Another busy week in Middle School has gone by, and it was our first 5-day week since December! As a reminder, we enjoy having flower arrangements in our classroom environments weekly, so please check out our schedule for flowers at the end of this week’s photo slideshow!
Science
6th year Earth Science students were able to test their bridge and building construction as part of their unit, Why Earthquakes Occur. Students performed a payload (weight) test on the bridge using rocks until their design succumbed to the weight. Students tested their building design in a pan of Jello, representative of seismic waves traveling through Earth’s crust. Each demonstration was able to be reviewed and discussed about how a redesign would result in either a stronger capacity to hold more or withstand a greater shake/tremor.
7th year Physical Science students are currently on the unit, Chemical Reactions and Equations. Students have been working on Antoin Lavosierre’s Law of Conservation of Mass which states, “Matter can neither be created nor destroyed.” Students were able to represent and balance equations using molecular manipulatives to show how a chemical reaction results in the same number of atoms on the product and reactant side. Students also represented this law by performing a laboratory activity using an open and closed system when combining vinegar and baking soda.
8th year Life Science students are currently on the unit, Genes and the Impact Mutations Have on Organisms. Within this unit, students have represented DNA and genes using a variety of tools. Following this project, students discussed what characteristics they felt were inherited from their parents. They also discussed how geneticists are able to look at an individual’s DNA, and determine the likelihood of a particular disease from the presence, or lack thereof, of a certain gene.
Math
In Transition class, students began learning chapter 6 and are excited to work with transformations. This class is able to translate (slide) an ordered pair on a coordinate grid, they can correctly reflect (flip) a figure over a line, and determine rotational (turn) symmetry of a shape. This class concluded the week by creating unique tessellation art projects that ultimately demonstrated their understanding of translations, reflections, and rotations.
In Algebra class, students are continuing to explore new concepts about slope. This class can find the equation of a line given the slope and a point, they can determine if an equation has a negative or positive slope, as well as graph a linear equation in slope-intercept form. This class will have their chapter 6 unit test next week, and Ms. Sutherland encourages all students to prepare well in advance.
In Geometry class, students are focused on their rigorous study of polygon shapes. This class can draw polygon shapes given various conditions, they know the properties of quadrilaterals, and they can apply theorems to prove angle measures or side lengths. This class will conclude their learning of chapter 6 next week.
Math Joke: Why should you eat the number 9?……Because you should always have 3 square meals a day!
Humanities
6th year Humanities students learned how to write a great introduction for a research paper. They understood the goal, the structure, and the strategy of making it interesting. Students reviewed many ways to hook a reader and used that to draft and then revise their paper introductions. Each student’s work was reviewed in a workshop with their peers: writing was presented for all to see on Chromecast, students read their drafts, identified the type of hook they used, and they expressed where they felt they had challenges. Then, the class came together to support each other with those challenges and edit/revise together. In the end, the 6th years have great starts to their research papers, which are due Wednesday.
Similarly to the 6th years, 7th year Humanities students reviewed how to write a great introduction for a research paper. Students discussed the many ways to hook a reader and used that to draft and then revise their paper introductions. Each student’s work was reviewed in a workshop with their peers: writing was presented for all to see on Chromecast, students read their drafts, identified the type of hook they used, and they expressed where they felt they had challenges. Then, the class came together to support each other with those challenges and edit/revise together. Mrs. Lamb was especially impressed with this group’s ability to support each other to use strong words and vary sentences for fluency. In the end, the 7th years have great starts to their research papers, which are due Wednesday. Additionally, this group has continued to read the journey of Salva Dut in A Long Walk to Water.
8th year Humanities students have completed Expert Project Proposals! They also drafted, edited, and revised their thesis statements to guide their research and reflect their goals for the project. Each student shared their thesis statement drafts with the class, and together, students offered feedback to enhance them. Topics are exciting and will be revealed soon. Additionally, the 8th years are in the planning process of a big fundraising initiative for our community through Alternative Gifts International. Students have selected a few causes they feel strongly about supporting and will be doing additional research into the organizations, using the money and what is going on in the field. We are hoping to “Give a Little Love” on Valentine’s Day!
Thank you families for your continued support and positivity towards our Middle School! We are excited for our winter projects and learning.
