Our 7th grade artists have been enjoying a free choice project this month. It has been wonderful to see how creative they are! We have such a variety of projects from paper mache masks, to comic strips, to large scale paintings. After the holiday break we will be starting our ceramics unit.

In Home and Career Skills students have been learning about the kitchen. We have discussed safety and sanitation in the kitchen and learned the names and jobs of various kitchen tools. We will be learning about recipes, measuring in the kitchen, and MyPlate. After break students will implement all they have learned by preparing 2 recipes.

Math 7 students are finishing 2 units on Integers. We are learning both the rules and why those rules work. We next begin exploring various aspects of algebra.

Math 7a students are beginning their third algebra unit, which focuses on Inequalities. Then we will explore probability.

8th-grade students have just finished the first part of our linear equations unit. Students have shown us they are masters at graphing lines using our equation y=mx+b. The next half of our unit will be systems of equations where kids have to graph two lines and find their solution as well as solve the equations algebraically. Please make sure your kids are keeping up with their assignments by checking SchoolTool regularly.

Student Senate put together a fun holiday week and had everyone dress up each day to show their holiday spirit! We also had candy-gram sales so kids could send candy canes to their friends to spread holiday cheer. Please be on the lookout for information regarding the 8th-grade trip to Hershey Park as well as the fundraiser we plan to do.

Students completed a team-based tool and machine research presentation in which they had to become experts on the safe use and history of a tool or machine of their choice, develop a proper slideshow following the 5x5 rule, and exercise public speaking skills to present their findings to their peers.

Just before break, students began a final woodworking project in which they learned about additive fabrication to build a boot jack, very useful in winter months!

Students are just finishing up their short story unit. For their final project, they will be participating in a mock trial for the short story The Tell-Tale Heart, by Edgar Allen Poe. Is the narrator guilty or innocent? It’s up to the students to decide! Then, we will be moving on to our next book Two Degrees, by Alan Gratz, which focuses on climate change. Stay tuned for more details!

Students have just started our unit on The Outsiders. Students spent time learning about events that occurred in the 1960’s and have now begun a deep dive into characters and the influence perspective/point of view have in stories. We are loving this unit so far, and are excited to continue reading after the holiday break!

The String Orchestra would like to extend a huge “Thank You” to everyone who came out to support their in-school concert after their evening concert was canceled. If you missed their performance, here is a link to the recording.