March 29th - April 1st

8th Grade Parents:

If you have not submitted your photos for the graduation slideshow, please do so as soon as possible. Send them to Mrs. Chandler at achandler@hancockdayschool.org.

Thank you!

NOTES FROM 8th GRADE

8th Grade Physical Science Mrs. Huennekens

On Wednesday, March 30th, the students will take their test on Motion and Momentum.  We will continue our study of physics with Newton’s Laws.  The students will have several exciting and fun labs to help them better understand the concepts they are learning.  These include a Marshmallow launcher force lab and a Marble Launcher.

8th Grade Algebra 1 Mrs. Reardon

This week in Algebra 1 we will solve polynomial equations in factored form.  On Wednesday, we will review for a chapter 9 quiz over sections 1 through 4 that will take place on Thursday.  Friday we will take a look at a cross-curricular math-history-art “project” that the 8th graders will be participating in.

8th Grade Geometry Mr. Lanfear

This week we will continue our exploration of circles and all things related by learning about inscribed angles (10.4), other angle relationships in circles (10.5), and segment lengths in circles (10.6).  There will be a Chapter 10 Test next Tuesday.

8th Grade Advanced Algebra Mr. Lanfear

This week we will be starting our last chapter in Geometry by exploring surface area and volume of solids.  This week we will learn the names of different polyhedra (9.1) and begin looking at finding the surface area of prisms and cylinders (9.2).

8th Grade Language Arts Mrs. O’Connor

This week the 8th graders will be reviewing sentence types and comma rules in preparation for a test over these concepts on Friday, April 1.  We will also be exploring web and print resources to help students craft persuasive arguments for their research paper.  Highlighted copies of at least five sources and a rough working outline are due on Tuesday, April 5.

8th Grade History Mrs. English

This week we will begin our World War II unit. Readings and homework will come from Chapter 24.1 & 2. Students should begin thinking narrowing down what they would like to do for their World War II research project.  We will begin finalizing topics at the end of the week.

8th Grade Spanish Ms. Hughes

The 8th grade started a new chapter discussing medical treatments and health services in Spanish-speaking countries. Students will also be learning about some more irregular verbs in the preterite tense and the imperfect progressive. The grammar quiz over this material will be Friday, April 1st.

NOTES FROM 7th GRADE

7th Grade Life Science Mrs. Huennekens

We are studying the Phylum Chordata. We have discussed chordate and vertebrate characteristics. On Thursday of last week, the students designed and created imaginary animals made of simple items such as cotton balls or tissue. The students then  had to determine if their animal was an endotherm or an ectotherm by taking the temperature of their animal after 8 minutes in 3 different locations. We will finish this lab on Tuesday.  We will be studying amphibians, reptiles and birds.  Our next quiz will be on April 1st and our test is tentatively set for April 8th.

7th Grade Algebra 1 Mrs. Reardon

This week in Algebra 1 we will solve polynomial equations in factored form.  On Wednesday, we will review for a chapter 9 quiz over sections 1 through 4 that will take place on Thursday.  Friday we will take a look at a cross-curricular math-history-art “project” that the 8th graders will be participating in (7th grade is going to help with the math part!).

7th Grade Pre-Algebra Mr. Lanfear

This week we will continue our exploration of lines and linear equations.  Students will explore the meaning of the slope of a line and how to find it (8.4) as well as learning the slope-intercept form of a linear equation (8.5).  Students will also learn about parallel and perpendicular lines (8.5).  There will be a Chapter 8 Test next Thursday covering 8.1 - 8.6.

7th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Hannah

Seventh grade is well into the research paper writing process! This week, students will write topic and transition sentences for each paragraph using a “paragraph sandwich” graphic organizer, which will be due on Thursday 31 March. We will then focus on writing an effective introduction and conclusion, which will be due in their outlines by Monday 4 April.

7th Grade History Mrs. English

This week we will continue our study of Chapter 9.2 and 9.3. These lessons will include Jefferson’s purchase of the Louisiana Territory and events leading to the War of 1812. Readings and homework will come from these sections. Looking ahead, students will have a quiz on 9.3 at the beginning of next week.

7th Grade Spanish Ms. Hughes

The 7th grade started a new chapter discussing community service and ways to help the environment. We began learning about Peña Blanca, a small village in Guatemala, where its residents make less than $1.00 per day. Students were also able to read a letter from a young woman who lives in a similar village in Guatemala. Her name is Rosalinda and she is being sponsored by a Hancock family. Over the next couple weeks, each class will create something to send to her and write her letters using their Spanish skills. This week students will learn about Spanish indirect object pronouns and the grammar quiz over this material will be on Friday, April 1st.

NOTES FROM 6th GRADE

6th Grade Earth Science Mrs. Huennekens

Last week we studied the Electromagnetic spectrum. The students used the chromebooks to complete a self-paced study / tour of the spectrum.  We also began our discussion of telescopes. We will finish up this week with early space missions.  I am posting interesting websites to Google Classroom for the kids to explore.

6th Grade Earth Science Mrs. Reardon

This week in Earth Science we will finish up talking about the different types of telescopes and begin to discuss early space missions.  Students will be given an astronaut that participated in one of the early space missions to research and present to the class (all of this will be done in class).

6th Grade Math Mrs. Reardon

This week in math 6, we will wrap up Chapter 8 by learning about how scale models and drawings are created.  On Wednesday and Thursday we will review for their Chapter 8 test that will take place on Friday, April 1.

6th Pre-Algebra Mr. Lanfear

This week we will continue our exploration of lines and linear equations.  Students will explore the meaning of the slope of a line and how to find it (8.4) as well as learning the slope-intercept form of a linear equation (8.5).  Students will also learn about parallel and perpendicular lines (8.5).  There will be a Chapter 8 Test next Thursday covering 8.1 - 8.6.

6th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Guggenheim

We will continue our study of prepositions. I am moving the preposition test over all of the material we’ve covered about prepositions from 4/1 to 4/8 . We have been sharing background information about Anne Frank and Nazi Germany as well as learning how to read a play vs. a novel. We will begin reading The Diary of Anne Frank, the play,  on Tuesday. There is a vocabulary quiz over List 10 on 3/30. I will be out of town Wednesday-Friday next week to attend a conference in Atlanta. Mrs. Churchill will be my sub on Wed/Fri. Mrs. Reardon and Mrs. O’Connor will cover my classes respectively on Thursday. I will be in touch by email; please don’t hesitate to contact me.

6th Grade Ancient Civilizations Mrs. Hannah

We are eagerly analyzing the Greek and Persian Wars by studying the battles of Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis. We are also focusing on the birth of democracy in Greece and identifying achievements from Greece’s Golden Age. On Friday, we will learn about Aesop’s fables and their importance of theatre in Greek culture by creating a fable with a partner; students will give a performance of their fable the following Monday. The first quiz over ancient Greece will take place next Thursday 7 April.

6th Grade Spanish Ms. Sotomayor

Last week we learned 3 new verbs: poder (to be able to), querer (to want), and ir [a] (to go [to]). This week we cover new vocabulary related to common places we commute or travel to as well as the verb “pedir” (to ask for). We will also discuss social and cultural norms centered around dining out in Latin America and Spain. Just a reminder that the field trip is this week so please check the email I sent parents. The next test will be an oral test and it is Thursday and Friday, April 7th and April 8th. It is 2 days in order to assure enough time for every student to complete his or her oral without the stress of being hurried. It is always a good idea to check Google Classroom for important notes and updates.

March 7th - March 11th

Please note P.E. days for Middle School

6th Grade: A, B, and C days

7th Grade: B, C, and E days

8th Grade: A, C, and D days

NOTES FROM 8th GRADE

8th Grade Physical Science Mrs. Huennekens

The 8th grade has been studying Motion this week in Science. We have discovered the difference between distance and displacement, how to calculate speed and graphing motion. On Friday, the students worked on the chromebooks to complete a guided study of roller coasters! Next week, we will finish up with Acceleration.  There will be a quiz on Wednesday, March 9th over sections 1 and 2 of Chapter 10.

8th Grade Algebra 1 Mrs. Reardon

Next week in Algebra we will wrap up Chapter 8 by discussing exponential growth and decay and reviewing for our Chapter 8 test that will take place on Thursday, March 10.

8th Grade Geometry Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will finish Chapter 8 by learning about trapezoids and kites.  We will have a review day and then the Chapter 8 test on Thursday.

8th Grade Advanced Algebra Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will have a day of reviewing Trigonometry and then the Trig test on Tuesday.  We will then begin learning about complementary, supplementary, and vertical angles.  We will also begin learning about the different angles formed by two lines cut by a transversal.

8th Grade Language Arts Mrs. O’Connor

Next week the eighth graders will continue to study nonfiction, persuasive writing, compound-complex sentences, and unit 14 in Greek and Latin Roots.  Students will take a quiz on Wednesday (3/9) over vocabulary and grammar.

8th Grade History Mrs. English

This week we will study FDR’s first election and response to the massive poverty plaguing the U.S. in the 1930s. We will look at the ABC’s of FDR and see how the size of the federal government drastically changed in response to this economic disaster. Readings and homework will come from Chapter 23.2 and 23.4. Looking forward to a great week!

8th Grade Spanish Ms. Hughes

Next week in Spanish class, the 8th grade will be writing and speaking about emergencies and rescues. They will also present opinions on a journalistic interview and current events. The Chapter 5A test will be on Thursday, March 10th and the newscast project is due Friday, March 11th.

NOTES FROM 7th GRADE

7th Grade Life Science Mrs. Huennekens

We have completed Chapter 13 on Mollusks, Worms, Arthropods and Echinoderms.  The Chapter test is scheduled for Wednesday, March 9th.  This week, we began an in-class project on invertebrates.  The students are working with a partner to create a flyer or a Glogster on the World’s Most AWESOME invertebrate!  This project will allow the students to share the information that they researched by presenting the flyer or Glogster to the class!

7th Grade Algebra 1 Mrs. Reardon

Next week in Algebra we will wrap up Chapter 8 by discussing exponential growth and decay and reviewing for our Chapter 8 test that will take place on Thursday, March 10.

7th Grade Pre-Algebra Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will learn about compound interest (7.7).  We will then have a day of review and then the Chapter 7 test on Wednesday.  We will then briefly begin Chapter 8 by learning about functions, relations (8.1), and linear equations in 2 variables (8.2).

7th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Hannah

We have studied examples of myths, epics, and fables, and will conclude with a test next Tuesday 8 March. We have  also started vocabulary lesson 6, and students will have a quiz Thursday 10 March. We will shift our focus next week to sentence types and structure, in order to prepare for the upcoming research paper! After spring break, we will use the research that your student completed for the president presentation in Mrs. English’s history class to write a research paper over their assigned president.

7th Grade History Mrs. English

This week we will start our study of Chapter 8 and the formation of political parties in the United States. Students will also begin their President Madness competition! On Monday, students are responsible for having 5 facts about their president that convince the audience why their president is the “best” president of all time! Looking forward to a great week!

7th Grade Spanish Ms. Hughes

Next week in Spanish class, the 7th grade will be reading and speaking about journal entries describing vacations to Spanish-speaking countries. We will also discuss the Patagonia region of Argentina and the history and geography of Perú. The Chapter 8A test will be Tuesday, March 8th.

NOTES FROM 6th GRADE

6th Grade Earth Science Mrs. Huennekens

We have completed our study of Oceanography.  Monday we will share what we learned from our field trip to Tybee and then tie into the marine pollution video that we viewed.  We will also review for our test that is scheduled for Wednesday, March 9th. Tuesday we will play a very competitive game of KAHOOT!  The kids love that game as a review!

6th Grade Earth Science Mrs. Reardon

Next week in Earth Science we will debrief our exciting field trip to Tybee on Monday and on Tuesday we will review for the Chapter 19 test that will take place on Wednesday, March 9.  On Thursday, students will get to work together to create their own poster and slogan to help prevent ocean pollution.

6th Grade Math Mrs. Reardon

Next week we will begin in Chapter 8 by learning about ratios and rates.  Wednesday, we will review briefly for a quiz over sections 1 & 2 that will take place on Thursday, March 10.

6th Pre-Algebra Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will learn about compound interest (7.7).  We will then have a day of review and then the Chapter 7 test on Wednesday.  We will then briefly begin Chapter 8 by learning about functions, relations (8.1), and linear equations in 2 variables (8.2).

6th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Guggenheim

Phwew! Our research projects are almost over...they are due on Tuesday, and then the students will be presenting them in class next week. The vocab quiz on List 9 is on Tuesday, and there is a research project quiz on Thursday that covers the fundamentals that we have learned about researching. I posted a list of topics covered 2/3/16 on Google Classroom.

6th Grade Ancient Civilizations Mrs. Hannah

This week, students are working in groups to research a specific aspect of early civilizations in Greece! They will create a Google Slides presentation to ‘teach’ the rest of the class about their assigned topic. We will work in class on this Monday through Thursday, and will present to the class on Friday.

6th Grade Spanish Ms. Sotomayor

This week we took a look at some of the delicious traditional dishes from different Latin American countries including ceviche from Peru, pupusas from El Salvador, tacos de carne asada from Mexico, Cuban sandwiches from Cuba, and many other dishes and beverages. We have continued to review vocabulary through reading comprehension via interesting passages that involve the band One Direction, as well as tasty recipes! We have also discussed prepositions and practiced moving small boxes around the room to identify the location through verbal communication. The students have been working hard to increase their general vocabulary and sentence structures through the new Duolingo program we are using. Finally, we are wrapping up this week by making and cooking empanadas today! Next week, we will practice prepositions a little more on Monday and spend Tuesday and Wednesday reviewing for Thursday’s test.