February - Columbia Community Unit School District 4 / Overview

FEBRUARY 2016
CMS FLYER
TOGETHER WE SOAR !!
Young Authors’ Contest
The following students will be attending this year’s Young Authors' Conference at
CMS on Saturday, March 19:
5th grade: Mae Descher, Nolan Pashia, Charli Schmidt
6th grade: Eva Descher, Zach O’Leary, Maddie Parker, Lexi Schlemmer
7th grade: Alycie Caya
8th grade: Adam Barnard, Mason Barnett, Allison Bonde, Emily
Grossman, Sydney Packard
Thank you to everyone who participated and good luck to those advancing!
Spelling Bee
CMS held their annual School Spelling Bee on January 29. The class representatives that survived grueling grade level spell-offs included 5th grader Nolan Pashia, 6th grader Eric Druley,
7th grader Nathan Trout, and 8th grader Adam Barnard. The school spelling bee champion
was Adam Barnard. These spellers will have the chance to compete in more upcoming
matches. Congratulations Adam and all the grade level winners!
8th Grade Celebration
The date for the eighth grade celebration ceremony has not been set at this
time, however, celebration gowns were ordered on January 8. All graduating
students will wear a celebration gown. Gowns are $17.00, which most parents
paid for at registration. If you are not sure you already paid, or do not need a
gown, please contact the CMS office.
Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is available for all 5th and 6th grade girls this year
at CMS! This program empowers and challenges girls to get in
their best mental and physical shape. Practices will be held at CMS on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:00–4:30 pm. General program registration is open
until 5:00 pm on February 17.
Register your daughter at
www.girlsontherunstlouis.org.
100 Eagle Drive
Columbia IL 62236
phone: 618-281-4993
fax: 618-281-4964
CMS Contact Numbers
Brian Reeves,
Principal
281-2535
Courtney Castelli,
Asst. Principal
281-2536
Rosemary Leingang,
Guidance Counselor
281-2524
Jill Dickerson,
Secretary
281-2522
Clare Rodenberg,
Secretary
281-2523
Bonnie Garner,
Nurse
281-2526
www.chseagles.com
Page22
Page
Students have covered the regions of the original thirteen
colonies and will soon be discussing the triangular trade and slavery.
Our next novel is Walk Two
Moons, by Sharon Creech. This
unique novel weaves two parallel stories together and is full of
life lessons. We have great
class discussions daily and are
continuing to read like writers.
Science
Reading
Students recently finished a
chapter on Algebra and learned
to solve equations with one variable. The next chapter will be on
decimals.
Students will learn
how to convert fractions to decimals and decimals to fractions.
They will then explore multiplying
and dividing decimals.
Writing
Social Studies
Math
5th Grade Report
Humans have altered the face
of the Earth more than any
other species.
In science
class, we are currently exploring this topic of study. Our
role in shaping the Earth is
powerful in both positive and
negative ways.
Students are currently working on
prepositional phrases. This will help
students add variety to their sentences by learning a new sentence
pattern. They continue to sharpen
their writing skills by using strong,
vivid verbs, and “hot” adjectives to
write pieces that the reader can
visualize. In addition, 5th graders
are busy writing essays and recently finished their first opinion
piece. Next will be a DARE essay,
and an essay on the great landmarks of the world.
Jousting, Reader’s Theater, The
Black Death, the Ninja Turtles ??? Oh, the fun and learning
that has been happening with
the Middle Ages and the Renaissance! February will bring us the
Age of Revolutions--the Industrial, French, and Russian. Stay
tuned...many more stories will be
coming your way.
Science
In February, classes will begin
learning about the coordinate
plane and to plot points on the
coordinate plane while problem
solving. In mid-February we will
begin working with algebraic expressions and equations.
Students will learn to solve equations
by using addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division to
undo the equation. It is important
that students show all their work
and be very neat and organized.
Classes are getting ready to wrap
up the Geology unit. During this
unit, we looked at how small geoscience processes have changed
Earth’s surface; how large scale
global changes, brought about by
Plate
Tectonics,
drastically
changed the planet; and the many
techniques and technologies scientist use to determine the age of
fossils, rocks, and Earth itself. These discoveries helped
scientists with Earth’s history.
Thank you!
Math
Students will soon start the classic story, Where the Red Fern
Grows, by Wilson Rawls. This is
a wonderful story about a boy
and his dogs. You may consider
reading the novel along with your
child. The story is enjoyable for
all ages, and when you and your
child discuss the story, it’s sure
to have benefits for your child in
the classroom. Pages read from
the book can be used for their
reading log.
Social Studies
Language Arts
6th Grade Reports
Mrs. Bain would like to thank
Mr. Reeves and the 6th graders
for the support, help, and encouragement during our recent
visit from the crew with NOVA.
I am so proud of our students!
The show should air around
the beginning of next school
year. Details will be announced when available.
Page33
Page
Since our return from winter
break, the focus has been on
irony, tone, mood, suspense,
types of text structure, and applying these devices to short
stories such as, "Young Ladies
Don't Slay Dragons," "The TellTale Heart," and "After Twenty
Years." Students will also continue analyzing and responding
to the text.
Math students are applying their
knowledge of ratios and proportions to graphs and tables. They will analyze this information to determine if there
is a direct or indirect relationship. We will conclude February
with a unit on percents, proportions, and problem solving.
Science
Math
The preparation of persuasive
speeches is in full swing and
students will be presenting towards
the
end
of
the
month! Adopting a pet, trying
out for a sports team, recycling,
and saving for college are just a
few of the students' topics. After persuasive speeches, students will focus on their next
writing piece – a persuasive essay.
Social Studies
Language Arts
7th Grade Reports
We are currently discovering the
reasons for differences in types
of cells and organisms. Classes
are going to be growing a variety of plants from seed. Students will make observations
and comparisons between the
seeds and plants throughout the
growing process in an attempt
to understand the reasons for
the wide variety in traits in living
things.
Classes are currently studying
cultures and how they interact. We will focus on how cultures can come together and
cooperate with each other. Students are also presenting their
state presentations.
On February 12, students will
receive an envelope of compliments that their classmates
have written about them; these
compliments will show students
that they are valued by their
eighth grade peers.
Best day ever!
During the month of February,
students will begin learning
about functions and function relations. Students will be asked to
compare tables and graphs to
determine whether or not the
equations are considered functions.
Classes have finished the Civil
War units and will now begin a
unit on the Reconstruction of the
United States of America. This
unit is full of many interesting
individuals and events that led up
to our country becoming united
once again. Following this unit,
students will begin learning
about the different decades of
the 1900’s!
Science
Math
During February, we will continue writing and reading poetry. Eighth grade poets will
also enter a poetry contest
this. Later this month, we will
begin reading The House of the
Scorpion, by Nancy Farmer.
This is an intense science fiction
novel about a society with
cloned humans.
Social Studies
Language Arts
8th Grade Reports
Fasten your seat belts! Our
8th grade science students are
measuring the mass and Newtons and finishing their toy car
acceleration calculations (m/s2)
and as we continue to analyze
and model the effects of Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion. Then
our toy cars will be demonstrating the crash impacts of
action and reaction in Newton’s
3rd Law of Motion. Our poor
crash test dummy passengers!
Page444
Page
Page
Art with Ms. Fulte & Mrs. Packard
Fifth Grade Art
When Claude Monet was only 11, he studied at the La Havre School of the Arts and
would sell caricatures for ten to twenty French Francs. At first, his Impressionist paintings were not worth very much, but today they set records for high prices at auction.
The 5th graders are learning to see color like Monet. They are painting using light and
shadow, will contour draw, and add chalk pastel color to a still life during this unit.
Sixth Grade Art
Perspective drawing is a powerful technique used to illustrate dimension through a flat
surface. Students are becoming experts in using linear perspective and orthogonal lines
to create drawings that have a feeling of depth to them. They will wrap up this unit on
perspective and value by creating some elaborate two-point perspective drawings.
Art A
Michelangelo is quoted as saying, "A man paints with his brains and not with his hands." Understanding the
elements and principles of art and how to use them is the first step to producing quality art. Excellent art is
never an accident. Instead, it is the result of informed decisions executed with proficiency. Art A students
know the “7 elements of art” and will begin working with the “8 principles of design.”
Art B
Perspective drawing is an essential art skill that requires both technical and artistic understanding. It's technically demanding because there are rules that must be followed
and artistically demanding because you must use your creativity to come up with interesting and unusual solutions to visual challenges. Students will create some amazing
two and three point perspective drawings using both technical and creative skill showing extreme height and extreme depth.
Art Appreciation
During the month of January, Art Appreciation students explored the medium clay. Clay slabs were rolled,
scored, and slipped together to create ceramic boxes. After their artworks dry and have been fired, students
will begin the process of adding glaze or paint for color.
Notes from Nurse Garner
ILLINOIS LAW FOR DENTAL EXAM
State law mandates that all 6th grade students are required to have a complete dental examination. Each current 6th grade student needs to present proof, on the appropriate form, of having been examined before May 15, 2016. Acceptable dental
exams can be any dental visit from eighteen months prior to May 15, 2016.
Forms may be downloaded from the CMS website or picked up in the school office.
Completed dental examination forms should be submitted to the health office.
Please Nurse Garner, if you have questions.
Citizenship
Cooperation
Empathy
Honesty
Integrity
Perseverance
Positive Attitude
Respect
Responsibility
Page 5
Library Update from Mrs. Likens
The library is gearing up for the Spring Book Fair. “Preview Day” is Monday, February 29 and the Fair will be open for sales March 1–3, 7:25 am–
3:25 pm. Family Night is Thursday, March 3, 5:3-30–8:30 pm. Students
who come with parents on Family Night can enter the Family Drawing for
$25.00 in free books of their choice.
I am still in need of adult volunteers during the book fair. Volunteers are asked to help for a 2 hour shift
during the sale days. If you are available and would like to be a part the Parent Book Fair Crew, please contact me.
February concludes the ongoing Rebecca Caudill Contest; the deadline to enter is February 11. Participating
students will vote for the 2016 Rebecca Caudill Award winning book. The CMS winner of a $40 Barnes &
Noble gift card will be announced February 12.
The 2nd semester Good Standing Contest is starting this month. Avoid overdue books and fees so you can
enter the drawing.
Upcoming PTA Events
PTA Meeting
Tuesday, February 2, 7:00 pm at Parkview
Trivia Night
Friday, February 26
Doors open at 6:30 pm at The Falls
Prizes will be awarded for the best costume and table decorations.
Citizenship
Cooperation
Empathy
Honesty
Integrity
Perseverance
Positive Attitude
Respect
Responsibility
Page 6
Mark Your Calendar Important 2015-2016 School Year Dates
February 2: PTA Meeting @ Parkview, 7:00 pm
February 5: Mid-Quarter Ends
6th & 7th Grade Class Request Meetings
February 12: Mid-Quarter Reports Issued
February 15: No School, Presidents’ Day
February 26: Student Spring Pictures
PTA Trivia @ The Falls, 7:00 pm
February 26: 5th Grade 2nd Trimester Ends
February 27: IGSMA Solo Ensemble Contest
February 29: 6th Grade Band “Scenes” Concert, 6:00 pm
7th & 8th Grade Bands “Scenes” Concert, 7:15 pm
March 1—3: CMS Book Fair
March 3: 6th Grade Choir Concert, 6:00 pm
7th & 8th Grade Choir Concert, 7:00 pm
March 4: 5th Grade 2nd Trimester Reports issued
March 7: No School, Casmir Pulaski Day
March 8—13: ELA PARCC Testing
March 10—13: CHS Sweetheart Cabaret
March 11: 3rd Quarter Ends
March 18: 3rd Quarter Reports Issued
March 24—28: Spring Break
March 31—April 3: CMS Play, “Lion King, Jr.”
April 7—15: Math PARCC Testing
Citizenship
Cooperation
Empathy
Honesty
Integrity
Perseverance
Positive Attitude
Respect
Responsibility