“What makes The Cooper School…The Cooper School?” is a question the teachers discussed Wednesday morning before the students arrived. We talked about the students’ love for learning, projects, community, inclusivity, and more. However, one comment that stands out was made by Ms. Maggie, when she mentioned how the middle school students are not conforming to the social norm established not just by society, but also by the clicky groups that are typically made in middle schools. Reflecting on her comment, I paid extra attention to the lack of cliche pre-teen norms that are not part of our daily life at school. Yes, there are groups of kids that have common interests and hang-out outside of school with private text chains, however, all groups accept everyone in the middle school for who they are and would consider their feelings. Everyone isn’t wearing the same thing, or talking exactly the same, or afraid to show their true selves. Middle school can be such a tricky time, when adolescents are figuring themselves out through peer approval. It’s pretty special to see our kids figuring themselves out without the typical judgment that can make this period hard.
-LD
Math:
This week in Algebra 1, we began our second unit of study on linear equations, inequalities, and expressions by introducing how equations can be equivalent and what those look like on a graph. Next week, we will continue to analyze equations and their relationships to tables and graphs, before learning how we can manipulate equations into different forms like slope-intercept, vertex, standard, etc. to solve systems of equations.
ELA:
8th grade readers started a contemporary fiction unit in critical literacy. We began by accessing reviews and author interviews to preface higher level reading. Readers began the award winning YA novel We Deserve Monuments, as they considered the identities of the characters and how they speak into their own identities as readers. We began our first unit in grammar, reviewing the many facets of sentence structure.
Next week, readers continue studying identity and power dynamics in contemporary novels while also deepening the richness of our notetaking in our readers’ notebooks. 8th grade will take their first grammar test of the year next Thursday!
Social Studies:
The eighth grade is finishing up the concepts of revolution and the major events that led to them in the 1700’s. We will finish with important people of the time and also discuss the ideas that helped shape the time. We will also be getting ready for our first test which will be next Friday, the 26th. We will be making our study guide together to be ready for the exam.
Science:
Eighth graders learned about Newton’s Second Law this week. They learned how force is impacted by mass and acceleration. They calculated the Newtons of different objects here on Earth and on other planets. They also took a quiz on what they have learned. Next week, they will explore Newton’s Second Law by constructing helmets for a mannequin head that will be tossed from the second story. They will use the scientific process to help with the engineering process.
Important Dates:
October 14 & 15: Fall Break- No School
October 31: Halloween Carnival (11:30 Dismissal)
