SPECTRUM Back to School Night 8 Grade Mrs. Nancy Stevens Gifted Specialist Harmony Middle School Room: B1 Phone: Fax:

SPECTRUM CLASS RULES Respect -Treat others the way you want to be treated Caring -Say nice things and share compliments with others Choices -Make every decision carefully Effort -Achieve all your goals through commitment and hard work Honesty -Be truthful to others Responsibility -Be in control of your own behavior CONSEQUENCES Communicate with student Call parent Refer to Dean

8 th Grade Spectrum Units of Study Spectrum ‘Spirations: Students are given a pyramid of building blocks, each with something of import to carry them to the next level in their search for success. This is an exercise in reaching one’s goals. Students are then asked to create their own pyramid and choose a pair of shoes that will take them up to the “Summit of Success”. White Water survival: In this harrowing ride down a class three white water river the students work together to survive after their boat capsizes. In the middle of the river with little hope for rescue, students must reach a consensus on what to do. A list of 17 items is compiled after the wreck and items are ranked in order of importance for survival. Survivals increase the student’s ability to work cooperatively in groups, to listen carefully, to observe critically and to evaluate effectively. Claymation Animated Films: Students create original works for submission to the Shortie Awards, Students Film and News Festival. The festival recognizes digital media film productions created by students ages 7-18 and their teachers. The focus is on nurturing imaginations and choice making in students. Dilemma: In this simulation, students act as members of a hospital committee given the task of selecting one individual to receive the only existing dose of serum for a deadly virus. Students have to select from a group of six people who accidentally contract the virus while attending a medical convention. After carefully analyzing each person’s brief history and listing reasons for and against selection, students make their individual choices before participating in a group discussion. A debriefing is conducted at the conclusion of the session.

Socratic Seminar: In this lesson, students participate in a round table discussion after reading various articles from differing points of view about controversial topics. Students are asked to discuss their opinions based on three teacher provided questions. Focus is paid to constructive comments and the value of other’s opinions. Who Killed Roger Ellington: This is a crime solving mystery where students practice their powers of deduction, observation, and questioning. Memorizing a bio on their individual character, they become part of the mystery and look for “who done it” while actively keeping their own motive and opportunity secret. The crime cannot be solved until all accusations are made and a consensus is reached. Rainbow Bay: Cultural values create conflict and change in allocation of resources and distribution of goods and services. Conflict between households, businesses, and governments influence economic activity. Communication enables people to create and solve conflicts. Changes in technology influence economic and communication processes. Additional Activities: Crime Solving Mysteries, Survivals, CML, Odyssey of the Mind, Strategic Games, TJ test prep sessions, Resumes, Field trips and Careers

Time ActivityPlace 7:30 a.m.Report to AuditoriumHarmony Middle School 7:45 a.m.Buses loadHarmony Middle School 8:00 a.m.Buses leaveHarmony Middle School 9:30 a.m.Arrive at Sydney Harman Hall Sidney Harman Hall 610 F St. NW, Washington, DC :00-1:30Theater Program Sidney Harman Hall 610 F St. NW, Washington, DC :30-2:15Lunch-allow $7-$15Union Station 2:30Board Bus, LeaveUnion Station 4:00 p.m.Arrive back at HarmonyHarmony Middle School Sydney Harman Hall Presents: Kiss Me‚ Kate Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter Book by Samuel and Bella Spewack Directed by Alan Paul Wednesday, December 9, 2015

I MPORTANT NOTE : Cost: Ticket price $12.00 Transportation bus fee $15.00 Total: $27.00 Make checks payable to Harmony Middle School Please ensure that students have $7-$15 for lunch. For those who wish to pack due to food allergies, place lunch in a disposable bag and plan to purchase a drink on site. No refrigeration will be provided on the bus. Appropriate theater dress is required. No Jeans or T-shirts. All bags and belongings will be left on the bus as there will be no time to check belongings. No electronic equipment is to be taken into the theater! Be on time! The bus will leave on schedule! Make up all work that is missed. Remember, all work that is due must be handed in prior to the trip unless other arrangements have been made. If a parent/guardian wishes to chaperone, you must Mrs. Stevens at with name, cell phone # and student name, to be considered. Chaperone status will be determined on a first come first served basis and all chaperones will be notified within 24 hours of their acceptance. I can only take 4 due to scarcity of tickets.

Important DATES Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Important Dates for Winter Round September 21, 2015 – Online and paper applications available. Paper applications are available at the TJHSST Admissions Office. October 09, 2015 – Deadline to request Algebra 1 waiver October 16, 2015 – APPLICATION DEADLINE (Online and Paper) December 5, 2015 – Admissions Test (see Testing)Testing December 12, 2015 – Inclement weather date for Admissions Test January 15, 2016 – Online applicants receive semifinalist pool notification through online system January 15, 2016 – Semifinalist pool notifications for paper applicants are mailed January 23, 2016 – Student Information Sheet/Essay administration January 30, 2016 – Inclement weather date for Student Information Sheet/Essay administration February 12, 2016 – Teacher Recommendations due April 30, 2016 – Final admissions decisions posted/mailed no later than this date

LOUDOUN COUNTY Academy of Science NOW-Applications are available online Sept 8 th – Parent/Student information session and Open House at AOS-9:00-12:00 Sept. 13 th - Parent information night Blue Ridge Middle School 6:30 AOS ADMISSIONS DEADLINES May 6th, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium at Dominion High School: First information session for the application process. Monday, August 3rd, 2015: Part I of AOS application posted on the AOS Website. Saturday September 12th, 2015, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon: 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. General Information Session 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon: Open House Thursday, October 8th, 11:59 p.m. Absolute deadline to submit Part One of the AOS application for the admission process. No applications will be accepted after this date. TBA October, 2015: Deadline to register for the November 7th SAT Saturday, November 7th, 2015: SAT and CCTDI administered at Dominion High School for all AOS applicants.

Late November 2015: Students will receive SAT Score Report from the College Board No later than Monday January 4, 2016: Students will be notified of finalist status; finalists will be invited to complete Part II of the AOS Application, a writing prompt and the CCTST All Part I applicants will receive a decision letter no later than this date. Saturday January 23rd, 2016, at 9:00 a.m.: Writing Prompt for all Finalists Writing prompt and CCTST required for all finalists Inclement weather date: TBA Friday February 5th, 2016, at 11:59 p.m.: Absolute deadline to submit Part Two of the AOS application for the admission process. No applications will be accepted after this date. March, 2016: Decision letters postmarked to applicants. April 2016: Dates to be announced for Accepted Student Meeting Notification Date for response forms Based on space available wait list students will be notified of a final decision Sept. 26 th -Application DEADLINE-Part 1 Oct. 20 th -PSAT- at Dominion High School for ALL AOS applicants Oct. 22 nd -Part II of AOS application posted on AOS website Dec. 17 th -DEADLINE-Part II March 22 nd -Decisions letters mailed home Mrs. Sharp if you need help with any part of the process

Q&A SESSION

HAVE A A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR!