We had a great week in middle school! We had a few special experiences, including a Veteran’s Day Presentation and our trip to CVH. First, we were able to hear from Jennifer Mills, an FWM parent, retired Navy officer, and former diplomat. She gave a comprehensive presentation about who veterans are in our country and the different branches of the military. Next, Our middle schoolers enjoyed a hands-on learning day at the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary. Using the beautiful Learning Barn and industrial kitchen, students worked in groups to bake breads that will be shared with our school community on Tuesday, November 25. They then headed onto the trails with the CVHAS education team, where they explored the sanctuary while “thinking like animals.” Students imagined how bats and bears find food, choose shelter, and prepare for hibernation. It was a meaningful day of teamwork, creativity, and outdoor learning!
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE OUTDOORS: As part of our program, we regularly spend time outdoors throughout the school year. This includes time outside in the colder, winter months and even when there is snow on the ground. Please ensure students are dressed for the seasonal weather with an outer layer that can withstand colder temperatures for up to 30 minutes. We require a jacket as well as covered arms and legs when temperatures dip below 50°F. This is a great time of year to send in a pair of gloves and a hat to keep in lockers. Also, start thinking about winter boots for those days we will be out in the snow as crocs and athletic shoes are not suitable. Thank you for your attention to this.
Announcements:
- Check with your MS student(s) to make sure they have their refillable water bottle with them.
- Monday, 11/17 – Wednesday, 11/19: 8th Grade Internships
- MS Flower Schedule
Math
Pre-Transition: Pre-Transition started the week off with a review of all Chapter 2 concepts, before demonstrating their knowledge on the Chapter 2 assessment. Then, students dove headfirst into Chapter 3, learning how to use fractions to add mixed numbers or numbers with mixed units.
Transition: This week, students continued their journey in Chapter 3. They became experts at ordering and comparing decimals and fractions, and learned to graph and read numbers on number lines and coordinate grids. Students learned how to find the greatest common factor and least common multiple of two numbers, and are able to use the equal-fractions property to rewrite fractions in order to add and subtract them.
Algebra: Students in Algebra continued their learning of Chapter 3 this week, which is all about linear equations and inequalities. Students learned to solve problems involving equations in the form y = mx + b using tables or graphs. They also learned how to solve for variables in multi-step equations.
Geometry: Students began Chapter 3 this week, titled “Angles and Lines”. So far, students are able to draw and analyze drawings of angles, find the degree measure of arcs and central angles, and can draw and analyze rotation images.
Algebra II: Students wrapped up their learning of Chapter 2 concepts this week! They can now fit a model to data, use the Fundamental Theorem of Variation, and translate variation language into formulas and formulas into variation language.
Science
This week, Middle School students are back to work in the regular curriculum of science. All students are learning and understanding some of the most common properties of matter, such as mass, volume, length, temperature, and density. Students were able to add to their knowledge to support these concepts with a hands-on experience: Measurement Lab. In this class, they had to measure the above-mentioned properties of some random objects that were found in class. Students also learned how to measure the mass of objects using a triple beam balance in grams. Overall, the most important concept they learned was the difference between mass and weight, and how gravity has an impact on weight. They understood that an object would never change its mass, but it would change its weight (depending on the gravity of its location). In addition, they learned that the average gravity on Earth is 9,807 m/s^2.
Humanities
6th and 7th grade classes worked hard this week. They finished up their drafts for their final writing piece called “A Letter to Father”, where they assumed the point of view of Ailin, the protagonist in Ties That Bind, Ties That Break, writing to her father about the choices she made in her life after his passing. This assignment had students not only reflect on the plot of the novel, but on the time period after the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the Cultural Revolution, tying together the history they learned and important events in the book. Next, the classes began their unit on Sub-Saharan Africa. They completed maps labeling countries and their capital cities in the region and became “tourists” as they used Google Earth to put themselves on the ground in these places. Additionally, they spoke about the other physical features of this region of the world and their effects on the way people live.
8th grade Humanities class was also busy this week. They focused on the following regarding the Virginia Colony: the impact of tobacco, establishing government, and the formation of social class, including Bacon’s Rebellion. The class also began reading their class novel, If I Ever Get Out of Here, by Eric Gansworth. This book follows Lewis, a middle school student who lives on the Tuscarora Reservation during the 1970s, and his experiences going to a school outside of the reservation. The 8th grade students are ready to head out on their internships next week!
