Denali Peaks Team 

Parents please 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 that come from Canvas. Q is the official grade of record.  Here is the link if you would like to sign up:   ASD Parent Observer

Science (Williams) - 

Math (Wagner) - This January the new math teacher will be starting. AP 6th grade math will be diving into ratios for the whole month. 6th grade tier 1 math will be moving into volumes of prisms with fractional edge lengths then moving into ratios. Tier 2 6th grade math will be wrapping up lesson 7 on adding, subtracting, and multiplying decimal numbers then moving into division. 

Social Studies (Bain) - We took our time developing healthy study skills in order to manage student assignments and grades. We have finished our studies of the United States. In quarter 3, Students will explore how the cultures of Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean are diverse and how this cultural diversity has benefited and challenged the people of North America. Our focus leading to winter break will be a Road Trip through the United States. Time permitting we will then begin our focus on South America.

English/Language Arts (Dillman) - In January, we’ll begin Unit 3, "Changing Perspectives." During this unit, we’ll research one side of a controversial issue that impacts our school, community, or society. We’ll focus on identifying claims in arguments and learning how to build strong support using reasons and evidence.

P.E. (Stoops) - Physical Education completed our basketball unit 11/22.  We will do a Thanksgiving trivia/exercise wheel to celebrate the upcoming holiday.  P.E. always requires athletic footwear, but the school policy also dictates no crocs or sandals during the winter months with the onset of cold weather and the possibility of being outside without warning. 

Resource Language Arts (Asaytuno) - This January, we will study argumentative texts and take part in different group discussions. We will share ideas, think critically, and learn to explain our thoughts clearly. We will also practice nonfiction reading strategies to better understand the text.

Revelation Mountains Team 

Revelation Mountains Team 

January 2025 Newsletter

Dear Team Revelation Students, Parents, and Guardians,

The 2nd semester is upon us. We hope that you and your family had an enjoyable winter break. As the new semester begins there are a few things that as a TEAM we would like to remind students. The classroom expectations are that students are respectful to their teachers as well as to other students, students come to class with their required materials, and students are expected to use their class time wisely. 

Language Arts (Franklin):

This quarter, students are beginning a novel study. There are two novel choices, Tangerine by Edward Bloor and Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen. While reading students will analyze character development and take a deeper look into the characters’ decisions and how those decisions put the characters’ on a certain course. We will also pinpoint the use of figurative language and examine the author’s writing style. Throughout this quarter, we will continue to focus on writing organization and writing endurance. When writing for academics, we use a more formal tone and avoid using text message abbreviations. We will review formal and informal writing through a few minilessons. 

Math (Forbes):

For the month of January, Grade 7 Math students are continuing to refine their skills in working with positive and negative rational numbers and writing and solving equations and inequalities. Student assignments will be alternate between online iReady practice and paper-based Skill Review worksheets. Assignments are meant to build student skills and ability to solve problems independently. Since a direct correlation exists between assignment completion and assessment performance, please check in with your student to see what they are working on for their nightly independent practice.

Science (Magnuson):

In January we will be switching gears.  After spending the fall learning about living things, we will now be focusing on physical sciences.  We will start off learning about motion, speed and acceleration.  As we continue learning about these topics we will be working on hands on lab activities.

Social Studies (Stewart):

January begins our journey into the geography of South America. We will examine the physical and human geography of the continent. This month, students will focus on understanding how colonization of South America shaped its culture as well as being able to explain how the continent’s physical geography has shaped settlement patterns. During this unit, students will map the physical features of South America, compare the cultures of different South American countries, and learn more about the resources that are vital to South America’s economy. Late work will result in a deduction of 20% and will not be accepted once students complete the unit test. The unit test for South America will be on January 31st. 

Study Skills (Barrett):

October 6th - 8th study skills, students will learn and apply skills such as Growth Mindset Strategies, routine building, time management, note-taking, studying to understand material, and more. Students will complete virtual check-ins throughout the week to monitor their progress in their classes and keep Mrs. Barrett updated on their classes. They will have time to work on missing work or homework. Students will also learn how to get and stay organized by utilizing a binder, planner, and folders in their Google Drive, as well as weekly grade checks to monitor their class progress.

Social Skills (Barrett):

In 6th -8th social skills, students will learn a variety of social skills such as conversational skills, asking for help, apologizing, understanding feelings of self and others, and much more. Students will complete virtual daily check-ins that ask how their day has been so that Mrs. Barrett gets an idea of where they are when they enter the classroom. The class will utilize videos, role playing, modeling, worksheets, and conversation as a group to practice these skills. We also have a weekly game day, where students get to organically practice their social skills with their peers utilizing games such as Uno, Sorry, and more.

Cascade Mountains Team 

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 https://www.asdk12.org/domain/4476

Math (Mr. McKenzie) - Upon return from Winter Break, Math 8 students will take the iReady Diagnostic. After that, students will learn how to solve linear equations with variables on both sides. Algebra 1 students will continue their study of Functions. And Geometry students will continue their unit on Similarity. 

Social Studies (Dyer) - In 8th Grade Social Studies we are studying the events leading to the American Revolution and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We will then study civics and the Constitution while learning about the early presidents.

English/Language Arts (Baguley) - We will continue reading The Giver and studying our dystopian literature unit.  We should finish during the month of January.  We will also be writing an analysis of the book as a culminating project.

Native Studies (Baguley): In Native Studies, we will be learning about the first contact with Indigenous people of Alaska. We will study their interactions with the Russians and how the resources of the time were used.

Science (Morlang) - In Science 8, we are covering chemical bonds and the types of bonding. We are working on a project where the students pick two elements and create a brochure. Then they will create an advertisement for a product that uses a combination of the two elements they selected.

Science Projects (Morlang) - In Science Projects we are learning about forensic science. We have covered fingerprints and the students have worked a few times trying to identify fingerprints. They also worked on a Murder Mystery where one new clue was given each day. We are going to start working on hair analysis next.

Math(Conner)-We are currently finishing up lesson 5/19. This starts the multiplication and division of fractions units. We will have 4 lessons to complete and a unit test at the end of December. 

MOUNT OLYMPUS TEAM

In 7th grade geography we are wrapping up our unit on Central America and the Caribbean. After winter break, we will continue heading south as we explore the human and physical geography of South America, before we cross the Atlantic and explore the geography of Europe. I’m looking forward to a fun and productive third quarter, and hope everyone has a restful and wonderful winter break, and a Happy New Year! 

Gabriel Swiderski 

7th Grade Social Studies

Mt. Olympus

Welcome to Quarter 3, Mt. Olympus! In 7th grade science we will be learning about motion, energy, Newton's Laws of Motion and friction. Students will learn to calculate speed and acceleration with real world applications. The culminating project for this unit will include a roller coaster construction project where the students will apply their skills.  Let's keep the momentum going! Check Canvas weekly for assignment completion and Q for your students' grades. 

Mrs. Heath

7th Grade Science

Mt. Olympus

Welcome Back!!

I hope you all had a relaxing, restful, rejuvenating break.

For January ELA, our writing focus will be crafting an argumentative essay, our reading foci will be analyzing poetry and delving into a novel study, and for grammar we will continue our daily practice.

As always, feel free to email me at lake_noel@asdk12.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Best,

Mrs. Lake

Mrs. Noel Lake

Mt. Olympus ELA Teacher

ELA Department Chair

Hanshew Middle School

TEAM ALYESKA

Anelyn Labadan: With Quarter 2 ending, the Language Arts 6 classes are also completing their class novel, "Walk Two Moons". As a class, they were able to read independently, read aloud and summarize every chapter of the novel. They were also able to transfer their knowledge about the story by creating a collage. Their outputs are proudly displayed as posters for gallery walk activities. Together, they were able to demonstrate their understanding and appreciation of the story read.

Ms. Barbara Harper: The second quarter found the students learning about the various Earth cycles, the water cycle, carbon cycle and more. In biology we dissected a worm and finished the quarter doing a power point project on a mammal of their choice. The 7th and 8th grade students in Biology are done, so we will have a new group of students in Biology. We had a visitor who brought in a horned owl for the 5th period students to see. For the 3rd quarter the 6th grade integrated science class will be studying electricity, energy, and magnets.

Mr. Andrew Deckert: The Physical Education program at Hanshew Middle School has been busy with a variety of activities this semester. Recently, we wrapped up our annual Badminton Tournament, where students had the chance to compete and improve their skills. In addition to badminton, students have participated in a range of other games and fitness activities, helping to keep things interesting and challenging. It’s been a great way for everyone to stay active while learning new skills and having fun together.

As we approach the holiday break, it's also important to note some changes in our PE schedule for January 2025. When we return from the holidays, 8th grade students will switch from PE to Health class, while Health students will move into PE. Meanwhile, 6th and 7th grade students will stay in PE for the entire school year, continuing to learn new sports and fitness skills. We’re looking forward to an exciting second semester full of more activities and fun challenges for all grade levels!

Anelyn Labadan

In Quarter 2 , the 6th Grade LA classes are into class novel reading. They are exploring the novel, Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creeche. Together, the class studies every chapter, analyzes the characters and writes a chapter summary. Class discussion is also done every chapter where the whole class can reflect and connect to the theme. They also learned to question the txt they are reading by using the different levels of questions. So far the students are responding to the classwork smoothly. This novel reading is indeed making them develop critical thinking skills through inferring, summarizing ,evaluating and character analysis.

MONTES ROOK TEAM

Students in Choir are continuing forward after a successful Winter Concert last month! We are now in the beginning stages of learning new performance repertoire for our upcoming spring events. 6th Graders who were accepted into Honor Choir will begin rehearsing this month for the Honor Concert in March! Meanwhile, 7th/8th Graders (who elected to do so) are polishing their solo songs for the Broadway Cabaret and Solo & Ensemble Festival events next month in February! Students are, additionally, working towards progress in their Choir Karate journey.

Ceramics projects blossomed this month. Textured cups, clever boxes, and more creative items were crafted. Students can now pick up their artful work and bring home. Second semester art students, don't forget to pay your $15 art fee in ParentConnect/Q under "Online Payments." Coming soon: Youth Art Month artwork to be featured at the Anchorage Museum will soon be selected. It will be hard to choose with so many outstanding Hanshew artists!

Orchestra 

Some Hanshew 8th graders orchestra students will audition for All-City orchestra on Jan 11, 2025. Seventh and Eighth graders will begin to practice pieces for the Anchorage School District Middle Schools festival in March.

Sixth graders will start to practice new pieces for our Spring performance. Also, all students will begin to learn new advanced techniques such as various bow-strokes, vibrato, and shifting to a higher position.  

Lazy Mountain (PE/HEalth)

The Physical Education program at Hanshew Middle School has been busy with a variety of activities this semester. Recently, we wrapped up our annual Badminton Tournament, where students had the chance to compete and improve their skills. In addition to badminton, students have participated in a range of other games and fitness activities, helping to keep things interesting and challenging. It’s been a great way for everyone to stay active while learning new skills and having fun together.

As we approach the holiday break, it's also important to note some changes in our PE schedule for January 2025. When we return from the holidays, 8th grade students will switch from PE to Health class, while Health students will move into PE. Meanwhile, 6th and 7th grade students will stay in PE for the entire school year, continuing to learn new sports and fitness skills. We’re looking forward to an exciting second semester full of more activities and fun challenges for all grade levels!

Career Technical Education

Applied Tech with Ms. Campbell & Ms. Johnston: Students are using hand tools such as: hammers, chisels, saws, hand drills, sanding blocks, and screwdrivers to complete their projects. Mr. Bolling provided a demonstration for using hand tools. Students are looking for new ways to upcycle and recycle materials in the classroom.

Family and Consumer Sciences with Ms. Cam: Our kitchen is focused on cooking simple recipes that students can create independently at home: macaroni and cheese, pizza dough in a bag, and other deliciously simple foods. Students are also learning about the rules and skills for babysitting younger children.  

Ms. Cam’s FACS class is seeking donations of fabric and yarn to use for spring projects. Please contact Ms. Cam at graves_cam@asdk12.org if you would like to donate.

Computer Technology with Mr. Bolling: 6th graders have completed their keyboarding assignments for 2nd quarter. They are now working on social media safety assignments. 7th grade students are working on their teleprompter presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint.  Advanced Coding students will be completing all Javascript activities next week.

Computer Technology & Video Production with Mrs. Price: Computer Technology students are completing Google Sheets projects. We recently created Bingo Boards by formatting spreadsheets and we can now play Bingo online. Next, will be working with Google Draw. Video Technology classes have written scripts and are now filming and editing their Infomercials.