October 17th - October 21st
Dear Parents,
With this little cold front passing through, we have seen more students wearing sweatshirts to school. It is important for you to support the school dress code by helping your student wear the correct outerwear when you drop them off at school. Students are permitted to wear only Hancock-branded outerwear at school, and they are not permitted to wear any other sweatshirts, sweaters, etc. If your child needs a Hancock-branded outerwear top, you can find a great selection of quality tops online in our HDS Spirit Store. When the weather turns colder, students are permitted to wear an appropriate non-branded coat or jacket when outside, but are expected to put the coat or jacket into their locker once inside the school building.
School Uniforms serve as an illustration of unity to the school community and to those who visit the school. By adhering to the uniform policy, students embrace a collaborative sense of school pride and spirit. HDS students are expected to wear the appropriate uniform throughout each school day.
We have a whole box of lost-and-found sweatshirts in the Middle School that do not have names written inside, so we are unable to return them to their owners. Please take a few minutes to ensure that your student’s name is clearly printed on the inside of their outerwear so that if we find it lying around unattended, we can return it to the rightful owner!
Kind regards,
Jack Cargile
Head of Middle School
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 or see Mrs. G in the office.
Middle School Service Opportunities
Provided by The HDS Parent’s Association
If you have questions or need more information about the following service opportunities, please contact: Jessica Bowden (912) 308-5337
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Pegasus Riding Academy
This volunteer opportunity is for 8th graders only. Pegasus Riding Academy’s Scary in The Dairy event is on Sunday, October 23rd. Students will need to wear appropriate clothes to work in the horse stables and on the grounds.
Click this link to sign up for Scary in the Dairy!
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Skidaway Island State Park
This opportunity is for Saturday, October 29th and the sign-up deadline is October 22nd! For Skidaway State Park’s Trunk or Treat Event we need student volunteers and four volunteer parents to keep the ratio at 6:1 per the State Park's request. Slots are added as well for Parents or other adults to volunteer with their child.
Click this link to sign up for Trunk or Treat!
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Hancock Fall Festival
Our carnival committee needs students to set up and clean up on Saturday, November 6th. Students who do set up and/or clean up will earn service hours. Other links for assisting with the cake walk, bounce houses, and individual grade booths have been sent out.
Click this link to sign up for the Hancock Fall Festival!
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Second Harvest
On Parent-Teacher Conference day, Friday, November 11th we will have a service opportunity a Second Harvest. This has students working in the Kids Cafe Kitchen. Students need to wear closed toed shoes, a hair net will be given for those not in baseball hats, and they will also be given a plastic apron if desired. We suggest not wearing nice clothes for this opportunity!
Click this link to sign up for Second Harvest!
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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. My phone extension is 327.
I look forward to working with you!
Tricia Guggenheim
Tip #7 What's an Energizing After-School Snack?
When kids do homework, they should sip (not gulp) a drink with sugar in it, says Dr. Russell Barkley, Ph.D., author of Taking Charge of ADHD (#CommissionsEarned). Lemonade or sports drinks are good choices. These beverages deliver glucose to your brain, which is its only source of fuel. The more fuel you have, the more you will be able to work effectively and efficiently.
Have you enthusiastically asked your student how their day was at school to be met with an unenthusiastic “fine”? Or, have you asked your student what they learned at school and they responded “nothing”?
You are not alone. Getting middle school students to talk about their day can be like pulling teeth. However, this article has some good tips and conversation starters to lead to meaningful after school discussions.
Check out this quick read: How to Get Your Child to Talk About School
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 have started Chapter 4. It is short and still contains review material from last year, Slope. Next week will be this Chapter and they will test 11/1 Tuesday, Block A/D. and Wednesday, 11/2 Block B.
ADVANCED ALGEBRA - Mr. Lanfear
Next week in Advanced Algebra, we will complete Chapter 10 by using the discriminant to find the number and type of solutions to a quadratic equation (10.6). We will have a day of review on Tuesday and the Chapter 10.4-10.7 test on Wednesday.
GEOMETRY - Mr. Lanfear
Next week in Geometry, we will review some Algebra topics such as factoring the greatest common factor and simplifying radical expressions. Then we will begin Chapter 4 by discovering some properties of triangles (4.1) and applying congruence of triangles to solve problems (4.2).
ELA - Mrs. Boyer
Your child has finished their first class novel unit! Yay! We will continue to go over their Interactive Notebook in preparation for the Novel Test (see assessment date below). Students have completed their second in-class essay. I am so proud of how they handled this essay. Students felt incredibly confident, wrote their essay in two days, and submitted without complaint. This is the first year where I can say that these kids truly have ACCOMPLISHED understanding the steps of the writing process…now we are focusing on improving their grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure in preparation for 9th grade.
Through this unit I hope that your children have learned a valuable lesson in time management. I also hope that they have learned that ELA has multitudes of opportunities to maintain a grade that they are proud to have in Renweb. If they are challenged by ELA, please see the strategies below.
***In 8th grade it is critical that students need to be completing their homework each night. This is a KEY component to success for 8th ELA. POP Quizzes are continuing…Students are learning that it is critical for students to annotate their books in regards to characters and key details. For students to do well on these assessments, please use the following strategies:
Read and annotate (check annotations with Mrs. Boyer’s book).
Ask for practice questions
Come in and practice writing prompts
Spend a solid 30 minutes each night on reading, review, etc.
Assessment Dates!
Interactive Notebook Test Grade Due 10/31
Socratic Seminar Test Grade 10/25-10/26
The Westing Game Unit Test 10/26-10/27
**Students are currently writing in an ELA specific journal. This journal will be a critical piece throughout the year. I would highly encourage students to take very good care of this journal as it will be extremely helpful as they venture on to high school.**
UPCOMING!!
Macbeth
**As students mature 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. Hallman
This week the students enjoyed working on their Pet element projects! They also took a quiz this week. I am excited to see what those look like and listen to the presentations they will give on Friday. We will have two labs next week to reinforce abstract concepts they have learned these past three weeks before taking their test on 10/26 and 10/27. Based on the grades of some of the quizzes, I highly encourage students to be reviewing their notes and worksheets that they completed in class. They may come and see me and ask questions but they should not wait until the morning of to do so. I know we have a lot of big grades going in right now, nearing the end of the trimester, for every class, not just science, so it is imperative that students put their best foot forward and practice good time management skills.
Date Reminders:
10/21: Pet Element Project
10/26 (E Block) and 10/27 (C and F Block): UNIT 2 TEST
US HISTORY - Mr. Gauthier Debates are due first week in November. Robber Baron or Captain of Industry classroom project will be completed. Introduction to Gilded Age Journal project.
SPANISH - Ms. Crocker
The students did an EXCELLENT job with their podcasts! We have some radio voice talent! This week, we will end our “All About Me” unit with TWO TEST GRADES THIS WEEK! The first part of the test (one test grade) is a written portion. The second part of the test (second test grade) is a listening and spoken portion. Each block will have these tests separated over two days. We will start our next music and dance unit after the tests!
The test covers Lista #3, all verbs, ser versus estar, and indefinite and definite articles.
REMINDER: Students have received a lot of material so far…they should be studying vocab ON THEIR OWN AT HOME 10-15 minutes/day! Flashcards are HIGHLY recommended!
ADVANCED SPANISH - Ms. Brown
Break a leg! 7th graders are busy preparing to use their presentational communication skills in Spanish on A Day in the Life at School skits to be performed in class next week! They are using their ever growing vocabulary and verbs from Unit Two! Be mindful to review all flashcards and notes from class, even on days you don’t have Spanish class!
ADVANCED SPANISH - Ms. Crocker
This week, we will end our “All About Me” unit with TWO TEST GRADES THIS WEEK! The first part of the test (one test grade) is a written portion. The second part of the test (second test grade) is a listening and spoken portion. Each block will have these tests separated over two days. We will start our next unit after the tests!
The test covers Lista #3, all verbs, ser versus estar, and indefinite and definite articles.
REMINDER: Students have received a lot of material so far…they should be studying vocab ON THEIR OWN AT HOME 10-15 minutes/day! Flashcards are HIGHLY recommended!
ALGEBRA 1 - Mrs. Taylor
Students have started Chapter 4. It is short and still contains review material from last year, Slope. Next week will be this Chapter and they will test 11/1 Tuesday, Block A/D. and Wednesday, 11/2 Block B.
PRE-ALGEBRA - Mr. Lanfear
Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will continue Chapter 3 by learning how to solve equations that have infinite or no solutions (3.3). We will also apply skills to solve some real-world word problems. There will be a quiz covering 3.1-3.3 on Wednesday (E Block) or Thursday (C Block).
ELA - Mrs. Buchner & Mrs. Boyer
We are finishing the novel this week! Students will read the final chapters(16-19) over the weekend. Next week, we will begin working on an Interactive Notebook Project, as well as take our final test over The Hobbit. We will have our final Reading Check next week, as well. Students can better plan for these by completing all reading assignments, annotating as they read, and completing Discussion Questions while they read. For those students struggling with the comprehension of the text, listening to an audible version of the novel, while following along may help them better understand the story.
Reading Schedule Outside of Class:
Friday October 21st- Read Chapters 16-19
Study Questions will be due on 10/24
Reading Check Chapters 16-19- Monday 10/24
Assessments:
Constructed Response Final Draft-Buchner’s Classes Due Sunday 10/23 QUIZ Grade
Interactive Notebook Study Guide Assigned 10/24 due on 10/31 PROJECT GRADE
Ch. 12-19 TEST on 11/3
Students are highly encouraged to come in for extra help if they are having any difficulty with any assignment. Mrs. Buchner and Mrs. Boyer are available weekday mornings from 7:45 am to 8:15 am.
Strategies for Home:
-Students should be reading The Hobbit and answering study questions each night. *Don’t wait until the night before the study questions are due to complete your reading.
-All homework assignments are in Google Calendar and Our Weekly Google Slide Presentation.
-Students should be coming in from 7:45-8:15 am to review/ask questions/work 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.
LIFE SCIENCE - Mrs. DuRant
Cell Model projects are due on Monday, October 24. I’ve been hearing a lot about them and can’t wait to see the final projects! Instructions are also posted in the Google Classroom under the topic of Cells. Next week, students will also complete a study of cellular transport by working on an in-class project creating a Cellular Transport Booklet. This project will count as a project grade and a classwork grade. We will conduct a lab investigating osmosis and diffusion. We will wrap up the unit focusing on cellular respiration and the role of ATP in the cell. Please remind your student to check the Google Classroom daily for announcements, assignments, and study materials.
US HISTORY - Mr. Gauthier. We will be continuing our learning and discovering about Financial Literacy. We will also be introducing the American Revolution
US HISTORY - Mr. O’Hayer
Next week in American History we continue our focus to the formation of the 13 Colonies. Students will research and analyze how each colony began and how each developed as we move toward Revolution. Students will begin their next project: Building a Colony. Students will research all the vital elements of creating a lasting and strong colony.
ACCELERATED MATH - Mrs. Taylor
Students will continue with more statistics covering box and whiskers and Histograms. I showed them a real life report of my daughter's statistics from her Dexcom which gives some of the report using a box and whiskers plot and information. (She is a Type 1 Diabetic) They will assess this chapter next Tuesday and Wednesday and we will begin Chapter 4 after that.
PRE-ALGEBRA - Mr. Lanfear
Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will continue Chapter 3 by learning how to solve equations that have infinite or no solutions (3.3). We will also apply skills to solve some real-world word problems. There will be a quiz covering 3.1-3.3 on Thursday.
EARTH SCIENCE - Mrs. DuRant
Next week in Earth Science, students will be monitoring the school weather station each day and collecting and comparing data. They will also begin working on an in-class project researching a severe weather event in the United States. They will have a quiz on weather on Tuesday, October 25. Please have your student check the Google Classroom daily for announcements,assignments, and study materials.
EARTH SCIENCE - Ms. Hallman
The students seem very excited to begin our Weather unit as we have officially finished our unit on the Atmosphere! Next week we will start working on a Storms Project that I think the students will really enjoy. They will also have a quiz next Tuesday, October 25th on weather. Please continue to have them reviewing and check Google Classroom for any updates!
ELA - Mrs. Buchner
We are finishing up Harbor Me over the weekend. Students will read the final chapters and complete study questions. We will review for the final test over Harbor Me on Monday 10/24, then take the test on Tuesday 10/25. Next week we will also begin an in-class project, which will culminate the following week. Students may have a bit of outside work for this project, but I am trying to do as much in class as possible.
Students are also completing vocabulary for the book by creating flashcards to study from, as well as activities in their Vocabulary Booklet. We will have a QUIZ over the Vocabulary words on Wednesday November 2nd (D,E Blocks) and Thursday November 3rd (A Blocks). Students should be studying their vocabulary words each night. They have a vocabulary packet, as well with the definitions, synonyms, and the textual reference for each vocabulary word.
Homework assignments can be found in your student’s Google Calendar, as well as the weekly Google Slide Presentation in their ELA Google Classroom. Students are highly encouraged to come in for help in the mornings from 7:45-8:15 a.m. I am unavailable on Wednesdays from 7:45 to 8:00 a.m. due to carpool duty. On occasion, I will announce a 7:30 a.m. tutorial on a given morning if I see students are struggling with the content. This will appear in the Google Classroom stream. You can also email me if you would like for your student to have a longer tutorial starting at 7:30 a.m.
Reading Schedule:
Friday 10/21- Read Chapters 33-40
Discussion Questions due Monday 10/24 @ 8 a.m.
Upcoming Assessments:
Tuesday October 25- TEST over Chapters 13-40
Wednesday October 26-November 3rd- Hexagonal Thinking PROJECT
*DUE NOVEMBER 3RD
Wednesday November 2nd & Thursday November 3rd-Vocabulary QUIZ Chapters 1-40
INTRO SPANISH - Ms. Brown
Ask your 6th grader what it was like to read their very first cartoon strip completely in Spanish! While they may brush it off as having been an easy task, let me be the first to bring to light that when they first received the 12 panel, two page cartoon strip with absolutely NO ENGLISH on it, well….. It went a little something like this: Maestra Brown! What am I going to do?! It’s all in Spanish! Wait…. I have to answer questions about it in only Spanish, too!?
As sad as they tried to make their little faces, they quickly realized that once they got going and put their minds to it, they saw that they had it in them all along!
Go ahead and ask them! They are sure to tell you of the silly cartoon of dogs going to school! While it may seem strange, it is worth noting that without realizing it, the 6th graders are actively processing and interacting with over 20 new verbs (the 2 most frequently used verbs in the Spanish language which will serve as the launching pad for transitioning into the next trimester in which the immersive structure of Spanish class grows). The implementation of images to help facilitate their interpretive communication skills for a text that is 100% in Spanish is miles beyond where they thought they would ever be just a few short months ago.
Keep up the good work, 6th grade! You’ll be making your own cartoons before you know it!
WORLD HISTORY - Mr. O’Hayer
Next week in World History students will be introduced to the next unit: Greek Philosophy: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Students will dive deep into understanding how philosophy impacted the ancient world and shaped future thinking. Note: We will be picking up pace in World History. Students will need to review and read regularly and keep up with assignments. We will be covering more than one chapter at time moving forward. Nightly review/reading is encouraged.
Middle School Art
Good Day HDS community! Excited to share that portfolio work for Trimester l will be ready for home the first week of November. Here are snapshots of MS portfolio work. Recently an email was sent to MS families about joining the Artsonia gallery. Below is QR & code for parents. We will continue to build the Artsonia galleries and thank you for joining! Students have shown in Trimester l great response to routine, ability to be expressive, apply knowledge from one project to the next and manage time from sketchbook to lesson.
Use this Artsonia pdf to access the publishing of artwork!
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