Have a wonderful winter vacation. We are looking forward to hearing all about your adventures in January.
Happy New Year! See you in 2012!
Mrs. Staniforth and Mrs. Dixon
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Happy Winter Vacation!
Have a wonderful winter vacation. We are looking forward to hearing all about your adventures in January.
Happy New Year! See you in 2012!
Mrs. Staniforth and Mrs. Dixon
American Studies Museum Box
Students located primary sources from the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, state university libraries and presidential libraries that illustrated the definition of vocabulary words.
They present their Museum Box to their class on Friday.
Letters About Literature- Final Letter Due!
School information to add to the application form is on the ELP room white board.
Anyone interested in decorating the manilla envelopes that will hold our entries should see Mrs. Staniforth.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Corrected drafts of the Letter About Literature letters are due on Friday, December 2, 2011. Letters need to be written in correct letter form (see previously provided example) and free of spelling or punctuation errors. Reflect on and address remarks made on the first draft.
LAL Entry forms (previously provided yellow sheet) also needs to be turned in on December 2, 2011.
The final copy of the letter is due on December 14, 2011.
Students took a quiz using QUIA on the ipads on Wednesday and then worked with flashcards or on analogies using different QUIA sites.
The WordMaster test is Thursday, December 8, 2011
in the AMS Media Center during English class.
Below are some study strategies for preparing for the test. The QUIA sites listed below could be used for review as well.
Quiz: http://www.quia.com/quiz/3395403.html
Games: http://www.quia.com/jg/2353949.html
Analogies: http://www.quia.com/quiz/748000.html?AP_rand=1133814609 or http://www.quia.com/pop/121238.html?AP_rand=2140180619
• Review flashcards to assure understanding of the vocabulary words.
• Group WM words as many ways as you can. Synonyms? Antonyms?
• Match WM words to types of analogies used on the test.
• Practice solving analogies.
• Analyze analogy forms.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
 |
| brace |
This week students deepened their understanding of the vocabulary words by sculpting them out of clay, drawing cartoons, or acting them out. They also compared and contrasted definitions to see which words fit together in the analogy patterns used by the WordMaster contest.
Using a visual thesaurus will also help students understand the definitions. Visuwords is a free online thesaurus that shows word maps for each words and helps students see the connections between definitions.
 |
| Visuword website |
 |
| vestige |
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
ELP Lunch: Paper Plate Geometry
Science Fair of Iowa: Research Plans Due
AMC 8 Tuesday, November 15
The AMC 8 competition will take place on Tuesday, November 15. This is an international math competition sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America and aimed at eighth grade students. In 2010 over 150,000 students participated worldwide. The problems are more challenging to solve than those typically encountered in the grade level curriculum, but they do not require knowledge beyond the eighth grade curriculum. The challenge is in insightful and creative problem-solving. The competition is a 40 minute, 25 question test. All Algebra and Geometry students will be taking the test during their math classes. All 7th and 8th grade Math students (not in Algebra or Geometry) who signed up for the test will report directly to the Media Center at the beginning of 2nd period. The only materials needed are a couple of number 2 pencils and an eraser.If you are participating in this competition and would like to find out how to make your experience more enjoyable and successful, join Mrs. Dixon for lunch in F102 on Monday, November 14. Test-taking tips and problem-solving practice are on the agenda.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
8th WordMasters
| stratagem | wreak | fortuitous | aplomb |
| constrict | equivocal | travesty | slander |
| astute | debacle | aggrieve | inane |
| maw | eviscerate | patent | opportunist |
| wax | myriad | infamy | appease |
| calamitous | exploit | incite | exemplary |
| patron | patronage | opportunistic | incitement |
| equivocate | equivocation | inanity | constriction |
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Seventh Grade WordMasters
The 7th grade WordMaster words for this session include:
vestige | brace | comely | dross |
stoke | capricious | glut | shirk |
resolute | umbrage | exhort | heedless |
firebrand | slake | gingerly | deficit |
browbeat | shiftless | hankering | confront |
bountiful | cudgel | skirt | residual |
fuse |
Homework: Students create flashcards for words 1-12. The word should be one one side and the parts of speech with corresponding definitions on the other. Students meet again for WordMasters on November 9th.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Upcoming Events for November 2011
Wednesday,November 2, 2011:
8th Grade Letters about Literature
Thursday, November 3, 2011
7th Grade English: Introduction to WordMasters: Analogies
Monday, November 7, 2011:
ELP Walk-In Conferences 4:00-7:00
Tuesday, November 8, 2011:
8th Introduction to WordMasters
ELP Walk-In Conferences 4:00-7:00
Wednesday, November 9, 2011:
7th WordMasters
ELP Walk-In Conferences 4:00-7:00
Thursday, November 10, 2011
ELP Walk-In Conferences 8:00-11:00
Monday, November 14, 2011
8th WordMasters
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
AMC-8 (Algebra and Geometry students take in class.
Other interested students take in the Media Center)
ELP Lunch: Paper Plate Geometry
Thursday, November 17, 2011
7th WordMasters
Learning @ Lunch –Virtual Reality
Monday, November 21, 2011
8th WordMasters
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
7th WordMasters
8th Letters About Literature
Letters About Literature
Rough Drafts Due on Wednesday, November 2, 2011!
300-600 word Reader's Response
Typed in readable size 12 font
Double Space
type word count in footer
We will review the judges rubric and share our letters and begin peer editing in class on Wednesday.
Bring your typed letter to class.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Math Challenge Group October 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
8th Grade Letters About Literature Project
Letters About Literature is a national writing competition sponsored by the Library of Congress. Last year over 70,000 students wrote letters. Iowa provided 2,253 entries from 85 classrooms.
Your assignment is to write a letter to an author about a book that influenced you, changed your view, or had an impact on your life. This project is a response to the book - not a book report, book review or fan letter. The book can be fiction, nonfiction, a play, short story, essay, or poem.
Your letter must be between 300 and 600 words and represent your very best thinking and writing.
Your Letters About Literature letter will replace an assignment in English class. Please talk with your English teacher about the specifics of the exchange. Class participation, homework completion and your final letters will be shared with your English teachers.
You will meet in the ELP room on the following dates to work on this project. Please bring all necessary materials to the ELP room. Check in with your English teacher first and then come to the ELP room as soon as possible.
Wednesday, October 19: Introduction
Wednesday, October 26: Book and author selection due
Wednesday, November 2: Rough draft due
Wednesday, November 16: First revision due
Wednesday, November 30: Permission slip due. Second revision due.
Wednesday, December 7th: Third revision due
Wednesday, December 14: Final draft due.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Mark-Recapture Simulation on 9-27
During late September the 7th grade life science classes used the Lincoln-Petersen mark-recapture method to estimate the caterpillar population on the AMS campus. Ms. Kurrles' and Mrs. Glenn's life science classes explored the foundations of this method on September 27. The classes were mixed together and split according to comfort level in math. All of the students did a simulation of the mark-recapture method (paper turtles or paper fish, marked and recaptured). The students who are less comfortable with math followed a more structured approach to analyzing the simulation data and those who are more comfortable with math discussed the proportional reasoning involved in this method and solved the proportions on their own. The mathematics behind this method is closely tied to what the 7th graders have been studying both in 7th grade mathematics and in 7th grade algebra.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
ELP Learning@Lunch: Black Holes
Math Challenge Group September 2011
The Math Challenge Group is a small group ELP activity for
students in 7th grade mathematics.
The group is open to all students who show strong performance in
mathematics, and selection for the group is based on academic records and
observations of classroom performance.
Students come out of their math classes once or twice a month to
participate in this activity, which replaces the classroom work for the
day. Homework for Math Challenge
may be assigned and should be done instead of (not in addition to) the
classroom homework assigned on that day. It can be
turned in to the classroom teacher (Mrs. Smith, Mr. Alden, or Mrs.
Friedrich).
During the first two meetings on September 16 and September
23 students experimented with LEGO model bicycles to develop an understanding
of bicycle gearing. They measured
the distance the model went for different gear combinations, and graphed
distance against the number of teeth on the front sprocket for a rear sprocket
containing 40 teeth and a rear wheel of circumference 25 cm. They were asked to find an equation for
distance versus the number of teeth on the pedal sprocket as their homework
assignment. (Data: distance 5 cm for 8 teeth, 10 cm for 16 teeth, 15 cm for 24 teeth, and 25 cm for 40 teeth).
Parents of students who have ELP on their class schedule
will be able to look at Infinite Campus for updates on Math Challenge Group
activities. Scores are not given
for these assignments, but attendance and homework completion, as well as
concept mastery, will be recorded.
Science Fair Seminar: Experimental Design
ELP Lunch: Paper Plate Pyramids
Monday, September 26, 2011
8th English Poetry Unit
Using the Internet and books from the Media Center, students will learn more about the poet's life, education, and career and will read a variety of poems published by the poet. They will share a three to four minute "Poet Talk" about the poet they selected with the class at the end of the unit.
Eighth Grade Goal Sessions
Eighth grade students have been rotating into the ELP room during homeroom period to establish academic and social goals for the year and to participate in an exercise on divergent thinking, the ability to consciously generate new ideas, and creativity. The goals students establish can be viewed on Infinite Campus.Students unable to attend a goal session are welcome to stop in E109 during Activity Period to complete the activity.
Monday, September 12, 2011
7th Grade Goal Seminars
The 7-8 ELP teachers are currently visiting classrooms to assist teachers,
creating materials for teachers to use in the classroom, and preparing for future cluster groups. Stay tuned for more information!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
ELP Learning@Lunch: Science Research in the News
7th and 8th Grade Students: If you like science, and especially if you are thinking of doing a Science Fair project, come to the 7th&8th Grade ELP Learning@Lunch: Science Research in the News on Friday, September 9. Bring a hot or cold lunch to the ELP room, and find out about recent published research that is simple in concept and/or execution. A study of how ropes tangle, for instance. We'll share ideas about research topics for the Science Fair of Iowa, too.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
ELP Lunch: Lost in Space
Are you a creative thinker? How good are your creative problem solving skills? Join us to solve some group puzzles and to learn more about 7-8 ELP opportunities this year.
Bring your lunch or pick up hot lunch and meet in the 7-8 ELP room ( E109).
8th Grade: Wednesday, August 31st and Thursday, September 1st, 2011
7th Grade: Tuesday, September 6th and Wednesday, September 7th, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Back To School Night
Parents are invited to learn more about the 7-8 Extended Learning Program on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 5:30 in the Media Center before Back To School Night. Our brief presentation will include a description of ELP in 7th and 8th grades and upcoming events. We hope you can join us!
Science Fair Working Lunch
All 7th and 8th grade students are being offered the opportunity to do a science research project to enter in the Science Fair of Iowa at the Hilton Coliseum on March 30 and 31 of 2012. Researchers will have an opportunity to present projects at the Ames District Fair in January and at Ames Middle School in February. Anyone wishing to participate should obtain an instruction sheet from Mrs. Dixon or a science teacher. Participants should email a research question to Mrs. Dixon by September 30, 2011.
Talent Search Time Again!
Each fall, high ability middle school students have the opportunity to participate in a Talent Search sponsored by various universities. A Talent Search allows students to take an out of level test, usually the ACT or SAT, and have their scores compared to students their age with similar abilities. Out of level tests provide more information about a student’s strengths and weaknesses than grade level standardized tests and the scores, if shared with the school, can be used as another tool for making academically appropriate decisions. Most Talent Searches offer awards for high scores as well as invitations to summer enrichment opportunities.
Enrollment for participation in Talent Searches is in the fall. Additional information about Talent Searches can be found at < http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/talent_search.htm
Welcome to the 2011-2012 School Year!
Welcome!
We have exciting plans in store for the school year and are looking forward to working with you!
The 7-8 ELP Collaborative model allows the ELP teachers to work with classroom teachers to provide an enriching, challenging learning environment for high ability students. Each year brings different learning needs and many new activities. Rather than a set pullout schedule or curriculum, students rotate in and out of the ELP classroom based on classroom performance and learning goals. ELP teachers also spend time in the regular classroom, team teaching with or assisting the regular classroom teacher in differentiated activities.
In order to be responsive to classroom and students, the ELP schedules are determined weekly. Mrs. Staniforth, the English-Social Studies ELP teacher, is at AMS three days a week and Mrs. Dixon, the Math/Science ELP teacher is at AMS two days a week. They share administrative and group student responsibilities. Either teacher can be contacted for information or concerns.
ELP students establish academic and social goals at the fall ELP Mini-seminar in early September. Students will receive a note in homeroom telling then when to attend.
Participation in each ELP cluster group activity is documented on Infinite Campus. Click on the envelope next to ELP on the grades section of Infinite Campus to view participation records. Additional information about current ELP activities can be viewed on the 7-8 ELP Blog.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
August 10, 2011
We will be popping into your classes in the next few weeks to get acquainted. If you have a free moment before then, stop in and see us!
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