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 begun to develop a deeper understanding of fractions. We begin our fraction unit by relating fractions to division. The students have been relating division and fractions to real life situations; like sharing sandwiches and/or water bottles. Now, students have a choice to create diagrams in order to answer questions about fractions or simply use division to answer. Students reviewed for their Section A Assessment yesterday, and are taking their Section A Assessment today. Those will be graded, scored, and sent home next week! 

What’s happening in ELA:

Fifth graders are finishing up their book club book, Bud, Not Buddy. It is an amazing story! They’re going to be comparing the main character Bud to other characters in books that we have read in class. The students are also working on a summary for Bud, Not Buddy. 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:

Middle School Parent Coffee- September 28 (8:15-8:45)

October 18th & 19th: Fall Break NO SCHOOL