Month: January 2026

Math (Mr. Sherwood)

Last week in Math, we squeezed in a test on direct proportionality. We will move forward with indirect proportionality and percent change. Please find more here.

Social Studies (Ms. Zech)

Last week in social studies, students shared WA State-based current events and reviewed chapter 13 through an Around the World game. This week, we examine how bills turn into laws and start an exciting World History unit on Medieval Europe.

PE (Coach Eager)

This week in PE we had a fantastic day skiing, snowboarding and ice skating.  We also played an invasion game called “King Pin”. 

Orchestra (Mrs. Varon)

This week in Orchestra we are…

• Practicing the warm-up Sequence 4 to build finger coordination and accuracy
• Working on Come and Join in the Carnival, focusing on staying together through syncopated rhythms and pizzicato playing, which requires careful listening and controlled plucking

Choir (Mrs. Morton)

This week in choir the students are working on songs that they’ve chosen for their project which is to prepare and memorize a song to sing in front of the class.  Some of the songs chose are:

-Do-Re-Mi from The Sound of Music
-Down By the Sally Gardens (Irish Folk Song)
-Seventy Six Trombones from The Music Man
-My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music
-Somewhere Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz
-If I Were a Rich Man from Fiddler on the Roof
-Homeward Bound (Folk Song)
-The Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book

Drama Elective (Mrs. Blas)

Still working on the new play.  It is finalized with the input of the students. Now, we will rehearse and hopefully be able to perform in front of an audience when finished.

ELA/Literature (Ms. Zech)

Last week in ELA/lit, students completed their Jensen’s 6 quiz, met in Book Clubs, and wrote collaborative stories. This week in ELA/lit, students start Jensen’s lesson 7, finish reading The Outsiders, review test-taking strategies, and work together on a character biography project. Just a reminder that Book Reports (graphic novel focus) are due Thursday, January 29th!

Science (Mrs. Ernest)

Next week we will be discussing the parts of cells and learn more about mitochondria as the “powerhouse” of the cell.

Spanish Elective (Maestra Esquivel)

They learned which vowels and consonants can be written twice together in a single word, for example: leer (to read), zoológico (zoo), diccionario (dictionary), calle (street), perro (dog); and which ones are never written twice in a word, such as: f, g, k, p, t.

Engineering Elective (Mr. Sherwood)

This week in engineering we finished up our circuitry unit and semester by presenting machines that the students designed and built. The students were very creative and presented machines that ranged from submarine boats, DJ machines, teeth cleaners and iPad cars. Thanks for a great semester!

Art Elective (Mrs. Santos)

Students completed their sculptures with a focus on facial expressions and emotions, and worked on presenting their finished pieces. They also wrote artist statements reflecting on their creative process and how they felt about the final results. I had a wonderful time creating alongside the students and seeing their ideas come to life.

Band (Mrs. Creech)

May you include this link in your newsletter? Thank you!

ACS Band Newsletter 1/22/26

Photography Elective (Mrs. Evans)

Students will be working on their final project for the rest of the semester.

Math (Mr. Sherwood)

Last week in Math, we took a quiz on direct proportion. This week we will take a test on Thursday. Please find more here.

Social Studies (Ms. Zech)

Last week in social studies, students discussed trade and Washington State businesses. A handful of students demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit by completing the extra-credit report on a business they would create in Washington State. This week, we wrap up Washington State History by playing “Around the World” based on Chapter 13 content and then look ahead to World History!

PE (Coach Eager)

This week in PE we had a fantastic day skiing, snowboarding and ice skating.  We also played an invasion game called “King Pin”. 

Orchestra (Mrs. Varon)

This week in Orchestra we are…

• Learning Come and Join the Carnival, a piece inspired by music of Brazil
• Practicing the warm-up Sequence 4, focusing on finger skips moving upward in pitch
• Reviewing proper bow care and instrument care

Choir (Mrs. Morton)

This week in choir the students are choosing a song that they’ll learn, memorize, and perform for the class.  They are choosing from a list of fifteen folk songs and Broadway songs.  We will also be learning some new music for mass: “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by Bach, and “Ave Verum Corpus” by Mozart.

Band (Mrs. Creech)

Please see the band newsletter: ACS Band Newsletter 1/15/26

Photography Elective (Mrs. Evans)

Students will be working on their final project for the rest of the semester.

Drama (Mrs. Blas)

Still working on the new play.  It is finalized with the input of the students. Now, we will rehearse and hopefully be able to perform in front of an audience when finished.

ELA/Literature (Ms. Zech)

Last week in ELA/literature, students met in Book Clubs and reflected on stereotypes within The Outsiders, reinforced vocabulary in Jensen’s lesson 6,  then interviewed a classmate to develop a biography! This week in ELA/literature, students complete their Jensen’s quiz, meet in Book Clubs, and take part in some creative writing games.

Science (Mrs. Ernest)

In science, students are learning about the metabolic reaction and how it relates to combustion. They will practice drawing molecular models to match chemical formulas, they will review exothermic vs endothermic reactions, and they’ll review which macromolecules breakdown into smaller molecules in our digestive systems. Students can find support materials here: 7th Grade Science Supports – ACS Seventh Grade. Next week, we will be doing Frog dissections! Students who do not want to participate are more than welcome to sit this activity out. Typically, all students start in the classroom and watch a video to determine how comfortable they are with participating. As students need breaks, they are encouraged to work on an alternative activity. 

Spanish Elective (Maestra Esquivel)

We continued practicing the definite and indefinite articles in their masculine form, both singular and plural: EL / LOS / UN / UNOS.

Engineering Elective (Mr. Sherwood)

The students continued their exploration of circuits. This week they will need to give a 5 minute presentation on what they have discovered and/or created using the circuit modules.

Art Elective (Mrs. Santos)

Students are painting their paper mâché sculptures with a focus on base coats, shading, texture, and thoughtful color choices. This project emphasizes craftsmanship and realistic or intentional details, helping students move beyond cartoon-style work and toward more mature, high-quality art.

Math (Mr. Sherwood)

Last week in Math, we were introduced to proportion. We will continue with this topic this week. Please find more here.

Social Studies (Ms. Zech)

Last week in social studies, students learned more about the WA State Constitution, shared Current Events, and were provided with an assignment for extra credit. If your middle schooler would like to take advantage of this extra credit assignment, please make sure it is handed in by next Thursday, January 15. This week in social studies, students focus on trade, federal versus state government, and important figures in WA State history.

PE (Coach Eager)

This week in PE we had a fantastic day skiing, snowboarding and ice skating.  We also played an invasion game called “King Pin”. 

Orchestra (Mrs. Varon)

• This week in Orchestra we are…
• Learning a simplified version of Pachelbel’s Canon and learning about the composer and the Baroque time period
• Playing finger-twister exercises to build repetition and speed in common fingering patterns
• Practicing reading and following bowing direction markings

Choir (Mrs. Morton)

This week in choir the students are choosing a song that they’ll learn, memorize, and perform for the class.  They are choosing from a list of fifteen folk songs and Broadway songs.  We will also be learning some new music for mass: “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by Bach, and “Ave Verum Corpus” by Mozart.

Band (Mrs. Creech)

Please see the band newsletter: ACS Band Newsletter – 1/8/26 – ACS Music K-8

Photography Elective (Mrs. Evans)

Students will be working on their final project for the rest of the semester.

Drama (Mrs. Blas)

Still working on the new play.  It is finalized with the input of the students. Now, we will rehearse and hopefully be able to perform in front of an audience when finished.

ELA/Literature (Ms. Zech)

Last week in ELA/literature, students reinforced Latin vocabulary in Jensen’s lesson 6, created predictions and inferences based on our new novel: The Outsiders, focused on direct/indirect characterization within reading, and practiced in-text citation application. This week in ELA/literature, we continue Jensen’s lesson 6, meet in Book Clubs to discuss chapters 2-4 of The Outsiders, and focus, primarily, on biographical writing.

Science (Mrs. Ernest)

In science, students are learning about the metabolic reaction and how it relates to combustion. They will practice drawing molecular models to match chemical formulas, they will review exothermic vs endothermic reactions, and they’ll review which macromolecules breakdown into smaller molecules in our digestive systems. Students can find support materials here: 7th Grade Science Supports – ACS Seventh Grade. Next week, we will be doing Frog dissections! Students who do not want to participate are more than welcome to sit this activity out. Typically, all students start in the classroom and watch a video to determine how comfortable they are with participating. As students need breaks, they are encouraged to work on an alternative activity. 

Spanish Elective (Maestra Esquivel)

We continued practicing the definite and indefinite articles in their masculine form, both singular and plural: EL / LOS / UN / UNOS.

Engineering Elective (Mr. Sherwood)

This week in Engineering, we began working with circuits. We learned about input, output, and switches. This unit will carry us to the end of the semester.

Art Elective (Mrs. Santos)

Students are painting their paper mâché sculptures with a focus on base coats, shading, texture, and thoughtful color choices. This project emphasizes craftsmanship and realistic or intentional details, helping students move beyond cartoon-style work and toward more mature, high-quality art.

Math (Mr. Sherwood)

Last week in Math, we took a test on solving equations and inequalities. When we come back from break, we will review this topic and then move on to percent change. Please find more here.

Social Studies (Ms. Zech)

Last week in social studies, students read non-fiction articles to locate specific text features, completed research on Washington State inventions, and shared a post-1970s invention with the class. When we return from the break, we explore governance within Washington State as well as read about the Contemporary Era. There will be no social studies quiz in January, so please make sure your middle schooler completes the weekly questions on time for full credit.

PE (Coach Eager)

This week in PE we practiced our stick handling and passing skills while playing sideline hockey.  We celebrated the upcoming Christmas break by playing in the Winter Olympic games which included the bob sled and ice skating. 

Orchestra (Mrs. Varon)

• Learning Christmas carols for fun: The First Noel and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• In Banuwa, working on the key change section and practicing syncopated rhythms without slowing the tempo, listening across sections to play as a unified ensemble
• Working on Joy to the World and practicing keeping a steady tempo each time we take the repeat

Choir (Mrs. Morton)

This week in choir we are focusing entirely on the music for the Christmas program.  The following students will be featured as soloists during the Christmas program:

O Holy Night:  Anneliese Twining, Evelyn White, Will Chen
The Journey to Bethlehem: Solomon Dinwiddie and Maddie Dechert
Breath of Heaven: Marcella Montiel

Band (Mrs. Creech)

The ACS Band members put on a wonderful performance at the 2025 Veterans Day Prayer Service and Assembly! Check out the video of this performance in the upcoming band newsletter. 

ACS Band students will continue work on their next project: music for the Christmas Program! Band students will be performing carols for a pre-show (in the foyer) as well as music at the opening of the program (in the church). Please read the band newsletter sent later today for more information!”

ELA/Literature (Ms. Zech)

Last week in ELA/lit., students tested their understanding of types of sentences through a color-by-number, game of Trashketball, and pop quiz. They also finished writing the good copies of their informational essays and reinforced vocabulary through Jensen’s lesson 5 practice. This week in ELA/lit., students wrap up Jensen’s lesson 5, use logic/inferencing to complete a Nativity Escape Room activity, and enjoy some “snowball” creative writing.

Spanish Elective (Maestra Esquivel)

They learned vocabulary related to this season of the year , such as: Virgen María, pesebre, dulces, niño Jesús, piñata, nieve, regalos, luces, and more. They spelled this vocabulary and wrote the words that I spelled for them.

Engineering Elective (Mr. Sherwood)

Before the break, the students finished implementing their airplane designs and found out that the simplest designs worked the best. We only have 4 more meeting times. This week we will do a little reflection on the last unit and then with our last 3 class periods, we will work on introductory coding and circuits.

Art Elective (Mrs. Santos)

Students finished applying the papier-mache mixture and added final details to enhance texture and form. The next step in the process will be painting their sculptures.
The art room wishes all families a Merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season!

Photography Elective (Mrs. Evans)

Students will be working on their final project for the rest of the semester.

Academic Decathlon (Mrs. Evans)

We are moving full speed ahead in our Academic Decathlon preparations.  Students know what individual topics they will be studying and which they will study for the Super Quiz.  They will begin reading their books and studying over the Thanksgiving holiday.  We had a logic quiz last week and it went terrific!

Drama (Mrs. Blas)

Still working on the new play.  It is finalized with the input of the students. Now, we will rehearse and hopefully be able to perform in front of an audience when finished.