For the Week of 2/5 - 2/9

A Message from Dr. Clapp
Classroom Peeks
Happenings
Get Involved!
Community Clicks
and Upcoming Events

Dear HKMS Families,

HKMS is going bald! St. Baldrick's that is! For those who don't know, St. Baldrick's is one of the largest charities supporting research to cure pediatric cancers. They run a very unique fundraiser every year. The fundraiser requires volunteers who are willing to have their head shaved to reach their fundraising goal. Joel Barlow High School has been a shave site for years now, and this year they reached out to us and John Read Middle School to expand the impact. I have set up a team, the HKMS Cougars, for teachers (or parents?) to join or contribute. We are trying to figure out the logistics of getting students up there, but it might not work out. To join or contribute to our team (the HKMS Cougars), you can see the flyer below in the get involved section or follow the link here.

On another note, if you have a child in grade 8, please carefully review the information posted below in the Grade 8 Classroom Peeks section about the Personal Interest Projects. We are at the phase of the projects where students will be working at home on parts of their projects and they will need your guidance. While we want this to be the students own work, we all need experts and coaches along the way to guide us. You will be invaluable in the phase to make sure your child stay on track. Thank you for your support, and please check out the more detailed information below from Mrs. Gale (who oversees these projects).

If anyone is in the South Windsor area this Saturday morning, stop by Timothy Edwards Middle School between 8:30am and 5:00 p.m. and catch the amazing HKMS Debate Team take on all comers. This is their third competition of the year, and thus far Mr. D's debate crew has yet to lose a single round! Go Cougar Debaters!

It was another fantastic week of middle school teaching and learning at Keller! Please check out all the classroom peeks, happenings, ways to get involved, community clicks and of course, upcoming events below.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Steven Clapp, Ed.D.

A glimpse inside of the terrific teaching and learning going on this week at HKMS!

Grade 6

Sixth grade science and social studies classes have teamed up to learn about the Amazon Rainforest. In social studies, students are studying deforestation and its effects on the infrastructure, economy and people of the area. In science, students are researching the impact that the Amazon Rainforest has on climates around the earth.

Grade 7

This week in 7th grade social studies, students made Tangrams of their Chinese Zodiac Sign. They also learned and created the Chinese character representing the animal in the language of mandarin.

Grade 8

Dear 8th Grade Families:

This week, you received an email from Mrs. Gale with your eighth grader’s Personal Interest Project topic, as well as a PDF scan of their ‘getting started’ plan.

On March 12, students will share with their advisory group what they have accomplished in the past month. Their evidence could be physical objects, prototypes, pictures, videos, etc. All students received a physical and digital copy of an overview calendar to help them with planning. One of the most important components of this project is to document evidence of their work, their learning, and their success and challenges. In addition, students need to keep their evidence organized; for most, they plan on digitally organizing their evidence in their Google Drive with a designated PIP folder. To make the experience even more powerful, we are encouraging students to connect with professionals connected to the field or topic they are exploring. They need our help to make these connections!

Please carve out some time to sit with your 8th grader(s) to hear about their project and offer ideas that make this experience truly meaningful as they are exploring their own personal interests and passions that will shape their future endeavors!

Need a refresher on the Personal Interest Project? Parent Info Sheet for PIP.docx

Here's just a few of the amazing ideas students have chosen:

building an outdoor cat house
completing 100 hours of community service
creating a nautical map of Candlewood Lake
3d model of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World
designing an online cookbook
building skis out of 2x4s
learning how to string a lacrosse stick
making paper to create their own personal journal
how to change the oil in a car
designing a football aim trainer
making a voice activated door

We are planning to have a showcase of all the amazing learning and projects in the Spring. More details to follow.

Parent Info Sheet for PIP (1).docx

Our social scientists in Mr. D's classes are researching Westward Expansion and developing presentations. They are developing their own topics, research questions, and perspectives, while Mr. D scaffolds supports like milestone's along the way. This week students focused on finding relevant and reliable information in the vast expanse of the internet.

Algebra students took a "group quiz" this week in which they not only had to navigate the challenges of exponents and scientific notation, but they had to negotiate strategies for taking the quiz! This is a great example of how an assessment can also teach learning strategies!

FPAs

Check out this amazing work of art by 7th grader Lila!

Eighth grade arts students are finishing up their clay weaving projects and their 3D autobiographical architectural letters.

Mrs. Gidley has transformed the Chromebook lab into a recording studio with her chorus classes as they learn and rehearse some basics on midi keyboards!

Valentines for Vets and PIP work going on in advisory this week! The Valentines will be part of Rep. Himes' 13th annual campaign to flood our VA's with some love! HKMS students were happy to help out! These will be sent to the VA Homes for the Brave in Bridgeport.