Tips for Success on the ELA TAKS Test

by Luz D.

Interview with Mrs. Brown.

What are some strategies you think will help students be successful on the ELA TAKS test?

• Take breaks.
• Make notes while reading the passages.
• Follow the writing and reading steps.
• Double-check your work.
• Take your time.
• Highlight the mistakes you find (while reading the passage).
• Use the process of elimination on your answer choices.

Best of luck to all Haltom Middle School students taking the ELA TAKS on Wednesday, March 3rd!

Image source

HMS History of Film Museum a Hit!

Story and photos by Dianely L.

The theatre students of Haltom Middle School worked extra hard to make our school's first ever museum! It had many fascinating things. From Walt Disney to Tim Burton, from the history of gushy, romantic films to terrifying horror films, the museum had it all!

April DeLeon's entry won first place. Can you guess who this is?

Walt Disney seemed to be the most popular topic. There were many displays about him.

Many people thought the most fun display was the sewing machine from around 75 years ago. You could take a piece of tissue paper and make stitching holes in it by turning the wheel by hand.

One of the other popular sections was the make-up display. Did you know that "medium" blush back in the 1920s is like a strong, neon-looking blush today? It's amazing how things change over time!

Here are pictures of more of the great displays.

Myspace Pages

by Luz D.

MySpace is not a bad website. You can use MySpace for many things. Some if those things are:
1. chat with friends
2. Meet nice people
3. Chatting with friends
4. And many more.....
MySpace can also be dangerous if you use it in ways you are not supposed to. Some dangerous uses would be:
1. Giving your address to people you do not know.
2. Giving your phone number to people you do not know.
3. Giving personal information AT ALL to people you don't know (including your real name, school name, family information, age, etc.)
4. And many more.....

HMS TAKS Reactions

We interviewed some HMS students to find out how they felt about this year's TAKS tests.

Skyler (6th grade)

I think I did well (in my reading TAKS), and I think I got an 85 or a 90 because it was hard, but after a while it became easier.

Karina (6th grade)

I think I did well (in my reading TAKS), and I think I passed because I did all my strategies, and I concentrated as much as I could.

Krista (6th grade)

I think I did well (in my reading TAKS), because I showed my work, and I justified.

Liam (7th grade)

I think I did terrific (in my reading TAKS), because I studied, and I got good sleep.

Nancy (8th grade)

I think I did a good job (in my social studies TAKS). It was an easy test, and I understood most of the questions.

Meet the Tiger Times Staff

While we hope to add to our ranks, 5 brave volunteers will be conducting interviews, reporting on events, researching the issues, taking the photographs, and recording the videos for the Tiger Times' first year. Introducing the writers for the 2009-2010 school year:

Briana: Ever since I was little I loved to write. I spent most of my time writing because I was good at it. I am the type of person who turns in their work and stresses over unfinished work. I’ve always been involved in school. Now that I’m in middle school I’m in athletics, choir, and now the Tiger Times. I recently joined the Tiger Times. I joined because I thought it would be good for me. I’m a good writer and I have the time. This will be good experience for me.

Katie: My name is Katie and I’m in the 7^th grade. I’ve gone to many schools before Haltom Middle. I have lived in Missouri, Georgia, Louisiana, and now I live in Texas. I love to read and write. My strongest subjects are math and English/language arts. I’m in karate and also on the tiger times staff. My interests are soccer, karate, and scrap booking. I have a brother and a sister. I don’t see my sister very much because she lives in Louisiana. Although my brother and I fight sometimes, I still don’t know what I would do without him.

Luz: Hey, my name is Luz, I am from Mexico, and I am in 6^th grade. Almost every day after school I help my math teacher. Her name is Mrs. Fraser. Since I was in 4^th grade I liked to help my homeroom teachers after school. In 5^th grade I used to go help a kinder teacher instead of going to recess, and her name is Mrs. Hernandez. I don’t talk too much, and I don’t laugh too much. My favorite sport is soccer, because I like to kick the ball, and I like to play and work in teams.

Shai: I am a cocky, wide-eyed, big-mouthed, preppy girl that absolutely loves people and writing. My family is the best, and I’ve conjured up the nickname “The Princess Monster” from my Dad. With all the support at home, I’m just as willing to give the same to friends. Most of my friends I’ve met in theatre. That’s one of my “things”, I love to act, and sing. My dream is to become a singer/actress. Hopefully I’ll make it. I could go on all day about myself but that’s just a little bit about The Princess Monster.

Trish: Hello! My name is Trish, and I'm Vietnamese. I am 13 this year. I love to change my subjects around to confuse people. The words I say the most are "weirdo" and "your face!" I love laughing a lot, and sometimes I snort out of nowhere.I love dancing, singing, and also I’m trying to find some classes for guitar lessons. I’m also interested in acting because its fun and you get to play someone else beside yourself. I eat at least 7 to 10 meals a day even though I’m skinny.

Hunter: I was born on August 14, 1995 and I have tons of scars. My dad died when I was four and my mom died when I was five, but it’s all good. Now I live with my grandmother and two older brothers. I’ve lived in a lot places, Texas, Utah, Florida, and Washington D.C. I don’t remember any thing about Utah, Florida, or Washington D.C. When I was about three I was attacked by a pit-bull, but as you can see I’m still alive, I was saved by my mom, and I was in the hospital for almost 4 months.