reliable information when "Googling".  Then, we had some time for research.... last research time is tomorrow!!  No Homework!

Social Studies -
Today we started Natural Hazards!  We discussed the difference between a hazard and a disaster, and brainstormed all of the types of hazards.  Then, we started to watch some video clips about each hazard.  No Homework!

Young

SS:  Physical Features presentations today.  Wow, they are impressive.  We will finish tomorrow.

Math:  Yes, the coloring sheet is homework.  Due tomorrow, calculator use is ok.  There are a few small errors, we will go over those in class tomorrow. 

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Students had research time today!  No Homework!

Social Studies -
Today we did a "tour" of all of the physical feature projects.  Then, students did an individual written piece on how 2 of the features were similar and 2 of the features were different.  No Homework!

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we did some reflection as preparation for conferences.  Then, students had a short amount of research time.  No Homework!

Social Studies -
Today we wrapped up physical feature presentations & discussed some similarities and differences.  No Homework!

Young

SS:  Physical Features presentations are tomorrow.  Kiddos put on finishing touches today and rehearsed.  We may have a special guest to watch these tomorrow.

Math:  Today we worked on finding % of a number OR the number given the percent and the total using our calculation skills and mathematical process (equal fraction method and cross product method).  Calculators are OK on these 12 practice problems.  Notes are available under the math notebook pages (right side of the screen).  We also started our weekly HW (due Fri) ~ A Lot of kiddos are not finishing their weelkly HW on a regular basis.  We've encountered a period of laziness!  Yikes!!

Young

SS:  We are putting the final touches on our presentations for physical features today and Monday.  We will plan to start presentations on Tuesday!  Kiddos are super excited about these projects.

Math:  Today was finish-up day.  We turned in our weekly HW, cut and paste of fractions/decimals/percents, and went over a few other assignments we have been working on this week.  Whew!  We've done a lot these few days!  No HW  Kiddos could use a basic calculator for next week.  Do not go out and buy anything special, but if you have a basic one around the house, they could use it.

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we did a short mindful minutes & then we used the rest of the time for research!  Students could choose between using books or databases on mel.org.  Many had a productive day!
No Homework!!

Social Studies -
Today we had groups present their physical feature presentations!  No Homework!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we went to library for regular checkout time.  Then, we learned how to use mel.org databases to get reliable resources.  Finally, we had a very short work time.  No Homework!

Social Studies -
Today we had a few groups share physical feature presentations with the class!  No Homework!

Young

SS:  We are continuing our work on our physical features projects.  Due Monday!

Math:  We are working on finding percent of a number and our final cost following discounts.  We will check this practice tomorrow.  Weekly math and cut and paste are also due tomorrow.

Lillmars

Yikes! I apologize for my hiatus! Not that it is an excuse, but we have continued with working on the same Science project since my last post. :) I have really enjoyed seeing this project come full circle.

Science: Today, many of the students began the final stage of the project, which is creating an advertisement/informational guide with their project data and answer to one of the original questions:

*What material would the most effective kitchen stirring spoon be made of?
*In a newly constructed home, where is the smartest place to put heat vents?


The goal is to present these to their classmates, along with their investigation data, starting next week.

Social Studies: Kids continued working on their physical geography presentations. These should be ready to be shared by Friday!

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we continued with our research!  No Homework!!

Social Studies -
Today we had a last work and practice time on our physical features projects. Then, we had one group present today as well.  No Homework!!

Young

PLEASE ASK YOUR CHILD IF THEY NEED PENCILS FOR SCHOOL!  LOTS OF KIDDOS WITHOUT PENCILS.

SS:  We are working on our physical features projects.  These can definitely be worked on outside of class.  Due Monday, January 29.

Math:  We started to look at percent of a number.  Students should work on their weekly HW as well as the cut and paste fraction-decimal-percent paper.

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we worked hard to continue digging for book research!!  No Homework!

Social Studies -
Today we had a last work day on our physical feature project!  Presentations start tomorrow. :) 
HW - Any wrap up or practice from the project?

Young

SS:  Today we started looking at our Physical Features projects.  We will research with computers thru Wednesday this week.  Thursday and Friday will be spent constructing and finalizing.  Projects are due Monday, 1/29.  See copy of requirements below.

Math:  Today we worked as a class on ordering fractions-decimals-percents.  Number line sheet due tomorrow.  We've had a 5.5 packet since last week.  This packet is due Wednesday.  Cut and paste sheet is due Thursday.  Weekly HW sheet is due Friday!

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we thought up some questions we are hoping to answer during our research on our topic.  Then, we went to the library to start digging for research!!  I was overall very pleased at how well the students did with this! :)  No Homework!

Social Studies -
Today we continued work on our physical feature project.  We will be taking one more work day before presenting!  HW - Anything for your project? 

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today students went over how to track information needed for a book source & they selected research topics.  No Homework!

Social Studies -
Students worked on their physical feature project today!  They are working hard on these!  We are hoping to present by Tuesday or Wednesday!  No Homework!

Have a great weekend!! 

Young

SS:  Today we finished our look at the Aztec culture.  No HW

Math:  We were honored with the opportunity to see our middle school play, Jack and the Magic Bean this morning.  What a wonderful job!  Weekly math was collected in homerooms today, but no new material was covered today!  Have a great weekend and play outside!  Get dirty!  Be kids!

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we did our mid year SRI test!  Many students noticed higher scores -- YAY! No Homework!

Social Studies -
Today we continued work on our physical feature project.  No Homework unless you have things you need to bring for your group! 

Young

Math:  Weekly HW is due tomorrow!  We are still working through some percent sheets.

SS:  My Culture was due today.  We did a little writing activity with it.  Then we continued working on our Aztec culture questions.  No HW

Lillmars

Science: Today, most of the students began running their experiments and collecting data. The goal was for students to collect their data during today's class or tomorrow's class, and if all data could be collected by the conclusion of Monday's class (we won't have a regular science time Friday), that would be wonderful! :)

HW: Students who have not yet had their plan/write-up 'okayed' should come tomorrow with it ready to be checked!

**Also, did anyone see the meteor last night? 8:08pm, in SE Michigan (but visible in 7 states). Check out this link from WoodTV8 with a video: http://woodtv.com/2018/01/16/boom-heard-as-bright-flash-streaks-across-sky/


Social Studies: We watched CNN10 and students broke into their research groups to begin learning about their chosen physical feature of Earth. We will continue research tomorrow. No HW.

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we went to library for checkout (tomorrow the library will be closed), then we shared our thoughts from our MLK Jr. Journal Reflection.  Finally, we discussed our practice notes & topic brainstorms.  No Homework!

Social Studies -
Today we worked on our physical feature projects.  No Homework unless you need supplies from home.  No Homework!

Young

Math:  We were working with our fraction-decimal-percent packets today.  Weekly HW is due Friday!

Ss:  We did some learning about the Aztecs today.  Culture project is due Tomorrow.

Young

SS:  Finished our My Culture projects.  Due Thursday ~ There will not be time to work on this tomorrow in class.  Anything not completed today should be worked on at home.

Math:  Today we worked on several "house keeping" items.  We also took notes on how to complete the conversions between fractions - decimals - percents.  See notes pages to the right of this post for a copy of the notes.  Worksheet packets are not homework!  No due date yet.  Weekly HW is due Friday.

Lillmars

Science:
The kids continued their brainstorm for creating an investigation to collect data to help answer one of the following questions:

1) Which material would the most effective kitchen stirring spoon be made of?

2) In a newly constructed home, where is the smartest place to put heat vents?

Kids are expected to get their investigation idea check and approved before moving forward-- we will continue this tomorrow :). Kids who were not approved today were asked to have a conversation at home about this and to continue to brainstorm this evening.

Social Studies: We talked about Martin Luther King Jr. and recorded personal hopes and dreams for the future of our country. No homework.

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we worked on note taking from a source -- we discussed how to do it, I modeled it with students, they practiced with a partner, practiced on their own, and then did a peer check.  This is the best way to avoid plagiarism & will be our challenge as we begin our research project at the end of the week.  No Homework!

Social Studies -
Students continued to work on their physical feature investigation project.  No Homework!!

Young

SS:  Today we finished our research for our cultures.  IF not finished, kiddos need to finish at home!  Cultures are due Thursday!

Math:  We took the Delta Math Screener today!  Results will be posted in Power School as soon as I can.  They will also be shared with you at conferences.  Weekly homework is due Friday!  Some students are dropping the ball with this and need your help to stay on top of the assignment to have it done for Friday.  Many incomplete and missing assignments!

Young

Math:  We continue to work with fraction-decimal-percent conversions.  No HW for the weekend.

SS:  We are continuing our research on our culture.  It is not assigned as homework, but some students are falling behind.  Our last day of research is Monday with computers.  If your child is behind, they may work on it at home.

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we did a mindful minutes, then we continued with our vocabulary discussion over our words - source & plagiarism.  We watched a short video clip about plagiarism and how to avoid it.  We started practicing one way to avoid plagiarism - by putting information into our own words.  We will continue on Monday.  No Homework!!

Social Studies -
Students began work in their groups for their physical feature investigation project.  No Homework!!

Have a great weekend!

Young

Math:  Today we explored fractions - decimals - percents using 100 pennies.  Finish coloring percents page for tomorrow!  Weekly homework is due tomorrow.

SS:  We are currently researching one of our family countries (where do you come from).  Students can work on this at home if they wish, but it is not assigned.

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we went to the library for checkout.  Then, we looked at and discussed a sample 5 paragraph essay - this is our new unit and it was good to look at an end result of where we are headed.  Finally, we started to discuss two important vocabulary words that come with an informational essay - source and plagiarism.  No Homework!!

Social Studies -
Today we watched CNN 10.  Then, we discussed the 10 most significant physical features of the Earth.  Finally, we broke into groups and selected a physical feature to begin a project.  No Homework!!

Lillmars

Science: Kids 1) had a final turn in day for their water bottle flip lab write up, 2) worked through their "sea urchins" data nuggets, and then 3) we went through the information as a class. No homework!

Social Studies: Students talked about yesterday's cultural clues activity and then watched a video about Mongolian culture. No homework!

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we spent some time reviewing non-fiction text features by playing Kahoot.  Then, we discussed what an informational essay is & looked at a sample essay.  No Homework!

Social Studies -
Today we watched CNN 10, we did a review of the 3 main culture vocab words, and then we started brainstorming the physical features of the earth.  No Homework!

Conference Sigh-Up

Use this link to sign up for a conference with your child's homeroom teacher (like in the fall).  If you cannot get signed up using this link, please contact our office.
https://ptcfast.com/schools/Hamilton_Middle_School

Young

SS:  Today we started working on our "My Culture Project" research.  Students may work on this at home, but it is not assigned.

Math:  Today we quizzed over graphing rates.  Then review for GCF/LCM and area.  This review is due tomorrow.  Weekly HW is due Friday.

Please Don't Send Your Child To School If They Are Ill!

THIS IS A GOOD GUIDELINE FOR WHEN TO STAY HOME IF ILL!  WE ARE GETTING A LOT OF KIDDOS WHO PROBABLY SHOULD NOT BE IN SCHOOL!

Young

Ss:  Today we explored tolerance and our ability to accept the differences in other cultures.  Students need to try to identify with family members what country(ies) their ancestors came from.  Give Grandparents a call.  They'd love to tell you about the family story.

Math:  Today we continued to work with graphing rates.  We used the LCM this time instead of unit rates.  Some thought it was more fun.  Finish for Wednesday ~ snack bags question is good review for the quiz tomorrow.  Weekly math is due Friday!!

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we continued the work started yesterday on an "on demand essay pre-test".  This is a kickoff to our essay writing unit.  No Homework!

Social Studies -
Today we watched CNN 10, and then went to Ms. Lillmars' class to be an audience for some presentations.  Finally, we reviewed and wrapped up culture.  No Homework!

Sign ups are in swing for conferences!!  Your child's homeroom teacher would love to meet with you!!  Use this link to sign up for a time slot:  https://ptcfast.com/schools/Hamilton_Middle_School

Lillmars

Science: Today the students worked on finishing up their lab write-up for the water bottle flip lab. Early finishers practiced with another set of data to analyze. No homework!

**FYI- because of the warmer weather predicted this week, our snowshoeing experience has been pushed back to Friday, Feb 2.**

Social Studies: The students shared their culture presentations today! No homework!

Young

SS:  We finished our exploration of a mystery culture.  NoHW

Math:  Weekly HW due Friday.  See copy below.  We also worked on graphing our rates.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES ARE COMING!

Get signed up at https://ptcfast.com/schools/Hamilton_Middle_School
Remember to choose your child's homeroom teacher only!

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we did a mindful minutes.  Then, we worked on our 2018 goals.  Finally we did a little pre brainstorming for an activity Monday.  No Homework!!

Social Studies -
Today we watched CNN 10 to catch up on current events & then we watched a short documentary on our mystery culture - Mongolia.  No Homework!!

Stay warm & have a great weekend!!

Young

SS:  Today we continued our work to identify the mystery culture.  No HW

Math:  Weekly HW due today!  Today we continued working on graphing rates and finding unit rates.  Finish the "Oatmeal Cookie" sheet for Monday.

Lillmars

Science: Today in Science the students continued their water bottle flip lab with their partner. We will work on graphing tomorrow and wrap these labs up on Monday.

Social Studies: The students continued researching their country for the cultural traits project. They will create their slideshow tomorrow and present them next week.

**Attention**
Mr. Mousel mentioned that we will be going outside for Strong Start next week.

Also, next week FRIDAY, we will be snowshoeing behind our school with help from the Outdoor Discovery Center.

The students will be outside for an hour and a half. They need to be appropriately dressed for the weather. This means boots, long socks, pants (no shorts), snowpants, winter coat, hat, gloves, etc.

If you don't have this attire, please start talking to family members/friends to see about borrowing. 

Young

SS: Today we worked in teams to try to identify a mystery culture based on 6 photos of cultural components.  We will finish our investigation tomorrow.  No HW

Math:  We continued working on unit rate and graphing unit rates in class today.  We will finish this tomorrow in class.  Weekly homework sheet (as described yesterday) is due tomorrow!

Mrs. Schuiteman

English -
Today we went to library for checkout time.  Then, we returned to the room to work on our 2018 goals.  No Homework!

Social Studies -
Today we continued to discussed the pictures from the mystery culture and dug a little further into that culture.  No Homework!

Young

Welcome Back!!!

Math:  Today we talked about our geometry and rates/ratios quizzes from before break.  We will revisit these skills again if you didn't score as high as you'd have liked to.  We also began talking about graphing rates/ratios.
We also introduced "Weekly Homework" sheets.  (Copy below) These sheets will be given on the first day of the week and are always due Friday.  There are 10 problems for each night (M - Th normally) in an effort to review concepts we have already learned and keep them fresh.  Some allow calculators and some do not.  Directions are at the top of the paper.  Note:  Failure to show thinking or work will result in an incomplete for the assignment.  In the event of a school cancellation, they are still due Fridays.  If the cancellation happens on a Friday, they are due the next school day!  Papers may be completed and turned in early.  We've discussed time management skills and it is hoped that this will help students begin to develop those valuable life skills.

SS:  Today we began to discuss culture and, specifically, the culture of the US.  It is very complicated to identify a single culture for our country.  No HW

Mrs. Schuiteman

Happy New Year!!!

English -

Today we did some "sticky note sharing" about break.  Students had to write about their own break & then walk around the room and read about others.  We ended the activity with some sharing and good news.  Next, we discussed why setting goals is an important thing to do.  Finally, we started setting up our papers for 2018 goals!  No Homework!!

Social Studies -

Today we reviewed culture & discussed examples of our own culture that we experienced throughout break.  Finally, we did a picture carousel around the room and jotted down our observations.  

No Homework!!