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• Classroom Peeks 

• Counselor's Corner

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• Drive to Thrive

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• and...Upcoming Events!

Grade 6

Sixth-grade French students play a "war-like" card game to win piles of cards based on day-of-the-week values.  Dimanche (Sunday) is worth 1 point, Lundi (Monday) 2 points, etc... Students pair off their deck of days of the week against another student.  Great way to gamify learning!

Grade 7

Ms. Mancini's mathematicians are figuring out the scale factor of similar shapes.

You never know where Mrs. Gale will pop up next!  This week she is spending time with seventh graders in science classes.  They are learning about scientific databases.  Students will utilize these reliable collections of resources when they launch into their "Journey to the Center of the Earth" project!

Grade 8

Eighth-grade scientists taking a "next generation science" practice test this week while continuing their examination of waves.  Do you know how one ocean says hello to another? It waves! :)

Drippy art and weaving projects both coming together in art classes this week!

S.M.A.R.T. Goals
By Tim Sather MA, NCC & Sara Terry MS, NCC, LPCA

One of the most important Executive Functions our brains develop during our middle school years is the ability to set effective goals.  While this may seem simple at first glance, goal setting is actually a complex process that involves understanding time, planning ahead, self-awareness and reflection, and a host of other specific developmental tasks.  We support our students by setting goals in many ways throughout the school year:

• Academic and fine and practical arts teachers do so during curricular units

• Physical education and health teachers do so while discussing personal and physical development

• Interventionists and specialists do so with students in workshops and content labs

• Our counseling staff does so through individual counseling sessions and developmental guidance lessons

All of these goals are set as part of the Connecticut state "Student Success Plan", an individualized approach to helping students achieve long-term success in high school and beyond.  More information on this model can be found at the following link:  https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/SSReform/SSP/Student-Success-Plan

When first asked what they want to accomplish, a middle school student might say "I want to get good grades" or "I want to run faster".  Research tells us that certain elements of goal setting optimize our chances of actually meeting these goals.  In line with that research, education has moved in a similar direction to the business world by adopting the acronym SMART for goal setting.  They would help a student think through his/her goals by answering the following questions:

• Specific - What exactly are you trying to accomplish?  In what classes or areas of life?

• Measurable - How will you know you have accomplished it?  What data will you use?

• Attainable - Is this realistic?  Do you have the resources to do so?  

• Relevant - Does this matter to your life?  How will it help you in the future?

• Timely - By when will you accomplish this?  What steps will you take to get there?

These guiding questions help students think about time, the steps it would take to accomplish their goal, and how to self-advocate (another key Executive Functioning skill developed in middle school).  Whether through classes, individual support, or developmental guidance lessons, a student might transform "I want to get good grades" into "I want to earn at least an 80 in Social Studies by the end of Trimester 1" or "I want to run faster" into "I want to improve my mile run by 30 seconds by the end of 6th grade".  The SMART format allows for consistent readjustment and reassessment as students learn, grow and change over their years in middle school.  This model naturally leads to a plan of smaller action steps that can be developed in accordance with these goals.  We encourage parents to talk with their kids about these goals and action steps to reinforce self-awareness and the importance of Executive Functioning skill development.

Students in grade eight have completed their SMART Goals in the domains of Personal/Social, Academic, and Career. Sixth and Seventh graders are completing their SMART Goals within the next couple of weeks. Ask your child what his/her/their goals are and possibly if you can be of any support!

HKMS Winter Concert Extravaganza!

Check out the videos and great pictures of the amazing performances from Thursday night's instrumental concert.

Even More Orchestra!