January 9-13

Community Service Opportunity 2017 Yates-Astro Resolution 5K Race at Bethesda Academy on Saturday, January 7, 8:30 a.m.   

Click on the link below to register. Take advantage of the early bird discount ($25.00) through 12/26.  The entry fee goes to $35.00 beyond that date. Racers can also sign up race day....just come a half hour early!!  

Sponsored by the Women’s Board of Bethesda.    

(No strollers or pets allowed.)  

http://www.fleetfeetsavannah.com/races

NOTES FROM 8th GRADE

8th Grade Algebra 1 Mrs. Reardon

Next week in Algebra we will continue in chapter 6 by solving multi-step and compound inequalities.  We will also take a look at solving absolute value equations.  We will review for the chapter 6.3-6.5 quiz on Thursday and take the quiz on Friday, January 13. Please note that I will be out of town on Friday, so I will not be available for extra help Friday morning.  Students should take advantage of Monday-Thursday morning extra help and Thursday afternoon extra help.

8th Grade Geometry Mr. Lanfear

Next week, we will have our Chapter 6 test on Tuesday.  We will then move on to Chapter 7 by reviewing the Pythagorean Theorem (7.1) and learning about its converse (7.2).  We will also learn properties of similar right triangles (7.3) and special right triangles (7.4).

8th Grade Advanced Algebra Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will continue our study of Geometry by reviewing the Pythagorean Theorem and its converse (4.4 - 4.5).  We will also learn about medians of a triangle, the centroid (4.6), and the triangle inequalities (4.7).  There will be a quiz on Thursday covering sections 4.1 - 4.6.

8th Grade Language Arts Mrs. O’Connor

Next week students will take a quiz over gerunds and participles on Wednesday, the 11th, and a quiz over chapters 1-4 of Night on Friday, January 13th.  We will also take a field trip to the Massie Heritage Center on Thursday.  I encourage students to follow the reading calendar provided and see me before or after school for extra help when needed.

8th Grade History Mrs. English

This week we will continue our study of World War I. Readings and discussion will come from Chapter 21.2. We will see how the U.S. entered the war and the impact that the U.S. had on the eventual outcome. We will also talk about war themes like remembrance and “live and let live.” Students will have an African Geography quiz on Friday, January 13th. Looking forward to a great week!

8th Grade Physical Science Mrs. Huennekens- January 9

We are wrapping up Chapter 19 on Light. The test is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11th. Students have multiple study aids for the test. On Thursday, we did a 7 station lab that showed reflection and refraction. See the photos below! We will begin our current event presentations on Friday, January 13th. All students have signed up for a current event date. They have a detailed directions handout that they should follow as they prepare the presentation. I have also asked them to practice at home, so please ask your child to share with you.  Students are encouraged to check Google Classroom on a daily basis, come see me for extra help and to review material covered in class nightly.

8th Grade Spanish Ms. Hughes

Next week in Spanish class, the 8th grade will continue to work with the imperfect tense and indirect object pronouns. Students will read the Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein in Spanish. This story provides many examples of the new grammar. Students will also begin writing biographies describing what their partner was like as a child. The vocabulary quiz is Tuesday, January 10th.

NOTES FROM 7th GRADE

7th Grade Algebra 1 Mrs. Reardon

Next week in Algebra we will continue in chapter 6 by solving multi-step and compound inequalities.  We will also take a look at solving absolute value equations.  We will review for the chapter 6.3-6.5 quiz on Thursday and take the quiz on Friday, January 13.  Please note that I will be out of town on Friday, so I will not be available for extra help Friday morning.  Students should take advantage of Monday-Thursday morning extra help and Thursday afternoon extra help.

7th Grade Pre-Algebra Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will have our Chapter 5 test on Tuesday.  We will then start Chapter 6 by learning about ratios, unit rates (6.1), and proportions (6.2)

7th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Hannah

Welcome back,  seventh grade! We are continuing our study of phrases this week by reviewing prepositional and participial phrases. Students will identify these phrases in sentences as well as writing original sentences that include these elements. We will also learn appositive and infinitive phrases this week and next, with a test over all four types taking place at the end of next week.

For vocabulary, we began lesson five today by creating a foldable study guide. We will study these words and bases throughout the week, with a quiz over lesson 5 next Tuesday.   

Next week, we will begin reading Animal Farm. Students will receive a novel comprehension packet and reading calendar next week. We will begin the novel by completing a webquest over the Russian Revolution in order to gain a historical perspective for the novel.

7th Grade History Mrs. English

This week in American History we will continue our study of the Declaration of Independence. Students will perform their Declaration sections on Tuesday, January 10th. We will finish the week with readings and homework from Chapter 6.2. Looking forward to a great week!

7th Grade Spanish Ms. Hughes

Next week in Spanish class, the 7th grade will begin their travel project. Students will be given a country to research while also planning a mock vacation under a tight budget.  Students will then share their traveling experiences with the class using the new vocabulary and grammar from Chapter 8A.  The vocabulary quiz is on Wednesday, January 11th.

7th Grade Life Science Mrs. Heyward

Welcome back! This week we dove right into Cellular Transport. We had great discussions hammering down the concepts of passive and active transport. We took two video quizzes working on not only the concepts being taught but also, practicing our auditory recall. Next, week we will perform a week long lab that will give the students a vivid picture of osmosis. We will also have a quiz on Tuesday, January 10.

NOTES FROM 6th GRADE

6th Grade Accelerated Math 7 Mrs. Reardon

Next week we will continue in chapter 6 by multiplying and dividing integers.  We will also take a look at what a rational number is and how to perform operations on them.  On Thursday, we will review sections 4-6 in preparation for a quiz on Friday, January 13.  Please note that I will be out of town on Friday, so I will not be available for extra help Friday morning.  Students should take advantage of Monday-Thursday morning extra help and Thursday afternoon extra help.

Take a look at the hands-on activity we did in class today (1/6).  Students used red (negative) and yellow (positive) chips to model adding integers by taking away zero pairs.  A lot of light bulbs came on today!! :)

6th Pre-Algebra Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will have our Chapter 5 test on Tuesday.  We will then start Chapter 6 by learning about ratios, unit rates (6.1), and proportions (6.2)

6th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Guggenheim

Week of January 9, 2017
This week in ELA we will have a test over our short story unit on January 11. A study guide went home on Tuesday, January 3. Short story rough drafts are due, printed out, on Monday, January 9, and the final is due Friday, January 13 (printed out). A quiz over List 8 Greek/Latin roots is scheduled for Friday, January 13. We will continue our work with prepositions. A reminder that I will be out of school on Monday, January 9 taking my daughter to college. Have a great weekend!

6th Grade Ancient Civilizations Mrs. Hannah

    I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday break! We are starting 2017 with a study of ancient China. This week, we will begin to analyze the geography of China and understand its impact on Chinese culture. We will also compare and contrast cultural ideas between China and the western world. Finally, we will begin studying the first of five Chinese dynasties. Please check Google Classroom for helpful resources!  

6th Grade Earth Science Mrs. Huennekens- January 9

We are finishing up our study of Earthquakes. A test is scheduled for January 11th. We will then begin Volcanoes!  Students always enjoy the unit on volcanoes! We are also bringing back Current Events. The first Friday is scheduled January 13th. Students have materials in their binder to help them prepare for the test. Students are encouraged to check Google Classroom on a daily basis, come see me for extra help and to review material covered in class nightly.

6th Grade Spanish Ms. Sotomayor

After nearly a month of recovering from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, I am so happy to be back teaching your children! This week we have gently transitioned into a normal routine again, learning and reviewing prepositions, clothing vocabulary, the verbs LLEVAR and TENER and interrogative words. Next week we will continue to review as we prepare for our written test on Thursday, the 12th.

Ensemble Mrs. Cookson

This week a new group of students will get the chance to learn all about Ensemble. We will start with building trust amongst the new groups, and discovering how to boost the imagination.

Art Mrs. Cookson

Happy New Year! Art will continue to provide the students with a creative outlet and encourage critical thinking.

6th - We will revisit our digital self-portraits with a critical eye. Looking objectively at their own work as well as that of their peers, students will use art vocabulary to provide a constructive review.

7th - Will start off the year getting messy, and finishing up our plaster sculptures.

8th - Will have an introduction to bas relief in preparation for creating tiles with clay.

December 12-16

Hancock Holiday Concert Friday

Ten members of the Middle School will be participating in next week’s concert.  We look forward to watching them perform!!  Please come and support our students.

8th GRADE FAMILIES

Just a friendly reminder that the deadline for 8th grade yearbook ads is coming up on December 16th. Don't miss out on this creative way to commemorate your 8th grade student’s time at Hancock Day School.

Simply follow the link below to select, design, and pay for your ad. Then wait to see it in print at the end of the year.

http://www.jostens.com/yearbooks/yearbook-ads.html

Feel free to contact yearbook@hancockdayschool.org with any questions.

UPCOMING 8th GRADE FIELD TRIP - DRIVERS NEEDED

On Thursday, January 12th, the 8th grade will be visiting the Massie Heritage Center and eating lunch off campus.  We are looking for 5-6 drivers to help transport the 8th grade to Massie, lunch, and then back to Hancock Day School.  We plan to depart Hancock at 9:30 in the morning and return to campus around 1:30.  If you are available to drive for this trip, please email achandler@hancockdayschool.org

Community Service Opportunity 2017 Yates-Astro Resolution 5K Race at Bethesda Academy on Saturday, January 7, 8:30 a.m.   

Click on the link below to register. Take advantage of the early bird discount ($25.00) through 12/26.  The entry fee goes to $35.00 beyond that date. Racers can also sign up race day....just come a half hour early!!  

Sponsored by the Women’s Board of Bethesda.    

(No strollers or pets allowed.)  

http://www.fleetfeetsavannah.com/races

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

12/17 at Second Harvest Food Bank:  Students and their families may volunteer to help bag food for senior citizens in need.  Volunteers should be at Second Harvest at 7:45 AM and wear closed-toe shoes.  

12/19-12/23 at Memorial Hospital:  Due to flu/RSV concerns, volunteers under 18 will not be allowed to help wrap gifts at Memorial Hospital this year.

NOTES FROM 8th GRADE

8th Grade Algebra 1 Mrs. Reardon

Next week in Algebra we will continue working on the creation of our Chapter 5 board games.  Each student received directions and a rubric yesterday in class.  They are working in groups to create a fun, interactive, and structured game that practices the concepts learned in Chapter 5.  The project is due at the end of class on Thursday, December 15.

8th Grade Geometry Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will continue Chapter 6 by learning about similar polygons and scale factors (6.3) and proving triangles are similar by various methods (6.4 - 6.5).  Have a wonderful holiday break!

8th Grade Advanced Algebra Mr. Lanfear

We have come to the end of the Algebra portion of our course.  Next week we will review all the topics we have covered so far.  When we come back from break, we will begin the Geometry portion of the course to prepare students for a full high school Geometry course next year.  Have a wonderful holiday break!

8th Grade Language Arts Mrs. O’Connor

This week we’ve learned about mysteries and detective fiction by exploring Doyle’s, “The Adventure of the Speckled Band.”  Over the weekend students will try their hand at composing their own (brief) piece of detective fiction as they compose a couple of paragraphs on a creative prompt.  Next week students will review the elements of plot structure in preparation for their quiz on Wednesday, December 14th.  

Please remember to always check Google Classroom when you are absent for the most up to date information regarding what you missed in class.  I also encourage students to keep up with their independent reading over the winter break!

8th Grade History Mrs. English

This week we will have our European geography quiz on Tuesday. We will also wrap up our 19.1 & 2 unit with a quiz on Wednesday. Looking forward to a good week and a restful break!

8th Grade Physical Science Mrs. Huennekens

Properties of light are our focus this week.  Students are discovering many aspects of light, such as the types of artificial light, the difference between primary color and primary pigment colors.  Lucky for them, they are also exploring the color wheel in Art class.  

There will be a quiz on Tuesday, December 13th on the material covered from Wednesday(12/7) through Monday (12/12).  Students have information in their textbook on pages 550-554 and notes taken in class that have been added to supplement the textbook.

Students are encouraged to check Google Classroom on a daily basis, come see me for extra help and to review material covered in class nightly.

8th Grade Spanish Ms. Hughes

Next week in Spanish class, the 8th grade will wrap up Chapter 3B with a listening activity on Monday. Students will review on Tuesday and the chapter test will be on Wednesday, December 14th. We will end the week by learning about some holiday traditions and songs in Spanish. I hope everyone has a wonderful, relaxing break!

NOTES FROM 7th GRADE

7th Grade Algebra 1 Mrs. Reardon

Next week in Algebra we will continue working on the creation of our Chapter 5 board games.  Each student received directions and a rubric yesterday in class.  They are working in groups to create a fun, interactive, and structured game that practices the concepts learned in Chapter 5.  The project is due at the end of class on Thursday, December 15.

7th Grade Pre-Algebra Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will continue Chapter 5 by learning how to multiply and divide fractions (5.4-5.5).  There will be a quiz covering sections 5.1 - 5.4 on Tuesday.  Have a wonderful holiday break!

7th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Hannah

We are concluding our poetry study by writing an annotated poem with a central theme and identifying poetic devices within the poems.  We began last week, and will work on this in class Monday and Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, we will review for the poetry test which is scheduled for Wednesday. Students should be able to identify main events and poetic devices from each poem that we read.

7th Grade History Mrs. English

This week we will continue our study of espionage during the Revolutionary War by creating invisible ink and book codes to pass messages. Students will learn about the devastating cost for getting caught as a spy, but the great reward for successfully completing missions. Looking forward to a great week and restful break!

7th Grade Spanish Ms. Hughes

Next week in Spanish class, the 7th grade will wrap up Chapter 7B with a reading comprehension check on Monday. Students will review on Tuesday and the chapter test will be on Wednesday, December 14th. We will end the week by learning about some holiday traditions and songs in Spanish. I hope everyone has a wonderful, relaxing break!

7th Grade Life Science Mrs. Heyward

This week has been a whirlwind, to say the least!  We had a discussion Tuesday about antibiotics and their effect on bacteria. In addition to that, we began our discussion about viruses and vaccines. Ironically, I came down with streptococcus pyogenes, also known as strep throat. Based on the name, your student should be able to tell you its shape and growth pattern! When they stain it, it shows up crystal violet! Is that Gram-positive or Gram-negative? This upcoming week, we will perform a lab where we will do a Gram stain study on the bacteria in milk. We will also begin our discussions on Cellular Transport which will culminate with another lab Friday, December 9. We will have a short quiz just before that lab, as well. Enjoy your weekend!

NOTES FROM 6th GRADE

6th Grade Accelerated Math 7 Mrs. Reardon

This week we completed Chapter 5, ending with customary units.  We played a fun converting customary units game of “I have, who has” in class today.  Students had to say, “I mustache [must ask] who has 8 ounces written in cups?” and similar questions.  In order to play the game they had to grow some facial hair (see pictures below!) :)  We will review for the Chapter 5 test on Monday and Tuesday and students should expect their test over Chapter 5 on Wednesday, December 14.  We will do a fun holiday activity on Thursday in class.

6th Pre-Algebra Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will continue Chapter 5 by learning how to multiply and divide fractions (5.4-5.5).  There will be a quiz covering sections 5.1 - 5.4 on Tuesday.  Have a wonderful holiday break!

6th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Guggenheim

Week of December 12, 2016
We will continue working on our short story unit, discussing the elements of a story and reading short stories. We will begin brainstorming for the short story we’ll write in January. There will be a grammar quiz over the eight parts of speech, sentence structure, and subject/predicate on December 14th. Some students are off to a great start on their 2nd Trimester Reading Log. The holidays are a great time to catch up on reading! Please don’t forget this counts as a project grade. Students are asked to read 360 minutes (of outside reading) per trimester. Parent signatures are required for students to in minutes. Please don’t forget about Community Service hours (10 each year of middle school is the goal). Students may turn in their sheets before the holidays to have their time-to-date recorded. We will return the sheets so students may continue to record their hours.

6th Grade Ancient Civilizations Mrs. Hannah

     We have wrapped up our study of India, and will test over the unit on Wednesday 14 December. Students should be familiar with the material in their notes packet and with the map of the subcontinent. We will complete a chapter review on Monday to identify key topics, and play a matching review game on Tuesday to reinforce information from the chapter.

6th Grade Earth Science Mrs. Huennekens

Students are excited to learn about the changes in our Earth!  This week they learned about the three different stresses: compressional, tensional and sheer. Ask them to tell you about the San Andreas Fault and the two plates that are involved. Below are photos from our lab on Thursday. They did a lab called “Soapy Stress”. They used soap as a model for rock to try and demonstrate the three stresses and how rocks break.

A quiz is scheduled for Tuesday, December 13th.

Students are encouraged to check Google Classroom on a daily basis, come see me for extra help and to review material covered in class nightly.

6th Grade Spanish Ms. Sotomayor

Ms. Sotomayor has been out sick this week. Keep an eye on Google Classroom for next week’s assignments and activities.

Ensemble Mrs. Cookson

We are getting ready to wrap up Ensemble for this round. Working in small groups the students put their creative energies into developing a final performance for the class. Pulling from what we have covered so far, each group will decide our activities for the very last class next week, so it should be interesting.

Art Mrs. Cookson

It’s wrap up time in the art room, as we prepare for the upcoming holiday break.

6th - Digital self-portraits continue while the students get an introduction to the Principles of Design.

7th - Plaster, plaster everywhere as the students move forward with their figure sculptures. Without even realizing we made some discoveries in chemistry and physics through our burlap and plaster work.

8th - The color wheel projects came out looking so good, and I think it even crossed over into what they are learning in science class. If you get a chance, take a look at them on the board in the hallway outside room 315.

December 5-9

WASHINGTON, D.C., HERE WE COME!

8th grade families, look for an email about an interesting opportunity to raise funds to support your child’s trip to Washington, D.C.!

8th GRADE FAMILIES

Just a friendly reminder that the deadline for 8th grade yearbook ads is coming up on December 16th. Don't miss out on this creative way to commemorate your 8th grade student’s time at Hancock Day School.

Simply follow the link below to select, design, and pay for your ad. Then wait to see it in print at the end of the year.

http://www.jostens.com/yearbooks/yearbook-ads.html

Feel free to contact yearbook@hancockdayschool.org with any questions.

Sincerely,

The HDS Yearbook Staff

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

12/17 at Second Harvest Food Bank:  Students and their families may volunteer to help bag food for senior citizens in need.  Volunteers should be at Second Harvest at 7:45 AM and wear closed-toe shoes.  

12/17 at United Way of the Coastal Empire:  Student volunteers are needed to wrap presents for children that receive a voice through the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocacy) Program.  Students can volunteer for a two-hour shift between the hours of 9am and 3pm.  Refreshments will be provided for volunteers.  Interested students should sign up in the middle school office by Friday, December 9th.    

12/19-12/23 at Memorial Hospital:  Students can volunteer (2 per shift) from either 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm to wrap gifts for children in the hospital.  Adult volunteers from the Junior League of Savannah and Next Generation will also be present during all shifts.  To sign up, please call 912-350-9336.  

NOTES FROM 8th GRADE

8th Grade Algebra 1 Mrs. Reardon

Next week in Algebra we will wrap up Chapter 5 by reviewing for our test on Monday and Tuesday. Students will take their Chapter 5 test on Wednesday, December 7. On Thursday, we will begin a super fun project that will be due on Wednesday, December 14.

8th Grade Geometry Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will finish Chapter 5 by learning about the Hinge Theorem and indirect proofs (5.6).  We will have a day of review on Thursday and the Chapter 5 test on Friday.

8th Grade Advanced Algebra Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will finish Chapter 11 by learning a connection between algebra and geometry.  We will also be having a day of review on Tuesday and our Chapter 11 (11.3 - 11.5) test on Wednesday.  We will then learn briefly about using mathematics in everyday life.

8th Grade Language Arts Mrs. O’Connor

As the winter break approaches, we are exploring short stories.  Students will work next week to identify elements of short stories and examine how characters are developed within a narrative.  We will also spend some time creatively writing pieces of our own stories.  Students will take a quiz over short story elements on Tuesday, December 13th.  

Please remember to always check Google Classroom when you are absent for the most up to date information regarding what you missed in class.  

8th Grade History Mrs. English

This week in American History II we will move from the Gilded Age to the Progressive Era. We will see how muckrakers stirred up society to make reforms. We will begin talking about the three Progressive presidents Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson and how they began making positive changes for the American worker. Lastly, we will begin our European geography unit by learning all the modern political countries in Europe.  

8th Grade Physical Science Mrs. Huennekens

I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving.  We definitely have a lot to be thankful for at Hancock Day School!

We are finishing up our study of sound waves. On Monday, November 21, students did a lab called “Musical Test tubes”.  They had to figure out which test tube had the longest column of air, which test tube produced the highest pitch and they also had to play a simple tune for their group.  See photos below! Students are encouraged to check Google Classroom on a daily basis, come see me for extra help and to review material covered in class nightly.

The test for Sound is on Tuesday, December 6th. We start Light on December 7th.

8th Grade Spanish Ms. Hughes

Next week in Spanish class, the 8th grade will continue to work with the vocabulary and grammar from Chapter 3B. They will use the irregular affirmative commands and the irregular present progressive verbs to create a Guía Del Buen Conductor (guide for new drivers). Students will also get to act as a Spanish Siri, and give directions to their classmates using maps and the new vocabulary. There is a vocabulary quiz on Tuesday, December 6th and a grammar quiz on Friday, December 9th.

NOTES FROM 7th GRADE

7th Grade Algebra 1 Mrs. Reardon

Next week in Algebra we will wrap up Chapter 5 by reviewing for our test on Monday and Tuesday. Students will take their Chapter 5 test on Wednesday, December 7. On Thursday, we will begin a super fun project that will be due on Wednesday, December 14.

7th Grade Pre-Algebra Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will finish Chapter 4 by having a day of review on Monday and our Chapter 4 (4.5 - 4.7) test on Tuesday.  We will then being Chapter 5 by learning about rational numbers (5.1) and begin learning operations with rational numbers (5.2 - 5.3).

7th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Hannah

Seventh grade has begun a poetry study, and we will continue next week by reading Annabel Lee by Edgar Allen Poe and Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost. We will work together to identify poetic devices used within the works and how these convey tone,  mood, and symbolism within the poem. Students will have a test over the poems and poetic devices we have studied on Wednesday 14 December.

We have also begun Lesson 4 of the Greek and Latin roots vocabulary, and students will have a quiz on Tuesday 6 December.

In grammar, seventh grade has begun studying phrases. Next week, we will identify how prepositional phrases are used as adjectives and adverbs and begin learning about participial phrases. The test over phrases will not take place until after Christmas break.

7th Grade History Mrs. English

This week in American History I we will wrap up our study of the events that led to the American Revolution. We will finish Ch. 5.4 and take a test on Ch. 5 next Wednesday.

7th Grade Spanish Ms. Hughes

Next week in Spanish class, the 7th grade will continue to work with vocabulary and grammar from Chapter 7B. Students will write about some of their favorite gifts they have received in the past using the preterite tense and direct object pronouns. We will also read and discuss the differences between consumers in the United States and Central America. There is a vocabulary quiz on Tuesday, December 6th and a grammar quiz on Friday, December 9th.

7th Grade Life Science Mrs. Heyward

This week has been a whirlwind, to say the least!  We had a discussion Tuesday about antibiotics and their effect on bacteria. In addition to that, we began our discussion about viruses and vaccines. Ironically, I came down with streptococcus pyogenes, also known as strep throat. Based on the name, your student should be able to tell you its shape and growth pattern! When they stain it, it shows up crystal violet! Is that Gram-positive or Gram-negative? This upcoming week, we will perform a lab where we will do a Gram stain study on the bacteria in milk. We will also begin our discussions on Cellular Transport which will culminate with another lab Friday, December 9. We will have a short quiz just before that lab, as well. Enjoy your weekend!

NOTES FROM 6th GRADE

6th Grade Accelerated Math 7 Mrs. Reardon

Next week we will dive deep into Chapter 5 by multiplying and dividing fractions and mixed numbers as well as measuring and converting customary units.  On Friday, we will do a math lab involving converting customary units. No assessments this week. Students should expect their Chapter 5 Test on Wednesday, December 14.

6th Pre-Algebra Mr. Lanfear

Next week we will finish Chapter 4 by having a day of review on Monday and our Chapter 4 (4.5 - 4.7) test on Tuesday.  We will then being Chapter 5 by learning about rational numbers (5.1) and begin learning operations with rational numbers (5.2 - 5.3).

6th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Guggenheim

Week of December 5, 2016
We will continue working on our short story unit, discussing the elements of a story and reading short stories. A test over the elements is scheduled for Wednesday, December 7. In grammar, we are going to practice writing dialogue in preparation for the short story the students will be writing when we return from break. There will be a grammar quiz over the eight parts of speech, sentence structure, and subject/predicate on December 14th. The quiz for Greek/Latin vocab List 7 is scheduled for Friday, December 9. Some students are off to a great start on their 2nd Trimester Reading Log. The holidays are a great time to catch up on reading! Please don’t forget this counts as a project grade. Students are asked to read 360 minutes (of outside reading) per trimester. Parent signatures are required for students to in minutes. Please don’t forget about Community Service hours (10 each year of middle school is the goal). Students may turn in their sheets before the holidays to have their time-to-date recorded. We will return the sheets so students may continue to record their hours.

6th Grade Ancient Civilizations Mrs. Hannah

     We have begun studying ancient India! Students have already learned about the geography of the subcontinent, and we are moving into the different empires of India. Next week, students will have a quiz Tuesday over the geography and empires. We will also learn about Indian culture, social classes, and religious beliefs. The test over ancient India will be Wednesday 14 December.

6th Grade Earth Science Mrs. Huennekens

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! There are so many blessings at HDS!

On Monday, November 21st, students worked through a lab to demonstrate Plate Tectonics using graham crackers, icing and water. Students had to use the materials given to model the natural world, identify limitations, predict land features resulting from gradual changes and identify forces that shape features of the Earth. See photos below! Plate Tectonics test is scheduled for Tuesday, December 6th.

Our next study will be earthquakes and volcanoes!  Students always love this combo!Students are encouraged to check Google Classroom on a daily basis, come see me for extra help and to review material covered in class nightly.

6th Grade Spanish Ms. Sotomayor

Ms. Sotomayor has been out sick this week. Keep an eye on Google Classroom for next week’s assignments and activities.

Ensemble Mrs. Cookson

We built on our improvisation skills by combining them with storytelling. As a group we developed some interesting short stories through a game called Three-word story. Then worked in pairs to write stories to be performed in our “Puppet show.”

Art Mrs. Cookson

Never a dull moment, we are shifting into new territories.

6th - Started working on digital self-portraits on the Chromebooks. The students are learning about layers, manipulating images, and playing with text.

7th - Finishing up the armatures and moving on to covering them with plaster and burlap. It gets messy, and there are a lot of procedures to follow, but the sculptures are really beginning to take form.

8th - Did not have art this week due to the holiday. On Monday we will finish up our color blending graffiti.