August 19th - August 23rd

DISCOVERY OPPORTUNITY

This year the Middle School will offer students the opportunity to discover new interests and develop latent talents.  Discovery Opportunity time will replace our Club time. Discovery Op will occur on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:20 - 10:50.  Each of the Middle School TEAM will offer an opportunity for students them exploring a topic. Each Opportunity will last one trimester.  Proposed topics for the first trimester are:

Teacher	T1
	Discovery Op	Limit
Alexander	Personal Image and the Success Mindset	15
Boyer	Theatre Design: Costumes, Props, Sets	20
Cargile	And the Good News Is......	16
Cookson	Theatre Design: Costumes, Props, Sets	20
Crawford	TEDEd Student Talks	15
DuRant	Board Games	16
Guggenheim	Stillness and Stretching	12
Hill	Culture Club: Global awareness	15
Hoffman	Theatre Design: Costumes, Props, Sets	20
Lanfear	Coding	16
O'Hayer	Volleyball	20
Sasser	Self Expression Through Comics	15
Strickland	Choir; Bucket Brigade; Ukulele	15
Holman (Adjunct)	Chess (After School)	15

Sign up for T1 will be next Tuesday with sessions beginning Friday.

CARPOOL REMINDERS! (THAT PESKY CARPOOL!)

For new families, the Middle School Zone is called the WHITE ZONE.  First rule of carpool: The first two weeks are always challenging! Remain calm and be patient!

MORNING

Arrive on campus by heading NORTH on Howard Foss.  No left turn into campus! This will facilitate a smooth entry into campus.  Drop off at Hancock Hall between 7:30 - 7:55. After that, follow the carpool lane ALL THE WAY AROUND to the gold zone (or when the line stops) to discharge students.  DO NOT STOP AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL ENTRY (unless the line has stopped). Exit the driveway turning right only!

AFTERNOON

Again, set your arrival up to be heading NORTH on Howard Foss.  The afternoon carpool line will wind down Howard Foss. White Zone parents - please DO NOT arrive on campus before 3:15!  Gold Zone (at the side of the school) pick up runs from 3:00 - 3:15. Arriving on campus before then creates congestion for families picking up students in that zone.  If you do arrive early, park in a designated parking space. DO NOT PARK IN THE CARPOOL LANE, it stops the flow of cars moving to the Gold Zone. Watch for Mr. Crawford and his infamous STOP SIGN!  He is making sure we do not fill up both sides of the carpool lane. If that happens, no one moves until the first car in line moves! After picking up your child, signal Mr. Crawford your are ready to exit by using your left turn signal.   Again, exit the driveway by turning right only!

6TH GRADE TRIP - CAMP KANUGA

The 6th grade will be traveling to the Mountain Trail Outdoor School, Camp Kanuga, in Hendersonville, NC from August 27th to 29th.  The purpose of the trip is to build leadership skills and coalesce as a team. CLICK HERE for the daily schedule and paperwork that needs to be completed.  Please have your student forms returned by Monday, August 19th.

MAKING THE TRANSITION TO MIDDLE SCHOOL

Click HERE if you were not able to make Mrs. Guggenheim’s information session, “A Parent’s Guide to Making the Transition” and would like a copy of the slide presentation.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

The Back to School Night for middle school will be on Thursday, August 22nd at 6:00pm.  This is a parent-only event. 

ASSESSMENTS CALENDAR
We are very excited to introduce a new easy way for parents and students to look at upcoming assessments.  THIS LINK leads to a Google Sheet that will have the next 2 weeks of assessments.  The link below will lead to the 6th grade assessments, but by using the tabs in the lower left corner (shown below), you can navigate to 7th grade and 8th grade assessments, as well.

Different subjects will appear in different colors:

History is black, Science is green, ELA is blue, Spanish is red, and Math is pink.

Please bear in mind that Middle School Assessments may be added, removed, or changed at any time.  This Sheet will always be up to date, however - once a teacher assigns or adjusts an assessment, this Sheet will reflect that change.

Each middle school student is required to complete ten hours of community service over the course of the school year.  Please remember to list hours worked on a daily basis, do not log total sum of hours worked over an extended period of time.  See below for a few upcoming service opportunities. Click HERE for a log form.

The Old Savannah City Mission needs volunteers for various positions.  The mission provides food, shelter, and clothing to the homeless.  For more information, contact Connell Stiles at 912-232-1979 or stiles@oscm.org.

America’s Second Harvest needs volunteers to help prepare monthly bags of food for senior citizens in our community.  Volunteers should arrive by 7:45 and must wear closed-toe shoes. Contact Bryce Seuntjens at bryce@helpendhunger.org for more information.

My name is Allison Maher and I am excited to be joining the Hancock Team as the School Counselor!  While this is my first year at Hancock, I have 15+ years experience as a social worker and counselor working with children and families.

Our Virtue of the Month for August and September is Commitment and we will be assisting the students with building skills and habits that will help them stick to their responsibilities and reach their goals! 

If you need to contact me, email is best.  I can be reached at: amaher@hancockdayschool.org

Algebra 1 - Mr. Cargile

We have had a stellar start to the school year in Algebra 1 class. We have been working together to establish class rituals and routines, and we have been developing communication protocols. In addition, this week we reviewed and practiced how to work together on a group project, and we explored the growth mindset concepts relating the mathematics. This week we will crack open the textbook and get started with evaluating expressions with variables and exponents, applying the order of operations, and writing expressions. 

Geometry - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Geometry, we will complete Chapter 1 by practicing using the midpoint and distance formulas (1.3), identifying and measuring angles (1.4-1.5), and identifying and classifying polygons (1.6).  There will be a quiz on Wednesday covering 1.1-1.5, a day of review on Thursday, and the Chapter 1 test on Friday.

Advanced Algebra - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Advanced Algebra, we will continue Chapter 9 by learning how to factor and solve quadratic equations (9.5), factor the difference of two perfect squares (9.7), factor by grouping (9.8), and using the AC method to factor trinomials with a leading coefficient other than 1 (9.6).  We will also have our first experience with the vertical motion model, which describes the motion of a free-falling object.

Physical Science - Ms. Hoffman

What a great first week!  After some review of lab safety/ equipment and information on our new monthly writing assignment Science Choice Board (see below for a copy of the choices and all the due dates), the students have learned about the Science Engineering Process and participated in a fun activity to help “save” Wendell the Worm.  Next week, the students will create their own sample science lab and we will have our first quiz on all of this material on Wednesday, 8/21. We will then continue with a review of states and properties of matter before delving into Chemistry. Over the next two weeks we will also be discussing the 8th grade Science Fair Project.  An in-depth packet will be going home week three of school and we will spend time in class choosing topics and discussing in detail all of the components. Last year, we had four students represent Hancock at the Regional Science Fair with one student placing in her division. I am looking forward to the great projects our students will complete this year.

SCIENCE CHOICE BOARD

Our monthly writing assignment this year will include a variety of different assignments you can choose from.  All work MUST be in the students own words and will be due by the last school day of each month (except December and May).  The eight due dates for this year are 8/30/19, 9/30/19, 10/31/19, 11/22/19, 1/31/20, 2/28/20, 3/31/20 and 4/30/20.  Throughout the school year you MUST include the three assignments with an asterisk (*) and cannot duplicate any choice more than twice.  Each assignment will count as ONE homework grade and descriptions for each assignment are below. You will also receive a copy of all rubrics.

Science Word Search (*Do NOT use a computer puzzlemaker to do this.)  Pick a science topic and find at least fifteen words related to that topic.  Then create your own wordsearch (in a variety of directions), including accurate definitions written in your own words for EACH word.  *Be sure to include a separate answer key or it will NOT be graded.	*Science in Comics Choose and read a comic to identify and explain science.  Write, in your own words, two paragraphs totaling at least ½ page.  First, provide a short summary of the comic and why it is funny or silly.  Then explain (in detail with science vocabulary), TWO different ways in which it depicts any type of science.  *Be sure to include a copy of the comic or it will NOT be graded.	Science at the Movies Look for examples of science as you watch a movie.  Include the title and release date and then using your own words, give a short ½  page summary of the movie AND list (use science vocabulary) and describe (in sentences using details) at least five ways the movie incorporates the important knowledge of science.  These examples should be 1-2 pages long and contain accurate information about WHY each situation contains science.
Science in the News Find a current event article in the paper or online related to any type of science.  Write in your own words using accurate science vocabulary a short one to two page summary of that article that also includes why it is important AND how it is relevant to your life.  *Be sure to include a copy of the article when you turn it in or it will NOT be graded.	Science Song or Poem Choose a topic you are interested in and include at least 5 related vocabulary/concepts to create a song or poem that includes accurate science information.  It must include at least five separate verses or stanzas, AND a short paragraph to summarize your song/poem. (You may recite or perform your creation for the class for 20 extra credit points.)	*Science Practice Test/Quiz Look at our syllabus and pick some of the topics that are studied this year and design a test or quiz for someone.  Your test should have a variety of short answer, multiple choice, true/false or fill in the blank questions, but it needs to be at least 20 questions long.  *Be sure to include a separate answer key with the correct answers or it will NOT be graded.
Science Crossword Puzzle (*Do NOT use a computer puzzlemaker to do this.)  Pick a science topic and find at least fifteen words related to that topic.  Then create your own crossword puzzle (in both up and down directions) with accurate definitions written in your own words as clues for EACH word.  *Be sure to include a separate answer key or it will NOT be graded.	Science on the Road Visit any museum, historic site, science/ nature center, theme park, zoo,  etc. during the weekend, your summer/ holiday vacation or Savannah’s Super Museum Sunday on 2/9/20.  Write a one to two page paper to describe your visit, including at least three ways you saw, did and learned about science.  Include specific science vocabulary and concepts and utilize proper grammar, spelling, etc.	*Science Study Guide Create your own study guide to help prepare for an upcoming assessment.  This guide must include at least three key concepts and ten vocabulary (defined) from a broad topic studied in science this year.  It should be in an outline format with details for each concept. Vocabulary can be listed at the end or clearly displayed throughout.  This study guide must be at least two pages long and in your own words.

                                 

English Language Arts - Mrs. Boyer

This week students will be engaged in a multitude of cooperative learning activities. Students should be rereading/reviewing Fahrenheit 451 in order to best interact with their peers and their teacher during class. In order to succeed in ELA during their 8th grade year, it is imperative that students are constantly reading and reviewing their novels. 

Students will be taking a QUIZ on Fahrenheit 451 on September 5th, 2019. 

We will also be engaging with Vocabulary Units 11 & 12 for the next few weeks. Students will take a quiz over these units on September 17th. 

History & Gov’t II - Mrs. Robinson

It has been a great first week back at school getting to know everyone! Next week, in American History & Government II, we will be starting our unit on the Civil War. The beginning of the unit will focus on what was happening in America leading up to the war and how that relates to its main causes. 

Spanish - Ms. Hill

We’ve had an awesome week so far and it’s been nice to get to know all of you. Next week in 8th grade Spanish, we’ll be reviewing the Spanish alphabet and pronunciation as well as greetings and classroom items and phrases.  In 8th grade Spanish, we’ll also be reviewing verb conjugations. Vocab Quiz on Thursday, 8/22

Algebra 1 - Mr. Cargile

We have had a stellar start to the school year in Algebra 1 class. We have been working together to establish class rituals and routines, and we have been developing communication protocols. In addition, this week we reviewed and practiced how to work together on a group project, and we explored the growth mindset concepts relating the mathematics. This week we will crack open the textbook and get started with evaluating expressions with variables and exponents, applying the order of operations, and writing expressions. 

Pre-Algebra - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will continue Chapter 1 by learning how to compare and order integers (1.4), add integers (1.5), subtract integers (1.6), and multiply and divide integers (1.7).  There will be a short quiz on Tuesday covering the summer packet topics and section 1.4.

History & Gov’t I - Mrs. Robinson

It has been a great first week back at school getting to know everyone! Next week, in American History & Government I, we will be exploring the lifestyles of early humans in the Americas, what it means to be a civilization and Native American culture. Students will finish the week with a small group project focusing on Native American culture, details of the project will be presented next week and posted in Google Classroom.

Spanish - Ms. Hill

We’ve had an awesome week so far and it’s been nice to get to know all of you. Next week in 7th grade Spanish, we’ll be reviewing the Spanish alphabet and pronunciation as well as greetings and classroom items and phrases.  

Classroom item Vocab Quiz on Thursday, 8/22

ELA - Mrs. Boyer

Literature: Students will be engaging in multiple activities regarding their summer reading of Inside Out and Back Again in order to review literary devices, discuss themes, and practice the art of critically analyzing text. 

Writing: Students will be practicing the writing process as they engage in writing a personal narrative. 

Vocabulary: Students will review Unit 1 in their Greek and Latin roots workbook.  

Life Science - Mrs. DuRant

We had a great first week of school!  It has been a pleasure meeting and getting to know new and returning students. Textbooks are to be covered by Monday, August 19. Our monthly writing assignment, Science in the News, has been reviewed with the next assignment due August 30. This week our focus will be on Lab Safety and an overview of the Scientific Method. We will be in the lab on Tuesday and Thursday of this week. Our first quiz will be Wednesday, August 21 on Lab Safety.   

Accelerated Math 7 - Mr. Cargile

We have had a stellar start to the school year in Algebra 1 class. We have been working together to establish class rituals and routines, and we have been developing communication protocols. In addition, this week we reviewed and practiced how to work together on a group project, and we explored the growth mindset concepts relating the mathematics. This week we will crack open the textbook and get started with describing mathematical patterns, evaluating variable expressions, and expressing repeated multiplication with exponents.

Pre-Algebra - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will continue Chapter 1 by learning how to compare and order integers (1.4), add integers (1.5), subtract integers (1.6), and multiply and divide integers (1.7).  There will be a short quiz on Tuesday covering the summer packet topics and section 1.4.

ELA - Mrs. Sasser

We will begin this week by learning about the SRES writing method. Students will practice identifying SRES in sample paragraphs and then apply this method in their own writing. We will use our summer reading novel, Baseball in April, as a topic for both our discussion and writing. Students will also review grammatical proofreading marks and how to best edit and revise their writing. Students will have a brief quiz over SRES and proofreading marks on Monday, August 26th.

Earth Science - Mrs. Hoffman

What a great first week of school!  All the 6th graders have really seemed to adjust well to middle school and I anticipate a wonderful year.   After learning about lab safety and equipment the students have engaged in our monthly writing homework assignment called Science in Comics. (See photos below and a copy of the rubric with all the future due dates.)  They also participated in a fun “Lifesaver Lab.” Next week we will review variables and participate in a measurement lab. Our first quiz on this material will be on Wednesday, 8/21. Then, we will begin our study of the four states of matter and how they can change phases (or states).  We are also very excited about our upcoming trip to Kanuga on August 27 - 29.

Science in the Comics

Science is EVERYWHERE!  Using the comics found in the newspaper, on-line or in magazines students will describe some of the basic science concepts we find throughout our daily lives.  During the first week of school, we will complete one of these assignments during class. Then, there will be a total of eight additional Science in the Comics homework assignments due during the rest of the school year.  Each one is due on the last regular school day of each month. (There are not any due for the months of December or May.)  The due dates are as follows: 9/3/19, 9/30/19, 10/31/19, 11/21/19, 1/31/20, 2/28/20, 3/31/20 and 4/30/20. 

Note:  Students are welcome to turn in any or all of their comics early.  Two additional comics per marking period may also be completed for additional homework credit, but these do not replace previous grades and will be included in grading even if done poorly.

What to do:

1. You should first find and thoroughly read the comic.  (Newspaper comics are available in my classroom, but you can also use ones you may find on-line or in magazines.) Make sure you understand WHY the comic is supposed to be funny or clever.  Think about which parts relate to or include science concepts or vocabulary. This can include ANY earth, life or physical science content.

     2  Cut out and include your comic with the assignment.  *If a copy of the comic is not included your    

assignment WILL NOT be graded and will count as a zero.

3. Write at least two paragraphs about your comic.  This should be at least ½ a page long.  Papers can be typed (double spaced, 12 font) or neatly hand written.  Be sure to include proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence usage, etc.  *Comics not written with at least two paragraphs WILL NOT be graded and must be rewritten in correct format for credit.  They will also be deducted 10 points.

Paragraph One:   In your own words, summarize and explain what is happening in the comic,   

including why it is funny, clever or silly.  *DO NOT just rewrite the dialogue in the comic! 

Paragraph Two:  Determine and explain how this comic relates to science.  How could you use science to describe what is happening? This could include the setting, actions, topic and/or characters.  You must include at least two ways science is involved and CLEARLY EXPLAIN them using correct science vocabulary.  (Science topics can include what we are studying in class or ANY type of science.)

Use the checklist below to proofread your assignment before turning it in.  What grade would you give yourself for this assignment?  (The actual grading rubric you will use is found in the classroom.) 

________          Summary of comic is written in students own words AND explains the meaning 

and/or humor of the comic  (30 pts)

         ________     Assignment is neatly written and at least ½ page long  (10 pts)

         ________     Proper use of grammar, spelling, sentence usage, punctuation, etc.  (20 pts)

________     Summary clearly explains (using correct science vocabulary) at least TWO 

different ways how your comic relates to science  (30 pts)

         ________     Copy of the entire comic is included  (10 pts)

Don’t forget to attach a copy of your comic and staple the rubric to your assignment before you turn it in.  Complete the heading of the rubric with your full name, class period and month of comic. (If it is for additional credit, please state this also.) *Comics turned in without a rubric or with an incomplete rubric will be deducted up to 10 points.  

Earth Science - Mrs. DuRant

We had a great start to the school year! It has been a pleasure meeting and getting to know new and returning students. Textbooks are to be covered by Monday, August 19. Our monthly writing assignment, Science in Comics, has been reviewed with the next assignment due August 30.  This is an exciting week for our science students as we will be going to the lab on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This week our focus will be on Lab Safety and we will begin to discuss States of Matter and Phase changes. Our first quiz will be Wednesday, August 21 on Lab Safety. 

Ancient Civ -  Mr. O’Hayer

What a fantastic start to the year. We have been reviewing policies and procedures so everyone should know what to expect in AC this year. We begin our journey to Ancient times next week when we explore The World’s Early People. We will be studying the physical and cultural development of early humans. We will study indepth what is known about early humans through archaeological studies. From here we move on and look at how early humans found food and shelter and how humans populated major regions of the world. We will have our first Quiz next Thursday the 22nd over Chapter 1 Lessons 1 and 2. We will also continue our work on note-taking skills.

Spanish - Mr. Alexander

We’ve had a great start to the year! We have gotten to know each other a little and learned some new vocabulary this week. Next week we will continue learning new vocabulary, as well as introducing some grammar concepts.  We will accomplish this through a variety of activities and lessons.  

------------------------------- SPECIALS -------------------------------

Art - Mrs. Cookson 

“If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn’t seem so wonderful at all.” -Michelangelo

8th: Graffiti Art - Students will learn about graffiti and street art before beginning our project 

7th: Geometric Still Life - Students will begin with building on basic drawing skills with a study of geometric form and light

6th: Adjective, Adjective, Noun - Students will explore challenge creative thinking with imaginative drawings based on randomly selected parts of speech