Cascade Mountains Team Newsletter

We have had quite a few parents sign up as Canvas Observers!  This is a useful tool for helping your student stay on track - you can monitor past and upcoming assignments as well as  grades.  Here is the link if you would like to sign up:   ASD Parent Observer

Science (Kole)  

In Science 8, we have discussed lab safety, and are examining the proper way to set up experiments using the scientific method. This includes independent, dependent, and standardizing variables, as well as control groups and formatting a hypothesis correctly. 

Math (McKenzie) 

In Math 8, we are continuing our study of exponents and scientific notation. Algebra 1 students are working on solving radical and rational equations. And the geometry class is finishing up a unit on surface area and volume.

Math (Tornfelt) 

In my Math 8 class we have been preparing for Unit 1 by practicing plotting coordinates on a graph. In Unit 1 it’ll be all about taking that knowledge going forward to Rigid Transformations.

Social Studies (Dyer)  

In 8th Grade Social Studies we are studying civilizations before the time of exploration and colonization. As the quarter progresses, we will study European colonization and the formation of the British colonies, along with the effects these had upon the peoples of North America and Africa. We are also planning a dedicated day to celebrate Constitution Day, which falls on Sunday, September 17 this year. In class, students are keeping up with current events and learning to use tools such as Padlet to create projects and assignments that we will use throughout the year.

English/Language Arts (Dillman) 

In 8th Grade ELA we are learning about the Hero’s Journey and working towards writing and creating an illustrated narrative about an original hero using the Hero's Journey archetype. These stories will be presented orally in class. Later in the quarter we will be working and learning to write a multiple paragraph essay on how each defines a hero as an individual and develop our own definition(s) of heroism.

English/Language Arts (Greycloud) 

Math (Taff)

Welcome to 7th Grade Math!

Our class completed our social contract identifying wonderful words which we chose as our guidelines for our conduct in our daily interactions with peers and adults at Hanshew Middle School.  We signed our social contract as our commitment to honor it. 

Our students have already been active in class learning to show all the problem-solving skills (identifying the question and relevant information for the problem; computations using the 4 foundational operations; and, responding to teacher questions regarding analysis) to answer word problems!  It is very important to show your work - because as we know - math is a progressive subject with many building blocks.  We began with ratios and will continue with integers (number lines) and scale (comparing real items to models). We will be participating in mathematics - not only with our textbook - but with online learning opportunities, too. We will be developing our own personal notebooks with math vocabulary and examples of math computations/formulas as a reference for independent assignment completion.  Remember, please attend class everyday so you don’t miss an opportunity to learn and practice new skills!

Revelation Mountains Team Newsletter

Dear Team Revelation Students,

Welcome back! We are excited to be your teachers this year and are looking forward to getting to know each of you, celebrating your accomplishments, and teaching you new skills and knowledge. 

Language Arts (Franklin)

This quarter students will review plot structure and literary elements while reading through a variety of short stories. We will also work through the writing process. Students will then work with a writing group to help with editing and revising.  

Language Arts (Larson):

We are finishing Unit 1 which focuses on the power of great ideas. In class we read three stories: Hitching a Ride, LAFFF, and ‘Kids Are Inventors, Too’ and discuss how new ideas can lead to amazing inventions. We are also learning the following skills to help us become better readers and writers: use word parts, plan your reading, analyze stories, and write a personal narrative using complete sentences. Students published their work in the Language Arts Portfolio using https://www.storyjumper.com/user/login.  In October we’ll start Unit 2 with the focus on the theme of “Play to Your Strengths,” and analyses of characters, settings, and plot. Students can access all curriculum materials at this link: https://ngconnect.asdk12.org

Math (Spalla)

We are off to a great start in all of our classes. Students have done a great job working together to form a cohesive team. For 7th grade math, we’ve been brushing up on our ratio skills. Going into the rest of the quarter, students will be working with numbers and operations where we begin working more in-depth with rational numbers. Pre-algebra students will be building their algebraic vocabulary and will work towards successfully solving two-step equations. 

Science (Magnuson)

In science class we will start off 1st Quarter learning about the scientific process and experimentation.  In addition, we will focus on digital literacy.  This will give students a good foundation for the inquiry-based lab activities we will be doing throughout the year.  After that we will start learning about the characteristics of living things and cells.

Social Studies (Stewart)

The focus in social studies for the 1st quarter is applying the five themes of geography to North America and Alaska. The first unit that studies will be learning will last approximately 2 weeks and focus on obtaining a basic understanding of geography terms as well as the five themes of geography. Students will analyze various types of maps: political, physical climate, thematic, and resource maps to learn more about the world. Students will also be able to explain how the five themes of geography will help them to better understand the physical and human characteristics of different countries. The unit test is tentatively scheduled for September 1st. 

  After Labor Day, we will begin our unit on the continent of North America. We will apply the five themes of geography to the various regions of the continent: Central America, Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, and the United States. During the North American unit, students will be asked to complete a group project. Each group will be asked to focus on a region of North America and provide detailed information on the physical and human characteristics of their region. Students will also have weekly quizzes to test their knowledge of the various countries located in North America. The North American region will last approximately 3 weeks. 

Finally, we will end the quarter learning about Alaska’s physical and human geography. The focus of this unit will be on human geography and the Native Alaskan cultures. The unit on the geography of Alaska will take approximately 2-3 weeks. The Alaska unit will be project based with a few quizzes to check for understanding. During this quarter, we will also focus on developing writing skills and critical thinking skills. 

Social Studies (Baguley)

During the first quarter, we will be studying map skills and the five themes of geography. After completing this unit and having a chapter test, we will begin our geographical studies on North America. The focus will be on the physical and human geography elements of North America and Alaska.. These two topics should last us until the end of the quarter. The students will take a unit test before the end of the quarter. We will continue to work in map skills as we study specific geographical areas. 

Language Arts (Lake)

Hello! 

For 7th grade English Language Arts (ELA) for 1st Quarter, we will be using our SpringBoard curriculum which can be found online through ASD’s Clever.  Every student will get an actual book, but those will live in our classroom.

Supplemental activities will be geared to enhance our SpringBoard curriculum.  Some of the lessons include utilizing the five stages of plot through short stories, analyzing poetry, and practicing proper grammar. Every day we will work on honing our listening and speaking skills.

Please feel free to email me at lake_noel@asdk12.org with any questions.

Science (Heath)

Welcome to 7th Grade Science, Hawks! We will kick start the first quarter with scientific inquiry including the airplane and bubble labs. Students will learn to use measurement tools including meter sticks, triple beam balance, microscopes, and beakers. We will be learning about the needs of living things, how organisms get their energy, food webs, plant and animal cells, and cellular organization. Students will have two larger projects during this quarter: a food web and a cell model. Students will need their charged chrome book and a notebook for science everyday.

Social Studies (Swiderski) 

I'm super excited to be here for my first year with the community of Hanshew and the Anchorage School District. In room 203 we have been working on building classroom communities and have also taken an introductory look at Geography. We will continue to work on some basic map reading skills as we explore latitude and longitude, and related concepts. After that we will begin our unit on North America and Alaska. I look forward to a fantastic school year!

Applied Technology (Wessling)

In Applied Technology 7th and 8th grade students will be working on safety tests and learning the basics of measuring with a tape measure so that students will be able to create and build various projects in my class. Projects can and will vary from paper projects, wooden projects, laser engraving, and 3D printed projects. 

Looking forward to a fun quarter,

Andrew Wessling 

Math  (Priest)
Welcome to Hanshew! This quarter we are going to cover a mix of new and review topics, some days may be challenging and some days easier for the students. 

Please check canvas for specific topics covered and my about me page to learn more about Mr. Priest.

PE (Stoops, Thompson, Deckert)

The Physical Education Department has started the year with a running unit.  For those who have not yet purchased their P.E. t-shirt, those can be purchased online through parent connect, or in person at the activities office for $8 each.

Boys basketball moved to the fall this year for the first time.  Competing with Pop Warner Football, and middle school cross country and baseball, our numbers are down from 120 last year to 63 this season, but the students are working hard and looking forward to their first varsity and JV games of the season September 7 at Begich.  Varsity/JV games will be played Tuesdays and Thursdays through September.  Hanshew will also field 2 C teams.  The C team schedule has not yet been released.

Health (Osborne)

Welcome to 8th Grade Health!  Students experience combinations of learning experiences designed to provide the opportunities to acquire information and practice skills needed to make quality health enhancing decisions!  A typical day flows through the good things/gratitude, a gathering activity, self care, the heart of the lesson and concludes with a launch.  During first quarter, students will dive into the following:

• Mental Health (personality, self-esteem and emotions; managing stress; and mental disorders and suicide)

• Social Health (family relationships, building healthy peer relationships and preventing violence)

• Nutrition (food and nutrition; making health food choices; and digestion and excretion)

• Physical Fitness (movement and coordination; cardiovascular and respiratory health; exercise and lifelong fitness; and personal care)

Structured Learning Supports 

Social Skills  (Barrett)

In class we are working on the skills that are needed to be successful in and out of the classroom. So far we have been working on the skills to get to know others and have conversations with each other. We have been working on listening to each other when they are talking, looking at the person who is talking, and raising their hand when they need assistance. In the coming weeks we will be working on problem solving through a variety of scenarios and identifying emotions and the strategies students can use while feeling those emotions. We will work on these skills using a variety of methods such as conversations, games, worksheets, and role playing.

Study skills (Barrett)

In class we are working on getting organized. Class everyday starts with the students opening up their planners as well as canvas to check for any assignments or work that they need to work on. Students will utilize the class time to work on any work that needs to be completed for their other classes. They can get help from the teachers in the classroom and ask questions whenever it is needed. Twice a week students will work with the teacher to get themselves organized. This may be cleaning out old papers, getting assignments organized in their binders, writing down specific assignments and due dates in their planners, etc. Study skills is a time for students to work on work that is due in class as well as getting themselves organized for their week ahead.

Affective Skills (Jackson)

Welcome to Affective Skills. During this course, students will enhance their knowledge and understanding of behaviors and attitudes that students need to learn to be effective in their personal growth and professional lives. Affective learning is demonstrated by behaviors and attitudes of awareness, interest, attention, and responsibility; the ability to listen and respond in interactions with others; and the ability to demonstrate those attitudinal characteristics or values which are appropriate to the situations. I will also continue to work on Social Skills with students in the following areas: anger management, teamwork, dealing with stressful situations, and self-esteem enhancement. The activities are graded based on active participation during class discussions and completing academic assignments as assigned. The students can receive 25 participation points per week. There is rarely any homework. I will be posting grades each Friday to show students' progress.  

Social Skills (Jackson)

In class students will be working on modeling, role playing and feedback. Also teaching students will learn the importance of using kind words, reading how others are feeling. The activities are group led and each student gives feedback and collectively works as a team. We also will learn dealing with stressful situations and self esteem and self awareness within the class. The students are graded on participation and completing in class exercises. The reflection table is also used in class which entails the 3 Y’s 1. Your peers 2. Your action 3. Your personal space. 

Welcome to Spanish class (1A/1B Level). I hope that your summer was filled with many adventures and special memories.  My name is Mrs. Vasquez, and I am looking forward to working with you this 2023- 2024 school year. This will be a busy year with much to learn.

    Students will have the opportunity to learn and practice Spanish through a variety of educational activities. We will continue implementing in our class using Vista Higher Learning (VHL) as a World Language Program. Students will be learning through textbooks and videos as well as using their Chromebooks to practice taught lessons.  Students will discover the fun of speaking Spanish while building a basic vocabulary that can be put into practice at work, with friends, or while traveling.

Since learning a foreign language is a new skill for students, they should expect to work hard in this class; students should be prepared to study on their own as well as complete daily task in class.

Components in class:

Textbook, workbook, videos, Vista Higher Learning Online platform, Duolingo, etc.