The Middle School started the week off trying progressive muscle relaxation, a form of moving meditation to calm the body, releasing tension (seen in pictures). We also said farewell to the old field and look forward to the new one in the fall! Now that the weather is nicer, we have had lunch outside daily with plenty of time to run around and hang out with friends. We are in for a busy month ahead, so be on the lookout for upcoming informational emails about the Middle School Social on 5/17, Honoring the Class of 2024 on 6/5, and the Boston trip on 5/29-5/31! Exciting events ahead!
Here’s the week in review:
Humanities
6th-grade Humanities class has transitioned to Subcontinental Asia for their final unit of study. They learned the geography of the region and used Google Earth to explore different areas in each country. They were also curious about the demographics, especially the population, languages spoken, and religions practiced. This led nicely to our study of two of the predominant religions of Subcontinental Asia, Islam and Hinduism. We will begin our final novel, Shooting Kabul, by N.H. Senzai in the coming week.
7th-grade Humanities classes have been reading A Gift From Childhood by Baba Wague Diakite. This memoir looks at the Malian tradition of storytelling and generational life lessons using proverbs and metaphors. As students read, they use their annotations to highlight important information, ask questions, and identify the proverbs and metaphors. They are keeping an index of these figurative sayings to use for a future writing piece. Students also read about the colonization of West Africa by the French, and how European colonization throughout the continent of Africa influenced culture.
8th-grade Humanities classes have just about finished She Came to Slay. They spent some time learning about the Great Migration, an important time of history that corresponds with Harriet Tubman’s life and work. Additionally, they are working hard on their expert presentations. Students will run through them for the first round of feedback next week with Mrs. Lamb. In US history with Mr. Newman, the class is transitioning from the Gilded Age to the 1920s and The Great Depression. Many of the advancements during the Gilded Age led to prosperity and the “Roaring Twenties,” which in turn set the country up for an economic crash. The class will be studying the causes and effects of the economic crisis of the late 20s and early 30s.
Math
In the final stretch of Chapter 10, “Linear Equations and Inequalities,” Transition math students are learning about the properties of graphing with equations like Ax+By=C and inequalities such as Ax+By<C. This week, they are mastering the art of representing time-distance relationships graphically and visualizing formulas through graphs. Their next chapter (11) is titled “Geometry in Space.”
Pre-transition math students have successfully completed Chapter 9 on Area and Volume this week, expanding their understanding of geometric concepts. Moving forward, the upcoming chapter on Probability will delve into exciting new topics. Students will be introduced to fundamental principles such as the multiplication counting principle, sample spaces, probability calculations, the use of probability tree diagrams, and the concept of fair games. This new chapter will engage students in a thought-provoking exploration of mathematical probability.
In the world of Algebra, students have just wrapped up their exploration of Polynomials in Chapter 11. Now, as they embark on Chapter 12, “More Work with Quadratics,” they will discover new concepts that will deepen their understanding of quadratic equations. They will learn to graph equations in the form y-k=a(x-h)², master the skill of completing the square, and unravel the mysteries of factoring quadratic equations. This chapter promises to be a journey full of challenges and discoveries as students continue to sharpen their algebraic skills.
The eighth-grade geometry class continues to explore the facets of pyramids and cones. They can identify the apex, lateral edges, lateral faces, base edges, and slant height. They apply previously learned theorems and special right triangles to find these edges, bases, and altitudes.
Science
In 6th grade Earth Science, students are exploring the consequences of human actions on our planet. This week, the focus is on identifying various ways in which humans negatively affect the environment, such as pollution and deforestation. Students are challenged to think critically and propose sustainable alternatives that can achieve the same goals without harming nature. By exploring these concepts, students are not only learning about environmental issues but also developing crucial problem-solving skills for a more sustainable future.
In 7th grade Physical Science, students continued to work on discovering the properties of reflection as they investigated various surfaces like smooth, rough, concave, and convex. Through hands-on activities, students designed experiments to determine whether mirrors or foil would cause a greater temperature change in water when exposed to a heat lamp. Prior to the experiment, students formulated hypotheses, fostering critical thinking and scientific reasoning skills essential to the exploration of reflective surfaces.
In 8th year Life Science, students researched the role of our nervous system, unraveling its impact on our daily lives. Through research, they discovered the two primary systems that compose our nervous system—the central and peripheral nervous systems—recognizing the distinct functions each system carries out in our bodies. Additionally, students were asked to identify and present information on the three different types: motor neurons governing movement, interneurons facilitating communication between neurons, and sensory neurons responsible for transmitting sensory information to the brain.
Have a great weekend!
