Standard and Advanced

We have had a wonderful first week getting to know our students and are excited for the year ahead! As we wrap up i-Ready testing, we will be jumping into Unit 1 next week. During this first unit, students will build knowledge, strengthen their interpreting and constructing text skills, and engage in collaborative discussions. As we read and analyze texts, we will be thinking about our unit’s theme of “The Consequences of Human Choices.” Students will read about characters that face moments that might seem insignificant but that could ultimately affect the trajectory of their lives. As we meet these characters, we will ask ourselves: "How do our choices shape our lives and the lives of others?" We can’t wait to dive in!

Unit 1 for all three courses focuses on narrative techniques and literary analysis; therefore we will all begin by digging deep into short story selections in order to annotate and model analyzing a complex text.

Both standard and advanced ELA will explore selections by Roald Dahl: "Lamb to the Slaughter" and "The Landlady," using guided annotations and analysis in class, all the while asking the overarching question, "How do human choices create a ripple effect?"

The novel study for standard classes is Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya, while the title for Advanced 8th grade ELA is Whirligig by Paul Fleischman.  Should your student wish to obtain his/her own copy for annotating, plan to have them in class by August 24.

Enhanced

We will also focus on literary analysis through the close reading of several classic short stories and poetry:  "The Landlady" by Roald Dahl; "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell;  "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson; and "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe, to name a few! 

Our thematic focus for Unit 1:

How do authors use fear and suspense to reveal truths about human nature?  

We look forward to discovering the authors' secret literary tools for sending shivers down our spines—just in time for spooky season!

Hola parents and guardians,

Spanish 1 students have started out at the very beginning of learning a language with the alphabet, pronunciation, and basic introductory phrases. See if your student can introduce themselves by name or tell you how they are feeling! In the coming weeks, we will move on to learning to communicate about our class schedules, likes and dislikes about school, and school supplies. We will also begin to use our Language Lab, which allows students to get lots of guided speaking practice with various friends in the class.

Every day counts as your student becomes more proficient in Spanish, so studying a little bit each day will add up to major progress over time. Thank you for your support of our Spanish classes!

Please take note of the following upcoming assessments:

August 14th or 17th – Greetings & Alphabet Quiz

August 28th - Basic Conversation & School Reading & Listening Test

September 15th or 16th – Basic Conversation & School Speaking Test

Please be sure to check your teacher’s Canvas page for specific dates of assessments. 

8th Grade Standard Math

Welcome to 8th-grade math! We are kicking off the year with Unit 1a, which covers Simplifying Expressions, Combining Like Terms, and Solving Equations.

Upcoming Key Dates:

• Friday, Aug 14: Quiz

• Monday, Aug 17 & Tuesday, Aug 18: iReady Math Testing

• Tuesday, Aug 25: Quiz

• Monday, Aug 31: Quiz

• Thursday, Sept 3: Unit 1a Test

All course materials—including daily lessons, homework, unit packets, and study guides—are posted on each teacher’s Canvas page. Please check Canvas regularly for calendar updates, upcoming assessments, and announcements. We are looking forward to a great year ahead!

Algebra 1

In Algebra, we are starting the year with exponent rules, radical operations, and polynomial basics.  There is typically a graded Delta Math assignment due the night prior to any assessment.  This first unit has 3 quizzes (the 14th, the 24th, and the 31st) and a test that is scheduled for Sept. 3rd.  Please make sure your student checks Canvas (for general information) and their class OneNote for specific details of what we do daily.  

Accelerated Algebra 1 & Geometry A

Welcome to Accelerated Math! We are starting our year with Unit 1, which covers Exponent Rules, Polynomial Operations, Simplifying Radicals, and Dimensional Analysis.

Upcoming Key Dates:

• Friday, Aug 14: Exponents/ Polynomials Quiz

• Monday, Aug 17 & Tuesday, Aug 18: iReady Math Testing

• Monday, Aug 24: Radicals Quiz

• Friday, Aug 28: Unit 1 Test

All course materials—including daily lessons, homework, unit packets, and study guides—are posted on the Accel Math Canvas page. Please check Canvas regularly for calendar updates, upcoming assessments, and announcements.

Hello Parents!!!

Welcome to a new year at Lakeside Middle School. We are so excited to have your child in our classes this year. We have some fun and exciting new things to teach them about science.

We are starting the year out by reviewing the basics of science and exploring the properties of matter. Throughout this unit the students will differentiate between variables in an experiment, learn the importance of accuracy and precision in measurement, differentiate between physical and chemical properties, calculate density, and differentiate between the states of matter. The students will use a combination of notes, labs, and practice activities to master these skills. Review materials will be posted on each teacher's canvas page and study guides will be given with answer keys posted on canvas.

Current Standard

SPS5. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to compare and contrast the phases of matter as they relate to atomic and molecular motion. 

1. Ask questions to compare and contrast models depicting the particle arrangement and motion in solids, liquids, gasses, and plasmas.

Upcoming Standard

SPS1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information from the Periodic Table to explain the relative properties of elements based on patterns of atomic structure.

a. Develop and use models to compare and contrast the structure of atoms, ions and isotopes. (Clarification statement: Properties include atomic number, atomic mass and the location and charge of subatomic particles.)

b. Analyze and interpret data to determine trends of the following:  

• Number of valence electrons  

• Types of ions formed by main group elements  

• Location and properties of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids  

• Phases at room temperature

c. Use the Periodic Table as a model to predict the above properties of main group elements

Throughout this unit students will be learning about the periodic table and the characteristics of elements. Students will learn how to use the periodic table to describe properties of elements, determine the amount of subatomic particles an atom has, and create Bohr and Lewis dot models for elements.

Upcoming Dates

• August 18: Unit 1 quiz : properties, variables, and measurement

• August 25: Unit 1 test: Properties, variables, measurement, density, and States of matter

• August 26: Start Unit 2: Atoms and the Periodic Table

• September 3: Unit 2 quiz

• September 9: Unit 2 Test : Periodic table and Atomic Structure

Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns.

Georgia Studies is off and running! We're in the middle of our first unit of the school year, and students have already covered a LOT of Georgia geography—so much that they may soon be able to give you directions without Google Maps!

During Unit 1, students have been learning to locate Georgia in relation to the United States, the nation, the continent, and the hemispheres. We have also explored Georgia’s five geographic regions: the Appalachian Plateau, Ridge and Valley, Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain.

Students have also located and "explored" some of Georgia’s most important physical features, including the Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee River, Fall Line, Savannah River, Okefenokee Swamp, and the Barrier Islands. In other words, we’ve been traveling all over Georgia without ever leaving the classroom!

To wrap up Unit 1, we have discussed Georgia’s four main transportation systems and explored the importance of Georgia’s industries and their impact on our state’s economy.

Our first unit test is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26th. Students will have an opportunity to review the material we have covered before test day, so no one needs to start packing their bags for a trip to the Okefenokee just yet!

For information regarding formative grades, resources, assignments, and other course materials, please refer to Canvas. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re off to a great start, and the Georgia Studies team is excited to see what the rest of the year has in store!

Physical Education:

Just a reminder, quarter 1 has started! For any student that has PE for 1st quarter, PE Uniform attire is grey shirt and black bottoms. If you have purchased a shirt, shorts, etc. on School Pay; your child will pick this up in class on one of the first days of the quarter. If your child needs a uniform, it can be purchased on School Pay. Please make sure your child has a grey shirt and black bottoms for the uniform as well as athletic tennis shoes for class every day. 

**If you purchased a PE uniform on School Pay this year, but your child is not in PE this quarter, they will received their PE uniform on the first days of the quarter when they have PE.

Please remind your child to lock up all their valuables in the locker room. Lockers and Locks are available for students to use. 

Leadership:

-We are learning about our different personality types and how to use our strengths in the classroom, social life, and career world!

-We are learning digital literacy hacks that will help students use their resources more efficiently and cooperatively with their peers.

Engineering

In Engineering, the students will be completing three different projects during these nine weeks.  The first individual project is designing a website around a given theme.   The second individual project is creating a specific themed world in Minecraft education.  The third project is working with teams to build a mousetrap car (8th), a paper roller coaster (7th), and a robot (6th).

HOSA:

​​HOSA 26-27 Membership ADA Flyer.docx.pdf​​

Lakeside HOSA Membership 2026-2027 Information

Membership Deadline: Friday, September 11

HOSA membership is a multi-step process. Completing the application, submitting the required form(s), or submitting payment alone does NOT complete or guarantee membership. All required steps must be completed by the stated deadline.

Steps to Complete the Lakeside HOSA Membership Process:

1.Attend a Required HOSA Informational Meeting

1. • Attend during Flex on either Friday, August 21 or Friday, August 28 to receive membership information and required forms.

   • Only ONE session is required.

2. Complete and Submit

• The HOSA Membership Application.

3. Complete All Required Parent/Guardian Permission Forms

• All required signatures must be wet signatures signed in ink. Typed, digital, or electronic signatures will NOT be accepted.

4. Return All Completed and Signed Forms to Mrs. Elzey

• Drop off in the HOSA Mailbox outside Room 1310.

5. Complete Membership Payment — $70

• Once all required documents have been received by Mrs. Elzey, payment information will be provided. Payment must be completed by Friday, September 11.

Important Note: All required steps must be completed by Friday, September 11. Incomplete or late membership submissions will NOT be accepted or finalized. No exceptions will be made after the deadline.

Fall Rally Opportunity — Six Flags — October 7

• Students who are officially registered HOSA members by Friday, September 4, will be eligible for the Fall Rally Random Selection.

• Due to limited availability, students who complete all required membership steps by September 4 will be entered into a random selection process for the opportunity to attend. Eligibility for random selection does not guarantee attendance.

General Expectations: HOSA is an active student organization. Members are expected to participate in monthly HOSA meetings, activities, local competitions, and other HOSA opportunities throughout the school year.

Contact: Contact Mrs. Elzey with any questions at aelzey@forsyth.k12.ga.us