Greetings!
It's hard to believe that we are entering the last quarter of the school year. Spring is a unique time in the lives of middle school students. As Lord Tennyson put it in his poem, Locksley Hall: "In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love." Or, as those of us in middle school tend to thing of it, It's beginning to look a lot like The Young & The Restless.
Read on to find out the latest projects and explorations in our content areas as well as a special section on what to expect from your eighth grader during these last few months of school. Is it typical behavior or alien abduction? Read on to find out more!
Read on to find out the latest projects and explorations in our content areas as well as a special section on what to expect from your eighth grader during these last few months of school. Is it typical behavior or alien abduction? Read on to find out more!
Humanities Happenings
In Humanities we have been exploring poetry through massive exposure (81 different poems in one session), daily readings, videos of slam poets, learning how to look at poetry, and a game to practice intonation--How many ways can you say "Justin Bieber is my hero"?
The ultimate goal is for students to select a poem, analyze it, memorize it, and then perform it, slam style, on the stage. This task is nervous-making for many of our students--the horror of being seen by one's peers! However, we are baby-stepping them toward their performance during conference week, and we know they will do a fantastic job.
We are also finishing up our reading of To Kill a Mockingbird and will watch the movie when we return from Spring Break. Overwhelmingly, students have been shocked to learn that the racist actions and attitudes of people during this time period in the south was not fiction and actually happened. Their sense of injustice on Tom Robinson's behalf, their belief until the bitter end that justice would prevail, show how far our society has come despite the miles we still have to travel in that realm.
The ultimate goal is for students to select a poem, analyze it, memorize it, and then perform it, slam style, on the stage. This task is nervous-making for many of our students--the horror of being seen by one's peers! However, we are baby-stepping them toward their performance during conference week, and we know they will do a fantastic job.
We are also finishing up our reading of To Kill a Mockingbird and will watch the movie when we return from Spring Break. Overwhelmingly, students have been shocked to learn that the racist actions and attitudes of people during this time period in the south was not fiction and actually happened. Their sense of injustice on Tom Robinson's behalf, their belief until the bitter end that justice would prevail, show how far our society has come despite the miles we still have to travel in that realm.
The S.T.E.M. Scene
S.T.E.M. officially stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Although we're often referred to as the math team, we wanted a label that better represented the gifts we bring to the table and the curriculum we teach.
Ms. Crystal--Sixth Grade
Thanks for reading the 6th grade blog! https://crystalsmatharium.wordpress.com/
Ms. Newton--Seventh Grade
Greetings!
Well, our Disease Projects were absolutely impressive, that is for sure! Our kiddos received so many compliments from the community. Well done! The guest speakers were phenomenal...ever so interesting. Thank you so much to all of you who helped a kiddo make a contact in the community. It is such a valuable lesson to learn! Our communities are accessible!
Next up? The EAR! The hearing process is so fascinating. Let us know if you have any resources or contacts that connect to this unit. The EYE will be our final formal unit in Science this year.
In Math we have shifted into Geometry. We have explored the use of protractors in our studies on angles and the myriad of relationships polygons possess. Soon we'll be looking at Area, Surface Area, and Volume.
If there are any Mathy people out there, I could really use some in-person support a few days a week for a 2-3 week period. Let me know! Also, I'll need some idea shelves put together soon. Volunteer hours available!
A quick reminder about cell phones. They must be switched to OFF between 8:30am-3:00pm. Unless an adult has specifically granted your student permission during a finite period of class time, they are not to be out. If they are confiscated they will need to be picked up by a parent from the front office. Parents, please use the office to send messages to your kids. Thank you for helping us in this area.
Spring Break and progress reports soon approach! As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns.
**Joshua Tree 5/12-5/15***
Please send in your tents NOW! Thank you!
Warmly,
Miss Newton
Well, our Disease Projects were absolutely impressive, that is for sure! Our kiddos received so many compliments from the community. Well done! The guest speakers were phenomenal...ever so interesting. Thank you so much to all of you who helped a kiddo make a contact in the community. It is such a valuable lesson to learn! Our communities are accessible!
Next up? The EAR! The hearing process is so fascinating. Let us know if you have any resources or contacts that connect to this unit. The EYE will be our final formal unit in Science this year.
In Math we have shifted into Geometry. We have explored the use of protractors in our studies on angles and the myriad of relationships polygons possess. Soon we'll be looking at Area, Surface Area, and Volume.
If there are any Mathy people out there, I could really use some in-person support a few days a week for a 2-3 week period. Let me know! Also, I'll need some idea shelves put together soon. Volunteer hours available!
A quick reminder about cell phones. They must be switched to OFF between 8:30am-3:00pm. Unless an adult has specifically granted your student permission during a finite period of class time, they are not to be out. If they are confiscated they will need to be picked up by a parent from the front office. Parents, please use the office to send messages to your kids. Thank you for helping us in this area.
Spring Break and progress reports soon approach! As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns.
**Joshua Tree 5/12-5/15***
Please send in your tents NOW! Thank you!
Warmly,
Miss Newton
Mr. Cooper--Eighth Grade
Greetings All!
We are in the second week of our unit on solving systems equations and are now learning substitution methods for solving systems. I am expecting that students will find this method the easiest of the three and take less time than the graphing method we used last week. In science we are learning about atoms and the discovery of the different parts of the atom.
During half day schedule we are going to be building our atom models. If you need to schedule a meeting I am available each day after school. Just send me an email and we can set up a meeting.
We are in the second week of our unit on solving systems equations and are now learning substitution methods for solving systems. I am expecting that students will find this method the easiest of the three and take less time than the graphing method we used last week. In science we are learning about atoms and the discovery of the different parts of the atom.
During half day schedule we are going to be building our atom models. If you need to schedule a meeting I am available each day after school. Just send me an email and we can set up a meeting.
Upcoming Dates
March 21 Gala, 5:00-10:00
March 23-27 Half Days--Student led conferences for K-5 (6-7 are in June)
March 30-April 3 SPRING BREAK--NO SCHOOL
April 6 Classes resume
April 8 PSA 5:30--Executive PSA Nominations
April 10 Middle School Progress Reports
April 17 Talent Show 5:00-7:00
April 23 P.E. Night
March 23-27 Half Days--Student led conferences for K-5 (6-7 are in June)
March 30-April 3 SPRING BREAK--NO SCHOOL
April 6 Classes resume
April 8 PSA 5:30--Executive PSA Nominations
April 10 Middle School Progress Reports
April 17 Talent Show 5:00-7:00
April 23 P.E. Night
How We Do Student Led Conferences in Middle School
One of the coolest things we do at SDCCS is the eighth grade portfolio, which is sort of the student led conference on steroids. As we transitioned to multiage, the middle school team discussed what we could do to support kids in grades six through eight to get them ready for the eighth grade portfolio. One of the decisions we made was to shift our conferences to the end of the year to align with the portfolio process.
During conference week, we schedule meetings with parents of kids we have concerns about as well as parents who want or need that check in. If you haven't received a call or email from your child's teachers, rest assured that we feel confident in their progress. However, if you're craving some face time, do not hesitate to schedule time with us whether it is during conference week or on a random Tuesday. We are here to support you or to answer questions any time you need it.
During conference week, we schedule meetings with parents of kids we have concerns about as well as parents who want or need that check in. If you haven't received a call or email from your child's teachers, rest assured that we feel confident in their progress. However, if you're craving some face time, do not hesitate to schedule time with us whether it is during conference week or on a random Tuesday. We are here to support you or to answer questions any time you need it.
Adolescent Appreciation
This month's communication is all about the fun that is the graduating eighth grade student. After observing their behavior in the wild for the past ten years, we have noticed many trends that might help you decide whether the unique behaviors you're seeing at home or hearing about from school are within the typical range or something more exotic.
Soap operas can be entertaining to watch, but can you imagine living in one? The last few months of middle school are like a live action soap opera. Long time friendships often dissolve, especially if kids are moving on to different high schools. Kids also start to push boundaries at school and at home more, and they are quick to make negative comments about school, even if they have loved it in the past. Both of these events result because it is frightening and sad to leave their friends and the school they've attended for years, and it is easier to destroy those things than to feel the fear and sadness. This process if much like the one they've already been pulling on their parents; in order to individuate, they must separate and find their own identity.
Some of the typical behaviors you might see as we move through portfolios and the end of the school year:
Ack! What do I do?
One thing you can do is recognize you might be having your own stress and sad feelings about your child moving on from SDCCS, especially if this is your first or last child graduating from eighth grade. Change is inherently stressful, even if we are looking forward to new experiences. The longer your family has been with us, the more you might be mourning.
Help your child navigate these changes by continuing to set boundaries and holding them to the expectations you've always had for them. During this time of change, kids need to know that there are still things that are the same. It helps them feel safe.
Talk to your kids and help them see their behavior for what it is. "You might be feeling stressed about leaving. Change is hard. However, snarling at me is still not okay. Do you want to talk about what's going on?" They may or may not want to talk to you, but rest assured that the offer, redirection, and boundary setting are noticed and appreciated...even if they're doing their best impression of a James Dean snarl.
If you aren't certain if what you are seeing with your eighth grader falls within the typical range, please don't hesitate to talk to any of the middle school team. We will be happy to empathize with you and confirm that what you are seeing is normal behavior.
Soap operas can be entertaining to watch, but can you imagine living in one? The last few months of middle school are like a live action soap opera. Long time friendships often dissolve, especially if kids are moving on to different high schools. Kids also start to push boundaries at school and at home more, and they are quick to make negative comments about school, even if they have loved it in the past. Both of these events result because it is frightening and sad to leave their friends and the school they've attended for years, and it is easier to destroy those things than to feel the fear and sadness. This process if much like the one they've already been pulling on their parents; in order to individuate, they must separate and find their own identity.
Some of the typical behaviors you might see as we move through portfolios and the end of the school year:
- mood swings--highs and lows, sometimes within minutes of each other
- snarling--stress often shows up like this
- changes in sleep habits--either they need lots more sleep or seem to stay up later
- changes in work habits/grades--the end is near, and they often begin to drop the ball
- changes in eating habits--stress eating
Ack! What do I do?
One thing you can do is recognize you might be having your own stress and sad feelings about your child moving on from SDCCS, especially if this is your first or last child graduating from eighth grade. Change is inherently stressful, even if we are looking forward to new experiences. The longer your family has been with us, the more you might be mourning.
Help your child navigate these changes by continuing to set boundaries and holding them to the expectations you've always had for them. During this time of change, kids need to know that there are still things that are the same. It helps them feel safe.
Talk to your kids and help them see their behavior for what it is. "You might be feeling stressed about leaving. Change is hard. However, snarling at me is still not okay. Do you want to talk about what's going on?" They may or may not want to talk to you, but rest assured that the offer, redirection, and boundary setting are noticed and appreciated...even if they're doing their best impression of a James Dean snarl.
If you aren't certain if what you are seeing with your eighth grader falls within the typical range, please don't hesitate to talk to any of the middle school team. We will be happy to empathize with you and confirm that what you are seeing is normal behavior.
Miscellaneous Meanderings
We are in the home stretch. All of us at middle school appreciate the support, love notes, and graciousness you've bestowed upon us this year. It is a pleasure to work with you and your children as they navigate this unique stage of life.
As always, if you have questions, concerns, or chocolate, we are always available to you.
Warmly,
Team Phoenix--Jeff, Jennifer, David, Ellen, Crystal, Tera, Krystle, & Ethan
As always, if you have questions, concerns, or chocolate, we are always available to you.
Warmly,
Team Phoenix--Jeff, Jennifer, David, Ellen, Crystal, Tera, Krystle, & Ethan