April 18th - April 22nd
END OF YEAR DETAILS
We are in the final trimester of the year and the “countdown” has begun (especially for the 8th graders!) toward the end of the year. To help keep things straight, important dates can be found at this link.
8TH GRADE GRADUATION SLIDESHOW PICTURES
For the 8th grade graduation every year, we put together a slideshow of the graduating class. We ask that the parents provide 5 *digital* pictures of their 8th grader(s) along with which high school they will be attending. The pictures can be whatever you like to be shown (baby, school, special occasions, with family or friends, etc.). Please submit to Mrs. Mannarino via email (mmannarino@hancockdayschool.org) by Friday, April 29th.
YOM HASHOAH
Our 8th graders have entered the Savannah Jewish Educational Alliance's Annual Yom HaShoah Art & Writing Contest. They have worked incredibly hard during this eight week unit. They also read Night by Elie Wiesel to accompany this creative process. These projects will be displayed at the JEA for the month of April, which is Holocaust Remembrance month. Please stop by and view these wonderful submissions! Stay tuned for contest winners!
CELEBRATING STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS!
The first few words of our mission state, “Hancock Day School develops the whole student…” The Middle School just honored T1 and T2 honor roll students at recent morning meetings. Congratulations to those students. Our students also succeed in many areas beyond the classroom. We are looking for pictures to post on our hall monitor of these accomplishments. Please send us (mmannarino@hancockdayschool.org) pictures depicting the activities your child participates in beyond the classroom. There is much to celebrate.
ASSESSMENTS AND PROJECTS CALENDAR
Parents and students 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.
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!
As Learning Coach, I work 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!
Tricia Guggenheim
Working Memory, Part 2 - (Marydee Sklar: 50 Tips to Help Students Succeed))
In last week’s blog, I shared information about Working Memory, and this week I am going to share tools that can support and working memory deficits.
Always remember the old adage, “Out of sight, out of mind.” It is a great problem solver. If your child is struggling with time management and task completion, be sure to pause and analyze the environment. Make sure time and task reminders are always in sight.
Analog Clocks
Most people depend upon digital clocks and watches. This is a problem for the time-challenged brain because digital clocks only show us one picture of time: the present, the time right now. An analog clock shows us the present, the past, and the future all in one glance. We get a visual view and reminder of the passage of time.
Wear a Watch (Analog, not Digital)
Since time is invisible, one of the best ways to “see time” as you go through the day is to wear a wristwatch.
Next week…three more tools to support working memory.
Research continues to come out about the importance of developing “grit” in kids. It is the ability to push toward long-term goals despite challenges or failure. Luckily, it is something that can be developed and parents can take the lead on helping their child learn. One of my personal favorite tips is for parents to model a growth mindset. This allows children to understand that with hard work, you can truly develop any skill or ability. Parents can normalize mistakes by discussing obstacles or failures and sharing positive “self talk” that helps push towards success.
How (and Why) to Teach Kids to Have More Grit
Please feel free to get in touch with me at amaher@hancockdayschool.org if you have any questions or concerns.
ALGEBRA 1- MRS. TAYLOR
Students will finish up Chapter 9 and test Thursday, 4/21. The new chapter may or may not begin Friday. It depends on how much roll over they may need for the test Friday.
ADVANCED ALGEBRA - MR. LANFEAR
Next week in Advanced Algebra, we will continue to review important Algebra concepts. We will have a day of reviewing systems of equations on Wednesday and then the systems of equations quiz on Thursday. We will also have the 2nd STAR assessment on Friday.
GEOMETRY - MR. LANFEAR
Next week in Geometry, we will continue Chapter 12 by having a quiz on sections 12.1-12.3 on Tuesday. Then we will begin learning how to find the volume of prisms and cylinders (12.4). We will also have the 2nd STAR assessment on Friday.
ELA - MRS. BOYER
Finishing out the 8th grade year…pause as I am crying….:(
We will be diving into a Creative Writing Unit! Students will be writing a ten to fifteen page short story. This unit will be heavily focused on writing strategies, grammar & mechanics, word choice, format, etc.
Our Anchor Text will be A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor.
Students will be working on Storyboards for their writing piece. Everything they need will be in Google Classroom, but students will need to purchase a half poster-board for this assignment.
The 8th graders completed their Yom HaShoah Projects!! Woop Woop! Please see the pictures linked above. I am incredibly proud of these students; this was the best year yet! Winners should be announced soon! I will update everyone as soon as I hear. :)
Yom HoShoah Due Dates
**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
See below for a photo display of all the album covers that the students produced for their music genre project. This week the eighth graders have started their study of the EM spectrum and light. We have discussed the seven different forms of radiation including examples and their importance. Our focus has been on visible light including how it is transmitted, reflected and absorbed. Next week the students will have a lab to determine how different materials affect light transmission and will look at polarizing film, prisms and spectroscopes. On Friday, 4/22/22 they will have a quiz on the electromagnetic spectrum and light. The following week our main topic will be the eye, how we see, colors and mirrors and lenses. The unit test for all this information is scheduled for Tuesday 5/10/22. The last Science in Comics of the school year is due on Friday, 4/29/22 and students may complete two extra Science in Comics for additional homework grades. These optional assignments are due by 5/20/22.
A reminder that all rubrics, homework and classwork are posted on Google Classroom under the appropriate topic. This includes all videos, websites, diagrams, notes and other material we use in class. Students are encouraged to use them for review, studying and to keep up with assignments they may miss if absent from class.
US HISTORY- Mr. Gauthier
The in class projects for the 1920’s have been completed. Assessments (projects and quizzes are complete. Test on WW1-1920’s will be next week with steps forward to learning about FDR’s New Deal and causes of WW2.
SPANISH - MRS. SALE
Hello…the beginning of the week will receive more (and new) vocabulary. We will also delve into Reflexive Verbs. On Thursday, the 8th graders will receive a vocabulary quiz. Have a nice break and Happy Easter.
ADVANCED SPANISH - MRS. SALE
The students will receive instructions on two new verbs, SABER & CONOCER. The 7th graders will review their colors also. On Wednesday, they will take a vocabulary (clothing) quiz. Have a nice break and Happy Easter.
ADVANCED SPANISH - MS. CROCKER
This week we are working on our video/tshirt design project. Materials for the tshirt design are due on Tuesday, April 19th. This project will be due FRIDAY April 22nd. Tuesday, April 26th is the test on List 6B!
*Remember, students, that Spanish homework is due BEGINNING OF CLASS or it is a zero! Outside of emergency situations!**
ALGEBRA 1 - MRS. TAYLOR
Students will finish up Chapter 9 and test Thursday, 4/21. The new chapter may or may not begin Friday. It depends on how much roll over they may need for the test Friday.
PRE-ALGEBRA - MR. LANFEAR
Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will begin the second part of Chapter 8 by learning about function notation (8.7), solving systems of equations by graphing (8.8), and graphing systems of linear inequalities (8.9).
ELA - MRS. BOYER
POSTED by John David Anderson is our next novel study! This novel has a wonderful mix of both male and female protagonists who forge ahead as their phones have been taken away and they begin to communicate through Post-It Notes…
We will be working through a few mini-creative exercises as well as a Final Essay which will be an example for their upcoming summer reading. Students will be working through comprehension questions each week alongside their reading. I usually give 25-30 questions, but students can choose 15 to complete. HOWEVER, I will be collecting these comprehension questions as a TEST grade when this unit study is complete. Details are on GC. We will be preparing for 8th grade during this unit. This is an EXCELLENT novel, and I highly suggest that parents read along with their children. :)
Reading Section II pg 115-224 due Thursday, 4/21.
Posted Quiz on 4/22
Strategies for Home:
-Students should be reviewing for a few minutes each night. Students should ask for parent/guardian help as a study buddy!
-Students should also annotate the rubric for projects and activities.
-Students should have a calendar of ‘chunking’ due dates for projects and studying.
-Students should be coming in from 7:35-8:15 am to review/ask questions/take more time on their homework.
**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 will spend the first part of this week finishing up their locker project. Locker projects are due by Friday 4/22.
Later in the week, we will discuss the impact of bullying and how each member of Frost’s group from Posted has experienced and handled being bullied. Students will use this knowledge to make inferences and predictions about the next chapters in the book.
I am available every morning and during tutorial if students would like to review the reading or ask questions. Because I make sure to be consistently available for the students, I expect them to walk into our class discussions and quizzes prepared and ready. I am here to assist the kids with their overall comprehension of the novel and expect them to reach out if they have questions.
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, we will begin our final unit of the trimester - Ecology. We will begin by looking at the biotic and abiotic factors of an ecosystem. We will also explore food chains and food webs and their relationship to ecosystems. Students will have a quiz on Friday, April 22 on biotic vs abiotic factors and food chains/food webs. Please remind your student to check the Google Classroom daily for assignments, announcements, and study materials.
US HISTORY - MR. GAUTHIER
Next week students will begin our next unit: Division, Civil War and Reconstruction. The differences between state and federal government will be examined.
US HISTORY - MR. O’HAYER
Next week in American History: Students will continue their study of the Division, Civil War, and Reconstruction. In this Unit students will study and examine the events that led up to the Civil War. We will dive deep into slavery, state’s rights, and how the Civil War and Reconstruction impacted our great nation. Students will also be introduced to our next project: Studying Civil War soldiers and making a life-size cutout of CW soldiers and Genrals.
ACCELERATED MATH - MRS. TAYLOR
Chapter 9 will begin next week which covers fractions, percents, discounts, markups, sales tax, and tips. Quiz on the first four sections of Chapter 9 the following week.
PRE-ALGEBRA - MR. LANFEAR
Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will begin the second part of Chapter 8 by learning about function notation (8.7), solving systems of equations by graphing (8.8), and graphing systems of linear inequalities (8.9).
EARTH SCIENCE - MS. HOFFMAN
After finishing up our unit on Oceans, the sixth graders are discussing ways to help keep our oceans clean and safe by learning about different types of pollution. They began by comparing point and non-point source examples as well as learning about oil spills including how these problems can affect our waterways. Next week students will build a miniature aquifer to simulate pollution entering our groundwater and observe actual examples of microplastics from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, along with learning about the different types of plastics and how they are recycled. Students will also calculate their water usage at home for taking showers and work on ways to conserve water. The last Science in Comics of the school year is due on Friday, 4/29/22. Students may also complete two extra Science in Comics for additional homework grades. These optional assignments are due by 5/20/22.
A reminder that all rubrics, homework and classwork are posted on Google Classroom under the appropriate topic. This includes all videos, websites, diagrams, notes and other material we use in class. Students are encouraged to use them for review, studying and to locate any material they miss while absent from class.
EARTH SCIENCE - MRS. DURANT
Next week, students will begin a mini-project on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch as they brainstorm ways to reduce daily plastic use. Test on Earth’s Waters will be on Friday, April 22. We will then begin our final unit of the trimester - Astronomy. Please remind your student to check the Google Classroom daily for assignments and study materials which have been posted for daily review.
ELA - MRS. SASSER
This week, students will review the classic poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost. Students will break down the poem and make connections to the overall novel. Students will work with partners to unpack each line and identify key figurative language.
Due to Easter break next week, please be sure to take note of the different due date for the assigned reading of Chapters 7-9!
Vocab packets for Chapters 7-12 are DUE to be checked Friday 4/29.
The Outsiders Reading Assignments
*Final test over The Outsiders will be on students’ final exam at the end of May. Students will be given a full study guide of material on the exam and be allowed to use a notecard.
LOOKING AHEAD: One of my favorite things to do once we complete reading the novel is to allow the kids to watch the film. Please DO NOT let them watch the movie before we finish reading, as it can sometimes cause the kids to be confused. We will watch the movie on Wednesday 4/27 (D BLOCK) and Thursday 4/28 (B/C BLOCK). I typically bring in snacks and the kids are allowed to dress up as Greasers/Socs for the day (we will go over dress code for this as we get closer). If you are able, please feel free to donate a few snacks on this day! :-)
As a reminder: projects and essays in ELA are designed to help students think critically about the reading they have completed. I structure these assignments in a way that almost 95% should be completed in class. I carve out time and multiple periods for students to have ample time to work, ask questions, and be productive, which should limit their homework load. If students utilize this time wisely and stay on task, they should be coming home with minimal homework.
REMINDER: In order to find success with novel studies in middle school ELA, it is essential that students keep up with the assigned reading, annotate their novels, and THOROUGHLY answer their guided questions. Students will be assigned a set number of chapters and have a week to complete the reading/questions. All of our in class lessons will center around the assigned reading and failure to keep up with the reading will have a drastic effect on their ability to complete in class assignments/projects. I expect students to pace themselves and be reading each night, come to class prepared to discuss our reading, and come see me if they have questions.
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
This week in Spanish we are starting a new vocabulary list 6B that covers -er verbs and other shopping vocabulary. We are also going to start a radio drama project! In this project, the kids will create a mini-drama set in a pet store. It will be an audio file with sound effects!! This project is due Wednesday, April 27th! Test on 6B List is Friday, April 29th! **Remember, students, that Spanish homework is due at the BEGINNING of class! No late homework will be accepted outside of emergency situations or if you have previously communicated with me**
WORLD HISTORY - MR. O’HAYER
Next week in World History students will continue their study of The Making of America: Immigration, Industrialization and Reform. We will study Immigration and how this impacted America and how this topic still influences much of America’s policies today.
ART - MRS. COOKSON
“If we go for the easy way, we never change.” – Marina Abramović
Sketchbook Prompt:
8th: Make a page full of copied logos.
7th: Draw a mug with someone or something peeking out of the top.
6th: Draw an open backpack.
Classwork Challenges:
8th: Will continue to work on Sgraffito (clay)
7th: Will finish up the set design models and costumes for A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
6th: Will continue to work on an ocean’s sculptural project in line with Science. Please try to remember to bring in clean, plastic recyclables.
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