Middle School: Week in Review

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

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.

Middle School: Week in Review

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

It’s Friday, and we ended the week with the Math Carnival! Students and teachers had fun playing these creative games and can’t wait to do it again next year. Great work, Middle School math students!

Math
In Transition class, students concluded their learning of Chapter 7 and reviewed key concepts such as finding the area of a triangle, trapezoid, and rectangle. This class can successfully multiply fractions, calculate the perimeter of a circle, and use the distributive property to simplify number sentences. The class will begin their learning of Chapter 6 next week and cover topics like supplementary and complementary angles.
In Algebra class, students are excited to be learning about the slope of a line and can successfully calculate the rate of change when given a set of data. This class can find the slope of a line given two coordinate points, they can graph the line of an equation, and they can determine if the slope has a negative or positive trend. Next week, students will continue to practice writing equations in slope-point form and slope-intercept form.
In Geometry class, students began learning Chapter 6 in the UCSMP textbook this week. This class is able to describe the reflection and rotation symmetry of a figure, write proofs using properties of triangles and quadrilaterals, as well as, calculate the measure of inscribed angles within a circle. This class will continue to study the properties of a kite, parallelogram and trapezoid next week.
In addition to this work, the Middle School students presented their probability carnival games on Friday, January 14th. This was a fun morning where students got to explain the inspiration behind their game and play together with the hopes of winning prizes. All students collected the experimental data from their carnival games and are responsible to analyze their findings. This final write up is due on Tuesday, January 18th.
Math Joke: Did you hear the one about the statistician?………..Probably
Humanities
The Humanities 6 class is immersed in their research projects. They have chosen topics under the theme of Overcoming Obstacles and written their thesis statements to focus their research. 6th grade students also created questions that will guide their research. Before the class began to do research they learned about finding reliable resources and how to keep their paraphrased notes organized by topic and source. Additionally, students began their study of Ancient Civilizations with a written discussion and map work.
Humanities 7 also began their research project and selected their topic under the theme, Overcoming Obstacles. Each member of the class wrote their thesis statements, guiding questions for their research, and a review of using reliable resources. Also, 7th year Humanities students began the novel, A Long Walk to Water, by Linda Sue Park. This memoir follows the trek of Salva Dut, a Lost Boy, who travels from Sudan to escape rebel militant groups. The history of Sudan and South Sudan as well as current events will also be topics in the coming week.
Humanities 8 students have just about finalized their Expert Project Topics! They are about to begin their final research project, which will be presented in May. Additionally, students continued their American history lessons with learning about the lost colony of Roanoke, the Virginia Company and the settlement of the Virginia Colony, and the effects of the settlement on the local Powhatan tribal nation. They are also continuing to read the novel, If I Ever Get Out of Here, which follows a teen living on the Tuscarora Reservation in the 1970s. Finally, 8th grade students completed a unit of vocabulary.
**The Makerspace is in need of empty 2-liter bottles and gallon milk containers. If you have any, please send in ASAP.**

A Week in Review: Math Carnival!

Posted on by msutherland

Happy New Year to all our middle school families! We are all excited to return in-person and celebrate the start of 2022. To kick off the school year, the MATH CARNIVAL HAS FINALLY ARRIVED! Throughout the entire week, each student designed, built and calculated a unique probability game. Students from grade 6, 7 and 8 were responsible for assigning rules, making a creative title and writing a full description of their game. Students were asked to calculate the theoretical probability before the actual game day in order to predict the participants’ chances of winning their games. Students created fun games that involved throwing discs, spinning a spinner, tossing a ball, randomly selecting a marble, and flipping a coin. The Carnival Day has been postponed to Friday, January 14th, as students need more time to finish their final displays. Stay tuned next week for photos of the Carnival Day celebration. After the Carnival Day exhibit, students will record their results and present their findings with the appropriate experimental probability calculated. We are extremely proud of all the middle school students for their hard work and dedication that went into creating these beautiful and thoughtful games.

As a general reminder, please have students bring appropriate winter clothing to school. The temperatures can fluctuate during the day and we want students to be warm in a jacket, sweater, gloves and a hat when we go outside for recess. We also want to send a friendly reminder to bring in flowers when it is your allocated week on the sign up list. If you need an additional copy, please email your child’s advisory teacher for it to be re-shared.

Middle School: See You Next Year!

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

The mood has been light and energy is buzzing in Middle School this week! We completed our holiday door decorating and celebrated with yummy treats, thanks to you! The holiday family drive was a success, and we satisfied wish lists for two families in Newtown. Please enjoy time with friends and family over the next two weeks and know that the Middle School teachers can’t wait to see our students in 2022. Thanks to all of you for making 2021 awesome!

Middle School: Week in Review

Posted on by msutherland

Winter break is one week away and the Middle School community is busy sharing their energetic festive spirit. All the Middle School students recorded their music video with Mr. Erik and the video should be available for viewing soon. We also began decorating our respective advisory doors with this years theme of Winter Wonderland. In addition, the grade 8 class completed the gift wrapping for all the wonderful donations brought in for the Family Gift Drive to support two families.

Next week we will be celebrating the students great accomplishments in 2021 with a fun holiday party on Friday December 17th. Please remember to have your child bring in their secret snowman gift (10$ spending limit) and any treats to share for our party. A respective SignUp genius was emailed to all families in order to help us bring in all the goodies we will need.

HUMANITIES:

6th grade Humanities class has been working on their independent reading novel this week. Individual goals are set for reading and the accompanying assignments will guide book discussions. This week, students have discussed and written about the importance of the setting in a plot as well, identifying the conflict, and making predictions for how the conflict will be resolved. Additionally, students completed another unit of vocabulary.
7th grade Humanities classes are continuing to work through Baba Wague Diakite’s memoir, A Gift From Childhood, that focuses on growing up in Mali during the second part of the 20th century. In addition to book discussion, students learned about the traditional ceremonies and celebrations surrounding boys becoming adults in Mali as well as Kenya. 7th grade students also learned about the qualities of a fable, since many of the stories that Baba tells could be considered fables. The class has begun prewriting for their own fables that will be drafted next week. Finally, students completed a unit of vocabulary.
In 8th grade Humanities, students learned about the Age of Exploration. This involved taking a deeper look at explorers, their reasons for wanting to travel west, where they ended up exploring, and the subsequent impacts. Students also continued reading their class novel, If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth. Finally, 8th grade students completed a unit of vocabulary.

MATH: 

In Transition class, students began working through chapter 7 in the UCSMP textbook. We will revisit chapter 6 in the new year all together. This class is learning about area and perimeter of 2D shapes, multiplying fractions and applying the commutative and associative property of multiplication. Students are also practicing how to use the distributive property when multiplying large values.
In Algebra class, students can successfully convert rates to a different unit and use ratios to compare two quantities. This class is practicing how to interpret percentile questions and how to solve proportions using a cross-multiplication method. We will conclude our learning of chapter 5 next week and encourage all students to begin long term studying for the chapter test scheduled for Tuesday December 14th.
In Geometry class, students are continuing to work through proof statements using properties of isometries. This class can successfully label alternate interior and exterior angles in a figure, as well as construct equilateral triangles from three non-collinear points. We will continue to work through the triangle-sum, quadrilateral-sum and polygon-sum theorems next week.
Math Joke: What’s the one shape you should avoid at all costs?…..a TRAP-ezoid.

SCIENCE:

This week in Earth Science, students have worked on locating the epicenter of an earthquake using data obtained by 3 seismic stations. Students were tasked with identifying the difference in arrival of P and S waves recorded from a seismograph which were used to determine the distance to the epicenter. Students graphed circles on a map, representing areas of seismic activity through earth’s crust. By graphing 3 different seismograms, students were able to determine the epicenter by locating the area of overlap of the 3 circles.

In Physical Science, students finished their stop motion video representations of covalent and ionic bonding of atoms. Students selected 2 molecules that each represented ionic and covalent bonds. The videos depicted the transfer/exchange of electrons between atoms that resulted in a specific type of bond. Throughout working on this project, students became familiar with the properties elements have and how the history of the periodic table of elements.
In Life Science, students finished their stop motion video representations of meiosis. Students created a stop motion video that illustrated the 4 main stages of meiosis (Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase). Students were able to show the difference between mitosis and meiosis as in meiosis, genetic variation occurs during prophase by the exchange of DNA by crossing over. Each student worked hard meeting each of the objectives.

Middle School: Week in Review

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

What a great week in Middle School! We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and time with your family and friends. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our bread baking last week. We had a lot of fun in the process, and the breads were delicious.

In keeping with the giving spirit, the 8th grade has adopted two Newtown families in need for the holidays. Their wishlists are posted in these Sign Up Geniuses. Thank you for taking time to help us help these families. Wrapped gifts from the SignUp can be sent in anytime by next Friday, 12/10.

Family #63

Family #9

Also, as it gets colder, we are asking parents to be sure that their Middle School child/children come to school with the appropriate outerwear for the weather, as we will continue going outside even as the temperatures drop. This includes a winter jacket, long pants, and gloves/hat (depending on the temperature). Thank you for helping the teachers with this.

Science

6th year Earth Science students are currently on the unit, Why Earthquakes Occur. Students were able to represent seismic waves by using slinkies throughout each class. Students were able to draw upon past knowledge of tectonic plates as it relates to the sudden release of pressure, resulting in earthquakes. The objectives for this unit are to describe how crustal deformation by plate tectonics causes earthquakes, model the crustal deformation of Earth that causes earthquakes, and explain how scientists study earthquakes and why studying earthquakes is important.

7th year Physical Science students are in the unit, Molecules. This week in class, students were able to represent their own molecule using manipulatives. Students artistically represented the difference between an atom/element, elemental molecule, and compound molecule. The objectives of this unit are to recognize that atoms and molecules are too small to be seen; identify examples of elements, compounds, molecules, and diatomic molecules; describe how the properties of a compound are different from the properties of the elements that form the compound; and, draw atomic diagrams of elements, compounds, and diatomic molecules.

8th year Life Science students are in the unit, Meiosis. Throughout this unit, students will be able to explain when meiosis occurs and in what organisms, describe how chromosomes change and move at each stage of meiosis, determine the number of chromosomes in the gametes of an organism given its parental chromosome number, and explain why meiosis allows diversity of characteristics in offspring, whereas mitosis does not.

Math
In Transition class, students are concluding their learning for Chapter 5, which involves patterns in addition and subtraction problems. This class is continuing to work on how to solve equations in the form x+a< b or x+a=b. This class can also successfully substitute values in a table and use the triangle inequality property to find missing side lengths.
In Algebra class, students began a new chapter this week and are excited to be learning about simplifying algebraic fractions. This class learned about using rates to solve real world problems and can now identify congruent negative fractions. This class will continue to work on converting rates with multiple units and practice setting up complete algebraic fractions from word problems.
In Geometry class, students are able to label congruent figures on any 2D shape and can apply the segment congruent theorem to simple two-column proof statements. Students are confident with using different isometries in order to change or alter a given shape in space. This class concluded the week with a short quiz that tested their learning from Lesson 5.1-5.4.
 
Math Joke: Why can you never trust math teachers who use graph paper?…….Because they’re always plotting something.
Humanities
6th grade Humanities students began their independent novels this week. Students selected a novel and will be reading them until winter break. They have reading goals every few days along with a written assignment that will prepare them for our reading discussion. The class will keep track of each other’s plots and ask questions of each other. 6th grade students also completed a unit of vocabulary this week.
In 7th grade Humanities class, students continued reading their class novel, A Gift From Childhood by Baba Wague Diakite. This memoir is about traditional Malian upbringing but also gives glimpses of French occupation and independence from France. We looked at the colonization of the continent of Africa from 1450-late 1900s by European countries and talked about how cultural influences are present in the countries from languages spoken to traditions and city names. The novel also focuses on storytelling as a mode of education, using proverbs and metaphors. The class has recorded all of these as they have been read, and they will be used for a later writing assignment. Finally, the 7th grade completed a unit of vocabulary.
8th grade students completed and presented their career presentations this week! Due to Covid, this project was created as a safe alternative to our usual five-day internship. Students chose a profession, completed research about it, interviewed a professional in the field, and were given the option of visiting a place of business for two days. The topics were Mental Skills Specialist, Chef and Restaurateur, D1 College Coach, Librarian, and College Athletic Administrator. With the diversity of professions, the presentations were interesting and reflected the students’ personal interests. It was great hearing their reflections of the interviews as well! The 8th grade also began their class novel, If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth and began a unit of vocabulary.
Have a beautiful weekend!

Middle School: Week in Review

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

The energy is up this week on the cusp of a short, Thanksgiving week coming up and some beautiful weather. Also, the 8th grade and the generosity of the FWM community is providing a holiday meal plus extra provisions for the season to a Newtown family in need. Lots of great moments happening!

Math

In Transition class, students are working through the second half of Chapter 5 in the UCSMP textbook. They covered new topics such as using fact triangles to find related number sentences and solving for unknown variables in an addition or subtraction question. This class is able to solve equations of the form x + a = b and understand how to isolate a variable using a single-step method.
In Algebra class, students can successfully solve for variables in the form ax + b = cx + d. This class can also write linear equations and inequalities based on a real-world problem. They are continuing to practice how to rearrange formulas for specific variables and recognize what equations have no real solution or all real solutions.
In Geometry class, students are concluding their learning for Chapter 4 about congruent transformations. This class is learning about reflection, rotations, translations, and magnifications of different figures on a plane. With great patience and practice, this class is able to draw composite reflections over intersecting lines and draw translations using a vector guide.
Math Joke: Why did the two 4’s skip Thanksgiving dinner?…….Because they already 8!
Humanities
Grade 6 Humanities worked on final writing and discussions relating to their class novel, Out of My Mind. They wrote reactions to the novel using guided questions and are now brainstorming for a creative writing piece that involves writing to the main character, Melody. 6th grade students also completed a poetry analysis for the poem, “Don’t Go Into the Library” by Albert Rios that discusses the notion of how spaces can evoke emotion. They will begin another descriptive writing piece next week!
Grade 7 Humanities students wrapped up culture discussion this week and moved into their next region of the globe: the SubSaharan African Continent. Geography work was done as well as gaining information regarding human geography as well as the industries of forestry, fishing, mining, and drilling and their impacts on the environment, the people, and the world.
Grade 8 Humanities students spent the week working on their career research project/internship. They have chosen a profession of interest and are doing research about what the job entails, what days are like, qualifications needed, and much more. They are also asked to interview or intern with an individual in the field as part of their research. The 8th years are doing great work!
Science
     This week all Middle School science students are working on the fundamentals of a scientific investigation. Students are exploring and identifying the differences between independent and dependent variables, what a control is within an experiment, how to format and carry out an experiment,  represent and analyze data, and build a logical conclusion. Throughout this process, students will be presented with a series of graphs that represent a variety of data. The students’ objective will be to deduce what the purpose (problem/question) of the experiment was that resulted in collection of data. From that purpose, they will analyze the results.  Through this practice, students will have a broader understanding into a scientific mindset.
Have a great weekend, everyone!

 

 

Middle School: Week in Review

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

Happy Friday! We hope you enjoy reading about the full week of learning and great work by the Middle School Students!

Science

6th year Earth Science students are finishing their unit on Tectonic Plates. Throughout this week, students have continued to apply their knowledge of the rock cycle as it relates to tectonic plate activity. Students were asked to hypothesize how tectonic plates play a role in the development of the rock cycle. After sharing their hypothesis, each student conducted research to either support or disprove their own theory.

7th year Physical Science students have finished designing and producing their stop motion videos depicting States of Matter. Each group of students was required to plan and carry out their ideas which artistically represented the transition between solids, liquids, gases, and plasma. Students were to include each state’s molecular arrangement, thermal energy as it relates to potential energy, and whether or not a definite shape and volume are recorded. After students finished their videos, they reflected on areas of their work they felt went as planned and those that can be improved upon moving forward.
8th year Life Science students also finished their stop motion video on Cellular Respiration. With cellular respiration being a rather extensive sequence, the objective students were to represent in their video was the sequence of each phase transition between glycolysis, citric acid cycle, and electron transport chain. Each phase was to include the input and outputs of each. Our next unit will be Meiosis and Mitosis.
Math
In Transition class, students concluded their learning for Chapter 3 titled, Representing Numbers. This class has moved onto learning Chapter 5 and are excited to learn about absolute values, adding integers, and solving single-step equations.
In Algebra class, students continued to learn more about linear equations and linear inequalities. Students practiced graphing vertical and horizontal lines on a coordinate plane, solving equations with a variable on both sides of the problem, as well as finding percentages of a total quantity.
In Geometry class, students began working through Chapter 4 and are studying transformations in space. This class is continuing to practice how to draw a reflection over parallel and intersecting line segments. This group can also find the new coordinates of a figure after a reflection, rotation, or magnification is performed.
Math Joke: Why do plants dislike math?…….Because it gives them square roots.
Humanities
6th grade Humanities students finished their class novel, Out of My Mind. With an action-packed week of reading, they successfully participated in insightful book discussion and completed written work associated with the novel. It was great to have the students become so invested in their novel! They also completed a unit of vocabulary this week.
7th grade Humanities students began the week wrapping up their current events from last Friday. With such important topics and a class that has respectful and profound discussions, it is always exciting to watch and listen to them engage and learn from each other. Next, students have been discussing culture, specifically how it relates to our country and also China, as we finish up our learning about the country. What makes a culture? How does culture change? What happens when it does? We looked at traditional vs. modern culture. Additionally, they completed an assignment analyzing the poems, “A Prayer for the 21st Century” by James Marsden and the lyrics from Bob Dylan’s, “Forever Young”. Finally, students completed a unit of vocabulary.
8th grade Humanities class also began the week wrapping up current events presentations from last Friday. Similarly to the 7th grade class, they had excellent topics that elicited good discussion and inquiry.  Students had respectful conversation that was great to listen to. Next, students completed research to share with the class next week about a few Pre-Contact Civilizations from the Americas: Incas, The Mayan Empire, Aztecs, Mississippians, Ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi), and Olmec. Additionally, students began looking at the genre of personal narratives by reading and responding to two essays, “Plate of Peas” by Rick Beyer and “Mississippi Mud” by Jessica Piper. Finally, students completed a unit of vocabulary.
Have a wonderful weekend!