Prodigy Newsletter

MARCH

2026

Upcoming Events:

Spring Conferences - to sign up for a conference, please look out for an email from your child's homeroom teacher the week of March 9th.
Final Winter Program 03.13
NO SCHOOL - 03.20
Friendly Reminder: State testing, VTCAP, will occur the week of March 30th to April 3rd. Please do your best to make sure your child attends school well rested.

First Annual Old People Olympics

2026

Right before break, Prodigy hosted our first Old People Olympics. Students were faced with challenges such as:

*Looking up a phone number in a phone book and making a call on a landline

*Wrapping a text book with a brown paper bag

*Looking up words in a dictionary

*Reading cursive text

MATH

In Mathematics…

7th graders began the fourth unit of the year called Proportional Relationships and Percentages. With January being a shorter academic month due to our Winter Program and local assessments, STAR360, students only completed the first third of this unit. Students used tape diagrams, tables, and double number lines to represent proportional relationships involving percent increase and percent decrease. They also practiced writing and using equations of proportional relationships involving percent change.
8th graders are still working on Linear Equations and Linear Systems. Students solved linear equations and determined the number of solutions an equation had. 8th graders also had interruptions to the number of academic days due to our Winter Program, STAR360, (our local assessment) and NAEP (a national assessment).

LANGUAGE ARTS

In Language Arts…

Principals Pierson and Durren, along with Molly Dubois, perform in a 10-minute staged reading of a play in 7th grade Language Arts. They are helping Mr. Hague demonstrate the final project of the Drama Unit.

7th graders will soon begin writing our own short dramas, which we will later perform in front of class. Lessons in this unit include: conflict, plot, dialogue, and literary analysis. Since we will be presenting these staged readings in front of the class, we will also study oral presentation skills, such as: voice and articulation, body language, and eye contact.
8th graders continue to study poetry. We are now reading novels-in-verse. The novels are helping us investigate how literary devices (imagery, metaphor, repetition, etc.) affect mood and meaning in literature.

SOCIAL STUDIES

In Social Studies…

Coming back from break, we have hit the ground running with our long-term History Day projects. Students have settled on historical topics of their choice, and have begun connecting them to this year’s theme: Revolution, Reaction, and Reform. Ask your child what they chose for their topic!
As students begin their research, we have been learning how to identify and cite reliable primary and secondary sources, and the value of careful research versus quicker methods like Google searches, AI overviews, and Wikipedia.
All students in 7th and 8th grade will display their finished projects at a school event in early April (details to follow). Those interested in registering to compete at Vermont History in Burlington have already met with our librarian, Jen Hill, to begin this process. The deadline to register is Friday, March 13th.

SCIENCE

We are wrapping up the final topics of our chemistry studies. Before break, we were learning how to read chemical equations. We then did some investigations anchored around the Law of Conservation of Mass. We used modeling to show understanding of a balanced equation and to show that matter is not created or destroyed, but rearranges. We also planted seeds in a jar, sealed the jar, recorded the mass. We checked on the jar about 10 days later, after seeds had sprouted and measured the mass of the sealed jar again, most of which were the same mass as before. We then discussed why the mass did not change (mostly) and uncovered some new understandings about the Law of Conservation of Mass.

FEBRUARY 2026

Upcoming Events:

*February Break- 2/23- 3/3

*Winter Program 2/6 & 2/13

MATH

In Mathematics…

7th graders began the fourth unit of the year called Proportional Relationships and Percentages. With January being a shorter academic month due to our Winter Program and local assessments, STAR360, students only completed the first third of this unit. Students used tape diagrams, tables, and double number lines to represent proportional relationships involving percent increase and percent decrease. They also practiced writing and using equations of proportional relationships involving percent change.
8th graders are still working on Linear Equations and Linear Systems. Students solved linear equations and determined the number of solutions an equation had. 8th graders also had interruptions to the number of academic days due to our Winter Program, STAR360, (our local assessment) and NAEP (a national assessment).

LANGUAGE ARTS

In Language Arts…

7th graders are gearing up to begun writing our own short dramas, which we will later perform in front of class. Lessons will include: conflict, plot, dialogue, and literary analysis. Since we will be presenting these staged readings in front of the class, we will also study oral presentation skills, such as: voice and articulation, body language, and eye contact. This past month we have been finishing up our unit on character complexity.
8th graders continue to study poetry. We will soon read novels-in-verse in small groups. The novels will help us study how literary devices (imagery, metaphor, repetition, etc.) affect mood and meaning in literature.

SOCIAL STUDIES

In Social Studies…

Students have been reading primary sources from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries to gain a better understanding of the social and political landscape that was taking shape before the Civil War. We have discussed how the rift between North and South existed before our nation even gained independence.
After returning from Sugarbush on Fridays, we have been studying current events through analyzing opposing Opinion Editorials.
Next week, we will begin preparation for our National History Day projects. Students will learn about a historical topic of their choice, and produce a research-based project. They will present their work in the form of an essay, website, documentary, performance, or tri-fold exhibit. This is a great opportunity for students to follow their interests and produce an original artifact that shows their learning.

SCIENCE

CHEMICAL REACTIONS SCIENCE PROJECT!

Thanks so much for supporting your child with the chemical reactions science project!

We've been having a blast watching demos and sampling baking & cooking projects! We all learned more about how 2 or more substances interact and chemically combine to form new substances - a chemical change. It was great way for students to infuse some curiosity and creativity into our learning.

An unintended outcome of this project that has been noticed across the team is how kind and generous our students are....everyone has been so thoughtful and excited to share their creations...it has been a joyful part of our day!

Reindeer Games

Mr. Lea's Homeroom demonstrated intense skill and teamwork to win the cup stacking challenge!

JANUARY 2026

Upcoming Events:

01/06 - Sugarbush rental Fitting at school during lunch

01/07 - Snow Angel Assembly

01/08 - Sugarbush Safety Presentation

01/16 - First day of Ski and Ride (1/23 & 1/30)

01/19 &20 - No School MLK Jr Holiday & Teacher Inservice

Team Breakfast - Thanks for making our team breakfast a fun celebration!

MATH

In Mathematics…

7th graders completed the unit on Circles. Students generated characteristics that defined a circle and learned the terms radius and diameter to describe parts of circles. They made sense of the relationship between the diameter of a circle and its circumference. Students recognized that the relationships between the radius and area of a circle is not proportional. They explained and used the formula for the area of a circle to solve problems.
8th graders are in their fourth unit of study called Linear Equations and Linear Systems. This unit is complex and will take most of next month as well to complete. Students explored a variety of strategies to solve linear equations with variables on both sides of the equation such as:

3(x + 8) = 30 + x.

LANGUAGE ARTS

In Language Arts…

In 7th grade, we continued to study S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders. Our focus is character complexity. We are also using the novel to practice engaging in collaborative discussions. We are also reading independent novels in verse.
8th graders have just finished writing their theme essays. In this formal essay, each student has written about the most important theme in a contemporary realistic novel. Next, 8th graders are learning

about

poetry!

This compressed form of communication is a perfect way to study literary devices and how they shape mood and meaning in a written work.

SOCIAL STUDIES

In Social Studies…

Students wrapped up our Criminal Justice unit by turning in a hefty report on the mock crime scene we investigated. Each investigator used their knowledge of Constitutional rights and court proceedings to create unique versions of how the crime and trial unfolded.
We have begun learning about the origins of slavery in North America, and how economically and societally entrenched it was by the the time we gained independence.
Two important skills we will practice during this unit will be interpreting data and maps, and analyzing primary sources.
Focusing on the history of our nation post-independence will give students a solid foundation of understanding once we begin studying the Civil War later this winter.

SCIENCE

In Science…

Prodigy scientists are exploring how elements interact and learning about chemical reactions.
Students completed a lab that had them thinking about the question, "Why are elements and compounds represented differently in chemistry?" We observed the reactions of 3 different substances (sodium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, and ammoniun chloride) when mixed with water. There were physical and chemical changes that we noticed! Students completed a second lab creating "elephant toothpaste," created from a chemical reaction involving yeast, soap and hydrogen peroxide. Students are now making connections between their observations and scientific concepts as we discuss how elements and compounds are different form each other.
And....this week is the arrival of our brook trout eggs! We now have about 100 brook trout eggs resting in a tank set up in the room. We will keep them through the spring, and eventually release them in the Crossett Brook on campus. The water temperature of the tank is a cool 40 degrees F and covered up to mimic the natural habitat where the eggs would be in the natural world.

2nd Annual Turkey Transporter STEM Challenge

DECEMBER 2025

Upcoming Events:

12/5 - Mean Girls Jr - Middle School Play

12/23 - Early Release & Team Breakfast (see sign up document sent with this newsletter)

12/24 - 1/5 - Break

Fall Door Competition- Each homeroom will decorate their classroom door with a fall theme showing teamwork and creativity. Goal: Celebrate collaboration, learning, and fall spirit!

1st Place- Science

2nd Place- Social Studies

3rd Place- Language Arts

4th Place- Math

Judges Feedback: The Science room design stood out for its originality, strong fall theme, and impressive visual impact. The project showcased thoughtful teamwork and meaningful interdisciplinary connections, blending science concepts with seasonal elements in a way that felt both engaging and educational. Judges also noted the academic depth woven into the display via the Periodic Table, earning the team 6 to 7 bonus points as well.

MATH

In Mathematics…

This month 7th graders finished their second unit of study on proportional relationships. Students recognized proportional relationships represented in graphs and determined the constant of proportionality using graphs. Students also used proportional relationships to solve real-world and mathematical problems. In the last week of November, 7th graders began the third unit of the year called Measuring Circles. So far, they have generated characteristics that define circles.
This month 8th graders began their third unit of study called, Proportional and Linear Relationships. Students revisited representations of proportional relationships. Students are introduced to linear relationships that are not proportional. They created and connected representations, including interpreting slope, vertical intercept, and horizontal intercept of linear relationships in context.

LANGUAGE ARTS

In Language Arts…

8th graders are currently reading a realistic fiction novel and studying theme. We have just finished a cycle of small group discussions (based on the Harkness model), which is widely used at Harwood High School. We are also gearing up to write a theme essay. We continue to read independent books and study grammar.
7th graders are ready to start The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton, a classic American novel of being young and putting grease in your hair. Specifically, we are focusing on characterization, how an author blatantly and subtly shows us who characters are. Later, we will examine character complexity. We continue to read independent books and study grammar.

MATH

In Mathematics…

This month 7th graders finished their second unit of study on proportional relationships. Students recognized proportional relationships represented in graphs and determined the constant of proportionality using graphs. Students also used proportional relationships to solve real-world and mathematical problems. In the last week of November, 7th graders began the third unit of the year called Measuring Circles. So far, they have generated characteristics that define circles.
This month 8th graders began their third unit of study called, Proportional and Linear Relationships. Students revisited representations of proportional relationships. Students are introduced to linear relationships that are not proportional. They created and connected representations, including interpreting slope, vertical intercept, and horizontal intercept of linear relationships in context.

LANGUAGE ARTS

In Language Arts…

8th graders are currently reading a realistic fiction novel and studying theme. We have just finished a cycle of small group discussions (based on the Harkness model), which is widely used at Harwood High School. We are also gearing up to write a theme essay. We continue to read independent books and study grammar.
7th graders are ready to start The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton, a classic American novel of being young and putting grease in your hair. Specifically, we are focusing on characterization, how an author blatantly and subtly shows us who characters are. Later, we will examine character complexity. We continue to read independent books and study grammar.

SOCIAL STUDIES

In Social Studies…

After learning about Constitutional amendments that protect citizens' rights, students have begun learning about our criminal justice system.
Students investigated a mock crime scene (pictured below), and will work this case all the way up to the jury's verdict as a way to understand pre-trial and court proceedings.
Towards the end of this unit, we will have a Vermont prosecutor come in to speak to our classes.

SCIENCE

In Science…

Most students have now completed the summative Element Project. After choosing an element, students created a model that communicates information about the chosen element and contributes to a larger display of the Periodic Table of Elements. Some students are still wrapping up the final details, due to absences. This is an example of how we support students in growing their time management and work completion skills.
We also completed two labs: one lab investigated why certain groups of elements react with each other, and the second lab had students create a model that represented the most abundant elements on Earth and which sphere they were located in.
Next, we will begin to explore how these elements interact and learn about chemical reactions.

NOVEMBER 2025

Upcoming Events:

11/10 No School- Teacher Inservice
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES Week of 11/17-11/20
No School 11/24-11/28

Friendly Reminder: Parent/Teacher Conferences will be offered prior to Thanksgiving break. Your child’s homeroom teacher will email you their sign up document. Please check your email this week for that!

SPIRIT WEEK 2025

Last week of October our school celebrated being connected with one another during Spirit Week!

MATH

In Mathematics…

This month seventh graders worked on their second unit of study, Introducing Proportional Relationships. Students created and compared equivalent ratios using a variety of representations. They recognized proportional relationships represented in tables and determined the constant of proportionality using tables. Students also wrote equations describing proportional relationships and recognized proportional relationships represented with equations. They also determined the constant of proportionality using equations.
This month eighth graders completed their second unit of study, Dilations, Similarity, and Slope. Students visualized and performed dilations using scale factors and centers of dilation on and off a grid. Students determined if a pre-image can be moved onto an image through a sequence of transformations. Students also explored the connection between similar triangles and the slope of a line.

LANGUAGE ARTS

In Language Arts…

8th graders are studying theme in realistic fiction. "Theme" answers the following question: What life lesson or aspect of the human experience does the text explore? Students have been investigating the different ways authors add deeper meanings to their stories. Soon we will get into book groups and have discussions. We have also been studying grammar, and reading independent books.
7th graders are studying informational text. In this unit, Patterns of Nonfiction, we are learning strategies for reading and organizing informational texts. This is a great way to practice reading skills and explore interesting topics from high quality non-fiction books: like cleaning up plastic in the ocean, whale songs, the science and history of flash freezing, etc. We have also been studying grammar, and reading independent books.

SOCIAL STUDIES

In Social Studies…

Students have been studying the U.S. Constitution, learning how it has served as our nation’s blueprint for nearly the past 250 years.
We have discussed the three branches of the federal government: how laws are created, carried out, and interpreted, and the delicate system of checks and balances that has been tested throughout history.
This week, we began learning how the Bill of Rights protects individual rights and democracy. Be prepared, your middle schooler may ask to interview you for their most recent assignment!

SCIENCE

In Science…

Scientists are continuing to learn about the structure and function of atoms. Over the last two weeks, we learned about the Periodic Table and understanding how to read the information on the table. We have been using a lot of modeling as we learn about these concepts!
Students are now working on a summative Element Project. Each student has chosen an element. The task is to create a model that communicates information about the chosen element and create a piece that can contribute to a larger display of the Periodic Table of Elements. Students must also create a model showing the subatomic structures of their chosen element.

Students from each homeroom were challenged to "think divergently," and come up with an out-of-the-box use for a paper clip. Congrats to Mr. Hague's homeroom, who gave the most compelling explanation for its use as a belly button lint picker!

OCTOBER 2025

Upcoming Events:

10/3 Picture Day (10/29 Makeup/Retake Day)
10/10 No School- Teacher Inservice
10/13 No School- Indigenous People’s Day
10/16 Open House 4:30-6:00
Potential Field Trip- date pending, stay tuned!

Friendly Reminder: JumpRope is used for students and parents to access current student grades by viewing their gradebook. It is important to check JumpRope regularly. Students have practiced getting into it and reviewing grades and comments. Please have your child show you how to receive teacher feedback in JumpRope and their Google Classes.

MATH

In Mathematics…

7th graders began their first unit of study, called Scale Drawings. Students explored objects that are and are not scaled copies of one another. They described how scaling affects lengths, angles, and areas in scaled copies, and used scale factors to create and compare scaled copies. Students began to use what they know about scaled copies to create scale drawings.
8th graders began their first unit of study, Rigid Transformations and Congruence. Students learned to visualize, describe, and perform translations, rotations, and reflections on a grid. Students learned and used the word congruent and came to understand how congruent figures are related to rigid transformations.

LANGUAGE ARTS

In Language Arts…

7th graders are putting the finishing touches on their personal narratives. We've specifically studied how to incorporate conflicting inner thoughts, five-senses description, purposeful and compelling dialogue, realizations, and leads. We've begun reading our first independent book, and have also started studying grammar.
8th graders are close to wrapping up the first unit, which has been oral storytelling. Each student is preparing a "Moth"-style story to be performed live in front of their classmates. Our work has been supported by a guest speaker (local Moth storyteller, Noah Detzer) and lots of opportunities to study the structure and techniques of storytellers. We've also begun reading our first independent book

SOCIAL STUDIES

In Social Studies…

We have just finished our unit on Early American History, covering the time period from when the first humans arrived in North America to the lead up to the American Revolution. Students learned about the effects of European colonialism and how it shaped the modern world.
Students have been studying American geography, and will be tested on the 50 states next week. Ask them to challenge you on where the U.S. states and capitals are!
Next week, we will begin our American Civics unit, focused around the Constitution and what it provides for citizens and the structure of our Federal government. Students will spend considerable time learning about the Bill of Rights and our criminal justice system.

SCIENCE

In Science…

Prodigy scientists started the year by practicing many of the skills scientists use. We have been investigating, modeling, analyzing data and drawing conclusions. These skills will continue to be embedded in the activities we do throughout the year. Students have investigated characteristics of different types of slime, practiced using a triple beam balance to find the mass of objects, and analyzed how substances change when mixed. We just completed our first summative quiz, about the properties of matter. After looking at the results of the quiz, we are doing a short review on the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) and formation of substances (compounds, mixtures, etc). It was clear that most students could use a refresh of those concepts.

MATH

In Mathematics…

7th graders completed the unit on Circles. Students generated characteristics that defined a circle and learned the terms radius and diameter to describe parts of circles. They made sense of the relationship between the diameter of a circle and its circumference. Students recognized that the relationships between the radius and area of a circle is not proportional. They explained and used the formula for the area of a circle to solve problems.
8th graders are in their fourth unit of study called Linear Equations and Linear Systems. This unit is complex and will take most of next month as well to complete. Students explored a variety of strategies to solve linear equations with variables on both sides of the equation such as:

3(x + 8) = 30 + x.

LANGUAGE ARTS

In Language Arts…

In 7th grade, we continued to study S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders. Our focus is character complexity. We are also using the novel to practice engaging in collaborative discussions. We are also reading independent novels in verse.
8th graders have just finished writing their theme essays. In this formal essay, each student has written about the most important theme in a contemporary realistic novel. Next, 8th graders are learning

about

poetry!

This compressed form of communication is a perfect way to study literary devices and how they shape mood and meaning in a written work.

Page updated

Report abuse