This week we spent time completing fun cultural lessons. Some students presented one of those lessons to a classmate. It is one of our most memorable lessons about the vital function of nutrition. The follow up lesson is the nutrition layout based on a variety of animals from protozoans to mammals. One student commented and said, “Wow, this is really interesting!” The other most recent cultural lesson was based on the study of humans. We met a ramapithecus (extinct anthropoid from 8 to 14 millions years ago). We had an excellent discussion about the ramapithecus and the students are eager to begin another lesson. In our next lesson we will discuss the Australopithecus. To conclude our week we had a very successful and joyous Happé “Holiday” Café! This café included a soft opening of drive thru service. Each month when we evaluate the café and reflect on the progress made we are able to come up with new and fun ways to try different things. Thanks once again for the support!
Blog
Middle School: Week in Review
It’s been a wintry week, but we have been busy!
Pre-Transition math has officially started Chapter 5, the theme for this chapter is statistics. Students are learning all about mean, median, mode, range, maximum values and minimum values. They are also graphing stem and leaf plots, bar graphs, histograms and line graphs. This unit is a lot of fun and a great way to wrap up trimester 1.
Transition math has started to learn all about graphing linear functions. In this group students are solving for unknown variables, understanding the additive property of equality, manipulating fact triangles, and using absolute values to find the distance from zero. Students need to remember to bring their Chromebooks to class as we will be using Desmos.com more regularly.
Algebra math has nearly completed Chapter 5 and will write Quiz 2 on Friday, December 13. This group is working to understand the difference between rates and ratios, probability distribution, relative frequency, and percentiles from a set of data.
As report cards will be distributed this week, Ms. Sutherland would like to thank all middle school math students for their hard work this first trimester. It has been an adjustment for everyone; however, students are proving to be successful across the board. Great job, everyone!
MATH JOKE: Why do plants hate Math?……. It gives them square roots
Next, 6th year Earth Science students have been exploring how earthquakes are created and how recordings of earthquakes (seismographs) are obtained. Students were asked to create their own seismogram using a shoebox, rubber bands, marker, and sports ball. They have demonstrated seismic waves using several wave patterns with slinkies. 7th year Physical Science students concluded their unit on States of Matter and have just begun their unit on “Molecules”. To begin the unit, students have been tasked with identifying the molecular structure present in an object they frequently use (ex. sulfuric acid in parchment paper for baking, isoprene found in rubber for sports balls). Finally, 8th year Life Science students have completed a laboratory experiment identifying certain variables that result in the highest production of fermentation using yeast. Variables students could manipulate were sugar, water temperature, and yeast. Concluding this lab, students were required to write a formal lab report. Students are currently working on a project identifying the similarities and differences between photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
In 6th year Humanities class, students completed geography assessments for North Africa and the Middle East. They also began writing and discussions surrounding civilizations and how we keep track of history. Students also began to look at Ancient Mesopotamia. Seventh years, completed the novel, A Long Walk to Water, and they continued their study of Sudan & South Sudan. This week, they particularly studied the conflict in Darfur and the reason for separation of Sudan into two countries in 2011. Finally, 8th years have been reading the novel, If I Ever Get Out of Here, about life on the Tuscarora Reservation in the mid 1970s. 8th years are also now studying Andrew Jackson’s policies of Indian Removal including The Trail of Tears and the Flight of the Nez Perce, making connections to modern Native American feelings of resentment towards White Americans as a result of colonization. This has been an interesting and divided discussion! Finally, all Humanities classes finished the week with current events presentations.
Important Information & Upcoming Events
Progress Reports for Kindergarten through 8th Grades will be live on Friday, December 13th. Once parents receive an email from Chris Robertson announcing the reports are availabe, parents will be able to access their child’s report on the MyFWM.org account.
Giving Tuesday Gratitude A great BIG THANK YOU to you those that contributed to our Annual Fund on Giving Tuesday! A total of $22,910 was raised in 15 hours and 27 minutes! Add to that amount the previous donations made by all of our faculty, staff and board members for a grand total of $37,606. Our annual giving tree is now blooming again! While Giving Tuesday is over, you can still participate and make a donation at anytime here. Help us get closer to our $65,000 goal!
8th Year Community Outreach In continuing with this kindness our community exudes, the 8th years have adopted two families in Newtown through the Newtown Fund for this holiday season whom could really use our support. Please consider supporting their endeavors by signing up to purchase an item(s) that are not yet fulfilled from the family’s wish list here. All donations must be brought in by this Thursday, December 12th to the lobby. We are incredibly grateful for your continued generosity and look forward to making the holiday brighter for these local families.
Martial Arts Winter Program OPEN! With the success of the fall program, FWM is offereing a winter Martial Arts program with Sensei Chris Schaefer. The program is a 6 week course that will begin on Wednesdays starting January 8th. The last class is on Wednesday, February 12th. The class is from 3:00-3:45pm. The cost of the program is $120.00 per student. Registration closes on January 3, 2020. Please sign up at your MyFWM.org account under PROGRAMS.
Thursday, December 19th After School Program Closing Early The After School Program will be closing at 5:00pm. due to the Faculty & Staff Holiday Party. Please make necessary arrangements so your child is picked up by this time. Thank you in advance for your understanding!
Friday, December 20th Parent Breakfast (9:30am.) and Holiday Concert (10:00am.) All are invited to the Parent (and guests) breakfast provided by the Parents and to enjoy the musical selections from students in Primary through 8th. A sign up for breakfast treats will be sent out by the Parent Association shortly.
Recycling LEGOS
Check out this great article about LEGO’s new recycling program!
“Lego is looking to keep its plastic bricks out of the trash.
The Danish toymaker is testing a way for customers to ship their unwanted bricks back and get them into the hands of other kids.
It said Tuesday that customers in the United States can print out a mailing label on its site, dump their used Lego bricks in a box and ship them free. Lego said the pieces will be cleaned, put into boxes and given to Teach for America, a nonprofit group that will donate them to U.S. classrooms.
Lego said if the test is successful, it may expand the program beyond the United States next year.
The company typically tells its customers to keep their bricks or pass them on to others. But some have asked for another way to donate them, said Tim Brooks, Lego’s vice president of environmental responsibility.
Lego, like other big brands, is looking to please customers worried about discarded plastics’ impact on the environment. Plastics don’t disintegrate but can break down into tiny pieces and be eaten by birds or other wildlife, endangering their health.
The company is also working to find other materials for its colorful bricks. But finding one as durable as plastic has been a challenge, said Brooks. Last year, however, it began making Lego trees and bushes out of sugar cane.
Hasbro, which makes Monopoly and Mr. Potato Head, said it plans to eliminate plastic use in its packaging by 2022. It too has said that finding a material to replace the plastic in its toys has been tricky.”
Click here to recycle your LEGO’s! http://www.givebackbox.com/lego/#xlink
Middle School: Internships
Being an 8th year student at Fraser Woods is exciting. In fact, I wish I could have the experiences these children are fortunate to have. One such project that is specific to 8th years is to participate in an internship for four-five days with a working adult(s).
The experience has many goals, but a few are to bring awareness to certain types of professions that one may not know much about, observe working environments, observe social and communication interactions in a workplace, and to do some actual work.
The culmination of the internship project includes a daily journal, reflection, and a presentation to the rest of the middle school students about their experiences.
During the week of November 18th, this year’s 8th years had the following internship experiences:
Branded Styles hair salon
Katten, Muchin, Rosenman LLP
Dr. Paul J. Keating, DDS
Westchester County Executive Office
Yale Pediatric Endocrinologist Office
The Exceptional Pet
Trumbull Medical Arts- Pharmacology
St. Vincent DePaul Mission
Synchrony Financial
Milone & MacBroom
This is one of the many unique opportunities our FWM middle school students have before they graduate, and they all had tremendous experiences.
Mrs. Wilson: Tis the Season
On November 27th Mrs. Hood’s and Mrs.Wilson’s toddler class came together to read The Thankful Book by Todd Parr. The children were then invited to sit together at the table and enjoy the bread each class made. The event ended with our favorite activity and all the toddlers joined Mrs. Hood and me in a fun dance party! I am so thankful for the wonderful toddler team and all the toddlers that bring us so much joy!
This week the children entered into the environment with lots of new and exciting lessons on the shelf. On the refinement of the hand shelves, the children have many lessons to choose from that represent the holiday season. From a mini tree to hang ornaments on to a wooden Menorah that they can put candles into. The children also enjoyed shaking jingle bells while dancing to Jingle Bell Rock.
Our food tasting activity was presented a little differently this week. The children had a lesson on how to peel a clementine. After each child tasted the clementines, this lesson was stationed at a table for them to peel and enjoy with a little assistance.
Enjoy!
Mrs. Wilson, Sara, and Heather
Mrs. Doyle’s Class: A Season For Gratitude
The education of even a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing him for school, but for life. –Maria Montessori
For many, the holiday season is a time for giving. Perhaps more than ever, it is so important for our children to understand that giving does not have to be a materialistic gift. Simple and heartfelt words of love and friendship will last much longer than most anything that can be bought on a shelf. It can be an amazing and powerful gift to our children, if in all the hustle and bustle of the holidays we take time to slow down and model being grateful.
It was the perfect week to talk about St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas was a Bishop who inherited a lot of money from his family. He was also a very gentle, kind man who lived by the virtues of personal generosity, charity towards those in need, and taking care of the young and the most vulnerable. We learned that St. Nicholas loved to perform random acts of kindness for those in need. Many people around the world celebrate St. Nicholas Day by leaving a pair of boots outside their door. So, we left boots outside our classroom door and, to our amazement, the boots were beautifully decorated and filled with candy canes the next morning.
This week we asked each child to share what they are grateful for. While their messages will make you smile and warm your heart, there is beauty in their simplicity.
Beau–I’m thankful for farms because they give us food.
Blake–I’m thankful for trucks because they are so funny and make everyone laugh.
Cora–I’m thankful for the sun because it shines on my face.
Eli–I’m thankful for my friends, my family and my pets because my pets are really, really cute and I really love my family.
Ellia–I’m thankful for my mom, my dad, and my sister because I love them.
Elliot–I’m thankful for my brother because he likes to play in the snow with me.
Everly–My mommy and my daddy because I love them so much.
Gianni--I’m thankful for the Earth because all of my friends live there.
Gregory–I’m thankful for my teachers and friends at school.
Grace–I’m thankful for the trees because they give us oxygen.
Harper–St. Nicholas because he brings us presents and candy.
Lily–I’m thankful for my mom and my sister, cute little Annie, and my dog Peanut. I’m really thankful my daddy fixed my dishwasher.
Luca C.–I’m thankful for my mom because she loves me a whole lot.
Luca F.—I’m thankful for my friends and my family because I love them all.
Mia–I’m thankful for my cat because I love him.
Michael--I’m thankful for my dog because he is nice to me.
Mya–I’m thankful for flowers because they are so beautiful.
Nina–I’m thankful for the snow because it is so nice.
Parker–I’m thankful for the whales in the ocean because they teach people to be happy.
Quin–I’m thankful for the snow that falls because my mom and dad love when it snows.
Simrin–I’m thankful for my sister because she is cute and plays with me. Sometimes she puts small things in her mouth too!
Wilder–I’m thankful for being happy and loving my mom.
Xander–I’m thankful for Dante because he plays with me all the time.
Miss Jeanine and I are grateful for our relationship with each of you as well as your support, time and effort to help in any way. We are all truly blessed to walk this journey together!
Wishing you a warm and wonderful week!
Michelle & Jeannine
Mrs. Carroll’s Class: Random Acts of Kindness
“Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” -Scott Adams
This week the children enjoyed celebrating Saint Nicholas Day. St. Nicholas is known for his generosity to those in need as well as his love for children. The most important lesson from the legend of St. Nicholas is his generosity. To help us all remember this, your children made it a point to do random acts of kindness. The class brainstormed creative ways to help those in need in our homes, classrooms and local communities. They were delighted to set about “secret” missions to bring some joy to others and were thrilled to find a boot full of candy canes from St. Nicholas himself at week’s end.
A smile, kind word, or honest compliment can transform a bad day into one that will be remembered. Brighten someone’s day with a smile!
Warm thoughts,
Cindy & Sharlene