THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED!
The opening of school is always a learning process. Each year brings new challenges. Through the first three weeks of classes, we've discovered some challenges that we'd like to address.
On BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT we will host a meeting to help families address some of the challenges our students may be facing as they transition into middle school. While the meeting is designed to meet the needs of families with sixth grade students, we welcome parents of students at any level who want to help support their child. The meeting with provide families with information to help them navigate the following:
- Technology - Access to and effective use of technology both in school and at home. Where can I buy a Chromebook for my student to use at home?
- Studying vs homework - How can I best support my middle school student?
- Google classroom - How to access and utilize the information contained in Google Classroom.
- The advisory program - What is this curriculum?
- Ensemble and Seminar - These are listed on the schedule, but what are they?
The meeting will be on Back To School Night, September 22, at 5:00.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES!
The community service opportunities listed below are just a few options students and their families may wish to explore. Middle school students are expected to spend ten hours volunteering in the community during the course of the school year. The suggestions below are posted for your family to consider. The Middle School is NOT sponsoring or providing chaperones to these events.
Next Saturday, September 17th, students can participate in brown bagging for the elderly at Second Harvest Food Bank. Students who wish to participate should arrive at Second Harvest by 7:45 AM and wear closed-toe shoes. For more information you can contact Second Harvest at 912-721-1795.
The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society's 11th annual Buddy Walk will take place on Saturday, October 1st in Forsyth Park. The walk begins at 10AM and is followed by a Family Fun Festival. Students and their families can register to participate in the walk here.
SEE YOU ALL AT HOMECOMING ON THURSDAY. FESTIVITIES BEGIN AT 5:30 AT THE BIBLE BAPTIST FIELD.
NOTES FROM 8th GRADE
8th Grade Algebra 1 Mrs. Reardon
Next week in Algebra we will continue in Chapter 2 by multiplying and dividing real numbers ( beyond integers!) and we will use the distributive property to evaluate expressions and equations. Students should expect a quiz over those 3 lessons on Thursday, September 15. We will take a breather on Friday by playing an intense game of Real Numbers BINGO! Don’t forget the challenge problem is due on Wednesday, September 14!
8th Grade Geometry Mr. Lanfear
Next week we will continue Chapter 2 and continue learning logic laws in preparation to begin 2 column algebraic proofs (2.5). Then we will begin 2 column geometric proofs (2.6).
8th Grade Advanced Algebra Mr. Lanfear
Next week we will begin learning how to use our graphing calculators to solve quadratic equations by finding the roots of the parabola (10.3). There will be a quiz covering sections 10.1 - 10.2 on Tuesday. Then we will learn more about the vertical motion model, an equation used to model the height of a falling object (10.3).
8th Grade Language Arts Mrs. O’Connor
Students have a test over “Charles” and Flowers for Algernon on Tuesday, September 13th. Additionally, next week we’ll practice avoiding problem sentences in our writing and learn about Realism and Naturalism as we prepare to read Stephen Crane’s “An Episode of War”. I’ll be away on Friday (9/16) attending a meeting with Teach the Future, a local organization that connects educators with creative enterprises and industries in our community. Mrs. Blake will be my substitute.
8th Grade History Mrs. English
This week in American History and Government II we will finish our Civil War unit with a test on Thursday, September 15th. This is a big chapter so students should start reviewing their notes this weekend. Homework will be to study for the test on Thursday. Again, it is best to begin reviewing in advance. Don’t study the night before! Looking forward to a great week!
8th Grade Physical Science Mrs. Huennekens
Newton and his laws are our focus. We have explored “What is Force?” and how friction and gravity are two examples of force. Einstein and his idea of gravity and motion will be discussed, a mere 300 years after Newton discovered gravity and shared his ideas with the world. Students can log in to ck12.org for activities and further reading (flex book).
We conducted a cool balloon rocket lab on Thursday.
We are finishing up our study of “What is Force?” We will have a QUIZ on Wednesday, September 14th.
8th Grade Spanish Ms. Hughes
Next week in Spanish class, the 8th grade will begin Chapter 1B. This covers after-school activities, sports, making comparisons of equality, and the difference between saber and conocer. Students will also begin a writing assignment where they will create a brochure for their dream school. The vocabulary quiz will be Thursday, September 15th.
NOTES FROM 7th GRADE
7th Grade Algebra 1 Mrs. Reardon
Next week in Algebra we will continue in Chapter 2 by multiplying and dividing real numbers ( beyond integers!) and we will use the distributive property to evaluate expressions and equations. Students should expect a quiz over those 3 lessons on Thursday, September 15. We will take a breather on Friday by playing an intense game of Real Numbers BINGO! Don’t forget the challenge problem is due on Wednesday, September 14!
7th Grade Pre-Algebra Mr. Lanfear
Next week we will continue Chapter 2 and learn about simplifying variable expressions (combining like terms) (2.3). We will have a quiz on Thursday covering sections 2.1 - 2.3. There will also be a short Math Facts Quiz on Tuesday covering some basic math facts. The students received the topics covered by the Math Facts Quiz on Thursday. We will also begin learning how to solve equations (2.4 - 2.5).
7th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Hannah
Next week we will combine the literary terms we have learned as students create character posters for After Twenty Years or Hey Come Out.. Students will also begin creating a plot mountain for their original short story; the plot mountain will be due on Thursday. We will also have a quiz Thursday over After Twenty Years and Hey Come Out. friday in class will be dedicated writing the rough draft of the short story. Since there are no assessments Friday due to Homecoming, the vocab quiz over Lesson 2 will take place on Monday 19 September. The short story test will be Tuesday 20 September.
7th Grade History Mrs. English
This week in American History and Government Part I we will start our study of European explorers. Readings and homework will come from Chapter 2-Sections 1 & 2. We will specifically look at the Columbian Exchange and see how the Eastern and Western Hemispheres were impacted from this trade. Students will also have a short quiz on Ch. 2.1 on Wednesday, September 14th. Looking forward to a fun week!
7th Grade Spanish Ms. Hughes
Next week in Spanish class, the 7th grade will begin Chapter 6A. This chapter covers household items, making comparisons of inequality, and indicating location. Students will also begin a writing assignment where they will design and describe their dream house in Spanish. The vocabulary quiz will be Thursday, September 15th.
7th Grade Life Science Mrs. Heyward
NOTES FROM 6th GRADE
6th Grade Accelerated Math 7 Mrs. Reardon
After successfully completing Chapter 1, we will be moving right into Chapter 2 on Monday. We will begin with comparing, ordering, and rounding decimals, as well as adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing them. This is a concept that I expect to be mastered this time around in Accelerated Math 7. If your child is still struggling with decimals, it is pertinent that they come see me for extra help, as we will continue to incorporate decimals throughout the year with different concepts. Students should expect a quiz on Thursday, September 15. On Friday, we will take a breather and play a fun game of decimal BINGO! Don’t forget the challenge problem is due on Wednesday, September 14!
6th Pre-Algebra Mr. Lanfear
Next week we will continue Chapter 2 and learn about simplifying variable expressions (combining like terms) (2.3). We will have a quiz on Thursday covering sections 2.1 - 2.3. There will also be a short Math Facts Quiz on Tuesday covering some basic math facts. The students received the topics covered by the Math Facts Quiz on Thursday. We will also begin learning how to solve equations (2.4 - 2.5).
6th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Guggenheim
6th ELA for the week of September 12, 2016
This week in ELA we will read “The Shutout” and take an in-class graded assessment that will be open book. Greek/Latin vocabulary List 2 was given out 9/9, and a quiz is scheduled for Thursday, September 15. We will continue working on varying sentence length as well as identifying run-on sentences in our grammar and writing assignments. You may want to ask your child about his/her reading log. Six hours of outside reading is required of all MS students by the end of the trimester. Students should be asking their parents to sign their minutes and bring their reading logs to me on Mondays (this week, Tuesday :)). I keep a running record of their minutes on my computer.
This week in ELA we will read “The Shutout” and take an in-class graded assessment that will be open book. Greek/Latin vocabulary List 2 was given out 9/9, and a quiz is scheduled for Thursday, September 15. We will continue working on varying sentence length as well as identifying run-on sentences in our grammar and writing assignments. You may want to ask your child about his/her reading log. Six hours of outside reading is required of all MS students by the end of the trimester. Students should be asking their parents to sign their minutes and bring their reading logs to me on Mondays (this week, Tuesday :)). I keep a running record of their minutes on my computer.
6th Grade Ancient Civilizations Mrs. Hannah
Next Week, we will begin studying Mesopotamia: the first civilization. We will identify the Fertile Crescent and analyze why this location was conducive to the establishment of the first civilization. Students will receive also directions for their first project, which will consist of building a model of a Sumerian city-state.
6th Grade Earth Science Mrs. Huennekens
Sixth grade spent some time last Thursday going around the room answering Measurement task cards with a partner. We are studying measurement and will continue learning more and filling in our interactive notebooks. This week, students conducted an experiment to study density and displacement. Next week, we will learn about graphing in science.
6th Grade Spanish Ms. Sotomayor
This week we’ve enjoyed learning about Ms. Sotomayor and our special “personas especiales” as we practice interviewing in Spanish. We’ also reviewed colors, definitie and indefinite articles, the word “hay”, and classroom objects vocabulary. Next week, we will discuss Hispanic Heritage month, review this week’s material and beginning composing sentences and moving through our interview questions.
Ensemble Mrs. Cookson
We practiced new exercises designed to increase listening and observation skills. The students worked on establishing an environment for a two-person scene, as well as began to think about personality and physical traits for a character in the scene. We will continue to work on fine tuning the skills introduced thus far.
Art Mrs. Cookson
This week the art room diversified across grade levels.
6th grade worked on a restricted sculpture, and learned about working creatively within the confines of material choice and availability.
7th grade got an introduction to surrealism, and began work on combining two different elements into one cohesive image.
8th grade started work on the Cardboard Challenge. It is so exciting to see the students engaged in creating, building, and meeting the challenge.
I will begin to introduce new tools as required. Look for a hard copy of the following to come home. Please read it carefully, and feel free to contact me with any questions.
Dear Parents,
In middle school art, we will touch upon conceptual thinking and material exploration. As a result, I will introduce the students to new techniques and tools that will offer them the freedom to push the boundaries of their approach to creative problem solving. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the tools we use, there is the potential risk of injury.
The tools may be sharp, heavy, or hot. As part of the curriculum, students will meet with me to have a safety training session prior to using the tools. In addition, students will check out each tool as needed and be supervised while using the implements.
The students are excited about the possibilities, and I am excited to guide them to discover new ideas. If you do not want your child to use these tools, please complete the form at the bottom of this page and return it to me. I will make sure that your child will still have a meaningful experience in art class.
Best,
Tricia Cookson
MS Arts Department
I do not want my child, ______________________________________, to use any of the tools which require checkout.
___________________________________ ____________________________________
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