Norwell Middle School is proud of the efforts of the students on the 2012-2013 ISTEP testing. Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP) is an annual testing system developed by the Department of Education to measure students’ mastery in language, reading, writing, social studies, science, and math. In 6th grade, 88.2% of the students passed the language arts portion of the exam, compared to the state average of 77.8%. In math, 92.4% of the students passed the exam, compared to the state average of 84.2%. On the science

portion of the test, 77.5% of the 6th grade students passed, compared to the state average of 68.3%. In 7th grade, 81% of the NMS students passed the language arts portion (the state average is 74.2%). In math, 80% of the 7th grade students passed the assessment. On the social studies section of the test, 77.3% of the students passed, while the state average was 72.8%. The NMS 8th grade students excelled in comparison to the rest of the state with 90.1% of students passing the language arts assessment while the state averaged 76.3%. In math, 86.3% of the students passed the assessment, with the state average coming in at 81.3%. When looking at passing percentages on language arts and math (which means students had to pass both the language arts and math portions on the exam), NMS performed exceptionally well, with 84.6% of the 6th grade passing (state average is 72.9%) and 75.3% of the 7th grade (state average is 69.5%) and 83.1% of the 8th grade (state average is 71.1%) students passing both portions of the assessment. The language arts combined 6th, 7th, and 8th grade scores and students who passed both language arts and math are the highest ISTEP scores in Adams and Wells Counties. The middle school teachers are very proud of the efforts the students demonstrated on last year’s ISTEP testing and look forward to an equally successful year this year.

Winter 2013 Volume I

Special Notes:

• Annie Musical—Dec. 6, 7, 8 in high school auditorium

• 6th grade field trip—Dec. 13 to Beef n’ Boards

• Winter Band Con-cert—Dec. 16 @ 7:00 in high school auditorium

• End of 2nd Quar-ter—Dec. 20 (report cards go home Friday, January 10)

• NMS Dance—Friday, Jan. 10, 6:00—8:00

• Spelling Bee—Jan. 15

• NWCS Crisis Line—Safety Con-cerns? Call 543-2213 or 1-888-543-2213, ext. 6361.

CRUSADER CHRONICLE NORWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL

Students of the Month November/December 6th Addy Johnson & Jack Gerber

6th Alyssa Cyrus & Devin Loftus

7th Elizabeth Schmidt & Caden Sheets

7th Tianna Moser & Matthew Decker

8th Katie Brandewie & Tyler Skiles

8th Josh Schmidt & Isabel Crawfis

Border War Fundraiser Another Great Success!

The 3rd annual border wars basketball game took place on Thursday, November 14th, when the middle school staff team (consisting of Mr. Diehl, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wagner, Mr. Prater, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Dafforn, Mrs. McKean, and Mrs. Peppler) played the high school staff (consisting of Ms. Dial, Mr. Frisch, Mr. Feldheiser, Mr. McClain, Mr. Weybright, Mr. Gerber, Mr. Baute, and Mr. Thornton). The game was very competitive and went into overtime, with the high school team winning 66 to 63. A very special thank you to Ked Mosier and Reg-gie Hayes for officiating the game and Geoff Cocanower for a great job announc-ing. The Crusader Parents and Norwell Middle School would like to thank local businesses whose con-tributions helped make the event a great success. Those businesses include the following: BKM Real Estate, Troxel Equipment, Ossian Dental, Pretzels, Inc., Mill Supplies, Inc., Hardee’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Coco China Buffet, Richard’s, Little Ceasar’s Pizza, The Bowling Center, Great Clips, Putt Putt, Coun-try Squire Florist, Dairy Queen, Tyeger’s Pizza, Vinatellis Italian Café, TW Fable, and Wal-Mart. Thank you students, parents, and community members for attending the game. We look forward to see-ing every one again next year for this great event!

Norwell Middle School Students Excel on ISTEP+ Testing

2013-2014 ISTEP Testing Dates — The first round of ISTEP testing will take place March 3-12. This is the applied skills portion of the exam. The second round of ISTEP testing is scheduled for April 28-May 9. This is the multiple choice portion of the exam. During the weeks of testing, please avoid any appointments which would interfere with the testing schedule. Also please make sure your child arrives at school on time each day since the testing will take place first thing in the morning. It is important to encourage your student to do their best during testing. Thank you for helping your student do well on this important test.

Live action shot of Mr. Wilson during the game

(Science / Social Studies) My website: http://teacherweb.com/IN/Norwell MiddleSchool/Rasdorf/apt1.aspx Science: We have just started our Ecology Unit. We will be studying eco-systems, classification of organisms, food webs and food chains, the plant and animal cells, and habitats. In this unit the students will dissect owl pellets, do research, a foldable, and do a project. This is a very “active” unit. This unit will run into the new year, therefore, we will only clean out part of our science binders at midterm and at the end of 2nd quarter. Social studies:

The following students earned 100% on their USA/Canada Post Test over states/capitals, providenc-es /capitals: Block 2: Breann Barger,

Aidan Blinn, Alyssa Cyrus, Braden Mallery, Luke Renninger Block 3: Austen Cook and Mary Davis. Job Well done!!!! ********************* We are now heading south to Latin America. We will be enjoying the warmth of Central America and visiting the Aztecs, Mayans, and Inca ruins; learning about the Amazon Rain Forest in South America, and traveling down the west coast of South America through Peru and Chile. We will visit the Andes Moun-tain Range. Also, we will learn about Brazil and its culture.

¡Feliz Navidad, in other words: Merry Christmas—

And have a blessed New Year! .

Newsletter - November/December 2013

STUDENT OF THE MONTH (for December)

Alyssa Cyrus STARS

Katie Berry Austen Cook

Kenlee Stoppenhagen

(Language Arts)

My website: teacher-web.com/IN/Norwell Middle School/McMichael/apt1.aspx In reading, we are getting into our first guided reading books this year! Your child may have reading work to do at home for this book; ask your child which book he/she is reading! As a whole class, we will also read A Christmas Carol in drama form to get ready for our field trip, along with studying the elements of drama. Thank you so much to all of our parents who volunteered to chaperone on the trip. December 13th will be here be-fore we know it! In addition to our group reading and whole class reading, Word-Marks will be used with choice reading books instead of sticky flags. Nonfiction reading will continue with Scope maga-zine; what interesting articles and discussions we’ve had! This magazine is just amazing. Word Study continues each week, and we have also incorporated the study of Greek and Latin root words into our overall vocabulary study. Did you know that if a student knows just one root, he/she can “grow” thirty new words from just that one root? In writing, letters are the focus for the month of December. Also, a small re-search project over the historical event from our historical fiction group books will take place. Of course, we’re always writing summaries and other responses to literature from our choice reading books. Our Veterans Day letters were such a success with the veterans! In language, we’re mastering com-pound, complex, and appositive sentenc-es. Parts of speech continue to be a focus as well.

(math)

My website: http://teacherweb.com/IN/ Nor-wellMiddleSchool/Carter/apt1.aspx In November and December, Block 1 worked on skills related to fractions, deci-mals, and percents. Most weeks, this class

will have a quiz over their flashcards on these skills. After completing Chapter 3 on Rational Numbers, they will begin Chap-ter 4 on Equations and

Inequalities. Students who proved to be experts on prime factorization, GCF, frac-tions to decimals, and decimals to fractions relating to the 7th grade standards were: Riley Antrim, Breann Barger, Alyssa Cy-rus, Devin Loftus, Mason Morris, Zach Tschannen, Maddy White, Cade Wilson In Blocks 2 and 3, the students have been mastering the skills of adding, sub-tracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions. Students who showed great understanding of comparing and ordering fractions were: Damon Anderson, Lauren Bertsch, Sierra Billiard, Carson Blake, Autumn Brickley, Elle Bulick, Joe Colbert, Josh Colon, Emmy Cupp, Alyssa Heath, Clemente Jasso, Sydney Lambert, Camden Lamons, Skylar Lounsbury, Joey Martinez, Colbryn Miller, Mya Mitchell, Tytus Morrisett, Konner Norman, Quinton Purdy, Jacob Sherrer, Lucas Stauffer , Brendan Ulfig, and Sam Walker. All students have internet access to the textbook, which has activities to help them practice math skills. (See orange sheet in the back of the assignment books.) Also, the students have been learning how to use Google and YouTube to find tutorials and games over the math skills being taught in class.

STUDENT OF THE MONTH (for November)

Devin Loftus STARS

Joe Colbert Sydney Lambert Brianna Benfer

Norwel l Middle School

Mrs. Chavis Math– Period 1

The students are solving equations

using the multiplica-tive inverse. There

next section in-cludes monomials,

negative exponents, and scientific nota-

tion. Period 2, 3, & 4 The classes are finishing their study of com-

puting with frac-tions. Next week we

will conclude with division of fractions and mixed numbers. All Math classes have completed vocabulary sheets on : estimate, factors, prime numbers, order of operations, and divisibility. Social Studies: The students are work-ing on Chapter 4 on the Physical Geogra-phy of United States & Canada. Our 4-2 vocabulary are: drought, tornado, hurricane, blizzard, fault, climate, pre-cipitation, and vege-tation.

6 T H G R A D E G O L D

Mrs. Burns’ Social Studies: My new group of students have learned about the physical and cultural fea-tures of modern day Europe. Now they have traveled back in time to the an-

cient Greeks. Currently they are learning about their culture including the gods, goddesses, myths, diet, as well as the many wars and battles that

formed the various ancient Greek city states.

Mrs. Weybright’s Social Studies: Students are currently working on their South America Coun-

try Power Points. Students will present their power points before Christmas Break.

Mr. Niermeyer Science

The second nine weeks the students finished learning

about the parts of the brain and nervous system and how they work together.

Also we have started unit E. This unit is over ecology.

The students will learn what happens when a new species is introduced into the environment. We will

also be studying the levels of classification.

Social Studies In the second nine weeks the students will be learn-ing how to locate places using longitude and lati-

tude. We will also learning the continents and oceans.

Students of the Month

November Abby Johnson

December Jack Gerber

Language Arts — Mrs. Weybright Fiction Reading: Students are reading a fiction book; they were able to choose the genre of the book. Students are focusing on: point of view, vocabulary, summarizing, conflict, and resolution. Reading Logs are due every Wednesday. Drama: To prepare for the Beef n’ Boards field trip, students are taking turns reading different parts of the Charles Dickens’ play, A Christmas Carol. The students have done a great job reading aloud and understanding the true meaning of giving. Non-Fiction Reading: Scope Magazine articles - Focus: non-fiction text structures ***CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA*** Students will be reading auto/biographies after Christmas. A book on someone your child is interested in or a Barnes n’ Noble gift card would be a great gift or stocking stuffer! Students will be doing a project with the auto/biography unit, so look for details after Christmas Break.

Composition — Mrs. Burns It’s the Holidays! Everyone is busy getting ready to spend that special time with family and friends. Here in the Comp Café, the students are spending their time sharing some of their newly found writing techniques. First students have been enjoying the new read aloud entitled Claws by Dan Greenburg. Along with this read aloud, students will research the pros and cons of keeping exotic and wild animals in captivity. Then, they will write a persuasive piece illustrating their personal beliefs regarding this subject. Additionally, students just completed their second formal piece of writing. Each student researched a middle school from some other state and compared it to Norwell. Many interesting facts were discovered about other middle schools! Finally, there were several students who were able to demonstrate their artistic abilities with illustrations of jack-o-lanterns that illustrated the 4 kinds of sentences. Several were displayed in the hallway for everyone to enjoy!

STARS November:

Dakota Linser, Addison Misch, Sydney

Schroeder, & Kaiden Slater

December: Andrew Captain, Korbyn

Costello, Holly Garmire, & Heidi Krill

Mrs. Dickey’s language arts

classes just f in ished up

literature circles and each group

created a poster to advertise

their book! The next time you

are in the building, look around

for some of them!

We are still going strong

w i t h wee k l y r o o t s and

vocabulary. Students can expect

a quiz every two weeks. Be sure

to ask your child how s/he is

using Quizlet to study for the

quizzes.

Advanced Language students are

reading the teleplay “The

Monsters Are Due on Maple

Street” by Rod Serling and will

then read The Westing Game

shortly after Thanksgiving break.

They will be expected to do a

lot of reading outside of class.

Regular Language students are

reading the teleplay “The

Monsters Are Due on Maple

Street” by Rod Serling, They are

also reading their independent

novels and completing activities

that improve comprehension and

focus on making them think deeply

about the reading.

Other Important Information

Students should be reading a

minimum of 20 minutes 5-7

nights a week in addition to

what we do during Reading

Workshop.

Check Power School regularly.

This is the best way to stay up-

to-date on your child’s grades.

Check my website regularly for

daily assignments and other

valuable information. w w w . n w c s . k 1 2 . i n . u s /

DickeyBonnie.aspx

N o r w e l l

M i d d l e

S c h o o l

Mrs. Gallmeyer-8th Grade

Logan Rowles

Mrs. Gallmeyer

Luke Rinehart

Mrs. Dickey

Sydney Taylor

Mrs. Bender

Advanced language has just

finished reading Anne Frank:

The Diary of a Young Girl.

Along with reading the book

students wrote their own memoir

from the life map they

constructed. It was quite

interesting to read what

has happened to these

young people in their

short lives. Students will

continue with the Anne

theme with the reading response

letter and literature circles over

other areas of the Holocaust.

Regular language classes are

still reading the play of “The

Diary of Anne Frank”. We

will be getting into Act II

shortly and hopefully we will

finish the play by the end of

the month. Study questions are

answered after each scene, while

the reading is fresh in our

minds.

All classes are still doing

a weekly reading journal

and an article of the

week (AOW) along

with our word study.

Congratulations to Logan

Rowles for being my

STAR for the month of

November and Heather

Sorg for the month of

December. Good job, Logan

and Heather!!

Mrs. Dickey-7th Grade

To read without

reflecting is like

eating without

digesting. -Edmund Burke

LANGUAGE ARTS

Winter 2013

Volume 1, Issue 3

Mrs. Bender 7th & 8th

Eighth graders will soon learn a little bit about Hanukkah as we enact the Hanukkah scene from The Diary of Anne Frank in class using an authentic menorah. Students are learning important literary elements through reading and acting out this drama, and they are learning about the extraordinary courage of a peer from an earlier time, Anne Frank. Students selected a photo of a child of the Holocaust and will write a letter to this child. Then they will search to discover the fate of their children. Did they survive the tribulations of the Holocaust? Students are also reading historical fiction novels in groups. Ireland Connett and Bilal Abdulrahim scored an impressive 100% on the Quarter One Vocabulary Exam—Great Job!

Seventh graders are learning about prejudice, suspicion, and fear as we study a drama by Rod Serling from the old Twilight Zone called “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.” Students are enjoying the opportunity to play characters as they act out some of the dramatic events. Students will soon complete projects based on their reading group books. Projects will be persuasive and will include important and interesting ideas usually related in book reviews. Seventh and eighth grade vocabulary study continues daily, with quizzes occurring every other Monday. Please encourage your child to study and be prepared for these regularly scheduled quizzes. I am looking forward to more fun second semester with these wonderfully curious and eager students. I wish you peace.

Heather Sorg

Mrs. Gallmeyer

Deakota Ingle

Mrs. Dickey

Haylie Pepper

Mrs. Bender

Mrs. Allen 7th & 8th Grade

  Seventh grade composi on students have been working on persuasive wri ng. They have considered words with connota ve meanings, examined emo onal arguments, and offered a rebu al to the best argument of the opposi on. They prac ced their persuasive techniques in a series of parent le ers, and produced some interes ng sugges ons for cafeteria improvements which might be great topics for future persuasive le ers. Focused traits for this wri ng were Organiza on and Word Choice. Students did a great job with this piece. Conven ons skills we have focused on lately include word usage—using the right word with the right spelling to reduce confusion, antecedent‐pronoun agreement, and comma usage. Clauses Santa Style will be our grammar focus just before winter break. Using Scope magazine as our inspira on and guide, we are crea ng essays from the magazine’s interviews and infographics. The students enjoy these pieces which are typically completed in a shorter me than some of our other work. We con nue to build our lexicon of Composi on Core Vocabulary as we focus on words that connect to our wri ng studies. In Journal Wri ng, students are building their wri ng stamina and prac cing ways to make their

prompt wri ngs longer, more developed, and more interes ng. We love it!      

Mrs. Bender‐7th Grade

  Your  students  have been working on perfecting their non‐fiction writing in the areas of persuasion essays and newspaper article  writing.  Our  Scope magazine continues  to  teach  the students how  to  improve on  the art  of  interviewing  and  then creating  an  article  from  an interview.    Also,  the  students were  able  to  dive  into  actual newspapers and try their hand at creating a class paper.         Your  students  recently immersed  themselves  in  a week long  study  of  clauses.    The students  were  introduced  to dependent  and  independent clauses  Santa  Claus  style.    They were  then  able  to  identify  the four  types of  sentence  structure.  Simple,  Compound,  Complex, and  Compound  Complex sentence  can  be  formed  just  by using  Santa’s  family.    Ask  them all about it.     We  edited  the words  of  a  few familiar  Christmas  Carols  and serenaded  our  school  with Composition  Carols.    The students took writing skill we use in class and re‐wrote the lyrics to make  the  song  be  all  about writing.    We  have  quite  the collection of Composition Carols.  Maybe  some  day we will  record our  own  Holiday  Album!       Remember  if  you  have  any questions  throughout  the  year feel  free  to  email  me. Christina.allen@nwcs.k12.in.us. Have  a wonderful  break!    Come 

back  refreshed and  ready  to work!  

      

    7th grade composition students will begin the genre of Persuasive Writing! They will write to an audience of their choosing by composing a persuasive letter.

Additionally, we will work on mini-lessons and revision strategies based on each of the 6 traits of good writing. Ideas: Each student’s letter will include persuasive-specific traits: a rebuttal and a call-to-action statement. Organization: Students will work especially hard on letter format (salutation, body, date, closing, etc) and 5 paragraph structure. Voice: we will analyze newspaper editorials and commercials to find what persuasive writing sounds like! Word Choice: Each student is now well-versed in the use of the thesaurus and figurative language tables for revision. Conventions: Students have focused their MUG shot and grammar revision strategies on apostrophes to show possession (plural and pl. possessive) and in contractions. Sentence Fluency: Our current revision strategy is the punctuation and composition of complex sentences using dependent and independent clauses. Our read-aloud novel for mentor text is Monster by Walter Dean Myers. 16-year-old Steve Harmon is on trial for murder, and he’s being tried as an adult! Did he do “it” or not? Who does a better persuasive job—the prosecution or the defense? Read to find out!

 

Composi on Winter 2013

Volume 1, Issue 3

The school year is in full swing. Students now use their NGWC skills to write using evidence from the text as well as analyze the writer’s skills. Have your child read his homework, textbook, or the newspaper and identify the writer’s skills. Our second nine weeks grammar focus will be verbals—gerunds, participials, and infinitives. These grammar lessons go beyond basic parts of speech and create well-written sentences. Our larger writing focus will be on process or technical writing. Students will create their own snow globes, then write explaining how it was made. Congratulations to Clair Johnson and Sadie Mann for excellent (and very helpful!) business letters of advice. Attention to format and higher level sentence structure made these letters top-of- the- line quality. Encourage your child to enjoy holiday learning by reading special family recipes and writing holiday greetings. Safe and happy holiday wishes to

all !!!

     

Mrs. Mann‐8th Grade

Mrs. Smith‐7th Grade

Jance Sullivan Kyle Patrick

Levi Dirig Denver Heller

Mackenzie Maloney Ralyn Schwartz

*No STAR

7th Grade Science We just finished our first unit on Plate Tectonics. Students learned the physical and chemical layers inside Earth, the three different types of

tectonic plate boundaries, and the physical features created at each type of boundary. We had several experts on this unit who received an “A” on this assessment. Our experts are:

Garrison Brege, Megan Dettmer, Tristan Fry, Lars Geisler, Seth Goetz, Kyle Henschen, Hailey

Hudson, Ally Isnogle, Cole Lambert, *Caden Mann, Hunter Monnot,

Christopher Park, Allison Reineck, Brandon Runyon, Nevin Ryan, Shelby Stinson, Jance Sullivan, Joe Taylor, *Josh Williams,

Gabi Wren, and Kade Zadylak. (* Student scored a perfect score on this

assessment) Congratulations to All of You!!! We will continue to study Earth Science for the rest of the 2nd quarter.

Important Information: We are hitting the time of season where it is going to be cold outside. Please, dress appropriately for the weather for our tree project!!!! Remember, if you need any information about 7th grade Science from Mrs. Everett’s class, you may visit my website at the following address:

h t t p : / / t e a c h e r w e b . c o m / I N /

NorwellMiddleSchool/Everett/

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!

Science November/December

Volume 1, Issue 3&4

No rw e l l

M i d d l e

S c h o o l

Caden Mann and Josh Williams

Mrs. Everett

Cierra Moser and Christian Bohata

Ms. Jones

Tyler Bulmer and Madison Blount

Miss Kimball

SCIENCE STARS

OF THE

MONTH

8th Grade Science

Chemistry is upon us. The eighth grade students have been hard at work learn-

ing the history and development of the atom-

ic theory. We created scale timelines outlin-ing significant contributions to the atomic

theory from 440 BCE to the present. We

also discussed several significant men in history that helped form the current theories

about atoms and elements. The students

created a colorful graphic organizer to help differenti-ate between these scientists.

We are currently working with the periodic

table, elements and atoms. The students have been studying different parts of atoms, including subatomic

particles inside and outside the nucleus. We have

practiced reading the periodic table to find atomic mass, and atomic number. We can also identify iso-

topes and ions using the periodic table. Several small

projects have allowed the students to build different atoms with the SmartBoard as well as objects

from popsicle sticks to paper squares, to tennis

balls. We are all looking forward to an upcom-ing atom project where we will get to create

atoms from anything edible! 7th Grade Science

Great job with the science experi-

ments! The seventh grade students recently completed

their “Very Own Experiment” projects. Each group of

students created a question, designed their own experi-ment to test the question, completed the experiment

and wrote the lab report. I’m so impressed with the

amount of creativity, effort and interest that the stu-dents showed throughout this project. It was very

exciting to watch such a variety of experiments in the

lab, and listen as each group presented their findings to the class. We all discovered so many new things

throughout this project. Excellent experiments!

We have recently been diving through the layers of the Earth. We just finished decorating the

science hallway with scale drawings of the Earth’s

chemical layers. The students are currently working on similar projects where each layer must be described in

detail. Up next, the students will have a homework

project where they must build each layer of the Earth using things that that are completely edible.

8th Grade Science

We just completed our unit on phas-

es of matter. This was some pre-

information that will lead into our

chemistry unit. Students did very

well on the phases of matter con-

cepts. Congratulations to the many

students that received an A on the

test. Also congratulations to those

students who scored a perfect on the

phases of matter test.

We are currently working on the atomic

theories of the atom. Students developed time

lines to help relate each scientist to their contri-

bution to our current model used today. Students

also created a colorful foldable as an alternative

method to note taking.

We will be starting the unit on the peri-

odic table soon. Look for students to be

using flash cards to help them memorize

elements from the period table.

Several of the students have dead

onion plants. We are taking this experi-

ence to make inferences why and how

their experimental variable had an effect

on their onion plants.

7th Grade Science

This quarter students have been studying Earth Science. We have covered the rock cycle and are currently studying plate tectonics. Hoping each of you has a Wonderful Christmas. Enjoy the break eating, playing, and sleeping. Just be ready to start again in January.

Social Studies

November / December

Newsletter

The nice list …

Mr. Diehl, Mrs. Everett, Mr. Schorey , & Mrs. Smith.

Social Studies

November / December

Newsletter

Mr. Paul Schorey 8th Grade US History

In US History students are learning about the development and current impact of systems in our

country such as the Electoral College. The classes are also reflecting upon historical documents

such as George Washington’s farewell address and comparing our first president’s advice to the

state of politics and political policy in our country at the moment. Students are also learning

about the origin of our national debt and the ideological differences between the role of govern-

ment from Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton’s point of view. I find it fascinating that

many ideological differences that exist today can be traced back to the start of our country and I

enjoy facilitating the students in researching, developing, and communicating their individual ide-

as effectively.

7th Grade Social Studies Mr. Diehl’s STARS: Calvin Stoller & Kylie Topp Mrs. Everett’s STARS: Jordan Page & Allison Powers We will study the Middle East and then wrap up the end of December with modern Africa. Please continue to check Mrs. Everett’s website for helpful information on 7th Grade Social Studies:

http://teacherweb.com/IN/NorwellMiddleSchool/Everett/apt5.aspx On our North Africa Map Test the following students earned perfect scores: Michaela Adam, Kamden Allen, Alec Allen, Willow Anderson, Jordan Archambault, Leah Aschliman, Aaron Bacon, Tyler Bailey, Audrey Barnes, Kylie Bauman, Kayla Berkshire, Hunter Bodenheimer, Lauren Bodner, Garrison Brege, Kristy Bridegam, Khloe Brown, Skyler Brown, Tyler Bulmer, Natalie Bunn, Dylan Burnau, Payton Chacon, Mackenzie Cocklin, Apryl Colon, Ian Cook, Robert Combs, Matthew Decker, Dru Denney, Maddy Denny, Megan Dettmer, Levi Dirig, Caleb Dummer, Aubrey Dunnuck, Tucker Edington, Lileigh Espy, Emily Eubank, Autumn Fiedler, Colt Fields, Autumn Fox, Zachary Geiger, Lars Geisler, Calista Gerard, Holly Harmon, Denver Heller, Gil Hernandez, Jade-Lyn Heyeryly-Jones, Nash Hoffman, Hailey Hudson, Ally Isnogle, Skie Landis, Levi Leidig, Kylynn Lepper, Morgan Markley, Mitch-el Mayer, Mercy McLemore, Mason McMurtry, Tristan McMurtry, Dan Milostan, Hunter Monnot, Cylee Morris, Tianna Moser, Aus-tin Mounsey, Reis Myers, Broc Nunley, Jodie Oswald, Jordan Page, Christopher Park, Kyle Patrick, Lauren, Plasterer, Emma Pow-ell, Allison Powers, Caleb Pugh, Matt Ramseyer, Eva Reed, Cole Reid, Allison Reineck, Luke Rinehart, Natalie Robinson, Kendyl Roller, Brandon Runyon, Nevin Ryan, Caden Sheets, Cassandra Shelton, Tiffany Shorb, Aaron Simerman, Taylor Smith, Jesus Soto, Nathan Stephens, Shelby Stinson, Paiten Stringer, Kylee Strunk, Jance Sullivan, Bri Todd, Ethan Todd, Kylie Topp, Anne Troutman, Makaelyn Turner, Ashley VandenBoom, Dylan VanHorn, Josh Williams, Skyler Wilson, Zach Wingate, Gabi Wren, Ash-lee Xayyachack, and Kade Zadylak.

Mrs. C. Smith 8th Grade US History

We have concluded our rebellion, our studies of the Revolutionary War, and the formation of our gov-

ernment. We are currently studying the United States Constitution. This is where we take a break

from studying history in order to take a crash course in American government and politics! Students

will become familiar with the many parts of the Constitution and our three branches of govern-

ment. Students will also learn about the rights of US citizens and their civic duties as members of

this great nation. STAR: Gretchen Boyle

General:

Our chapter begins with a study of fractions and decimals. We will add subtract, multiply and divide fractions and decimals. The student will then study ratios, rate, and proportions and will apply these concepts to geometric figures . During the percent lessons the student will be introduced to percents larger then 100% and smaller then 1%.

Also remind them to study their equivalents and conversion measurements.

Pre Algebra:

The pre-algebra students have been working very hard on the terms and principles of algebra. Chapter 4 will bring back good old fashion math, dealing with ratio, proportion and percent. This concept of proportionality is the foundation of many branches of mathematics. One example they will be using is scale drawings. The lessons will provide for real-life applications of percents, including the percent of change. Also remind them to study their equivalents and conversion measurements.

Algebra

Algebra students are re-viewing coordinate planes and the graphing of linear equations, along with slope calculations. Stu-dents are applying this knowledge to “Real World functions.. What famous American said “ Give me

liberty or give me slope!”?????

STARS Mr. Lowden– Devon Gawronzki

Mrs. Habegger– Natalie Robinson Mr. White– Natalie Baumgartner-Bunn & Kennady Tucker

Parents: Remember to check for

homework nightly not just on powerschool.

The Math Department

Volume3 Newsletter

The Math Depart-ment would like to give a special thanks to all of the parents who have generously given their time to run copies for the math department. We appreciate you greatly.

Michaela Adams, Chris Park, Gabe Smith & Andrew

O’Neal will be participating in the All-Region Honor Band at DeKalb H.S. on November 23-24th.

Congratulations!

“NMS Band Students Win Big

at State Marching Band Contest”

The following M.S. band students participated in the H.S. marching band this year: These students competed at “State” in Indy on November 2, 2013 and received 5th place!

-Elizabeth Schmidt, Will Zimmer, Connor McCabe, Taylor Moser, Erika James, Ethan Moriarity, Tricia Moser, McKenzie Martz, Blaine Powell, Jessie Weirick, Hunter McVay, Joshua Schmidt, Hayden Emrah, and Tess McBride.

\

NMS BAND NEWS Upcoming Events: ♦ November 23-

24th—All-Region Band Festival (DeKalb H.S.)

♦ December 16th—Winter Band Concert

♦ February 6-8 —IPFW Honor Band

♦ February 1st ISSMA Solo/Ensemble Contest

♦ April 4th— ISSMA Band Con-test

♦ April 5th—Norwell Music Extravaganza

♦ May 12,13 6th and 8th grade perform at in-coming 6th grade Orientation

♦ May 15th— Spring Band Con-cert

Mrs. Hipsher’s 7th grade Experiencing Music Class working on

learning the names of the music clefs and lines and spaces on

the music staff . Students are preparing to compose their very

own 24 measure piece of music

6th grader Mari Topp practicing

her music for the upcoming Winter

Concert.

7th Grade band students Matthew

Decker, Nathan Stephens, Nevin

Ryan, Morgan Markley, Cole Reid,

Blaine Williams, Dan Milostan &

Andrew O’Neal take a moment

from practicing their instruments to

pose for this photo.

Beginning December 2nd (after we return from Thanksgiving Break), NMS Library books may be borrowed for THREE weeks instead of TWO. This will give staff and students more time to finish a book, and cut down on the number of times the book is renewed. This should also alleviate most of the fines incurred for late books.

The Norwell HIGH School Library will follow suit once they move to their newly renovated area (hopefully in December).

When school is closed, the due date updates automatically to the first day we return. Fines are 5¢ per day after due date.

New Books

at the NMS Library:

Wild Born: (Book 1 Spirit Animals Series) By Brandon Mull

The Hypnotists By Gordon Kormann

Dear Bully Edited by Megan

Kelley Hall and Carrie

Jones

Buddy

By M. H. Herlong

The Grimm Legacy By Polly Shulman

Skipping Christmas

By John Grisham

I a m T H A N K F U L f o r t h e H S I n t e r n s : H a l l e y E d i n g t o n , E t h a n C r e a g e r a n d C o d y M o r e

Volume 3. Nov.-Dec. 2013

NMS Library

Jody Gates, Media Specialist

*Please remind your child to check due dates, return books on time, and pay fines that have been added to their library accounts ASAP.

The Times … They Are a-Changin’!

PROCESSING HAS BEGUN ON THE STACKS OF NEW BOOKS PURCHASED WITH SCHOLASTIC DOLLARS, AND SOME THAT WERE DONATED BY HALF-PRICE BOOKS AND NORWELL FAMILIES! BOOKS ARE BARCODED, REGISTERED, STAMPED, STICKERED, NOTED AND COVERED. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THIS IS QUITE A PROCESS, AND TAKES SOME TIME, BUT WE ARE ANXIOUS TO GET THIS READING MATERIAL OUT TO THE NMS COMMUNITY! THE STUDENTS ARE CHOMPING AT THE BIT TO DIG IN TO THESE TITLES, SO WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO KEEP THINGS MOVING! HIGH SCHOOL INTERNS ARE ADEPT AT THE PROCEDURE, AND ARE ASSISTING DAILY. THEY ALSO SHELVE BOOKS, HELP STUDENTS LOCATE BOOKS, AND CHECK OUT & RETURN BOOKS.

L o t s o f N ew B o o k s !

If you are in need of earbuds or headphones now or for next year’s

planned transition to one-to-one devices, head to

Darlington Farms Warehouse - they have

them for only $1.59! (They have lots of other

inexpensive items as well.)

NMS Students are invited to help decorate the

Norwell Middle School Library’s

PATRIOTIC-THEMED Christmas Tree ...

with hand-made or purchased red, white & blue, military, or patriotic ornaments. The tree will be featured in the 2014 Veterans Day Program! We proudly support our men, women & animals in uniform—past & present!

The tree will be up & ready for ornaments after Thanksgiving!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3 BBB vs Dekalb 5:00 GBB @ Dekalb 5:00

4

5 BBB @ New Haven 5:00 GBB vs New Haven 5:00

6

ROUND TABLE

7

8

9 BBB vs Riverview 5:00

10 BBB @ Maple Creek 5:00 GBB vs Maple Creek 5:00

11

12 BBB vs Bellmont 4:30 GBB @ Bellmont 4:30

13

ROUND TABLE 6th Grade Beef n’ Boards Field Trip

14

15

16

Wtr. Band Concert 7:00 BBB @ Indian Springs 5:00 GBB vs Indian Springs 5:00

17 BBB @ Adams Central 4:30

18

19 BBB vs Summit 5:00 GBB @ Summit 5:00

20 ROUND TABLE

End of 2nd 9 weeks & 1st Semester

21

22

23

24 25 26 27 28

29

30 31

December 2013 NORWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL

1100 E US 224

OSSIAN, IN 46777

(260) 543-2218

WINTER BREAK (DEC 23-JAN 3)

WINTER BREAK (DEC 23-JAN 3)

THE CRUSADER CHRONICLE Norwell Middle School

1100 E US 224 Ossian IN 46777

Winter 2013 Volume 1

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Ossian, IN 46777 PERMIT #12

 

 

    NMS ATTENDANCE REMINDER 

During cold & flu season we know that more students may be staying home ill.  We want to remind parents/guardians to please be prompt in calling in a student absence.  

The NMS policy is “it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to call the school by 8:00 am the day the student is absent. The NMS A endance line is available 24 hours a day and can be reached by calling  1‐888‐543‐2218. If a parent/guardian does not call, the school will a empt to contact the parent at home or work to no fy them of the absence. A note from parent, doctor, or other health care provider must be received by the office within 6 days a er the student’s return to school. Students will be considered truant if no note or call is received from a parent. A note from a health care provider will not be counted towards the six parent/guardian excused absences per semester.” 

Thanks! Stay healthy!