NORWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL CRUSADER … both language arts and math are the highest ISTEP scores in Adams...
Transcript of NORWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL CRUSADER … both language arts and math are the highest ISTEP scores in Adams...
Norwell Middle School is proud of the efforts of the students on the 2012-2013 ISTEP testing. Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP) is an annual testing system developed by the Department of Education to measure students’ mastery in language, reading, writing, social studies, science, and math. In 6th grade, 88.2% of the students passed the language arts portion of the exam, compared to the state average of 77.8%. In math, 92.4% of the students passed the exam, compared to the state average of 84.2%. On the science
portion of the test, 77.5% of the 6th grade students passed, compared to the state average of 68.3%. In 7th grade, 81% of the NMS students passed the language arts portion (the state average is 74.2%). In math, 80% of the 7th grade students passed the assessment. On the social studies section of the test, 77.3% of the students passed, while the state average was 72.8%. The NMS 8th grade students excelled in comparison to the rest of the state with 90.1% of students passing the language arts assessment while the state averaged 76.3%. In math, 86.3% of the students passed the assessment, with the state average coming in at 81.3%. When looking at passing percentages on language arts and math (which means students had to pass both the language arts and math portions on the exam), NMS performed exceptionally well, with 84.6% of the 6th grade passing (state average is 72.9%) and 75.3% of the 7th grade (state average is 69.5%) and 83.1% of the 8th grade (state average is 71.1%) students passing both portions of the assessment. The language arts combined 6th, 7th, and 8th grade scores and students who passed both language arts and math are the highest ISTEP scores in Adams and Wells Counties. The middle school teachers are very proud of the efforts the students demonstrated on last year’s ISTEP testing and look forward to an equally successful year this year.
Winter 2013 Volume I
Special Notes:
• Annie Musical—Dec. 6, 7, 8 in high school auditorium
• 6th grade field trip—Dec. 13 to Beef n’ Boards
• Winter Band Con-cert—Dec. 16 @ 7:00 in high school auditorium
• End of 2nd Quar-ter—Dec. 20 (report cards go home Friday, January 10)
• NMS Dance—Friday, Jan. 10, 6:00—8:00
• Spelling Bee—Jan. 15
• NWCS Crisis Line—Safety Con-cerns? Call 543-2213 or 1-888-543-2213, ext. 6361.
CRUSADER CHRONICLE NORWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Students of the Month November/December 6th Addy Johnson & Jack Gerber
6th Alyssa Cyrus & Devin Loftus
7th Elizabeth Schmidt & Caden Sheets
7th Tianna Moser & Matthew Decker
8th Katie Brandewie & Tyler Skiles
8th Josh Schmidt & Isabel Crawfis
Border War Fundraiser Another Great Success!
The 3rd annual border wars basketball game took place on Thursday, November 14th, when the middle school staff team (consisting of Mr. Diehl, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wagner, Mr. Prater, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Dafforn, Mrs. McKean, and Mrs. Peppler) played the high school staff (consisting of Ms. Dial, Mr. Frisch, Mr. Feldheiser, Mr. McClain, Mr. Weybright, Mr. Gerber, Mr. Baute, and Mr. Thornton). The game was very competitive and went into overtime, with the high school team winning 66 to 63. A very special thank you to Ked Mosier and Reg-gie Hayes for officiating the game and Geoff Cocanower for a great job announc-ing. The Crusader Parents and Norwell Middle School would like to thank local businesses whose con-tributions helped make the event a great success. Those businesses include the following: BKM Real Estate, Troxel Equipment, Ossian Dental, Pretzels, Inc., Mill Supplies, Inc., Hardee’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Coco China Buffet, Richard’s, Little Ceasar’s Pizza, The Bowling Center, Great Clips, Putt Putt, Coun-try Squire Florist, Dairy Queen, Tyeger’s Pizza, Vinatellis Italian Café, TW Fable, and Wal-Mart. Thank you students, parents, and community members for attending the game. We look forward to see-ing every one again next year for this great event!
Norwell Middle School Students Excel on ISTEP+ Testing
2013-2014 ISTEP Testing Dates — The first round of ISTEP testing will take place March 3-12. This is the applied skills portion of the exam. The second round of ISTEP testing is scheduled for April 28-May 9. This is the multiple choice portion of the exam. During the weeks of testing, please avoid any appointments which would interfere with the testing schedule. Also please make sure your child arrives at school on time each day since the testing will take place first thing in the morning. It is important to encourage your student to do their best during testing. Thank you for helping your student do well on this important test.
Live action shot of Mr. Wilson during the game
(Science / Social Studies) My website: http://teacherweb.com/IN/Norwell MiddleSchool/Rasdorf/apt1.aspx Science: We have just started our Ecology Unit. We will be studying eco-systems, classification of organisms, food webs and food chains, the plant and animal cells, and habitats. In this unit the students will dissect owl pellets, do research, a foldable, and do a project. This is a very “active” unit. This unit will run into the new year, therefore, we will only clean out part of our science binders at midterm and at the end of 2nd quarter. Social studies:
The following students earned 100% on their USA/Canada Post Test over states/capitals, providenc-es /capitals: Block 2: Breann Barger,
Aidan Blinn, Alyssa Cyrus, Braden Mallery, Luke Renninger Block 3: Austen Cook and Mary Davis. Job Well done!!!! ********************* We are now heading south to Latin America. We will be enjoying the warmth of Central America and visiting the Aztecs, Mayans, and Inca ruins; learning about the Amazon Rain Forest in South America, and traveling down the west coast of South America through Peru and Chile. We will visit the Andes Moun-tain Range. Also, we will learn about Brazil and its culture.
¡Feliz Navidad, in other words: Merry Christmas—
And have a blessed New Year! .
Newsletter - November/December 2013
STUDENT OF THE MONTH (for December)
Alyssa Cyrus STARS
Katie Berry Austen Cook
Kenlee Stoppenhagen
(Language Arts)
My website: teacher-web.com/IN/Norwell Middle School/McMichael/apt1.aspx In reading, we are getting into our first guided reading books this year! Your child may have reading work to do at home for this book; ask your child which book he/she is reading! As a whole class, we will also read A Christmas Carol in drama form to get ready for our field trip, along with studying the elements of drama. Thank you so much to all of our parents who volunteered to chaperone on the trip. December 13th will be here be-fore we know it! In addition to our group reading and whole class reading, Word-Marks will be used with choice reading books instead of sticky flags. Nonfiction reading will continue with Scope maga-zine; what interesting articles and discussions we’ve had! This magazine is just amazing. Word Study continues each week, and we have also incorporated the study of Greek and Latin root words into our overall vocabulary study. Did you know that if a student knows just one root, he/she can “grow” thirty new words from just that one root? In writing, letters are the focus for the month of December. Also, a small re-search project over the historical event from our historical fiction group books will take place. Of course, we’re always writing summaries and other responses to literature from our choice reading books. Our Veterans Day letters were such a success with the veterans! In language, we’re mastering com-pound, complex, and appositive sentenc-es. Parts of speech continue to be a focus as well.
(math)
My website: http://teacherweb.com/IN/ Nor-wellMiddleSchool/Carter/apt1.aspx In November and December, Block 1 worked on skills related to fractions, deci-mals, and percents. Most weeks, this class
will have a quiz over their flashcards on these skills. After completing Chapter 3 on Rational Numbers, they will begin Chap-ter 4 on Equations and
Inequalities. Students who proved to be experts on prime factorization, GCF, frac-tions to decimals, and decimals to fractions relating to the 7th grade standards were: Riley Antrim, Breann Barger, Alyssa Cy-rus, Devin Loftus, Mason Morris, Zach Tschannen, Maddy White, Cade Wilson In Blocks 2 and 3, the students have been mastering the skills of adding, sub-tracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions. Students who showed great understanding of comparing and ordering fractions were: Damon Anderson, Lauren Bertsch, Sierra Billiard, Carson Blake, Autumn Brickley, Elle Bulick, Joe Colbert, Josh Colon, Emmy Cupp, Alyssa Heath, Clemente Jasso, Sydney Lambert, Camden Lamons, Skylar Lounsbury, Joey Martinez, Colbryn Miller, Mya Mitchell, Tytus Morrisett, Konner Norman, Quinton Purdy, Jacob Sherrer, Lucas Stauffer , Brendan Ulfig, and Sam Walker. All students have internet access to the textbook, which has activities to help them practice math skills. (See orange sheet in the back of the assignment books.) Also, the students have been learning how to use Google and YouTube to find tutorials and games over the math skills being taught in class.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH (for November)
Devin Loftus STARS
Joe Colbert Sydney Lambert Brianna Benfer
Norwel l Middle School
Mrs. Chavis Math– Period 1
The students are solving equations
using the multiplica-tive inverse. There
next section in-cludes monomials,
negative exponents, and scientific nota-
tion. Period 2, 3, & 4 The classes are finishing their study of com-
puting with frac-tions. Next week we
will conclude with division of fractions and mixed numbers. All Math classes have completed vocabulary sheets on : estimate, factors, prime numbers, order of operations, and divisibility. Social Studies: The students are work-ing on Chapter 4 on the Physical Geogra-phy of United States & Canada. Our 4-2 vocabulary are: drought, tornado, hurricane, blizzard, fault, climate, pre-cipitation, and vege-tation.
6 T H G R A D E G O L D
Mrs. Burns’ Social Studies: My new group of students have learned about the physical and cultural fea-tures of modern day Europe. Now they have traveled back in time to the an-
cient Greeks. Currently they are learning about their culture including the gods, goddesses, myths, diet, as well as the many wars and battles that
formed the various ancient Greek city states.
Mrs. Weybright’s Social Studies: Students are currently working on their South America Coun-
try Power Points. Students will present their power points before Christmas Break.
Mr. Niermeyer Science
The second nine weeks the students finished learning
about the parts of the brain and nervous system and how they work together.
Also we have started unit E. This unit is over ecology.
The students will learn what happens when a new species is introduced into the environment. We will
also be studying the levels of classification.
Social Studies In the second nine weeks the students will be learn-ing how to locate places using longitude and lati-
tude. We will also learning the continents and oceans.
Students of the Month
November Abby Johnson
December Jack Gerber
Language Arts — Mrs. Weybright Fiction Reading: Students are reading a fiction book; they were able to choose the genre of the book. Students are focusing on: point of view, vocabulary, summarizing, conflict, and resolution. Reading Logs are due every Wednesday. Drama: To prepare for the Beef n’ Boards field trip, students are taking turns reading different parts of the Charles Dickens’ play, A Christmas Carol. The students have done a great job reading aloud and understanding the true meaning of giving. Non-Fiction Reading: Scope Magazine articles - Focus: non-fiction text structures ***CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA*** Students will be reading auto/biographies after Christmas. A book on someone your child is interested in or a Barnes n’ Noble gift card would be a great gift or stocking stuffer! Students will be doing a project with the auto/biography unit, so look for details after Christmas Break.
Composition — Mrs. Burns It’s the Holidays! Everyone is busy getting ready to spend that special time with family and friends. Here in the Comp Café, the students are spending their time sharing some of their newly found writing techniques. First students have been enjoying the new read aloud entitled Claws by Dan Greenburg. Along with this read aloud, students will research the pros and cons of keeping exotic and wild animals in captivity. Then, they will write a persuasive piece illustrating their personal beliefs regarding this subject. Additionally, students just completed their second formal piece of writing. Each student researched a middle school from some other state and compared it to Norwell. Many interesting facts were discovered about other middle schools! Finally, there were several students who were able to demonstrate their artistic abilities with illustrations of jack-o-lanterns that illustrated the 4 kinds of sentences. Several were displayed in the hallway for everyone to enjoy!
STARS November:
Dakota Linser, Addison Misch, Sydney
Schroeder, & Kaiden Slater
December: Andrew Captain, Korbyn
Costello, Holly Garmire, & Heidi Krill
Mrs. Dickey’s language arts
classes just f in ished up
literature circles and each group
created a poster to advertise
their book! The next time you
are in the building, look around
for some of them!
We are still going strong
w i t h wee k l y r o o t s and
vocabulary. Students can expect
a quiz every two weeks. Be sure
to ask your child how s/he is
using Quizlet to study for the
quizzes.
Advanced Language students are
reading the teleplay “The
Monsters Are Due on Maple
Street” by Rod Serling and will
then read The Westing Game
shortly after Thanksgiving break.
They will be expected to do a
lot of reading outside of class.
Regular Language students are
reading the teleplay “The
Monsters Are Due on Maple
Street” by Rod Serling, They are
also reading their independent
novels and completing activities
that improve comprehension and
focus on making them think deeply
about the reading.
Other Important Information
Students should be reading a
minimum of 20 minutes 5-7
nights a week in addition to
what we do during Reading
Workshop.
Check Power School regularly.
This is the best way to stay up-
to-date on your child’s grades.
Check my website regularly for
daily assignments and other
valuable information. w w w . n w c s . k 1 2 . i n . u s /
DickeyBonnie.aspx
N o r w e l l
M i d d l e
S c h o o l
Mrs. Gallmeyer-8th Grade
Logan Rowles
Mrs. Gallmeyer
Luke Rinehart
Mrs. Dickey
Sydney Taylor
Mrs. Bender
Advanced language has just
finished reading Anne Frank:
The Diary of a Young Girl.
Along with reading the book
students wrote their own memoir
from the life map they
constructed. It was quite
interesting to read what
has happened to these
young people in their
short lives. Students will
continue with the Anne
theme with the reading response
letter and literature circles over
other areas of the Holocaust.
Regular language classes are
still reading the play of “The
Diary of Anne Frank”. We
will be getting into Act II
shortly and hopefully we will
finish the play by the end of
the month. Study questions are
answered after each scene, while
the reading is fresh in our
minds.
All classes are still doing
a weekly reading journal
and an article of the
week (AOW) along
with our word study.
Congratulations to Logan
Rowles for being my
STAR for the month of
November and Heather
Sorg for the month of
December. Good job, Logan
and Heather!!
Mrs. Dickey-7th Grade
To read without
reflecting is like
eating without
digesting. -Edmund Burke
LANGUAGE ARTS
Winter 2013
Volume 1, Issue 3
Mrs. Bender 7th & 8th
Eighth graders will soon learn a little bit about Hanukkah as we enact the Hanukkah scene from The Diary of Anne Frank in class using an authentic menorah. Students are learning important literary elements through reading and acting out this drama, and they are learning about the extraordinary courage of a peer from an earlier time, Anne Frank. Students selected a photo of a child of the Holocaust and will write a letter to this child. Then they will search to discover the fate of their children. Did they survive the tribulations of the Holocaust? Students are also reading historical fiction novels in groups. Ireland Connett and Bilal Abdulrahim scored an impressive 100% on the Quarter One Vocabulary Exam—Great Job!
Seventh graders are learning about prejudice, suspicion, and fear as we study a drama by Rod Serling from the old Twilight Zone called “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.” Students are enjoying the opportunity to play characters as they act out some of the dramatic events. Students will soon complete projects based on their reading group books. Projects will be persuasive and will include important and interesting ideas usually related in book reviews. Seventh and eighth grade vocabulary study continues daily, with quizzes occurring every other Monday. Please encourage your child to study and be prepared for these regularly scheduled quizzes. I am looking forward to more fun second semester with these wonderfully curious and eager students. I wish you peace.
Heather Sorg
Mrs. Gallmeyer
Deakota Ingle
Mrs. Dickey
Haylie Pepper
Mrs. Bender
Mrs. Allen 7th & 8th Grade
Seventh grade composi on students have been working on persuasive wri ng. They have considered words with connota ve meanings, examined emo onal arguments, and offered a rebu al to the best argument of the opposi on. They prac ced their persuasive techniques in a series of parent le ers, and produced some interes ng sugges ons for cafeteria improvements which might be great topics for future persuasive le ers. Focused traits for this wri ng were Organiza on and Word Choice. Students did a great job with this piece. Conven ons skills we have focused on lately include word usage—using the right word with the right spelling to reduce confusion, antecedent‐pronoun agreement, and comma usage. Clauses Santa Style will be our grammar focus just before winter break. Using Scope magazine as our inspira on and guide, we are crea ng essays from the magazine’s interviews and infographics. The students enjoy these pieces which are typically completed in a shorter me than some of our other work. We con nue to build our lexicon of Composi on Core Vocabulary as we focus on words that connect to our wri ng studies. In Journal Wri ng, students are building their wri ng stamina and prac cing ways to make their
prompt wri ngs longer, more developed, and more interes ng. We love it!
Mrs. Bender‐7th Grade
Your students have been working on perfecting their non‐fiction writing in the areas of persuasion essays and newspaper article writing. Our Scope magazine continues to teach the students how to improve on the art of interviewing and then creating an article from an interview. Also, the students were able to dive into actual newspapers and try their hand at creating a class paper. Your students recently immersed themselves in a week long study of clauses. The students were introduced to dependent and independent clauses Santa Claus style. They were then able to identify the four types of sentence structure. Simple, Compound, Complex, and Compound Complex sentence can be formed just by using Santa’s family. Ask them all about it. We edited the words of a few familiar Christmas Carols and serenaded our school with Composition Carols. The students took writing skill we use in class and re‐wrote the lyrics to make the song be all about writing. We have quite the collection of Composition Carols. Maybe some day we will record our own Holiday Album! Remember if you have any questions throughout the year feel free to email me. [email protected]. Have a wonderful break! Come
back refreshed and ready to work!
7th grade composition students will begin the genre of Persuasive Writing! They will write to an audience of their choosing by composing a persuasive letter.
Additionally, we will work on mini-lessons and revision strategies based on each of the 6 traits of good writing. Ideas: Each student’s letter will include persuasive-specific traits: a rebuttal and a call-to-action statement. Organization: Students will work especially hard on letter format (salutation, body, date, closing, etc) and 5 paragraph structure. Voice: we will analyze newspaper editorials and commercials to find what persuasive writing sounds like! Word Choice: Each student is now well-versed in the use of the thesaurus and figurative language tables for revision. Conventions: Students have focused their MUG shot and grammar revision strategies on apostrophes to show possession (plural and pl. possessive) and in contractions. Sentence Fluency: Our current revision strategy is the punctuation and composition of complex sentences using dependent and independent clauses. Our read-aloud novel for mentor text is Monster by Walter Dean Myers. 16-year-old Steve Harmon is on trial for murder, and he’s being tried as an adult! Did he do “it” or not? Who does a better persuasive job—the prosecution or the defense? Read to find out!
Composi on Winter 2013
Volume 1, Issue 3
The school year is in full swing. Students now use their NGWC skills to write using evidence from the text as well as analyze the writer’s skills. Have your child read his homework, textbook, or the newspaper and identify the writer’s skills. Our second nine weeks grammar focus will be verbals—gerunds, participials, and infinitives. These grammar lessons go beyond basic parts of speech and create well-written sentences. Our larger writing focus will be on process or technical writing. Students will create their own snow globes, then write explaining how it was made. Congratulations to Clair Johnson and Sadie Mann for excellent (and very helpful!) business letters of advice. Attention to format and higher level sentence structure made these letters top-of- the- line quality. Encourage your child to enjoy holiday learning by reading special family recipes and writing holiday greetings. Safe and happy holiday wishes to
all !!!
Mrs. Mann‐8th Grade
Mrs. Smith‐7th Grade
Jance Sullivan Kyle Patrick
Levi Dirig Denver Heller
Mackenzie Maloney Ralyn Schwartz
*No STAR
7th Grade Science We just finished our first unit on Plate Tectonics. Students learned the physical and chemical layers inside Earth, the three different types of
tectonic plate boundaries, and the physical features created at each type of boundary. We had several experts on this unit who received an “A” on this assessment. Our experts are:
Garrison Brege, Megan Dettmer, Tristan Fry, Lars Geisler, Seth Goetz, Kyle Henschen, Hailey
Hudson, Ally Isnogle, Cole Lambert, *Caden Mann, Hunter Monnot,
Christopher Park, Allison Reineck, Brandon Runyon, Nevin Ryan, Shelby Stinson, Jance Sullivan, Joe Taylor, *Josh Williams,
Gabi Wren, and Kade Zadylak. (* Student scored a perfect score on this
assessment) Congratulations to All of You!!! We will continue to study Earth Science for the rest of the 2nd quarter.
Important Information: We are hitting the time of season where it is going to be cold outside. Please, dress appropriately for the weather for our tree project!!!! Remember, if you need any information about 7th grade Science from Mrs. Everett’s class, you may visit my website at the following address:
h t t p : / / t e a c h e r w e b . c o m / I N /
NorwellMiddleSchool/Everett/
Merry Christmas!!!!!!!
Science November/December
Volume 1, Issue 3&4
No rw e l l
M i d d l e
S c h o o l
Caden Mann and Josh Williams
Mrs. Everett
Cierra Moser and Christian Bohata
Ms. Jones
Tyler Bulmer and Madison Blount
Miss Kimball
SCIENCE STARS
OF THE
MONTH
8th Grade Science
Chemistry is upon us. The eighth grade students have been hard at work learn-
ing the history and development of the atom-
ic theory. We created scale timelines outlin-ing significant contributions to the atomic
theory from 440 BCE to the present. We
also discussed several significant men in history that helped form the current theories
about atoms and elements. The students
created a colorful graphic organizer to help differenti-ate between these scientists.
We are currently working with the periodic
table, elements and atoms. The students have been studying different parts of atoms, including subatomic
particles inside and outside the nucleus. We have
practiced reading the periodic table to find atomic mass, and atomic number. We can also identify iso-
topes and ions using the periodic table. Several small
projects have allowed the students to build different atoms with the SmartBoard as well as objects
from popsicle sticks to paper squares, to tennis
balls. We are all looking forward to an upcom-ing atom project where we will get to create
atoms from anything edible! 7th Grade Science
Great job with the science experi-
ments! The seventh grade students recently completed
their “Very Own Experiment” projects. Each group of
students created a question, designed their own experi-ment to test the question, completed the experiment
and wrote the lab report. I’m so impressed with the
amount of creativity, effort and interest that the stu-dents showed throughout this project. It was very
exciting to watch such a variety of experiments in the
lab, and listen as each group presented their findings to the class. We all discovered so many new things
throughout this project. Excellent experiments!
We have recently been diving through the layers of the Earth. We just finished decorating the
science hallway with scale drawings of the Earth’s
chemical layers. The students are currently working on similar projects where each layer must be described in
detail. Up next, the students will have a homework
project where they must build each layer of the Earth using things that that are completely edible.
8th Grade Science
We just completed our unit on phas-
es of matter. This was some pre-
information that will lead into our
chemistry unit. Students did very
well on the phases of matter con-
cepts. Congratulations to the many
students that received an A on the
test. Also congratulations to those
students who scored a perfect on the
phases of matter test.
We are currently working on the atomic
theories of the atom. Students developed time
lines to help relate each scientist to their contri-
bution to our current model used today. Students
also created a colorful foldable as an alternative
method to note taking.
We will be starting the unit on the peri-
odic table soon. Look for students to be
using flash cards to help them memorize
elements from the period table.
Several of the students have dead
onion plants. We are taking this experi-
ence to make inferences why and how
their experimental variable had an effect
on their onion plants.
7th Grade Science
This quarter students have been studying Earth Science. We have covered the rock cycle and are currently studying plate tectonics. Hoping each of you has a Wonderful Christmas. Enjoy the break eating, playing, and sleeping. Just be ready to start again in January.
Social Studies
November / December
Newsletter
The nice list …
Mr. Diehl, Mrs. Everett, Mr. Schorey , & Mrs. Smith.
Social Studies
November / December
Newsletter
Mr. Paul Schorey 8th Grade US History
In US History students are learning about the development and current impact of systems in our
country such as the Electoral College. The classes are also reflecting upon historical documents
such as George Washington’s farewell address and comparing our first president’s advice to the
state of politics and political policy in our country at the moment. Students are also learning
about the origin of our national debt and the ideological differences between the role of govern-
ment from Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton’s point of view. I find it fascinating that
many ideological differences that exist today can be traced back to the start of our country and I
enjoy facilitating the students in researching, developing, and communicating their individual ide-
as effectively.
7th Grade Social Studies Mr. Diehl’s STARS: Calvin Stoller & Kylie Topp Mrs. Everett’s STARS: Jordan Page & Allison Powers We will study the Middle East and then wrap up the end of December with modern Africa. Please continue to check Mrs. Everett’s website for helpful information on 7th Grade Social Studies:
http://teacherweb.com/IN/NorwellMiddleSchool/Everett/apt5.aspx On our North Africa Map Test the following students earned perfect scores: Michaela Adam, Kamden Allen, Alec Allen, Willow Anderson, Jordan Archambault, Leah Aschliman, Aaron Bacon, Tyler Bailey, Audrey Barnes, Kylie Bauman, Kayla Berkshire, Hunter Bodenheimer, Lauren Bodner, Garrison Brege, Kristy Bridegam, Khloe Brown, Skyler Brown, Tyler Bulmer, Natalie Bunn, Dylan Burnau, Payton Chacon, Mackenzie Cocklin, Apryl Colon, Ian Cook, Robert Combs, Matthew Decker, Dru Denney, Maddy Denny, Megan Dettmer, Levi Dirig, Caleb Dummer, Aubrey Dunnuck, Tucker Edington, Lileigh Espy, Emily Eubank, Autumn Fiedler, Colt Fields, Autumn Fox, Zachary Geiger, Lars Geisler, Calista Gerard, Holly Harmon, Denver Heller, Gil Hernandez, Jade-Lyn Heyeryly-Jones, Nash Hoffman, Hailey Hudson, Ally Isnogle, Skie Landis, Levi Leidig, Kylynn Lepper, Morgan Markley, Mitch-el Mayer, Mercy McLemore, Mason McMurtry, Tristan McMurtry, Dan Milostan, Hunter Monnot, Cylee Morris, Tianna Moser, Aus-tin Mounsey, Reis Myers, Broc Nunley, Jodie Oswald, Jordan Page, Christopher Park, Kyle Patrick, Lauren, Plasterer, Emma Pow-ell, Allison Powers, Caleb Pugh, Matt Ramseyer, Eva Reed, Cole Reid, Allison Reineck, Luke Rinehart, Natalie Robinson, Kendyl Roller, Brandon Runyon, Nevin Ryan, Caden Sheets, Cassandra Shelton, Tiffany Shorb, Aaron Simerman, Taylor Smith, Jesus Soto, Nathan Stephens, Shelby Stinson, Paiten Stringer, Kylee Strunk, Jance Sullivan, Bri Todd, Ethan Todd, Kylie Topp, Anne Troutman, Makaelyn Turner, Ashley VandenBoom, Dylan VanHorn, Josh Williams, Skyler Wilson, Zach Wingate, Gabi Wren, Ash-lee Xayyachack, and Kade Zadylak.
Mrs. C. Smith 8th Grade US History
We have concluded our rebellion, our studies of the Revolutionary War, and the formation of our gov-
ernment. We are currently studying the United States Constitution. This is where we take a break
from studying history in order to take a crash course in American government and politics! Students
will become familiar with the many parts of the Constitution and our three branches of govern-
ment. Students will also learn about the rights of US citizens and their civic duties as members of
this great nation. STAR: Gretchen Boyle
General:
Our chapter begins with a study of fractions and decimals. We will add subtract, multiply and divide fractions and decimals. The student will then study ratios, rate, and proportions and will apply these concepts to geometric figures . During the percent lessons the student will be introduced to percents larger then 100% and smaller then 1%.
Also remind them to study their equivalents and conversion measurements.
Pre Algebra:
The pre-algebra students have been working very hard on the terms and principles of algebra. Chapter 4 will bring back good old fashion math, dealing with ratio, proportion and percent. This concept of proportionality is the foundation of many branches of mathematics. One example they will be using is scale drawings. The lessons will provide for real-life applications of percents, including the percent of change. Also remind them to study their equivalents and conversion measurements.
Algebra
Algebra students are re-viewing coordinate planes and the graphing of linear equations, along with slope calculations. Stu-dents are applying this knowledge to “Real World functions.. What famous American said “ Give me
liberty or give me slope!”?????
STARS Mr. Lowden– Devon Gawronzki
Mrs. Habegger– Natalie Robinson Mr. White– Natalie Baumgartner-Bunn & Kennady Tucker
Parents: Remember to check for
homework nightly not just on powerschool.
The Math Department
Volume3 Newsletter
The Math Depart-ment would like to give a special thanks to all of the parents who have generously given their time to run copies for the math department. We appreciate you greatly.
Michaela Adams, Chris Park, Gabe Smith & Andrew
O’Neal will be participating in the All-Region Honor Band at DeKalb H.S. on November 23-24th.
Congratulations!
“NMS Band Students Win Big
at State Marching Band Contest”
The following M.S. band students participated in the H.S. marching band this year: These students competed at “State” in Indy on November 2, 2013 and received 5th place!
-Elizabeth Schmidt, Will Zimmer, Connor McCabe, Taylor Moser, Erika James, Ethan Moriarity, Tricia Moser, McKenzie Martz, Blaine Powell, Jessie Weirick, Hunter McVay, Joshua Schmidt, Hayden Emrah, and Tess McBride.
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NMS BAND NEWS Upcoming Events: ♦ November 23-
24th—All-Region Band Festival (DeKalb H.S.)
♦ December 16th—Winter Band Concert
♦ February 6-8 —IPFW Honor Band
♦ February 1st ISSMA Solo/Ensemble Contest
♦ April 4th— ISSMA Band Con-test
♦ April 5th—Norwell Music Extravaganza
♦ May 12,13 6th and 8th grade perform at in-coming 6th grade Orientation
♦ May 15th— Spring Band Con-cert
Mrs. Hipsher’s 7th grade Experiencing Music Class working on
learning the names of the music clefs and lines and spaces on
the music staff . Students are preparing to compose their very
own 24 measure piece of music
6th grader Mari Topp practicing
her music for the upcoming Winter
Concert.
7th Grade band students Matthew
Decker, Nathan Stephens, Nevin
Ryan, Morgan Markley, Cole Reid,
Blaine Williams, Dan Milostan &
Andrew O’Neal take a moment
from practicing their instruments to
pose for this photo.
Beginning December 2nd (after we return from Thanksgiving Break), NMS Library books may be borrowed for THREE weeks instead of TWO. This will give staff and students more time to finish a book, and cut down on the number of times the book is renewed. This should also alleviate most of the fines incurred for late books.
The Norwell HIGH School Library will follow suit once they move to their newly renovated area (hopefully in December).
When school is closed, the due date updates automatically to the first day we return. Fines are 5¢ per day after due date.
New Books
at the NMS Library:
Wild Born: (Book 1 Spirit Animals Series) By Brandon Mull
The Hypnotists By Gordon Kormann
Dear Bully Edited by Megan
Kelley Hall and Carrie
Jones
Buddy
By M. H. Herlong
The Grimm Legacy By Polly Shulman
Skipping Christmas
By John Grisham
I a m T H A N K F U L f o r t h e H S I n t e r n s : H a l l e y E d i n g t o n , E t h a n C r e a g e r a n d C o d y M o r e
Volume 3. Nov.-Dec. 2013
NMS Library
Jody Gates, Media Specialist
*Please remind your child to check due dates, return books on time, and pay fines that have been added to their library accounts ASAP.
The Times … They Are a-Changin’!
PROCESSING HAS BEGUN ON THE STACKS OF NEW BOOKS PURCHASED WITH SCHOLASTIC DOLLARS, AND SOME THAT WERE DONATED BY HALF-PRICE BOOKS AND NORWELL FAMILIES! BOOKS ARE BARCODED, REGISTERED, STAMPED, STICKERED, NOTED AND COVERED. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THIS IS QUITE A PROCESS, AND TAKES SOME TIME, BUT WE ARE ANXIOUS TO GET THIS READING MATERIAL OUT TO THE NMS COMMUNITY! THE STUDENTS ARE CHOMPING AT THE BIT TO DIG IN TO THESE TITLES, SO WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO KEEP THINGS MOVING! HIGH SCHOOL INTERNS ARE ADEPT AT THE PROCEDURE, AND ARE ASSISTING DAILY. THEY ALSO SHELVE BOOKS, HELP STUDENTS LOCATE BOOKS, AND CHECK OUT & RETURN BOOKS.
L o t s o f N ew B o o k s !
If you are in need of earbuds or headphones now or for next year’s
planned transition to one-to-one devices, head to
Darlington Farms Warehouse - they have
them for only $1.59! (They have lots of other
inexpensive items as well.)
NMS Students are invited to help decorate the
Norwell Middle School Library’s
PATRIOTIC-THEMED Christmas Tree ...
with hand-made or purchased red, white & blue, military, or patriotic ornaments. The tree will be featured in the 2014 Veterans Day Program! We proudly support our men, women & animals in uniform—past & present!
The tree will be up & ready for ornaments after Thanksgiving!
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
3 BBB vs Dekalb 5:00 GBB @ Dekalb 5:00
4
5 BBB @ New Haven 5:00 GBB vs New Haven 5:00
6
ROUND TABLE
7
8
9 BBB vs Riverview 5:00
10 BBB @ Maple Creek 5:00 GBB vs Maple Creek 5:00
11
12 BBB vs Bellmont 4:30 GBB @ Bellmont 4:30
13
ROUND TABLE 6th Grade Beef n’ Boards Field Trip
14
15
16
Wtr. Band Concert 7:00 BBB @ Indian Springs 5:00 GBB vs Indian Springs 5:00
17 BBB @ Adams Central 4:30
18
19 BBB vs Summit 5:00 GBB @ Summit 5:00
20 ROUND TABLE
End of 2nd 9 weeks & 1st Semester
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30 31
December 2013 NORWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL
1100 E US 224
OSSIAN, IN 46777
(260) 543-2218
WINTER BREAK (DEC 23-JAN 3)
WINTER BREAK (DEC 23-JAN 3)
THE CRUSADER CHRONICLE Norwell Middle School
1100 E US 224 Ossian IN 46777
Winter 2013 Volume 1
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID Ossian, IN 46777 PERMIT #12
NMS ATTENDANCE REMINDER
During cold & flu season we know that more students may be staying home ill. We want to remind parents/guardians to please be prompt in calling in a student absence.
The NMS policy is “it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to call the school by 8:00 am the day the student is absent. The NMS A endance line is available 24 hours a day and can be reached by calling 1‐888‐543‐2218. If a parent/guardian does not call, the school will a empt to contact the parent at home or work to no fy them of the absence. A note from parent, doctor, or other health care provider must be received by the office within 6 days a er the student’s return to school. Students will be considered truant if no note or call is received from a parent. A note from a health care provider will not be counted towards the six parent/guardian excused absences per semester.”
Thanks! Stay healthy!