THANK YOU! And news...

A special thank you to Mrs. Gunniers, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Echegaray, Mr. Smith, Mr. Drew, Mr. Judgie :), Mr. Jensema, and Mrs. Schroeder for driving the entire middle school to see The Hobbit!

I greatly appreciate all of your willingness to chaperone and drive!

THANK YOU! :)

In unrelated news, I am making a book order this Friday.  If anyone wishes to order books, click the scholastic link on my website.

Additionally, I would like to remind everyone that The Classics Reading Challenge is underway!  We are halfway through the school year, but it is not too late to start reading novels for this wonderful opportunity!  For those of you who have already begun, keep pressing on!  See me for information, books, forms, etc.

HAVE A GREAT DAY, EVERYONE!

HOBBIT FIELD TRIP!

The following field trip permission slip will be sent home tomorrow...

           As the 7^th grade recently finished reading The Hobbit, and the 8^th grade read it last year, we have the privilege of taking the entire middle school to see The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (Part 3)! Cinemark Theater in Monroeville Mall is opening their doors early JUST FOR US!

            The students have been anticipating this (some since last year), and I hope that we all can make it to the show.  The movie is rated PG-13 due to “epic battle sequences / fantasy violence.”  This field trip is not mandatory; it is optional as to respect all families’ movie viewing standards.

             After the movie, we will eat together in the food court of the mall.   

            Turn in permission slips and money by this Thursday, January 15^th.  Make checks out to the school.   Please consider driving/chaperoning! J

DATE: Tuesday, January 20^th  

TIME: We will leave school at 8:30AM and return by 2PM

COST: $9.75

NOTE:  The cost includes one admission ticket and one CinneMovie Snack Pack (drink, popcorn, snack-size candy per person).  Additional concessions can be purchased as well.  The theater requires us to purchase the whole package (ticket and snack combo price).

**Please make checks payable to the school.  If you are coming on the trip as a chaperone or driver, please purchase YOUR ticket through the school as well.  You do not need my “ok” to attend.  All are welcome, so just send the full amount with this slip if you would like to join us.   

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

______________________________________________________ has my permission to attend The Hobbit on January 20, 2013.

_____________Yes!  I will drive, and I can fit ________________ students in my vehicle.

# of tickets: _____________ x $9.75 = _____________________________ (amount enclosed)

SIGNED:_____________________________________________________________

MidTerm Exams

I pray that you all had a fabulous break!  I was continually reminded of your generosity and love over break.  I reread all my Christmas cards, ate delicious treats given to me by various families, lit some lovely candle gifts, and enjoyed spending some very kind giftcards!  WOW!  You're all such blessings to this teacher! :)  THANK YOU AGAIN!

Now for other news....Midterm exams are next week!  I gave the students a copy of the master  schedule today.

Here are some pointers on studying and some information:

*Use all your saved tests as study guides for the exams.

*Do not wait until the night before to review for a midterm!

*Take thorough notes in class during review days.

*Midterms are 5% of the semester grade.

*While studying, write down any questions you may have for the teacher.  The Monday of exam week is totally dedicated to review!  This is a great time to get extra clarification on a topic or concept.

*Get some rest, relax, and ask the Holy Spirit for help! :)

Love,
Mrs. A

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I pray that everyone has a wonderful break!  

• THANK YOU to all the awesome parents who made our Christmas party so special-- especially Mrs. Blackburn and Mrs. Gunniers! :)

• THANK YOU for all the wonderful cards, treats, and gifts given.  You all are too kind!  I feel very appreciated.  You all are such blessings and encouragements to me!  :)

• THANK YOU for raising these amazing, wonderful students.  I enjoy every day with them, and, as much as I am looking forward to break, I will miss these sweet kiddos!

ADDITIONALLY, here is a look at what we have been doing in the classroom since it has been a while since I have updated the webpage...

7th English: We just finished a large grammar unit and are more than half way through our vocabulary curriculum.  Their grammar and writing are coming along!  Many of the kids enjoy grammar, surprisingly-- especially when we have grammar relays. :)  Our next novel, when we return from break, is Tuck Everlasting.  It is an easier read for the 7th grade (it's on their level rather than above it), but the coinciding concepts and discussion are very deep.  We will also be doing more vocab, grammar, and writing, as always! :)

8th English: Grammar, grammar, grammar!  Writing, writing, writing!  We just finished learning to write an expository essay, and the students are beginning to better grasp structure and mechanics.  When we return from break, we will be beginning Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.  The students LOVE this unit.  It's tons of fun, and their vocabulary is sure to increase through learning this play!

7th Bible: We are in the middle of Unit 5 on The Prophets.  The current Bible memory verse is Isaiah 41:10 ESV.  It has been awesome that, while we are studying the context and historical setting of the individual prophets, we can see that God's message is relevant for us as well.  Over break, the students will be completing devotional charts to document what scriptures they are reading on a daily basis and what prayers they are bringing before God's throne.

8th Bible: We are in the middle of Unit 4.2 on Church History.  We have discussed how Constantine changed the church and have learned about the early church fathers.  The students have especially enjoyed hearing messages from Ambrose, Augustine, and Chrysostom.  These preachers are as relevant today as ever, even though they ministered in the 4th century!  We are currently memorizing the Nicene Creed.  Over break, the students will be completing devotional charts to document what scriptures they are reading on a daily basis and what prayers they are bringing before God's throne.

Mr. Moshe Baran Comes to TCS

Please have a discussion at home about our incredible guest speaker that we had during a special assembly today!  Mr. Moshe Baran is a Holocaust survivor, and he came to TCS to share his story with us through a speech, documentary on his life, and a time of questions and answers.  It was an amazing time for all who attended.  I would especially like to thank Charlotte Birchard for working with me to set up this wonderful assembly!  This would not have happened without her!  If you would like more information on Mr. Baran, go to this link:  MOSHE BARAN .   Below is a photo of our eighth graders with Mr. Baran. :)

ENCORE! Field Trip!

Hello!

This Thursday is our 8th grade field trip to The Carnegie Music Hall to see Encore!  I am excited to see five plays in one-- and these short stories ALL coincide with our Literature Textbook and are featured in our next unit! :)  Pretty cool!

Slight change in plans...may I ask all students to pack a lunch which we will eat together when we return to school?  Also, there is parking right by Carnegie Music Hall (located at 4400 Forbes Ave. Pgh. 15213).  There are options for garage or street parking.  Thanks.

Also: I NEED ONE MORE DRIVER!  Is anyone willing to drive?  Mrs. Taylor, Mr. Handley, and I  are driving, and we can collectively take 15 students.  However, there are 16 eighth graders!  We just need one more driver to do this legally. :)  We leave at 9:15 and should be back by 1PM at the latest.

And please get your permission slips in.  The cost is $16.50 per ticket.

Thanks so much!

http://www.chambertheatre.com/ourshows/encore

Hobbit Projects!

The 7th Graders did a great job with their Hobbit projects.  We had several creative book trailers, an interesting commercial, beautiful dioramas, dramatic scenes, and a music video! Here is a little peek at a few dioramas.  Great job, seventh grade!