NOTES FROM MR. CRAWFORD
Carpool
Please remember not to line up in the White Zone carpool line until 3:10. It is even better if you wait to get to HDS until 3:15. That gives the Gold Zone time to clear out of your way. On those days you do get here early, please pull into a designated space to wait until 3:10 to line up.
Boarding School?
Have you ever thought of boarding school as an option for your child? A representative from Chatham Hall, an all girls, college preparatory school in Chatham, Virginia will be on campus to talk to our 8th grade girls. She will speak on Thursday, September 14th, at 10:30. All families are invited to join this presentation. For more information check out this link: http://chathamhall.org/admissions/why-chatham-hall
Community Service
Please remember that students should complete ten hours of community service each school year. Service opportunities are advertised in the blog weekly. Additionally, if you know of any service opportunities that would be appropriate for our students, please feel free to send them to Ms. Ross so that they may be included here.
Completed service hours should be documented on the Community Service Form and submitted to your child’s homeroom teacher.
Brown Bag for the Elderly at Second Harvest Food Bank
Students and families can volunteer on the third Saturday morning of each month. Upcoming dates are September 16th and October 21st. Volunteers should wear closed-toed shoes and arrive by 7:45am. Those wishing to volunteer should contact volunteer coordinator Jason Brown (jbrown@helpendhunger.org) in advance.
8TH GRADE ASSIGNMENTS
8th grade Algebra 1 - Mrs. Reardon
Next week in Algebra we will begin working through Chapter 2 by learning the different operations of real numbers and integers. Students will have a quiz on Thursday, September 14. The challenge problem that was distributed on Tuesday, September 5 is due on Tuesday, September 12.
8th grade Advanced Algebra - Mr. Lanfear
Next week we will continue Chapter 10 by learning how to solve quadratic equations by graphing a parabola and finding its x-intercepts (10.3). We will have a quiz covering sections 10.1-10.2 on Tuesday. We will also learn how to find the maximum or minimum of parabolas and practice using the vertical motion model (10.3).
8th grade Geometry - Mr. Lanfear
Next week we will continue Chapter 2 by learning about using postulates and diagrams (2.4) as well as seeing our first geometric 2 column proofs. We will introduce proofs using algebraic proofs (2.5) and then move on to proving statements about line segments angles (2.6).
8th grade Physical Science - Mr. Cooper
Next week we will be continuing our topic on ionic and covalent bonds as well as chemical reactions. The periodic table quiz will be the day after we return from Irma. I will let the students know by posting on Google Classroom.
8th grade English Language Arts - Mrs. O’Connor
Next week students will finish reading “Flowers for Algernon” and also read a short selection in the textbook called “Charles.” We will review key elements of both pieces and take a test over these selections on Friday, September 15th. Remember to be reading independently in your free time and logging minutes in the reading log document!
8th grade History & Gov’t II - Mrs. English/Ms. Churchill
This week in American History and Gov’t II we will discuss the divisions that existed within the North and the South. Topics will range from economic problems to taxes and habeas corpus. Readings and homework will come from Chapter 15.4. Students should also prepare for a Ch. 15.1-3 quiz on Wednesday, September 6th. Looking ahead, students should prepare for their Civil War test Friday, September 15th.
8th grade Spanish - Ms. Hughes
Next week in Spanish the 8th grade will continue to work with the vocabulary and grammar from Chapter 1B. Students will use comparisons of equality, hacer time expressions, and saber vs conocer through different reading and speaking exercises. The vocabulary quiz will be Wednesday, September 13th.
7TH GRADE ASSIGNMENTS
7th grade Algebra 1 - Mrs. Reardon
Next week in Algebra we will begin working through Chapter 2 by learning the different operations of real numbers and integers. Students will have a quiz on Thursday, September 14. The challenge problem that was distributed on Tuesday, September 5 is due on Tuesday, September 12.
7th grade Pre-Algebra - Mr. Lanfear
Next week we will continue Chapter 2 by practicing more distributive property problems (2.2) as well as simplifying variable expressions (2.3). There will be a Math Facts Quiz on Tuesday (outlines were handed out in class on Tuesday, 9/5). We will begin solving one-step equations using mental math (2.4), addition and subtraction (2.5), and multiplication and division (2.6). There will be a short quiz covering sections 2.1-2.3 on Wednesday.
7th grade History & Gov’t I - Mrs. English/Ms. Churchill
Continuing our study of the Age of Exploration, this week we will focus on the Spanish in the Americas - conquistadors, establishment of missions, and enslavement of native peoples. We will examine the ways in which competition among European nations influenced American exploitation, exploration, and settlement.
7th grade Spanish - Ms. Hughes
Next week in Spanish the 7th grade will complete Chapter 5B. We will review on Monday, and the chapter test will be Tuesday, September 12th. We will also begin Chapter 6A where students will learn new vocabulary, how to make comparisons in Spanish, and review prepositions. There will be a graded listening toward the end of the week.
7th Grade ELA - Mrs. Boyer
ELA: Parents! Next week your students will be reading After Twenty Years and Hey, Come On Out; there will be a quiz on Thursday. We will be discussing characterization, irony, verb-splits, and Unit Two vocabulary terms. Students have begun brainstorming for their short stories and will begin writing their rough drafts at the end of next week. This schedule will depend on the hurricane arriving next week.
7th grade Life Science - Ms. Hoffman
Our tentative schedule for next week for our next unit of study will be learning about the history of cells, cell types and the different cell organelles. We will primarily look at plant and animal cells and use our microscopes to observe various examples. Our focus will be on cell structure and function. We will also have a science notebook next week check. Everyone stay safe!
6TH GRADE ASSIGNMENTS
6th grade Accelerated Math 7 - Mrs. Reardon
Next week in math we will begin in Chapter 2 by comparing, ordering, and rounding decimals. We will also review adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals to ensure mastery. Students should expect a quiz on Thursday. The challenge problem that was distributed on Tuesday, September 5 is due on Tuesday, September 12.
6th grade Pre-Algebra - Mr. Lanfear
Next week we will continue Chapter 2 by practicing more distributive property problems (2.2) as well as simplifying variable expressions (2.3). There will be a Math Facts Quiz on Tuesday (outlines were handed out in class on Tuesday, 9/5). We will begin solving one-step equations using mental math (2.4), addition and subtraction (2.5), and multiplication and division (2.6). There will be a short quiz covering sections 2.1-2.3 on Wednesday.
6th grade ELA - Mrs. Guggenheim (Depending on the hurricane)
Literature: We will continue our short story unit. There will be a quiz on the terms we are going over in class on Sept 13. The students have handouts in their binders to use as study tools. Making flash cards or a Quizlet may assist some students. Talking the concepts out with a parent may help to cement the concepts.
Grammar: Subjects/Predicates - Simple Sentences. There is a grammar quiz over sentence types and subjects/predicates tentatively scheduled for 9/19.
Writing: We will continue to discuss the importance of proofing written work
Vocabulary: List 3 + 7 SAT words were distributed on Sept 7; the quiz will be the following Thursday, Sept 14.
Reading Log: Some students have been very diligent about beginning their reading logs. Others have not yet turned in any minutes. As stated in the syllabus, all middle school students are required to read 360 minutes during the course of the trimester - reading that is outside of their regular assignments. They have a form on which to keep track of their minutes, and on Mondays in class I post their minutes in a spreadsheet. They need to obtain a parent signature to verify the minutes read. This counts as a project grade. The grading scale is written in the syllabus.
6th grade Earth Science - Ms. Hoffman
The tentative plans for next week are to begin our next unit on heat and heat transfer. (If we need to move our unit test on the states of matter scheduled for Friday, 9/8 we will do so.) For heat transfer students will learn about conduction, convection and radiation and how thermal energy (heat) effects the different states of matter. We will also have a science notebook check and start gathering information for our heat transfer booklets that we will work on the following week. Everyone, please stay safe!
6th Grade Ancient Civ - Mrs. Boyer
Parents! With the hurricane in mind, next week has a few possibilities. If we do not have school tomorrow or we have a half day, your students will return next week with a quick review over Unit 1 and our test over Unit 1. We will then begin Unit 2 which covers Ancient Mesopotamia. I will be discussing the Ziggurat Project, rules, regulations, materials, etc. Please be advised that the project has changed from last year and has been revamped to fit multiple learning and creative styles.
6th Grade Spanish - Ms. Dubick
Hello parents! The 6th grade had their first Spanish test this past Wednesday, I’m really impressed by how much they’ve been able to retain. It’s my policy to go over tests and quizzes in class with them so they can make their own corrections as part of their learning process. I then go over it to make sure they caught everything. They miss twice the points if they miss their mistakes while checking, as an extra incentive to follow along closely. We’re going to be covering personal pronouns, greetings and the conjugation of Estar in this upcoming week. I’m always available in the mornings to help students catch up or get a head start on the material. ¡Que tengan buen finde!
MS Ensemble - Mrs. Cookson
The coming week will bring two or three person scripts to the 6th grade. They will also continue to work on listening skills and following directions. In 7th and 8th grades the students will work again with presenting poetry and learning rhythmic games.
MS Art - Mrs. Cookson
Next week students will spend more time working on ideas in preparation for a final drawing inspired by two adjectives and a noun. They relaxed a bit when they realized we weren’t really doing ELA in art class. I look forward to seeing how they work out their ideas.
