Middle School Weekly 10/14/19

Middle School Updates

 

5th Grade

  • Religion: We are continuing to focus on the meaning of sacrament and how scripture can help us to better understand the importance of the sacraments and how they are related to sacrifice.
  • History: Native American Murals and presentations are now completed. What an amazing job your son/daughter did on this curriculum unit. It was a pleasure to watch them working together as they gained knowledge, applied knowledge, and shared knowledge.  Next week, we will begin Europeans setting sail in the discovery of new lands and new trade routes.
  • Language Arts: We are continuing to work on various parts of the writing process in our persuasive essay about recess and its benefits. We are also practicing citing text evidence when we answer comprehension questions. We will continue to expand our word knowledge by working through the next unit of our vocabulary book. Students should be reviewing their vocabulary words nightly on Quizlet or Spelling City.
  • Science: Students are working through their own pendulum labs, demonstrating scientific method skills. They will make miniature trifolds to practice presentation skills.  
  • Math: We are going to explore the relationship between multiplication and division. We will be applying our number sense to estimating and solving division word problems. Students should be reviewing their computation skills nightly.

 

6th Grade

  • Religion:  In religion, we have been talking about prayer and different ways to pray. We spent several days this week learning about Lectio Devina, and on Friday we practiced this style of prayer.  It requires a great deal of silence and quiet thoughtful time. The 6th graders loved it! I am looking forward to utilizing it each week.  
  • History:  In Geography this week, we learned about the Earth and sun and their relationship.  We also talked about water on earth. To do this, I divided the students into groups and had them do some studying and then teach each other.   Much of this was review from previous science lessons. It’s great how geography and science are overlapping right now!
  • Language Arts:  We continue to spend time each day reading in class so the 6th graders get closer to their weekly reading goal.  Please make sure they are reading each night at home so they are able to accomplish their goal. We wrapped up the first draft of our narratives this week, as well.  Their first draft was due on Friday, October 11. I will return these drafts next week so they can work on editing.
  • Science: Students are continuing to study the organelles of the cell, looking at the complexity that goes into running each of our cells.  Students are working on a project where they are comparing the functions of the cell to the functions of an organization, such as a school or the human body.
  • Math: We are concluding our review on decimal operations, will begin exploring algebraic expressions and properties, and how we can use our knowledge of rational number computations to simplify expressions. Students should continue to practice their skills nightly online if they do not have homework from class.

 

7th 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 Abraham this week with students researching and presenting each topic.  

 

  • History:  This week, we wrapped up our chapter on ancient religions.  For their assessment, the 7th graders need to research an ancient religion that they have chosen.  From the research, they are required to create a 3D representation of something that represents their religion.  They also have to create a slideshow that displays their research. This will count as a test grade and is due on Friday, October 18.  
  • Language Arts: Where the Red Fern Grows is completed. We have read, completed projects, watched the movie, participated in oral discussions, written answers to comprehension questions . . . . and yes, shed a tear or two.  We also continue to do revisions on our Autobiographies. Did you know that we must limit the number of pronouns used in an essay? Why can’t we start each sentence with the word “I”? Hard lesson to learn this week. 🙂
  • Science: Students are continuing to study the organelles of the cell, looking at the complexity that goes into running each of our cells.  Students are working on a project where they are comparing the functions of the cell to the functions of an organization, such as a school or the human body.
  • Math: We are continuing to apply our computation skills to real-life problems as well as to algebraic expressions and equations. Students should continue to practice their skills nightly online if they do not have homework from class.

 

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 Abraham this week with students researching and presenting each topic.
  • History: In History, we are moving on to the Articles of Confederation and how they provided a framework for our national government.
  • Language Arts:  We have successfully completed reading Animal Farm by George Orwell. Monday, we will begin watching the movie. We will take notes during the moving in preparation of writing a Compare/Contrast paper between the book and movie.  We continue to do revisions on our America & Me Essay Contest entries – My Personal Michigan Hero.
  • Science: Students are learning about how to scale down large distances to manageable distances.  They are creating a cruise line that will travel to the planets in the solar system, connecting their abilities to scale down the solar system with information about the solar system.
  • Math: We are continuing to practice our algebraic equations skills by solving for different variables in known formulas for concepts such as area, perimeter & temperature conversions. Students should continue to practice their skills nightly online if they do not have homework from class.

 

Important Date

 

  • Conferences are 10/14/19 through 10/16/19 – please confirm that you have signed up to meet with your homeroom teacher, as well as any other teachers that you are wanting to meet with.  
  • Please contact Mrs. Day if your child is interested in playing basketball or sideline cheerleading
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