Hancock Middle School: 2014

Friday, December 12, 2014

December 15-19

Our National Junior Honor Society spent some time with Pre-K!

Please check our website for dates and times of Basketball games!

NOTES FROM THE HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

This Friday marks the date when all student work for the second quarter should be complete. The remaining task for the semester is to prepare for the next week’s examinations. Prepare, what exactly does that mean? Students open up their binder with 18 weeks of notes, quizzes and tests, then what? Step one should be complete at this point, ORGANIZE! Once a student is organized, we are at a point where parents can really help. The next step is to PLAN. First thing this weekend, I would recommend sitting down with your child and going through each course to divide up the material into blocks that can be dealt with over the next 5 – 7 days. Preparing for 5 core subjects means that there will be a sizable amount of work to cover each night. Next, SCHEDULE TIME where your son or daughter can count on being in a quiet place to follow the plan that you created together. Finally, MAINTAIN A REGULAR SCHEDULE over the next week. Good diet, a little exercise and plenty of rest.

ILLNESS AT HANCOCK DAY SCHOOL

As you are no doubt aware, there is a serious cold and in some cases the flu going around our school. This has caused a GREAT deal of anxiety with our Middle School students because this week was very busy academically and next week we begin exams. We are a school that supports families. To that end, our first goal when a student returns is to create a reasonable plan to get caught up. In some cases this will mean completing work after next Friday. I will be at the Middle School on Monday and Tuesday, December 22^nd and 23^rd to facilitate making up work on a rational schedule. Teachers will not be here those days. There are already some students scheduled for

makeup assessments beginning at 9:00 on Monday, December 22^nd. If your child has been out for any period of time I will be meeting with them when they return to create a makeup schedule. Of course, parent input is needed and encouraged.

GUEST SPEAKER

On Tuesday during Eagle Op time, we will welcome Rabbi Haas from Mickve Israel Synagogue to speak to our students about the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah.

STUDENT DISMISSAL

Reminder - the Middle School will dismiss at 12:00 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. There will be no extended for Middle School students on those days.

Monday, December 8, 2014

December 8-12

Middle School Christmas performance at Savannah Mall

NOTES FROM THE HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS

Semester exams can be an unpleasant rite of passage in Middle School. Many of our students manage the stress of these exams through their own strategies and tactics. Some students might need a bit more support. Exams can provoke feelings of stress, test anxiety, and can also spike issues with a student’s mood and behavior. Parents can easily intervene to help provide your son or daughter with positive encouragement and test preparation support.

Work on your child’s weakest subject. Spend time each day helping them understand the concepts they learned in class, work with the teacher to schedule pre-

school or after-school help or perhaps organize a “study group” of several of your child’s fellow students to study together and support each other.

Make studying rewarding. Integrate activities throughout study sessions to relieve stress. Schedule some special time with your child during this time period.

Be pro-active in their studying. Each child’s need for parental involvement may be different, but you can always be pro-active in helping them study. For example, you can give them pop quizzes based on the study materials. Assist them organizing their studying process and materials. Help highlight important parts of notes, give them stick notes to use as placeholders for important textbook material and help them create and or review teacher provided study guides. This involvement will build study habits that will benefit your child for years to come.

EXAM SCHEDULE

Wednesday, December 17^th

8:30 – 9:45

Grades 6-7-8 Spanish – Ms. Hughes/Mrs. Bender (Dixon)

Thursday, December 18^th

8:30 – 10:00

Grades 6-7-8 English Language Arts – Mrs. O’Connor/Mrs. Hannah

10:30 – 12:00

Grades 6-7 Science – Mrs Blake/Mrs. Reardon

Grade 8 Algebra – Mrs. Reardon

Grade 8 Algebra/Geometry – Mr. Lanfear

Friday, December 19^th

8:30 – 10:00

Grades 6-7-8 Social Studies – Mrs. English/Mrs. Hannah

10:30 – 12:00

Grade 6 Math 6 – Mrs. Reardon

Grade 6 Pre Algebra – Mr. Lanfear

Grade 7 Pre Algebra – Mr. Lanfear

Grade 7 Algebra – Mrs. Reardon

Grade 8 Science – Mrs. Blake

EAGLE OP TIME THIS WEEK

To ensure that students have access to their teachers to help them prepare for semester exams, each day we will hold a “Classroom Connect” study hall during Eagle Op Time (10:30 – 11:00). Teachers will be available in their rooms to work with students and supervised study time with computers available will be held in Hancock Hall.

SPORTS PICTURES

This Wednesday basketball team pictures will be taken between 10:30 and 11:00. Athletes should make sure to come to school with the appropriate clothing/uniform.

SAVANNAH ARTS ADMISSIONS

Details are still not complete for the school’s admissions process. One VERY IMPORTANT date that has been released is for the Workshop Session. The workshop session is critical to attend to receive assistance in preparing a portfolio and preparing for the auditions required for admissions. This workshop will be held on Saturday morning, January 17^th. UNCONFIRMED TIME is 9:00 – 12:00.

BIG THANK YOU!

The Middle School Team would like to send out a special thank you to all the parents who have taken time out of their busy schedules to drive our students around Savannah this semester. Moving a school of 89 students is a major undertaking. Your contribution made it possible for our students to attend many extra activities.

6TH GRADE NEWS

6th Grade English Language Arts with Mrs. O'Connor

This week the sixth graders are wrapping up our study of A Wrinkle in Time and preparing for semester exams. Students have a persuasive travel brochure due on Wednesday demonstrating their ability to use ethos, pathos, and logos in writing. The majority of the work for this brochure will be done in class. Students will also take a test over A Wrinkle in Time on Thursday. Successful completion of both of these assignments will help students to prepare for exams as the concepts covered on both of these will be featured extensively on the semester exam. The semester exam will also include material from our previous three units of literature (nonfiction, Anne Frank, and short stories), in addition to concepts from our GUM book and one lesson in Wordly Wise. We will spend four days in class reviewing these concepts in depth. Students who wish to begin studying on their own at home could practice working on the unit review section in their GUM books (pages 35-36) and reviewing lesson four of Wordly Wise.

6th Math with Mrs. Reardon

This week in Math 6, we will review for the Chapter 5 test on Monday and on Tuesday students will take the Chapter 5 test. Wednesday through Tuesday of next week, we will prepare for exams by looking back at each of the chapters we have covered and solving the same types of problems that students will see on the exam. I will be out on Thursday and Friday (12/11 & 12/12), so if students have a specific question, it is important that they come see me anytime morning or afternoon Monday – Wednesday (12/8 – 12/10).

6th-7th Pre-Algebra with Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will spend a few days learning about rational numbers (5.1 – 5.2). Then we’ll have a short quiz (the last grade of the quarter) on Wednesday, and then immediately begin reviewing for exams in class. Students have been advised to begin reviewing at home now, if they haven’t begun already. Old tests and quizzes are the best resource for practicing the types of problems they will see on the exam. The textbook also has loads of problems, as well as an Extra Practice section in the back for even more problems. The answers to all the odd numbered questions are also in the back of the book.

6th Earth Science with Mrs. Reardon

This week in Earth Science, we will wrap up Chapter 11 by discussing how to measure earthquake magnitude as well as intensity and activity. We will also briefly discuss tsunamis and earthquake safety. On Wednesday, we will review for their Chapter 11 test that will take place on Thursday, December 11. On Friday, we will begin preparing for exams by taking a look back at the chapters we have covered since Quarter 1 and will create an outline of what will be covered on the exam. I will be out on Thursday and Friday (12/11 & 12/12), so if students have a specific question, it is important that they come see me anytime morning or afternoon Monday – Wednesday (12/8 – 12/10).

6th Earth Science with Mrs. Blake

The sixth graders will have a busy week as they head into exams. The students will have their last chapter test of the semester over earthquakes on Thursday. The classes will receive the exam study guide at the end of the week. This guide lists the chapters that we have covered since the first of the year. The best way to prepare for the science exam is to study the old quizzes and tests. Please take a moment to look at this guide. The class will spend some time at the end of the week going over the best way to break down their study times into manageable segments. This is especially important for the sixth graders since they have not had exams before and the preparation for a cumulative exam is different from that of smaller chapter tests.

6th Spanish with Ms. Dixon

This week, we’ll begin review for exams. Students will have a review quiz on Thursday. They can use previous quizzes as study guides. Our Mid-Term Exam will cover materials from Capítulos 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B. We’ll have our ‘Mercado’ together on Friday!

6th Ancient Civilizations with Mrs. Hannah
We are finishing our study of the Indus River Valley civilizations today and will review the chapter on Tuesday. The chapter test will be on Wednesday. We will correct the test together on Thursday, and then begin reviewing for semester exams. The exam will cover Early Humans, Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, and Ancient India. The students have received their materials from previous chapters, and should study quizzes, tests, and maps for each chapter. Students should be able to identify physical features of each area, cities, continental settlement order, and requirements for communities and survival in civilization.

7TH GRADE NEWS

7th Grade English Language Arts with Mrs. Hannah
We have completed our poetry unit this week, and will turn in our poem project tomorrow. Wednesday will be spent reviewing the poems we studied, and Thursday is the poetry unit test. Friday we will correct the test together, then begin reviewing for semester exams. Last week I mentioned the aspects students need to study from the short story unit, which they should continue studying. Students should also begin to review Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Students should review the chapter questions we answered, along with the quizzes and tests from the novel. Students should be able to identify characters and symbolism in the novel. Vocabulary from the novel will also be on the exam, and is covered in the quizzes and test the students have already taken.

6th-7th Grade Pre-Algebra with Mr. Lanfear

7th Grade Life Science with Mrs. Blake

The seventh graders will have a busy week as they gear up for exams. We have been talking about Gregor Mendel and the huge impact his work had on our understanding of how traits are passed from generation to generation. They are now working on different types of inheritance such as incomplete dominance. They will have their last quiz before exams on Thursday. Also, the class will receive the exam study guide at the end of the week. This guide lists all the chapters that we have covered since the first of the year. The best way to prepare for the science exam is to study the old quizzes and tests. The classes will spend some time next week going over the best way to break down their study times into manageable segments.

7th-8th Algebra I with Mrs. Reardon

This week in Algebra I, we will review for the Chapter 5 test on Monday and Tuesday and then on Wednesday students will take the Chapter 5 test. Thursday through Tuesday of next week, we will prepare for exams by looking back at each of the chapters we have covered and solving the same types of problems that students will see on the exam. I will be out on Thursday and Friday (12/11 & 12/12), so if students have a specific question, it is important that they come see me anytime morning or afternoon Monday – Wednesday (12/8 – 12/10).

7th Spanish with Ms. Hughes

This week in Spanish class the 7^th grade will present their travel projects. Students will also begin to review for exams. We have covered Chapter 6A-Chapter 8A. The listening portions will be Tuesday, December 16^th and the written exam will be Wednesday, December 17^th. Students should begin reviewing each night by looking over notes and old test and quizzes.

7th American History with Mrs. English

This week in American history we will wrap up Chapter 5—Road to the Revolution and have a test on Chapter 5-Sections 1-4 on Wednesday, December 10^th. We will begin exam review on Thursday and continue reviewing until exams begin on Wednesday December 17^th. Students should begin locating all their semester quizzes and tests in preparation for exam review.

8TH GRADE NEWS

8th Grade English Language Arts with Mrs. O'Connor

This week the eighth graders are studying a few short pieces of fiction and nonfiction in their textbook as we begin to review for semester exams. Students have a quiz on Thursday over the literature selections from the textbook. Reviewing the role that tone, mood, theme, and perspective play in a piece of literature will help students to prepare not only for this quiz, but also for our semester exam. The semester exam will also include material from our previous units of literature (outlined on the syllabus), in addition to parts of speech and lesson three of Wordly Wise. We will spend four days in class reviewing these concepts in depth. Students who wish to begin studying on their own at home could practice working on lesson three in Wordly Wise and reviewing their three previous unit tests.

8th Grade Physical Science with Mrs. Blake

The eighth graders will be busy as they gear up for exams. We will continue talking about physical properties and the difference between size-dependent and size-independent properties. There will be a quiz on this material on Thursday. Also, the class will receive the exam study guide at the end of the week. This guide lists all the chapters that we have covered since the first of the year. The best way to study for the science exam is to study the old quizzes and tests.

7th-8th Algebra I with Mrs. Reardon

8th Advanced Algebra with Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will take our last test on Monday (as voted on by the class) covering sections 11.3 – 11.5. We will then begin reviewing for exams. Students have been advised to begin reviewing at home now, if they haven’t begun already. Old tests and quizzes are the best resource for practicing the types of problems they will see on the exam. The worksheets we have been working on all year are also a great resource. The textbook also has loads of problems, as well as an Extra Practice section in the back for even more problems. The answers to all the odd numbered questions are also in the back of the book.

8th Geometry with Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will take our last test on Monday (as voted on by the class) covering sections 5.1 – 5.3. We will then begin reviewing for exams. Students have been advised to begin reviewing at home now, if they haven’t begun already. Old tests and quizzes are the best resource for practicing the types of problems they will see on the exam. The textbook also has loads of problems, as well as an Extra Practice section in the back for even more problems. The answers to all the odd numbered questions are also in the back of the book.

8th Spanish with Ms. Hughes

This week in Spanish class the 8^th grade will take a quiz over the imperfect and preterite tense. Students will also begin to review for exams. We have covered Chapter 1A-Chapter 4A. The listening portion will be Tuesday, December 16^th and the written exam will be Wednesday, December 17^th. Students should begin reviewing a little each night by looking over notes and old tests and quizzes.

8th American Government with Mrs. English
This week in American history we will wrap up Chapter 21—The Great War and have a test on Chapter 21 on Wednesday, December 10^th. We will begin exam review on Thursday and continue reviewing until exams begin on Wednesday December 17^th. Students should begin locating all their semester quizzes and tests in preparation for exam review.

Monday, December 1, 2014

December 1-5

NOTES FROM THE HEAD OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

The voices of the Middle School Eagles will be performing their Christmas concert this Friday in the Bell Gymnasium. The concert will start at 8:30. Alert all grandparents and come and enjoy some Christmas music.

HELP! DRIVERS NEEDED!

This fall has been a busy one for the Middle School and we have been on the road many times. Thank you to all our parent volunteers who drove the students. We have one remaining event this semester where we have to transport our 89 students. On Friday after the concert at 10:15 the students will be traveling to the Savannah Mall to entertain in the food court. The students will enjoy lunch in the food court after the performance and return to HDS by 1:20. WE STILL NEED ABOUT A HALF DOZEN DRIVERS to make this all happen. If you can help please contact Ms. Gordon at mgordon@hancockdayschool.org or by phone at 351-4500 X1.

SELECTING A HIGH SCHOOL SEMINAR THIS WEDNESDAY!

Helise Sandler, licensed educational counselor from Savannah Educational Consultants, will be presenting a seminar this Wednesday evening on how to select the best high school for your child. While selecting a school is primarily an 8^th grade activity, this seminar was well received last year by parents from all grades. The workshop will begin at 6:30 in Hancock Hall.

P.S. Still no word on the status of the Savannah Arts admissions process for the 2015-16 school year.

SPORTS

Tonight marks the beginning of our winter season. Hancock teams will be action in schools across Savannah. Please consult our web page for an up to date schedule of all the action. PLEASE support our students by attending a game!

EXAMINATIONS

It seems hard to believe, but first semester examinations are only 16 days away! This can be a stressful time for students. The best way to eliminate this stress is to develop a study plan and implement it over the course of the next 2 ½ weeks. We discussed what to expect with the 6^th grade students. I suggested studying for 12 minutes/night on each of their core subjects. That is a pretty daunting task as 12 minutes for 5 courses amounts to one hour of preparation each day, including weekends. That time will become easier to find next week as we will be finishing up the second quarter work by mid week. Please take time to discuss with your child how they might best prepare for their exams. The exams will be held on December 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th. These are half day sessions for the Middle School with dismissal at noon each day. No lunch will be served on those days.

6TH GRADE NEWS

6th Grade English Language Arts with Mrs. O'Connor

This week the sixth graders are continuing to study A Wrinkle in Time and contextual vocabulary. Students will take a quiz tomorrow over the first four chapters of the novel. Chapters 5-8 will be assessed through an open-book quiz students will complete at home later this week. I will distribute that quiz on Thursday, 12/4, and collect it on Monday, 12/8. Our test over A Wrinkle in Time is scheduled for Thursday, December 11^th. This test will be our last one of the semester before exams. Though we will spend significant time in class reviewing for exams, if students are eager to begin preparing now, I encourage them to review our syllabus. This document outlines the units of study we have covered this semester and includes the titles of our reading assignments. Reading over this document and organizing notes will help students to prepare for exams.

6th Math with Mrs. Reardon

This week in Math 6, we will begin to wrap up Chapter 5 by dividing fractions and mixed numbers, as well as measuring and converting customary units. Students will receive an outline on Tuesday, December 2 for their math facts quiz that will take place on Thursday, December 4. The Chapter 5 test will be given on Tuesday, December 9. Students should begin preparing now for exams by organizing their binders and creating a list of questions they might need to ask the teacher prior to the exam.

6th-7th Pre-Algebra with Mr. Lanfear

This week we will finish Chapter 4 by learning how to easily multiply very large and small numbers by using scientific notation (4.7). We will review on Tuesday and Wednesday, and then have the Chapter 4 Test (4.5 – 4.7) on Thursday. We will start learning about Rational Numbers on Friday (5.1).

6th Earth Science with Mrs. Reardon

This week in Earth Science, we will begin in Chapter 11 by learning about a natural hazard that happens as a result of Earth’s plates moving – Earthquakes! Students will learn that most earthquakes occur at plate boundaries when rocks break and move along faults. We will also discuss some features of earthquakes such as seismic waves. A brief quiz will be given over section 1 on Thursday, December 4. Students should expect their Chapter 11 test on Thursday, December 11. Students should begin preparing now for exams by organizing their binders and creating a list of questions they might need to ask the teacher prior to the exam.

6th Earth Science with Mrs. Blake

Last week the 6^thgraders started their chapter on earthquakes. During this week, the students will do an activity in which they plot data about major earthquakes in the United States and determine which areas are most likely to have strong earthquakes. They will also have an activity in which they apply information from the Mercalli Intensity Index to various locations in order to determine the epicenter of an earthquake. The students will have a quiz this Thursday. Next week they will finish this chapter and have their last test before exams on Thursday, Dec. 11.

6th Spanish with Ms. Dixon

Next week, we’ll review our test from Friday and touch on what new material we’ll be covering in Capítulo 3A. The following week, students will watch a film in Spanish and write a summary of one of the characters. Students will share their summaries with the class. Safe travels to all and ¡Feliz día del Pavo! (Happy Turkey Day!) J

6th Ancient Civilizations with Mrs. Hannah
Welcome to December! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break, and is ready to finish the semester strongly. We are completing a brief overview of ancient India this week and the beginning of next week. Exams will take place December 17, 18, and 19, and students can begin to study now to be well prepared. The exam will be a cumulative assessment of the four areas we have studied this semester: Early Humans, Civilizations in Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, and Ancient India. After each unit, I have taken all the materials from the chapter and stored them in my classroom. By the end of this week, I will return those materials to the students so they can use them to study. If students study their quizzes, tests, and maps from each unit, they should be well prepared for the exam! I will be in my room each morning if students have questions or need help on a topic.

7TH GRADE NEWS

7th Grade English Language Arts with Mrs. Hannah

Welcome to December! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break, and is ready to finish the semester strongly. We will continue to study poetry through the end of next week, and we will complete a short poem project. Exams will take place December 17, 18, and 19, and students can begin to study now to be well prepared. The exam will be a cumulative assessment of the topics we have studied so far this semester: Short Stories, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, and Poetry. My suggestion is that students review the short story unit this week, focusing on the plot mountains for the four stories we read in class. Students should also be able to define and identify the components that make up a short story, and literary elements including direct and indirect characterization, personification, and irony. I will be in my room each morning if students have questions or need help on a topic.

6th-7th Grade Pre-Algebra with Mr. Lanfear

7th Grade Life Science with Mrs. Blake

Last Monday, seventh graders were introduced to Gregor Mendel and learned about his contributions to the study of genetics. This week, they will learn how to work dominant/recessive inheritance problems using a Punnett Square. On Thursday, Dec. 4, they will have a quiz on Mendel and the Punnett Square. Next week they will be introduced to incomplete dominance. The students will their last test before exams on Thursday, Dec. 11.

7th-8th Algebra I with Mrs. Reardon

This week in Algebra I, we will complete Chapter 5 with writing linear equations in standard form and writing equations of parallel and perpendicular lines. Students will take a chapter quiz over sections 4 & 5 on Thursday. The Chapter 5 test will take place on Tuesday, December 9. Students should begin preparing now for exams by organizing their binders and creating a list of questions they might need to ask the teacher prior to the exam.

7th Spanish with Ms. Hughes

This week in Spanish class the 7^th grade will be working on their travel projects. These projects require a lot of research and will count as a test grade. They will present the projects on Monday, December 8^th and Tuesday, December 9^th. Students should also begin reviewing their notes and organizing their binders for the upcoming exam review. I encourage any students who may be struggling to come in for extra help..

7th American History with Mrs. English
This week we will perform our skits on events leading to the American Revolution. We will continue our study of the American Revolution with an in depth look at the Declaration of Independence. Looking ahead, we will have a test on December 10^th on the American Revolution. Students should also begin organizing their binders in preparation for exams in three weeks.

8TH GRADE NEWS

8th Grade English Language Arts with Mrs. O'Connor

This week the eighth graders are completing and turning in their 20% Projects. These projects represent a semester’s worth of work, and I am eager to see students’ unique creations. All students will present their projects to the class, and students will also compose a piece of reflective writing examining their work on this project. During the second half of the week we will study a few short pieces of fiction and nonfiction in the textbook. Students will take a quiz over the reading selections next Thursday, December 11^th. This quiz will be our last one of the semester before exams. Though we will spend significant time in class reviewing for exams, if students are eager to begin preparing now, I encourage them to review our syllabus. This document outlines the units of study we have covered this semester and includes the titles of our reading assignments. Reading over this document and organizing notes will help students to prepare for exams.

8th Grade Physical Science with Mrs. Blake

The eighth graders have now learned about pressure and buoyancy with fluids. This week they will finish the chapter and have their last test before exams on Wednesday, Dec. 3. After the test, they will begin a chapter on properties of matter. The students will only cover a part of this chapter prior to exams. They will have their last quiz before exams on Thursday, Dec. 11.

7th-8th Algebra I with Mrs. Reardon

8th Advanced Algebra with Mr. Lanfear

This week we will finish Chapter 11 by learning to use the Distance Formula and Midpoint Formulas (11.5). We will review on Thursday and have our last Chapter 11 Test (11.3 – 11.5) on Friday.

8th Geometry with Mr. Lanfear

This week we will learn some new theorems about more properties of triangles (there are just so many!). We will learn about perpendicular bisectors (5.2) and angle bisectors (5.3). We will review on Thursday and have a mid-chapter test on Friday (5.1 – 5.3).

8th Spanish with Ms. Hughes

This week in Spanish class the 8^th grade will be working with imperfect and preterite tenses. There will be a grammar quiz over this material on Tuesday, December 9^th. Students should begin reviewing their notes and organizing their binders for the upcoming exam review. I encourage any students who may be struggling to come in for extra help.

8th American Government with Mrs. English
This week we will continue our study World War I. Students will learn how Europe became entangled in the Great War. Looking ahead, students should prepare for a test on World War I on December 10^th. Students should also begin organizing their binders in preparation for exams in three weeks.

Friday, November 21, 2014

November 24-28

NOTES FROM THE HEAD OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL

FOOD DRIVE WRAPS UP

Tuesday we will be delivering our collected food to Second Harvest. Food will be loaded into trucks at 8:30 Tuesday. Half of the Middle School will travel directly to Second Harvest to deliver the food and work until 10:15. The other students will go to the Colonial Park Cemetery to explore the significance of this Savannah burial ground with Mrs. English. An alternative rainy day activity is being planned if needed for the Cemetery tour. At 10:15 we will swap locations. Everyone will return to HDS at noon for our Thanksgiving Feast.

EARLY DISMISSAL TUESDAY

Students will be dismissed after the Thanksgiving Feast to enjoy the holiday weekend. Pick up will be at 1:30. Students may remain until 3:00 if that is more convenient for families. The Middle School Team will have structured activities between 1:30 and 3:00 for students who remain.

Following regular carpool policy, IF YOUR CHILD WILL BE PICKED UP BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN HIS/HER PARENTS, WE MUST BE NOTIFIED VIA A NOTED FROM HOME.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCERT AND MALL PERFORMANCE

On Friday, December 5^th, the Middle School will present its holiday concert. The festivities will begin at 8:30. Following the concert the students will travel to the Savannah Mall to sing in the food court. Students will need money to enjoy lunch at the Mall.

DRIVERS ARE STILL NEEDED FOR THE MALL TRIP. We will depart for the Mall at 10:30 and return at approximately 1:30. Please call or email Melissa Gordon (mgordon@hancockdayschool.org) to volunteer.

DECEMBER!

December will be a busy time finishing up our first semester work. There will be lots to cover and many assessments during this time. ATTENDANCE THESE THREE WEEKS IS CRITICAL! There will many review sessions preparing for quizzes, exams and the culminating first semester final examinations. Those missing school will be at a distinct disadvantage. The final day of exams will be Friday, December 19^th. Again, it is critical to be here until the final “bell” to have the best opportunity to succeed. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 17^th, 18^thand 19^th are half days of school.

NO ASSIGNMENT BLOG THIS WEEK. LOOK FOR THE NEXT BLOG ON MONDAY DECEMBER 1^ST

The holiday season is upon us. A time to relax and enjoy family AND a time to plan for the conclusion of the first semester!

Friday, November 14, 2014

November 17-21

NOTES FROM THE HEAD OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL

8^TH GRADE HIGH SCHOOL VISITATION

The 8^th grade will continue its visitation of area high schools on Monday. This week, the class will visit the Habersham School. The timing of this visit is slightly different from our other trips. Students will leave HDS at 11:45 and return by 2:00. They will have lunch with their Habersham hosts. This will conclude our fall visitation of high schools.

Savannah Arts Academy has still not opened up its admission process for the 2014-15 school year. When this happens, we will try and schedule a visit, but that will not happen until January. I encourage all families interested in applying for the upcoming year to keep a vigilant eye on the SAA admissions schedule.

HELISE SANDLER TO SPEAK TO PARENTS

Helise Sandler from Savannah Educational Consultants will speak to HDS families on Wednesday, December 3^rd, at 6:30. Mrs. Sandler is an educational consultant that works with families helping to plan educational choices for both high school and college. Several HDS families take advantage of her services. All are welcome and encouraged to this hear her presentation.

HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES

Savannah Christian Preparatory School on Chatham Parkway will be hosting an open house for families on Monday, November 17^th at 7:00. Please note that this is a time change from the material students were given when they visited the school.

Benedictine Military School has an open house this Sunday, November 16^th beginning at 2:00. The school has also scheduled its admission test for Saturday, December 6^th at 8:00.

FOOD DRIVE COLLECTIONS GOING WELL!

Week one has been a HUGE success in our quest to collect 2014 pounds of can goods for Second Harvest. One week remaining in this very worthwhile community service project. Please keep this drive in mind when shopping this weekend!

The Middle School is going to visit Second Harvest on Tuesday, November 25^th to drop off our food and help stock shelves. We will return to HDS at 12:30 to celebrate all that we are fortunate to have with our annual Thanksgiving Feast. Dismissal for the MIDDLE SCHOOL ONLY will be at 1:30. To accommodate families we will provide structured activities for those students who cannot be picked up until 3:00. More information on our special day coming your way next week.

SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY SALSA PROGRAM TO PREFORM

Students from the Savannah Country Day School SALSA program will be visiting the Middle School on Friday, November 21. They will make a presentation to our 8^th graders about making the choice to be substance free in high school. This presentation was a huge success last year.

Internationally known artist Tony Troy did a demonstration of portrait drawing for the 7^th Grade art classes on Thursday. He spoke to the students about how he started drawing portraits on the street in London to becoming a highly regarded and commissioned portrait painter and book illustrator. Cole Kitchens and Lily Horton were lucky enough to be chosen to have a quick, 10 minute portrait draw! Art Matters at HDS!

We are well on our way to reaching our goal of 2014 pounds of non-perishable foods to donate to Second Harvest!

6TH GRADE NEWS

6th Grade English Language Arts with Mrs. O'Connor

Next week the sixth graders will wrap up their study of short stories. Students have a test over the material we have covered this unit on Tuesday, November 18^th. In preparation for this test students should review their notes as well as the outline that was distributed in class on Thursday. After our test we will finish revising our creative short stories; this composition is due on Thursday, November 20^th. We will also take a Wordly Wise Quiz over lesson four on Friday, November 21^st.

6th Math with Mrs. Reardon

Next week in Math 6, we will continue in Chapter 5 by adding, subtracting, and multiplying mixed numbers and fractions. On Wednesday, we will review for a Chapter quiz over sections 1 – 3. On Thursday, November 20, students will take their quiz over lessons 1-3 and on Friday we will play a fun game of fraction bingo.

6th-7th Pre-Algebra with Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will continue exploring exponents and their properties. Students will discover what negative exponents mean and what a zero exponent means (4.6). We will have a quiz on exponents (4.5 – 4.6) on Wednesday. We will then learn about scientific notation and its uses in the world (4.7).

6th Earth Science with Mrs. Reardon

Next week in Earth Science, we will take a deeper look at the Earth’s layers, as well as wrap up plate tectonics by discussing the plate boundaries and what natural disasters occur at each of the boundaries. On Thursday, we will review for the Chapter 10 test that will take place on Friday, November 21.

6th Earth Science with Mrs. Blake

The sixth graders are finishing their chapter on plate tectonics next week. The students will have an activity on the layers of the Earth that will be helpful with this chapter and the next two on earthquakes and volcanoes. They will have their test on this chapter next Friday.

6th Spanish with Ms. Dixon

Next week, we’ll finish up Capítulo 2B and prepare for our test on Friday, November 21^st. Our test will cover classroom objects, location words, and conjugation. Thursday will be a review day. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

6th Ancient Civilizations with Mrs. Hannah
We have completed our study of Ancient Egypt, and we will be taking a quiz over the Middle and New Kingdoms on Tuesday. The test over Ancient Egypt will take place on Thursday, and students will correct their graded tests on Friday. I will be in my room each morning at 7:45 to answer questions or for extra help!

7TH GRADE NEWS

7th Grade English Language Arts with Mrs. Hannah
We will continue our focus on the various types of phrases by studying the difference in participial, infinitive, and gerund phrases this week. There will be a quiz on Friday over the three different types of phrases. I will be in my room each morning at 7:45 to answer questions or for extra help!

6th-7th Grade Pre-Algebra with Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will continue exploring exponents and their properties. Students will discover what negative exponents mean and what a zero exponent means (4.6). We will have a quiz on exponents (4.5 – 4.6) on Wednesday. We will then learn about scientific notation and its uses in the world (4.7).

7th Grade Life Science with Mrs. Blake

The seventh graders will finish their study of the mitosis, meiosis and DNA next week. They will learn about meiosis which is a specialized process that produces only germ cells. The culmination of this chapter is a lab in which the students construct a 3-D model of DNA. Their test on this chapter will be Friday of next week.

7th-8th Algebra I with Mrs. Reardon

Next week in Algebra I, we will continue in Chapter 5 by using linear equations in slope-intercept form as well as writing linear equations in point-slope form. On Wednesday, we will review for a Chapter quiz over sections 1 – 3. Thursday, November 20, students will take their quiz over lessons 1-3 and on Friday we will use the graphing calculators in investigate slope-intercept form in depth.

7th Spanish with Ms. Hughes

Next week in Spanish class the 7^th grade will finish up Chapter 8A. Students will have several writing and reading assignments throughout the week. The test will be Thursday, November 20^th. On Friday students will receive a rubric for their travel project. Each student will be assigned a Spanish-speaking country to research and present.

7th American History with Mrs. English
This week in American History we will continue our study of the effects of the French and Indian War and see how the British began taxing the American colonists. Students will understand how these events are examples of “cause and effect” history. Students will create a timeline of events leading to the American Revolution. We will have a quiz on the Top Ten of the French Revolution and Chapter 5-Section 2 at the end of the week. Lastly, students will receive a rubric for a group project on the events leading to the American Revolution.

8TH GRADE NEWS

8th Grade English Language Arts with Mrs. O'Connor

Eighth grade students will finish reading and discussing The Hound of the Baskervilles in the week ahead. Students have a quiz over chapters 9-13 on Tuesday, November 18^th and a test over the entire novel on Friday, November 21^st. I strongly encourage students to come see me for extra help before or after school if they are struggling. We will also continue to work on finishing up our 20% projects. Remember that these are due on Tuesday, December 2^nd. All students should have copies of their rubrics with clear expectations for how the project will be graded.

8th Grade Physical Science with Mrs. Blake
The eighth graders are looking at matter in its different phases. The students are learning how energy transfer influences each particular state. They will perform a lab which looks at the energy needed to change water from a solid to a gas. They will have a quiz on Wednesday of next week.

7th-8th Algebra I with Mrs. Reardon

Next week in Algebra I, we will continue in Chapter 5 by using linear equations in slope-intercept form as well as writing linear equations in point-slope form. On Wednesday, we will review for a Chapter quiz over sections 1 – 3. Thursday, November 20, students will take their quiz over lessons 1-3 and on Friday we will use the graphing calculators in investigate slope-intercept form in depth.

8th Advanced Algebra with Mr. Lanfear

Next week students will discover the mathematics behind extraneous solutions in radical equations and practice solving them (11.3). Students will begin exploring the Pythagorean Theorem (11.4) and have a quiz on Thursday covering radical equations and the basic uses of the Pythagorean Theorem.

8th Geometry with Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will have our Chapter 4 Test on Tuesday. We will then continue exploring triangles and theorems involving them, including the Midsegment Theorem (5.1) and perpendicular bisectors (5.2).

8th Spanish with Ms. Hughes

Next week in Spanish class the 8^th grade will continue working with the imperfect tense through writing and reading assignments. We will also review indirect objects pronouns and how we use them in Spanish. There will be a graded listening as well as the chapter test on Friday, November 21^st.

8th American Government with Mrs. English

This week in American History we will continue to look at the grassroots and government progressive reforms in the early 1900s. We will see what changes the Progressive Movement brought to America. Lastly, we will take a look at the Progressive Presidents of America. Students will understand how these men changed America and increased the size of the national government.

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