What is the "ACED" Formula in Writing?

Many students struggle (at first) with analytical writing, especially if a student is a concise writer who doesn’t always include enough detail, doesn’t explain his or her answer, or doesn’t know how to analyze a fact for its significance.

This semester, seventh and eighth graders have been learning a writing strategy called “ACED” that can work in almost any class and is particularly relevant for short answer responses, extended responses, and essays.

For example, the ACED acronym works well for...

• Short answer questions on tests, especially in social studies, ELA, religion, and science
• Lab reports in science class
• Body paragraphs for essays
• Any situation in which students have to cite a text (novel, article, etc.)

Here’s how it works:

15 Ways to Study Alone (and with Partners)

(Reminder: We already have posts on general studying tips and preparing for tests in particular! We also have a post on how to get organized.)

As we gradually prepare for midterm exams (and final exams later in the year), many students will choose to begin studying soon. However, the reality is that most students learn and study differently, so the exact action steps to take will vary by BOTH the student and the content area.

Below is a list of suggested action steps to take in the coming weeks. (Students: You may need to try several of them to find the best combination of study methods for you!)

Getting Organized for Midterm Exams (Checklist)

(Reminder: We have past blog posts about how to study for and take a test/exam!)

This week, the midterm exam schedule will be sent home in Friday folders. In addition, in the coming weeks, most of the content area teachers will be distributing study guides and other resources to begin preparing for January’s tests.

On one hand, there’s no one “right” answer regarding how students should organize themselves for exams. However, there are commonly-used strategies that work for most students, which are listed below.

Students: Feel free to print this checklist and go through all the steps!

Using Concept Checklists in Math Class

In both seventh and eighth grade math, a tool called the “concept checklist” is one of the most valuable pieces of information for both students and parents.

When used well, the concept checklist is the best way for...

• Parents to know how their child is doing
• Students to track personal progress toward mastery
• Students to visualize the path of learning: what already happened, what’s happening now, and what will be learned next

So, what is a concept checklist? This convenient at-a-glance form lists the standards covered in a unit and breaks them down into a checklist of the mathematical concepts that students need to master, written in student-friendly “I can” statements.

Here’s how the routine works:

Balancing Reading with Homework & Class Novels

(Reminder: Check out our old post about pacing AR to find out more about what the middle school expectations are and how to use a pacing bookmark!)

The biggest struggles that ELA teachers hear from students are that they either “don’t have time to read” or don’t know how to read for AR and read the assigned class novel at the same time.

While we teachers never want students to be overwhelmed or dislike reading, the reality is that heavy reading is in most of their academic futures; for example, a typical high school or college student might balance several fiction, class textbook, and/or article texts every week, if not nightly. For many people, the struggle to find time for reading doesn’t get easier. Therefore, ELA teachers would rather help students learn strategies NOW to help balance reading, homework, and life.

How to Use the School Planner Effectively

Writing down homework in the provided planner every day is more than just a school rule - it’s an organizational tool that many students could probably use more regularly... or more efficiently.

In a student survey, 51% of seventh and eighth graders admitted that they “always or sometimes” need help with using their planners better, and we teachers are finding that not everyone fully uses this resource well. (This skill is a great organizational habit to build before high school as well!)

Below are several tips for students to try daily, as well as some weekly or situational strategies. We ask that parents encourage their students to find the combination of strategies that works best for them!

Tips for Organizing Binders, Folders, and Papers

Does your child sometimes (or always) lose papers? Does she seem to have an exploding binder, or a folder with contents in disarray? Does he hesitate about where to put a piece of paper, or need to re-organize more often?

In a survey taken during the 2015-16 school year, 58% of students said that they “sometimes or always” struggle with organization. Therefore, we teachers surveyed our students to get advice about what works best for them. Our hope is that both students and parents will gain some valuable ideas from this list.

Ultimately, every student learns differently, and we fully accept that students need to build an organizational system that works for them. Each student may also adjust his or her methods over time, which is normal. But if organization skills are a challenge for your child, encourage him or her to browse these ideas and pick a few to try!

Understanding the New YA Books Policy in Grades 5-8

At our fall Student-Led Conferences this year, students introduced their parents to our school’s updated YA book policies for grades 5-8. In this post, we want to reinforce what’s changing and why.

“Choose Your Own Adventure” Options in Social Studies, explained by Mr. Mazon

Many parents have come up to me recently to ask about the choose your own adventure (CYOA) activities and the secret agent game that we play in my seventh and eighth grade classes throughout the year.  Since  the 7th grade students will be creating their very first CYOA soon, today’s post will focus on this part of the social studies curriculum.

Tips for Terra Nova Week

Terra Nova week is very important in the middle school. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can help your child next week (October 17-21, 2016):

FAQs: Understanding Friday Folders, Signatures, and Corrections

The familiar Friday folder is a tool that St. Brigid students have used for years; it’s the best way for a parent to know how his or her child is doing academically. However, sometimes questions arise in the middle school about how to best respond to the paperwork that comes home.

FAQs: Using ALEKS Effectively in Math

Since ALEKS is a powerful tool used to support math instruction, we want to ensure that students and parents are getting the most value possible out of this program.

In short, ALEKS allows practice on both grade level skills and the prerequisite skills that are needed to be successful with the grade level skills. Practice time on ALEKS can reinforce what is being taught in class AND review fundamentals, helping students maintain math facts and skills over time.

So, what are the most effective practices while using ALEKS?

Playing the “Grammar House Cup” Game in ELA

This year in ELA, we are continuing the tradition of the “Grammar House Cup”: a friendly, inter-homeroom competition to learn grammar in a fun way. In its fifth year, the game is loosely based on the competition between the four houses in the Harry Potter series.

Secrets of a Successful Lab Report

The seventh grade scientists will be challenged over the next two weeks to create their first lab reports. This lab is called “Bubbleology”, and the report is due Sept. 22nd. (Eighth grade scientists will also be doing lab reports again this year!)

Top 6 Edmodo Tips for Parents

If you and your child are wondering what’s for homework, when a project is due, or where to find a document, Edmodo is the first place to check!

In this short video, Mr. Mazon explains:

• The two ways that a parent can log in to Edmodo (and which one is better)
• How to view the assignments for each class
• How to ask fellow students a question on the (public) class wall
• How to find Folders (in case your child lost his/her paper or was absent)
• How to find, view, and use the Calendar (to find due dates for homework)
• How to sign up for email notifications (as a parent or student)

Welcome Back to Middle School!

Welcome to the 2016-17 school year! 

This blog is written by the middle school team of teachers in an effort to communicate more with both students and families. We hope to address topics specific to the middle school, including common questions and tips that will help every St. Brigid student succeed. It is a source in addition to the Wolfhound Wednesday and other hard-copy papers that are sent home.

If you're new to the blog, we invite you to:

• Bookmark this link and return often to see new weekly posts
• Sign up for the "Follow by Email" option, which brings new posts straight to your inbox

You might also like to browse some of last year's popular posts, including:

• Studying & Test-Taking Skills
• Tips to Prepare for Quizzes, Tests, and Exams
• Dress Code Basics (Or, What NOT to Wear)
• Tips for Pacing (and Finishing) AR Books

If you have any questions about the blog or wish to propose an idea for a post, please email any of the middle school teachers. 

Thank you for reading!

May Student-Led Conferences Preview

The middle school’s next student-led conferences are taking place this Wednesday, May 25th. Here’s a quick preview of what you can expect to see there.

First, your child will pick up his or her folder from the homeroom teacher, and families will be welcome to choose a table in one of the classrooms in the upper hall.

During the conference, teachers will be available to answer questions, BUT your child will be the star of the show! He or she will present the following information to you...

Tips to Prepare for Exams, Tests, and Quizzes

In a previous post, Mr. Mazon and Mrs. Hardin shared study skills and test-taking tips to help students prepare for assessments like quizzes, tests, or exams. 

We also asked other students and teachers for their best advice in a survey, and here’s what they said.

January Student-Led Conferences Preview

The middle school’s next student-led conferences are taking place this Wednesday, January 27th. Here’s a quick preview of what you can expect to see there.

First, your child will pick up his or her folder from the homeroom teacher, and families will be welcome to choose a table in any of the middle school classrooms. (We have even more rooms reserved this time, so there should be plenty of space to spread out and preserve some privacy for your conversation!)

During the conference, teachers will be available to answer questions, BUT your child will be the star of the show! He or she will present the following information to you...

Dress Code Basics (Or, What NOT to Wear)

At this point in the school year, it's common for some of us to need a haircut, need to bring down a hemline, or need a little reminder of other dress code policies.

Check out the latest episode of What NOT to Wear, filmed with TV hosts Stacey and Clinton and two "new students", Chad and Brenda, at St. Brigid of Kildare!

Tips for Pacing (and Finishing) AR Books

Do you (or your child) have trouble meeting a point goal or finishing books in a timely manner?

Check out this 7-minute video from Mrs. Hardin and Ms. Chiavacci about using a pacing bookmark to help optimize your reading. It also contains helpful guidelines about how many fiction and non-fiction books should be read per month or per quarter...