Author: Holly Renken

Meet the Team
Mr. Michael Ricke, MATH: I graduated from Augustana College in 1996 with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. I currently teach Algebra and Pre-Algebra to 8th graders. In addition to my teaching, I coach varsity boys basketball and assistant varsity football.
Mrs. Jill Kratovil, LANG. ARTS/SCIENCE: I graduated from Northern State University in 2008 with a B.S. degree in Elem.Ed with M.S. endorsements. I will be teaching Language Arts and Science, and I am the head varsity volleyball and assistant track coach.
Mr. Jon Redmond, READING/SOCIAL STUDIES: I graduated from Northern State University in 2012 with a B.S. degree in Social Science. I will be teaching reading and US history. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and watching sports. Mrs. Betsy Schamber, SCIENCE: I graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1995 with a B.S. degree in Elementary and Middle School Education and completed myMaster’s degree in Administration from SDSU in 2001. I will also be teaching 7th grade science. Mr. Richard Jensen, SOCIAL STUDIES:
I graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1993. I enjoy golfing, fishing, kayaking, camping, and spending time with my family - especially my grandchilden. Mr. Travis Johnson, TECH APPS:I am a Madison Alumni, graduating in 1998. I graduated from Dakota State in 2004 with a degree in elementary education and K-12 technology. This year I have the opportunity to teach 7th Grade Science and will be coaching MS football and Wrestling.
Ms. Connie Currey, SPED/START: I graduated from Northern State University with a B.S. degree in Special Education and Business Education. I will be teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Resource Room and 8th grade START. My interests include spending time with family, watching sporting events, photography, and volunteering with Special Olympics.

Other Information
Supply List: All students that are entering the 8th grade are expected to have the following supplies with them at the beginning of the school year:
-Trapper with dividers or folders
-2 - 1” binders
-Pack of 8 subject dividers
-Highlighters (at least 2 different colors)
-4 individual college ruled notebooks
-2 composition book (lined)
-1 package loose leaf paper
-Pencils
-Package of pens (black or blue and red)
-Colored pencils/markers
-2 glue sticks
-1 boxes of Kleenex
-Calculator recommended TI30XIIS
-PE clothes: maroon shorts, white t-shirt and tennis shoes.
—Band Students—
-Reed players- 2 boxes of reeds
-Brass players- 2 bottles of valve oil
-PercussionStick & Mallet bag & replace any missing sticks or mallets;
-Vic Firth EP2 Intermediate Education Pack (can be purchased at www.steveweissmusic.com)

Madison Middle School
830 N.E. 9th Street
Madison, SD 57042
Phone: 605-256-7717
Web-site: http://www.madison.k12.sd.us/mms/

Welcome to the
8th Grade Team
at
Madison Middle School!

The mission of Madison Middle School is to provide all students personalized instruction by certified faculty through diverse class offerings in a technologically enhanced environment.

Check us out at
www.madison.k12.sd.us
- Click on Madison Middle School, then 8th grade team.

Class Information
Modules: Students will rotate through a series of modules covering topic areas such as digital video, electricity, music and sound, engineering bridges, research and design, robotics, audio broadcasting, digital manufacturing, flight technology, computer graphics and animation, and plastics and polymers. Students learn through computer based instruction videos and guided activities either alone or with a partner.
Technology Applications: This is a semester long course that will cover many areas of technology. We will cover computer hardware, graphic design, video editing, Prezi, Wikis, Google Docs, and Microsoft Office 2013. This course will challenge the students and bring in real world experiences.
Reading: This class allows students to gain experience in small group literature circles as well as small and whole group activities working with nonfiction, fiction, and research materials. There will also be opportunity for individualized
instruction and reading time.
Math: 8th grade students take either Algebra or Pre-Algebra. Students who have qualified to take Algebra will be following the same curriculum as the high school students and will receive high school credit for successfully completing all of the Algebra requirements. The remainder of the students take Pre-Algebra. For the 1st time in many years, pre-algebra student will be working with a new curriculum called “Big Ideas Math.”
Language Arts: 8th grade language arts students will write using the 6+1 traits of writing in their writers notebooks. Along with their notebooks, 8th graders will create a Memory Book about their memories of their K-8 experiences. Students will also engage in lessons that focus on: editing, spelling, grammar, and communication skills. Technology will also be incorporated frequently for a variety of writing activities.
Science: Students will be studying Earth Science in 8th grade. Earth Science will focus on rocks, minerals, weather, chemistry, volcanoes, the earth's crust, the ocean floor, etc. Textbooks, videos, experiments, interdisciplinary units, and demonstrations will aid us in our learning of Earth Science. Evaluation will be based on assignments, labs, chapter tests, and classroom participation.
Social Studies: Eighth grade American history is a basic introduction to our nation's history from the first colonies through the Reconstruction time period after the Civil War. There is emphasis throughout the year on the American Revolution, Westward Expansion, Industrial Revolution, and the Civil War. All students work in cooperative groups, which require them to be responsible for in-class group work, as well as individual work outside the classroom.

Grading Scale

A 100 - 96
A- 95 - 94
B+ 93 - 92
B 91 - 90
B- 89 - 87
C+ 86 - 85
C 84 - 81
C- 80 - 78
D+ 77 - 75
D 74 - 72
D- 71 - 68
F 67 and below
Basic Principals of Behavior at Madison Middle School
I will…
- Show pride in myself and my school.
- Respect the rights of others to learn and the teachers’ to teach.
- Recognize the need for rules in school and accept the consequences of my behavior.
- Be prepared for each class and participate appropriately.
- Show respect for all people and property around me.
- Be polite to all people at Madison Middle School.

Team Policies
Homework: Students are expected to hand in all assigned work on time.
Late/Missing Assignments: Turning assignments in late will result in lowering of the grade as determined by each teacher. Students who have missing or incomplete assignment will be given the opportunity to go to ICU to complete the assignment.
ICU: ICU is a program that was started a few years ago to promote students doing their homework & doing it correctly. When a student comes to school and their assignment is not completed or completed to a satisfactory level, the student attends our noon or after school ICU. ICU is led by a person we call a "life guard" as they are trying to protect your child from getting behind. We also have voluntary ICU from 7:45 to 8:10 each day. If your child is struggling with homework at home, put the book away and send them to ICU in the morning! Morning ICU is also a good time to get assignment from teachers from days you were absent.
Absent Students: Students who are absent are expected to get ALL the assignments they missed on the first day they return to school. They will then have two days to turn it in for full credit. *If you wish to get a students assignments for the day, please request it by 10:15 am and we will get things together.*
Pre-Plans: Students who plan to be gone need to get their assignments ahead of time and need to have them COMPLETED by the next class period.
Tardiness: Students are expected to be in their seats when the bell rings or they will be considered tardy. Individual teachers will monitor student tardiness in their room and as needed, will assign time outside the regular school day for those who are habitually tardy. Tardiness for first block will result in a noontime detention.
Concerns: We encourage parents to contact us when you have concerns about your child. You can call us before/after school or during our team planning time (9:35 - 10:15) at
256-7717 or e-mail any of us at the following addresses:
michael.ricke@k12.sd.us
jill.kratovil@k12.sd.us
jon.redmond@k12.sd.us
betsy.schamber@k12.sd.us
travis.johnson@k12.sd.us
richard.jensen@k12.sd.us
connie.currey@k12.sd.us
ginny.freitag@k12.sd.us
chris.waba@k12.sd.us
One of us will be in contact with you as soon as possible.