The Cooper School Daily
April 19, 2024
Achieving Goals in April
Last Monday, I got the privilege of leading a Middle School Meeting. Within the middle school meeting, the students and I discussed keeping our goals for ourselves in mind as the weather gets warmer and our minds get ready for summer. As the nice weather becomes consistent, and as the school year inches its way to summer, it is hard to remember to carry out our individual goals amongst the excitement.
On Monday, the students were asked to write down two of their personal goals, one being academic and one being social. Students were then asked to talk with a peer about ways they can accomplish each of their goals before the school year ends. I felt as if writing these goals down and holding a conversation about them allows the students to really bring their goals alive and add value to them.
I have asked them to hold onto their sticky notes so that they have the constant reminder of what their goals are for themselves as the school year comes to an end. I encourage you to ask your children about their goals and have those conversations about how to proceed with achieving them in order to create a deeper meaning to their thoughts.
KW
What’s happening in Social Studies?
This week, the eighth graders finished their World War 2 units. Students dove into the Nuremberg Trials and continued to read through the novel, Night.
Next week, the students will be assessed on the unit before diving into the Cold War. The students will take a second to compare the nuclear weapons around the world and, through reading analysis, get a quick overview of the war. Students will learn about the decolonization of the world and the collapse of communism.
What’s happening in ELA?
8th grade journalists have been hard at work pulling compelling quotes from last week’s thoughtful interviews, organizing their evidence, and following the inverted pyramid structure for investigative journalism. Journalists completed detailed first drafts and careful rewrites to move their work towards a tight deadline. We also reviewed verb tenses and added new verbal concepts like gerunds, participles, and infinitive phrases to our grammar toolbox.
Next week, journalists will publish their pieces and transition to a unit on dystopian fiction! We will be deep in practice of all grammar concepts, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning skills as we look forward to end of year testing.
What’s happening in Science?
Eighth graders finished up their living fossil projects this week. We had a great time at Folly, enjoying the weather, searching for living fossils, and appreciating each other’s company. They presented their projects to the middle school, which were thoroughly enjoyed. Next week, they will learn how populations change over time. We will also go to the Mace Museum on the CofC campus on Tuesday.
What’s happening in Math?
This week, 8th graders practiced, applied, and solved quadratic equations and will take their FINAL math test of middle school on Monday April 22! Afterwards, we’ll practice using graphing calculators (the good ol’ TI-84!) so we’re masters of using them for high school.
Important Dates:
April 27: Spring Auction & Gala- 6pm @ Founder’s Hall
May 9: 11:30 dismissal (Pass It On for Elementary)
On Monday, the students were asked to write down two of their personal goals, one being academic and one being social. Students were then asked to talk with a peer about ways they can accomplish each of their goals before the school year ends. I felt as if writing these goals down and holding a conversation about them allows the students to really bring their goals alive and add value to them.
I have asked them to hold onto their sticky notes so that they have the constant reminder of what their goals are for themselves as the school year comes to an end. I encourage you to ask your children about their goals and have those conversations about how to proceed with achieving them in order to create a deeper meaning to their thoughts.
KW
What’s happening in Social Studies?
This week, the eighth graders finished their World War 2 units. Students dove into the Nuremberg Trials and continued to read through the novel, Night.
Next week, the students will be assessed on the unit before diving into the Cold War. The students will take a second to compare the nuclear weapons around the world and, through reading analysis, get a quick overview of the war. Students will learn about the decolonization of the world and the collapse of communism.
What’s happening in ELA?
8th grade journalists have been hard at work pulling compelling quotes from last week’s thoughtful interviews, organizing their evidence, and following the inverted pyramid structure for investigative journalism. Journalists completed detailed first drafts and careful rewrites to move their work towards a tight deadline. We also reviewed verb tenses and added new verbal concepts like gerunds, participles, and infinitive phrases to our grammar toolbox.
Next week, journalists will publish their pieces and transition to a unit on dystopian fiction! We will be deep in practice of all grammar concepts, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning skills as we look forward to end of year testing.
What’s happening in Science?
Eighth graders finished up their living fossil projects this week. We had a great time at Folly, enjoying the weather, searching for living fossils, and appreciating each other’s company. They presented their projects to the middle school, which were thoroughly enjoyed. Next week, they will learn how populations change over time. We will also go to the Mace Museum on the CofC campus on Tuesday.
What’s happening in Math?
This week, 8th graders practiced, applied, and solved quadratic equations and will take their FINAL math test of middle school on Monday April 22! Afterwards, we’ll practice using graphing calculators (the good ol’ TI-84!) so we’re masters of using them for high school.
Important Dates:
April 27: Spring Auction & Gala- 6pm @ Founder’s Hall
May 9: 11:30 dismissal (Pass It On for Elementary)