8th WordMasters

Eighth grade students began their study of WordMaster words this week. After taking a pretest over the list of words, students analyzed WordMaster analogy patterns. The first list of WordMaster words include...

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

 Homework: Due Monday, November 14, 2011: 

Using index cards, write the word on one side and the parts of speech and all definitions on the other side for the first twelve words. 

Homework: Due Monday,  November 21, 2011:

Finish creating index cards for the words #13-25.

Seventh Grade WordMasters

WordMasters, a national  analogy based vocabulary contest, has three sessions a year for four weeks at a time. Students will meet each Thursday in November to practice analogies and learn the definitions of the twenty-five WordMaster words. WordMasters uses Websters dictionary for word definitions.

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.

Upcoming Events for November 2011

Wednesday,November 2, 2011:

8^th Grade Letters about Literature

Thursday, November 3, 2011

7^th Grade English: Introduction to WordMasters: Analogies

Monday, November 7, 2011:

ELP Walk-In Conferences 4:00-7:00

Tuesday, November 8, 2011:

8^th Introduction to WordMasters

ELP Walk-In Conferences 4:00-7:00

Wednesday, November 9, 2011:

7^th 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

8^th 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

7^th WordMasters

Learning @ Lunch –Virtual Reality

Monday, November 21, 2011

8^th WordMasters

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

7^th 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.

October Learning @ Lunch Reminder

Math Challenge Group October 2011

The Math Challenge Group will meet tomorrow (October 25) during math classes to explore arithmetic with positive and negative numbers in other bases. 

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 7^th: Third revision due

Wednesday, December 14: Final draft due. 

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. 

ELP Learning@Lunch: Black Holes

On Tuesday, October 25, 2011 ISU Astronomy graduate student Sarah Willis will discuss black holes and other astronomical objects during 7th and 8th grade lunch.  Bring a hot or cold lunch to the ELP room and learn about our amazing universe!

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

Students working on Science Fair projects are encouraged to come to the ELP room during homeroom (Period 3) on Friday, October 7 for a seminar on designing experiments.  Topics will include what to measure to answer the research question, variables to vary and variables to control, and how to make the measurements.   Eighteen different questions have been submitted by thirty-three students working in groups of 1 to 3.  Where possible progress on these projects will be recorded on Infinite Campus. 

ELP Lunch: Paper Plate Pyramids

Come to the ELP room during lunch and use your geometry skills to build a giant pyramid out of paper plates!  Tuesday, October 11 and Friday, October 14. 

8th English Poetry Unit

Students in Mrs. VanDyk's 8th grade English classes are working on an ELP Independent Study, researching favorite poets to gain a better understanding of poetry.

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.

Science Bowl Learning @ Lunch Seminar

7th Grade Goal Seminars

Seventh grade students have been rotating into the ELP room during homeroom period to learn about the 7th and 8th grade Extended Learning Program collaborative format and to establish academic and social goals for the year. Students that don't complete the goal sheets are welcome to stop in the 7-8 ELP Room during activity period.

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!

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. 

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

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.   

A Peek in The ELP Classroom

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.

We look forward to working with you and hope to make this year the best year yet! Please email us if you have any questions. 

August 10, 2011

Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year! We have many exciting things planned for the coming year and are eager to see all of you. Please check the blog often for updates on ELP activities. We update the blog regularly with information about what is happening in classes, invitations to ELP Lunches or Learning @ Lunches, contests,  and other learning opportunities.

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!

End of the Year Message for 8th Graders

The 2010-2011 school year is drawing to a close. We want to wish all 8th graders continued success at Ames High School. We have enjoyed working with you!  Your enthusiasm for learning, commitment to excellence, and willingness to work hard to achieve goals inspired us.  Please keep in touch.

We wish you all the best!

Mrs. Staniforth and Mrs. Dixon

End of Year Message for 7th Graders

Congratulations on a terrific year!  From Math Challenge groups and Science Fair projects to puppet skits, vocabulary study, and research projects you have grown in your abilities and understanding of the world. We are already excited about next year. Until then read some books, listen to music, learn a new skill, and continue learning until we see you in August! Have a great summer!

Mrs. Staniforth and Mrs. Dixon

Multi-modular Origami Cubes

Students learned to create multi-modular origami cubes at an ELP Lunch in May. Here are some of the projects they brought in after the ELP Lunch. Additional patterns for the cubes can be found on the internet.

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.