1st Place Vestavia Hills




8th Grade - 1st place

 


7th Grade Team - 1st place

 

2012 Cullman Middle Math Tournaments

Monday, Jan. 9 - Math Team Parent Meeting in the library at 6:30 pm (at least one parent should attend)
Wednesday, February 1 - $75 fee due for Greater Atlanta Tournament
Saturday, Feburary 18 - Albertville Math Tournament (8th grade only)
Tuesday, February 21 - ALA-LA-MISS Test in class
Tuesday, February 21 - Fairview Tournament from 3:30 pm - 7 pm for (7th grade only)
Saturday, February 25 - Pizitz Math Tournament
Saturday, March 3 - Hoover Math Tournament
Friday and Saturday, March 9-10 - Greater Atlanta Christian School Overnight Trip
Saturday, March 17 - Cullman Middle 5th and 6th Grade Tournament
Saturday, April 14 - Berry Middle School Tournament
May 1 - Math Team Celebration at Stone Bridge Farm

Vestavia - Very Very Very Good Day!

7th Grade - First Place
Ann Carol 1st Fantastic!
Katie Harbin 4th
Carter Bowen 6th
Ben Pruitt 11th
Mitchell Seymore 12th
Collin Bentley 14th

8th Grade - First Place
Noah Shadix 1st Congratulations!
Emma Hicks 4th
Will Raney 5th
Andy Robinson 6th
Emily Dale 8th
Camille 10th
Tres Frankham 14th

TEAM Results 7th Grade (10th overall out of 31 schools)
1 Cullman 197
2 Muscle Shoals 171
3 Hampton Cove 130
4 Albertville 56
5 Pleasant Grove 47
6 North Jefferson 44
7 Holy Family 35
8 Fultondale 17
9 Brighton 13
10 Calera 9

TEAM REsults 8th Grade (7th overall out of 35 schools)
1 Cullman 222
2 Muscle Shoals 178
3 Hampton Cove 155
4 Advent 140
5 Albertville 121
6 McAdory 69
7 Liberty Park 69
8 North Jefferson 39
9 Holy Family 22
10 Fort Payne 13
11 Calera 9
12 Pleasant Grove 3
13 Boaz 2

Mental Math Winners:  Ann Carol Braswell, Noah Shadix, Emma Hicks, Peyton Blair, Hope Mason, Will Raney and Andy Robinson.  (6 in the top 15 for which includes both divisions is outstanding)

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Vestavia Hills 2011

6:00 am - Depart from CMS
7:00 am - 7:30 - Eat at Chick-fil-A in Fultondale
8:00 am - 8:30 am - Registration
8:45 am - 10:00 am  - 7th and 8th Grade Test
10:00 am - 10:30 am - Refreshments in Cafeteria
10:30 am - 11:30 am - Ciphering/Mental Math Test (testing rooms)
11:30 am - 1:30 pm - Lunch at Brookwood Mall
2:00 pm - Awards (New Gym)
Parents are encouraged to attend the awards.  Thanks for your support as always!  It is great to have you there cheering us on.  Go Bearcats!


Remember to study all TKK sheets, old tests, textbook, etc. during the week of Dec. 5 - 9.  Many of you have a great opportunity to place and we must study hard to place first again this year.  I would love to see several of you place in the mental math competition.

AMC 8 Results Are In

Congratulations to Noah Shadix for winning first place on the American Mathematics Competition test.  He scored 18 out of 25 for honors.  Also placing were Will Raney (2nd - 17 and honors) and Marissa Shutt (16 - 3rd place).  Jake Ratliff was the high scorer for the 7th grade with a score of 15.

Any student scoring 17 or above received honors and are in the top 5% of all test takers.  Quite an accomplishment for Noah and Will with Marissa right behind them.  Terrific scores considering a difficult test and only 40 minutes to work.

McWane and Vestavia Hills Up Next

McWane Center - Dec. 2 and 3 (leave school at 3:30 pm and return at 10:00 on Saturday morning).  Mr. Page will dirve our bus.  We need parents to take luggage and meet us there around 5:00 pm.

Vestavia Hills Math Tournament - Dec. 10 (lunch at Brookwood Mall)  Awards at 2:00 pm.

AMC Test - Tuesday, Nov. 15

AMC 8
The AMC 8 is a 25 question, 40 minute multiple choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem solving skills. This school year it will be held Tuesday, November 15, 2011.   The top three 8th graders and the top scoring 7th grader will be recognized on awards day. 

Click here for more information and sample problems.  Click on Students on the menu.

Purpose

The mission of the MAA Competitions is to increase interest in mathematics and to develop problem solving through a fun competition.  Students gain the opportunity to learn and achieve through competition with students in their school and from around the world. Teachers and schools benefit from the chance to challenge students with interesting mathematical questions that are aligned with curriculum standards at all levels of difficulty.

CMS Math Teams Shine at Muscle Shoals - Take 1st

I am so proud of the hard work put in these past couple of weeks since the Cedar Ridge Tournament.  Today we continued our 4 year winnning streak at Muscle Shoals with both team having a stellar day on the test and in ciphering.  The 8th graders were 2nd out of 16 teams, with only Pizitz ahead of them in ciphering.  

Many students had their personal best today.  Also, a huge sincere thank you to the BEST parents in the whole wide world.  It means so much to look over and see so many parents and family members in the stands supporting us and cheering us on.   Your sacrifices really make a difference !    You are an integral part of the team.  Thanks to Mrs.Elizabeth  Collicott and Mrs. Bama Turner for the VERY NICE goody bags.  We enjoyed them.

8th Grade - 1st Place Team - 1st place ciphering (2nd overall behind Pizitz)
Emily Dale - 1st Place
Austin Tankersley - 2nd Place
Will Raney - 8th Place
Ethan Kelley - 9th Place
Andy Robinson - 10th Place

7th Grade - 1st Place Team - 1st place ciphering (5th overall)
Ann Carol Braswell - 3rd Place
Drew Fillinger - 4th Place
Katie Harbin - 6th Place
Carter Bowen - 7th Place

What a tremendous day and a fun ride back home on the bus.  Celebration to follow on Monday.  Dr. Harris will be speaking to our first period class on Monday also.

Enjoy the big game and Roll Tide!
Mrs. Sellers

Muscle Shoals

5 days until Muscle Shoals!  Go Cats! 

Schedule

6:00 am Board the bus and depart for Muscle Shoals

6:15 – 6:50 Eat breakfast at Burger King on Hwy 157

8:00   Registration

8:30 – 9:45  7^th and 8^th Test

9:45 – 10:15  Refreshments (cafeteria)

10:15 – 11:30  7^th and 8^th Ciphering (board bus immediately after ciphering)

11:30 – 1:30  Lunch and shopping at the Mall (Florence’s Regency Square)

1:30 – Bus leaves from mall  (Stay in a groups of 3 or 4 and be on time to the bus)

2:00 - Awards in gym (All parents encouraged to attend.  Thanks for your support!)

Return to CMS at approximately 4:30 pm.

Last Years Results:

2011  Ciphering 7^th Grade(1^st place Div. II – 3^rd overall)

2011 Ciphering 8^th Grade (1^st place  Div. II – 3^rd overall)

2011 Results (7^th Grade First, 8^th Grade First)

Teams Place 2nd and 3rd at Cedar Ridge

The 8th grade math team had four individual places and finished 2nd by only 12 points.  So close guys.  The 7th graders placed 3rd by 21 points.  (If each person gets 1 more question correct we are in the hunt for 1st place.  We are a good team and want to become a GREAT TEAM.  Looking forward to first place finishes at Muscle Shoals in 2 weeks.  I have no doubt that you can do it.  It will take lots of hardwork to be prepared. 


8th Grade Team Results:
1st - Homewood (6A)
2nd - Cullman (5A)
3rd - Challenger (6A)
4th - Hampton Cove
5th - Arab Junior High (5A)
Ciphering:  1st Homewood 28  2nd Challenger 27  3rd Cullman 24


Individual Awards:
Will Raney 4th
Noah Shadix 5th
Emma Hicks 7th
Andy Robinson 8th
Camille Marsh 13th
Hope Mason 15th
Madelyn Hudson 22nd
Peyton Blair 24th
Seth Swalve 27th
Ethan Kelley 32nd
Bryeleigh Davis 41st
Levi Clay 42nd
Marissa Shutt 45th
Libby Burroughs 46th


7th Grade Team Results:
1st Homewood - 196 (6A)
2nd Challenger 185 (6A)
3rd Cullman 175 (5A)
4th Arab Junior High 126 (5A)
5th West Point - 61 (5A)
Ciphering: 1st Challenger, 2nd Cullman and Homewood


Individual Awards:
2nd Ann Carol
8th Jake Ratliff
9th Anna Avery
13th Callie Hollingsworth
15th Drew Fillinger
18th Ben Pruitt
19th Noah Fondren
20th Carter Bowen
23rd Charity Davis
24th Katie Harbin
26th Mitchell Seymore
43rd Brooke Ledbetter
56h Tucker Franey
56th Victoria Barker
63rd Kate Hood

Cedar Ridge

1 day til Cedar Ridge! Go Bearcats!

 

Arrive at CMS and board bus around 6:10 am

Leave CMS - 6:15 am sharp by bus (meet in front of office - bring money for breakfast and lunch - wear black math team shirt)

 

6:30 Eat at Burger King on Hwy 157

 

7:00 Leave for Cedar Ridge (study on bus - I will bring folders)

 

8:00 - 8:30 am Registration

 

8:30 - 9:45 6th and 7th Test - 8th Cipher in gym

 

9:45 - 10:15 Refreshments

 

10:15 - 11:30 6th and 7th Cipher in gym - 8th Test

 

11:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch (Decatur Mall)

 

1:30 - Leave mall to get a good seat for awards

 

2:00 pm - Awards in gym (all parents encouraged to attend)

Sign out with Mrs. Sellers if leaving with parents after awards.  If leaving before awards, please fill out early release form and return to Mrs. Sellers by Friday, Oct. 21)

 

4:00 pm - Return to CMS

Nov. 5 - Muscle Shoals

Dec. 2 and 3 - McWane Camp-In

December 10 - Vestavia Hills
Vestavia will have a mental math round but no speed math this year.  Study the things to know sheets for the mental math.  Ciphering will be 5 points for 1st minute and 2 points for 2nd minute.

Math Team Shirts

Order your math team shirt by Friday, Sept. 30.  Turn in form and money to Mrs. Sellers.  The shirt samples are on D2L content.  The Pi symbol will have the math teamers signatures inside.  The white or gray shirt will have their names on back. 

7th graders send $8. (If you did not attend camp, send $17)

8th graders send $17.

Parents may send a black shirt to be monogrammed ($8) if you like.  Some had asked about monogramming a shirt.  Also, parents are welcome to buy a black t-shirt for $8 instead.

Cedar Ridge is only 29 days away!  Continue to work as diligently as always this last month before the Cedar Ridge and Muscle Shoals Tournaments.  Ciphering is on content and keep studying those TTK sheets.

8th Grade - High Expectations

This year's 8th grade math team has taken the initiative to dig deeper to understand new concepts in Algebra.  Knowing that we needed to understand linear equations, they did a super job on their PowerPoint presentations.  Only half presented and the rest will present closer to Cedar Ridge as a review.  There is more understanding and more explanations on the PowerPoints which will be a great review for their graduation exam next year.  Now, we are on to radicals and quadratic equations next.  There is much to learn before Cedar Ridge, but we are definitely up to the challenge. 

Remember, weekly ciphering will be posted on content of d2L to review.  Continue to study your TTK sheets. 

So proud of the goals that the 8th grade math team leaders have set for this year (goals set first week of school).  Top 11 include:

1.  Enjoy math team class
2.  Be organized
3.  Place at a tournament
4.  Make all A's
5.  Make a 90 or better on a math tournament test
6.  Have a perfect ciphering score of 25.
7.  Be a leader
8.  Make 100 on all TTK tests
9.  Place 1st individually at a tournament
10.  Study more before the tournaments
11.  Make this the BEST school year ever!

I am proud to be your teacher.  If you need any extra help, please let me know.  We will be working in groups so that will be of help to you.  U-Teach projects are around the corner.  Be thinking of everything you might need to review or need a better understanding.  See you on September 7 and 8 as we prepare for Cedar Ridge, Muscle Shoals and Vestavia Hills.  Go Bearcats!

Mrs. Sellers

7th Grade - Outstanding Start

Competitive, inquisitive, intense, fun, hardworking - just a few adjectives to describe the 7th grade math teamers.  What a fast-paced but thoroughly enjoyable first three weeks of school!  Today, 11 of the 7th graders had a perfect scores on their things to know percents test and many missed only one.  How encouraging to know how much you have studied and prepared!  Preparation OUTSIDE of class will determine just how well we will fare at Cedar Ridge, Muscle Shoals and Vestavia Hills this fall.  I will show you all I know in class and then you can go with it and practice at home.  With Cedar Ridge (October 22) just around the corner, we must work hard in class and at home.  Remember to study the TTK sheet, practice on classzone.com, go through chapters in your book, go the the West Texas A & M site for beginning algebra and listen to the tutorials.  Also, join me on Monday afternoons from 3 - 4 pm for extra practice if you like.  Thanks for working as a team and encouraging one another.

Also, thank you to our parents for a terrific breakfast for morning practice.  You all have gone out of your way to make math team special and we THANK YOU!

T-shirt info coming soon.  Please send the $50 math team registration donation by Sept. 30 if possible.  Thanks.

Enjoy your Labor Day,
Susan Sellers

2 011 Adds Up to a Great Year!

Monday was a STELLAR start to the 2011-2012 school year.  We have 23 eighth grade math team members and 25 seventh graders - a hardworking, intelligent, conscientious, outstanding group of students.  I am impressed with the maturity shown by the 8th grade.  They will be terrific leaders this year.  We set goals today and I am very proud of their high expectations individually and as a TEAM.  The 7th graders are just a fantastic group too with much potential for winning many tournaments this year.  Remember to start studying your TTK sheets. We will have a TTK test on September 9. 

Math team parent meeting - Monday, August 29 at 6:30 pm in the library.  We will introduce ourselves and discuss upcoming tournaments, breakfast lists, etc.  Also, a donation of $50 is appreciated to cover registration fees for the year.  Each tournament is $5 or $6 per person. 

The 7th graders first morning practices are Thursday, August 25 and Friday, August 26. 

The 8th graders will begin practices on August 29, 30 and 31.

Looking forward to an outstanding, fun-filled, award-winning math team year.  Let me know if I can help you in anyway.  I will be staying on Mondays until 4 pm for extra help.

Sincerely,
Susan Sellers
Proud Coach of the CMS Math Teams

8th Graders Make a Splash

The 8th grade math team enjoyed a pizza and swim party at Andy Robinson's home on Friday, August 5.  Thirteen students and many parents enjoyed a great time of fun and fellowship.  It was certainly nice to see everyone and I enjoyed talking with our wonderful parents.

See you all at Open House on Thursday, August 11 from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm.  Remember to have your summer math packet ready to turn in on Monday, August 15.  You can print it off of the CMS website. 

Math team practice will begin on Monday, August 29 with a math team parent meeting in the library at 6:30 pm on August 29 also.

E-mail me at susan.sellers@cullmancats.net if you have any questions.  Enjoy your last week of summer vacation.

CMS Math Teams 2011-2012

8th Grade Math Team      7th Grade Math Team

Peyton Blair                 Hunter Allen

Libby Burroughs              Caroline Andrews

Levi Clay                    Anna Avery

Emily Dale                   Victoria Barker

Bryeleigh Davis              Collin Bentley

Tres Frankham                Carter Bowen

Emma Hicks                   Ann Carol Braswell

Madelyn Hudson               Charity Davis

Ethan Kelley                 Kacie Donaldson

Branch Knight                Drew Fillinger

Camille Marsh                Noah Fondren

Hope Mason                   Tucker Franey

Luke Oakley                  Cole Gerding

Taiya Ponder                 Katie Harbin

Will Raney                   Garrison Hill

Andy Robinson                Callie Hollingsworth

Noah Shadix                  Kate Hood

Marissa Shutt                Brooke Ledbetter

Conner Stevens               Sarah McCarthy

Brennen Stricklin            Peyton McGraw

Seth Swalve                  Ben Pruitt

Austin Tankersley            Jake Ratliff

David Turner                 Tiffani Schwaiger

                             Mitchell Seymore

                             Lydia Waters

Math Camp 2011

7th Grade Math Camp 2011 was a great success.  We met from 9 - 12, played games, ate pizza, learned new concepts and enjoyed getting to know each other via the name game.  We had 22 of 25 at camp which is terrific for summer.  Hope you all enjoy the water bottles and stickers.  Thank you Mrs. Stevens for printing them for us.

The concepts covered included roots, exponents, solving equations, probability, positive and negative integers, sequences, etc.  We will cover these again beginning in August.  I appreciate the 8th graders so much for introducing the concepts.  There is a list of websites for practice on the Summer Math Packet.  Be sure to be ready to turn in the summer math packet on the first day of school. 

Our morning practices will be on Thursday and Fridays from 7:00 - 7:40 am.  We will have breakfast together.  I will send out a breakfast schedule when school starts.  Everyone will just have to bring breakfast twice a semester.  Our first tournaments should be at Wallace State in October, then Cedar Ridge in November and Vestavia Hills in December. 

There will be a parent meeting on August 29 at 6:30 pm in the library.  This is a tentative date.

Thank you for allowing your child to come to camp.  We had a great time.  I am looking for terrific things from this group.  I will have shirts ready for them when school starts.  I did not get all the forms back and am working on getting those.  

See you all on August 11 at 5 pm for Open House.

Happy Summer,
Mrs. Sellers

Hope Everyone is Well After Tornado

This is the first time I have been on a computer since the tornado on Wednesday, April 27, but I have used my SmartPhone a few times to follow Dr. Harris' Twitter updates.  Join her Twitter at JanIHarris for all local info.

Hope everyone is fairing well after the tornado.  It has sure been a simpler life for our family.  We were in the tornado's path.  After a hit to Germantown and Patillo Subdivision we were next in the path.  Almost all our trees are down in our yard and woods (about 50 trees).  Our home sustained minor damage to the roof and front window.  Trees fell on my Jeep and my husband's truck.  We were watching James Spann as many of you probably were and knew of the seriousness of the tornado.  Watching it coming our way was intense.  Our family huddled in the hallway, praying as we heard it coming our way.  As it passed over our home we were so very thankful that we and our home were spared.   Our damage was minor compared to most in the city and other areas around the county.

Most families have been affected in some way and many have lost their homes, but we have pulled together as a community and it will take time to rebuild. 

If my family can do ANYTHING for anyone, please let me know by e-mail or on this blog.

I appreciate so many of you thinking of us.  Coach and Mrs. Gragg, Justin Ward, and neighbors came to our home to cut trees.  Jimmy Dale Burgess and his son brought food to distribute to families in our area.  A former student from Fairview brought a trailer of food from Birmingham  to distribute to families in our area.  Our own family has been so good to us.  My father-in-law cleared a lot of limbs today with the tractor.  There are shingles all around that we are picking up.  We are so thankful to all the volunteers for the help.  We all are blessed to live in such a wonderful place as Cullman.  I also heard that clean-up has started at East Elementary. 

Follow the City of Cullman site or Dr. Harris' Twitter for some of the best information.  If you have any other helpful sites, please share them on this blog. 

Planting the gala apple tree that you gave me at the banquet will take on a whole new meaning now.  I have thought many times about how beautiful the weather was for the banquet and what a great night it was.  Then what a rollercoaster ride on Wed.  I am so thankful that school was cancelled and that everyone was home with their families. 

Take care and enjoy the time with your family,
Susan Sellers

Math Teams Celebrate Season

What a great time at Stone Bridge last night.  The setting was just beautiful and what about those potatoes.  Wow!   I loved that you had some time to spend outside swinging, watching the fish and just hanging out together.  Great job of encouragement and challenge by Drake and Nicholas.

Words are not sufficient to express my thanks for the fountain (how did you know I have always wanted one?), chairs and Gala apple tree.  My husband and I love gardening and just being outside.  It was just a perfect gift for me and my family.  You all did way too much.  I will never forget Mrs. Fillinger's presentation: "you will not see the fruits until years later."  I am glad to be just a small part of your school years.  I have no doubt that you guys will accomplish great things in years to come because you have great character and work ethic.  AND,  I know that we do get to tournaments very early, but that's a good thing, right? lol

So proud of all the 7th and 8th graders.  Thanks for the nice card you all signed.  It means a lot to me.  You all are the G-R-E-A-T-E-S-T.

PLEASE send me pictures from the banquet and I will post.

Mrs. Sellers

2010 - 2011 Eighth Grade Math Team

Math Team Celebration - April 26

We already have 112 signed up to come to the CMS Math Team Celebration on Tuesday night, April 26 at 6:30 pm and I am waiting to hear from 7 others.  It should be a fun night together as we honor our 8th graders for two terrific years and honor our 7th graders for their accomplishments this year.  Great food, fun and fellowship and the last time we will all be together as one group!  See you there.   I'm bringing the Yoo-Hoo mini-tower. 

Parents, please send all pictures to me as soon as possible for the video.

2011 6th Grade Math Contest

Sixth Grade Math Contest

Thursday, April 28  - The CMS Math Teams will travel to East at 8: 15 am and West at 9:30 am to administer the 6th Grade Math Team Test.  Those that placed during the year will be invited to go.

Thursday, May 5 - The top 30 students from East, West and Sacred Heart will be invited to CMS for ciphering.  The ciphering points will be added to the Quiz I, Quiz II, Memorization Test, ALA-LA-MISS test and the test on April 28 for a total of 260 points.  The top 22 after the ciphering will be invited to be part of the 2011-2012 CMS Math Teams.

8th Grade Takes Berry Tournament - First Place

The 8th grade team finished off a terrific year with a first place win at Berry Middle School.  Five in the top ten and many good individual scores.  What a great TEAM you are!  The team finished with 7 first place trophies and 2 second place awards.

Good luck next year.  Continue the run! 

1st Cullman

2nd Briarwood

3rd Muscle Shoals

1st - Nicholas

2nd - Drake

5th - Branch

9th - Molly

10th Ben Ratliff


The 7th grade team placed 2nd behind Muscle Shoals.  The team had 4 first place awards, 3 second place awards, and 1 fourth place trophy for the year. 


5th Will Raney
7th Emma Hicks
8th Noah Shadix

10th Andy Robinson

Math Team Celebration forms due April 4.

Please turn in the Math Team Celebration form and money on Monday, April 4.  Thank you.  Looking forward to a great time at Stone Bridge Farm on April 26.

Thank You Dr. Harris

As I read Dr. Harris' commentary in the paper today, I am reminded of how thankful I am for each of you.  Dr. Harris is a wordsmith for sure.  I have told her on many occasions how much I enjoy her writings.  To quote from the commentary, "I am thankful for parents who volunteer their time at events such as the CMS Math Tournament last Saturday.  I am thankful for the men and women who work tirelessly at our schools in order to support our extracurricular activities."  What you all as parents do does not go unnoticed as you read in her article (page 12H of the Times).  Our math team success is in direct proportion (had to put some math in) to the students hard work, parental support and great leadership from Mr. Hill, Mr. Page and Dr. Harris.  I am THANKFUL for our administrators, our wonderful giving parents, our terrific hard working students and a community that supports academics, the arts and sports.  Thank you math teamers for studying the TTK sheets over and over and over.  Thanks for asking good questions in class, being good problem solvers and for representing us so well at each tournament.  I am so proud of you all.  You all are brights spots in my day, everyday.

Berry/Simmons Math Tournament - April 2

Schedule

                6:00  Bus leaves CMS

    6:30 – 7:00  Eat breakfast at Jack’s at Dodge City

    8:00 – 8:30  Registration

  8:45 – 10:00  8^th Test  -  7^th Test

10:00 – 10:30  Refreshments in Cafeteria

10:30 – 11:45  7^th Ciphering  -  8^th Ciphering (competition gym)

  11:45 – 2:30  Lunch (Galleria)

                1:55  Leave mall

                2:30  Awards (Parents, we would love to see you at our last awards ceremony)

Traffic will be heavy due to Stadium Fest at Spain Park from 12 - 3 pm for kids.  Rick and Bubba, Toby Mac and Casting Crowns will be there later in the day also if your family would like to attend after the awards ceremony.

ALA-LA-MISS Results

8th Grade 

1st place in region and 7th in tri-state competition out of 38 schools.

Drake - 1st in region and 6th in tri-state (score of 33 of 35 was the second highest.  Five tied for 1st with a 34.  There were no prefect scores this year.  

Nicholas - 4th in region and 17 in tri-state with score of 28 of 35.

Team - North Alabama Region
1st - Cullman
2nd - Challenger Middle School
3rd - Good Hope Middle School

7th Grade 

3rd in region and 9th in tri-state competition out of 42 schools

Emily Dale placed 4th in region and 22nd in tri-state competition

Team - North Alabama Region
1st - Randolph School
2nd - Challenger Middle School
3rd - Cullman Middle School

Last Math Tournament - April 2 at Berry Middle School (next to Spain Park)

Who:  Math Teams

What:  Berry/Simmons Math Tournament

When: Saturday, April 2

Where:  Berry Middle School

Why:  Math competition (great way to FINISH STRONG and bring home 1st place again this year)

We invite all our parents for our last math outing of the year.  You all have been such great supporters this year.  We will be going to the Galleria for lunch and shopping.  Stadium Fest is at Spain Park the same day, so they will block off parking for us.

Very Humbling Experience and an Honor

Accepting the Teacher of the Year Award on Friday, March 18 was very humbling.  It was such an honor to represent our middle school students and CCS.  My husband, three children and my mom and dad were in attendance and we were honored to have Mr. Hill sit with our family.  We all sat together for a fantastic meal cooked by Northbrook's Wade Maynard.  Dr. Harris announced the Teachers of the Year and I went up on stage to accept the award. She read all of our accomplishments to those in attendance.  Teaching at Cullman Middle for the past three years has been a dream job for me.  We have wonderful students, parents, teachers, and administrators who really care about each student's learning.  I am able to coach math teams and also 7th grade math, which is my favorite grade thus far to teach.  During the past 20 something years, I have taught everything from geometry, Algebra I and II, Advanced Math for seniors, biology, ecology, reading, but found my niche teaching 7th and 8th graders.  Thanks for making these past three years such good ones for me.  Cullman Middle School is a special place.

ARMT and SAT Testing Up Next!

The ARMT (Alabama Reading and Math Test) is Thursday, March 24 and the SAT (Stanford Achievement Test) is Wednesday, March 30.  Last year Cullman City Schools placed 3rd in the state behind Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills.  When you think about it, what an accomplishment!  We would love to move into the 2nd or 1st place spot this year. 

Be ready for the tests by:

1.  Get plenty of sleep.

2.  Eat a good breakfast.

3.  Go over the Easy CBM review quizzes and classzone.com quizzes and games.

4.  Ask questions about specific problems Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before the tests.

5.  On the ARMT open-ended questions, write as though you are trying to teach the problem to a 5th or 6th grader.  Write legibly and to the point.

6.  Read all word problems carefully (at least twice).

7.  Work the entire time.

8.  Relax and do YOUR best!  You have worked so hard this year and I am very proud of all that we have accomplished. 

GACS 2011

8th Grade Awards

 2nd - Nicholas Fillinger (95 - Great job Nicholas)

10th - Claire Lindsey 78

11th - Molly McLeroy 77

12th - Drake Hollingsworth 75

Great job ciphering (1st overall with 305 - much higher than last year), but we needed a couple of higher test scores to make up the only 11 points we lost to Chamblee.

7th Grade Awards

2nd - Ethan Kelley (100.2 Fantastic!)

9th - Hope Mason (95)

11th - Will Raney (95)

11th - Seth Swalve (95)

14th - Branch Knight (95)


Terrific job on your tests.  We had one 100, five 95's, and four 90's.   We just needed a few more ciphering points to place 1st. 

TEAM Awards - 2nd overall in 7th and 8th grades. 

7th Grade
1 Chamblee 710 + 25
2 Cullman 685
3 Westminster 628
4 Peachtree 596
5 Providence Christian 546
6 Immaculate Heart of Mary 490
7 St. Luke 455
8 St. John 395
9 Tatnall 390
10 Eastside 330
11 GACS 268
12 Individual 100

8th Grade
1 Chamblee (641) + 11
2 Cullman (630)
3 Westminster (478)
4 St. John (377)
5 Peachtree Charter (350)
6 Tattnall Square (348)
7 Five Forks (347)
8 Providence Christian (282)
9 St. Luke (256)
10 Eastside (175)
11 Crews (171)
12 GACS (165)
13 Individual (65)

Thank you to all our parents that came to support us.  Also, thanks to the 8th boys and parents for making the trip over after the ballgame. 

I appreciate your exemplary behavior on the bus and in the hotel. I was us to be good ambassadors for CMS.   Merle was bragging on you all and said thanks for the tip.

I hope everyone had a good time.  We'll work hard to place 1st next year.  We needed higher test scores in 8th and higher ciphering in 7th.  Great job on the test by the 7th graders.

GACS Here We Come! March 18-19

•  7th grade put luggage in Mrs. Sellers' room before school unless parents are going and take it. 

• 8th grade put luggage in Mrs. Hale's room before school unless parents are going and take it.

• 7th and 8th graders will eat lunch early at 12:15, load bus at 12:40 pm and then depart by 1:00 pm.

• Leave Friday, March 18 - around 12:30 - 1:00 pm
• Itinerary is on wiki

CMS Math Future is Bright!

Congratulations to East Elementary, St. Pauls and West Elementary schools for outstanding performances at the 3rd Annual Cullman Middle School 5th and 6th Grade Math Tournament held Saturday.  

By the numbers:

26 schools

299 math teamers

Over 90 volunteers

500 bags of chips

500 Pepsi products

90 trophies

1 flaw in question

25 question test - 20 ciphering problems

Thanks to all 90-something teacher, student and parent volunteers.  YOU helped make everything run as smoothly as possible.  I was so proud of our middle school students and their helpful spirit on Saturday.  It was a gorgeous day and it seemed a good day was had by all.

Susan Sellers

A special thanks to Mrs. Aundrea Kelley for taking these and many more wonderful pictures during the day.  I think they really capture a typical math team tournament.  Enjoy a few of them below:

Registration - a crucial part of the process.  A special thanks to Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Evans, Claire, Laura and all math teamers that helped them make it run smoothly.  Also, thanks to Mr. Huser and Mr. Shadix for help with traffic.  We appreciate our 90 + volunteers.

East math teamers working ciphering problems.  Great job ciphering for your first tournament!

The CMS cafeteria was buzzing with activity while students enjoyed refreshments before switching over to testing or ciphering.  Thanks to all the volunteers in the cafeteria and teacher workroom.  We appreciate Pepsi for donating our drinks this year and to Aundrea and David Kelley for providing the chips.

Mrs. Murphy and West 5th Grade - All Smiles!

Thank you ladies for your help monitoring the test.  Thank you Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Hutchison for the terrific goody bags for the sponsors. 

Wow!  What a terrific spread for our sponsors and parents.  Thanks to Tammy Hill and math team moms for the beautiful decorations, food and hospitality.  Many good comments on our hospitality in particular.

Blessed with beautiful weather for the tournament!

Great job ciphering by Mrs. Howse, Mrs. Pylant, Stats and all the high school math teamers!  Thank you for your time and professionalism.

Door prizes galore!  Thank you to Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Hutchison and to Office Max and the Bulletin Board for fantastic prizes!  Great way to recognize the math coaches!

West math teamers checking their answers! Great day for Cullman Math Teams                  (East, St. Pauls and West)!  Sorry that I got in the way of a great picture of the girls.  Oh well!



 SAVE THE DATE
See you all next March for our 4th Annual Cullman Middle School 5th and 6th Grade Math Tournament.

CMS 5th and 6th Grade Math Tournament

Thanks to all the many volunteers for our tournament on Saturday, March 12 (just two days away).  The weather should be beautiful Saturday.  If you need ANYTHING, please let me know.

7:30 am - Kim Johnson, Susan Evans, Laura and Claire, Mr. Huser, Mr. Kilgo and Mr. Shadix meet in the gym for registration.

7:30 am - Traffic, Hospitality Room and Teacher Workroom workers.

7:45 am - Guides be in place (gym, round building, main bulding hallways, office area)

7:45 am - All test proctors meet in Room 112 (by Mr. Parris' room.

8:10 am - Proctors and math teamers by in rooms.

8:30 am - 9:45 am - 6th Test and 5th Ciphering in the gym

9:15 am - 10:15 am - Refreshments in lunchroom

10:30 am - 11:30 am - 5th Test and 6th Ciphering in gym

11:30 am - Pizza in lunchroom (drinks)

1:45 pm - Door prizes for math teams and goody bags for teachers in gym

1:59 pm - Awards Ceremony (5th Grade and 6th Grade - Div I, II, and III)

Registration - Kim Johnson and Susan Evans

Traffic - Mr. Huser, Mr. Shadix and Mr. Kilgo

Goody Bags - Nancy Robinson and Dawn Hutchison

Hospitality - Contact Mrs. Tammy Hill

Teacher Workroom - Snacks for workers

Refreshments - lunchroom

Central Hub - Julie Fillinger and Sharyn Hollingsworth

Testing and Scoring - Parents, Math Teamers, Kim Johnson, Renee Quick, Josh Swindall and Susan Sellers

Awards - Susan Sellers, Lane Hill, Jan Harris

Security in Gym - math teamers 

Clean-Up - Mrs. Donna Scott

THANK YOU for all your help.  There have been so many volunteers that it has made the preparation a great deal easier than normal.  Please pray for a good day and safe day for the 387 kids, their teachers and parents coming  to our campus Saturday.

I truly am thankful for each and every one of you,

Susan Sellers

Hoover Highlights 2011

What a great day all the way around for the CMS Math Teams!  The 8th grade math team made it 6 victories in a row and the 7th grade team now has 4 first place awards.  There were seven 7th graders AND seven 8th graders placing in the top 15.  Nicholas Fillinger had a perfect score today.  Excellent!  The 7th graders had a great day of ciphering with 64 points, meeting our goal.

8th Grade - First Place
1st Nicholas Fillinger
3rd Drake Hollingsworth
5th Molly McLeroy
6th Claire Lindsey
12th Ben Huser
13th Ben Ratliff
15th Branch Hill

First Place - Hoover 2011

7th Grade - First Place

2nd Will Raney

5th Libby Burroughs

6th Ethan Kelley

7th Noah Shadix

8th Emma Hicks

13th Emily Dale

14th Andy Robinson

First Place - Hoover 2011

8th Team Awards
1st Cullman (370) 3rd overall out of 25 schools.  Only Pizitz and Liberty Middle had more points. 
2nd Muscle Shoals (325)
3rd ASFA (240)
4th Handley High School (127)
5th Albertville (121)

7th Team Awards
1st Cullman (315)  64 ciphering points
2nd Muscle Shoals (306)
3rd Albertville (261)
4th Brookwood (157)
5th Centre (107)

Hoover Math Tournament Schedule - March 5

Leave CMS by bus at 6:00 am
Eat at Jack's at Dodge City (8th grade request)
8:00 - 8:30 am Registration
8:45 - 10:00 Pre-algebra - Test
                    Ciphering (Algebra I)
10:00 - 10:30 Refreshments
10:30 - 11:45 - Algebra I Test
                        Pre-algebra - Ciphering
12:00 - 1:30 pm Lunch (Stix by Galleria)
2:00  Middle School Awards

Strong Finish at Pizitz for CMS Math Teams

Congratulations to the 8th graders for 5 first place finishes in a row!  The team placed 1st in Division 2 out of 16 other teams and 5th overall out of 36 teams (outstanding).  The team placed 2nd in ciphering.  Way to go!  

Individual winners:

Nicholas Fillinger - 2nd (6th overall out of 261.  Very impressive!)

Ben Ratliff - 3rd  Excellent! (11th overall)

Molly McLeroy - 5th place - 12th overall (Great job!)

The 7th grade finished in 2nd place by 12 points to Homewood.  We are proud of your effort today.  Looking forward to what you will accomplish at Hoover next week. 

Congratulations to:

Andy Robinson and Will Raney for an impressive 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.  It was so exciting as the top ten were announced and Andy and Will were still standing until the end. Andy finished 9th out of all 343 students while Will was 10th.  What a great feat!  The team finished 2nd in ciphering. 

We are gearing up for Hoover next week and will leave at 6:00 am again.  It is an excellent tournament also.  We will be eating at Stix in Hoover around 12:00 noon.  Awards are at 2:00 in the Hoover High School gym. 

Upcoming Math Team Events

Saturday, February 26 - Pizitz Middle School (in Vestavia Hills)

Saturday, March 5 - Hoover High School Tournament

Saturday, March 12 - Cullman Middle School 5th and 6th Grade Tournament 

Friday-Saturday, March 18 and 19 - Greater Atlanta Christian Trip to Norcross, GA

Saturday, April 2 - Berry-Simmons Tournament at Berry Middle School in Hoover

Tuesday, April 26 - Math Team Celebration Banquet at Stone  Bridge Farm

Wednesday, April 27 - 7th and 8th graders go to East and West for 6th grade math contest

Thursday, May 5 - Top 30 6th graders come to CMS for the 6th grade ciphering to determine top 22 for 2011-2012 team

Math Mnemonics

I found these math mnemonics on the onlinemathlearning.com site.  Here is a sampling:

How many feet in a mile?  

5280 feet = 1 mile
5 Tomatoes
5 to (m)ate oe(s)
5    2    8   0 -- or 5,280 feet in a mile 

Roman Numerals: I =1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50 , C = 100 , D = 500 and M = 1000.
I Value Xylophones Like Cows Dig Milk

Area Of A Circle (see area of circle)
Apple pie are square: A = π × r²
Apple pie are round: A = π × r × r

Circumference Of A Circle
Chocolate pie delicious!: C = π × d

After viewing the math mnemonics on the site, click on 7 and 8 grades or 9 and 10 grades on the menu to the left for lots of good algebra review.