May 15th - May 19th
IMPORTANT END-OF-YEAR INFORMATION BELOW
End of Year Dates and Details – CLICK HERE
8th Grade Letter from Mr. Cargile – CLICK HERE
8th Grade Graduation Picture Order Form – CLICK HERE
8th Grade Graduation Dinner and Poster Information – CLICK HERE
Middle School Fall Trip Information – CLICK HERE
MIDDLE SCHOOL HONORS ASSEMBLY
We would like to invite all middle school families to our Honors Assembly that will be held in the gymnasium on Friday, May 19th at 8:30am. We will be recognizing our students in grades 6th, 7th, and 8th that have achieved academic excellence, superior citizenship, and more! We look forward to seeing you there.
HIGH SCHOOL TSHIRT DAY
On Thursday, May 18th, the 8th grade class can wear a t-shirt with the high school they will be attending in the Fall *(with regular uniform bottoms).
END OF YEAR MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE & YEARBOOK SIGNING PARTY
Will be on Tuesday, May 23rd at 7:30pm in the gymnasium! The theme is “fishing” - 6th and 7th grade students may wear anything that follows appropriate dress code! All 8th graders should be wearing formal Spring attire.
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. 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
31. Ending the Year Strong
1. Set Goals
Setting goals for yourself, both personally and academically, will help you stay on track. Whether your goal is to get straight A’s or pass your exams, make your own goals and try your absolute best to achieve them.
2. Stay Organized
Staying organized will prevent you from losing or forgetting about assignments. Keep track of your assignments and test dates in a planner or calendar to stay organized and prepared for upcoming final projects and tests.
3. Don’t put off responsibilities
Slacking and procrastinating are just ways of putting off responsibilities. Putting off school-related responsibilities will leave you scrambling and stressed at the last minute. Do what you need to do when you need to do it, and you will be well on your way to finishing strong!
4. Remember what you’ve worked for
It may help to remind yourself of all the hard work you’ve put in this year. One bad performance on a final test or project could undo all of your efforts for a certain letter grade.
5. Get motivated
It is time to get motivated! Whether you have to bribe yourself with rewards or create penalties for not trying your best, do whatever it takes to stay motivated and beat “summer fever!”
6. Take advantage of the nice weather
As the weather begins to get nicer, you don’t have to stay cooped up inside studying. Get creative by studying and doing homework outside instead!
7. Take a time out
Don’t forget about taking time out of your day to regroup and simply have fun! This will help you stay focused. Giving yourself breaks for fun is good for your sanity and attention span.
8. Adjust your attitude
What is your attitude right now? Are you feeling down? Can you not wait for school to end? Simply adjusting your attitude to be more positive can make an incredible difference!
9. Take care of yourself
Taking care of yourself by eating well, exercising, and getting the proper amount of sleep will help you remain focused.
10. Focus on the finish line
Visualize your finish line- and your goals- and focus on that. The school year is almost over- you can do it! Start a countdown, and don’t worry- the end is near.
Now get back to your schoolwork so you can finish the rest of this school year strong!
https://northgrandhs.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=514423&id=0
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
We will be taking the final test of the year Monday. Then, we will begin reviewing for the exam. I have a mock exam for them to work on for practice.
ADVANCED ALGEBRA - Mr. Lanfear
Next week in Advanced Algebra, we will have our last quiz of the year on Monday covering factoring and solving quadratic equations. Then we will review for the final exam.
GEOMETRY - Mr. Lanfear
Next week in Geometry, we will have our last test of the year on Monday covering Chapter 12. Then we will review for the final exam.
ELA - Mrs. Boyer
Final Exam: Students have received an Exam Study Guide on Google Classroom. We will be breaking it down over the next week. The Exam will be about 50% TKAM, 30% Reading Comprehension with Macbeth, Night, Nonfiction Articles, and 20% Final Writing.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE - Ms. Hallman
We will have our final test on Monday over Electricity and Magnetism. We will spend the rest of the week reviewing for their exams. I will give them a study guide on Monday with the information they need to know as well as a suggested study timeline. I encourage them to follow this study guide as it will help them break down the process of reviewing months worth of information into more manageable pieces. The name of the game for studying is ACTIVE RECALL. Rereading notes, reading the textbook, watching videos are all great but only in conjugation with some type of interaction with the information. This is where flashcards, quizzing with friends/parents, making kahoots or practice quizzes, etc are the best tools to study. I am so sad this year is coming to an end. It has been an absolute blast to be with these kids each day but I am excited to see all they are going to do in the future!
US HISTORY - Mr. Gauthier
Study guide for exams is in Google Classroom. Introducing VIetnam War era and reminder of vocabulary (1950’s and 60’s) quiz tomorrow
SPANISH - Ms. Crocker
It’s exam week! Check Google Classroom for your exam time! Do your review packet!
What should I study for the Spanish exam?
Go through the study guide given in class and check off the list as you review
HOW do I study for the Spanish exam?
Flashcards, flashcards, flashcards! Focus on words that are NOT cognates and words that you don’t know as well as others.
Write your own sentences using verbs and vocabulary from our lists
Rewrite verb charts on blank charts (on my podium!)
Know special verb rules!!
Have a parent quiz you verbally!
Draw a picture or use word associations to remember vocabulary! Silly is good (it helps you remember!) E.g. tirar = to throw (imagine throwing a football and crying! Tear-ar!)
ADVANCED SPANISH - Ms. Brown
Students have been provided a thick study guide to help them prepare for the Spanish exam which will take place on Wednesday, May 17.
ADVANCED SPANISH - Ms. Crocker
It’s exam week! Check Google Classroom for your exam time! Do your review packet!
What should I study for the Spanish exam?
Go through the study guide given in class and check off the list as you review
HOW do I study for the Spanish exam?
Flashcards, flashcards, flashcards! Focus on words that are NOT cognates and words that you don’t know as well as others.
Write your own sentences using verbs and vocabulary from our lists
Rewrite verb charts on blank charts (on my podium!)
Know special verb rules!!
Have a parent quiz you verbally!
Draw a picture or use word associations to remember vocabulary! Silly is good (it helps you remember!) E.g. tirar = to throw (imagine throwing a football and crying! Tear-ar!)
ALGEBRA 1 - Mrs. Taylor
We will be taking the final test of the year Monday. Then, we will begin reviewing for the exam. I have a mock exam for them to work on for practice.
PRE-ALGEBRA - Mr. Lanfear
Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will have our last test of the year on Monday covering Chapter 9.1-9.4. Then we will review for the final exam.
ELA - Mrs. Buchner & Mrs. Boyer
Exam: The exam will be focused on Posted and Idea Based Writing (with Posted as the foundation). Students will be asked to analyze quotes, literary devices (please see the PPT on GC), choose the BEST theme/character trait, which is NOT an element of the plot, author’s purpose, etc. Students should study for the exam by reviewing Reading Checks, Guiding Questions, Annotations in their book, and the Plot Mountain and Character Trading Cards. Students have many resources that have been developed in class to assist them in preparing for the exam. It is also recommended that students reread anything sections where they did poorly on Reading Checks for better understanding of that portion of the book.
Summer Reading will be coming out this week. Mrs. Boyer will be available over the summer for edits/help. If your child wants major edits/more than quick email check-ins, please email Mrs. Boyer to book 30 minute to one hour tutoring sessions.
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.
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.
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
I’ve had a wonderful year with your students! They have grown tremendously and we have dug deep in the fascinating world of biology. We could have spent the entire year on any one topic, however they now have an excellent foundation to prepare them for high school biology. Next week, they will have a test on Ecology on Monday, May 15. They will also be completing their in class Biomes project. They will be working on their study guide and we will be reviewing for the final exam. I have created a topic in the GC called EXAM PREP where they will find many resources to help them prepare for their exam.
US HISTORY - Mr. Gauthier
Acquisition quiz (fought or bought) tomorrow. Finishing up the movie “HARRIET” in all classes.
US HISTORY - Mr. O’Hayer
Next week in American History students will begin reviewing for their final exam. A study guide will be passed out and students will have an opportunity to complete portions of the guide to help them review for the exam.
ACCELERATED MATH - Mrs. Taylor
Students will continue to work on the Clock they are making using math expressions and equations to include integers and order of operations. Some students are opting to make it an actual working clock so I bought the actual clock mechanism and hands so they can keep their math treasure. Well….I think it is a treasure.
PRE-ALGEBRA - Mr. Lanfear
Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will have our last test of the year on Monday covering Chapter 9.1-9.4. Then we will review for the final exam.
EARTH SCIENCE - Mrs. DuRant
It’s hard to believe we are rapidly approaching the end of the school year - it has flown by! Next week, we will have a test on Astronomy on Monday, May 15. This had previously been scheduled for the prior week, however I wanted to give them a couple more days to prepare. Students will be wrapping up their in-class Astronomy projects at the beginning of the week, then we will spend the rest of the week reviewing for the exam. I have made an EXAM PREP topic in the GC with resources that will be helpful for the students to review for their final exam. I will be providing a study guide and discussing the exam format also. We have had a wonderful year, and I’ve enjoyed working with your students and watching them grow and mature into true middle schoolers! They have learned a tremendous amount about independence and responsibility and will be well prepared for next year.
EARTH SCIENCE - Ms. Hallman
This Friday we finish our last unit on Astronomy. They will have a test this Friday and their solar system trading cards will be due the following Monday. We will start reviewing next week and I will provide them with all of the materials and resources needed to succeed on this exam! Teaching this class this year has been such a sweet spot for me. These kids work hard and play hard. They are compassionate, kind, creative, and extremely intelligent. This was a class that made me excited to come to work in the morning and made my first year of teaching so special. For that, I will forever be thankful. I am so excited for next year and to see how they continue to grow here at Hancock!
ELA - Mrs. Buchner
Thank you to everyone for your patience and understanding while I was out last week! My father is home and doing better, but still on the mend. Hopefully, I won’t be thrown anymore curve balls before the end of the school year.
I am so PROUD of your students. This 6th grade class is REMARKABLE. Everyone had their projects turned in on time Tuesday. It says a lot about the young people you have brought up. They did not complain about my being out once, and truly stepped up to the task of doing their work fairly independently. They took the initiative to email me with questions as they came up while I was out. I am very impressed with their work ethic. They should be commended. Please take a moment to congratulate them on doing a great job in my absence.
This week we have completed a mini-unit introducing students to Greek gods and goddesses. Mythology is prevalent throughout Contemporary Literature, so it is important that students have a working knowledge of mythology. Next year, the 7th grade curriculum references quite a bit of mythology in the books they will read.
Next week, we will begin reviewing for the exam. A STUDY GUIDE has been posted in Google Classroom. Students will use class time to complete the study guide. The entire study guide will be due on Friday. Students will receive daily HW assignments to complete each portion of the guide. PART THREE of the study guide will be turned in to me, and students will get it back to use on the writing portion of the exam. It is important that they complete this portion well, so they can use it for textual evidence on their exam. They will also need their Biography for the review and for the exam. Please make sure to help them remember to place it in their book bag on Monday morning. We are almost there! Let’s finish STRONG!!
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
Exam Review Monday May 15th-Friday May 19th
Exam STUDY GUIDE due Friday May 19th
Students will keep Parts 1 & 2 from which to study
Part 3 will be turned in and returned to students on EXAM day.
EXAM will be over Nonfiction Unit and Mythology Mini-unit
INTRO SPANISH - Ms. Brown
Students have been provided a thick study guide to help them prepare for the Spanish exam which will take place on Thursday, May 18.
And thank you to the lovely 6th grade students and their families for the thoughtful tokens of appreciation in our most recent teacher appreciation week! From flowers to tasty sweet treats; colorful stationery to handmade cards, I am very flattered to be of service to our students!
WORLD HISTORY - Mr. O’Hayer
Next week in World History students will begin preparing for their final exam. We will review the study guide and students will have the opportunity to complete study guide supplements to aid in their preparation.
Good day HDS Community,
The Art of Design has surfaced in the studio this week. Seventh graders have designed a scale up version of their stained glass window that was mapped out in math with Mr. Lanfear. Students have the choice to scale up in the likeness or apply value.
The Sixth and Eighth grade selected an artist to design tableware in the style of the artist. This project is inspired by Judy Chicago who designed a 39 seat dinner table with each place setting in the style of the artist. Design projects as these inform students of creative based career opportunities for their future!
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