We have reached our full fifth week of teaching and learning here at The Cooper School and your middle schoolers never fail to amaze us. Students are fully engaged in their learning and it shows through their enthusiasm and inquiries. There is never a dull moment in the middle school building. Students can be heard working on their Math problems, excitedly sharing their science experiments, discussing characters in books they are reading, engaging in discussions about health, and vociferously trying out new Spanish and French words.

Here’s a look at what is happening in each of the classes: 

What’s happening in Science:

National Parks! That’s what’s happening! 

Developers signed their “contracts” this week! They know what the “federal government” expects from them as they complete their projects! The developers understand that their models and presentations must stay within the budget, as well as provide geographic background, recreational use of the park, and accomodations available for visitors. Every park is unique and inspiring. There was lots of creative buzz in the classroom this week!

What’s up in Math?

Mathematicians have been busy analyzing ratios. They have used diagrams and double number lines in order to represent ratios and equivalent ratios. Towards the end of the week, we began finding unit rates as it relates to real-life situations. I am excited to move forward in the unit and watch the students gain a deeper understanding of rates and ratios. We will soon move into percentages and how we can apply that understanding to our everyday lives! 

What’s happening in ELA?

Sixth graders are finishing up their book club book, Hatchet. It is an amazing story about one boy’s struggle to survive in the wilderness after a plane crash! They’re going to be comparing the main character, Brian, to other characters in books that we have read in class. The students are also working on a summary for Hatchet. The summary includes illustrations of scenes they found memorable from the story. I will be walking the students through completing their book reports, so they will need their computers for each ELA class starting on Monday. We are also finishing up grammar this week and will start our two weeks of vocabulary on September 27th.

Important Dates:

September 28- Middle School Parent Coffee

October 18th & 19th: Fall Break NO SCHOOL