Thanks Ellie and Karnitha for trying the very first EY Challenge of the 2022-23 school year!
Ellie
Karnitha
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2022-23 WMS EY Learning Opportunities
Welcome to the 2022-23 School Year! EY at the middle school looks a little different than elementary.
You will not be pulled out of class regularly like you were in elementary. Instead, there will be various contests/learning opportunities offered throughout the year.
In addition, your WMS teachers work extremely hard to offer voice and choice in their individual classrooms and provide many opportunities for your to challenge yourself. Make sure to take advantage of those opportunities and continually seek out ways to take ownership of your learning.
The list below is not all-inclusive, but gives you a starting point for some of the opportunities available this year. Be sure to fill out the Google Form so Dr. Spady can contact you when these opportunities become available.
Battle of the Books: This contest is a mix of comprehension book knowledge along with project based activities specific to the books. Students are not required to read all ten books, but instead the reading can be spread out amongst the team members. Check out the list of books here: https://ey.westside66.org/2022-23-wms-battle-of-the-books/
United States Academic Pentathlon (USAD): Academic Pentathlon tests students in five different subject areas (math, literature, fine arts, science, and social sciences). Students can choose to compete in 1, 2, 3, 4 or all 5 subject areas. There will be review sessions prior to the competition and the regional competition will take place in February.
Quiz Bowl: Quiz Bowl will meet on a weekly basis after school on Mondays from 3:20-4:00. Additional after school times and Warrior Time may be added. Quiz Bowl members will have an opportunity to participate in various Quiz Bowl competitions throughout the year.
Cribbage and Chess Club (CCC): CCC will meet on a weekly basis after school on Tuesdays from 3:20-4:00.
MATHCOUNTS: MATHCOUNTS provides engaging math opportunities to students of all ability levels in order to build confidence and improve attitudes about math and problem solving. The WMS MATHCOUNTS Team will meet on a weekly basis after school on Tuesdays from 3:20-4:00. We may also occasionally meet during Warrior Time.
Writing Contests: Various writing contests pop up throughout the year and there are usually prizes involved. If you’re a writer and would like to be notified when a contest starts, mark it on the Google Form.
Spelling Bee: All WMS 7th and 8th graders will take a qualifying spelling test in their LA class sometime between Oct. 10-21. Approximately 50 WMS students will be invited to participate in the WMS Spelling Bee which will be Friday, Nov. 18. This will be an online test provided through Scripps. The top 2 WMS students will be invited to participate in the District Spelling on December 16.
Geography Bee: All WMS 7th and 8th graders will take a qualifying geography test in their Social Studies/History class in early January. Approximately 50 WMS students will be invited to participate in the WMS Geo Bee which towards the end of January/early February 2023. During the WMS Geo Bee, students will also have an opportunity to participate in a Science Bee and a History Bee.
Don’t forget to fill out the Google Form!
#11: Microbes Eating Trash
Every year, humans churn out about 400 million tons of plastic, and shockingly, 80% of it ends up as trash. But don’t worry, nature has its own cleanup crew in the form of microbes, ready to chow down on our plastic mess.
Spark you thinking!
1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #11: Microbes Eating Trash
2. Watch this TED-Ed video. Record 5 interesting vocabulary words on your recording sheet.
3. After watching this video, answer these questions in an interview format. You are the interviewer and the interviewee is a plastic starfish.
- How are man made polymers different than those found in nature ?
- What are some common forms of plastic?
- How do you break plastic’s chemical bonds?
- What never before identified bacteria was found in the lab from this video.
- Why type of engineers worked on the project to create super enzymes?
- What was discovered in Japan?
4. Advanced Option:Read this article and record your thoughts about this process.
5. Share your science mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.
2022-23 WMS Battle of the Books
Did you participate in Battle of the Books in elementary school and wish there was a way to participate in middle school? Well you’re in luck because on May 11, 2023, there will be a Middle School Battle of the Books Competition at ESU #3!
Send an email to Dr. Spady (spady.lynn @ westside66.net) if you’re interested in participating in Middle School BOTB!
2022-23 Middle School Battle of the Books Book List
- Barefoot Dreams – Petra Luna
- Before the Ever After – Jacqueline Woodson
- I Must Betray You – Ruta Sepetys
- Echo – Pam Munoz Ryan
- The Last Cuentista – Donna Barba Higuera
- Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story – Nora Baskin
- Lines of Courage – Jennifer A Nielsen
- Inside Out and Back Again – Thannha Lai
- Fall Out: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War – Steve Sheinkin
- Amari and the Night Brothers – BB Alston
- Flight of the Puffin – Ann Broden
- Beyond the Bright Sea – Lauren Wolk
#70: Why is there a “B” in doubt?
Cat- C-A-T Dog. D-O-G. Not all words have spellings that are as clear and easy to remember as these two. Watch this TED ED video about why there is a “B” in doubt.
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #70: Why is there a “B” in doubt?
2. Watch this video. Record all of the forms of doubt and double from the video and 3 other details.
3. Do some research to find words with silent letters that are new to you. Record some that you have found on your recording sheet.
4. Read more about silent letters at Wonderopolis. Take the Wonder Word Challenge and Test Your Knowledge when you are done reading. Record both scores on your recording sheet.
5. Share your language arts mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.
2021-22 EY Challenge # 8
Countdown to Summer!
Summer is almost here and this EY Challenge is going to help you think of different ways to express and think of the numbers 20 to 1 as we countdown to summer!
Task: Create a Google Slides presentation, Pic Collage, or use any other app on your iPad to create a graphic for 20 days, 19 days, 18 days, etc. (see picture below). NOTE: If you don’t start this challenge until later this week or next week (or the following week), you don’t have to go back and do the ones that have already passed. BUT, in order to be included in the prize drawing, you have to complete at least 15 days total.
When you are finished with your 15+ days, you can email them to Dr. Spady at spady.lynn @ westside66.net
Some resources that might help you…
#55: Fold a Flying Bat
Paper airplanes are pieces of art. Watch this video showing a paper airplane that has flapping wings like a bat. After watching, try to make one of your own.
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #55: Make a Flying Bat
2. Watch this video about bats. Record 5 details on your recording page.
3. See how researchers are learning more about how bat wings work. Add a few notes to your recording page.
4. For the next step you will need a few pieces of printer paper (8.5 X 11)
5. Watch this video. The teacher will show you all of the steps for folding your own paper bat. Be patient as any type of paper folding takes some practice. Tip-use a ruler to help you make the creases so they are very crisp.
6. Take a picture of your finished bat and add it to your recording page.
Steps 7 and 8 require teacher permission. Talk with your teacher before proceeding.
7. Try out your paper bat. Find a space where you will have enough room.
8. If you are happy with the results, add a few sentences explaining your project.
9. If you would like to go back to the video and try to build a second bat, please do so.
10. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.
#10 Scared of Snakes?
Vipers are sneaky snakes that come with their very own set of sharp, pointy teeth! These special teeth, or fangs, have a little hole in the middle, like tiny straws.
Spark you thinking!
1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #10: Scared of Snakes?
2. Visit this video and learn more about vipers without having to actually see one in person. Listen for the answers to these questions and add them to your recording sheet.
The word “Viper” comes from what term, meaning giving birth to live young?
What allows the viper’s fangs to be extra long?
How does the snake’s rattle make noise?
3. Choose a snake that you don’t know much about. Do research about the snake and create a colorful fact sheet with 10-15 pieces of information and add it to your recording sheet. If you would like choices here is a list to check out.
4. Share your science mini spark recording page and your fact sheet with your teacher/EY coordinator.
Check out the Sneaky Snake badge at the EY website.
Anne Dittrick Sonnet Contest-Deadline April 30
Write a Sonnet, Win Some Cool Prizes!
Step 1: Check out the example in the image below
Step 2: Watch this video: https://youtu.be/bDpW1sHrBaU
Step 3: Write your sonnet and enter it here: https://www.nebraskashakespeare.com/sonnet-contest
Author Visit at WMS-April 7
“My stories are 6.8 parts fiction and 3.2 parts crazy stories from my life. I guess that’s what happens when I make bets with my stepson and end up in a BMX race . . . or I pretend to be a monkey in a treetop adventure with my daughters . . . or I get caught in a thunderstorm with my husband on a bike several miles from the nearest town. The list goes on . . .”
Quote from Angela Welch Prusia: https://www.angelawelchprusia.com/angela-welch-prusia/
Come meet Angela and learn about her journey as a writer of young adult novels. She will have novels available for purchase ($10 each). Check out the flier below!
If you are interested in attending this workshop, email Dr. Spady at spady.lynn at westside66.net
Flier: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rRoGQkJNHfgJ2bmPjAumQNyPpfq89yVD/view?usp=sharing