Can you think of the last time you lost track of time in your work? Your thoughts were clear, you were in the present moment, and then when you “snapped” out of it, you couldn’t believe what time it was and the amount of work you produced? FLOW! What we all hope for. Believe it or not, even our kids want it. How do they get it…PROJECTS!
I haven’t just been thinking about flow this week, but feeling it! I am knee-deep in projects right now! Between National Parks, Ted Talks, Rube Goldberg, and even tie-dye for community service, I look up at the clock and I am consistently perplexed how the time is up! It isn’t just me though! Your kiddos are in amazement when I tell them to leave! They refuse, quite honestly, asking why the time went so quickly. FLOW is why! During a project that instills inquiry and passion, our students set up for a flow state throughout the trimester. It can’t be all of the time, but when it happens, it feels like magic.
LD
What’s happening in Social Studies?
This week students prepared for their assessment over the Revolutions and Nationalism unit. The completion of this assessment led them into their new unit of Industrialization. Students were challenged to take on the idea of urbanization through a drawing activity that pushed them to think on the spot!
Next week, the students will be diving deeper into Industrialization by analyzing primary and secondary sources from the time period. Students will be asked to create a Venn Diagram comparing what industrialization looked like in two different parts of the world.
What’s happening in ELA?
This week in 8th grade students began an argumentative essay unit. We tackled the issue of violent video games’ impact on youth behavior and gathered a wealth of evidence around the issue. Students tested opinions in debates and flash drafted their initial arguments, aiming for higher levels of nuance in their work. We also took a close look at auxiliary verbs in grammar.
Next week, 8th graders will finish their position papers and workshop the art of converting their arguments into compelling speeches. Grammar will take a look at imperative sentences and adverb work.
What’s happening in Science?
Eighth graders started building their Rube Goldberg projects this week. They gathered materials, put them together, and figured out steps that would work, and steps that wouldn’t work. Even though the process can be tedious and fun at the same time, it takes persistence and curiosity to troubleshoot when the chain reactions don’t “react” as desired. They will continue to work on their projects next week and eventually be prepared to share the final products with their peers and you, their parents!
What’s happening in Math?
This week, students explored two variable inequalities by writing, solving, and graphing them before expanding this to systems of inequalities. Next week, they will wrap up this unit with a test on Tuesday before diving into their next unit with categorical data and relative frequency tables.
Important Dates:
October 31 – Halloween Carnival (½ Day)
November 1 – Teacher Work Day (No School)
