Middle School: Presidential Inauguration

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

 

As you know, Wednesday was the 59th Presidential Inauguration and first viewed by most of the MS students. After months of following the process of presidential nominations, the primaries, debates, elections, and taking time to really learn about the executive branch of the U.S. government, the ceremony had a long build-up.

It was a memorable experience for the teachers to share this with their students and for them to share with their peers. Seeing the tears of some of the students in the rooms while watching Kamala Harris be sworn in as Vice President reaffirmed how connected the students are to what is going on in our country. Some were equally moved by the Inaugural Address which called for unity, condemned white supremacy and systemic racism, and ensured representation for all people in the country- including a promise to those whose politics differ. Students are always watching and listening to the leadership.

In Humanities, I continually work with students to speak to each other respectfully, always listen, and show tolerance of others’ perspectives. While we are never allowed to use hate speech and rhetoric that oppresses others, we work to understand what we hear, how our words are heard, and how we feel.

Finally, we watched Amanda Gorman recite her poem, “The Hill We Climb”. This was another affirmation of how language moves us. As a lifelong poetry enthusiast, I was thrilled to have my students see the possibilities of the genre and in Amanda Gorman.

Thank you for supporting this opportunity. We look forward to more profound moments in the times ahead.

Middle School: Week in Review

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

The first two weeks after Winter Break have been filled with recharged mental and physical energy. As you can see, the Middle School classes have been incredibly busy!

**As a reminder, next Tuesday-Friday mornings, the MS will be taking the CTP-5 test. The following is important to keep in mind:

  1. Please be prompt. Drop off is between 7:50-8:10.
  2. Please have your child/children get a good night’s sleep and eat a good breakfast in the morning.

Math

Now that the Math Carnival has come and gone, all classes started learning a new chapter in the UCSMP textbook. Please remember to check Google Classroom regularly for upcoming assessment dates and posted homework assignments.
In Pre-Transition class, students are learning all about multiplication strategies for dealing with real world problems. Students took time this week to understand multiplying fractions and mixed numbers, finding the area of a shape using multiplication, as well as the basic ideas of powers (exponent values). This class is working hard to build their confidence in multiplying decimals, finding the percent of a specific quantity, and evaluating expressions using order of operations.
In Transition class, students had the opportunity to learn about the commutative and associative property for addition and subtraction with integer numbers. This class can successfully calculate absolute values, use fact triangles to depict relationships between rational numbers, and add and subtract positive and negative numbers on a number line. This group of students is working on being more comfortable with solving x+a=b equations and understanding how to graph their solutions on a coordinate plane.
In Algebra class, students were excited to learn the first few lessons of chapter 6 which discusses the importance of slope (rate of change). We have learned how to find the slope of a line given two ordered pairs, writing an equation of a line in slope-intercept form or slope-point form, as well as use the equations of a line to describe real-world situations.
In Geometry class, students are learning how to make conclusions for congruent figures, identify and determine measures for congruent figures, as well as write proofs for the transitive property of equality. This class can now construct equilateral triangles and construct circles through three non-collinear points. Students are going to continue to work on using the perpendicular bisector theorem and practice identifying interior/exterior angles created by a transversal.
Math Joke: Why do teenagers travel in groups of three?………………Because they can’t even.
EXTRA JOKE: What kind of meals do math teachers eat? ………………………… Square meals!
Humanities
There is some fantastic learning and work going on in Humanities classes. It should be mentioned that with the unprecedented events occurring in the United States at the moment, Humanities classes have been having daily current events updates and discussions during part of their classes. The 7th years named this now-daily part of class, “History in the Making”. Fraser Woods is lucky to have such mature and curious students who denounce violence, have respectful dialogue, and ask thoughtful questions.
6th and 7th grade classes are well into their research projects surrounding the theme, Great Discoveries. Some of the topics include Pompeii, the Chicxulub Crater, Stonehenge, and the Nazca Lines. Students completed topic proposals, thesis statements, questions to guide research, and have been spending time researching. Additionally, 6th year students have been studying the geography of the Fertile Crescent that was the location of Mesopotamia. The Sumer people will be the first they study from this region. 7th year Humanities students wrote essays and discussed the notion of leadership which will be leading into their look at the the rise of Adolf Hitler. They also read about the history of anti-Semitism.
8th year students have begun Expert Projects. Topics have been selected, thesis statements were written, and students are working on writing the questions to guide their research for the next several months. 8th year students have also begun discussing the plot of this year’s MS play, which is shaping up to be exciting. Finally, the 8th year students researched and completed a presentation surrounding the causes of the American Revolution.
Science

6th year Earth Science students have been conducting experiments that represent what causes seasons and a difference in the amount of daylight throughout the course of a year. In order to represent this understanding, students constructed their own model of Earth using a Styrofoam ball and toothpicks (Earth’s axis). Students rotated their models around a lamp (sun), monitoring the difference in lit portions of their model as it orbited around the light.

7th year students just finished constructing and testing their catapults as part of our Kinetic Energy unit. Each student spent two days constructing a catapult out of Popsicle sticks, a plastic spoon, and rubber bands. Students tested their design several times and followed up with a reflection for potential changes to enhance performance. Last week, 7th year students also demonstrated their working knowledge of potential and kinetic energy by building a “roller coaster” out of halved pieces of foam insulation. Students were able to express their creativity in designing how many twists, loops, and ramps they wished to include in the design. After completing it, students were able to determine the kinetic energy of their design by calculating the velocity and mass of the marble.
8th year Life Science students are currently exploring the unit, Nervous System. Within this unit, students are understanding what our peripheral and central nervous systems are composed of and how each plays a role in everyday functions. Students were able to perform several activities that tested their senses in relation to their own nervous system. These activities included testing reflex speed by catching a falling meter stick without warning, submerging hands in ice and warm water simultaneously, eye test, and reflex test. Time was provided for students to openly discuss how heavily we rely on our nervous system from the simplest of daily functions to the most difficult choices we are faced to make.

Middle School: Come One, Come All

Posted on by Michelle Lamb
Welcome back to a new year at FWM! Both teachers and students were excited to return and celebrate the start of 2021. The Middle School teachers are incredibly grateful for your generous holiday gifts.
To kick off the school year, CARNIVAL DAY FINALLY ARRIVED! All middle school classes participated in a class Carnival Day activity on Tuesday, January 5. Each student created a unique game with rules, creative title, and full description. Students were asked to calculate the theoretical probability before the actual game day in order to predict the chances of winning their games. We invited FWM staff to join in our games and hope to have an all-school Carnival next year. Students created games that involved throwing discs, spinning a spinner, tossing a bean bag, randomly selecting a candy, flipping a coin, and knocking down cans with a tennis ball. The entire class period was filled with cheer and practicing our learning of probability in the classroom. Students recorded their results and presented a final Google Slides presentation with their experimental probability findings.  I am extremely proud of the students’ accomplishments. Based on the photos, you can see how exceptional the final games turned out.
REMINDER: There will no longer be Thursday Math help sessions after school on Zoom as we have incorporated this time into our weekly schedule. Students are given a 40 minute math help period on Monday afternoons to maximize time for one-on-one support.

Middle School: Math Carnival, Kindness Cards, Alternative Gift Market, & Fun Friday

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

In our final Friday post of the year, we have a variety of activities to share with you!

Math Carnival

Come one, come all…..IT’S CARNIVAL WEEK! During the last week of December, all middle school classes participated in a Math Carnival. Each student was required to build a unique game that could easily be played by their peers. They spent the week gathering materials, creating blueprint sketches, and calculating the theoretical probability of winning the games. Students were creative with building games such as corn hole ball toss, picking a specific card and spinning a colored spinner, dropping a marble down a shoot , and randomly selecting two correct colored tiles from a mystery jar. Everyone was eager to play each other’s games at the end of the week; however, due to the Thursday Snow Day, the live Carnival game day is postponed to the first week of January. During the live games, students will record the experimental probability of having other students/ staff play their games. After the live carnival day, students will graph their results and compare the theoretical probability to the experimental probability.  Stay tuned for more pictures to come.

Kindness Cards

In continuing to connect with their younger peers, the 8th year students have been working for weeks to create a personal card for each student in Fraser Woods during Leadership. This week, students delivered cards to Primary classes, Lower El, and Upper El. The younger students were excited to receive their cards! One Primary student, eager to show off their card, said, “I love my card so much that I hugged it!” 8th grade will continue to reach out to the remainder of the students once they return from winter break.

Alternative Gift Market

Another Leadership initiative is the Alternative Gift Market. Usually held during the holiday concert on the morning before winter break, 8th grade students advocate for national and international causes they have personally selected. While we can’t meet in person, the gift market (called a crowdfund) is now live online! Please preview the causes in the slideshow and then click here to donate!

Fun Friday

Over the past 4 weeks, all middle school students were given a unique fun Friday challenge…build a chair! Sounds easier than you might think given their only materials included 5 pieces of printer paper, 10 paper straws, and 18 inches of masking tape. The challenge was to be able to hold a full water bottle, a minimum of 2 inches off the ground. Students worked individually to create structures they felt would hold best. Students used a variety of techniques to create a seated unit, such as triangular based prisms, cylindrical units filled with straws, and taped together paper squares. The middle school was fortunate enough to gather all together outside to observe the live challenge. Each student had a chance to test their structures by placing a water bottle on top and having it stand solo for 10 seconds. With the encouragement of their peers, students were excited to see how their hard work would fare.

We hope you have a wonderful and safe winter break!

Best,

Megan, Zak, & Michelle

Middle School: Holiday Spirit in the Air

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

Happy Friday! It’s been a happy week indeed. Middle school is feeling the holiday spirit and it’s been showing. Our weeklong door decorating for our 4th annual middle school door decorating contest was great fun. From planning to executing the process, the kids had work in their advisory groups to compromise and problem solve. In the end, the products speak for themselves! The 8th years also collected gifts for the Newtown Fund’s Holiday Baskets initiative. Fraser Woods purchased items from the wishlist of a Newtown family in need to be delivered this weekend. The school’s generosity showed! Thank you!

Up next week is the 8th years’ virtual Alternative Gift Market that will support three charitable causes that the 8th years personally selected. We will also have the holiday gift swap with our advisories on Friday ($10 value-creative gift wrapping encouraged) and another special surprise that is being announced! More fun to come!!

Middle School: Week in Review

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

We hope you had an enjoyable break last week and are happy to be back. We will continue to take mask breaks outside throughout the day and have recess once or twice a day outdoors as much as possible (as we normally do each year). Please have your child/children dress appropriately with winter jackets, warm layers on their legs, and gloves and hats when needed. Thanks you!

Humanities

This week, 6th year Humanities class worked on their empathy writing piece. In doing so, we reviewed using transitions in our writing (within paragraphs and in between). Students also received feedback with how to use writing in order to relate to someone and make them feel heard. Students also completed both current events presentations and a vocabulary unit. 7th year Humanities class finished their fable drafts and completed peer reviews of the work. It is important to provide respectful and productive feedback with guidance. Students completed written feedback that discussed if the writer was able to convey the proverb/metaphor they selected as the main idea through the plot of their piece. They also wrote feedback related to the style and format of a fable and dialogue usage. 7th years also completed current events presentations and a vocabulary unit this week. 8th graders are just about finished with their class novel, If I Ever Get Out of Here. The notion of privilege and the differences that Natives face vs. white individuals in the novel was a source of discussion. Students looked at a few situations in the novel and discussed how it was perceived differently by white individuals v. people of color in the novel. In groups, students also researched the Pequot War and King Philip’s War and shared their information with the class.

Science

6th year Earth Science students have finished their unit on Earthquakes and are now learning about tides. Within this unit, students will learn how the moon and sun affect the cycle of our tides and with that information, how we can use that to our advantage.

7th year Physical Science students are on the unit, Chemical Reactions and Equations. This unit will introduce students to what happens during a chemical reaction, how you know when a chemical reaction has occurred, and how you can represent chemical reactions with equations. Currently, students are learning what types of chemicals go into making fireworks.
 
8th year Life Science students are on the unit, Genes and the Impacts of Mutations on Organisms. Students were tasked with the project, Monster Maker. This project required students to determine the genotype of a female and male monster by flipping a coin, then use Mendel’s punnett square to determine what their offspring would look like based on dominant or recessive genes. 
Math
In Pre-Transition class, students learned all about subtracting integer values, solving basic algebraic equations involving addition and subtraction, as well as using fact triangles to find related facts. Students took time this week to organize their binders and participated in group discussions about effective ways to study in math. This class is concluding their study of chapter 4 and will begin learning chapter 5 next week.
In Transition class, students had the opportunity to learn about different polygon shapes. Students practiced their understanding of writing mathematical statements as always, sometimes, and never true. This class can also use Venn Diagrams to describe relationships between sets. As a reminder, it is important to start preparing for assessments well in advance to feel prepared and confident.
In Algebra class, students are beginning to learn the first few lessons of chapter 5. They have learned about multiplying and dividing algebraic fractions using ratios to compare two quantities as well as calculating relative frequency and probability in situations. This class is already excited for the math carnival project that will take place the last week of December.
In Geometry class, students are learning how to draw different transformations including glide reflections, translations, and rotations of a figure on a plane. This class can apply properties of reflections to obtain properties of other isometries as well as continue to practice using the two reflections theorem to prove statements.
Math Joke: What shape is usually waiting for you inside a Starbucks? …………………..A line.
EXTRA JOKE:  Do you know what’s odd? ……………………..Every other number!

Middle School: Week in Review

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

We had another busy week in Middle School and are excited for Thanksgiving next week.

Humanities

Sixth year Humanities students finished their descriptive writing drafts, Nature Through Writing, using photography as inspiration. Because they recently completed their class novel, Out Of My Mind, students watched a mini documentary on a 17-year old New Zealand teen living with cerebral palsy. She has a similar profile to Melody, the protagonist of the novel. Finally, they completed a unit of vocabulary.

7th year students finished their class novel, A Gift From Childhood. In preparation for writing original fables, similar to the ones told in the novel, students identified proverbs and metaphors throughout the book to use as inspiration. 7th years also completed a unit of vocabulary.

Finally, 8th years did a lot of reading this week in their class novel, If I Ever Get Out of Here. The protagonist, Lewis, is part of the Tuscarora tribal nation and the book centers around his experiences at a mostly white school. This week we spent time writing about and discussing some of the challenges he faces, the root of these challenges, and his perception of certain events in the story versus how others perceive them. 8th years also completed a unit of vocabulary.

Math

In Pre-Transition math class, students learned all about using fact triangles to find related facts for addition and subtraction problems involving integers and rational numbers. This class can identify linear pairs and vertical angles in a diagram. They can also recognize acute, obtuse, right, complementary, and supplementary angles. This class will learn all the Chapter 4 lessons before the Thanksgiving break and take the Chapter 4 assessment once we get back to school in December.

In Transition class, students had the opportunity to construct if-then statements, and they learned how to draw Venn Diagrams to represent the intersection and union of sets. This class is learning how to draw and identify basic figures of polygons, apply the properties of a good definition, and classify statements that are always, sometimes, and never true. Next week this class will conclude learning all the lessons for Chapter 4.
In Algebra class, students took two days to prepare for the Chapter 4 summative assessment. This was a cumulative test covering Chapters 1-4, and Ms. Sutherland is very proud of how all the students prepared for this test. They have started to cover the first few lessons of Chapter 5, which includes multiplying, simplifying, and dividing algebraic fractions, as well as multiplying and dividing rates in real world situations.
In Geometry class, students are learning how to  identify images under a double reflection. This class can apply the Two Reflection Theorem for translation problems as well as find coordinates of reflection and translation images for points over the coordinate axes.
Math Joke: What do baby parabolas drink?……..Quadratic formula
Science
6th year Earth Science students are working on their unit, Earthquakes. This week, students created their own seismograph stations using a shoe box, rubber bands, a sports ball, and a marker. Students tested how density (material inside the shoe box) affects the seismic waves generated by dropping the sports ball on the shoebox, resulting in the marker moving.
7th year Physical Science students are continuing their work on molecules. Students are identifying how to determine an element’s number of protons, electrons, and neutrons based on the atomic number and mass. Students are learning how to read an atomic structure’s valence and total electrons in order to determine what the exact element is. Moving forward, we will learn about the similarities and differences each group (metals, nonmetals, halogens, noble gases) possesses.
8th year Life Science students have just finished their unit, Meiosis. Our next unit will be Genes and the Impacts of Mutations on Organisms. Within this unit, we will discover what a gene is and how they are passed down from generation to generation within our DNA. Students will analyze similarities and differences between one another while also looking at key traits associated with family members.
Thank you families, for sharing your child/children with us. Their flexibility, willingness to work, and thoughtfulness are traits we appreciate greatly. It is another week that we are beyond grateful to be with them in school!

Middle School: Week in Review

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

Happy Friday! Another November week has come to a close, and we have taken advantage of the unexpected warm weather. Here’s what has been going on in Middle School.

Humanities

This week, all classes had current events presentations. The 6th years worked hard to finish their class novel, Out of My Mind. They also continued with descriptive writing. Students read and composed personification poems. They also began a writing piece inspired by a photograph. Next, the 7th years continued to read and lead discussions surrounding their class novel, A Gift From Childhood. They also took time to compose wonderful memoir poems. Mrs. Lamb is proud of these talented creative writers! Finally, 8th years began reading their class novel, If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth. To build prior knowledge and context, they studied the history behind the US Reservation system. All students write annotations and sometimes complete guided questions as they read. These will guide discussion on the reading. The annotations allow the students to lead their own book discussions and direct their classmates to particular passages for further conversation.

Science

6th year Earth Science students are continuing to explore earthquakes. This week, students represented longitudinal, transverse, and compression waves resulting from the release of energy from an earthquake using slinkies. Students have been holding class discussions on a documentary pertaining to the events of March 11, 2011 when a magnitude 9.0 earthquake hit just off the Pacific coast of Japan. Students are learning how seismologists are able to collect data from seismic readings of plate tectonics to better understand how such an earthquake happens and how to prepare for future ones.

7th year Physical Science students are learning about the properties of molecules and the periodic table of elements. Currently, students are working on representing covalent and ionic bonds. Within this unit, students are discovering how to identify a particular atom’s number of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
8th year Life Science students are finishing their unit on Meiosis. Each student has been working on representing the stages of Meiosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase) as it results in genetic variation among certain species. This unit provides students with background knowledge to support their next chapter, “Genes and the Impacts of Mutations on Organisms.”
Math
In Pre-Transition math class, students had the first part of the week to study and prepare for their Chapter 3 Unit Test. This assessment covered topics of measuring angles with a protractor, adding fractions without common denominators, and applying the Triangle-Sum theorem. Students started to learn the first few lessons of Chapter 4 which explains subtracting positive and negative integers on a number line and using fact triangles to find related facts.
In Transition class, students had the first part of the week to study and prepare for their Chapter 3 Unit Test as well. This assessment covered topics of converting decimals, fractions, and percents, estimating the square root of a number, and calculating probability of an event. Students started learning about Chapter 4 which explains writing if-then statements, determining the union and intersection of sets, as well as drawing basic polynomial figures.
In Algebra class, students are learning about solving real world problems involving percent, drawing horizontal and vertical lines on a coordinate plane, and can solve/check equations of the form ax + b = cx + d. This class will conclude Chapter 4 next week and should start to prepare for their next Unit Test.
In Geometry class, students are learning how to draw figures by applying the definitions of reflection images, use reflections to find the shortest path, as well as use the Two-Reflection theorems for translations on a plane. This class will have their Chapter 4 Unit assessment next week and should start to prepare well in advance.
As a general reminder, students are invited to attend an optional virtual math help session on Thursdays from 4:45-5:30pm. Questions will be answered on a first come, first serve basis. All middle school classes are welcome to participate. Students can access the zoom link on the main stream of all Google classroom pages.
Math Joke:
What do you get if you divide the circumference of a jack-o-lantern by its diameter? ……Pumpkin pi  
EXTRA JOKE: What did one math book say to the other?………………Don’t bother me. I’ve got my own problems!