October 21st - October 25th

TOURNEY TIME! The SPAL volleyball tournament will begin next week. Final make up games will not be totally completed until the end of this weekend. Please look for notification from your coach as to when your games will be played. The kids have put a lot of work into their season. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR TEAMS!

MIDDLE SCHOOL INSTRUCTIONAL MAKE UP - NO T1 EXAMS!

Dorian marked the third year in a row that Savannah life has been disrupted by a hurricane.  At the Middle School level we feel it is important to capture the lost instructional time. To do this we are cancelling the T1 exams scheduled for October 29th and 30th.  Those dates will now be FULL DAYS.  A new exam schedule for T2 and T3 will be posted at a later date.

HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSIONS
Click HERE to find the letter detailing the steps for selecting a high school.  Click HERE for the Hancock Guide to applying to high school.  For detailed information regarding the Savannah Arts Academy application process please click HERE. Our next scheduled high school visit is November 4th - St. Andrew’s School.

MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE ON NOVEMBER 8TH

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE - HANCOCK DAY SCHOOL’S GOT TALENT

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE - SPRING PERFORMANCE

THE VAPE TALK

Significant data is now being developed that detail the sometimes horrific effects of vaping.  Now is the time for families to discuss this emerging epidemic. See this link HERE for more information.

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.

HDS Extended Day Care needs volunteers to help out after school.  We are currently limiting this opportunity to 8th graders, with a possibility of opening it up to 6th and 7th graders later on.  If a student is interested in earning some community service hours, they will need to sign up a week in advance using THIS LINK.  Please contact Mrs. Mannarino with any questions.

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.

As we enter the month of October, the Virtue of the Month is Cooperation.  Working together involves multiple skills, with negotiation often being one of the most challenging for middle school students.  In “Lunch Bunch” we will be working to identify the roles of group members and what makes up an effective group. We will also talk through some of the challenges that groups run into.

-Allison Maher, School Counselor

Algebra 1 - Mr. Cargile

Next week in Algebra 1 we will investigate Chapter 3, Solving Linear Equations. Students will continue working with equations, solving multi-step equations, solving equations with variables on both sides, and we will also solve proportions. 

Geometry - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Geometry, we will complete Chapter 4 by learning about isometries such as translations, reflections, and rotations (4.8).  We will have a day of review on Tuesday and the Chapter 4 test on Wednesday. We will then begin Chapter 5 by discovering the Midsegment Theorem (5.1) and learning about the Perpendicular Bisector Theorem and its converse (5.2).

Advanced Algebra - Mr. Lanfear

Next week, in Advanced Algebra, we will complete the first part of Chapter 11 by learning how to rationalize denominators using conjugates (11.2).  We will have a quiz on Wednesday covering 11.2, a day of review on Thursday, and the Chapter 11.1-11.2 test on Friday.

Physical Science - Ms. Hoffman

The eighth graders have participated in a few different labs recently.  On Friday, 10/4 they used household products to observe examples of endothermic and exothermic reactions. After making predictions, they compared initial and final solution temperatures after adding water to various substances (baking soda, Borax, Tide laundry detergent and Epson Salts). Using the positive or negative heat change they determined which type of reaction it was.  Our focus in chemistry content this week has been chemical reactions and equations and activation rates so, the students also looked at the effect surface area and concentration have on the rate of a reaction. They observed the result between HCl and tin foil watching small bubbles ultimately become the total corrosion of the tin foil. We also watched a fun demonstration called Elephants Toothpaste (or Old Foamy) which demonstrated the use of a catalyst. (See photos below)  Next week we will have a lab on the types of chemical reaction indicators and also plan to use the lab’s Bunsen burners to conduct flame tests for various chemicals. We will also have a demonstration of electrolysis and watch a limiting reaction called Yellow-Blue skiparoo. 

We will conclude our chemistry reaction information at the beginning of next week as we discuss the different types of chemical reactions.  The students will also create a class study guide on our chemistry unit and have a basic review on some of the more difficult concepts. Our chemistry unit test on all of this material, including previous chemistry information such as the periodic table and atom, will be on Friday, 10/25.  

The October Science Choice Board is due on Thursday, 10/31.  For this monthly assignment there are nine different assignments to choose from and  students must complete at least one Science in Comics, one practice science test/quiz and one study guide.  They can turn in a total of two of the same choice overall for the year. Additional choices include creating a science song/poem, wordsearch, crossword, and finding Science at the Movies.  Each student has a copy of all the grading rubrics (handed out in August) and they are also posted on Google Classroom. 

Science Fair:   Students shared or printed out for me a rough draft of their science fair background information.  The final draft of this is due on Wednesday, 11/6/19. Our next official log book check is Wednesday, 10/23  This Science Fair Log Book Check is for all of their updates/ revisions and should include EVERYTHING associated with the project, such as all ideas, thoughts, discussions with teachers/ parents/ experts and ALL changes/ updates made on the project, including writing the formal report, buying/ setting up material for the experiment, observations/ information about the ongoing experiment, etc. It is written like a journal. Each page must also be numbered and dated.

*If you have not begun your experimentation or design, you should be doing so in the next few weeks. (The data/results are due in approximately five weeks on 11/20/19.) If you were given a Risk Assessment Form to complete for the use of chemicals and/or other hazardous/ safety concerns, these MUST be completed and turned in to me BEFORE you begin your project. I am still missing some of these from students in each class.

Finally, limited lab equipment is also available for students to borrow from the school.  Parents should not be spending large amounts of money to purchase materials for this project.  Students will, however, need to be providing their own large cardboard triptych display board for their final completed project due on 12/11/19.

 Below is the list of all the due dates for our project.  I am available for specific project questions by email, during the 8th grade independant time 1 - 1:30pm each day and  each morning (especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays) from 7:30am until 8am.  

Science Fair Project Dates

(* Indicate Homework Grades)

Monday                       8/26/19                        Science Fair Packets Home

Friday                           8/30/19                        *Signed Science Fair Proposal Form AND Parent

   Approval Form (1B) Due

Wednesday                9/4/19                          *Log Book Check/ Science Fair Topic and

   Question or Problem Due

Wednesday                9/18/19                        *Log Book Check with detailed Science Fair

                                                                               Materials and Procedures Due

Wednesday                10/02/19                     *Log Book Check with Research Notes Due

Wednesday                10/16/19                     *Rough Draft of Background Information Due

                                                                               (email or share document)

Wednesday                10/23/19                     *Log Book Check with Updates/ Revisions Due

Wednesday                11/6/19                        *Final Draft of Background Information Due

                                                                               (email or share document)

Wednesday                11/20/19                     *Log Book Check with Data/ Results OR

   Prototype/Solution Due

Wednesday                12/4/19                        *Log Book Check/ Updated Results or Solution AND

                                                                               Sketch of Triptych

 Completed Formal Report (printed) Due

Wednesday                12/11/19                     All Completed Projects Due

(Triptych, Log Book and completed Abstract Form)

            Complete abstract on-line or use form in the packet 

                                                                     Project presentations will also occur this week

     

                         

English Language Arts - Mrs. Boyer

Students have completed their reading of To Kill a Mockingbird (TKAM). 

TKAM Assessments

Final Creative Project (10/21-10/25)

Final Novel Test 10/24

Final Essay 10/28-11/6

Reading Log Due 10/23 (This has been on my homework board since the first week of school.). 

All class materials have been scanned into GC for students to use as study aids. :)

We will begin Animal Farm during the second/third week of November. :) 

History & Gov’t II - Mrs. Robinson

Next week in American History and Government Part II, we will finish our study of Reconstruction.The Unit Two test on Reconstruction will be on Tuesday Oct 22nd, we will review in class on Monday the 21st, the study guide is on Google Classroom. After we wrap up our study of Reconstruction we will begin our study of the American Industrial Revolution. 

8th grade Spanish - Ms. Hill

New Vocabulary and Grammar - La Escuela (on google classroom) and daily routines.

Binder check this week (Warm-ups and Vocabulary) 

Vocabulary and grammar list is posted on Google Classroom

Algebra 1 - Mr. Cargile

Next week in Algebra 1 we will investigate Chapter 3, Solving Linear Equations. Students will continue working with equations, solving multi-step equations, solving equations with variables on both sides, and we will also solve proportions. 

Pre-Algebra - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will begin Chapter 4 by learning about prime and composite numbers (4.1), how to find the greatest common factor (GCF) of numbers and monomials (4.2), and finding equivalent fractions (4.3).  There will be the Chapter 3 test on Tuesday.

History & Gov’t I - Mrs. Robinson

Next week, in American History & Government Part I, we will continue our Unit on English Colonies in North America. We will dive into the colonies by region and start our study of why each region was so distinct. This will include mini projects on both New England and Southern colonies as well as discussions around how each regions unique characteristics contributed to the 13 colonies as a whole. The Unit 3 test will be Oct 29th. 

7th grade Spanish - Ms. Hill

New Vocabulary & Grammar - Describing yourself and others

Binder check this week; Vocabulary and warm-ups

Vocabulary and grammar list is posted on Google Classroom - Describing yourself and others.

ELA - Mrs. Boyer

Literature: Students have completed their reading of The Hobbit. 

Usually Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are Literature Days. 

Students will have a final novel test on 10/30. 

Reading Logs are due on 10/23. This has been on my homework board since the first week of school. 

Vocabulary: Students will begin Unit 3; the quiz is TBA. Students have their vocabulary workbooks; this workbook will be collected in May and used during their 8th grade year as well.

Grammar: We have been in our first grammar unit for about two weeks, and students are learning about transitive and intransitive verbs, direct and indirect objects, and predicate adjectives and predicate nominatives. Our grammar units will begin this week; therefore, please send your child in for morning help if needed. Also, I always post extra resources in GC such as practice sheets, IXL links, Youtube videos, etc. Grammar is a difficult concept to grasp which means your child needs to identify their learning style and use that to succeed in regards to these concepts. 

There will be a test on Indirect and Direct Objects/Transitive & Intransitive/Predicate Nominative and Predicate Adjectives on 11/6.

Usually Tuesdays and Thursdays are Grammar and Vocabulary Days. 

Assessments can be any day Tuesday-Friday! :)

Life Science - Mrs. DuRant

Our 7th grade students did an amazing job on their cell models.  It was awesome to see them express their creativity and understanding of the structures of the cell. Below are a few examples of their wonderful projects.  Next week we will begin studying cell division beginning with mitosis. In lab, we will look at slides of mitosis and focusing on the different stages of cell division. I have been reminding students that their next Science in the News writing assignment is due next Friday on 10/31/19.

Accelerated Math 7 - Mr. Cargile

Next week in Accelerated Math 7 we will continue learning concepts in Chapter 3, Data and Statistics. Students will practice representing data with bar and line graphs, line plots, box-and-whisker plots, and histograms. At the end of the week we will use some time to review for our Chapter 3 test.

Pre-Algebra - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will begin Chapter 4 by learning about prime and composite numbers (4.1), how to find the greatest common factor (GCF) of numbers and monomials (4.2), and finding equivalent fractions (4.3).  There will be the Chapter 3 test on Tuesday.

ELA - Mrs. Sasser

Students will pick back up with their Greek/Latin and SAT word vocabulary this week. They will receive their words and packet of homework assignments on Monday. Just a reminder, I give out the entire packet at once so students can get a jump start if they need to. The vocabulary assignments are the same each week (the students have a handout of the due dates and a copy is also on Google Classroom). This helps students to manage their workload and get ahead if they need to depending on their extracurricular activities. On Tuesday, students will take their Unit 2 test. There will be a review on Monday in class and I will also offer a morning review sessions on Oct 22nd starting at 7:15 am. On Wednesday, we will go over the Monster Project. For this project, students will create their own monster and develop a backstory and wanted poster for their monster. They will use the skills we’ve learned in this unit to draft their monster. Projects will be due Monday, October 28th. 

Earth Science - Mrs. Hoffman

This week we finished up our basic weather information and had our Unit Test.  We also began an in-class group project to learn about severe weather. Each small group of students will use their chromebooks to research one type of storm (blizzard, hurricane, tornado, flood/drought or thunderstorm).  After answering seven research questions to narrow down the content of their project, they will create a google slide presentation, decide on an activity/ demonstration and produce assessment questions for the class covering this material  Then they will become “storm teachers” as they explain this information to the other students and lead the activity they have chosen to share. The project itself will count as one test grade and one classwork grade. We will work on this project during class for several days and then use most of next week presenting the projects.  Ultimately, everyone will take the combined student written assessment questions for their quiz on all of this severe weather material.  

Earth Science - Mrs. DuRant

Next week in Earth Science, we will continue to explore the world of weather which will include daily monitoring of the school weather station, keeping a weather log, conducting a weather scavenger hunt and reading weather maps. On Friday, we will begin an informative group project researching various types of storms such as tornadoes, blizzards, hurricanes, droughts/floods and thunderstorms. Once complete, students will present them to the class.  Science in Comics is due 10/31/19.

Ancient Civ -  Mr. O’Hayer

Next week we begin Unit 3 which takes us to the lands of the Ancient Hebrews. Ch. 6 begins our study of the Origins of Judaism. Students will analyze the geographic and social structures of the early Hebrews. We will look into the lives of Abraham and Moses and see how these men influenced Jewish History. During this Unit we will also discuss how everyday life impacted the Ancient Hebrews. Our Chapter Test will be Friday.

Spanish - Mr. Alexander

We will begin the week by reviewing the quiz.  This week will be dedicated to reviewing the grammar points and vocabulary that we have learned this semester in order to prepare for the cumulative test on the 30th.

SPECIALS

Art - Mrs. Cookson

“There’s no retirement for an artist, it’s your way of living so there’s no end to it.” - Henry Moore

8th: Will continue to work on a surprise project

7th: Will catch up with our schedule and begin to work on Hobbit Houses

6th: Will begin a 1-point perspective drawing