The sixth grade students completed their review of the current Math chapter by recalling how to multiply and divide fractions, mixed numbers, and whole numbers with fractions and mixed numbers. A test was then taken on the chapter. They are looking forward to beginning work on their next chapter, which focuses on decimals.

The seventh graders finished their review of the current Math chapter by recalling how to use the four basic operations with positive and negative integers, absolute value, and how to change fractions into decimals. A test was then taken on the chapter. They are excited to begin work on their next chapter, which is an introduction to algebra.

The eighth grade students are deep into their study of algebra. This week's topic was how to solve a system of linear equations using the elimination method. There are several steps involved in these kinds of exercises, and the eighth graders worked tirelessly to master this concept. The class will extend its learning next week by learning how to graph systems of linear equations.

This week, the sixth graders showcased both their creativity and their growing understanding of ancient Egyptian architecture by recreating some of Egypt’s most iconic structures. They presented their work with poise and professionalism, impressing the class with their thoughtful designs. In addition, the students raised insightful questions as they explored daily life and the social structure of ancient Egypt. Their curiosity deepened even further as we examined the Egyptians’ complex belief system, including the Book of the Dead and the major gods of Egyptian mythology.

The seventh grade is preparing for their Medieval Times trip next Thursday, and they are building essential background knowledge before they go. This week, the students studied Islam, learning about its origins with the Prophet Muhammad and its expansion across North Africa and parts of Europe. They explored the influence of the Moors and examined how the Crusades shaped the growing tension between Islam and Western Europe’s Roman Catholic values. To help bring history to life, they are also watching Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, which highlights cultural intersections from the period.

The eighth graders had an exciting week studying the outcomes of the American Revolution. After reviewing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, they dove into the U.S. Constitution, analyzing the roles of the three branches of government. They made meaningful connections to our current political system as they learned how Congress, the Executive Branch, and the Supreme Court function and interact today.

Earth Science returned from break eager to finish up their studies on weather. The early part of the week was spent reviewing everything the class has learned so far, and a Kahoot proved to be a fun and lively way to practice. One thing became very clear during the review: this sixth grade class loves competition. To conclude their weather unit, students will now move into studying clouds and what each type indicates. They may never look at the sky the same way again.

The seventh grade Life Science class is discovering that rain does far more than just supply water for storms. In fact, the amount of rainfall is one of the key factors that determines whether a region is a desert or a rainforest. Over the next several weeks, students will explore the conditions, climates, and living organisms that make up the large ecological regions known as biomes.

Throughout history, machines have been designed and redesigned to make life easier. The eighth grade Physical Science class is finally moving beyond Newton's laws of motion and seeing how those laws are put into practical use. Simple machines are the most basic applications of the laws of physics, and levers are the simplest of all. To paraphrase Archimedes: “Give me a lever long enough, and I will move the world.”

This week, the sixth-grade class put the finishing touches on their first narrative essay. Students who completed their initial essay began working on their second and final narrative of the trimester. On the first day back from break, they shared wonderful stories about their trip to sleep-away camp and their Thanksgiving holiday. They then used those experiences as inspiration and supporting details for their next essay. Now equipped with all the tools needed to write a strong five-paragraph narrative, the students will work more independently while receiving grades for each step of the writing process.

The seventh graders continued reading and analyzing their novel as they approached the end of the story. They examined several literary devices, including plot development, as they reached the most intense moments of the text. Students also engaged in thoughtful discussions about bullying and shared how they might respond if they were in the protagonist Makeela’s situation. They will continue reading at home and completing comprehension questions as they finish the novel.

This week, the eighth-grade class made strong progress on their capstone research paper. They are working to thoughtfully answer their open-ended inquiry questions, which focus on their selected United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while ensuring they cite their sources accurately. The students also continued reading and analyzing their class novel. As the main character, Junior, begins a new chapter at a different high school, many students are reflecting on their own feelings about completing their final trimester of middle school and preparing for the transition into high school.

6th Grade
Sixth graders took some time to explore various careers in computer science, gaining insight into how coding and technology play a role in fields ranging from game design to cybersecurity. Using the skills they’ve honed so far in Sprite Lab, students created interactive scenarios inspired by those professions—combining creativity with logic to represent the real-world applications of computer science.

7th Grade
Seventh graders continued developing their understanding of HTML by learning how to adjust header font sizes using <h1> style code scripts. This exercise helped them see how simple changes in syntax can impact a website’s structure and readability. As they experimented with different tag levels, students began to understand how formatting helps organize information effectively on a webpage.

8th Grade
Eighth graders explored the concept of randomization in coding by setting parameters of numbers for a bot to randomly select script elements. Through this exercise, students learned how randomness can make programs more dynamic and engaging—whether simulating dice rolls, generating game outcomes, or introducing unpredictability into animations. This lesson strengthened their grasp of logic, probability, and algorithmic design.

6th & 7th Grade Spanish

This week, sixth and seventh graders continued studying colors as foundational vocabulary that will support upcoming units. Students also began a new topic on family and practiced using vocabulary such as la abuela (grandmother), el abuelo (grandfather), la madre (mother), el padre (father), la hermana (sister), and el hermano (brother).

In grammar, students learned how to use the possessive adjectives mi (my) and tu (your), as well as the preposition de (of) to show possession. They also reviewed how Spanish nouns are classified and when to use the articles el and la based on gender.

8th Grade Spanish

Eighth graders reviewed key content from the first two months, focusing on common introductory questions and answers such as:

• ¿Cómo te llamas? – What is your name?

• ¿De dónde eres? – Where are you from?

• ¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono? – What is your phone number?

• ¿Quién es tu maestro/a de Español? – Who is your Spanish teacher?

• ¿Qué día es hoy? – What day is today?

• ¿Qué día es mañana? – What day is tomorrow?

Students were then introduced to vocabulary for describing the weather. They practiced asking ¿Qué tiempo hace? (What is the weather today?) and responding with phrases such as Hace sol (It is sunny), Hace calor (It is hot), Hace frío (It is cold), Hace viento (It is windy), Llueve (It is raining), and Nieva (It is snowing).

In Art, students spent the week creating giant snowflakes to help decorate the space for our upcoming Winter Sing. These large-scale pieces tie into this year’s “holiday lights” theme and will add brightness and visual impact to the performance. The students worked thoughtfully and collaboratively, and their designs will help bring the stage to life.

This week in Middle School PE, our focus was all about cardiovascular fitness! Students challenged themselves with the mile run, aiming either to finish in under 12 minutes or to improve on their personal best. They followed it up with an upbeat, high-energy circuit training session designed to build stamina and keep heart rates elevated.

To wrap up the week, students played a fast-paced game of Flip the Coin, a fun activity that sharpens focus and quick-reaction skills while keeping everyone moving.

It was an awesome week in Middle School PE!