Middle School: June 1 - 4

Last week we closed out our academic work for the year. We completed our final physics lessons and lab reports. We wrapped up our look at Mesoamerican and South American cultures prior to colonization, and we finished our last math concept of the year: the square root algorithm. 

Everyone worked so hard this year, and I've been delighted by their interest and enthusiasm for the wide range of topics and subjects that we covered. It is a joy to teach children who are so eager to learn. We covered a tremendous amount of academic material which they mastered with skill and competence, but I'm most proud of the soft skills we acquired and honed this year:

Communication skills - The students were assigned two formal oral presentations and dozens of small, impromptu opportunities to speak this year. The growth and confidence they developed over the course of the year was tremendous. They were able to speak with confidence and clarity and engage their audience. They also became skilled advocates for themselves. When their workload was overwhelming, they could make a reasoned, compelling case for modification which I was happy to accomodate.

Teamwork and interpersonal skills - Despite the emotional turbulence of adolescence and a wide range of personalities and perspectives, the students developed a deep appreciation for each other and would build each other up in their moments of self doubt and insecurity. 

Time management - I witnessed so much growth in their ability to manage their projects and their work with minimal supervision. 

Perspective and empathy - Perspective was an overarching theme for our school year. We read books, studied historical events, and created art that explored a variety of perspectives. The students quickly developed the ability to analyze events from multiple viewpoints and understand the motivations of the involved parties.

And so much more! They are adaptive and motivated and able to creatively problem solve. I have no doubt that they are well-positioned to succeed in whatever endeavors they undertake.

We had an exciting field day and a beautiful end-of-year ceremony to punctuate our year. Thank you for all of your support this year, and I hope you enjoy a peaceful and relaxing summer with your families!

Middle School: May 24 - 28

Last week we continued our work with simple machines in physics. We learned about inclined planes, pulleys, wedges, and screws. The students were able to work hands-on with each type of machine and draw conclusions about how each machine yields mechanical advantage. On Friday, we moved on to electricity and the students used fruits and vegetables to create electric currents that powered a digital clock. We will continue working with concepts in physics this week but I will not be having the class create additional lab reports. We will just observe and discuss the phenomena.

In math, we worked with square roots and finding the simplest radical form. 

We completed the Wordly Wise vocabulary program with a four-part year-end test. The students have added 300 words to their vocabularies this year. I'm proud of their consistency in completing the homework assignments and preparing for the weekly tests. They've shown competency in retention and understanding. I hope they carry their new words forward into their writing and speech.

I hope you are able to join us at 11:00 on Friday for our end of year reception and ceremony to mark Shea's graduation from 8th grade.

Middle School: May 17 - 21

Last week we began our physics block with the study of mechanics which will introduce the six simple machines. Our study of physics this year expands with observations that are more empirical than the work we did in physics last year. We take measurements to assist our exploration. We learned about the three classes of levers and the wheel and axle through hands-on activities with a variety of materials.The demonstrations allow the students to observe the phenomena produced during the experiment, and they are then able to discover the concept through their observation. We then learn and apply the formulas used to determine the mechanical advantage of each machine.

We also continued our study of exploration. The students each gave their oral presentations, and we enjoyed learning about everyone's chosen explorer and seeing the creativity they put into their visual aids. We heard student presentations about Jacques Cousteau, Ibn Battuta, Sally Ride, Matthew Henson, and Mary Kingsley. We also learned about the voyages of Zheng He, Christopher Columbus, Amerigo Vespucci, and Isabella Bird. We will continue with more explorer stories this week. 

In math, we delved into data analysis. We learned how to make inferences about a population from a representative sample. This was a good review and reinforcement of our fractions to decimals to percentages skills.

Middle School: May 10 - 14

We started our explorers block last week with a look at some of the early European explorers. We learned about Leif Erikson and his significance as the first European to set foot on continental North America in the 11th century. We discussed Marco Polo's travels to China which was a connection point back to our Chinese history block and Kublai Khan's Yuan dynasty in the 13th century. We learned about how Polo’s book would inspire future explorers for centuries to come. We also learned about Prince Henry the Navigator and how his design of the caravel and his expansionist ideals led to the Portugese mapping and navigating the western coast of Africa which would set the stage for European colonization and the African slave trade. Next week, we will begin our multimedia student presentations about explorers from a wide range of backgrounds.

In math, we created geometric perspective drawings. Perspective drawing ties in our study of Renaissance art with mathematical precision and the middle schooler’s quest to form their own point of view on issues. We learned about single, two-point, and three-point linear projection perspective, and we constructed drawings using each method. I hope the students are sharing their work with you. They have created some lovely pieces. 

Middle School: May 3 - 7

We finished our chemistry block last week with a little alchemy action! The students enjoyed turning pennies into "gold" through an alloy reaction of copper and zinc. We wrapped up our studies of crystallization and acids and bases with several hands-on activities. The class gained competence in preparing clear, concise lab write-ups and gained an understanding of the importance of lab safety. We all enjoyed this block and look forward to further explorations next year with organic chemistry.

This week we will be learning about adventurers and explorers with biographies of some of the lesser-heralded explorers of the universe. The students have each chosen an explorer to present in a research paper and an oral presentation with a slide show. I'm excited to watch them present their research! 

We are winding down our math objectives and will finish out the year with math puzzles, games, drawings, and review work that will complement the skills we learned over the year.

We had an impromptu guest speaker last week. Leah Sims, a parent at The Garden School, is a novelist who has self-published a YA novel and is in the process of having her second book published. She spoke to the class about the creative writing process and the world of agents, beta readers, editors, and publishers. We learned so much from Leah and are grateful that she was able to share about her profession.

Our school auction, Hope Blooms, was a wonderful experience for all involved.  Thank you to all of you for donating, participating, and helping to make it a success both in-person and online!  

I felt very appreciated during Teacher Appreciation Week. Thank you for the sweet notes and gifts!

Middle School: April 26 - 30

We continued our chemistry block last week with a look into the limestone cycle of the earth. We explored how the ancient carbonate limestone is heated to form quicklime and then hydrated to slaked lime and how that cycle has been significant to humanity in building and agricultural applications since ancient times and still today. We also studied the biography of Marie Curie and her contributions to science and humankind through her work in chemistry and physics. We explored the building blocks of matter from the atomic particle level to the molecular level and the history of those discoveries. We will continue next week learning about the crystallization process and acids and bases.

In math, we continued working with triangles in the Key to Geometry series. Additionally, we worked with Pythagorean triples, the golden ratio, and we derived phi from the Fibonacci sequence. It was a busy but fun week!

We are winding down our "40 Book Challenge" and most of the students are hovering right around the goal. The book challenge is not intended as a competition but rather a personal challenge for each student. My goal was to increase interest, stretch them, and boost their motivation and reading competence. Regardless of our final tally, I'm confident we've achieved that goal! We've read some incredible stories this year. Have them share their book list with you and tell you about some of their favorites!

Please join us this Friday if you are able. We are looking forward to seeing you on Friday evening to preview all the wonderful items that will be auctioned. You can purchase your tickets here to pick a time slot. All participants, whether joining us in person or online, will require a ticket to bid! Bidding starts Friday at 5:30 PM and ends Saturday at 12:00 PM. The proceeds benefit our school and therefore our entire school community.  Your participation in our first annual school auction is boundlessly appreciated!

Middle School: April 19 -23

We continued our study of combustion in our chemistry block last week. We observed aspects of combustion through several candle flame experiments. While initially mundane in its familiarity, we all gained a sense of awe and wonder for the simplicity of the candle and the complexity of the flame, its attributes, and its byproducts. We then delved into explosions with the roaring carboy or "whoosh bottle" experiment where roaring, engulfing flames filled us with a completely different sense of wonder. We also burned various salt compounds that revealed a rainbow of flame colors. We will continue chemistry over the next couple of weeks with an in-depth study of the lime cycle and experiments with various acids and bases with the goal of developing a deeper understanding of the earth’s substances and forces and their interactions.

In math, we continued with our study of geometry with geometric drawing constructions. We are also working on geometry calculations each day. 

We also continued with reading, grammar, and vocabulary exercises. The class has made good progress and will be completing the grammar and vocabulary curricula soon. 

In handwork, the students are finishing up their doll projects, and in art, they are completing paintings of The Starry Night, a nod to our astronomy block a few weeks ago. I know they are excited to share their beautiful works with you. 

Friday, May 7th is our school auction, Hope Blooms.  Please buy your event ticket at www.fundraiser.support/hope to bid on the many wonderful class projects and donated goods we will have to offer.  You may join us in person that evening.  Bidding will take place online, so if you are unable to attend in person, there is still an opportunity to participate.  We hope you can join us to support our wonderful school!

Middle School: April 12 - 16

We started our much-anticipated chemistry block last week. Throughout this block we will be building the students' powers of observation and deepening their understanding of the earth’s substances and forces. The block began with the study of combustion and its role in the transformation of matter. The students closely observed the way various substances burn and learned about the connection between combustion and human breathing. We will continue exploring and observing combustion processes this week, and we will also study biographies of notable chemists.

In math, we started a new geometry unit. The students will be working with angles and triangle constructions over the next few weeks.

On Friday, Ali Hamadou, a parent at The Garden School, spoke to the students about growing up in North Africa. He enthralled us with his stories of growing up in a village in the Kabylia region of Algeria. His life story touched on many of the topics we explored throughout our study of African geography. He spoke of the impacts of French colonization and the spread of Islam on the Berber people. He talked about the contrast of the Mediterranean climate where he grew up with the heart of the Sahara in southern Algeria. He brought examples of traditional Kabyle garments, and he told us about popular dishes like couscous and shakshouka. He spoke about the economy and government corruption that led him to emigrate and about the challenges of moving to new countries and continents. He taught us about some of the revolutionary movements and figures that were prominent in the intellectual rebellions. It was such a rich experience for our class! I'm so grateful to Mr. Hamadou for his willingness to share his story with us.

We will continue reading books about Africa to deepen our understanding of human geography across the vast continent.

Middle School: March 29 - April 2

We wrapped up our African geography block last week. We took a closer look at the Maasai people and learned about some of their customs and ways of life in Kenya and Tanzania. The students continued with their oral presentations, and we saw some broad themes emerge across regions as we learned about each country. Last week, we learned about South Africa, Zambia, Central African Republic, Morocco, Libya, Eswatini, and Sudan among others. 

One of our favorite topics in this block was food! We learned about many of the staple foods across the continent through student reports and the biographies and stories we read together. On Friday, we capped off the block with an African feast. I ordered a variety of west African staples and stews from a local Nigerian restaurant. The chef and staff were excited that I was teaching students about Africa. They made menu suggestions and threw in several freebies for us to try. If you have the opportunity, visit Nations Cafe in Sandy Springs and support their restaurant. We tried fufu, garri, plantain with jollof rice, yam with tomato onion stew, and a fish-based spinach stew. We also cooked over the fire and made kunde, a Kenyan stew and a thickened maize porridge known as sadza, nsima, ugali and other names depending on the country and thickness. The students embraced eating with their hands and enjoyed trying all the foods along with sharing and explaining the foods to the faculty and staff. 

We've all enjoyed this block immensely! I've learned so much about Africa alongside the students. We will all be better citizens of the world with our deepened understanding of the people and places we explored.

We also wrapped up our polynomial work in algebra last week. The students worked hard on this unit over the past few weeks and will enjoy a well-earned break from math this week.

Happy Spring Break!

Middle School: March 15 - 19

We continued our study of African geography last week. We covered the history of the great African empires of the Mali and Songhay and the powerful economic centers of the western Sudan that resulted from the trans-Saharan trade routes. We also learned about how the spread of Islam impacted west Africa during this time. Continuing with our theme of learning through biography, we studied the stories of Sundiata and Mansa Musa. The students were able to make connections between the African empires and what we learned about ancient Roman history last year. They also made connections with some of the Chinese dynasties we studied earlier in the fall. It is exciting to see them take the material in and have the depth of understanding that allows them to see trends in humanity across centuries and across the world.

We jumped ahead a few centuries and drew a map of Africa showing the current countries and borders. This exercise set the stage for the students' country report assignments. We discussed the pros and cons of doing one in-depth country report per student and decided that we'd like to learn about more countries, so each student will be doing a short report on five countries. They will share their research with the class, and we will be able to cover over half of the countries this way. So far, they seem to be enjoying their research, and they are learning about the complexities and impacts caused by the colonial political borders on the peoples whose traditional lands span areas outside of those borders. This assignment is also strengthening project management and organizational skills. We've discussed timelines and pacing with some guiding dates, but they are ultimately responsible for their own pacing on this assignment. I look forward to hearing them share their reports and their work process!

In math, we continued our work with polynomials. The equations are getting more complex, so I've slowed the pace to allow for plenty of time for understanding, review, and confidence-building.

We are reading the memoir The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, and we're all feeling it very deeply. We are reading the Young Reader's edition, but there is an adult version of the book if you would like to read along with us. It is an uplifting and inspirational story for all ages. 

Middle School: March 8 - 12

We kicked off our African geography block last week. We started the block by learning about the physical geography of the continent. This block gives us the opportunity to dust off our map drawing skills, and the students will create several maps as we look at the various geographic and political attributes of the continent. We studied the lines of latitude that encompass the continent and how this impacts the climate zones, and the students drew maps highlighting the major biomes. We also began our study of the human geography of Africa with a look at the origins of humanity and the major ancient kingdoms of West Africa. We studied the Ghanian empire last week, and this week we'll learn about the ancient empires of Mali and Songhai. 

We will continue our 40-book quest shifting our theme to books related to Africa. Last week, we read the free-verse book Home of the Brave, a refugee story about a young boy from Sudan. Next we will read the memoir The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.

I look forward to continuing our journey across Africa this week!

Middle School: March 1 - 5

We wrapped up Astronomy last week with biographies of notable figures. We learned about Johannes Kepler and his three laws of planetary motion. We also studied Galileo Galilei and his contributions to observational astronomy, physics, and the scientific method. We also discussed the disciplines of astronomy and astrophysics as courses of study and the backgrounds of observational scientists, mathematicians, and astronauts. To kick off Women's History Month, we learned about the first women space travelers with biographies of Mae Jemison and Sally Ride as well as the early Russian women in space.

This week we are kicking off our African geography block with much anticipation and enthusiasm from the students. I've been holding on to this block as a good candidate for a remote learning block in the event that we would need to be online, but since it looks promising that we'll be able to get through the year in person, we're going to proceed in class. This will be a writing intensive block, and the students have done such a great job of elevating their writing skills this year that I'm excited to see what they will produce. The students will all be doing research projects on various African regions, so homework will involve online research.

We continue to work with polynomials in algebra with ongoing competency and understanding across the class. They have self-arranged a collaborative learning model for math review time that is working well and supports each student while also letting them shift in and out of peer-leader roles. It's so interesting to watch how they function as a class unit and understand and meet the needs of each other individually. 

Middle School: February 22 - 26

The warmer temperatures last week invigorated us, and we enjoyed our beautiful peek at spring. March is here and in like a lion! A bit of a wet lion this week! We have class outside under our shelter on these warm rainy days, and we all enjoy the cozy atmosphere of a gentle rain while we're nestled under our tent.

We wrapped up February and our observation of Black History Month with the students reading a remarkable number of books by Black authors. Each student read at least five novels in the past few weeks with several of them exceeding ten! They surveyed a wide range of topics and genres and enjoyed making recommendations to each other. I read along with the class and have developed a penchant for middle grades fiction myself. Ask your student about the books they read, and try a few for yourself. Jason Reynolds, Sharon Draper, Kwame Alexander, Jacqueline Woodson, Jewell Parker Rhodes, and Nikki Grimes were some of our favorites. 

Last week we continued with our astronomy block taking a deeper look into the solar system and into the biographies of notable Renaissance figures that contributed to the study of astronomy. The students learned about Nicolaus Copernicus and Tycho Brahe and completed portraits and biographical summaries of the astronomers. We'll continue this week with the biographies of Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei. The students will continue to log their night sky observations in their sky journals as we move into the waning moon phases this week.

We completed our Algebra Book 3 on Equations and had the end-of-unit test on the material. The students and I were pleased with their hard-earned understanding of the material and their test results. They started a new algebra unit on polynomials that we will continue for the next few weeks.

Middle School: February 8 - 12

We continued with our astronomy block last week. The students have taken a keen interest in astronomy and seem to be enjoying the content. We looked at our solar system and the relative relationships of size and distance amongst the heavenly bodies. The students started a sky journal with the new moon phase. They have been tasked with observing the night sky for 15-20 minutes each night. They will draw the moon phase and their other observations in their journal. If you're able to drive to a spot with open skies and less light pollution on a clear night, observing the sky can be a fun activity for the whole family during the break. The Tellus Museum is hosting astronomy workshops over the next few weeks that may be of interest as well: Observatory at Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, GA (tellusmuseum.org)

We continued working through the basics of solving equations in algebra. We've worked through the addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication principles for equations. The class has gained confidence as we've worked through this workbook, and they now tell me homework is easy which is a big shift from last week!

The class performed their Chinese New Year puppet show for each of the other classes last week. The other students and teachers enjoyed the show, and the class enjoyed performing. Make sure to check out the recording of the show in the First Friday video.

Enjoy the break!

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Middle School: February 1 - 5

We kicked off our astronomy block last week. We started the block with a look at the stars. We will be studying the Age of Exploration later this spring, so we learned about the basics of star navigation. We learned about Polaris, the North Star, and the unique qualities about the star that helped explorers navigate the seas and how it connects to latitude. We also learned about the southern cross and how southern hemisphere explorers used those stars to navigate. We discussed how various ancient cultures perceived the heavens and wove the stars into their storytelling and beliefs. We will continue to explore constellations and their myths. I hope we will have some clearer night skies over the next few weeks since at-home observations will be helpful for reinforcing our classroom work. Luckily, last week the waning moon was clearly visible in the morning sky and we were able to do some observation during the school day. 

We continued with our algebra work and spent several days practicing simple word problems. By the end of the week, they were gaining a solid understanding of how to break down the language of a word problem and solve them. We will continue working on algebra for the next few weeks.

We are reading books by Black authors for Black History Month, and I've curated a large collection of recommended readers for the classroom. The students dove into this challenge with their usual enthusiasm and are making recommendations to each other and plowing through my stacks. I had a goal for each student to read four books by the end of February, and I think most of them finished four in the first week. 

The class will be performing the puppet show they prepared for Chinese New Year on Thursday. They’ve worked hard to put this show together, and they’re excited to perform for the other students. I will share a video recording of the show with you.

I look forward to seeing you at conferences this week! We will have early dismissal Wed.-Fri. and the students will have an asynchronous online learning day on Wednesday afternoon.

Middle School: January 25 - 29

We continued with our algebra block last week. The students have taken on the challenge of solving equations with enthusiasm and are beginning to experience the satisfaction that comes with puzzle solving. We covered the addition principle for equations and spent most of the week reinforcing the concept through equations of increasing complexity. We spend a large portion of our in-class time working through practice problems together with the students taking turns solving equations on the board and "teaching" the solution to the rest of the class. They enjoy this exercise, and it solidifies their understanding to present the step-by-step procedures. We moved into word problems and will continue with word puzzles this week before moving on to the division and multiplication principles.

We will recognize Black History month by reading books and poems by Black authors throughout February. The students will be reading two books as a class and two of their choice. The students are also working on a poem that will be featured in our First Friday Assembly video later in the month.

Thank you for your generous contributions to our MLK Jr Day service project! We will assemble and deliver the hygiene kits this week. 

Kathee is asking you all to please encourage your child to practice ukulele for Music class following the assignments listed in their Ukulele notebooks.  This week’s check offs include playing a C major scale, playing the primary chords in the key of C major, and learning to play and sing “You Are My Sunshine.”

Remember to sign up for Parent Teacher conferences February 11 and 12. Please choose a slot for a video conference meeting at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084AABA82FA13-middle1 

I am available for evening meeting times if needed. I'm also happy to have in-person, outdoor meetings following our COVID protocols and weather permitting. Please let me know!

If you have not yet RSVP’d for the All School Meeting, you can do so here. This meeting will be held on campus, outdoors and socially distanced. One member of each family is strongly encouraged to attend. This is a great way to get to see our campus and all of the amazing additions and improvements we have made to help our outdoor learning be comfortable and successful, and to hear more about the school and ask questions.

Middle School: January 4-8

The middle school students seemed to appreciate easing back into our school rhythm with a virtual learning week. We were all ready to reconnect and see each other again after our break, and we enjoyed catching up and sharing stories from our time apart. The students share such a sweet bond with each other, and I love observing and working within their enthusiastic group dynamic. 

We continued with our study of Renaissance history through the biographies of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo along with a survey of their works. The online format was a great way to present slideshows and zoom in on the details as we studied each piece. Some of the students were passionate about their preference for one artist over the other which led to a number of lively debates. While their arguments were tinged with humor and friendly competition, the whole class contributed insightful supporting evidence for their positions. I was so impressed with their comprehension and analysis at such young ages. It brings me joy to witness their enthusiasm for the content we study, and I learn so much from working with these scholars! We will continue our Renaissance block this week. 

In math, we are shifting from Algebra to Geometry for the first few weeks of the semester. They are finding some of the constructions challenging, but they have developed a collaborative working relationship where they are working through challenging problems as a group and finding solutions and clarity as a team.

We will continue our grammar and vocabulary work from the first semester. The class has made good progress and is demonstrating competency and skill-building through the tools we are using, so we'll continue with what is working!

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Middle School: December 14 - 17

Fall semester is a wrap! We worked hard and covered a substantial amount of material. The students expanded their art, math, and writing skills and deepened their knowledge on a wide range of topics. I hope they all enjoy their well-earned break!

We continued with our exploration of the Renaissance and the shifts in human thinking that emerged in the fifteenth century. We learned about the political structures in Italy, France, and Spain and some of the key political figures. We will continue with a deeper look into some of the artists and their works during our virtual week in January. 

The semester ended with an algebra test, a vocabulary test, and a grammar test. I was pleased with how the students managed their study time, stress levels, and their mastery of the subject matter. 

We also had time for some fun last week and enjoyed geometric drawing, playing games, and campfire conversations. We wove in some seasonal spirit with the Advent spiral walk, singing, crafting, and exchanging gifts with each other. 

It has been a joy to watch the class mature and grow together over the course of the fall. They are spirited and enthusiastic which makes every day an adventure. I look forward to our spring adventures together!

Many thanks to each of you for your thoughtful and generous teacher gifts!

Middle School: December 7 - 11

Last week, we kicked off our Renaissance block with a quick look back at the Middle Ages. During this block, biographies of notable figures will help us gain insight about the period. We first explored the economic and social factors resulting from the crusades and the Silk Road that led to the shifts in worldview that emerged in the Renaissance. We then explored the geographical and political factors that resulted in Italy becoming the heart of Renaissance ideas. We learned about Florence and the Medici family and how their patronage played an important role in allowing the arts to flourish, and we looked at some of the early art and architecture that emerged from Florence. Additionally, we looked to the north and expanded what we learned about the relationship between France and England in the Middle Ages and the resulting Hundred Years War. After gaining understanding of the political climate in France, we delved into the life of Joan of Arc and will study her biography and others in depth as a view into the events of the time.

In art, the students began working on portraits. They learned the techniques quickly, created beautiful sketches, and had pride in the work they produced. They will draw portraits for each of the biographies we explore, and I'm so excited to see what they will create. They also began an architectural drawing of the Duomo in Florence. The quality of their artwork has improved tremendously over these past few months, and it's heartwarming to see their pride and confidence in their work.

In Algebra, we completed our introduction to working with terms and expressions. The second half of the workbook was challenging, and we dedicated a lot of class and homework time to solidifying concepts. The hard work paid off, lightbulbs came on, and they all did an excellent job on the unit test! We will continue with Algebra next semester and work on geometric drawing this week to wind down the year.

The class voted to have a secret Santa gift exchange with the Fourth/Fifth grade class on Thursday. The guidelines for the exchange hopefully put the effort on the students and not the parents! Gifts can be re-gifted items, student-made, or under $10 if purchased, but the focus is on reusing or creating over purchasing. We will have some seasonal crafts and goodies and our spiral walk day this week also. My goal for the week is to strike a balance between work and play and for it to all be fun!

Middle School: Nov 30 - Dec 4

Our week of remote learning exceeded all of our expectations! We were able to closely replicate the flow of our regular school day, and we achieved all of our academic goals for the week. In addition to our studies, we embraced the personal side of online schooling and enjoyed our glimpses of each other's pets and home lives.  

We wrapped up our creative writing block last week with an exploration of the mood of surprise. We studied the short story as a vehicle for delivering surprise twists and for understanding the elements of a story. We read short stories and viewed short films that emphasized story elements and surprise endings. We explored each story element in detail and completed writing assignments throughout the week that focused on each element. The students are now writing their own short stories with a surprise ending.

This week and next, we will continue honing our writing skills through a history block focusing on Renaissance biographies. This block will also have an art emphasis as we will be drawing portraits of the figures we are studying. 

The students continue to make good progress in math as we continue to work with more complex terms and expressions in Algebra. I hope to fit in some geometric drawing before the end of the semester, and we will begin working with equations in January. 

Over the last two weeks of the semester, the students will have a grammar test, a vocabulary test, and an algebra test as we wrap up the term. We will be talking about effective study habits and stress management, so I am hoping this will provide an opportunity for practicing those skills rather than stressing about performance. I also have some fun and games planned to celebrate all of their hard work. 

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