Willow Weekly 12/11 to 12/15

Welcome to the Willow Weekly.  Here you will find all of your Team Willow news and information.  Please sign up for automatic updates and you will be notified whenever an update is made.

Important Information:  

• No after school activities next week.
• Have a great winter break!
• Classes resume January 4th

ELA –
Published poems are due on Wednesday! We'll be celebrating our poetry unit with a publishing party where we'll share snacks and poems. Looking forward to seeing what everyone writes!

Don't forget to stay updated with what's going on in ELA by visiting Ms. K's blog or follow Willow ELA's Instagram page.

Social Studies –

This week we took a deep dive into the Three Chinese Philosophies of Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. Many students were absent, so they should read Chapter 21 on my website to get up to speed. Next week, students will construct concept maps on this topic.

 www.hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson/Classes/pettid

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org

314-918-4602

Math- 

Algebra-  Started finals on Friday and will finish up next week.

7th grade math-  Working on Ratios and Proportions LT1 and possibly LT2

Ashley Porter 

porter.ashley@wgmail.org

Science –

This week students took a close look at infectious diseases.  Just kidding… sort of.

Students this week worked on reassessment procedure in class and after school.  As a reminder we are in the final days of the first semester.  All reassessment and late work must be completed by Wednesday 12/21. Students can use in class time, before school, or at lunch for reassessment next week.

Outside of reassessment students began working on their in class assignments for cell hierarchy and the organelles of cells.  The assignment is due Today (FRIDAY) but I will work with students who were absent to make sure they have an appropriate length of time to make up the assignment.

Matt Geringer
geringer.matt@wgmail.org

Please visit the following links for more information: Hixson home page -http://hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson

Willow Weekly 12/4 to 12/8

Welcome to the Willow Weekly.  Here you will find all of your Team Willow news and information.  Please sign up for automatic updates and you will be notified whenever an update is made.

Important Information:  

• After school activities are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 3:30 to 4:15
• After school help is available during those same times.
• Jug wars have started in our 5th hour classes! Please bring in money (preferably change) to your 5th hours. Any bills can go to competing 5th hour classrooms to put them in the negative! All money will go to our Holiday family! Money and items are due the 12th!

We have an app!

The Webster Groves School District now has an app. You can find it in the app store by searching for Webster Groves SD. It features news, calendars, menus and more. Download it today!

ELA –

This week, we started our last "microunit" for the semester. We are exploring "sticky language" in poetry and how writers craft their words so that they stay with us long after we finish reading their work.

Next week, we'll be looking at different forms of poetry and writing our own to share!

Don't forget to stay updated with what's going on in ELA by visiting Ms. K's blog or follow Willow ELA's Instagram page.

Social Studies –

This week we began looking at the geography of China. Students, once again, looked at they many ways in which geography can affect a civilization. This is a learning goal that will continue to spiral throughout the year. We finished the week by examining some amazing Chinese inventions - kites, gunpowder, flamethrowers, noodles, seismographs, paper, paper money - many things we take for granted today.

Next week, we will be looking at three Chinese philosophies.

 www.hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson/Classes/pettid

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org

314-918-4602

Math- 

Algebra-  Finished up chapter 6, working on chapter 7 now. They will have a quiz Monday and they should be studying for their final that will be the last couple days before winter break.

7th grade math-  Took their unit test over Expressions and Equations. We will do some ratios and proportions work before we leave for winter break.

Ashley Porter 

porter.ashley@wgmail.org

Science –

This week students began our second unit for the year - Cells.  We will study their function, relationship with multicellular organisms, and interactions with each other. This week we focused on Goal 1 which covers Cell Theory and Cell Hierarchy.

Students scores for their Summative Assessment from last Wednesday and Thursday were posted today and students will have an opportunity to reassess if they are unhappy with their scores.  In order to reassess students must have a completed study guide and a completed sheet of study notes prior to reassessment. Students will be given time in class on Monday to look at their assessment scores and create notes to study from. They will then schedule a day to take the reassessment before school, at lunch, or after school.

Matt Geringer
geringer.matt@wgmail.org

Please visit the following links for more information: Hixson home page -http://hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson

Willow Weekly 11/27 to 12/1

Welcome to the Willow Weekly.  Here you will find all of your Team Willow news and information.  Please sign up for automatic updates and you will be notified whenever an update is made.

Important Information:  

• After school activities are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 3:30 to 4:15
• After school help is available during those same times.
• Jug wars have started in our 5th hour classes! Please bring in money (preferably change) to your 5th hours. Any bills can go to competing 5th hour classrooms to put them in the negative! All money will go to our Holiday family!

We have an app!

The Webster Groves School District now has an app. You can find it in the app store by searching for Webster Groves SD. It features news, calendars, menus and more. Download it today!

ELA –

We celebrated our realistic fiction pieces on Friday with a publishing party! We drank hot chocolate and apple cider as we read each other's stories. We also practiced leaving "warm" feedback on each other's work, aiming to compliment the writer on something he/she did well in their story.

Next week, we'll begin our last unit for the year--an exploration in poetry. I look forward to this "micro unit" every year. Students will be reading, analyzing and creating poetry--and don't worry if your student says, "I'm not a poet!" Anyone who can read poetry can also write poetry! This is a fun, low-stakes unit with the overall goal of exposing students to good poetry and empowering them as writers of poems.

Don't forget to stay updated with what's going on in ELA by visiting Ms. K's blog or follow Willow ELA's Instagram page.

Social Studies –

This week in Social Studies, students worked in groups to create Hinduism Word Webs. These consist of several statements about the origin, beliefs, practices, and caste system. Since many of the statements can be in multiple categories, students discussed, debated, and sometimes argued about where to place each statement. There were some lively discussions! We finished the week with some work with primary source documents about Buddhism.

Next week, we will be taking a look at China, building towards a point-to-point comparison with India.

 www.hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson/Classes/pettid

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org

314-918-4602

Math- 

Algebra-  Chapter 6 test will be on Monday! Final exams will take place the last three days before winter break. If your student is not going to be here, please make arrangements with me!

7th grade math-  We worked on learning target 7 and learning target 8. They will have their unit test next week, either Wednesday or Thursday!

Students can use Khan academy to do extra practice with two step equations.

Ashley Porter 

porter.ashley@wgmail.org

Science –

Students in Science this week reviewed for and took their summative assessment over our space systems unit.  It covered learning goals 2-5 about gravity, seasons, eclipses, and lunar phases.  Tests will be graded and students will have the opportunity to reassess once they are returned as long as they can show me a completed study guide.
Next week we will begin working on our 2nd unit of the year.  This will include cell theory, cell hierarchy, organelle, and human body systems.  

Matt Geringer
geringer.matt@wgmail.org

Please visit the following links for more information: Hixson home page -http://hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson

Willow Weekly 11/2- - 11/21

Some important information for next week:

King Tut

Permission Slips for our trip to the King Tut Exhibit at the St. Louis Science Center went home yesterday.  Please have your student turn them into the office by December 1st.

Spirit Week

From the counselors:

Choose Kind Spirit Week

Let’s keep the momentum of Wonder going by celebrating kindness, hopefulness, and the goodness of human beings. The week of November 27-December We will have a different theme each day. Show your kind spirit by bringing our Hixson community together!

Monday-Pajama Day, put bullying to “rest” and wear school appropriate pajamas.

Tuesday-Favorite Book/Show/Movie Character, we find hopefulness and goodness in the characters we read and watch every day. Show the spirit of your favorite character!

Wednesday-Twin Day, show kindness and ask someone to be your twin for a day! 

Thursday-Outside Activity Day, take your kindness beyond the walls of Hixson!  Wear your favorite outdoor activity clothes to show your kind spirit at work in your community.

Friday-Cartoon Character or Meme Day, choose a positive character to show your child like “wonder” who has hope for the future. 

Willow Weekly 11/13 to 11/17

Welcome to the Willow Weekly.  Here you will find all of your Team Willow news and information.  Please sign up for automatic updates and you will be notified whenever an update is made.

Important Information:  

• After school activities are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 3:30 to 4:15
• There are no after school activities next week.
• After school help is available during those same times.
• Wonder field trip is November 21
• Thanksgiving break starting November 22nd

Winter is coming!  The dropping temperatures create serious health risks to folks without the necessary resources to stay warm and dry.  We are collecting items to donate across several organizations who are out helping local folks in need.  If you are able, please have your child bring in gently used or new:

·         Socks

·         Hats

·         Scarves

·         Blankets

·         Gloves/Mittens

·         Coats

Collection boxes will be in the main office and auditorium lobbies through November 21^st.

We have an app!

The Webster Groves School District now has an app. You can find it in the app store by searching for Webster Groves SD. It features news, calendars, menus and more. Download it today!

ELA –


Realistic fiction stories are due on 11/20! Our summative assessment for this unit will be after break.

Our last page goal before Thanksgiving break is due on 11/20 as well. Keep reading at home!

Don't forget to stay updated with what's going on in ELA by visiting Ms. K's blog or follow Willow ELA's Instagram page.

Social Studies –


This week students had a short introduction to the kingdom of Ancient Israel. This will be information to put in their back pockets until we talk about The Crusades later in the year. On Thursday and Friday, we began exploring the geography of India.

All tests needed to be completed by the end of the day today. I will be grading and posting this weekend.

On December 15th we will be going to the Science Center for the extremely cool King Tut exhibit. Please let me know ASAP if you are interested in chaperoning. I will be sending permission slips home on Monday.

 www.hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson/Classes/pettid

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org

314-918-4602

Math- 

Algebra- We continued working on chapter 6 systems of equations. They will be testing after Thanksgiving break. They will have a final coming up before winter break.

7th grade math-  Students took their formative on two step equations, LT5 we are now working on LT6 which is with rational numbers.

Students can use khan academy to do extra practice with two step equations.

Ashley Porter 

porter.ashley@wgmail.org

Science –

This week in science students explored Space spin-offs.  Space spin-offs are technologies developed for space that NASA or private companies have adapted to use by the general population.  Some spin-offs students are pursuing to learn about include 3D printing, bone scanners, camera sensors for phones, and a highway in the sky.

As we move forward towards next week and after Thanksgiving break students will be preparing for their summative assessment over our Space Systems unit.  They began working on their study guide Thursday and we will be reviewing on the Monday and Tuesday after break.  The summative assessment is currently scheduled for Wednesday November 29th.  

Matt Geringer
geringer.matt@wgmail.org

Please visit the following links for more information: Hixson home page -http://hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson

Willow Weekly 11/6 to 11/10

Welcome to the Willow Weekly.  Here you will find all of your Team Willow news and information.  Please sign up for automatic updates and you will be notified whenever an update is made.

Important Information:  

• After school activities are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 3:30 to 4:15
• After school help is available during those same times.
• Wonder field trip is November 21st, forms are due the 14th! You can find the permission slip linked.
• Thanksgiving break starting November 22nd
• Holiday food basket, you can sign up here!

Winter is coming!  The dropping temperatures create serious health risks to folks without the necessary resources to stay warm and dry.  We are collecting items to donate across several organizations who are out helping local folks in need.  If you are able, please have your child bring in gently used or new:

·         Socks

·         Hats

·         Scarves

·         Blankets

·         Gloves/Mittens

·         Coats

Collection boxes will be in the main office and auditorium lobbies through November 21^st.

Hixson Middle School Has Heart - please see the information here and here 

ELA –

Final drafts of our realistic fiction stories are due on 11/20 (right before break). I'm asking for three scenes to be drafted by this Friday (11/9). Ask your student about his/her story! I'm really excited to read the final drafts.

Our last page goal before Thanksgiving break is due on 11/20 as well. Keep reading at home!

Don't forget to stay updated with what's going on in ELA by visiting Ms. K's blog or follow Willow ELA's Instagram page.

Social Studies –


We have been wrapping up the first part of The Ancient World this week. Students received their study guides for the summative test last Friday and were able to work on them with me in class. We went over the answers on Wednesday and I posted the answer key on my website. On Thursday, students who wished to present their Egypt projects to the entire class were able to do so. I've been very impressed with the projects. I have almost finished grading them and grades will be posted soon. Students finished their week with the unit summative test.

On Monday, we will have a brief detour into some other civilizations in the Mediterranean region and then we will move on to India and China.

 www.hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson/Classes/pettid

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org

314-918-4602

Math- 

Algebra- We took the chapter 5 test on Tuesday. We started chapter 6 this week! 

7th grade math- We worked on solving two step equations this week, LT5. If your student is struggling with the last two Learning Targets please encourage them to come see me as these are skills they will need for the rest of their math career!
Reassessment extended to next Tuesday!

Students can use mobymax and khan academy to do extra practice with two step equations mobymax logins can be found on google classroom.

Ashley Porter 

porter.ashley@wgmail.org

Science –

In science this week students wrapped up our lesson and review of eclipses which we touched on at the beginning of the year when we had the opportunity to view one in our own backyard. Students took a formative assessment on Thursday to assess their knowledge of eclipses.  

As a class we also discussed our results from the pumpkin drop last week. Students analyzed and graphed data from the drops to support or disprove their hypothesis and predictions.  They had made predictions relating mass and drop time, mass and crater depth, and diameter and crater diameter.

In the coming weeks students will begin preparing for their summative assessment over goals 2-5 of the universe unit.  This is tentatively planned for the Tuesday after Thanksgiving break.

Matt Geringer
geringer.matt@wgmail.org

Please visit the following links for more information: Hixson home page -http://hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson