We are in the flow, being productive, and feeling groovy. This honeymoon is over folks. Routines are established, now just being practiced, soon to be muscle memory. Introductory lessons are over and the curriculum is on the minds of students and teachers. Having a fresh mind that was able to rest and recover from mental fatigue over the summer provides the perfect platform for these first few weeks of school to be super productive, once we feel that flowy groove that we remember from last school year.
This second week of school, we have watched students excited to be presented with new material, challenging themselves, and pumped to start new projects. The momentum will ebb and flow, but we are definitely taking advantage of this time and getting STUFF done!
~LD
Math:
Last week in Algebra 1, we collected and organized data using methods like box plots, histograms, and dot plots. We also began describing sets of data through mean, median, mode, and standard deviation. Next week, we will explore using spreadsheets to organize data and compute basic analyses.
ELA:
8th grade started their writing unit by diving into various articles on the impact of violent videogames on teens, gathering as much evidence as possible to form an opinion. After finding a stance on whether or not these games were harmful, we took careful measures to organize and rank evidence and begin drafting arguments. In Civil Discourse, we learned the art of intellectual humility, which leads to more collaborative arguments that take “winning” off of the table.
Next week, writers will revise and edit their work, sharing opinions in small think tanks. We’ll then move on to selecting other controversial topics in technology and drafting our final position papers for a technology symposium. In Civil Discourse, we will practice self-identifying to show our humanity then enter into some small group and low stakes discussions.
Social Studies:
The eighth grade class is off to a great start to the year. We began with a review of their studies of last year and have moved into the first unit, which is world history beginning in 1750. We will be learning about different revolutions and political changes going on across the globe and how these changes still affect them today.
Science:
Eighth graders thought like engineers this week! They designed a new wall for “Humpty Dumpty” using notecards, tape, with specific ramifications, just like building engineers. They also started to think about what our Rube Goldberg machine may look like by drawing their own Rube Goldberg cartoons. The eighth graders opened the mystery boxes they have been waiting to open for four years and made a new set for the fifth graders. Great week!
AG
Important Dates:
September 2nd – Labor Day
September 4th – MS Curriculum Night (5:30pm)
September 7th – Family Fun Night @ The Charleston Battery
