For 4thQuarter, 6th graders will be reading Ghost by Jason Reynolds. Ghost tells the story of Castle Cranshaw, a troubled youth who is trying to cope with a traumatic childhood. When he joins the Defenders track team, he learns that he does not have to let his past define him.
The 7th grade teachers like to save the best for last, and the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton never disappoints! Students kicked off the fourth quarter with a trip back to the 1960s.
In April, students reviewed figurative language and analyzed its use and meaning in the poems and songs we read and listened to. These poetry and figurative language skills connect to the novel when the poem Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost appears in Chapter 5. Students analyzed the poem and its meaning and will continue to explore how its theme connects to the novel’s central ideas as they read on.
DMS will bring literature to life with a fun, immersive 1960s experience! On Saturday, May 16th, we will host the "Stay Gold" Cruise-In event—an exciting celebration connected to The Outsiders unit. Families can explore a collection of authentic 1960s cars, generously shared by local vintage car collectors, giving students a chance to see history up close. The evening will also feature live performances by students and alumni singing popular songs from the 1960s, helping everyone experience the music of the era.
To top it off, we’ll gather on the track to watch The Outsiders on the big screen under the stars. Students and families are encouraged (but not required!) to dress as their favorite Soc or Greaser to fully embrace the spirit of the event. Concessions will be available for purchase, making this a fun-filled evening for the whole family! Please check the D300 webstore to purchase your tickets by May 11th.
It's time to wrap up 8th grade and the middle school years. Instant maturity is just weeks away!
Until then, we'll wrap up our study of analogies. We'll have our final weekly quizzes and the summative assessment.
Classes will finish their novels and study of poetry near the beginning of the month. Then the students will engage in several different activities depending on their teacher. They may reflect on their middle school writing, present their final Passion Project, craft original poetry, or more.
We hope to help the students finish strong with a positive memory of what they learned in 8th grade ELA!