Middle School Newsletter

Middle School Updates
Week ending March 6, 2020

5th Grade
Religion: We continue to pray the Stations of the Cross with our buddies from 1st and 2nd grade and read Rediscover the Saints and discuss the prompts in the Best Lent Ever journal with our prayer partners. We will begin exploring the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation sacred art and the Latin roots of the word.
History: Students continue to learn about our Judicial System. We are using our legal vocabulary daily. We are also learning about our upcoming trial People v Stover. 5th-grade students are exploring the history and importance of our US Constitution and the 1st, 14th, and 19th Amendments. See the information below about Law Day 2020.
Language Arts: We will continue to explore the poetry genre this month as we discuss and practice the use of figurative language (simile, metaphor, idioms, etc.). We will continue expanding our vocabulary and practicing our penmanship. We are also working on discussing the various types of verbs and how they are utilized in writing to clearly convey information.
Science: We are learning about the types of water on Earth and looking to solve the problem that we are finding about the cleanliness of freshwater.
Math: We continue to further our understanding of decimals and decimal operations. We are practicing decimal computation skills in relation to word problems. A few of us are working with fraction computation skills and are utilizing our knowledge of factors and multiples as we work with these fraction operations.

6th Grade
Religion: In religion this week, the 6th graders looked at similarities between the Creation story and the story of Noah. We also discussed God’s anger during the time of the great flood. Next week, we will spend some time reviewing before we take our next test on Wednesday.
History: This week, the 6th graders continued to work on their Factors of Production projects. We will present these next week and then begin to look at what it means for places to be economically interdependent.
Language Arts: In language arts this week, the 6th graders began to research a famous woman from Michigan to help us celebrate Women’s History Month. They will not take the information they found to write a biography. The rough drafts of their biographies are due on Tuesday.
Science: We are beginning our study of the human body systems, looking at how the body’s that God gave us are infinitely better than anything we could design ourselves. This week focuses on the circulatory system.
Math: We are finishing up our work with area in relation to quadrilaterals and triangles this week. A few of us are applying our understanding of ratios, ratio tables, and rates to life. Some of us are working with equations and how to convert from words to math symbols. The rest of us are working on showing statistical data through a variety of graphs and representations. Students should be keeping their computation skills sharp by practicing nightly.

7th Grade
Religion: We are continuing to study Salvation History, reviewing how the Bible has presented us with God’s revelation of his love for humanity and to each student. We are working through the prophets this week with students researching and presenting each topic.
History: In social studies this week, the 7th graders worked hard to finish their research on Africa. We also began presentations this week and will finish them on Monday. The 7th graders will then spend time reviewing for their next test.
Language Arts: Students worked in small groups reading books that focused on Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and our Virtues. They read the books, identified themes, and talked about our Virtues and how they tied into the themes. Groups then presented their information using posters that were created and note cards. Best presentations ever!! We also kicked off Law Day 2020 – see information below.
Science: We are beginning our study of the human body systems, looking at how the body’s that God gave us are infinitely better than anything we could design ourselves. This week focuses on the circulatory system.
Math: We are exploring rates, ratios, and unit rates while applying these skills to real life situations. Some of us are exploring the relationship between the interior angles of triangles and quadrilaterals. A few of us are working with percentages and proportions. The rest of us are using trigonometric ratios and theorems to determine characteristics of triangles. Students should be keeping their computation skills sharp by practicing nightly.

8th Grade
Religion: We are continuing to study Salvation History, reviewing how the Bible has presented us with God’s revelation of his love to humanity and to each student. We are working through the Prophets this week with students researching and presenting each topic.
Language Arts/History: We have officially kicked off Law Day 2020. This unit is filled with history, rights, writing, vocabulary, research, writing of arguments, persuasive writing, etc. Our day in court is Friday, May 1, 2020, at 10:00 am, Ottawa County Courthouse, Grand Haven. All are welcome! See the information below regarding Law Day 2020.
Science: Students are going through the rock cycle to determine what is occuring in order to change a rock from one type to another type .
Math: We are exploring the various ways to represent linear equations and how we can graph them. Some of us are exploring ratios, rates, and unit rates as they apply to real life. The rest of us are working on solving systems of equations and inequalities. Students should be keeping their computation skills sharp by practicing nightly.

Important Dates

March 13, 2020 No School Faculty PD Day

March 13, 2020 Earn Parish Service Hours by assisting at the OLL Fish Fry and Stations of the Cross – see Mrs. Koster if interested.

March 20, 2020 Earn Parish Service Hours by assisting at the OLL Fish Fry and Stations of the Cross – see Mrs. Koster if interested.

March 25, 2020 5th – 8th Grade Lenten Retreat – Servant Leadership

March 26, 2020 7th /8th Grade Girls’ Dream Fair ~ sponsored by Junior Achievement

March 27, 2020 End of Marking Period

April 1, 2020 No Drama Club

April 3, 2020 Adoration 8:20 – 11:00 am All are welcome.

April 6 – 13, 2020 Spring Break

April 14, 2020 School Resumes

Lenten Servant Leadership Project Details

Prayer ~ Fasting ~ Almsgiving

We are called ~ Prayer ~ Fasting ~ Almsgiving

Students in 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade are answering the call. Our community is facing hunger and homelessness and Corpus Christi Middle School students are trying to help. While we are actively collecting necessary items for Holland Rescue Mission, St. Vincent de Paul, and Kids Food Basket, we need your help to assure the success of our efforts go even further.

You can help us by donating any of the following items: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, dried fruit, fruit cups or pouches, snack-size zipper bags, toasted oat cereal, small pretzel twists, Goldfish crackers or Cheez-Its (Off-brand accepted), or monetary gifts.

If you are able, we’d love it if you could make a gift from the list above and help us achieve our mission and provide items for the Holland Rescue Mission, St. Vincent de Paul, and Kids Food Basket.

Thank you in advance for your contribution.

Here are the items you could donate:

Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Deodorant
Dried Fruit
Fruit Cups or Pouches
Snack Size Zipper Bags
Toasted Oat Cereal
Small Pretzel Twists
Goldfish Crackers or Cheez-Its (Off-brand accepted)
Cash (empty your pockets of change)/Check (payable to CCCS)

Drop off location:

Corpus Christi Catholic School
Middle School Wing
12100 Quincy St
Holland, MI 49424
Questions: 616.796.2312

What is Law Day 2020
Our Day in Court . . .Innocent Until Proven Guilty. . . .

On Friday, May 1, 2020, at 10:00 am, Corpus Christi Catholic School’s 5th, 7th & 8th-grade students will have their day in court at The Ottawa County Courthouse. The Honorable Jon H. Hulsing, Circuit Court of Ottawa County, presider. Students will have explored the criminal-case process and how our legal system administers justice with arguments involving the United States Constitution.

The students will gain through active participation:
· First-hand knowledge of courtroom procedures and our judicial system throughout history
· Increased proficiency in reading, public speaking, and critical thinking skills
· Analyzing and reasoning
· Deductive and inferential thinking
· Public speaking skills (ie: listening, oral presentation and extemporaneous argument, questions)
· Preparation and organization of materials and time management
· Exposure to a wide range of law-related careers
· The opportunity to interact with adult role models from our legal community

Students will begin with learning the basics – discussing ethics, distinguishing right from wrong, learning about our legal system, legal terminology, elements of a crime, the United States Constitution, the presumption of innocence, the concepts of reasonable doubt and the roles of attorneys, witnesses, judge, jury, bailiffs, and clerks.

Once the student attorneys have a basic knowledge of court decorum, each student will assume a role: writing their own statements, memorizing specific case details and witness statements. The classroom is being reshaped into a mock courtroom to enhance the students’ practice and role-playing. The students transform into young lawyers preparing to represent their client and present their case.

This experience is exquisite in promoting cooperation and healthy academic competition among students possessing various abilities and interests. There is nothing like hands-on experiences beyond the classroom walls to help students learn about the law, society and themselves. We look forward to having “Our Day in Court.”

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