As we move through the holiday season — a time that can easily become rushed and overwhelming — I’ve been talking with our middle schoolers about slowing down and celebrating the little things. In the midst of projects, festivities, and the growing buzz of December, I’m encouraging them to notice the everyday moments that often slip by: a shared laugh with a friend, a problem solved through teamwork, the calm of a quiet morning, or a small success that deserves recognition.
This past weekend I got to see one of my favorite bands, TopHouse. They often sing about the beauty found in ordinary moments and the way joy can live in the smallest details if we’re willing to pause long enough to see them. That message has been at the heart of my conversations with students this week.
My hope is that during this busy season, our students (and all of us!) can take a breath, look around, and find meaning in the simple, fleeting moments that make up our days. It’s in those little things that the true magic of this time of year lies.
—Amanda
Upcoming Dates
- December 19th – Pajama Day/Holiday Extravaganza (11:30am Dismissal)
- December 22 – January 2nd – Winter Break (No School)
- January 5th – Teacher Work Day (No School)
- January 6th – School Resumes
ELA: This week, 8th grade completed To Kill a Mockingbird, considering its themes and contemporary applications to our world. We also analyzed the film adaptation and its legacy. They walked away from this unit with well-designed magazine spreads about the literary archetypes. 8th grade had a grammar test on Thursday, as well, and should have test grades in take home folders.
Next week, 8th grade will use the last week before break for grammar review. They will also begin a writing unit on literary essays based on Ray Bradbury short stories.
Science: This week in Science, our 8th graders dug into the wonders of light and color through hands-on investigation. Students collaborated on a laser challenge, using mirrors to guide a beam of light and observe how light interacts with different materials. Their problem-solving and teamwork were on full display as they tested ideas, adjusted angles, and watched their predictions come to life.
We then shifted into exploring the visible light spectrum using spectrometers. Students examined the wavelengths of different colors and discussed the patterns they noticed, building a deeper understanding of how scientists use tools to make the unseen visible.
Next week, students will continue this journey by investigating why objects appear different colors and how light bends through refraction.
Social Studies: Eighth grade finished our unit of study on the Industrial Revolution with our quiz this Friday. This was an important unit since it showed them how machinery and technology reshaped the entire world. Next week we will start looking into how those inventions led to many revolutions seen throughout Europe that eventually led to World War One.
Math: This week in math, 8th graders began applying their previous knowledge of scale and dilations to area and volume, and identified patterns to help them compute new area and volumes of dilated figures more quickly. Next week, we’ll apply this knowledge to volume and surface area of prisms, pyramids, and cones.
**Mex 1 on their own!**
