12/22 Science

Happy holiday to all of our students and families!  Enjoy the break and see you in the new year!

Today is the shortest day of the year.  Click here: Winter Solstice Animation to see why.

12/20 Science

8th grade students received back a quiz today called "Midsummative 5."  I am encouraging parents/guardians to have a conversation with their student about it and for all students to share their quiz with their parents/guardians.  Students are strongly encouraged to construct knowledge and make corrections on it.  If you have any questions, please call or email.

12/19 Science

Both 7th & 8th grade should fill out a learning log tonight.  7th grade should fill out a learning log around the "Green Contract" and the "Secret of Life on Earth."  8th grade should fill out a learning log about the "Is it Made of Cells" card sort and/or the characteristics of living things.  This assignment is due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

December 19th, Tucana math

7th: finish page 36 and 37
8th: We started Looking for Pythagorus visiting the fictional city of Euclid. Page9&10 blend coordinates, directions, and the planning of a city park in different geometric shapes.

December 16th, Tucana math

7th graders: Page 36 A-C, Page 33+ A-F should be complete from yesterday.
2.1 page 19, 2.3 pages 22&23, pages 24&25 #1-3 were returned and should be in their current work sections. We are working with rates and unit rates - these definitions should be in their vocabulary sections.
8th graders: No new tasks. 3.1 Relating Length and Width page 48, 3.3 Average Cost page 52. &
Page 53 #1&3 were checked and the assessment for Thinking with Mathematical Models was completed today.

December 15th, Tucana math

7th: new task page 34 A-F, collected:2.1 page 18, 2.3 page 22 & 23, page 53#1-3
8th: Checked: 3.1 Relating Length and Width p48, 3.3 Average Cost p52, page 53 #1&3
Thinking with Mathematical Models Assessment

December 14th, Tucana math

7th: new task page26 #7&8, Be sure 2.1 pages 18&19 and 2.3 pages 22 & 23 and
pages 24&25 #1-3 are well done
They will be checked.
8th: There is an assessment on the booklet Thinking with Mathematical Models
To review for the test page 36 & 37 are good practice, there are check-ups not used that can be used for practice also
The following are being checked: 3.1 page 48, 3.3 page 53, page 53#1&3

December 13th, Tucana math

7th grade: Investigation 2.3 Scaling Ratios, page 22&23 A-C
8th grade: vocabulary: inverse variation y=k/x,
page 52 Investigation 3.3 Average Cost (inverse variation is the pattern) A-D
There is a test on Thinking with Mathematical Models Thursday.

12/12 Science

7th grade- students should write up their "Flaming Food" lab tonight for homework.  7B just has to add the data table to their lab.  7A has to add the procedure section and the data table.  This assignment is due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

December 12th, Tucana math

Challenge problem: Clocks with Hands is available, 5 Bales of Hay collected
7th grade: finish page 19 , do page #24&25 #1-3
8th grade: We are aiming to have the Thinkinig with Mathematical Models local assessment Thursday.
new tasks: 3.1 Investigation with a fixed area - Inverse variation page 48 A-D and
page 53#1-3

12/9 Science

7th grade students received a quiz back today.  Ask them about it.  There are 2 grades on the quiz because it assessed 2 standards.  Students who scored a 2 or 1 on it are encouraged to make corrections on it.  Students who scored a 3 should see me about opportunities to exceed the standard.  Have a happy weekend!

December 9, Tucana math

7th grade: vocabulary was added to ratio: part-to-part and part-to-whole
We started Investigation 2.1 on page 19 and completed through D with a table to match.
8th grade: Page 38#25-32 was the new task assigned.

On Monday we will discuss assessment.

December 8th, Tucana math

7th: page 10#1&2, page 13#11-16
8th: Investigation 2.3 page 32 A&B

12/7 Science

Both 7th & 8th grade should complete a learning log tonight for homework.

7th grade- should write a learning log about the 14 levels of organization
8th grade- should write a learning log around today's reading "where does food come from?"

December 7th, Tucana math

grade 7: We started Comparing and Scaling today. Page 6, Investigation 1.1 A-E C& E requires strong numerical support. The other questions are more opinion.
grade 8: Page 38 #20 - 24

December 6th, Tucana math

There are no new tasks for today.
7th grade had a summative assessment for Stretching and Shrinking.
8th grade submitted Labsheet 2ACE, page 40#35 & 36, page 28 & 29,
page 34 #4 & 5, page 44 & 45 all. In class we are working on Inverstigation 2.2

December 5, Tucana math

Challenge Problem is available on the blog. Clicking on Math will take you to the student wiki, they can sign in and print it from there or see me for a copy.
7th grade: There is a summative assessment for Stretching and Shrinking tomorrow
8th: Tomorrow collecting: Page 28&29 A-F, page 40#35 & 36, page 34 #4&5, page 44 & 45 all
We started Investigation 2.3 page 30&31 and there is vocabulary (inequality) which needs to be added to that section.

December 2nd, Tucana math

7th grade: no new tasks
8th grade: page 34#4&5
Next Tuesday, December 6th I will be collecting: page 28&29, page 34 #4&5, page 40#35&36,
(page 44&45 They will have some class time on Monday for work.)

Humanities, December 2

Please work on Journal Entry # 2 over the weekend.
In class Monday, you should be reading and writing for Journal #3. Come to class with Journals 1 and 2 complete. Exceed the journal using a fourth entry that answers the question, How would America be different if the French had won the war.

12/1 Science

7th grade should fill out a learning log regarding the "Mono Lake" card sort and the food web that we constructed in class today.  This assignment is due at the beginning of class tomorrow

Reminder-Students are strongly encouraged to make corrections on any science tests/quizzes

Humanities, December 1, 2011

Write role-play journal entry number 1, using a minimum of 5 facts from the French and Indian War reading packet. Complete 3 journal entries by the end of Monday's class. To exceed the standard, write a fourth journal entry that explains, in detail, how America would be different if the French had won the war.

December 1st, Tucana math

7th grade: page 83+ A,B,D were done in class. Pages 85#5, 88 & 89#27 - 32 were assigned.
8th grade: pages 28 & 29 were reviewed, A-D were done in class in detail, E and F need to be completed with details specified.

Tucana math, November 30th

7th grade: page 83 A (we will continue tomorrow with B,D)
8th grade: We started page 28&29 A-F, doing A&B well would be a good goal.

Tucana math, November 29th

7th grade: new task- page 85#6-17,page 86#18-22
8th grade: new task Labsheet 2ACE Exercise 3, page 40#35&36

Monday, Nov 28th, Tucana math

7th grade: page 66#1, page 64 & 65 A-D, page 68#5-11 were collected today

We started the last investigation in Stretching & Shrinking. Problem solving using the characteristics of similarity is the focus on page 79 A-D.

8th grade: Quiz corrections and page 12#1, page 11 and page 16#5-11 were returned. We reviewed page 25&26 with mathematical models, best fit lines, and making equations for linear patterns. A new task Page 33 #1-3 was assigned.

11/28 Science

7th and 8th grade students received back a quiz in science today.  They should get it signed by a parent/guardian and return it back to class for tomorrow.  As always, students are encouraged to make corrections on their quiz.  Students can meet with me during reads/needs if they have any questions.  

11/28 Humanities

Final copy of scary story narrative due Wednesday, 11/30

11/17 Science

Students set up 2 miniecosystems in science today.  They set up an aquarium and a terrarium.  Ask them about what populations of organisms they included in their miniecosystems.

All students should make corrections on their "Fox and Rabbits" test and think about taking the retest.  Parents/guardians can support their learner by encouraging them to do this!

Thursday, November 17th, Tucana math

Grade 7: Students had a check-up today so they will be able to do corrections tomorrow.
The following tasks should be done and in their "Current Work" sections:
page 66 # 1, page 64 & 65 ABCD, page 68 #5-11. There will be no new tasks assigned Friday.
Grade 8: Check-ups were returned today, corrections can be done to earn credit.
The following tasks should be completed and in their "Current Work" section:
page 19#23 - 26, 27 - 29, page 20 #31 & page 21 # 33 a,b, d, page 25&26 A&B.
No new tasks will be assigned on Friday.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

11.16 Humanities

Turn the answers from your questions on your colony into advertising statements. Remember you want to make your colony sound appealing to attract new settlers.

November 15th, Tucana math

7th grade: Supporting a decision about similarity page 66#1
Check-up on Thursday
8th grade: page 19#23- 26, 27 - 29
Check-up tomorrow on tables and interpretation of graphs

Announcements 11/15

Dear Families,


On Friday, your student should have brought home a Celebrity Home catalog. This catalog has many good ideas for holiday gift giving including candles, wrapping paper, and cookie mix. Students should bring this catalog around to neighbors and family members. This can be shared online by sending the link http://www.celebratinghome.com/fundraiserSearch.aspx and entering "miltonmiddleschool" in the fundraiser code field. Orders placed online will be sent directly to the customer's home. If your student did not receive a catalog, please have your student talk to your advisory to get one.


Also, Thusday night, November 17th, we are having our harvest dinner.


Carrot and Ginger Soup
Mixed Greens Salad
Beef and Venison Stew
Vegetarian Chili
Fresh-Baked Breads
Apple Cider
Delicious Desserts


Table Service Provided by MMS Students


Raffles during the meal including Smuggs Bash Badge, Mary Kay Cosmetic Basket, and Tickets to Grease. Raffle tickest will be $1.00 each. If you cannot make it to the dinner but would like to purchase raffle tickets, please contact me.

November 11, 2011, Tucana math

Remember our veterans.

Both grades will have an Additional Practice worksheet as the main activity for today. On Monday the 8th grade has been asked to have page12 #1, Page 16 & 17 #7-10, and page 11 A & B ready to submit.

11.9 Humanities

Columbian Exchange -- 2 visuals with questions and probable passage (fill-in the blank)

11/9 Science

Students have the opportunity to make corrections on their "Fox and Rabbit" test.  The corrections are step (1) and will unlock the retest, step (2.)  The retest will only focus in on the parts they need to improve upon.  All students are encouraged to make corrections and take the retest.  Please encourage your son or daughter to meet with me to do this.  If you have any questions, email me at rdecicco@mtsd-vt.org

Student-led conferences

We will hold student-led conferences on November 15th, 21st & 22nd.  Students received a "Student Conference Letter" in advisory.  On the bottom of the letter, there is a form requesting a date and time for the conference.  Parents/Guardians should fill out the form and return it with their student as soon as possible.  Click the link on the wiki that says "Student Conference Letter" for a copy of the letter. 

11/8 Science

All Tucana students should get their "Fox and Rabbits" test signed by a parent or guardian.  Students were given ample time to write up the science portfolio reflection sheet that accompanies the "Fox and Rabbits" test.  If they are not finished, they should complete the reflection write-up for homework.

November 8th, Tucana math

Reflections on a check-up should be done on the provided form for tomorrow so they can be included in their portfolios.

Both 7&8 grade students need to prepare their binders for the upcoming student-led conferences.
They should include:
Notes: Percents on a Numberline, Combining Signed Numbers, Proportions, Perimeter and Area, Number Properties, Distributive Property fluency, online book information, Math Process Standards
Vocabulary: The words for both grades from the beginning of the year are on the blog under archives. The highlighted words from the booklets for each grade shoul be entered as we use them.
Current Work: Printed report from October31st that lists assignments

11/7 Science

8th grade students should get their "Fox and Rabbits" test signed by a parent or guardian.  I will check to see if they are signed at the beginning of tomorrow's class.

11.4 Humanities

Finish explorer's chart for the Age of Exploration - Due Monday

Nov 4th, Tucan a math

Both grades should organize their notebooks in preparation for the student-led conferences. Notes, Current Work (they did receive lists of assignments), and Vocabulary are sections
8th grade added page 18#12-17 a review of standards from Moving Straight Ahead.

11/4 Science

7th grade only- Students should spend 5-10 minutes this weekend filling out a learning log on the ecosystem card sort we've done in class on Wednesday and today.  I will collect 5 at random on Monday.

November 3rd, Tucana math

7th grade: Practice with similar figures, proportion, scale factors, area and perimeter.
page47#7, page 48#8 with Labsheet, page 48#9-14
8th grade: page 12#1, page 16 # 7-10 Please support your responses

Student/parent/teacher conferences

We will hold student-led conferences on November 15th, 21st & 22nd.  Students received a letter in advisory.  On the bottom of the letter, there is a form requesting a date and time for the conference.  Parents/Guardians should fill out the form and return it with their student as soon as possible.  Click the link on the wiki that says "Student Conference Letter" for a copy of the letter. 

Tuesday, November 2nd, Tucana math

Both grades should have their four graphs of (time, heartbeat) and a copy of their story put in the tray.

7th grade: We reviewed page 42 A&B in class today and worked on page 43 C. The relationship between scale factor, proportional side lenghts, perimeter and area are being explored. Exponential realationships are implicit and a desired place for the class to go.

8th grade: We are modeling a bridge and looking at the variables of thickness and length. We found the thickness is linear and the length is not. Graphs, tables and questions on page 7 & 9 should be completed and lend support for the conclusions.

Tuesday, November 1st, Tucana math

Students in both grades received a list of the tasks that have been assigned and they should be in the Current Work section of their notebooks.
7th grade: Scale factor and similarity are being explored along with perimeter and area of similar figures. Page #42 A&B should have a good start and we will continue work on this tomorrow.
8th grade: We have started Thinking with Mathematical Models. Bridge simulation is the focal point of gathering data, making graphs and equations. Page 7&9 should have data tables generated from the PHSchool.com website. Graphs should be attempted and we will continue work tomorrow.

Halloween Oct. 31st Tucana math

Both grades have three graphs of (time vs heartbeats) for 3 stories read on Friday, today they made graphs of what they expect a listener to think of their story. They have been requested to turn in the four graphs and a hard copy of their story. Some already have.

The look of gradebook online has changed. Please take a look. Student led conferences are coming and they will be able to explain what papers go with the items listed.

Have a great Halloween!

10/31 Science

The last day for the 1st Quarter is on Friday- Students/parents should be checking in with their teachers and on Powerschool to find out how they're doing

7th grade students- should have completed their science test today.  If they are not finished, they need to schedule an appointment with me (reads/needs, lunch, afterschool) when they can finish it.

8th grade students- should complete a learning log around the ecosystem card sort that we did in Friday and today's class

October 28th, Tucana math

7th grade was assigned no new tasks but should have page 30&31#5-8 done.
8th graders received their check-ups back and I would like corrections on a separate sheet of paper and stapled to the original as soon as possible as the first quarter ends Friday,
November 4th.

Both 7th and 8th made graphs representing heartbeats for three stories read in class today. On Monday they will create a graph that predicts what they believe their listener will graph for the story. When each of them has completed a reading of their story and graphing some one elses they will compare them and see what they find.

10/27 Science

7th grade students have a performance-based inquiry assessment tomorrow.  They can use their notes, wiki, and feedback on previous labs to help study.  Any questions?  Click the link to access the teacher page.

8th grade finished up the test today.  Thanks for your hard work!

10.26 Humanities

Finish narrative (short story) organizer for your scary story.

Study 4 traits of government, flow charts of where they came from, and spelling words for test next Wednesday.

Tucana math, October 26,2011

First I would like to thank the Board members for the visit today. The students were excited to see familiar faces they have seen on TV and in the community.

7th graders: We are continuing work with similar figures, co-ordinate plane, proportions and scale factors. The task at hand is page 31 & 32 # 5 - 8.

8th grade: There will be a check-up tomorrow on cones, spheres, and cylinders. Students will be allowed to use their planners which have the formulas. Labsheet 3.3B, page 40#15, and questions #18 -22 will be checked with #22 being a focus. (#19 we addresses bases which were triangles or squares)

10/25 Science

8th grade students have a performance-based inquiry skills test tomorrow.  Students should remember/review your target goal.  Get plenty of rest and have something to eat for breakfast!  We've been practicing these skills since last year.

7th grade students have test on Friday (10/28).  What did you learn today about graphing?  What should all good graphs have?

Tucana Math, October 25

7th grade: today we did corrections on the check-up No new tasks were assigned

8th grade: There is the possibility for a check-up tomorrow but students had difficulty with the assignment today so we may put it off . They should have Labsheet 3.3 B, page 40 #15, and page 41&42 #22, 18 - 21 (#19 they have been asked to address the triange and the square bases only) done in preparation for the check-up.

10.25 Humanities

Review 4 Traits of Government (Natural Rights, Separation of Power, Consent of the Goverened, Representative Democracy), Where they came from (Magna Carta, Natural Rights, Iroquois League, House of Burgess, Mayflower Compact) and spelling list with definitions. *Quiz will be next Wednesday, Nov. 2nd

10.25 Boston Fundraising Update

The Tag Sale was a big success. We raised $1228.50 from the tag sale itself. We also got a $1,000 grant from the The Redducs Foundation. The grant was a very pleasant surprise.

I would like to thank all of you who helped out. Whether it was through donating items, working at the storage unit, baking goods, setting up, or taking down, without you this event would not have been a success.

I would also like to thank ACE Storage in Milton who so kindly donated their space to hold the goods for our tag sale. I would recommend that you would support them for your storage needs.

Schwan's raised just over $1,000.

We now have $23,000 to fundraise.


Middle School Dance
This Friday is the Middle School Halloween Dance, from 6:45-9:00. It is $3.00 with costume, $5.00 without. Because of the football game, students should be dropped off at the back of the school, where the buses drop off and pick up students, and enter at the back door. Once inside the dance, students are not allowed to leave the dance until 9:00, unless they are being picked up early by an adult. All proceeds will go towards the Milton Middle School Boston Trip.

Calendar Raffle
For the next couple of weeks, we will be soliciting donations for our February Calendar raffle. Prior to February, people will buy a calendar and during each day of the month they will have a chance to win a prize. We already have movie tickets and a couple of Vermont Teddy Bears. We have already asked several local businesses to donate to this raffle. We know that we have many awesome parents who work at some very cool places and we are wondering if your place of employment will would consider donating to our cause. If you have something to offer, please contact Michelle Anemikos at 893-4547 or anemikos@comcast.net or contact Heidi Slayton at sherw05468@comcast.net or contact me at 893-3230 ext. 217 or jsmith3@mtsd-vt.org.

Harvest Dinner - Save That Date
The Harvest Dinner will be Thursday, November 17th, from 5:00 - 7:00. This is the opening night of the high school's production of Grease, so make it a dinner and a show. More information to follow.

Thanks,
Joe Smith

October 24, 2011 Tucana math

Students were given a handout on the Mathematic Process Standards we will be reporting on this quarter. They were asked to put these in their "Note" section.

8th grade: Additional Practice worksheet- will be used as data for those process standards

7th grade: page 27 A,B,C,D and F

10/24 Science

Welcome back!  I hope everyone had a pleasant break. 

8th grade students have a test on Wednesday (10/26) 

7th grade student have a test on Friday (10/28) and should graph their results from the "Sticky Tape Lab" to the best of their ability.  Bring the graph with you to class tomorrow.  We will discuss it then.

October 19th, Tucana math

The students are wished a wonderful four day weekend.
There are no new tasks.
Students have papers for their Notes section which should be complete and the vocabulary should be defined.
8th graders: The cylinder net labsheet with surface area and volume, page 40#15, and page 42 #22 & 18 - 21 are assignments which should be complete.
7th graders: organize your notebook and make sure page 27 A-D should be complete.
All of these were assigned previously and they had class time today to do them.

10/19 Science

Students will have a test in science next week.  It will be a performance-based lab.  As of now, 8th grade is scheduled to take the test on Wednesday and 7th grade is scheduled to take the test on Friday.  This may be subject to change.  Students can use their notes, previous classwork and the wiki to help prepare them for the test.

October 18, 2011, Tucana math

Both grades are expected to make sure the "Notes:" section has: Percents on a Numberline, Combining Signed Numbers (front and back), Proportions, Perimeter and Area, and Number Properties completed. The "Vocabulary section should have the words from the beginning of year and yellow highlighted words from their booklets defined. These will be used as data in the student-led conferences.

7th grade: page 27 A-D was started last week - please keep working on this providing proportions for figures which are similar

scale factor is a vocabulary word which should be defined in the vocabulary section.

8th grade: Labsheet 3.3 of a cylinder net was handed out yesterday and students were to calculate the surface area and volume. Support for their responses is expected. page 40#15 and page 42+# 18 - 22 with 22 being the most important problem.

10/18 Science

All Tucana students should complete the "Sticky Tape" lab for homework.  8th graders should graph their data.  This assignment is due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

10.18 Humanities

1) FIX WRITTEN RESPONSE ON CIVILIZATIONS and

2) WRITE A SUPER 6 PARAGRAPH: WHAT CONDITIONS (UNDER THE FEUDAL SYSTEM) WOULD
CAUSE SOMEONE TO WANT TO LEAVE EUROPE?

10/18 Science

7th grade-challenge homework (not required but encouraged) Complete a learning log around what you learned in science class today.

8th grade-using your understanding of graphs, graph the results of the "dancing raisin" lab for tomorrow's class.

Tucana math, Wednesday October 12th

7th grade: the 7th grade finished their NCAPs yesterday so we are picking up the pieces with Mug's Hat page 24 and labsheet(s) 2.2A and another with 4 grids used to plot the the various hats. We also reviewed page 33 #14 - 18, and page 34 #20 - 26. The ACE work, pages 33 & 34, use many fractions and percents with co-ordinate points so we have been reviewing skills.





8th grade: the 8th grade is still testing so last Friday we used some clay to and transparencies to look at cylinders, cones, and spheres. Students were asked to look at the fractional part of the cylinder filled by the clay sphere when air spaces were removed. We also used popcorn to explore the cylinder and cone. We will continue to look at this when we finish NECAPs.

10/12 Science

7th grade only- Students worked on procedure writing today.  For homework, each student should write a detailed procedure on how we set up the "Moldy Bread Lab"  The procedure should include the key elements we discussed in class today.  I will collect 5 procedures randomly at the end of class tomorrow.

10.12 Boston Fundraiser - Tag Sale

Dear Parents,

I am still looking for students/parents to be at the ACE Storage Unit tomorrow from 4:00 - 7:00 and on Saturday from 11:00 - 1:00.

Please let me know if you can help out. I can be reached at 893-3230 ext. 217 or jsmith3@mtsd-vt.org.

Thank you,

Joe Smith

Tucana Celebration

Congratulations to all who pushed themselves and persisted up Mt. Mansfield today!  It is a challenging climb and you should be proud of this accomplishment regardless of whether or not you made it to the summit.  Hopefully, you enjoyed the scenery and learned that the journey itself (smelling the roses) is more important than the destination.  Many thanks to our chaperones for helping our team out today!

Mt Mansfield Hike

On Monday, October 10th, Team Tucana will hike up Mt. Mansfield.

What to wear/bring:
- Shoes/sneakers that support the ankle (no sandals, flip flops, flat or open-toed shoes)
- Dress in layers (long sleeve shirt, a wind breaker or a light jacket for higher elevations--it's best to overdress than to underdress.)
- WATER--please bring plenty of water.
- Lunch and snacks for a picnic on the mountain (fruit, trail mix, sandwich or 2, etc.)
- Bring rain gear, in case of a light rain.  Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly.

Optional:
- A camera/camcorder
- journal
- other?

Attn Families - Boston Fundraiser!

Dear Parents,


On Saturday, October 22nd, we will be holding a tag sale at the Milton Middle School from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This will be in conjunction with Milton Elementary School's Team Expedition's tag sale being held at the Elementary School. The idea is to create a "Come to Milton" campaign to visit our two gigantic tag sales. Here is how you can help.


1) Clean out your house, garage, shed, barn, closet, attic, car, office etc. and donate any gently-used goods to the tag sale. Items can be dropped off at Ace Storage, Unit # 14 on Landfill Road in Milton. People will be there to collect goods on:


Wednesday, October 12th from 4:00 pm. - 7:00 pm.
Saturday, October 15th from 9:00 am. - 1:00 pm.
Wednesday, October 19th from 9:00 am. - 1:00 pm.


You can also drop goods off at the school on October 22nd from 7:00 am. - 10:00 pm.


If these times do no work for you please contact me, Joe Smith, at 893-3230 ext. 217 or email jsmith3@mtsd-vt.org to make alternative arrangements.


2) Help collect donations at Ace Storage at the above times. We need someone to unlock the unit and be there while people bring their items.


3) Help set up the day of the tag sale. Set up will take place from 6:30 am – 9:00 pm. We will be looking for a truck to help move the goods from the storage unit to the school.


4) Help break down the tag sale. Breakdown will be from 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm.


5) Bake delicious food. Please drop off at the school on the 22nd between 8:30 am and 12:00 pm.


6) Spread the word. Let your family members, friends, and co-workers know about the tag sale. Post on Facebook, Tweet, or any other place where people will see it. Encourage them to donate goods and to shop on the 22nd. One person's refuse is another person's treasure.


7) Shop at the tag sale and find all those hidden treasure.


Please remember that we are asking all 8th grade families to participate in at least three fundraisers. Here is an excellent opportunity for you to participate for those of you who are not comfortable going door-to-door selling items.


Please contact me to let me know how you can help.


Thanks,
Joe Smith


Follow the Mitlon Middle School Boston Trip on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Milton-Middle-School-Boston-Trip/

Team Reminder

Please bring in your Mt. Mansfield permission slips and money ASAP!!  If you are interested in chaperoning on Monday (10/10), please contact rdecicco@mtsd-vt.org.

10/3 Humanities

• NECAP testing begins tomorrow. Get a good amount of sleep and do your best. We know you can do it!


• Students should put all final touches on their humanities projects using feedback from classmates. Also, edit a final time to catch mistakes before they become public. Our learner celbration for sharing projects will be on Friday.

October 3, 2011, Tucana math

8th grade:*Quiz corrections are an assignment if less than 60 points were earned but it is open to all to earn half of the credit they lost if they do corrections.
*Corrections need to be done on a separate piece(s) of paper, stapled to the original and placed in the tray.
*The 2nd page of release tasks for NECAP 2010 is also a task that was assigned.
7th grade: *Page 24, A-E, Mug's Hat, Labsheet 2.2 A
*For page 24 C ratios need to be created

9/30 Science

This is only for group 7-A, please complete the "writing hypotheses" worksheet to the best of your ability and bring to Monday's class.  If you have any questions or are unclear, please click on the wiki's teacher help page or meet with me during reads/needs on Monday.  Enjoy your weekend!

September 28&29, 2011, Tucana math

8th grade: "Number Properties" done and put in the "Notes" section, page24#1-3,5, p.25#6.p.28#20
7th grade: "Proportions and Rates" done and in the "Notes" section (There is a definite connection here to similarity.) page30#5&5 (handout), p.34#20-26

Team Administrivia

A few reminders:

1) Tomorrow is picture day!  Please dress accordingly and bring in all forms and money.
2) Please bring in Schwann Fundraiser forms as soon as possible.  You can still place orders after you hand them in.
3) We are taking a field trip to Underhill State Park to hike up Mt. Mansfield on 10/10.  Please bring in the permission slips/money as soon as possible.  If you are interested in chaperoning for this event, please contact Mr. DeCicco at rdecicco@mtsd-vt.org

9/28 Science

7th grade students should complete the "what is a hypothesis?" probe for tomorrow's class. 

9.28 Humanities

Finish Pickle Questions (to practice question words)

9/27 Science

Both grades are doing an experiment around creating moldy bread.  Parents/guardians please ask your son or daughter to describe what the lab is about.

7th grade-
Please finish the "7-3 Prediction" packets for homework

8th grade-
Please finish the "Writing Hypotheses" worksheet for homework

9.26 Humanities

Finish making revisions to final copy of Personal Essay -- DUE Wednesday.

9/26 Science

7th grade only-write, draw, or brainstorm about a time when you made a prediction that turned out to be accurate.  What about a time when you're prediction was not accurate?  What made your prediction accurate or not?  We will discuss tomorrow.

9/23 Science

8th grade students started the packet "7-3 Prediction" in class and should complete it for homework over the weekend.  This assignment is due on Monday, 9/26 at the beginning of class.

September 22, 2011, Tucana math

8th grade: We are working with prisms, creating nets, finding surface area, and volume.
New work: page11 #8, page 12#9, page 15#25 - 27
7th grade: We are continuing work with similarity, ratios, and proportions. Transparency 1.3 has three mystery men in different sizes. We gathered some common measurements for them and they are to complete page 11 A-E.

9.20 Humanities

Study for test on Thursday.
Test will cover: Parts of the Super 6, using annotated notes on a reading, and writing a Super 6 paragraph to answer the question, "How was a character from your book group shaped by another character, event, or experience in the book?"

Also, revisions on Super 6 paragraph about "Hit Back at Bullies?" due by next Friday, Sept. 30th.

9/20 Science

8th grade students should complete the "Three Variable Type" packet they started in class today.  This assignment is due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

September 20, 2011, Tucana math

8th grade: 2006 NECAP release tasks were collected and a request for their password for KhanAcademy. Students were requested to go into KhanAcademy and add me as a coach. My email address: SEhret@mtsd-vt.org

We are continuing work in Filling and Wrapping: page#6, A-E(1.2); page 10#5-7, p14#19-24.

7th grade: no new work assigned- in class we are working with stretchers and will continue to work with the pictures created.

9-19 Schwan's Food Fundraiser Announcement

Dear Families,

Last Friday, your student received a fundraising kit for Schwan's Food. The proceeds from this event will go to the 8th Grade Boston trip. You can order from your student using the order forms that were in their packet or you can do it online at http://www.schwansfundraising.com/ and use campaign ID # 36454. Order can be picked up on Sunday, October 9th, at 26 Bombardier Road. All order forms need to be in by September 30th.

9/19 Science

1)  Students received a quiz back and are strongly encouraged to make corrections on it.  Corrections are due by Friday, September, 23rd.

2)  Students will need to create a list of 10 scientific questions for homework.  We started this assignment in class and should be completed but, if not, please complete it for homework.

9/19 Humanities

Please make additions to your personal essay, especially if you missed today's due date. Students will be asked to stay after school and work during reads and needs on essays.

September 19, 2011 Tucana math

8th graders: vocabulary- words in yellow on page 5, Two handouts on unit cubes in "Notes",
Filling and Wrapping:page 10#1-4, p.13#15-18
7th grade: Stretching and Shrinking:page 12#1, p.#14&15#8,9,10

September 16, 2011, Tucana math

We have no new assignments. The release tasks for 2006 should be complete. Vocabulary words should be defined and in your vocabulary section. The notes section should contain Percents on a Numberline, Proportions and Rate, and Combining Signed Numbers which we will continue work on next week.

9/15 Humanities

All students should be working on their personal essay. 3 paragraphs should be completed by Friday's class.

9/14 science

Students should complete a learning log based on what we did in class today with observations and inferences.  I will collect 5 learning logs randomly from each class.  This assignment is due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

Math Power School September 14, 2011

Power School has been upgraded. Power School makes my assessment sheet transparent so I try to update it regularly to keep home support aware of what I am seeing for work. It allows for a check and balance.

September 13, 2011, Tucana Math

Students in 8th grade have all 15 release tasks from 2006 along with new vocabulary words.

Seventh graders have the new vocabulary to define.

9/13 Science

All students should complete the "optical illusion" worksheet for homework.  This assignment is due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

September 12, 2011 Tucana Math Tasks

NECAP release tasks from 2006

7th grade #1-7, 8th grade #1-7

9.12 Humanities

Schooled and Flipped (p44-99) Book Groups have independent reading due Friday

9/12 Humanities

The Before I Fall book group should complete the reading packet before Wednesday's class.

9/12 Science

8th grade only-students should make 3 quantitative and 3 qualitative observations of an item at home.  Please record these observations in your science journal and bring with you to class tomorrow.

9.9 Humanities

Students should have finished their "Growth Mindset" Anticipation Guide (worksheet) by adding proof from the article as their reasoning for their agreement or disagreement to each statement about the article.

September 9, 2011 Tucana math

*Percents on a number line, hand out, complete with notes and in "notes" section

*All 15 of the 2005 NECAP release tasks should be complete

*Vocabulary defined and in the "Vocabulary" section_ the following words were added today: trapezoid, parallelogram,

rectangle (square), scalene, isosceles

9.8 Humanities

Students that wanted to revise their second drawing for Growth Mindset should complete it tonight. See you at the ice cream social!

September 7 & 8, Tucana Math

September 7th the second page of release tasks from 2005 were handed out to students. They are due on Friday, Sept 9th. vocabulary was also assigned.

September 8th work time was given for tasks due tomorrow. Tangram work was checked. Seventh graders turned in the first page of release tasks. Vocabulary was assigned. The words to define and put in the "Vocabulary Section" are:
regular polygon, unit rate, interior angles, parallel, transversal, proportion, ratio (rates), substitution, mean, median and mode.

9/8 Science

Students should complete a learning log entry for what they learned in science class today.  The learning log should be about the apple experiment and the scientific method.  I will choose 5 students at random from each class to review their responses.

9.7 Humanities

Finish annotated notes and super 6 paragraphs for tomorrow.

9/6 Science

Students should read over and sign the laboratory safety contract.  Please bring it with you to class tomorrow, 9/7!

September 6, 2011 Tucana math

Classes have been going well and I am pleased with student engagement.

New work today: Tangrams to be cut in pieces label each with:

name of the figure,

area formula

Due tomorrow, Sept. 7th NECAP release tasks:

#1- 10 for 7th graders

#1-5 for 8th graders

tangram work

Each group has NECAP tasks they will be presenting.

Checked today: the four labeled sections for their math notebook

Ice Cream Social 9/8

There will be a Team Tucana ice cream social on Thursday, September 8th, at 6:00 pm in room 209.  We would love to visit with the parents of our awesome students and enjoy a cone in the process.  Students bring your parents in!here will be a Team Tucana ice cream social on Thursday, September 8, at 6:00 pm in room 209. We would love to visit with the parents of our awesome students and enjoy a cone in the process. Students, bring your parents in!

Math - September 2, 2011

*Create four labeled sections for a "notebook": Notes, Vocabulary, Current Work, Archive

They can be in a binder, two pocket folders (so you have total of four pockets), in an expandable folder ( to assist with organization and the loss of paper) - as long as it can accept handouts and papers that you create

*NECAP 05 - first page of the release tasks

These are due with work shown Wednesday, September 7th

Keep this in the "Current Work" section of your notebook

*KhanAcademy is old news for the 8th graders, please add me as a coach. My email is:

SEhret@mtsd-vt.org

7th graders we will get there.

Have a great three day weekend ! - Mrs. Ehret

Ice Cream Social 9/8

There will be a Team Tucana ice cream social on Thursday, September 8, at 6:00 pm in room 209. We would love to visit with the parents of our awesome students and enjoy a cone in the process. Students, bring your parents in!

9/2 Science

Students should complete the "Getting to Know You" Survey over the weekend.  This assignment will be due on Tuesday at the beginning of class.  Have a great three-day weekend!

9/1 Science & Math

We hope you had a pleasant first full day of school! 

1)  Students will present an overview of their section of the student handbook to the rest of the class.  Each student is responsible for their group's presentation.  This assignment is due tomorrow.

2)  Students should look through their planners and get acquanted with the resources in it.

9.1 Humanities

Please review the Class Syllabus with your families and return page 2 with student and family signatures by Sept. 6th. Enjoy the long weekend!

September 1, 2011 math

We will be putting together our notebooks with four labeled sections: Notes, Vocabulary, Current Work, and Archive. These notebooks along with your planners, paper, and something to write with should be in class each day.

For those of you who have accounts with KhanAcademy please add me as coach:
SEhret@mtsd-vt.org

8/23 Welcome to Team Tucana!

Hello Students and Families of Team Tucana!

We are looking forward to the start of a new school year. It has come to our attention that the supply list was not included in the mailing. We apologize for any inconvenience, and have included the supply list below. We look forward to meeting our 7th graders next Tuesday, August 30th and to reuniting with our 8th graders on Thursday, September 1st. We anticipate the start of a great school year!

Fondly,
The Teachers of Team Tucana

2011-2012 Team Tucana Supply List:


3 1” Three Ring Binders

3 Packs, lined loose-leaf paper

2 Boxes pens- black or blue ink (one per semester)

4 Boxes pencils (approximately 1 box per quarter)

2 Highlighters (different colors)

3 Packages of 5 - Tab dividers

3 Pocket folders (with clasps)


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