Hola, Middle Schoolers!
Unfortunately, none of our entries into the Doodle for Google contest made it to the state/regional finalist round ... however, I'm still proud of all the great work you did in creating them!
If you are interested, cruise on over to the site (Doodle for Google) and take a look at the finalists. While you're there you can vote for your favorite doodle in each age group. You can also see the level of work that went in to those that were chosen as finalists so you are more prepared for next year! :)
On another note --
EXAMS begin TOMORROW! I know you've been studying for awhile now, but keep on going until you have a strong finish on Friday. Summer will come soon enough - don't start "checking out" early! Let me know here, or via email, if you have any questions ...
Hope you all enjoyed the picnic today, even though it was quite chilly! I'll post some pictures soon ....
~Ms. Michalak
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
8th Grade Extra Credit
Yesterday in class, we were fortunate to have Mr. Adams visit and talk with us about the Civil Rights movement. However, not all students have this opportunity, to be able to talk with him and ask questions in a small group setting. Because of this, I would like to be able to let the school know about our afternoon with Mr. Adams by submitting an article to be published in The Knightly News.
Here's what this means for you as an extra credit opportunity:
- Write an interesting and grammatically correct article describing Mr. Adams' visit to 8th Grade Social Studies.
- I would recommend including some background information about what we have been studying, why we invited Mr. Adams to speak with us, the things that he talked about, and the 8th graders' reaction to all of this.
- If you have exact quotes written in your notebook, feel free to include one/a couple. If you are quoting him/someone in class, make sure they are EXACT quotes with proper punctuation!
Mr. Ramin has said that I can submit the best article to him and if it is newspaper-worthy, it may be published in the last edition of The Knightly News for this year! Additional extra credit will be awarded to anyone whose article makes it to this point!
I will need your articles emailed to me, or typed and printed, no later than Monday afternoon (May 3rd) at 4:25pm.
If you have any questions, send me an email! michalake@psmnow.com
Here's what this means for you as an extra credit opportunity:
- Write an interesting and grammatically correct article describing Mr. Adams' visit to 8th Grade Social Studies.
- I would recommend including some background information about what we have been studying, why we invited Mr. Adams to speak with us, the things that he talked about, and the 8th graders' reaction to all of this.
- If you have exact quotes written in your notebook, feel free to include one/a couple. If you are quoting him/someone in class, make sure they are EXACT quotes with proper punctuation!
Mr. Ramin has said that I can submit the best article to him and if it is newspaper-worthy, it may be published in the last edition of The Knightly News for this year! Additional extra credit will be awarded to anyone whose article makes it to this point!
I will need your articles emailed to me, or typed and printed, no later than Monday afternoon (May 3rd) at 4:25pm.
If you have any questions, send me an email! michalake@psmnow.com
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
CONGRATULATIONS!
Middle Schoolers, you continue to impress me and make me proud to be your teacher. Your latest accomplishment - this year's Terra Nova scores - are just one more example of how awesome you are.
School average: 77% (2 points higher than last year, and 27 points above the national norm!)
Middle School average: 79%!!!!
Averages by grade:
6th Grade: 78%
7th Grade: 75%
8th Grade: 83%
Congratulations, and thank you, for all your hard work during testing and every other day of the year. I am so very proud of each and every one of you!
School average: 77% (2 points higher than last year, and 27 points above the national norm!)
Middle School average: 79%!!!!
Averages by grade:
6th Grade: 78%
7th Grade: 75%
8th Grade: 83%
Congratulations, and thank you, for all your hard work during testing and every other day of the year. I am so very proud of each and every one of you!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
4th Quarter, Here we come!
Well, it's official - we made it to Fourth Quarter! We are in the last quarter of the school year, but it is not a time to relax and "take it easy" - just the opposite! We want to work hard, stay focused, and finish strong.
Things to look forward to this quarter:
- Terra Nova Testing (next week!): Scholarships are awarded for students who have high scores on this test! Sleep well, eat a healthy breakfast, and work hard!
- Career Day: Featuring guest speakers, all of whom are PSM Alumni!
- March Madness Basketball Tournament: You know this is Ms. Michalak's favorite time of year and for some of you, the focus of a project in your math class!
- The Easter Assembly: Presented by the Middle School! (Thursday, April 1st @ 8am)
- Spring Break :)
- School Picnic Day!
- 8th Grade Graduation
.... on a content-based note:
6th Grade:
- We'll be studying Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome - and learning about mythology of the gods and goddesses!
7th Grade:
- Get ready for Westward Expansion (We're ready for the Oregon Trail!), and the build up and eventual fighting of the Civil War
8th Grade:
- The Cold War, Korean War, Vietnam War ... along with the American Dream of the 1950's, the Civil Rights Movement and the Counter Culture of the 60s and 70s, and taking a look at our recent presidents. (And some pretty awesome music along the way).
As always, if you have any questions - post them here, email me, or see me at school. I'm excited for 4th quarter and I hope you are too!
Things to look forward to this quarter:
- Terra Nova Testing (next week!): Scholarships are awarded for students who have high scores on this test! Sleep well, eat a healthy breakfast, and work hard!
- Career Day: Featuring guest speakers, all of whom are PSM Alumni!
- March Madness Basketball Tournament: You know this is Ms. Michalak's favorite time of year and for some of you, the focus of a project in your math class!
- The Easter Assembly: Presented by the Middle School! (Thursday, April 1st @ 8am)
- Spring Break :)
- School Picnic Day!
- 8th Grade Graduation
.... on a content-based note:
6th Grade:
- We'll be studying Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome - and learning about mythology of the gods and goddesses!
7th Grade:
- Get ready for Westward Expansion (We're ready for the Oregon Trail!), and the build up and eventual fighting of the Civil War
8th Grade:
- The Cold War, Korean War, Vietnam War ... along with the American Dream of the 1950's, the Civil Rights Movement and the Counter Culture of the 60s and 70s, and taking a look at our recent presidents. (And some pretty awesome music along the way).
As always, if you have any questions - post them here, email me, or see me at school. I'm excited for 4th quarter and I hope you are too!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Winter Olympics
Hola Middle School Social Studies students!
Has anyone been watching the Olympics? Did you catch the Opening Ceremony? For those of you who have been watching -- what is your favorite event to watch? Do you have a favorite athlete?
Leave any/all of these answers in a comment on this post and you'll get some extra credit points!
Looking for more extra credit?
-Turn in a current event write up related to the Olympics and gain even more extra credit. (Turn in no later than Monday, February 22nd. You can turn it in any time before that, including during Saturday tutoring) Email Ms. Michalak or see her in person if you have questions about the format.
6th Graders:
- You will need to turn in an *extra* CE in order to gain more bonus points.
- The answer to our class question from earlier today? The 2006 Winter Olympics were in fact held in Turin/Turino, Italy. Stay tuned for more Olympics trivia!
Has anyone been watching the Olympics? Did you catch the Opening Ceremony? For those of you who have been watching -- what is your favorite event to watch? Do you have a favorite athlete?
Leave any/all of these answers in a comment on this post and you'll get some extra credit points!
Looking for more extra credit?
-Turn in a current event write up related to the Olympics and gain even more extra credit. (Turn in no later than Monday, February 22nd. You can turn it in any time before that, including during Saturday tutoring) Email Ms. Michalak or see her in person if you have questions about the format.
6th Graders:
- You will need to turn in an *extra* CE in order to gain more bonus points.
- The answer to our class question from earlier today? The 2006 Winter Olympics were in fact held in Turin/Turino, Italy. Stay tuned for more Olympics trivia!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
State of the Union - Extra Credit
This extra credit opportunity is for ALL Social Studies classes!!
- This evening, President Obama will deliver his "State of the Union" address to Congress and the nation. If you are taking advantage of this extra credit opportunity, you need to watch the speech (it starts at 8pm and will be on all local news channels) and write the following on piece of looseleaf paper:
1) BEFORE the speech, tell me 3 things you think he will/should talk about and why.
2) At the beginning of and during the speech, write down 5 observations - about the room, people, outfits, reactions, protocol, etc.
3) During the speech, write down at least 3 things he actually DOES talk about.
4) After the speech, write down at least 2 questions you have or 2 opinions/things that stuck out to you (or a combination of both)
* Start time: 8pm local Chicago time
* Where to watch: ABC, NBC, www.whitehouse.gov, or a live stream on Hulu
* Due date for this assignment:
7th/8th grade: Due Thursday in class
6th grade: Due Friday in class
* If you have questions, post them here or email me at michalake@psmnow.com - I'll be checking my email during the speech and will get back to you as soon as I can!!
- This evening, President Obama will deliver his "State of the Union" address to Congress and the nation. If you are taking advantage of this extra credit opportunity, you need to watch the speech (it starts at 8pm and will be on all local news channels) and write the following on piece of looseleaf paper:
1) BEFORE the speech, tell me 3 things you think he will/should talk about and why.
2) At the beginning of and during the speech, write down 5 observations - about the room, people, outfits, reactions, protocol, etc.
3) During the speech, write down at least 3 things he actually DOES talk about.
4) After the speech, write down at least 2 questions you have or 2 opinions/things that stuck out to you (or a combination of both)
* Start time: 8pm local Chicago time
* Where to watch: ABC, NBC, www.whitehouse.gov, or a live stream on Hulu
* Due date for this assignment:
7th/8th grade: Due Thursday in class
6th grade: Due Friday in class
* If you have questions, post them here or email me at michalake@psmnow.com - I'll be checking my email during the speech and will get back to you as soon as I can!!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
"Once On This Island"
Hello there!
Today was the opening night for our school musical, "Once On This Island." If you didn't go see it tonight, GO on Friday or Saturday! It is a good, fun, entertaining show and you can come support your fellow students who have been working hard since September. Let me know what you think of the show - and if you show me your ticket stub on Monday, you'll earn some extra credit :)
Today was the opening night for our school musical, "Once On This Island." If you didn't go see it tonight, GO on Friday or Saturday! It is a good, fun, entertaining show and you can come support your fellow students who have been working hard since September. Let me know what you think of the show - and if you show me your ticket stub on Monday, you'll earn some extra credit :)
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