Another full week of classes and collaboration has been completed! An awesome component of middle school is the ability for students to have ideas and make them happen. One example of this is our newly formed chess elective, begun by two 8th grade students. These students often play chess and have intrigued their peers to learn how to play. They asked if there could be a chess elective offered for the third trimester during our Friday elective period, and they even offered to lead it. They were happy to teach beginners and help those learning how to strategize. Almost all of the middle school signed up and even an expert alum has joined in to help! It is amazing that these young adults are hoping to spread the joy they find in the game to others.
Humanities
In 6th grade Humanities class, students began the class novel, Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai. This novel follows Fadi and his family as they flee the Taliban in Afghanistan and seek asylum in California. Students are studying what it means to seek asylum and what it means to be a refugee using the Department of Homeland Security as a reference. They also looked at a brief history of the Taliban- Who are they? How have they changed since the 1990s? What are their cultural beliefs and goals? Finally, students completed a unit of vocabulary.
7th grade Humanities class continued reading Animal Farm by George Orwell. With regards to Russian history, they learned about the Russian (Bolshevik) Revolution and its relationship to the novel. Finally, the class completed a unit of vocabulary.
In 8th grade Humanities class, students are working hard on their final presentations for their Expert Project. They also looked at 13 colonies, leading up to the French and Indian War. Finally, students completed their last vocabulary unit for the year.
Science
6th year Earth Science students are currently working on a research project that addresses how tides and currents affect the distribution of pollution. Students will research how tides affect the distribution of pollution in the ocean, how tides affect liquid waste differently than solid waste, and what type of experiment and data would be required to answer the questions. Concluding their research, each student will formally present their work.
7th year Physical Science students finished their unit on Refraction and have begun the unit, Characteristics and Properties of Waves. The objectives of this unit are to explain how waves travel and carry energy, compare and contrast transverse and longitudinal waves, and describe parts of waves and characteristics of waves, including frequency, wavelength, and amplitude. They began with a simple exercise using string and cups, which represented how sound waves are able to travel through a medium (string) using a series of longitudinal and transverse wave patterns.
8th year Life Science students finished their unit, Circulatory System this week and began their new unit, Digestive System. The objectives of this unit are to describe the process and function of digestion and the organs involved, create a model of the digestive system, and explain how food moves through the alimentary canal. Students have shared their prior knowledge regarding the function of the digestive system, which we will continue to explore and clarify moving forward. We will incorporate the importance of healthy eating and exercise as it relates to the well being of how a person’s digestive system processes food.
Math
In Transition class, students are excited to start Chapter 9 in the textbook titled, Patterns in Division. This class is learning about dividing fractions, dividing integer values with remainders, and finding the quotient of dividing positive/negative numbers. Our next quiz will be on Wednesday, May 4th, and Ms. Sutherland encourages students to review each lesson thoroughly to be prepared for the assessment.
In Algebra class, students concluded their learning of Quadratic Function this week. They learned about solving Quadratic equations by using the Quadratic formula, how to graph quadratics, and determine the number of solutions by solving for the discriminant. Next week, students will begin learning about linear systems of equations.
In Geometry class, students are continuing to learn about lengths and areas of 2D shapes. They used the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate missing lengths of the right triangle, they found the measure of different arc lengths in a circle, and they learned about special right triangles. Next week, students will conclude their learning of Chapter 8 and begin exploring 3D shapes.
Math Joke: What did the calculator say to the student? …………………You can always count on me.
We hope you have a beautiful weekend!
