September 20th - September 24th
CARPOOL DISASTER!
When parents arrive early for carpool and fill up both sides of the driveway, the entire carpool is at a standstill until the first car moves. This is adding 7-10 minutes to the flow each day. PLEASE - DO NOT TO ARRIVE ON CAMPUS BEFORE 3:15. Our first student is not called until 3:15 and gets out of the building around 3:17. This will make things move much faster!
SAVE THESE DATES
Fall Break:
No School - Monday, October 11th and Tuesday, October 12th
Halloween Long Weekend:
Noon Dismissal, no extended - Friday, October 29th
Teacher Workday - Monday, November 1st
ZOOM PROTOCOLS
When you suspect your child might have been exposed to COVID we would like you to notify the homeroom teacher and the nurse by email (nurse@hancockdayschool.org). We will be ready within 24 hours to have your child remotely connected with his/her classes. Complete details can be found HERE.
EARLY CHECKOUTS
As noted on our Daily Carpool Changes Form, all early checkouts must be done by 2:15 due to our staggered carpool dismissal. This allows office staff to facilitate and families to enter/exit the campus without issues.
ASSESSMENTS AND PROJECTS CALENDAR
Parents and students now have an easy way to look at upcoming assessments and projects. 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 the 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.
NEW ON CAMPUS COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY!
Good environmental practices begin locally. We are looking for student volunteers to give up some time each week during their Enrichment period to green up our campus. Each week Mr. Crawford will coordinate projects that will enhance the beauty and functionality of our campus environment. Students who wish to volunteer should email Mr. Crawford at hcrawford@hancockdayschool.org.
HERB RIVER BEND CROSSWALK SCHEDULE
Reminder: duty hours are 7:45 - 8:10. ½ hour of community service credit each day. Students should keep a log of their hours on the community service form. If you are interested see Mrs. Mannarino in the middle school office to sign up!
Monday, September 20th: Robert H and Grady M
Tuesday, September 21st: Adair S and Madison B
Wednesday, September 22nd: Katharine L and Allie N
Thursday, September 23rd: Marley S and Madison B
Friday, September 24th: Wallis Hill and volunteer needed
As Learning Coach, I will be working with students, parents, and teachers to offer support and strategies throughout the year. Please reach out to me if I can be of any assistance to you and your child/ren. I will share ideas and strategies often in this space. My email is: tguggenheim@hancockdayschool.org. I look forward to working with you as the year progresses. Tricia Guggenheim
Listen more than you speak when trying to attain new skills and knowledge - Marcia Baynes
Listen.... listen to your teachers, to your parents, to your peers. Learn to listen and really hear what others are saying. This is a life skill that many children and adults were never taught - Chad Jones
We are well into the start of the school year and most likely your student is learning to juggle academic work with other responsibilities. Test anxiety can be common as students adjust to new teachers and expectations. Typically, there is a decrease in these feelings as relationships are built with teachers and students become familiar with the testing format of a class. However, there are other strategies that parents can teach their children to help ease symptoms.
Please feel free to get in touch with me at amhaer@hancockdayschool.org if you have any questions or concerns.
ALGEBRA 1- MRS. TAYLOR
Students have been advised that I have added extra practice sheets and the key for each section as we continued to study for the test that was moved to Monday. I am really hoping that an extra day will help ease any anxieties they may have and they don’t feel they have to study alone. We are mid-way through Chapter 3. There will be a quiz on sections 3.1-3.4 Monday, 9/27.
ADVANCED ALGEBRA - MR. LANFEAR
Next week in Advanced Algebra, we will complete the first part of Chapter 10 by having a day of review on Monday and the Chapter 10.1-10.3 test on Wednesday (class doesn’t meet on Tuesdays). We will then learn how to solve quadratic equations using square roots (10.4), and we will start learning how to complete the square (10.5).
GEOMETRY - MR. LANFEAR
Next week in Geometry, we will complete Chapter 2 by proving statements about segments and angles (2.6) as well as angle relationships (2.7). We will have a day of review on Thursday and the Chapter 2 test on Friday.
ELA - MRS. BOYER
Students are starting their intro To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Students have received their novels, and Chapters 1-7 will be due on the 24th. Students should expect to be reading 5-10 chapters a week, along with completing their chapter response questions. With Chapter Response Questions, I do usually give them a lot, but I only expect them to really get through 15-20. However, I want them to have as many as possible for a study guide for assessments.
We will be completing a heavy review of the historical background for the first few classes. Assessments for the novel will be announced shortly. I cannot stress enough how imperative it is for students to keep up with their work. As we continue into the year, I will be in my room by 7:30 am if students would like a time to read before school. :)
TKAM Quiz 10/5 Chapters 1-15
** POP Quizzes will occur throughout this novel study. **
**As students continue into their 8th grade year, it is imperative that they keep up with their reading, annotate their novels, and come in for extra help. The foundation of this class is heavily based on discussion and the sharing of ideas; students will need to participate to be able to engage with the material in a productive manner.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE - MS. HOFFMAN
Why can you never trust an atom? They make up literally everything. What do you call a clown in jail? A Silicon A neutron walks into a bar and asks the bartender how much for a drink. For you, no charge. Don’t understand chemistry jokes? They’re elemental.
These are just some of the fun chemistry jokes our eighth graders found to help us begin our Chemistry unit. We have reviewed Matter, changes in states of matter, physical/ chemical properties and physical/ chemical changes. The students also used water, acetic acid, Iodine and heat to try and identify four unknown “mystery powders” during our lab this week. (See photos below.) Then they had their first science test over this introduction to Chemistry. Next week we will explore atoms and atomic theory. On Friday 9/24, students will have an in-class research day to learn more about their project topics and take notes for their background research portion of their science fair formal report due in December. They will also finalize their hypothesis for their project.
Science Fair:
Everyone is off to a great start with their science fair project! There are some really interesting questions or problems the students have chosen for their projects. There are only a few students who are clarifying exactly what they want to test and how they will do it and these should be completed ASAP. As students receive back their graded log books they should be checking over all my comments, suggestions and questions that I wrote and these items MUST be addressed in their log book for future homework checks. All students needing to borrow lab equipment for their projects need to check with me for availability and sign out these materials for use at home. If your project requires materials/ supplies that must remain at the school, please arrange with me an afternoon or weekend time for us to work together on your project. If your project requires something considered possibly hazardous or dangerous such as chemicals, fire, sharp/power tools or other items, you will need to complete a Risk Assessment Form BEFORE you begin your experimentation. I will give those out after you have finalized your materials and procedures.
Our next science fair checkpoint is next week on Tuesday, 9/21/21 for another Log Book Check with detailed Science Fair Materials and Procedures Due. Students will also use class time to work on their project background information and hypothesis during class Friday, 9/24/21. All remaining due dates will fall on a Tuesday for all classes and can be found in the students printed packet, posted in Google Classroom, and listed in the project section of the assessment calendar. Coming up in October will be a log book check w/ research notes on Tuesday, 10/5, a google doc submitted onto Google Classroom with a rough draft of their background research information on Tuesday, 10/19, and, also on Tuesday 10/19, a fourth log book check with updates/ revisions on their projects up to that date.
Reminder: Final Science Fair Projects are due in the first part of December 2021 and will count for the following grades: log book (quiz), formal report (test), triptych (2 tests) and presentation (classwork). I am available for any questions students may have each morning (7:30 am until 8 am) and several afternoons per week. Students may also come see me during our tutorial and snack time and/ or email me questions.
US HISTORY - MR. GAUTHIER
First round of speeches went GREAT!!!. Second speech has been assigned and the students have to create a PSA about a Constitutional amendment. Quiz Monday on rivers flow chart and principles of the US Constitution. Causes of the Civil War will be the topic for next week.
SPANISH - MRS. SALE
In Spanish this week, we will review the -ar verbs and how to conjugate them. Tuesday marks a time for the students to take a quiz on GUSTAR and the IOP’s and -ar verbs. Towards the end of the week, the students will prepare for a test that will be given on Friday, September 24th. The test will include forming questions, numbers, abc’s, -ar verbs, gustar, IOP’s and articles. Hope everyone has a great week.
ADVANCED SPANISH - MRS. SALE
This week the seventh grade will have their first test. The test will include the abc’s, the 8 articles, the verb SER, the subject pronouns, telling time/the numbers and the vocabulary that has been accumulating. After the test, the students will learn about regular vs, irregular conjugations using -ar verbs. They will work with this concept the rest of the week. I hope everyone has a great week.
ADVANCED SPANISH - MS. CROCKER
The first test will be this Monday on the first three vocabulary lists (ABCs, telling the date and time, weather, courtesy words, classroom phrases, basic conversation). We will review masculine and feminine nouns and cognates this week, as well as work on our Spanish-speaking countries project in class. I can’t wait to see how their presentations turn out!
ALGEBRA 1 - MRS. TAYLOR
Students have been advised that I have added extra practice sheets and the key for each section as we continued to study for the test that was moved to Monday. I am really hoping that an extra day will help ease any anxieties they may have and they don’t feel they have to study alone. We are mid-way through Chapter 3. There will be a quiz on sections 3.1-3.4 Monday, 9/27.
PRE-ALGEBRA - MR. LANFEAR
Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will continue Chapter 2 by practicing simplifying variable expressions (2.3). We will have a day of review and then a quiz covering 2.1-2.3 on Friday. We will also have our first Math Facts Quiz on Wednesday. Students were given the outline of what would be covered in that quiz last week.
ELA - MRS. BOYER
This week we will be reviewing Chapters 12-15! I have posted chapter summaries on GC. Over the past few weeks I have observed students during review, and I am seeing a lack of detailed responses. It is critical that students really take their time answering their questions, and use them as a study guide tool.
Students will have a Quiz over Chapters 1-10 on 9/20. I have posted a Kahoot for students to work through! Students should be studying their knowledge of the book, but also be able to incorporate their prior knowledge of the Hero’s Journey and Tolkien.
Students are halfway done with their essay! :) Woop Woop! At this point, students should be editing and working on their conclusion paragraph. Students should spend this next week working on their essay for homework for about twenty minutes a night. The Prompt and Rubric are on GC. Essays will be due on 9/23.
Students will have their Hobbit Test on 9/30.
**As students continue into their 7th grade year, it is imperative that they keep up with their reading, annotate their novels, and come in for extra help. The foundation of this class is heavily based on student reading and the sharing of ideas; students will need to participate to be able to engage with the material in a productive manner. All class activities are based on the reading completed prior to class time. **
ELA - MRS. SASSER
Students blew me away with their hero’s journey wheel projects. The in-depth analysis and creative art work was just beautiful! Please check Hancock’s Facebook page to see a few pictures that were posted!
This week students will participate in a socratic seminar activity. This type of activity is completely dependent on students developing strong, analytical questions. Students will prep their questions on Monday and conduct their seminar on Tuesday. Students should think about asking open-ended questions and come to class prepared to be attentive and actively engage in the discussion.
Later in the week, students will complete a setting brochure. Students will choose one setting in the novel and use Canva to complete a brochure, detailing key setting components. All brochures will be due by Monday 9/27. Students will have TWO full class periods to work on this (Thursday and Friday).
The reading and guided questions for ch 11-14 due Tuesday 9/21.
They will have a vocab test of ch 8-17 on Friday 10/1.
Students can expect to have reading quizzes over the assigned chapters each week.
It is imperative that students keep up with their reading. They will be unable to complete our class discussions and activities without completing the reading. All reading assignments and homework are posted on my classroom board and on Google Classroom daily. Students should check Google Classroom every single day. All reading should be ANNOTATED.
A reminder about any and all projects in ELA: projects in my class are designed to help students think critically and not just memorize information. Rather, I want them learning how to apply what they’ve learned. They are given detailed rubrics with checklists and a breakdown of my expectations. They should consult their rubric regularly while working on their project. The bulk of ELA projects are completed in class; they are given ample time and multiple class periods where they are strictly working on their project. Therefore, if students use their time wisely, they should have only minimal parts to complete at home.
LIFE SCIENCE - MRS. DURANT
Next week in Life Science, we will start our unit on the exciting world of cells! We will begin the week with a discussion on macromolecules. Students will compare and contrast plant and animal cells through an engaging microscope lab and various class activities. Students will have a quiz on Cell Theory this week: Blocks A and F will have their quiz on Tuesday and Block C will have their quiz on Wednesday. Please remind your student to check the Google Classroom daily for assignments and study material.
US HISTORY - MR. GAUTHIER
We will continue to “Think like a Historian” Successful quizzes on sources and reliability! Next week we look at who came to America first and what brought them here.
US HISTORY - MR. O’HAYER
Next week we will conclude our study of the Age of Exploration. We will have a test on Wednesday. Students will also be working toward the completion of the Explorer Project. We will also begin our next Unit as we move toward studying how the Colonies began to develop. Students will analyze the First English Settlement and Begin our study on the New England Colonies. Looking ahead: the next project will see the students research and create their own colony.
ACCELERATED MATH - MRS. TAYOR
Students will have a quiz on 3.1-3.3 Monday 9/20. (Mean, Median, Mode, Range, Graphs, and Stem and Leaf Plots. They will have a culminating task that includes box and whisker plots and histograms that will be completed in class. The Chapter 3 test will be Tuesday, 9/28.
PRE-ALGEBRA - MR. LANFEAR
Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will continue Chapter 2 by practicing simplifying variable expressions (2.3). We will have a day of review and then a quiz covering 2.1-2.3 on Friday. We will also have our first Math Facts Quiz on Tuesday. Students were given the outline of what would be covered in that quiz last week.
EARTH SCIENCE - MS. HOFFMAN
All the sixth graders did a wonderful job with our Conservation of Mass lab and learning how to write a lab conclusion. Thank you to all those students who had to come in early to make-up the lab due to difficulties with Zooming or time lost during picture day. That shows real commitment to your learning! See our lab photos below.
This week in science we also began learning about heat, heat transfer (conduction, convection and radiation), sea/ land breezes, global warming and the greenhouse effect. Next week students will finish using that information with an in-class project creating a heat transfer booklet. There will also be a 10 question quiz on heat and heat transfer on Thursday, 9/23/21. After that we will begin learning about the atmosphere.
EARTH SCIENCE - MRS. DURANT
This week, we completed our unit on States of Matter and began an introduction to Heat Transfer. Next week, students will continue to study Heat Transfer. They will work on an in-class project researching information to create a Heat Transfer Booklet. They will have a quiz on Friday, September 24 on Heat Transfer. Please remind your student to check the Google Classroom daily for assignments and review material.
ELA - MRS. SASSER
This week students will continue their unit on plost, character, and setting using various short stories. We will examine these key elements by reading Ray Bradbury’s “All Summer in a Day.” Students will have guided questions to complete during their reading. These questions will be analytical in nature; students are expected to respond in complete sentences and be thorough in their answers. I am available each morning to go over any questions with students.
Students will have a plot quiz on Friday 9/24.
Students will have a quiz over “All Summer in a Day”:
B/C Block: Tuesday 9/28
D Block: Wednesday 9/29
All reading assignments and homework are posted on my classroom board and on Google Classroom daily. Students should check Google Classroom every single day.
Students MUST follow my writing formula for all formal writing assignments and should follow the MLA formatting guidelines I gave them. The students have a handout on how to do this and we have practiced together multiple times. Any paper not formatted correctly or color-coded will not be accepted.
INTRO SPANISH - MS. CROCKER
¡Feliz Día de la Independencia! We will be continuing to celebrate Mexican Independence Day and start learning about Mexican culture this week. We will be making digital passports and starting group projects on Mexican culture and history. We will also have a lesson on masculine and feminine nouns, and cognates.
WORLD HISTORY - MR. O’HAYER
Next week in World History students will have an assessment on Tuesday the 21st. This test will cover Chapter 2: Athens. Students will continue to work on their biographies on ancient gods and goddesses and how they influenced life in Ancient Greece.
ART - MRS. COOKSON
“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.” - Jimi Hendrix
Sketchbook Prompt:
8th: Draw a flower growing next to a turned over garbage can.
7th: Draw what is in the rear-view mirror of your car.
6th: Design a new perfume bottle for either a great smell, or something very bad. Include a label.
Class Challenges:
8th: Will play with Architectural Elements to design a Toppling Tower
7th: Will continue with figure drawing and may move into gesture drawings
6th: Will finish the Elements of Art booklet and start digging deep into their creative well by starting Imaginary Worlds.
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