We long for October at The Cooper School – these Charleston kids know this month could contain the first real refreshing chill of the season, they understand that it represents a month of prepping for the Halloween Carnival of which they proudly take charge, and perhaps subconsciously, these kids feel the unspoken confidence of being well past the bumpy beginnings of a new grade and firmly planted in The School Year proper.
I am grateful for the way October often represents a resetting of our outfits and I think somehow our attitudes, too. This English teacher is so refreshed by the mere idea of a season and month change-up that she’s been overwhelmed with fall figurative language that simply must be shared:
I hope you encourage your student to drop what doesn’t serve them like the first fall leaf.
Let them know how proud we are to look out at them and see every variety of pumpkin in the patch.
May these students know they are safe to experiment in their education like it’s a selection of free Halloween masks.
I believe these kids can face a myriad of fears and challenges like it’s a scary movie that never lasts forever and kind of feels thrilling!
And please know, this school community strives to be like the first sweater slipped on of the season, knitted with careful hands, instantly cozy, and capable of stretching and softening over several years for the brilliant kid who wears it.
-MK
Math:
This week in Algebra 1, we learned different strategies to solve systems of equations, before taking our Mid Unit Assessment. Next week, we’ll begin analyzing inequalities and how to write, solve, graph, and interpret them.
ELA:
8th grade readers studied character through the lens of introversion vs. extroversion, gender norms, codeswitching, and microaggressions this week. They worked hard to craft and present synthesis pages based on their readings and lessons. Please ask to see your 8th graders’ analytical masterpieces in their reader’s notebooks! We also began our first vocabulary unit of the year.
Next week, readers will finish their novels and take their first vocabulary test on 10/10. Be sure to study words, definitions, and spellings daily!
Social Studies:
We have begun discussing and learning about the snowball effect the American and French revolutions had on the rest of the world. We have talked about society’s role in revolutions and how they have an impact on society even at a young age. We will continue with looking at the Mexican revolution which will lead us into the 1800’s and the vast amount of changes that happen during this century across the globe.
Science:
Eighth graders explored how mass and speed impact force this week. They used marbles and ramps to observe the distance a cube would move depending on the mass of the marble and the height of the ramp. They also considered how friction can change the force of an object. The eighth graders also presented their information collected from their helmet design lab. Next week they will continue to explore Newton’s Laws and begin to apply them to the Rube Goldberg machine design process.
Important Dates:
October 14 & 15: Fall Break- No School
October 28: LeAnn Gardner Parent Presentation (5:30)
October 31: Halloween Carnival (11:30 Dismissal)
