September/October 2012
In the last fifteen years, I do not recall a year that I more anxiously looked forward to the end of summer and was sincerely excited when school opened. July and August were certainly productive, but September was exhaustingly energizing. The highlight of which was meeting all of your children and beginning to witness teachers in their classrooms doing what they do best. While I do believe that there are always areas we may improve, these last five weeks solidified what I already sensed to be true. JGMS is an excellent school filled with extraordinary staff and students surrounded by a community that considers education a priority.
JGMS does have many strengths; however, we still continuously reflect on our current practice and evolve in a myriad of ways to best meet the needs of all students. Just because there is someone new at the helm, this Fall proves to be no exception. Starting right where they left off in June, JGMS teachers are proactively meeting in department-based collaborative teams to review individual student progress, department data, as well as school-wide MCAS results, to translate this wealth of information into appropriate adjustments in their instruction and curriculum.
As just one example from many, I wish to publicly commend the work of our mathematics department in what I view as an exemplar for a collaborative, team-approach to problem-solving a complex issue. Our dedicated mathematics teachers are taking a challenge head-on because trending data shows a small pocket of students' needs are not being met and additional targeted intervention may be necessary. Early in September, a district-wide committee led by Dr. Claire Jackson was formed to examine our K-12 mathematics curriculum, to identify concerns, and to strategize on potential supports to make certain that all students have the foundational skills entering each level to be successful. From this committee, the following question was raised: what do we expect all students to know and be able to do as they enter math in the 9th grade? The JGMS math teachers are using this conversation to further define academic expectations we intend all students to achieve by the end of the 8th, 7th and 6th grade levels respectively. In turn, they will share this information with their math colleagues throughout the district. While much of this work piggybacks on past and on-going efforts, the process has become more centralized and will ultimately lead to increased curricular coherence among the Bedford schools.
In the same vein and driven by our 2012-2013 School Improvement Plan, I have asked staff to add a little more to their already full plate by volunteering for two different self-study groups and a school-based data team. Many staff answered the call to action.
The Scheduling self-study group, co-chaired by Mr. Peter Chapman and Mr. Paul Harrington, is representative of all grades and disciplines. The group is charged with reviewing our current schedule as it relates to meeting the needs of all students and staff. The comprehensive self-study process will include:
- Soliciting feedback from all important stakeholders, including parents and students.
- Identifying and prioritizing our school's needs in the greater context of existing constraints, i.e. time, personnel, space...
- Researching middle school schedules and options
- Identifying comparable districts' schedules and embarking on site visits.
- Creating a proposal for potential short and long-term improvements, if any, to be approved by staff and School Committee.
The Technology self-study group, co-chaired by our district Instructional Technology Director, Ms. Donna Clements, and me will review JGMS' current technology needs, including staff professional development, to make sure teachers are appropriated with the best tools to actively engage all students, to maximize teaching effectiveness, and to promote 21st Century skills.
The school-based data team, co-led by our district METCO director and data coordinator, Dr. Percy Napier, and me will examine school-wide data to identify areas of strengths and areas in need of improvement. While a primary focus will be on closing the achievement gap of our minority students, the team will examine data addressing whether or not all students' academic and social needs are being met and if not, to problem-solve and determine what measures must be taken.
In addition to the many academic-focused initiatives, we continue to review our past "anti-bullying" efforts and its success in fostering a positive school culture founded on respect, tolerance and an appreciation for all of our differences. Our direction in the future will be a little more "positive school culture" and a little less "anti-bullying", but we maintain that a child feeling comfortable and belonging is essential to learning and is at the core of how we operate at John Glenn M.S.. This initiative is being led by students in our Chain Reaction committee under the guidance of Ms. Renee Anderson and Ms. Roseanne Ham with the full support of the administration. As just one example of the exciting ideas generated by the students, they will be organizing our first annual JGMS Service Day to giveback to the school community this Fall. In staying in-line with past practice, we were able to secure a date for our mandated student presentations on cyber-bullying through the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARC) out of Bridgewater State. Presentations will be given to each grade level on November 7th.
As you can see, there are many efforts in place to ensure that we are a dynamic, ever-evolving school, keeping the best of what we do and evaluating where we need to improve. Trust me when I say that these few cited examples are just the tip of the iceberg.
In closing, please allow me to reference a line from the summer letter,
"We welcome your active participation in your child's education, and we urge you to be proactive in communicating with our administration, counselors and teachers, and, as time allows, to volunteer in our various programs and events".
I remain appreciative of all of the staff, parents and students' willingness to help and your patience as a new principal gets his legs under him. As we progress through "our" first year together, please continue to share feedback and allow no concern to go unsaid. I have thoroughly enjoyed my many conversations with parents during our Open House in September, during my first Principal's coffee last week, and in daily interactions. Our next Principal's coffee will be the evening of November 1st at 7:00 PM in the JGMS library. I hope to see you there.
Please view our JGMS' web-based Google calendar for all important dates and upcoming events on our website.
Respectfully,
Kevin
Principal
JGMS Box Tops
Please help with our fundraising efforts by collecting and sending in Box Tops for Education coupons with your children!
What are Box Tops?
Box Tops are coupons found on the packaging of hundreds of products, ranging from Kleenex tissues to General Mills cereal boxes to Avery paper products. By clipping these Box Tops coupons and sending them to your local school, you can help support the amazing education that our town provides. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents, which may not seem like much, but it amounted to over $6,000 raised for our schools last year. These earnings helped buy SMART Boards at Davis, a laptop cart at Lane, and offer Washington D.C. scholarships and the Homework Club at JGMS. The Box Tops for Education program began in 1996 and has since helped America's elementary and middle schools earn over $400 million.
What else can Bedford community members do to help?
Start all of your online shopping at btfe.com. Box Tops has partnered with over 200 online retailers to offer eBox Tops for purchases made through the Box Tops Marketplace. You can earn eBox Tops for shopping online at stores such as Home Depot, Groupon, Expedia, Macy's, and newegg. Go to btfe.com and choose a Bedford School to support (Lt Eleazer Davis Elementary, Job Lane Elementary, or John Glenn Middle School). Start every online shopping trip at the Box Tops Marketplace. Click on an online store and you will be directed to the store's website. Simply make your purchase and the stores will automatically donate eBox Tops to the school you chose!
Our wonderful school system helps make this town a desirable place to call home. Let's work together as a community to support the education of Bedford's children!
Principal's Honor Roll
Savannah En, 8th grade, A Standout Award Winner for You Be The Chemist Challenge
Savannah won the Bedford You Be the Chemist Challenge last year. She then represented Massachusetts at the national championship in Philadelphia! Congratulations, Savannah, on your incredible academic achievement.
Kathryn Brown, 6th grade, Bedford Buccaneer Cross Country Runner
During Bedford's first cross country race against Diamond Middle School in Lexington, Kathryn came upon a Lexington runner that was doubled over and about to pass out. In an outstanding display of good sportsmanship, Kathryn stayed with the runner and walked her all the way to the finish line. Because of Kathryn's actions, she was selected as the first Bedford middle school athlete to be chosen as the athlete of the week in our local paper. Congratulations, Kathryn, on displaying the true attributes of a Bedford Buccaneer.
Library News
Library Activity
Fall began with wonderful discussions with our 7th and 8th grade students who read Small as an Elephant during the summer. Students enjoyed juice and cookies whiles they discussed the many themes that impact the novel. This is a survival story that is told from the perspective of an eleven-year-old boy that takes him from Maine to Boston.
6th graders on the orange time joined Ms. Breakall in the library and talked about Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. We talked about the power of communication and the effects of disabilities. 6th graders on the yellow team shared their thoughts and ideas with Ms. Siegenthaler and myself.
Book Circulation
Teachers have brought their classes to the library to select books. We've checked out 702 books! Our students are busy reading.
Ms. Stephen and Ms.Bemis brought their 8th grade students to the library to select classics and challenging books. Eighth graders have rigorous outside reading expectations.
Ms. McGraw's 7th graders selected historical fiction for their first book project. .
Ms. D'Entremont's 7th grade classes selected survival or historical fiction.
Sixth graders were escorted to the library with SOS teachers, Ms. Smith and Ms. Gobiel. We discussed how to check out and locate books on the shelves.
ART
Ms. Banks' art students began research to design their art murals.
What Kids Are Reading
Emma Clayton's Roar and follow-up, Whisper are quite popular.
Boys continue to look for the "Cherub" series by Robert Muchamore. Cherub agents are all 17 and under and are sent out on missions to spy on terrorists. Agents hack into computers, bug entire houses, and download crucial documents.
Girls are still asking for books by Sara Shephard. "The Pretty Little Liars" series is hot at the moment. Vampire fever has died down.
Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games Trilogy" is very popular. Set in the future, the nation of Panem
consists of a shining Capitol surrounded by 12 districts that are forced to remain in a primitive condition. Main character 16-year old Katniss must participate in the annual Hunger Games, a survivor/gladiator-type televised event.
Counselors' Corner
Did you know that we have 32 new students at JGMS this year ?
Did you know that if your child was new to Bedford and the Middle School this year they were invited to join the Newcomers' Club? The 6th grade Newcomers' Club has met during Advisory on Day 2 with Mrs. Siegenthaler and Ms. Daley. The 7th and 8th grade Newcomers' Club has been meeting during Advisory on Day 3 with Mrs. Siegenthaler and Ms. Daley. Most of the new students have participated.
We have had an opportunity to eat our snacks, share our stories about who we are, where we came from and why we moved to Bedford. These groups have given the students an opportunity to talk about how they are feeling about their moves, how to go about connecting with other students and making new friends and how we can provide support for one another in the halls, the lunchroom and in classes!
There was consensus that the best way to meet new people is to try to keep a smile on your face (even when your stomach is in a knot!), meet one person who then introduces you to their friends and join in activities in school or in town where you have something in common with the other students.
Ask your children about our group...it has been fun getting to know them. We will continue to meet throughout the first term.
Diana Siegenthaler
Counselor
Grade 6 Orange and Grade 7
Joanna Daley
Counselor
Grade 6 Yellow Grade 8
From the Health Office
Thanks to all Parents who have sent in required forms so promptly.
Reminders:
- All sixth graders, as well as new enterers are asked to submit a physical exam report as soon as possible.
- Hearing and Vision Screening will begin for seventh graders on October 31st. Please remind students to have corrective lenses with them.
- The Ma Dept of Public Health mandates annual height and weight screening for grades 1 4 7 and 10. Each child's height and weight will be used to calculate the BMI. The results are kept confidential and will be mailed directly to parents. BMI is a " weight to height for age " index that can be a useful tool in early identification of possible health risk factors among children and youth. Please feel free to contact me with any questions about BMI screening or if you do not want your child to participate in the screening. Additional information may be found here.
- I will be sending reminder letters to parents of seventh graders who are missing immunizations, as a report is due in October. If you have not sent in a physical in the last year, please do so since the immunizations are recorded on the physicals.
Thank you
Carol Eaton , RN 781-275-3165
8th Grade News
The school year is off to a fantastic start for the eighth grade class as the Class of 2017 arrived motivated with enthusiasm and positive attitudes. The one hundred ninety four members of the eighth grade class have set the right tone for the whole building and we are looking forward to a productive
and fun year. This year we have also welcomed thirteen new students to the 8th grade class. Some are returning from other schools, while others have recently moved into town from places near and far. Welcome!
As you may already know, eighth grade has two distinct, yet parallel teams of teachers and students: Green and Grey. This concept of two parallel teams, we believe, allows students to make stronger academic and social connections within a smaller grouping, while the staff has the opportunity to develop a more cohesive and collaborative instructional approach across Teams.
Staff Members for the Green Team:
Joe Casey (Social Studies, Team Leader)
Vanessa Mangini(Math)
Barbara Ferri (Science)
Pat Stephen (English)
Rachel LeBlanc (Reading)
Kris Gibbons (Special Education)
Joanna Daley (Counselor)
Constantine Georgopoulos, (Special Education)
Tammy McGeoghegan (Special Education)
Staff Members for the Grey Team:
Charlie Puopolo (Science, Team Leader)
Marilyn Bemis (English)
Sara Berinato (Math)
Michelle DellaValle (Special Education)
Rachel LeBlanc (Reading)
James Nagle (Social Studies)
Fern Thompson (Special Education)
Erin Wyman (Special Education)
Joanna Daley (Guidance)
Terri Mills (Spanish) and Wendy Tanahashi- Works ( French) both teach students
from both Teams.
And a special welcome to our new Foreign Language Teacher, Ana Bueno who joins us from Bedford High School. Ana will be teaching Spanish to each of the three grade levels.
At any time if you have questions or concerns regarding your child's progress, do not hesitate to contact any of the above Team members. Team meetings can be requested through either the Team leader, Guidance Counselor, or Special Education liaison.
A big thank you to all of the parents who attended our Open House on September 26th. We had a great turnout and appreciate your involvement and support.
Finally, we want to congratulate Ms. Westenfeld on her marriage over the Columbus Day weekend! She has officially changed her last name to McGeoghegan. Congratulations!
7th Grade News
The 7th Grade Navy and Purple team teachers have enjoyed getting to know the new students this year. Please check in with your students to make sure they have all the supplies they need for school each day, especially pencils, their homework folder, and their agenda. Please help them plan a structured, quiet time each day when they can complete their homework. Working together we can all make this a great year for the 7th graders!
Social Studies:
As we enter the second month of the school year, Social Studies classes will be finishing up the study of archeology. Over the past few weeks, students have been learning about sources and their reliability, how to distinguish between fact, opinion, and inference, and have been talking about the various methods that archeologists and anthropologists use to figure out the age of a discovery. In addition, students have also been studying timelines and the concept of BCE/BC and CE/AD. Once students have been tested on their study of archeology, we will be moving on to the second unit, which is titled Early People.
In the Early People unit, students will use their knowledge from the Archeology unit and act as anthropologists or archeologists, while making inferences and observations about replica early human skulls. In addition, they will be studying important human developments such as technology and language, which will lead to the development of the world's first cities and civilizations.
Please note that each student has been given a textbook called A Message of Ancient Days. This book should be kept and used at home for various homework assignments. If students need to use a copy in school, both Social Studies teachers have a classroom set for them to use.
English:
Students on the 7th grade Navy team have been reading, writing and reflecting! We started this year by reading a short story about a nightmarish first day of school in hopes that no matter how our students' years began, they could not compare to the poor soul in the story. Also, students wrote a friendly email in which they shared interesting things about themselves and their goals for English this year. In addition, students have expanded their vocabulary, and worked on learning different types of sentences so they can use both in their writing. Students were also assigned a book project that is due toward the end of the quarter. After reading a few short stories, we are now looking forward to beginning our folklore unit beginning with famous fables and fables they will create themselves showing their writing skills and ability to teach a moral. We are looking forward to discovering the life lessons the students have learned and will share.
Science:
In science, students have created a mini project that illustrates the 6 characteristics of all living things. We are currently involved in our study of Ecology and the nature of ecosystems. We will be tracing the flow of energy through ecosystems. Students will be building a "decomposition column" to watch and measure the action of decomposers on some everyday yard-waste/food-waste items. Information learned from the project will be valuable in understanding the cycles that occur in nature.
Math:
7th Grade Math and Pre-Algebra students are covering a unit on Integers. Students will be working on a project, applying graphing of coordinates, in the next few weeks. 7th Grade Math students will move on to a unit on fractions. Having a solid foundation with their basic multiplication facts will be extremely helpful for students as we move on to this next unit. In Pre-Algebra, the next chapter will focus on solving equations and inequalities.
7th grade is using the McDougal-Littell book series. Pre-Algebra students use Math Course 3 and 7th Grade Math students use Math Course 2, and the books should remain at home. There are supplemental materials supporting each chapter at: www.classzone.com and usernames and passwords were issued for access to the online textbook. Homework assignments and access to classroom lessons can be found on the class Moodle site using the student's JGMS username and password.
6th Grade News
General Announcements:
Please take a moment to make sure you can log in to Aspen. There are many useful materials to be found there, including rubrics, extra copies of project assignment sheets, classroom expectations, etc. First quarter interims were posted on October 5th . Please note that simply looking at the grades on Aspen Transcripts side tab will not show you the actual Report Card or Interim report. In order to see teachers' comments, you need to do the following:
1. Navigate to the Transcript side tab from the instructions above.
2. Choose the report you want from the Reports menu.
3. Select the grade term by clicking on the magnifying glass next to the term.
4. Click Run
Student of the Month:
The Orange Team would like to congratulate Kayla Ellsworth on earning the prestigious honor of becoming September's Student of the Month. Kayla comes prepared to class and is a conscientious and enthusiastic learner. She is kind and helpful to others and is a leader within her learning group.
The Yellow Team would like to congratulate Miles Callis on achieving September's Student of the Month award. He has shown consistent effort in all his classes and is an all around great student.
Curriculum Updates:
Math: With the posting of interim grades, 6th grade Math has completed Unit 1. Within Unit 1 we reviewed long division, multi-digit multiplication and basic math vocabulary. We also explored exponents, exponential growth, order of operations, and variable expressions. As we move forward into unit 2 we will be working more with decimals. We will review adding, subtracting and multiplying decimals. We will also review dividing with decimals when there is a decimal in the dividend. After that we will look at multiplying and dividing with powers of ten in preparation for the introduction of dividing a decimal by a decimal.
English: The Orange team is off to a great start in English. We have spent and continue to spend a big chunk of the term laying foundations for learning. We now understand seven different strategies for learning and practicing new vocabulary words and have seen how much they help us as they resulted in very strong quiz scores. Additionally, our Voicethread project is underway. Our goals include learning how to give feedback, how to use a rubric, and how to focus our ideas around a main idea. All of this is happening in the context of a radio commercial, showing us how our writing and communication skills have "real world" application. Please remember to use those rubrics for this project!
The Yellow team is working on our Descriptive Writing unit. We are creating some wonderfully bright, rich, echoing, flavorful, and tactile sentences! Thank you to all students for your efforts; you have started the school year with a lot of energy and with a great attitude toward revision!
In Mrs. Pespisa's English class: Students are exploring short stories, currently fantasy and science fiction. Through these stories, students will develop their understanding of literary elements (setting, conflict, characterization, plot, theme, etc.), author's tools of writing (figurative language, strategies for building suspense, etc.), and question-answer strategies for responding to fiction and non-fiction comprehension questions. Using artwork, students will demonstrate their understanding of the recently read fantasy, C.L.O.U.D.S., by assuming the role of the main character and creating their own unique skyline over Bedford.
Social Studies: Social Studies is working on five different hands on activities to help students grasp a better understanding of the five themes of geography. Each student created a "personal culture collage" students then shared their collages in small groups. They were amazed to learn some new information about their peers as well as seeing how much they have in common with each other. This was an activity designed to familiarize them with the elements of culture as well as the skills of comparison and contrast.
SOS (Student Owned Strategies): In S.O.S. class, we have begun studying the Keys of Learning, moving our focus from Author's Craft into Background Knowledge and Purpose Setting. Next we will be learning about the remaining two keys, Active Learning and Meta cognition and preparing for an assessment on the Keys of Learning. We will soon be introducing the first term project on Author's Craft. In addition, we will be discussing two learning strategies:
Concept Maps and Power Thinking.
Science: Students have spent these first five weeks of school learning the basics of scientific exploration and inquiry. From the ways we observe and make inferences about the world around us, to the tools we use (and how we use them) to measure and quantify those observations. In the weeks to come we will be learning the scientific method, the systematic approach to exploration that scientists (and students!) use in their daily work.
Spanish News
Grade 6
In 6th grade Spanish, we have been using our new textbook to study greetings, goodbyes, and formal and familiar ways to ask how are you, as well as introductions and useful classroom phrases. We are also practicing talking about what day is tomorrow and what was yesterday, and weather. These topics are in the preliminary unit. Some of this is new, some review, and our focus is that they be able to hold a conversation of short/moderate length. We will begin using the workbook when we move into unit 1.
Grade 7
In 7th grade Spanish, the students are completing the chapter in which they are learning to talk about schedules, ask and tell time, ask questions, say where they are going, and request food (Unit2/Etapa2). The cultural setting is Mexico City. They are going to be starting the next chapter (Unit2/Etapa3), in which they will discuss plans, sequence events, and talk about places and people they know, still based in Mexico City.
Grade 8
In 8th grade Spanish, students recently started Unit 4 of our program. This unit takes place in Oaxaca, Mexico. They are learning to identify places in the city, give addresses, choose transportation and ask for and give directions. Students are studying the present tense forms of the verbs decir and salir and prepositions of place. They are practicing the forms of regular and irregular familiar affirmative commands to give directions. They have been enjoying some cultural aspects of Oaxaca through music, dance, photographs and handicrafts. They are also discussing the world famous market of Oaxaca. They are learning to appreciate and discuss the value of hand made handicrafts of the outdoor market of Oaxaca. They are contrasting them with the massed produced items of the shopping mall. Students are also beginning to appreciate the city of Oaxaca as a fascinating future travel destination.
French News
Grade 6
In 6th grade French we have been going over greetings and the formal and informal forms of greetings and questions. We have watched some Babar videos and soon will be starting our reader Babar. We have just finished chapter one of Discovery French and students are taking their first Chapter quiz. We are getting to know a little about Francophone countries around the world. Students have been to the Computer lab several times and are getting familiarized with various language programs such as Classzone, Quizlet and Quia.
Grade 7
In 7th grade we have just completed Leçon 8 practicing interrogative expressions and making various forms of questions. We have reviewed grammar points from the whole unit ( chapters 5-8) and are now moving forward to Leçon 9 which focuses on the various forms of adjectives and what young people do in their spare time. Students have started their readers in small study groups. Readers consist of Babar (for beginner students), le Petit Dragon and Harry Potter. Seven graders are working on power point presentations describing what they like and dislike to do in various contexts/places. We are also starting pronunciation practice through traditional French nursery rhymes.
Grade 8
In 8th grade we are moving at a steady pace, having just reviewed material from both leçons 17th and 18th. We have practiced vocabulary and verbs associated with clothing and fashion. We have looked at groups of verbs that use particular accents and accent changes in the stem. We have practiced the use of various forms of demonstrative and interrogative adjectives. We have been to the Computer Lab several times to practice on language programs. We had an informal fashion runway in the classroom with models and presenters. We have had reader groups several times already with Harry Potter and Les Copains being our two readers of choice. We are also starting pronunciation practice through traditional French nursery rhymes.
Tech Education & Art News
Tech Ed
In the 7th grade, students have been working on technical drawings. In the next unit of instruction, students will design, build, and test model balsa bridges. While working on bridges, students will study how forces act on the beam bridge, arch bridge, and suspension bridge.
In the 8th grade, students have been working on technical drawings. In the next unit of instruction, students will apply their technical drawing skills to designing a CO2 dragster. While working in groups of two, students will design, build, and test a CO2 car.
Art
8th grade students in Ms. Banks' Visual Arts room have begun a project based on the concepts of public and political art. What makes a work of art "political" in nature? How can visual communication impact society in a way that new understandings and change can occur? Students will be working on a group mural project that not only asks questions such as these, but also attempts to come up with answers that are age appropriate, but can still deliver a powerful cultural punch. Group research, discussion, planning, and ongoing evaluation are the baseline activities as students prepare for their final piece. Watch for these murals to be displayed in the JGMS hallways in early October.
Notes from the Gifted and Talented and Differentiation Instruction Program
Gifted and Talented E-mail List
All parents and students are invited to sign-up to receive e-mails from Lisa Fontaine-Rainen regarding opportunities particularly appropriate for gifted students, both in and out of school. Lisa will send out information on opportunities in the area, school events, and anything else that might be of interest. Please send an e-mail to get on the list!
Gifted and Talented Programming through Differentiation
Students with particular gifts and talents have many opportunities to learn and excel at JGMS. Many of these opportunities are provided in the regular classroom, through differentiation. Teachers provide students with challenging options in the context of the regular curriculum, based on student needs and interests. The Gifted and Talented and Differentiated Instruction Teacher, Lisa Fontaine-Rainen, provides support to teachers on differentiation. Feel free to contact the classroom teachers if you feel your child needs additional challenge.
Advanced Enrichment Programming
Some enrichment opportunities happen during our "enrichment" blocks at JGMS. These opportunities include:
- In 6th grade, open seminars offered to all students. The topics will change every 2-6 cycles. This offering is being piloted for the 2012-2013 school year in 6th grade only, due to schedule constraints.
- In all grades, small groups are working during enrichment blocks on challenge topics and projects. These groups will change throughout the year.
- For students who do not have enrichment blocks during a time when Lisa Fontaine-Rainen is free, lunch groups will be formed to provide a setting for discussion of advanced topics.
Feel free to contact Lisa Fontaine-Rainen for more details on any of these.
Advanced Mathematics
Mathematics can be particularly challenging to differentiate. We acknowledge that some students need a qualitatively different mathematics curriculum on a daily basis. These needs change throughout the year, based largely on readiness. One way we work to meet these needs is to pre-test students in mathematics for every unit, and provide alternate curriculum to some students who show the need for more advanced work. The advanced math pull-out classes work on units that parallel the regular curriculum, taking it deeper and to a more challenging level. For the first unit of 6th grade, the pull-out class worked with expressing numbers as powers of other numbers, become masters of estimation of all kinds, and learned the "why" behind divisibility rules. In the second unit, which has just begun, we are working on understanding decimals and base ten at a deep level by applying our understanding of place value to different bases. The first 7th grade unit focuses on the concepts of patterns and includes writing patterns algebraically, using integers in patterns, and solving equations that represent patterns. The 8th grade class extends the regular algebra text with more challenging problems, as well as with extensions on sets of numbers, challenging rate problems, and much more.
MathCounts
The JGMS math competition program, MathCounts, meets after school on Mondays from 2:30 to 3:30 in room B219. Students participating in MathCounts will compete in many competitions, including the American Mathematics Competition for grade 8 and below (AMC 8), the Collaborative Problem Solving Contest, and MathCounts. Each of these competitions will engage students' mathematical talents in different ways, including individual speed competitions, extended problem solving, team competitions, and head-to-head problem solving. All students are invited to train and compete. Any student who cannot attend some meetings due to conflicts with sports or other activities should contact Lisa Fontaine-Rainen to be put on the e-mail list and to get information on how to stay competitive and join when they are able.
Out of School Resources
SPLASH is an incredible opportunity for students who love to learn or who have particular passions or talents. It runs every year on the MIT campus on the weekend before Thanksgiving – this year on November 17th and 18th. Students in grades 7-12 can sign up for a very low cost to take up to 16 hours of courses over two days on almost any topic imaginable. Courses range from yoga and knitting to decisive battles in history and the mathematics of knots. Registration begins in early November and some classes fill up fast, so it's worth keeping tabs on the website! This is a really fantastic opportunity, so mark your calendars now to ensure you don't miss it! Please let Ms. Fontaine-Rainen know if cost or transportation is an issue. SPLASH is highly recommended!
Students who have scored at the advanced level on any of their most recent MCAS are invited to participate in the Center for Talented Youth Talent Search. Students in 7th and 8th grade will take either the SAT or the ACT tests, typically given to college bound juniors and seniors. Students in 6th grade will take the SCAT (School and College Ability Test). Participation in the CTY Talent Search can lead to recognition, qualification for additional CTY programming, and, at the 7th and 8th grade level, scholarships to local colleges to be used to take courses before high school graduation. If you would like information to be sent home with your child, please e-mail Lisa Fontaine-Rainen at lisa_fontaine-rainen@bedford.k12.ma.us. You can also get more information on the CTY website listed above.
News from the Superintendent's Office
The Superintendent's Fall Newsletter is now available on the web
Upcoming School Committee Dates:
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Destination Imagination
The 2012-2013 Bedford DI season is getting underway. Destination ImagiNation is the world's largest creativity and problem-solving organization. It fosters "out of the box" thinking and risk taking to develop creative solutions.
DI is a child empowerment program. Teams of 2-7 students participate in either a competitive or non-competitive manner however the participants benefit from the process of learning that occurs in preparation of their solution. Programs generally run from the fall to early spring with some teams advancing to State or Global level competition.
Teams in Elementary, Middle and High School level, have 6 challenges to choose from. These challenges vary from year to year but always include choices that are focused on; Technical, Science and Research, Theatrical Arts, Improvisation, Structural Engineering or Community Service.
First and second graders may participate in the Rising Stars early learning program and solve one simple and fun challenge in a non competitive manner.
Destination Imagination, Inc. has offers programs for students of all ages across the United States and in more than 30 countries. The organization has more than 1.5 million alumni. Today, more than 125,000 children and more than 38,000 adult volunteers take part in Destination Imagination, Inc. programs each year.
In 2012, Bedford DI was Massachusetts largest program with over 150 students and 25 teams from first grade to 11. Bedford DI Registration is open from now to November 1st.
Registration forms are posted to our website www.bedforddi.net
