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paid in full prior to departure.  The pep band will play for football games on September 21^st and October 5^th and for volleyball games on October 1^st and October 15^th. 

6^th Grade Music - Mr. Johnson
•  The 6^th grade general music class has been learning and reviewing names of notes in the treble clef as well as note and rest names and rhythmic value.  We are working our way through a unit on rhythm.  We are listening to and singing music from around the world and discussing the similarities and differences of the music as it pertains to rhythm.  Students are also learning how to count rhythms so they will be able to sing or play many different rhythms that they see in music.  We will also continue to develop skills in matching pitch and singing in two or more parts.
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MathCounts - Mrs. Johnson
•  MathCounts is a nationwide coaching and competition program for middle school students that promotes excellence and supports success in mathematics achievement.  It encourages good problem solving skills and provides opportunity for learning additional math concepts.  During the school year, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students have the opportunity to participate in area competitions that consist of various types of individual and team tests. 
• Groton will again host the first Aberdeen area MathCounts competition of the school year on Wednesday, October 3.  Practices are held on Tuesday mornings, beginning at 7:45 a.m.  In order to prepare for competitions, it is important that students complete the MathCounts worksheets and come to practices.
•  Transition Mathematics - Mrs. Johnson
•  The purpose of Transition Mathematics is to bridge the connection between arithmetic and algebra.  The course also includes the study of geometry, measurement, probability, and statistics.  Success and understanding depend on the students' careful reading of the textbook.
•  The year began with reading, writing, and representing numbers in different forms: words, decimals, fractions, percents, powers, and scientific notation.  The order of operations was also reviewed.
•  Some early algebra work has now begun by translating word phrases into algebraic expressions.  Formulas are being used to determine perimeter, area, and volume.  Data will soon be entered on a spreadsheet; the results will be graphed and compared.
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