Congratulations 7th WordMasters!

AMS 7th Graders Earn Sixth Place Nationally in the 
WordMasters Vocabulary  Competition for the Year 


A team of students representing Ames Middle School recently won   
highest honors in the WordMasters Challenge, a national vocabulary   
entered by over 27,000 seventh graders from 291 schools nationally. 

Competing in the difficult Blue Division the Ames Middle School group   
earned sixth place in the nation in the year end cumulative standings.   
Two of the school's students won highest honors for year long   
individual achievement as well, each of whom made only two 
mistakes in the course of the year's three meets. Both placed among the 
27 highest ranked  seventh graders in the entire country in the year-end 
standings.  

The WordMaster Challenge is an exercise in critical thinking that   
first encourages students to become familiar with a set of interesting   
new words( considereably harder than grade level) and then challenges   
them to use those words to complete analogies expressing various kinds   
of relationships. 

The WordMaster Challenge has been administered for the past 24 years   
by a company in Allendale, New Jersey, which is dedicated to inspiring   
high achievement in American Schools. 

Math/Science Competition Results

National Science League

The results are in for the National Science League.  All 8th grade students took part in the competition during their science class.  The Ames Middle School team (top ten scorers) placed 7th among 44 participating schools with a team score of 468, out of a maximum possible score of 500.  The top score of 493 was earned by Hopkins Junior High School from California.  The contest is a 50 question test with one point per question.  The  questions measure solid conceptual understanding of physical science, and almost all of the topics are part of the Ames 8th grade curriculum.  Our top scores were 49 (1),  48 (1), 47 (3-way tie), and 46 (5-way tie).  The median score for AMS was 31.5.  Scores for ELP students have been entered in the ELP grading detail in Infinite Campus.  The graph shows the distribution of scores at Ames Middle School.  Congratulations, Ames Team!


Continental Math League

All  8th grade students taking Algebra or Geometry and all 7th grade students took part in the Continental Math League competition.  The five meets, consisting of six problems each, were administered once a month from November through March during the math classes.   Eighth grade students took the more difficult Pythagorean level of the competition and seventh grade students participated in the Euclidean level.  Both require  creative problem solving and mathematical insight, and neither requires knowledge of algebra.  These are team competitions, and the ten highest scoring students for each of the meets contribute to the team cumulative score.  The Ames Middle School 8th grade team placed 2nd out of 15 in our four-state region (IA, MO, WI, and MN) and  31st out of 155 nationally, with a score of 165.  The 7th grade team placed 7th nationally out of 134 schools with a score of 171 out of a possible 180, and second out of 20 in Region 6.  Nice work, Ames team!

DNA unit in 7th Grade Life Sciences

During the week of April 18 all of the students in Ms. Kurrle's and Mrs. Glenn's Life Science classes investigated genetics and DNA through a variety of activities.  Mrs. Glenn and Ms. Kurrle regrouped some of their students for three days to explore DNA through different lab work in each classroom.  Ms. Kurrle's group extracted DNA from strawberries and kiwis while learning about the structure and function of DNA.  Mrs. Glenn and I staged a mock crime scene ("Which Dog Chewed Farmer Brown's Boots") and had students conduct DNA electrophoresis to find the culprit.  These students also read science articles from Science News, Scientific American, Discover, and various high quality online sources to learn about current issues concerning genetic analysis.

It's Show Time!

The 7M Puppeteers will culminate their study of puppetry by performing the puppet plays to seventh grade English classes on Thursday, May 19th, 2011 during their English period. Parents are welcome to attend. 

Purple Comet! Math Meet Results

Several teams of AMS students participated in the Purple Comet Math Meet on April 7 as a MATHCOUNTS activity or a 7th grade Math Challenge Group activity.  This is a very difficult competition and students who are taking Algebra have a distinct advantage.  All teams rose to the challenge and worked creatively and persistently at solving the problems.  One of the MATHCOUNTS teams received an honorable mention for scoring in the top 10% of teams nationwide (score of 14), and a mixed group of Math Challenge and Algebra students came within 2 points of the top 10 % with a score of 12 (top 14%).  The chart below shows the distribution of scores nationally.  Team scores have been entered in Infinite Campus under ELP grades for students participating through the Math Challenge Group.

Library g Congress/ Archive It Project

Thirty-eight students from Mr. Esslinger’s 8^th grade American Studies class met periodically with Mrs. Staniforth (7-8 ELP) to archive websites for the Library of Congress this year. Digital content is lost permanently when websites are updated unless the sites are archived. The Library of Congress started this program three years ago to give students an opportunity to select what is stored for future generations to see. This project connected to the primary source training students received as part of the research component to American Studies.

Nationally, fourteen schools in thirteen states participated in the program. They created 56 collections and archived 149,925,000 documents. A majority of the sites archived were not being archived by other institutions, risking the permanent loss of those resources as digital content changed.

AMS students brainstormed how they used the Internet and selected three main areas to collect primary sources.  The Educational Resources collection illustrates sites commonly used by students for school projects.   The Popular Culture collection represents sites used for fun outside of school. The All About Ames, Iowa 2011 illustrates what students valued in our community.

This is the third year AMS has participated in the program. The archived sites can be viewed at the following site: http://www.archive-it.org/k12/10AmesMS.html.

Puppets!

Seventh grade ELP students in Mrs. Parson's English class have spent the past week creating puppets for the puppet show they will  give later this month.

Students wrote a short story, selected a story to turn into a skit, collaborated with the group to write the skit, and are putting the finishing touches on the puppets and the puppet set.

ELP Lunch: HexaFlexagons! Friday, May 13

Come to the ELP room for lunch on Friday, May 13 to make and decorate your hexaflexagon.  Can you find all of the faces?

May Learning @ Lunch Seminar

May 
Learning @ Lunch Seminar


Interested in learning more about student life at  Ames High School? A panel of ninth grade students from Ames High School will discuss their experiences at  AHS during 8th grade lunch on Thursday, May 12, 2011. Join us! 

National Science League Exam May 6th

All eighth grade students will participate in the National Science League exam in Science class on Friday, May 6th. The fifty question, multiple choice exam assesses basic physical science knowledge as well the students' understanding of scientific processes. The exam takes 35 minutes. Our top ten scores becomes our school score for the competition.

The test allows comparison with other high achieving students and schools in the United States. Last year, AMS placed second nationally out of 55 competing schools. Good luck on the competition!

WordMasters

It will be a few weeks before the final WordMaster results are in and we meet for our final session.  Test scores have been posted on Infinite Campus. Please stop in and look over your test this week.

8th WordMaster Quizlet Sets

Ready to practice for the WordMaster Test? Here are the web address for Quizlet Sets for Lists I , II and III for the 8th grade Gold Division.



Set I : http://quizlet.com/5236845/8th-wordmasters-gold-division-november-2010-flash-cards/

Set II: http://quizlet.com/4076269/8th-wordmasters-goldnovember-2010-flash-cards/

Set III: http://quizlet.com/5237988/8th-wordmasters-gold-division-april-2011-flash-cards/

Note: 7th Grade students should use the WordMaster Test Prep site!

Attention 8th Graders

Interested in taking honors classes at Ames High School?  The April Learning @ Lunch Seminar on Wednesday, April 20th will feature AHS Honors teachers. 
They will talk about their classes, course requirements, and how "honors" coursework differs from general classes.

Guest Speakers: 

Honors Earth Science Teacher; Ms. Tibben

Honors World Studies teacher: Mr. Sullivan

Honors English Teacher: Mr. Webb

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

 7-8 ELP Room

8th Lunch Period

Honors Class Applications for 9th Grade

Honors applications and Appeal forms are now available online at the AHS-ELP website. Forms are to be turned in to the Student Services office by the end of the day on Wednesday, April 20th.

http://www.ames.k12.ia.us/Departments/ELP/ELPAHS.html.

Note: Students that have turned in forms for testing out of a year of study should still sign up for honors classes in case they do not meet the acceleration requirements.

7th and 8th WordMaster schedules for List III

8th WordMaster Words- Gold Division- April 2011

sheen	reverberate	importunate	supplicant	constrain
lugubrious	contumely	raze	diaphanous	antecedent
foment	imperious	demagogue	whet	clamorous
nicety	ricochet	evanescent	precursor	disseminate
fawning	hoi polloi	obliterate	dolorous	relic

7th WordMasters Words- Blue Division- April 2011

panache	garrulous	carnage	domineer
reticent	vendetta	wield	redolent
bellwether	coalesce	mottled	vanguard
abate	delectable	blandishment	condescend
motley	brio	inveigle	servile
array	kowtow	secluded	pandemonium

WordMasters Review Site

     The final session of WordMasters is scheduled to begin the first week of April. Reviewing the first fifty words before the final list is introduced in class will help students prepare  for the final exam. The WordMaster Challenge Prep Site has digital flashcards, games for testing knowledge of the first two lists,  and analogy practice. The third list is also listed on the Test Prep site for students that want a head start. Check it out!

http://wordmasterschallengeprepsite.com/eighthgrade.html 

Acceleration Forms Due April 20th, 2011 Update

The due date for acceleration forms has been pushed back to Wednesday, April 20th.

Eighth grade students interested in testing out of a ninth grade core class must turn in the completed AMS/AHS Acceleration form to the ELP teachers (or the ELP mailbox in the main office) by Wednesday, April 20th.

Students that were unable to attend last week's Learning @ Lunch about acceleration may make an appointment to discuss acceleration options by emailing either Mrs. Staniforth or Mrs. Dixon.

Once the forms are turned in, test scores and grade reports are attached and the forms are then given to the high school department. The AHS department will contact the student when textbooks can be picked up at Ames High School.

ELP Learning@Lunch: Touch Virtual Reality and Make Music!

Dr. Christopher Hopkins of the Iowa State University Music Department will provide a hands-on demonstration of his VE SoundSynth computer interface. Bring a hot or cold lunch to the ELP room on Friday, April 8.

ELP Lunch: Geometric Origami April 7

The April ELP lunch will be Geometric Origami.  There will be a choice of traditional origami, the unit origami pattern from the November lunch (the Sonobe unit), or a new unit origami pattern.  Bring a hot or cold lunch to the ELP room during your lunch period on Thursday, April 7. 

Science Fair of Iowa

The Science Fair of Iowa takes place this Friday and Saturday!  (April 1& 2).  Twelve students from AMS will be presenting their research.  The projects include color preferences of young children, how video games and exercise affect short-term memory, the effect of cranberry juice on bacterial growth, the effectiveness of household acids at killing biofilms, the effect of salt water on the growth of peas, plant growth in CO2 enhanced atmospheres, and how twisting an airfoil affects the lift-to-drag ratio.  The Science Fair takes place at the Hilton Coliseum and is open to the public on Friday from 12-5 and on Saturday from 9:30-4.  Detailed information can be found at http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org.

The researchers will give a Science Fair preview on  Wednesday, March 30.  The 7th grade participants will set up posters in F107 and present to Ms. Kurrle's 2nd period science class.  The 8th grade researchers will set up posters in F102 (the LEGO League room, in the 7th grade science wing) and present their research to staff and 8th grade students during Activity Period.  If you are an 8th grade student and would like to come to the preview, obtain a pass from your Activity Period teacher. 

Purple Comet! Math Meet Update

7th grade students: if you are doing this competition, you are encouraged to come to a practice session during Activity Period on Wednesday, March 30, provided that you do not have other commitments.  You are welcome to get an early start by coming during lunch.  The session will take place in the LEGO League room (F102, next to the 7th grade Science rooms), and we will work on problems that have come up frequently on previous contests. 

Purple Comet! Math Meet

Members of the 7th Grade Math Challenge Group are invited to participate in the Purple Comet Math Meet.  This is a 60 minute competition in which teams of up to 6 contestants solve 15 math problems and enter them on a form online.  The contest will be given during 2nd period and Reading Group time on Thursday, April 7th.  If contestants need to come out of classes other than math, they will attend the missed class during their normal math period.  Anyone who wishes to participate must let Mrs. Dixon know by the Monday following Spring Break (March 21).  To find out more about the competition, see http://www.purplecomet.org.  Purple Comet practice booklets will be available to borrow in Mrs. Smith's and Mrs. Craig's classrooms.

Science and Technology Competition Opportunities

The time is short, but there are a couple of science and technology competition opportunities that might be fun. 

The Discovery Education's 3M Young Scientist Challenge.  
This involves developing an innovative solution to a technical problem and creating a video about it.  Participants register online with their parents.  This will be an independent effort, but we'd love to hear about what you do!  Website:  www.youngscientistchallenge.com.  The deadline for submitting entries is April 15, 2011. 




The Scholastic Bubble Wrap Competition for Young Inventors.

Develop an invention that incorporates the use of Bubble Wrap^® cushioning. Send in/upload a written description in English that includes the name of the invention, its purpose, how it works, how the idea was created and how it will be used to make everyday life easier or more enjoyable (the "Description").  If you want to enter this competition,
1.  Go to http://www.scholastic.com/bubblewrap/
2.  Read and understand the rules. 
3.  Develop your invention and write your description.
4.  Enter online or by mail by March 11.  (If you are not yet 13, you will submit information for obtaining parental consent by March 11, and the entry will be submitted by March 18.)

Science Fair Working Lunch

There will be a Science Fair Working Lunch on Friday, March 4, 2011.  Mrs. Dixon will go over how to create an excellent project display.

Spring ELP Walk-In Conferences

Math Challenge Group

The Math Challenge Group did competition problems related to the Pythagorean theorem and areas of similar shapes today.  The homework assignment is to write an explanation for the solution of the Pepperoni Pizza Problem (AMC8 #10) and to do at least one other problem on the handout.  Quantities should be labeled on the explanation.  For example, the explanation might include "The radius of the pizza is 6"."  Homework should be turned in to Mrs. Smith or Mrs. Craig by next Friday.

The Purple Comet Math Competition is coming up at the beginning of April.  Students interested in being on a competition team should contact me within the next week or two.

Mrs. Dixon

Math Challenge Group meets tomorrow (Friday, 2/25)

The Math Challenge Group will meet during math classes tomorrow to continue working on selected problems from this year's AMC 8 and Continental Math League competitions.  This is a continuation of the January 24 Math Challenge Group activity.  Most of the selected problems relate to the recently completed Connected Math unit, "Stretching and Shrinking".  The group will also learn the Pythagorean theorem, which is needed to solve many of the problems. 

Calling all Students! America's Top Student Scientist Could Be You!

    Discovery Education and 3M are looking for America's next top student scientist. The 2011 Challenge, for students in grades 5-8, and asks students to create a short video about a scientific problem in the community and to suggest possible solutions. More information about the video contest is available at the 3M Young Scientst Challenge website .

WordMasters Valentines

Students created Valentine greetings using WordMaster words as one of the activities to encourage using challenging vocabulary in sentences.

Science Fair Update!

Science Fair deadlines:  Research plans and all paperwork must be turned in to Mrs. Dixon by homeroom on Monday, February 14.  The Science Fair takes place on Friday, April 1, and Saturday, April 2.  Researchers should complete data collection by March 21, data analysis by March 25, and have a poster prepared by March 28.  Earlier is better. 

Video Contest!

ACLU of Iowa Announcing $500 Mannheimer Prize
for Student Video Highlighting Civil Liberties
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa is sponsoring a video contest
for students in the 7th through12th grades and awarding the winner a $500
prize.
The video must be about a civil liberty the student particularly prizes,
such as freedom of speech and expression, racial justice, student rights,
immigrant rights, the right to privacy, and fair treatment regardless of
gender, religion, or sexual orientation. The video should be between 3 to 10
minutes. The deadline is Monday, April 4, 2011.
The Mannheimer Award was established by the family of the late
Robert Mannheimer, a Des Moines attorney who supported the ACLU of
Iowa for more than 50 years as a cooperating attorney, board member, and
donor.
For details or questions, and to see past winners, visit the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa web site athttp://aclu-ia.org or contact veronica.fowler@aclu-ia.org.

AMC-10

The AMC 10 will be offered on Wednesday, February 23 at 8 AM (before school) in the Ames Middle School 7-8 ELP room.  All students who scored 15 and above on the AMC- 8 are invited to take this contest.  Please contact Mrs. Dixon if transportation to school at 8 AM  is a problem. 

Iowa Governor's Summer Institute- Leadership

Iowa Govenor's Summer Institute (IGI)

Grades 7-8, June 19-24

"LEADERSHIP FOR STUDENTS WHO WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE."

The Iowa Governor’s Institute for the Gifted and Talented (IGI) is a one-week residential program at The University of Iowa for 36 of Iowa’s students who are currently in grades 7 and 8. The Institute provides exceptionally talented students with an intensive and advanced educational experience designed to enhance their intellectual and social growth as leaders. Each student selected will receive a $300 Governor’s Scholarship to cover a portion of the cost of the Institute.

The Governor's Institute is offering the course, "LEADERSHIP FOR STUDENTS WHO WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE."
The issue of leadership takes on many forms and starts affecting our lives at a young age. This course will allow young people to learn how to lead themselves and then how to lead others. We will examine a variety of leadership styles and skills and will work to take knowledge from "theory" to "practice." The Institute will be made up of four sections with 18 students in each. All students are expected to remain with the program for the entire week as a condition of their acceptance to the Institute. If a student will not be available for the duration of the program, he or she should not nominate him/herself. Neither grades nor academic credit will be given for participation in the Iowa Governor's Institute. However, participants will be expected to show a high level of motivation and achievement. A certificate for successful completion of the Institute will be awarded at the Closing Ceremony.

Eligibility:

All students enrolled in Iowa's public or approved private schools who are currently in grades 7 or 8 are eligible for participation. Because this is a self-nomination program, all qualified students should apply. Paper forms are available through the Belin-Blank Center. Students do not have to be identified by, or enrolled in a talented and gifted program to nominate themselves.

Selection Process

Completed nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of faculty and staff from The University of Iowa, educators from the area, and community leaders. The selection committee will evaluate applications based on the following criteria, ranked in priority order:

• Content of student essay

• Letters of recommendation

• Evidence of commitment and motivation

• Programs or activities involved in at school and in the community

• Maturity to live in a residential setting

Applications available at the Belin-Blank website;

http://www.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/old/summer/programs/6-8/igi/how_to_apply.asp

 Applications due: March 17, 2011

What are you doing this summer?

Registration Open for 2011 Civic Center Summer Camps!
The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines is pleased to announce that registration is now open for two youth summer camp opportunities. These camp opportunities are designed to provide participants with unique and lasting theater experiences facilitated by professional artists.

Theater Camp: PINOCCHIO • July 11-159-4 (M-Th) & 9-7 (Fri) • Ages 6-18

This weeklong day camp invites young artists to explore their talents and skills as musical theater actors in a full-scale, professionally supported production. Morning workshops are devoted to developing acting skills, building understanding of theater and participating in related artistic experiences. Afternoon sessions are dedicated to rehearsals of PINOCCHIO with Missoula Children's Theatre directors. Each camp participant is guaranteed a role—assigned on the first day through an audition process—and the week culminates with the performance on the Civic Center's Main Stage. No previous experience necessary.

Theater Camp: The Tortoise Versus the Hare • July 25-29  9-4 (M-Th) & 9-7 (Fri) • Ages 6-18

This weeklong day camp invites young artists to explore their talents and skills as musical theater actors in a full-scale, professionally supported production. Morning workshops are devoted to developing acting skills, building understanding of theater and participating in related artistic experiences. Afternoon sessions are dedicated to rehearsals of THE TORTOISE VERSUS THE HARE with Missoula Children's Theatre directors. Each camp participant is guaranteed a role—assigned on the first day through an audition process—and the week culminates with the performance on the Civic Center's Main Stage. No previous experience necessary.

February ELP Lunches

Wordles for WordMasters

Study Tip #2

Try making cards for the words that are most challenging for you out of the Wordle website. Type the word and then add as many synonyms as you can find. Wordle will create a mosaic of words that can help you learn the definition. Try it out and see for yourself!

Website: http://www.wordle.net/create

8th WordMaster Words for Lists 1 and 2

                                         

7th WordMaster Words for List 1 and List 2