Student Survey: https://forms.gle/m2G8LACzRLurYp8PA

This week, we are taking our narrative/imaginative stories to the final draft level and preparing to send them in for publication! Also, students can add photos and artwork to their stories! In Social Studies, we are continuing our study of Islam, and students will create a hands-on project to show their understanding.

If students are interested, they can participate in the Artwork Cover Contest for our book! It must be: 8.5 x 11, portrait orientation, colorful, can be digital or by hand, include….Ms. Timmon’s Classes, Jackson Middle School, 2022-23, and an original/appropriate title. All submissions can be emailed to ktimmons@pps.net or handed to me in class. ALL submissions are due by Wednesday, December 14 by 4 p.m. There will be prizes for the top 3 artists voted for in EACH class, including a $10 Starbucks gift card and full-size candy!

DUE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6th: ALL LATE WORK for Progress Reports by 4:00 p.m. DUE WEDS., DECEMBER 7th: Origins of Islam Assignment DUE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9th: Narrative/Imaginative Stories

I would like to extend an enormous thank you to all families who met with me on November 21st and 22nd. I appreciate your time, feedback, and support! Also, if you were unable to meet with me during those two days, I am happy to schedule meetings with families at 8:30 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. most days. Just email me at ktimmons@pps.net. Thank you again! –Kirsten

This school week, students will be taking a Judaism Quiz on Tuesday, and then we will start learning about the history and beliefs of Islam. We will also start working on revising and editing our narratives or imaginative stories both in class and at home. Students should also be working at home on their reading minutes and typing two responses on Canvas.

DUE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2nd: Narrative/Imaginative Revisions and Edits (blue packet—both in-class/at home), Reading Log #2 (orange packet–in class/at home)

2nd Quarter PROGRESS REPORTS are Thursday, December 8th. ALL WORK IS DUE Tuesday, December 6th at 4:00 p.m.

You can sign up for conferences on either:

*Monday, November 21, 8:30 am.-8 p.m. (Virtual or In-Person)

*Tuesday, November 22, 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. (Virtual Only)

Go to: https://www.myconferencetime.com/jaguar/schedule/706323/

Look forward to seeing you! Students are encouraged to attend, but are not required. Thank you! –Kirsten Timmons

This week, we will continue our study of Jewish history and faith in Social Studies. Students will also work on their narrative or imaginative stories, focusing on rough drafts that include a story arc (rising action, climax and resolution).

CONFERENCES! You can sign up for conferences (Monday, November 21 OR Tuesday, November 22) on the JagWire email (if you need to subscribe, see information below at pps.net/jackson.

DUE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18:

• Narrative Rough Draft (in class/at home)
• Pre-Conference Reflection & Goal Setting Form (in class)
• Judaism Beliefs (in class)

This week we will start studying Judaism, one of the five religion histories we will focus on this year. We will begin with the origins of Judaism.

In Language Arts, students will complete their Facing the Lion projects in class and begin work on their narrative or imaginative papers. These papers will eventually be revised and edited by students to publish in our class anthology.

DUE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7: West African Kingdoms Slideshow (in class)

DUE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10: Facing the Lion Project (in class), Origins of Judaism Packet (in class)

This week, we will be working on our Facing the Lion Projects, which are due for Quarter 2 on November 10th.

In Social Studies, students will focus on comparing Ghana, Mali, and Songhai and create a West African Kingdoms slideshow, which is also due for Quarter 2 on November 3rd.

DUE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1st: ALL LATE WORK and REGRADES by 4:00 p.m.!!!

DUE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd: West African Slideshow (in class, on Canvas)–(this grade is for 2nd Quarter)

News article that describes the fight to keep Timbuktu manuscripts alive: https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/11/africa/timbuktu-mali-manuscript-digitization-google-spc-intl/index.html

This week, we will be taking our MAPS test for reading comprehension, as well as starting our unit on West African Kingdoms!

DUE Thursday, October 13: *Mini-Comic Book (in class/at home) *Current Event #2 (in class/at home) *West African Kingdoms Packet (in class)

In the above pictures, we are working on our mural and mini-comic books with Laura Lee Gulledge, and also on our Egyptian burial chambers!

Students: please complete feedback form for Laura Lee Gulledge: https://forms.gle/q9im4gdziJgWgGVP6

Featured above is our visiting artist, Laura Lee Gulledge, who will be working with ALL 7th grade students this week on a mural and mini-comic books! She is a talented artist and graphic novelist who has worked with several schools, and Jackson is excited to host her this week!

Here are Laura’s books!

We will also be continuing Facing the Lion, Chapters 3-5, and complete notes and journals for those chapters in class. In Social Studies, students will be working on their pharaoh burial chambers and turning them in on Friday—pictures will be posted next week!

It was amazing to see so many of you at Back to School Night! After 22 years of teaching, it was one of the best attended evenings, and it really inspired me! I am looking forward to a productive and creative year with your children!

UPCOMING DUE DATES!

*Friday, October 7: Reading Log (orange packet due–in class AND at home)

*Friday, October 7: Pharaoh Burial Tomb (in class)

Laura Lee Gulledge’s work with another middle school: https://www.agcshenvalley.org/recent-events-blog/laura-lee-gulledge-j-frank-hillyard

Time lapse mural coloring process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQokhHTZ058

Time lapse of mural installation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDo3ICKj6gg