We sprung forward last Sunday…we will fall back again in November. Why? Why do we still change our clocks for daylight savings? Does more light keep us safer? Prompt us to buy more? Conserve energy? Do we need more daylight to make it to Starbucks with more light in the morning?
A hypothesis about daylight savings…
The “Hamster Wheel Theory!”
The Hamster Wheel Theory is based on the condition we can slip into as humans where we lose relationship to context. Have we been springing forward in March for so long that we just do it? If so, what else do we humans condition ourselves into doing throughout the year? While we ponder this theory (with our Starbucks in less morning light), we know we made it into the part of the year that the human construct has deemed “normal time.” What is “normal?” That is for another newsletter! Cheers to springing forward!
-LD
Math:
This week in Algebra 1, we explored more about the quadratic equation (cue the song – ask your 8th grader they’ll know it) to help us rewrite quadratic expressions. We also took our ERB milestone this week! The milestone will help guide me in knowing what skills (test taking or math-related) we need to review before the real deal in May. Next week, we’ll take a quiz over the quadratic equation and solving quadratic functions. Afterwards, we’ll explore perfect squares to expand our understanding or completing the square.
ELA:
8th grade Shakespeareans continued their read through Hamlet this week and studied the various adaptation styles on stage and screen. Poets finished their sonnets rough drafts – playing with figurative language in the third quatrain and staying true to rigid syllable rules. They also began a new vocabulary study, with a test planned for 3/20.
Next week, 8th grade poets will finish Hamlet and consider its themes. They will also use their refreshed cursive skills to transcribe their sonnets by the due date on 3/21. We will enjoy the reading of these sonnets aloud at High Falutin Coffee on April 9th at 6:30 p.m. – be sure to mark your calendars!
Social Studies:
The eighth graders are continuing their work on imperialism before WW1 and how it led to the war itself. They also began working on their research papers. This is a great introduction to historical writing and how it differs from other styles. They will learn proper formatting, using proper citations and how to express themselves critically from a historical context.
Science:
Eighth graders started their unit on Heredity this week! We looked at the fish that evolved into various species that evolved into tetrapods. The eighth graders also choose peculiar animals to study that represent the biodiversity on planet Earth. They have learned about the mass extinctions on our planet and contemplated the possibility of another one occurring. Next week, they will continue to learn more about the evolution of tetrapods. We will also head to Mace Brown on Tuesday, 3/25 to see “real” fossils in the CofC collection.
Important Dates:
March 15th – TCS Spring Gala & Auction
March 31st – April 4th – Spring Break
Upcoming Assessments and Deadlines:
Algebra 1 Quiz 3/18
Sonnet due date 3/21
