April 24th - April 28th

IMPORTANT END-OF-YEAR INFORMATION BELOW

• End of Year Dates and Details – CLICK HERE

• Middle School Field Day Parent Sign Up, 5/5 – CLICK HERE

• 8th Grade Letter from Mr. Cargile – CLICK HERE

• 8th Grade Graduation Picture Order Form – CLICK HERE

• 8th Grade Graduation Information Form, due 5/5 – CLICK HERE

• 8th Grade Graduation Dinner and Poster Information – CLICK HERE

UNIFORM DONATIONS
Just a reminder that we accept uniform donations in the office. If you have clothing that no longer fits or you are graduating soon, please consider bringing in your used uniforms to Mrs. Mannarino! 

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. Mannarino in the office.

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

28. Communication and Self-advocacy

As middle schoolers enter this stage of their education, they must learn to establish self-advocacy, become more independent with their academic work and interactions, and learn to communicate this new independence. This sets the stage for their interpersonal skills and confidence in the long run. So what can they do? 

• Communication. Children need to begin approaching teachers, counselors, and other school staff members on their own. For example, if they have difficulties in a particular subject, they should learn to approach and communicate this with a teacher. Even if they do not have problems in class, it is good to communicate and form a relationship with a teacher on their own. The same goes for other school staff, such as coaches, administrators, or counselors. Students should extend this independence in communication with friends outside of the school setting as well. 

• Resolve conflict independently. Allow children to solve conflicts on their own and without intervention as much as possible. For instance, if they have a rift with a peer, allow them to talk to the peer on their own or discuss the issue with teachers or relevant adults before jumping in to help them out. They might be able to find a solution on their own. You can always troubleshoot the problems at home with your child and discuss ways to overcome the conflict at hand, and then allow them to tackle the issue independently. 

Unfortunately, you are likely to find it necessary to talk with your student about school violence. This can be a difficult and scary topic to navigate.  The following article has some tips to help:

Talking to Children About Violence

Two of my favorite tips are: 

Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.

Limit television viewing of these events. Limit television viewing and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations that they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers, and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood.

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 cover sections 9.1-9.4 at the least but possibly through 9.5. They will quiz on sections 9.1-9.3 Monday 5.1. 

ADVANCED ALGEBRA - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Advanced Algebra, we will continue reviewing Algebra I concepts by reviewing linear functions and slope, slope-intercept form, point-slope form, and parallel/perpendicular lines.  We will have a quiz on exponent rules on Monday and a day of review on Friday to prepare for the test the following Monday covering exponents and linear functions.

GEOMETRY - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Geometry, we will spend some time reviewing concepts from Algebra I such as factoring and graphing/solving quadratic equations.  We will have our final STAR math assessment on Thursday.

ELA - Mrs. Boyer

Students are finishing their final novel study with Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Students will not only be focusing on the plot/literary devices within the novel, but journeying through their individual moral growth due to the lessons/discussions had throughout the unit. Students should have the book completed by Tuesday, April 25th with their discussion questions answered. The Discussion Questions will be a critical component to study for their Final Exam. 

Topics of Discussion: 

Racism

Power

Justice

Identity

Stereotypes

Culture vs. Law

The Great Depression

Codeswitching

The Universe of Obligation

The ‘language’ of the time

Jim Crow Laws

Major Projects: 

Moods of Mockingbird Essay

Writing the Lost Chapter

Final Exam

Assessments: 

Ch. 1-20 Test Part 4/24-26

***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: 

1. Read and annotate (check annotations with Mrs. Boyer’s book).  (This has been a challenge this week…)

2. Ask for practice questions

3. Come in and practice writing prompts

4. Spend a solid 30 minutes each night on reading, review, etc. 

PHYSICAL SCIENCE - Ms. Hallman

This week the students were given the opportunity to BE the teacher! We are in Chapter 16: Sound waves. They have been preparing their lessons in groups and will have the opportunity to teach and be taught next week. This assignment has helped them reflect on their own learning strategies, techniques, how they like to receive information, etc. Following this, we will have a day of review and to make sure we are all on the same page and then take a mini test over this on Wednesday and Thursday. 

US HISTORY - Mr. Gauthier 
WW2- From the rise of Dictators to the dropping of the Atomic bombs- will be researched, discussed, and learned.  We will dive deep into the understanding of the events and intents as well as look at how the US emerged going forward.

SPANISH - Ms. Crocker

We have a test this week on reflexive verbs and daily routine words! (B and A block Thursday, D block Wednesday) The students did a fantastic job on their projects last week telling us about what they do every day…wow they are BUSY! Here’s an example from Madison and Helen! 

ADVANCED SPANISH - Ms. Brown
Thank you to those of you who have sent or shared the receipt of the Google Photobook! If your students are expressing the need to do so, please assist your student in completing their soon to be donated (to our darling 1st grade neighbors in the lower school) children’s books! A helpful tutorial video has been made available to them on their Google Classroom. 

ADVANCED SPANISH - Ms. Crocker

This week we have a test on feelings vocabulary and then starting our next unit on sports! Students have a practice test that is due the day of the test. Tuesday for D block and Wednesday for C block.

ALGEBRA 1 - Mrs. Taylor

Students will cover sections 9.1-9.4 at the least but possible through 9.5. They will quiz on sections 9.1-9.3 Monday 5.1. 

PRE-ALGEBRA - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will complete the first part of Chapter 8 by having a day of review on Monday and the test on 8.1-8.6 on Tuesday (E Block) and Wednesday (C Block).  We will then begin the second part of Chapter 8 by learning about function notation (8.7), solving systems of equations by graphing (8.8), and graphing linear inequalities (8.9).

ELA - Mrs. Buchner & Mrs. Boyer

Students will be finishing the book during the upcoming week. All reading and ALL Discussion of pages 1-365 are due on Monday, May 1st. This is a TEST grade and has been on the blog and google classroom for weeks. As we review in class, students had the opportunity to complete questions that they did not answer during the review. Students who did not take advantage of this time might be feeling the pressure. 

This week students are working on a creative writing assignment that connects with the literary device of symbolism. Students will be asked to think about ANCHORS, aspects of their life that help them stay grounded/connected to themselves, just as Frost uses poetry as an outlet for his inner thoughts and feelings. This will be a project grade. 

As usual, students may come in early to ask questions, review homework with Mrs. Boyer and Mrs. Buchner, engage with their studies at home for at least 25 minutes, dive into the creative and reflective process as they prepare for reading checks, constructive responses, and complete their reading comprehension assignments. Mrs. Boyer and Mrs. Buchner are looking to see a ‘boost’ in effort and engagement with this unit. Remember: We are preparing for 8th grade. 

Mrs. Boyer and Mrs. Buchner are both available for morning tutorials. If your student needs assistance with journal entries or just a quick check to see if they are completing them correctly, please have them drop by.

Students should have a Dark Blue or Black ink pen for class every day. Points will be deducted from responses if they are not writing in ink going forward for the remainder of the school  year. They may use an erasable pen if needed. 

Assessments/Assignments:

Posted TEST pg 1-296- Thursday 4/21-4/24 (There will be a Part I and a Part II.)

The Exam will be on Posted!

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. (Boyer-You may also email!)

Strategies for Home: 

-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 or review their journal entries with the teacher.

**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

Next week, we will continue our unit on Bacteria and Viruses. Students will be working on an in-class project researching a bacteria or virus and creating a Most Wanted poster. They will have a quiz on Thursday. The unit test will be on Monday, May 1. Please remind your student to check the Google Classroom each day for announcements, assignments, and study materials. 

US HISTORY - Mr. Gauthier

The studying and learning about the US Constitution continues.  The group Amendment projects are due April 5.  The grading rubric can be found on google classroom. More reading from the Lord of The Flies will continue through next week with the final product of constructing their own government.

US HISTORY - Mr. O’Hayer

Next week in American History students will begin our study of the events that led up to the Civil War. Students will evaluate and debate the key issues that led to succession. 

ACCELERATED MATH - Mrs. Taylor

Students will quiz on Section 9.1-9.4. Then we will progress to Circle graphs and tax, tip, etc.

PRE-ALGEBRA - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will complete the first part of Chapter 8 by having a day of review on Monday and the test on 8.1-8.6 on Wednesday.  We will then begin the second part of Chapter 8 by learning about function notation (8.7), solving systems of equations by graphing (8.8), and graphing linear inequalities (8.9).

EARTH SCIENCE - Mrs. DuRant

Next week, we will begin our final unit - Astronomy! Students will have a quiz on the lunar phases on Friday. Please remind your student to check the Google Classroom daily for announcements, assignments, and study materials.

EARTH SCIENCE - Ms. Hallman

We are in the final stretch! As we finish up our Earth’s Water unit next week with a two part project worth a test grade, we will start our last unit on Astronomy. 

ELA - Mrs. Buchner

   Students should be finished reading their Biography no later than Tuesday 4/25 at 8:30 a.m. There will be a TEST over the full biography and Text Features/Structures on Tuesday 4/25. Students should study notes from their Green Folder, as well as the Review Material which will be posted in Google Classroom. We will have a class review on Monday 4/24. 

It is IMPERATIVE that students are bringing their biography to school each day even after finishing the reading. We will be completing the GREEN FOLDER, which will count as a TEST grade (average of all grades on the rubric page) this week and the following week, then they will start the Choice Board Projects over their Biography. The completed Green Folder will be due Tuesday May 2nd. Students will dig deeper into their Biography as they explore literary elements of the novel. If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to get caught up on any work they missed. Assignments are posted in the Weekly Slide Presentation and Google Classroom. Failure to make up missed work will result in a 10 point per day deduction off the earned grade for the assignment. Not being present in class is not an excuse for incomplete work.  

Students will also begin working on projects for their biography next week. Take a minute to go over the choices from the Choice Board in the Green Folder. Documents will be provided to guide them in the completion of the projects next week. Students will be expected to work on their projects in class and at home. All PROJECTS are due Monday May 8th.

 Homework assignments can be found in your student’s Google Calendar, as well as the weekly Google Slide Presentation in their ELA Google Classroom and in the calendar in their green folder. Students are highly encouraged to come in for help on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 7:45-8:15 a.m. Tutorials are available weekly on Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 a.m. 

Upcoming Assessments/Assignments:

• Bring to class approved Student Choice Biography EVERY class day.

• Full Biography Read by Tuesday 4/25

• TEST over Biography/Nonfiction Text Features & Structures-Tuesday 4/25

• Completed Green Folder Due (TEST GRADE)-Tuesday 5/2

• Choice Board PROJECTS- Due Monday May 8th

• EXAM will be over Nonfiction Unit and Mythology Mini-unit

INTRO SPANISH - Ms. Brown

We are so excited to watch the cinematic masterpieces that the 6th grade students have been working on -documentaries all about themselves. It can be tricky learning to speak in 2nd person in Spanish, but with a meaningful message, it makes it more obtainable/doable for our youngest middle schoolers!

WORLD HISTORY - Mr. O’Hayer

Next week in World History students will continue our study of  the “economic” side of the Industrial Revolution. Students will compare and contrast the primary economic systems around the time of the Industrial Revolution

Good day HDS Community, 

Students are developing their studio habits of mind:  Stretch & Explore, Develop Craft and Understand Arts Community. 

Sixth Graders stretch their knowledge of textures in tempera from a previous assignment in order to create a marine life painting. Their performance was incredible in managing the completion of glazing clay work and shifting to planning a painting. The seventh graders completed a color theory challenge of using complimentary colors to match Van Gogh’s original before drafting their own. Eighth grade students will complete their Savannah Squares acrylic paintings on canvas. Look for these talented artworks in our last Artsonia galleries. I was just sharing that in one year we have 1,000+ artworks published and 350+ artist statements. So great!