May 4-8 —Staff Appreciation Week

May 6 —Bike to School Day May 7 & 8 —Shrek, Spring Musical—7:30 p.m. May 9 —Shrek, Spring Musical Matinee—11:30 a.m. May 12 —PTA Meeting (Media Center) - 6 p.m. May 19—20 — Instrumental Music Concerts 7 p.m. May 16 — 8th Grade Trip to 6 Flags May 21 —Spring Sports Banquet (after School) Dramatic arts Competition—6:30 May 22 —Grades 6, 7 & 8—Field Trips

May 25 —Memorial Day—No School May 27 — Spring Choral Concert, 7—8:30 p.m. June 4 — TPMS Awards Ceremony, Blair HS,7 p.m. June 8-11— Final Exams June 12 —8th Grade Promotion Ceremony 1:00 p.m. (Northwood HS) June 15—Last day of School—Dismissal at 12 p.m. Principal’s

Newsletter

TAKOMA PARK MI DDLE S CHOOL

TPMS May and June Events

Dear Parents and Guardians, As we enter the final weeks of school you will notice that the school calendar is buzzing with events that celebrate and showcase the talents of our students and staff! Congratulations to our 6th and 8th graders who received awards for their entries in the 2015 Mosaic Creative Writ-ing Contest! Sixth grader Anika Seth was a winner in the poetry category while Catherine Lo received honorable mention. Eighth grader Emily Kombe also received hon-orable mention in the poetry category. Thank you to Ms. Kristina Anderson and Ms. Dina Roddy for their work in supporting these students! In other news at TPMS, students and the science depart-ment staff organized a hugely successful STEM Family Science Night. This year, over 800 students and parents attended an evening that celebrated an enormous range of science, technology, engineering and math topics. Stu-dents’ STEM projects filled the entire gym and the whole school community had the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the hard work in science classes this year. The student project presentations were also impressive. Thank you to the staff, students, and volunteers who made this event such a success! On April 29, Ms. Saftner hosted our annual TPMS Rubik’s Cube contest for students qualifying to compete through their math class. We had an amazing turn out and here are the phenomenal results: In 6th place—Neal Machado with an average solve time of 38.3 seconds, in 5th place— Kev-in Sui with 34.3 seconds, and 4th place—Gabriel Wu with 27.3 seconds. 3rd place goes to Cato Wang with 23 sec-onds and 2nd place to Lucinda Zhou with 16 seconds. First place with an average solve time of just 13.3 seconds, goes to Srish Udayakumar. Congratulations to all our winners and competitors!

In English classes, students have been preparing their presentations for the Dramatic Arts Festival which will take place May 21 at 6:30 p.m. We look forward to their performances for the whole school and community. Students have also been rehearsing intensely for this year’s Spring Musical, Shrek, The Musical, Jr. which takes place on May 7th and 8th at 7:30 p.m. Parents should expect to pick up their children by 9:15 p.m. On Saturday, May 9, the students will hold a matinee performance at 11:30. The cost of the show is $4 for students and $6 for adults. Doors open 30 minutes before show time. Refreshments will be sold before and during the show. We look forward to seeing you there! We will celebrate Bike to School Day on May 6. Our cho-ral and instrumental music concerts will take place in mid-May. All grade levels will be participating in field trips on May 22. We will also be hosting awards ceremonies that celebrate the academic, athletic and other achievements of our students. Final exams will take place June 8—11. June 12 will be a final exam make-up day. June 15 will be the last day of school and a half-day for students. Infor-mation will soon be on its way to 8th Grade families about the promotion ceremony on June 12 at Northwood High School at 1:00 p.m.

This is our final newsletter of this school year. Please visit the TPMS website (www.tpmsweb.com) for more infor-mation on our calendar, events and to view our daily, Wake Up Takoma television production. I wish you a won-derful end of the school year and a fantastic summer. Sincerely,

Alicia Deeny

Principal

“And a bird overhead sang Follow, And a bird to the right sang Here; And the arch of the leaves was hollow, And the meaning of May was clear.” ― Algernon Charles Swinburne

May/June 2015

6th Grade Magnet Students will finish the year with physics and engineering pro-jects. We have been working on catapults,

and will soon be working on balloon cars.

6th Grade science classes finished the Going Green Unit. Some students were randomly selected to attend a field trip to release the trout we grew in our classroom from eggs! We are now into our Matter and It’s Interactions unit, investigating the ba-sics of chemistry.

This month in Social Studies, we will finish our unit on Economics in Ancient and Mod-ern China. Our focus will include the dy-nas c cycles of ancient kingdoms in China and geographical influences on cul-ture. We will take the principles of se le-ment, government, and economics that we have studied all year to analyze how culture impacts us all.

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6TH GRADE NEWS M A Y 2 0 1 5

Science T A K O M A P A R K

M I D D L E S C H O O L

In Computer Science we’re starting to go deeper into programming in Python. We’ve familiarized ourselves with some input/output functions, such as print() and input(), and we’ve also begun to utilize string concatenation and escape sequences in those functions. Soon we’ll be using assignment state-ments to create variables, and we’ll be changing their types using the int(), float(), and str() func-tions. This will provide us with the ability to create more useful and logical programs, and that logic will be expanded using conditional state-ments. These tools will allow us to create more flexible programs whose outcomes are dependent on user input, which is the foundation of Computer Science.

Computer Science

Math CC6 During the month of May, we will complete Unit 3 looking at the relationship between variables, and begin Unit 4, geometrical relationships and statistics. We will start the unit off with area, vol-ume, and surface area. Magnet Math 6: May will star t with students studying a fun little unit called Finite Operation-al Systems. Students will be introduced to Group Theory and will be assigned a project related to this topic. The final unit of the year will refine student understanding of Odds and Probability and introduce them to Combinations and Permutations. Please check Edline for assessment dates and topics and for semester exam dates. Math 7 In Math 7, we are working on unit 5, Functional Relationships. In this unit we will explore numeri-cal sequences and their relationship to functions. We will learn the differences between discrete and continuous functions. The Unit 5 test will take place toward the end of the month.

Mathematics

English This quarter 6th graders are delving in to the life and works of Shakespeare as they read The Comedy of Errors and various scenes from some of his other plays. Students are also studying poetry and fig-urative language, spending time analyzing the poems of famous poets as well as composing their own poetry. Students continue to tirelessly practice their Dramatic Arts pieces in excited anticipation for the up-coming performances.

Grade 7 May Newsletter World Studies In World Studies students are learning about thetransition from a traditional economy to a marketeconomy as Europe shifted from the Middle Ages tothe Renaissance. We will examine the motives ofexplorers and Renaissance people who left theirhomes in Europe and Asia, and began exploring andtrading with the rest of the world. We will alsostudy the triangle trade, and the market economyconditions that facilitated this trade. The unit willend with a study of colonies, which will bringstudents to the shores of North America and getthem ready for 8th grade U.S. History. Following theUnit 4 test, we will watch Invictus, a movie thatfollows Nelson Mandela, in his first term as theSouth African President, as he attempts to unite thepost-apartheid nation by asking the national rugbyteam to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup (your childshould have shown you a permission slip for this film,which needs only to be returned if you do not wanthim/her to participate).

English/Reading In English 7 students are currently studying worksin the “Expressions” unit; the major text for thisunit is A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Students willbe performing scenes from this play in class andanalyzing plot and character features as well. Afocus on Shakespeare’s Sonnets, irony, dramaticirony, and use of iambic pentameter will help thestudents appreciate the writing in the play. Ourstudy of grammar continues with complex andcompound sentences, correct use of pronouns andcommonly misused words. Students should beindependently reading at least one novel or non-fiction book of their choosing this quarter. There isa Summative County Test at the end of the year.  .

What’s Happening in Class?

Takoma Park Middle School7611 Piney Branch Road

May 1 , 2015

Volume 7 , Issue 7

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English/Reading cont… In Reading Grade 7 students will continue to readboth expository and literary texts as they practiceapplying reading comprehension strategies.Students are engaged in literature circlediscussions, led by the students themselves.Currently, we are reading Pinballs by Betsy Byars.This novel focuses on 3 teenagers living together ina foster home, as they struggle to come to termswith each other and their own personal realities.Ask your students to tell you about the book. Theyhave a lot to say!

Science In Science students are continuing with the reviewof Pedigrees, Punnett Square, & Diseases unitreview with a DNA Lab, mock Genetic Counselinggroups. The Forensics unit is in preview mode andwill allow the students to do fingerprinting, DNAExtraction, Gel Electrophoresis and paperChromatography and will culminate with a frogdissection by June. Continue to review Edline forthe latest updates on class and school activities. In Magnet Science students are completing theBody Systems unit. Students have been workingthrough a series of activities to better understandthe structural and functional relationships amongour body systems. Our next unit will be Forensics.We will begin our crime scene investigation on May11. Students will use some of the skills andknowledge they acquired during the school year tosolve a classroom mystery. This unit is filled withbiotechnology, labs activities, and scienceapplication. Students will be interviewing suspects,analyzing evidence, and developing a conclusion witha respect to a classroom crime. This unit is trulythe highlight of the year.

Grade 7 May Newsletter Page 2

Goal Setting

THE W'S OF GOALS Each goal you set should state what you will do and when you will do it. For example, a goal relating to writing a research paper might be stated as follows: I will finish gathering information for my research paper by November 20. Your goals should be: 1. within your skills and abilities. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you set goals you can accomplish. 2. realistic. Setting a goal to learn the spelling of three new words a day is realistic. Trying to learn the spelling of fifty new words a day is not realistic. 3. flexible. Sometimes things will not go the way you anticipate and you may need to change your goal. Stay flexible so when you realize a change is necessary you will be ready to make the change. 4. measurable. It is important to be able to measure your progress toward a goal. It is especially important to recognize when you have accomplished your goal and need to go no further. Failure to measure your progress toward a goal and recognize its accomplishment will result in effort that is misdirected and wasted. 5. within your control. Other than when working as part of a group, accomplishment of your goal should not depend on other students. You can control what you do, but you have little or no control over what others do. You may do what you have to do, but if others don’t, you will not accomplish your goal.

Many times your parents, teachers, and counselors will set goals for you. Be accepting when they do. These are people who know what is important for you and are very concerned with your success. They can also help you accomplish the goals they set.

SET GOALS IN SCHOOL THAT PROVIDE YOU WITH DIRECTION AND LEAD TO SUCCESS.

Mathematics In Magnet Algebra students have the opportunity to extend Units 6/7 and complete an optional unit on Rational Expressions and Equations. At the same time, we will complete Quadratic Functions by learning how to solve any quadratic equation. Some answers will involve irrational and imaginary answers. At the end of the month, we will begin a small unit on data analysis. In IM students are beginning Unit 6: Other Operational Systems. This unit will introduce concepts that are very unfamiliar to students. Please make sure students keep notes organized. Our last unit is Unit 7: Probability. This unit will also be started this month and end in June.

In Math 7 students will be completing Unit 5 which is algebraic relationships. In Unit 5 students have been learning how to identify linear functions and complete a function table. In mid-May students will begin Unit 6 on measurement. Students will determine the degree of precision of a measurement. Students will learn how to determine the effect of geometric dimensions on area, surface area, and volume.

In Algebra students will continue working with Unit 4, Quadratic Relationships. Topic 2 focuses on the structure of quadratic expressions including: transformations, polynomial operations, factoring, completing the square, and properties. Topic 3 focuses on solving quadratic equations using tables, factoring, graphing, and the quadratic formula. In addition, the Pythagorean Theorem and the distance formula will be studied.

Magnet Computer Science The class continues work with Python functions andwill then, depending upon the amount of class timelost to mandatory testing, move to an introductionto Python objects and classes. In between thesetopics will be time to learn how to write apps forAndroid devices.

What’s Happening in Class?

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English “So from that spring, whence comfort seem'd to come, Discomfort swells” (Macbeth, Sergeant at I, ii). The coming of summer is the comfort of spring, yet the nervousness over the approach of high school brings discomfort as well. English students continue their study of Shakespeare and As You Like It and prepare for both the end of the year and high school. Students are prepar-ing for Dramatic Arts by presenting their selections in small groups through their English classes. Students may also be performing dramatic readings of non-fiction texts related to the Civil War, as an American History connection, or The USSR, as an Animal Farm connection.

U.S. History

In U. S. History, students are working on their Civil War Annotated Timelines. This project culmi-nates in a class timeline and presentations. All checkpoints, research information, and the rubrics are on Edline. Students will have in-class opportunities to do research and put together final presentations. We will also conduct a debate on the causes of the Civil War using prima-ry source documents as evidence. This debate will start as a DBQ with a written essay. Then, students will use the information for a highly interactive round-robin debate. The last topic of the year is Re-construction – or how the nation heals from a civil war. This last topic is where 9th grade U. S. history picks up next fall. Algebra-Prep We will continue Unit 4 (Plane Figures: Measurement and Area) by

identifying corresponding parts and finding missing measures of similar triangles; identify congruent triangles and its corresponding parts; find the missing angles and classify quadrilaterals; find the are-as of parallelograms, triangles and trapezoids; classify polygons; determine the sum of the measures of the interior and exterior angles of a polygon; find the circumference and area of circles; and lastly find the area of irregular figures. We will take a Unit 4A Formative. We will also begin our Algebra Transition Unit with Laws of Arithmetic, Applying Properties of Exponents, Solving Linear Equa-tions in One Variable and Interpreting Time-Distance Graphs.

Algebra 2.0

During May and June, Algebra students will be working on Unit 3, Descriptive Statistics, which builds upon student’s prior experiences with center, variability, scatterplots, and linear trends in data, by providing more formal means of assessing how a model fits data. Students will use regression techniques to describe approximately linear relationships between quantities and look at residuals to analyze the goodness of fit. Then it’s on to the last unit, Unit 5, Generalizing Function Proper-ties. Students will investigate piecewise, step, absolute value, square root, cube root, and fractional functions

Honors Geometry Students these next two months will continue to prove basic theorems about circles, including that a tangent line is perpendicular to a radius, the inscribed angle theorem, and theorems about chords, se-cants, and tangents as they relate to segment lengths and angle measures. They study relationships among segments on chords, secants, and tangents as an application of similarity.

Students will then apply their understandings regarding similarity of all cir-cles to determine the proportional relationship between arc length and radii of circles (i.e., radian measure). They move flexibly and efficiently between degree measure and radian measure of corresponding central angles and the measure of their intercepted arcs. When computing the arc length, the area of a sector, and the area of a segment in a circle, students are able to demonstrate the use of multiple paths to determine the correct length or ar-ea.

As we come towards the end of the year students will begin to prepare for their semester exam in June. It is important to come to class and ask questions to ensure understand-

Continued on next page

ing of Units 3, 4, and 5. As a reminder high school credit is awarded to students who not only complete the yearlong high school course while in middle school, but after the student has passed both semesters of the course AND passed the semester B high school final examination.

Magnet Geometry Our final unit of study is circles. We will discover, apply & prove theorems related to angles & segments in cir-cles, such as tangents, secants, and chords. Sketchpad will again be used to explore geometric relationships. As a final project, students will be creating skits to demonstrate an application of a geometry topic. Students will take their final exam during the week of June 8.

Magnet Algebra II

Our final unit is rational & radical functions. We will study the graphs, properties, and applications of these interesting classes of functions. As a final project, students will be creating skits to demonstrate an application of an algebra II topic. Students will take their final exam during the week of June 8.

Science

In science we will be studying Earth’s History and Global Change. This will include a study of fossils and the processes involved in fossilization, divisions of geologic time, relative and absolute dating techniques, and climate change. These topics will include

labs on half-life, fossil identification, relative dating, and global climate change activities. This is the last unit of the quarter and will last until the county final exam which will cover the three main topics of the semester; Restless Earth, Earth Materials and Surface Processes, and Earth’s History/Global Change.

Magnet Science Students are investigating geologic events, rocks and minerals. Students will grow mineral crystals and determine the geometry of different crystal formations. The cause and effect of plate movements and developing a timeline of earth’s history are also scheduled for this month. Students will visit to the NIST Center for Neutron Research May 13 or 14.

Important Dates to Remember:

Friday, May 22: Six Flags Trip (9:30 AM-6:15 PM)

Friday, June 12: Promotion Ceremony at Northwood, 1:00 PM

Come to 8th Grade Homework Club!

World Languages Department May/June Newsletter Spanish

Spanish 1A/B (Señora Kim and Señora Carroll): Students will finish a unit on the House and Chores and will start their final unit for Spanish 1, La Ropa y Las Tiendas, the clothing and stores unit. In this unit, students will share their preferences about clothing, gifts and shopping experiences. Students will learn and apply several grammar points including Direct Object Pronouns (DOP’s), demonstrative adjectives, and more stem-changing verbs. Parents, May is a very busy month. Please make sure that your child stays on top of his/her work for class. It is necessary for students to study vocabulary outside of class. Oral and written semester exams are coming fast at the beginning of June! Please refer to Edline for grades and due dates and deadlines of assessments. Spanish 1A (full year)—Sra. Carroll Students will have concluded a unit on FOOD by the end of May. Vocabulary revolves around food preferences, food categories, and meals. Students will learn –ER and –IR verbs as well as review -AR verbs. This unit also introduces the concept of Stem-Changer verbs. This last unit of the year reviews many of the structures and grammar concepts learned throughout the year. Parents should check Edline for student progress and any missing assignments, and check agenda books for homework. Students should be practicing vocabulary outside of the classroom by naming food items, food groups, snacks and meals at home in addition to reviewing all vocabulary from past units to begin preparing for the exam. Exam dates are posted on Edline. Spanish 1B (full year)—Ms. Vogel Students will have concluded a unit on Clothing and Shopping by the end of May. The unit focuses on clothing and accessory vocabulary and clothes worn for different seasons and occasions. Students will practice asking and telling the cost of clothing items using big numbers 100-1000. Students are learning to describe clothing and how it fits. Parents should check Edline for progress updates and agenda books for homework assignments. Please email me at Elizabeth_A_Vogel@mcpsmd.org with any questions. 

Spanish 2—Sra. Guevara & Sra. Kim In May, students will complete a unit on cooking experiences in which they use affirmative and negative commands to give recipes. We will end the year with a unit on travel. Students will be able to use the preterite and imperfect past tenses to describe their experiences. Students should check Edline regulary, write assignments in agenda books, and bring workbooks to class daily. The pace of the class moves quickly and students are encouraged to continue to study every week night for 10-15 minutes in order to help build vocabulary and ease with structures. This is especially important as semester exams are approaching rapidly at the beginning of June. There are many resources on Edline for them to practice such as Quizlet, an online flashcard website which allows students to make flashcards for vocabulary but also verb conjugations as well. For Ms. Guevara’s classes, please see her quarter calendar for exam dates and deadlines. Her students may also complete the monthly optional formative assignment, ¿Dónde está Sra. Guevara? which students can find on Edline or posted on the board in the classroom. Spanish 3— Sra. Guevara In early May, students will finish a unit on mysteries of archaeological by presenting a legend and taking their final unit test of the year. Students will finish the year with a unit on the environment called “Our Planet” in which they use the subjunctive to give advice and caution about environmental hazards and conservation. In this unit, they will review the major grammar concepts of the semester with a culminating summative debate. We will then begin reviewing for the final exam in early June. Please see the quarter calendar for exact dates. Parents should check Edline and agenda books regularly. The pace of the class moves quickly and students are encouraged to establish a routine of studying every week night for 10-15 minutes in order to help build vocabulary and ease with structures. There are many resources on Edline for them to practice such as Quizlet, an online flashcard website which allows students to make flashcards for vocabulary but also verb conjugations as well. Students may also complete the monthly optional formative assignment, ¿Dónde está Sra. Guevara? which students can find on Edline or posted on the board in the classroom.

 

French—Mme Finklea French 1 In May and June, French 1 students will be learning to communicate about the home (rooms in the house, furniture) and chores that they do (or don’t do!). Parents should check agenda books for HW and encourage students to study vocabulary at home. Parents should also check Edline and weekly student progress reports. If your child has a C or below on a weekly progress report, please sign it and have your child return it to me! Our county-wide semester exam will be Tuesday, June 9 (period 1) and Thursday, June 11 (period 3). Students must pass the 1B exam in order to continue in French 2 next year. French 2 French 2 students will learn to communicate about health and fitness in the present and past tenses. They will be able to describe all kinds of disgusting illness symptoms and relate what happened in an accident. Parents should check agenda books for HW and encourage students to study vocabulary at home. Parents should also check Edline and weekly student progress reports. Our county-wide semester exam will be on Wednesday, June 10. Students must pass the 2B exam in order to continue in French 3 next year. French 3 In French 3, we will be finishing our year with a unit on art and movies. This is a favorite for everyone! Parents should check agenda books for HW and encourage students to study vocabulary at home. Parents should also check Edline and weekly student progress reports. Our county-wide semester exam will be on Tuesday, June 9. Students must pass the 3B exam in order to continue in French 4 next year.

Arts Department May/June Newsletter

Art – Ms. Spera

The sixth graders will create a three‐dimensional Oaxacan animal. They will construct the sculpture using paper mache. These fantastic animals are painted in a most delightful and intriguing style. Sturdy construction, proper proportions, and application of the finishing materials will all be considered for grading. 

The seventh graders will be creating a “sandwich” letter.  They construct a 3‐dimensional letter of their choice out of sturdy chipboard.  Next, they will cover it with several layers of paper maché.  Finally, students will create their finishing design.  This is an awesome project for them to show their creative abilities. 

The eighth graders will be creating “monster” 

sculptures. We study the work of Dan Reeder, author and papier mache artist. The students will create an armature out of any material that works…aluminum foil, wire, newspaper, chipboard, etc. It is always fun to see what they feel is a monster! 

FACS – Ms. Davis Family and Consumer Sciences students have finished the sewing unit. Pictured below are some of the projects. They made tote bags, draw string backpacks, alphabet pillow  and pillows individually designed appliques.  

All Family and Consumer Sciences Classes are in the Food and Nutrition Unit. This is an exciting time of the year to cook and/or learn to cook. The farmers markets are beginning to open, offering food from local vendors. Many families will enjoy the nice weather with picnics. As I teach in class, safety and sanitation are important. If you have any questions or concerns, I recommend visiting the following sites:  United States Department of Agriculture: www.usda.gov USDA Farmers Market Directory: http://search.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/ US Food and Drug Administration: www.fda.gov Fight BAC! Partnership for Food Safety Education: http://www.fightbac.org/ First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative: http://www.letsmove.gov/

Computer Applications

Ms. Price

Ms. Price’s six and seventh grade Computer Applications classes will learn to create and edit images in Adobe’s Fireworks program.    Sixth graders will create mythical creatures from photographs of real animals.  We will make a Power Point presentation that describes the traits, habitat, diet and behavior of these rare beasts.     Next we will create “Impossible Pictures” of ourselves inspired by the Argentinian artist Martin de Pasquale.    

Seventh graders will create a photo album of their travels through time to visit important event in world history.  After inserting themselves into photos of historic events, they will research their subjects, gather and organize data, and create a presentation of their visits to another time.    Sixth and seventh grade students have expressed an enthusiastic interest in using the Sketchup design software, so when we are finished editing our 2D images, we’ll switch to three dimensions.    Eighth graders are beginning to harness the power of Flash as we learn to create original animations.  Students will learn several techniques to create the illusion of movement.       

   Our Flash units will culminate in a complex project (the theme of 

which is to be decided) that shows off all we’ve learned about 

combining animation and sound into one stand‐alone movie file that 

can be used on the internet.  

Mr. Holmes In Computer Science we’re starting to go deeper into programming in Python.  We’ve familiarized ourselves 

with some input/output functions, such as print() and input(), and we’ve also begun to utilize string 

concatenation and escape sequences in those functions.  Soon we’ll be using assignment statements to 

create variables, and we’ll be changing their types using the int(), float(), and str() functions.  This will 

provide us with the ability to create more useful and logical programs, and that logic will be expanded using 

conditional statements.  These tools will allow us to create more flexible programs whose outcomes are 

dependent on user input, which is the foundation of Computer Science. 

Dr. Taliff The class continues work with Python functions and will then, depending upon the amount of class time lost 

to mandatory testing, move to an introduction to Python objects and classes.   In between these topics will 

be time to learn how to write apps for Android devices. 

Ms. Wu 8th grade Computer Science classes will continue creating multiple projects in Javascript and HTML to 

enhance their programming planning and designing skills. ACSL Junior‐5 and Intermediate‐3 teams are meeting afterschool on Wednesdays for the All‐Star 

competition on 5/23 in Orlando, Florida. Students are finalizing their Final Project at home.  The complete project is due on 5/18.  The final 

project presentation will start from 5/26 to 5/29.  

 

Contemporary Communications and TV

Studio – Mr. Wilson

In 6th grade Contemporary Communications, students 

are “in production” with their very own TPMS advertisement 

or public service announcement.  Students brainstorm ideas, 

script and storyboard, then shoot and edit their ad or PSA for 

possible airing on our morning show, Wake Up Takoma!   

 

 In 7th grade Intro to TV Studio, students are finishing their first productions and beginning their 

second using some more advanced techniques including inserts, cutaways, and over the shoulder 

shots.  They will also be working on TPMS News Pieces. 

 

                In 8th Grade TV Studio, students will be beginning their “Final Exam” production, a short dramatic 

piece.  Basically a short film, with all the elements of a story (Plot, Characterization, Setting, and, yes, even 

Theme) worked in.  Students will work out their groups and begin preproduction ASAP.  This is a DIFFICULT 

project and you may be hearing about it at home!  Students are NOT required to do any work outside the 

building, but some students choose to do this…they have been warned about the logistical hardships that 

this entails, so some discussion at home should be done with these students.   

World Beat Music and Chorus —Mr. Liddle  

May is an exciting time for music.  As school begins to wind down we actually go in the other direction and 

move towards our final performances of the year.   April was an exciting month for the 7th and 8th grade 

chorus members.  The two sections of chorus class joined together  to participate in the MCPS Choral 

Festival where they received ratings of Ones and Two’s which designated them as an “excellent” choir in the 

eyes of the judges.  I am so proud of the work they put into their fantastic performance!  This May, 7th and 

8th grade chorus members will be joined by the 6th graders to present a Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 

27th from 7:00‐8:30pm.  They will also be joined by the We Will Rock You Club Band for a great end of the 

year performance for the Takoma Park Community.  That same week the choruses will also join the band, 

orchestra, and jazz band for a regional Choral Festival and celebration of their work for the year at Busch 

Gardens on Friday, May 29 (details and permission slips coming soon).  The general music classes have 

continued to dig in on their instruments and exploring various styles of music and music history.  We 

continue to build add to the equipment in the room due to a generous grant from the PTA.  General music 

classes will be moving towards their 3rd and 4th in class band performances as we round out the 

semester.  Have a happy spring! 

Orchestra & Band

Ms. Pasquale

Congratulations to Takoma’s Advanced Orchestra for earning straight superior ratings at the 

Montgomery County District 2 Festival Assessment. The group received a superior rating (I) from each of the 

4 adjudicators.  The Intermediate Orchestra and the Advanced Band earned two ratings of excellent (II) and 

two ratings of superior (I).  The Intermediate Orchestra qualifies for the state festival since because their II 

was in sightreading.  The advanced band earned an overall two so they will not attend the state festival this 

year.  Both orchestras  will go to the state festival on May 12th.  Takoma’s Intermediate Band will be 

attending the district assessment on April 28th.  All of the groups performed wonderfully on and off 

stage.  It has been a great festival season, we are looking forward to bringing home trophies when we go to 

Busch Gardens this May.  Takoma continues to have a reputation for excellence in Montgomery County and 

around the state of Maryland. 

 

All classes are working hard to finish this year well.  Students are preparing new music for our 

concerts, and are diligently trying to finish scales by the deadlines (May 8th for students going to Hershey 

Park, May 28th  for all other students).  Students are aware that all scales must be completed by the 

deadlines. One point will be subtracted from each passoff average for each scale uncompleted. 

  

SPRING CONCERT:  Advanced Band, Beginning Band, 6th Grade Band and Advanced Orchestra will 

perform on Tuesday, MAY 19th.  The beginning band and the Intermediate ensembles will perform on 

Wednesday, May 20th. Both concerts will be held in the TPMS Cafetorium and begin at 7pm.  Students 

will have received a separate letter with all of the details. 

Takoma Park Middle School

Media Center News

May 2015

US History — Grade 8

Students are working diligently

on their Civil War timelines.

They are using online databases

and books to find information

and photos for their projects.

Students may access

information through the

following webpage:

http://

msphelan.edu.glogster.com/

civilwar/

Current Media Center News Black-Eyed Susan Party

The Black-Eyed Susan

reading incentive program

and party were a huge

success! In all, 43 students

participated. This is the

largest number ever at

TPMS! At the party,

students had pizza and

cupcakes, and

voted for their

favorite books.

English—All Grades

Students selected or wrote

original poems to recite for

the Dramatic Arts Festival.

They used poetry books and

websites. Websites were

accessed through the

following webpage:

http://

msphelan.edu.glogster.com/

poetry/

Dear Students and Parents,

As the end of the year draws near, it’s time to clean out your locker,

search under your bed, and find those overdue books! The deadline

for returning all books to the Media Center is Friday, May 22!

“What about that book I checked out on May 21?” you ask.

That book is also due on May 22. The deadline for turning in all

Media Center materials is May 22.

Sincerely,

Ms. Phelan

Return Your Books!

Congratulations to the 43 students who attended the

Black-Eyed Susan Voting Party!

Alice V.

Naomi K.

Angela Z.

Absa F.

Reethi P.

Olivia F.

Sally Z.

Shwetha K.

Hae Rin K.

Justin Z.

Jason H.

Allison B.

Jenny M.

Tesia S.

Marques W.

Liang L.

Mieraf M.

Yanelee F.

Indira F.

Lauren L. C. Y.

Vivian W.

Camille W.

Alana C.

Prince A.

Abu-Bakarr B.

Victoria X.

Mary C.

Karen Y.

Sophia W.

Belinda L.

Ijeoma O.

Kisha Y.

Bibhu L.

Ikram M.

Isabella F.

Anna Grace O.

Anita L.

Esther T.

C. C. D.

Martina F.

Danny S.

Jonathan M.

Joanna G.

Takoma Park Middle School Media Center News May 2015

US History — Grade 8

Students are working diligently on their Civil War timelines. They are using online databases and books to find information and photos for their projects. Students may access information through the following webpage:

http://msphelan.edu.glogster.com/civilwar/

Current Media Center News Black-Eyed Susan Party

The Black-Eyed Susan reading incentive program and party were a huge success! In all, 43 students participated. This is the largest number ever at TPMS! At the party, students had pizza and cupcakes, and voted for their favorite books.

English—All Grades

Students selected or wrote original poems to recite for the Dramatic Arts Festival. They used poetry books and websites. Websites were accessed through the following webpage:

http://msphelan.edu.glogster.com/poetry/

Dear Students and Parents,

As the end of the year draws near, it’s time to clean out your locker,

search under your bed, and find those overdue books! The deadline for returning all books to the Media Center is Friday, May 22!

“What about that book I checked out on May 21?” you ask.

That book is also due on May 22. The deadline for turning in all Media Center materials is May 22.

Sincerely,

Ms. Phelan

Return Your Books!

Congratulations to the 43 students who attended the

Black-Eyed Susan Voting Party!

Alice V. Naomi K. Angela Z. Absa F.

Reethi P. Olivia F. Sally Z.

Shwetha K. Hae Rin K. Justin Z. Jason H. Allison B. Jenny M. Tesia S.

Marques W. Liang L.

Mieraf M. Yanelee F. Indira F.

Lauren L. C. Y. Vivian W.

Camille W. Alana C. Prince A.

Abu-Bakarr B. Victoria X.

Mary C. Karen Y.

Sophia W. Belinda L. Ijeoma O. Kisha Y. Bibhu L. Ikram M. Isabella F.

Anna Grace O. Anita L.

Esther T. C. C. D.

Martina F. Danny S.

Jonathan M. Joanna G.

COUNSELINGSERVICESMAY/JUNE NEWSLETTER

Springgreetings!

Aswestarttocontemplatetheendoftheschoolyear,let’s irstre lectonthegrowthwe’veseensofarthisyear!Oursixthgradersarrived:anxious,excited,stilllookinglikeelementarystu-dents.AtOutdoorEd.wesawthembreakoutoftheirshellsandstarttoshowustheircharacter.Theyhavegrowntremendouslyastheyhavenavigatedmanynewobstacles–lockers,hallways,friends,physicalandemotionalchanges,dailyscheduleshifts,andtheneedfororganization/studyhabits/newacademicskills.Oureighthgradersareontheirwaytohighschoolandmostareshowingusthattheyarereadytotakeonnewchallengesandgreaterresponsibility.

Althoughtheendoftheschoolyearisgettingclose,thereisstillmuchworktobedone.WeareenteringanotherroundofStatetesting,instructionisstillunderwayandinJune,studentswillbetaking inalexams.

Howcanweallbemoreawesome,academically?ContinuetomonitorEdlinewithyourchildonaweeklybasis.Sitdownwithyourchildonceortwiceaweektolookatgrades,high-lightassignmentsthathaveduedatescomingup,anddiscussaplanofaction.Encourageyourchildtoemailteachers,withquestionsabouttopicstheyhaven’tyetmasteredorrequestforre-teachingopportunities.As inalsapproach,askyourchildhowtheyplantostudyandhelpthemindanappropriatespacetostudy.

Howcanwebemoreawesome,socially?Bringingaboutsocialawarenesstakestimetodevelop,soitisessentialthatweremindourstudentsofourTPMScorevalues.Byteachingandmodelingvariouswaystodemonstrate‘Courtesy,Safety&Integrity’,studentslearnhowtoexer-ciserestraintwhenconfrontedwiththedailypressuresofmiddleschool.Moreimportantly,ourgoalisforstudentstoshowcompassionanddevelopempathyforoneanothersothatwecancontinuetofosteranenvironmentthatheightenssocialawareness,understandingandac-ceptance.

We can all be awful sometimes, but we can all also be AWESOME. It’s time to BE. MORE. AWESOME.

‐Kid President