Anthony November 2011News

News for the Anthony Middle School CommunityDear Anthony Families,What is Success? “Getting it Done!”I am quoting from the book – “GettingIt done” (c., 2011 by Karin Chenowethand Christina Theokas). I don’t like tobe too intense on the research, however,I would like to pass on a few bits onwhat makes a successful school fromthis text. From p. 46 (Richard Elmore)describes the following core practicesfocused on instruction:

1.) Enhancing the skills and knowledge of thepeople in the organization2.) Creating a common culture of expectationsaround the use of those skills and knowledge,3.) Holding the various pieces of the organizationtogether in a productive relationship with one another;and the fourth practice is holding individuals accountable.Essentially, “he asserts everyone has a contribution to thecollective result of schooling, and part of the role of theleader is to manage and account for everyone’s contribution.(p.47)”We, at Anthony strive to reach success every day­ here atAnthony that is staff development around our Middle YearsProgram, developing academic plans with Support Teamsand Family and PTA Involvement. The center in all of thisis the child.What I really like about the excerpt above is the messagethat everyone has a contribution to the collective result ofschooling. Each of us holds expectations for our childrenand in our Middle Years Program philosophy, it meanscreating habits and characteristics of learners that areresponsible to generating positive change. It means helpingour children with the load that they carry so it doesn’tbecome a burden. It means that in each classroom there arehigh, achievable, and clear expectations communicated tostudents. What a tremendous role we have in building thefuture!

From Principal Jackie Hanson Band/OrchestraWinter ConcertThursday, December 15, 20116:30 p.m.Anthony Middle SchoolAuditoriumAdmission: FreeGroups involved:6th Beginner Band6th Advanced BandVarsity BandOrchestraConcert BandThank you,Brian D. Vander HeulMusic Department, AnthonyMiddle Schoolbrian.vanderheul@mpls.k12.mn.us

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Anthony November 2011News 2

Academic excellence isthe goal for the AnthonyMiddle School Community.Based on the middleschool philosophy, coreteams work together tocreate smaller, caring,learning environments forstudents. Through ourfocus on respect, readiness,and responsibility,our students will reachtheir highest potential. Weprovide curriculum with thehighest of standards wherethey are actively engagedin the learning process toprepare them for the worldahead.

5757 Irving Avenue SouthMinneapolis, MN 55419General Phone:612­668­3240Fax:612­668­3250Attendance Line:612­668­3271Minneapolis School District:612­668­0000

Website:anthony.mpls.k12.mn.us

e­Notes: Click on the"Sign Up" button on theright side.

As we continue our work together, I remind parents of theupcoming winter choir and band concerts in December.At this point in the year, many adjustments have beenmade, and it’s time to reflect and celebrate the transitionback to school and the work we have accomplished. Iwould like to thank all of you – faculty, students, andparents for your joining in making a contribution to thepositive effects of our school, Anthony.As always, please call or email with any questions orconcerns.Jackie Hanson, Principal612­668­3241jhanson@mpls.k12.mn.us

Newsletter Goes ElectronicGreetings Anthony Families,The "News for the Anthony Middle School Community" newsletter isgoing electronic. If you would prefer to continue receiving a papercopy, e­mail me at nacha001@mpls.k12.mn.us and I will be happy toUS Mail you a copy when it becomes available.If you are missing or lost your October newsletter go to this link:http://anthony.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/anthonynews1110_october.pdfSincerely,Natalya Chasteen, School Secretary

continued from page 1From Principal Jackie Hanson

Anthony November 2011News 3

Middle Years Programme at AnthonyIt’s really hard to believe a quarter of our school year has already passed. The teachers havebeen hard at work creating their MYP units of study and the students have been immersed inthe Areas of Interaction, the Learner Profile and unit questions. They have been workingdiligently to make connections between what they’re learning and the world around them.This makes the lessons more relevant to them and, in the end, more engaging.Each unit of study the students delve into is focused on an Area of Interaction. We can viewthese as the lenses through which the unit is taught. There are five Areas of Interaction andeach area has some questions to focus the study even further. The areas are:Approaches to Learning focuses on how we learn and is embedded in every unit of study.• How do I learn best?• How do I know?• What have I learned?• How do I study?• How do I communicate my understanding?Health and Social Education looks are how we care for ourselves as we change.• How do I think and act?• How am I changing?• How can I take care of myself and others by making good decisions?Environments explores who we use our resources and what our responsibilities are to theworld around us.• Where do we live?• What resources do we have or need?• How can we protect them for the future?• What are my responsibilities?Human Ingenuity focuses on creation and invention and the impact these creations have.• Why and how do we create?• What are the consequences?• How do human ideas and inventions affect societies?Community and Service looks at ways we make a difference in the world around us.• How can I make a difference in the community and in the society?• What is my role in society?Each unit of study focuses on one Area of Interaction. All of the areas are covered in everyclass so students really see and use the language in every class. It provides consistency andhelps the students see connections between their classes.

Anthony Middle Years Program (MYP) Update!

Anthony November 2011News 4

Sixth grade science has been very busy the last couple of months. September and the firstpart of October were spent learning the basics of what inquiring minds need to know inscience. We learned about observations and inferences and the scientific inquiry as weperformed many mini lab experiments.Science this month has been actively learning how to read the periodic table of elements.We have been building atoms, learning how atoms bond to create elements, molecules andmatter. We have been looking at the 3 states of matter and learning the differencebetween them. Halloween was rather explosive as we learned about how matter changeschemically when two substances are combined. Yes we exploded pumpkins.As we wrapped up our study of matter in its three states, students had the chance todetermine whether a mixture of cornstarch and water – Oobleck was a liquid or a solid – todo this, we did a hands on investigation, and then students were able to walk on theOobleck to make one last decision. Oobleck has the consistency of both a liquid and a solid– it is a compressible liquid—if you disrupt the molecules by moving them around it stays asolid, but if you let the molecules relax, they become lazy and act like a liquid. Dancing onthe Oobleck allowed students to stay afloat, but as soon as they stopped dancing they sunk.It was kind of like quick sand. Our final piece of the Matter unit will involve the propertiesof matter and physical and chemical changes of matter.Ms. Palmuist

Sixth Grade Science Update!

Anthony November 2011News 5

After becoming wonderful wordsmiths, the 7th Grade Language Aclasses will dive into the realm of justice. Throughout thisquarter, students will be asked to figure out what the word"justice" means, and when decipher when justice is actually just.Students can expect to participate in active discussions andpresent persuasive arguments that detail when justice has beenserved. Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen will be the textthat anchors our unit, and students will create an essay thatexamines the true nature of justice across the world.Casey Strecker7th Grade Language ArtsAnthony Middle School

Language A

Ms. Taft’s eighth grade U.S. history students have completed a project onWestward expansion. The Louisiana Purchase and the explorations of Lewisand Clark are just one part of this pre­Civil War time period. Learn from yourstudent by asking how Manifest Destiny contributed to our nation’s growth.This quarter, students who want to earn the letter grade of an A will write afive paragraph essay on the topic, “Compare and contrast the human rightsthat young people of your age in your community might take for granted thatmay not be as readily available to young people in other areas of the UnitedStates and around the world.” Our recent study of the Bill of Rights willprovide many examples of topic choices for writers. Essays are due Monday,November 28th.

US History

Hello from the Artroom and Ms Speidel!The Introduction students have been very busy making relief printing plates, and thentoday I showed them how to create their prints with water soluable ink and brayers. Askthem to explain the printing process to you and how they like it.In the Advanced class the students are beginning to brainstorm ideas for their "Fire and IceKings and Queens". They will then embellish them with royalty items or things theybelieve would be appropriate for their character, and then create a background, border andsuit symbol that plays a role in their designs. Warm colors and Cool colors will then beused in painting or using multi­media art materials to finish it off.

Art Room Update

Anthony November 2011News 6

Ms. Ellingham’s Humanities 2 classeshave been exploring Canada.Students should know some political,physical, economic, and culturalgeography of our neighbors to theNorth. They should also have somegreat ideas about places in Canadathat would be fun to visit. Ask yourstudent about the Canada Oil Sandsand the Keystone XL pipeline. Theyshould be well informed about thiscontroversial current event topic. Nexton our agenda is Mexico. If studentsor parents want more informationabout Humanities 2 check Ms.Ellingham’s web page or feel free toemail ann.ellingham@mpls.k12.mn.us.

Sr. Perkiss’s Language B Spanish ClassesThe field trip to see Latin Jazz singer,Magos Herrera, was successful. The musicianssmiled at us in our front row seats when the students knew to applaud after the solos.Some students commented afterward that it took an open mind to appreciate theperformance. Others were impressed that she spoke three languages and called her aknowledgeable communicator. Thanks to all the parents who came with us that day!In class, students just finished writing their first five­paragraph essay in Spanish,sharing knowledge of El Día de los Muertos. They wrote an introduction, threeparagraphs highlighting three topics from the Day of the Dead, and a conclusion. It’sa big deal for students to be able to write in Spanish. Effort required.We are now reading a book about a girl and howler monkeys in Costa Rica. Pleaseencourage your students to master the ever­expanding list of vocabulary andexpressions. The daily effort pays off and is key to achieving beginning level fluency.¡Gracias!

Language B

HumanitiesHumanites 1 ­ Minnesota Studies ­ SommersWe've kicked off our new unit. In it, we will investigatehow power and culture affect the ways different groupsinteract with each other ­ from first contacts between theDakota & Ojibwe with the French fur traders through thetreaty signing times, the settling of MN and our statehood,through the Civil War. As we move through this unit overthe next two months, students be making connectionsbetween how power & culture affected historicalMinnesota and how it affects us here at Anthony. If yourchild hasn't told you about their "Egg Tower" they built, besure to ask what shape they gave to "Building Minnesota".Peace,Paul SommersHumanities 1 / Minnesota Studies TeacherPaul.Sommers@mpls.k12.mn.ushttp://anthony.mpls.k12.mn.us/Paul_Sommers.htmlvoicemail: 612.668.7912

Anthony November 2011News 7

The Fox 9 Girls & Science event, which takesplace every fall at the Science Museum ofMinnesota, features St. Jude Medical as apresenting sponsor. This event brings togetherwomen from the science and technologyprofession throughout the Twin Cities metro area.More than 7,000 attendees, primarily middleschool­age girls, flock to the expo­style event thataims to foster enthusiasm in science. The studentsparticipate in hands­on demonstrations, askquestions of the volunteers and get theopportunity to stimulate their minds by learningthe many careers they can have with an interest inmath and science.Samantha Stephan, a 7th grader at AnthonyMiddle School participated in the Girls &Science event by doing an experiment aboutoxygenated and deoxygenated blood!

Science

Anthony Students atGirls and Science Event

Budding Scientists ShowTheir Stuff at Anthony

Middle SchoolThe next Thomas Edison, Marie Curieor Albert Einstein could be right herein southwest Minneapolis attendingAnthony Middle School! Come see whatthese budding young scientists havebeen working on at the AnthonyScience Fair Open House: AnthonyMiddle School, 5757 Irving Av SThursday, December 15, 5‐6:30pm.Projects from seventh graders will beon display. Topics include testinghuman reaction time, telling thedifference between real and fakesmiles and what makes apples ripen.For more information, contact scienceteacher Shannon Edberg atShannon.Edberg@mpls.k12.mn.us or612.668.7950 or Barb Wasmoen atBarb.Wasmoen@mpls.k12.mn.us or612‐668‐5000.

Sami and Hannah at Science Museum

Anthony November 2011News 8

Featured Support Staff ­ Mr. Everson, Dean of Grade 6As one of three Deans here at Anthony, I feel fortunate to have a position in theschool that is utilized so much. The Deans naturally become the first counsel,intervention, and support for in­need students. We have the advantage of workingclosely with and developing relationships with these student families creating asupport network that reaches beyond the school. As a Dean, I have theopportunity to support the best teachers in the district by providing focusedattention on multiple students to make sure all students at Anthony are successful.We also serve as the first response to emergencies and as the security of thebuilding along with our new SRO (school resource officer). Furthermore, theDeans handle the disciplinary action within our school including buses,classrooms, and the school building as well as process all referrals and removals.We monitor students during buses, breakfast, lunch, and between all classes. Weeven are afforded the opportunity to sub for teachers occasionally and when timepermits work with students in the classroom.Personally, I feel blessed to have worked in the Southwest community for over 12years and to have known some students (and their families) from kindergarten tocollege. I have worked at various Minneapolis schools including Armatage, LakeHarriet, Ramsey, and Burroughs, and have enjoyed them all. I now of coursework at Anthony as the 7th grade Dean as well as coach the Boys BasketballTeam which I especially take pleasure in. I can honestly say that Anthony MiddleSchool and its staff are the best in the district and I am proud to be a smallcontribution to that.Thank you always for your support.Chris Everson

Anthony November 2011News 9

Vacation/Family Activity

Vacation/Family ActivityTry to plan your family vacationsduring the school breaks. If yourstudent must miss school, you needto notify the teachers and theAttendance Office by sending a letteror email for pre­approval of theabsence. The district allows fivedays per school year, additional dayswill be unexcused unless discussedwith the principal. Do not expecthomework to be provided beforeyour trip. Upon your return, thestudent is responsible for getting themissed assignments and completingthem within a reasonable time.Science Labs cannot be made up.

The Student Council officers have been chosen! Takingthe lead as President is eighth grader­ Tess Dutton.Working along with Tess are eighth grader­ MargretBreen and seventh grader­ Giselle Durrand as yourvice presidents. The secretaries this year are seventhgrader­ Juliette Croce and sixth grader­ Emma Adams.Let’s give a big congratulations to all of the newofficers!Citywide Student Council Middle Level met last week,and they had lots of fun! Keith Hawkins­ a leadershipspeaker who travels around the U.S­ came to thismeeting and talked to all the representatives. He spokeabout being brave and standing up for things. I think allof the students who joined us had learned a lot!This season at Anthony for a service learning project,we are collecting new and gently used hats, coats, andmittens for kids who need it! We have received manydonations and would like to thank all those who havecleaned out their closets to help support our kids inneed. We would like to have a lot more. All donationscan be dropped off in 002B, Ms. Palmquist’s room orthe office. The drive will end on the 22nd soon soplease donate today!In addition, after Thanksgiving, we will be makingfleece tie blankets for kids. We are looking for fleecefabric donations in fun kid designs and solid colors –one blanket requires two 2.5 yards of fleece fabric.Donations can for the blankets can also be dropped offin 002B.Activity day is coming up soon and we are very excited!We are planning a Neon, Glow & Glitter themed dancecalled “Bright Night!” We also will have gamerooms ,soccer tournament, craft rooms, and such. There willbe many activities that students can choose from! It issure to be one of the most fun activity days in AnthonyHistory!

Student Council Update

Wednesday, November 23No SchoolThursday, November 24No School ­ HappyThanksgiving!Friday, November 25No SchoolFriday, December 27th Grade Gold Card Field Trip toRoller Gardens

Wednesday, December 14Science FairThursday, December 15Science Fair6:30 Band/Orchestra ConcertThursday, December 22Choir Concert

Inside Anthony NewsPage 1

From Principal HansonBand/Orchestra Winter Concert

Page 3MYP Update

Page 4Sixth Grade Science

Page 5Language A UpdateUS History UpdateArt Room Update

Page 6Language B UpdateHumanities Updates

Page 7Science Updates

Page 8Mr. Everson, Dean of Grade 6

Page 9Studient Council Update

Calendar

Anthony Middle School5757 Irving Avenue SouthMinneapolis, MN 55419

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