Update

Hey Parents!
 A lot has happened in the last couple of weeks, so let me give you a run down of what has been going on.

6th: This class read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow for their Halloween story. Unfortunately it was just bad timing and poor planning on my part because usually this week is so much fun, but there was so many things going on that took away for a spook-tacular week!
I just loved their book reports. I saw a lot of creativity and hard work in their little people. (In some cases the people weren't so little, but that is great!)

They wrapped up unit 2 last week and took the test. Today they will be correcting the tests and moving on to unit 3. This unit is where we focus on theme and topic.
They are currently working on making Thanksgiving cards for their adopt-a-soldier, Darrin. We found out he works in a hospital in the Middle East. Darrin is working on responding to some of their letters and cards from before.

 7th: We read The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, my favorite! The students struggled with some of the words and phrases so we analyzed and broke it down into simpler terms. They seemed to like it after we did that. When we were done, we watched a cartoon, then compared and contrasted the cartoon to the poem.
They are now working on theme and topics as well. However, they go a little further and see how the setting affects the plot and the theme. They weren't too clear on some theme, so we watched a video and read fables to get a better understanding. Today they did an Edpuzzle video. The video was an episode of the Andy Griffith show and how the setting of that episode affected the topic, theme, and conflict.
They also did nicely on their book reports! Almost all of them went the route of a Prezi, which is fine. I think we need to work on how to present versus reading off cards, but I am sure they will get the hang of it.
This class also made Thanksgiving cards for Darrin the soldier. We are anxious to hear back from him! We hope to send a Christmas package within the next couple of weeks so I will keep you posted!

8th: These kiddos read the Cask of Amontillado, once again by Poe. I think they just love how creepy Poe was. They had a guest come to visit and discuss the story. Barb Coenen stopped by to ask questions over the story and do two activities with them that went along with the Cask of Amontillado. They had a lot of fun and are looking forward to when she comes back to visit for Thanksgiving! We also had little guests come that same day. The second grade made an appearance for Language Arts buddies. They students were paired up and did an activity where they had to make a monster based off of rolling a dice. We hope to carry on LA Buddies throughout the year.
Halloween went great! The kids painted pumpkins, led the younger students through the different Halloween activities, and kicked off their Sunday shoes at the parade. They did awesome dancing and I am just so proud of them!! :)  :)
Our solider, Nicole, sent an e-mail letting us know she received her letters and is working on writing us back. We are excited to see what she has to say but in the mean time the 8th grade made Thanksgiving cards. I hope to send them out this week.

Above is the activities done with Barb. Can you find her in there? The kids were suppose to show you their skeleton before eating their chocolate. Below is the 8th grade with their LA buddies doing the monster activity. 

Painting the pumpkins

Ayden and Barney. :) 

Footloose crew. Oh, Beau! :) 

The 8th grade's pumpkins.

Hey cuties! 

Getting ready to dance!

I can't post the video for some reason. If you haven't seen it but would like to let me know! 

As a whole middle school we did an anti-bullying project. We collaborated on different words and phrases that will help us stand up to bullies and to overcome bullying. After that we broke into three groups and painted the words and created an anti-bulling wall. Here is the end project. It looks pretty cool!