HMS Weekly Update #13
Volume 2: Wednesday, November 24th
Dear Hoboken Middle School Family,
Happy Friday HMS! I hope everyone had a great short week and I hope all of our families have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Please take some time to read through the updates below to learn some more about this past week and upcoming events. Some highlights are:
- Happy Thanksgiving!
- Happy Hanukkah!
- Report Card Marking Period 1 Distribution- Tuesday, November 30th
- HPEF Online Giving Campaign - Moving Forward Together
- 8th Grade Families Athletic Informational Sessions
- HMS Play Auditions
- HMS PTO Corner with current fundraisers
- Parent Resources For Monitoring Cell Phones
- HMS Help Desk
- Department of Special Services - SEPAG Meeting
- HMS Basketball Tryouts Update
- Passport to Learning- Woodworking & Glassblowing registration available
- Dr. Baskinger's Curriculum Corner ~ Student Development Day Lesson Feature
- Elk's Americanism Essay Contest
- Scripps National Spelling Bee Dates Annouced
- Our HMS Clubs & Activities Weekly Update
- Our corner's that highlight areas within our school community
- And a grade and content level summary to give you a peak into the classroom.
- Helpful information at the bottom of the newsletter
MPORTANT REMINDERS:
- Students should bring a full water bottle to school everyday. If you would like to purchase an HMS Water bottle for $2 please have your child stop by the main office and see Ms. Munoz. We have water hydration stations in the building on the 1st floor and 3rd floor so they can fill up their bottles.
- Please try to send a mask to school each day with your child. If possible, please pack extra masks for your child in a ziploc bag with their name on it in case they get them wet during the day. I was asked a few times this week, HMS Masks are available for purchase in the main office for $10.
- Remember to do the daily Covid form for your child(ren).
- Chromebooks must be charged each night at home. Please check in with your child to remind them to charge their Chromebook at night.
- Please communicate any health issues to Nurse Kirwin (NKirwin@hoboken.k12.nj.us). You may also share any documentation with her that the school would need.
- Here are the HMS Student Handbook & HMS Code of Conduct for your convenience.
As always, please reach out to me if you have any questions.
Have a great week!
Fondly,
Ms. Marra
Happy Thanksgiving from Hoboken Middle School
Happy Hanukkah from Hoboken Middle School
Hoboken Public Education Foundation Information
Online Giving Campaign- Moving Forward Together
The Hoboken Public Education Foundation is thrilled to announce our first fundraising campaign of the 2021-2022 school year! This Giving Tuesday, on November 30th, please consider supporting Hoboken PEF in our Moving Forward Together campaign.
We are also excited to announce that Compass Real Estate has pledged their support as our first matching donor! We are filled with such gratitude as we move closer to our goal. Thank you, Compass!
Our goal is to raise $50K this holiday season during our Online Giving campaign. 100% of the funds directly support initiatives at Hoboken Public Schools, including Brandt, Connors and Wallace elementary schools, Hoboken Middle School (HMS), and Hoboken High School (HHS).
With all of our students back in the classroom, we are focused on Moving Forward Together to fund important district initiatives including experiential and educational field trips for grades K-8, skill building trips for students with special needs, the HMS musical theatre program, Educational Family Nights, College Tours for HHS seniors, and smart board technology upgrades.
Like us on Facebook by clicking here and sign up for our mailing list on our website to receive important updates.
Thank you for your support as we strive to have our most successful #GivingTuesday yet! We look forward to Moving Forward Together!
8th Grade Families Athletic Informational Session
The Hoboken HS Athletic Department will be hosting an 8th Grade Families Information Session on Tuesday, November 30th at 6 P.M. in the Hoboken High School Auditorium. Athletic Director Jack Baker will host a presentation to review Athletic sports and club offerings and information on how to sign up on our school platform. We will have a few coaches and current student athletes present to speak about Hoboken High School Athletics.
Our trainer Gerard Friedman will also be on hand to discuss physicals and how to upload the documents on the school website.
For further information please reach out to the Athletic Department Clerk Angela Moret at angela.moret@hoboken.k12.nj.us
HMS Play Auditions
HMS PTO Corner
Minted.com Fundraiser Begins Now!
Huge thank you to everyone who supported our Panera fundraiser this week! And thank you for those who joined our November PTO meeting. At the meeting, we shared the following easy ways to support the HMS PTO this holiday season:
Minted.com – Starts Now!
We’re excited to announce that we’re partnering with Minted this holiday season to help us fundraise! Please support the HMS PTO by ordering your holiday cards & gifts from Minted using our promo code FUNDRAISEHOBOKENPTO.
You’ll get 20% OFF your order and 15% of every purchase made using our code will be donated back to us at the end of the year.
Shop minted.com and spread the word to your family & friends!
Book Fair in Partnership with Little City Books – Starts, Monday, November 29th!
AmazonSmile – Start using today!
Your holiday shopping can help make a difference, at no additional cost to you!
When you shop at smile.amazon.com, or in the Amazon app with AmazonSmile turned on within Settings, you'll find the same products and same low prices as the Amazon you already know - plus, they donate a portion of your purchases to Hoboken Middle School PTO.
You can select us as your AmazonSmile charity by visiting: smile.amazon.com/ch/83-2939638
Parent Resources for Cell Phone Monitoring
Most children today have a cellphone on hand and use it extensively to do homework, communicate with friends, and view social media platforms. It is almost unimaginable to think of a modern-day child who doesn’t take full advantage. These rapid advancements in technology have been proven to be a recent challenge. Below are two suggested cellphone monitoring services that include activity monitoring, location services, filtering, and screen time management. Though not offered through Hoboken Public Schools, these resources may be helpful in managing cell phone usage. Click on each link below below to be taken directly to the resource website.
Qustodio: The All-In-One Parental Control and Digital Wellbeing Solution
HMS Help Desk
Here are some helpful items for our families:
My child is going to be absent...what do I do?
Email WVasquez@hoboken.k12.nj.us and SFalcone@hoboken.k12.nj.us to inform us about the absence.
I need to pick up my child early...what do I do?
Call the main office 15 minutes prior to pick up so your child can be waiting at the 4th street entrance. The main office is (201) 356-3754. You will need to come into the security area to sign the book for your child to leave.I have an issue with my Chromebook...what do I do?
Please visit the HPS-Tech in Our Schools Site for any tech related questions or problems with Chromebooks.
I have a question about dress code or purchasing...what do I do?
Email Mr. Ramos (Ivan.Ramos@hoboken.k12.nj.us) for assistance.
I have a question for about my child making up work if they are absent...what do I do?
Email Ms. Falcone for assistance (SFalcone@hoboken.k12.nj.us)
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL SERVICES
Next SEPAG Meeting Event- December 7th
Parents and guardians of children with special needs are invited to the next SEPAG Resource Sharing event
December 7, 2021
6:00 pm
Hoboken Middle School
(No childcare is available)
Special guests: George Bostory of Special Dragons and Jeannie Callahan of Angel Sense
Parents are invited to email Dr. D’Elia (delia.cecilia@hoboken.k12.nj.us) by December 3, 2021 any resources that they would like to share with other parents. These resources will be compiled and shared via our website
Parents who would like to sign up to receive calendar reminders, please send your email address via this Google Form
Invitamos a padres de niños que necesitan atención diferenciada a la próxima reunión de SEPAG en la cual vamos a conversar sobre recursos para nuestros niños
La reunión incluirá presentaciones de Special Dragons (un programa de karate para niños que necesitan atención diferenciada) y de Angel Sense (una compañía que produce un producto para localizar a niños extraviados)
Fecha: 7 de diciembre 2021
Hora: 6:00 pm
Si quiere participar en la reunión presencial: Hoboken Middle School (158 4th Street) (No hay cuidado de niños)
También se puede participar a través de este enlace para Google Meet a la misma hora
Si quiere recibir notificaciones por correo electrónico, por favor complete este formulario
Si requiere mas informacion, por favor comuníquese con la directora D’Elia (cdelia@hobokne.k12.nj.us)
HMS Basketball Corner
Basketball Tryouts Continue the Week of November 29th
TRYOUTS:
The boys and girls teams will resume with tryouts on 12/1 and 12/3 at Hoboken High School at 6 P.M.
Passport to Learning
WOODWORKING & GLASSBLOWING PROGRAM FOR HOBOKEN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Hoboken Public School District is excited to announce two unique Art adventures for our middle and high school students!
Each program is open and available to both middle and high school students. Each offering will take students beyond the boundaries of Hoboken providing a hands-on experiential art course that will open the doors of the art world and its unique culture to the students enrolled.
Please see the information below for registration as well as further details regarding dates and times. Students will be picked up and bussed to and from each location from Hoboken Middle School. Students will be self dismissed upon return.
Registration
- Link to register: Woodworking 1
- Link to register: Intro to Glass Art
Woodworking 1 - The NJ School of Woodwork
Woodworking 1 is a course designed to introduce students to general woodworking practices. Students will gain knowledge and experience through various projects and lessons along with learning the vocabulary of the trade. Students will be instructed on the safe use of hand tools and limited woodworking machinery.
The NJ School of Woodwork, a NJ Non-profit organization ,provides students an opportunity to learn, practice and apply practical woodworking skills while also expressing their creativity. Through a series of "hands-on" and "minds-on" lessons, students will have the opportunity to design and produce projects such as a cutting board, tool tote, bird house, gumball machine, foot stool, holiday ornaments, and a relief carving. Let the building begin!
Days: M&W
Dates: 11/29, 12/1, 12/6, 12/8, 12/13, 12/15, 12/20, 12/22
Pick up: 4:00 pm from HMS
Program: 5:30 - 8:00 PM; The NJ School of Woodwork, Washington, NJ
Drop off: 9:00 pm at HMS
Cap:12 Students
Cost: $565 per student (Free Lunch and Reduced Lunch qualifiers will have a tiered costs)
Link to register: Woodworking 1
Intro to Glass Art - Glassroots
Intro to Glass Art is a hands-on learning experience in a glass-art making workshop.Centered on the beauty and magic of glass-art, students will have the opportunity to create glass beads over a 2000 degree torch in our Flame Shop, individual glass-mosaics in our Flat Shop, and witness an exciting demonstration of glassblowing in our Hot Shop (when available).
All projects include an introduction to and practice with glass tools, as well as lessons in basic color and design theory. Unique in the field of visual arts, especially in its use of fire and glass, this multi-dimensional learning experience can activate one or more indicators of engagement in students such as responsiveness, curiosity, investigation, discovery, anticipation, persistence and initiation.
Days: M&W
Dates: 1/3, 1/5, 1/10, 1/12, 1/19, 1/24,1/26, 1/31
Pick up: 4:00 pm from HMS
Program: 5:00 - 7:00 PM; Glassroots, Newark NJ 07102
Drop off: 8:00 pm at HMS
Cap:12 Students
Cost: $400 per student (Free Lunch and Reduced Lunch qualifiers will have a tiered costs)
Link to register: Intro to Glass Art
If you have any questions, please reach out to Christopher Della Fave: Cdellafave@hoboken.k12.nj.us
Student Development Day #1
Hoboken Middle School Participates in First Student Development Day of the School Year
Today, November 24th, HMS students participated in our first Student Development Day of the Year! Students and teachers worked together in building Classroom Community and practicing mindfulness through the Move this World Platform. Additionally, students learned the meaning of empathy in a lesson created by Ms. Beriloff and Ms. Falcone. Dr. Baskinger also provided a lesson on Global Citizenship, adapted from the Kean University Leadership Conference. Our goal with Student Development Day is to continue to encourage students to utilize the skills they learned today throughout the school year. I have included extension questions from our Move this World lessons today, below, if you would like to continue the conversations with our students:
Extension Questions:
Have a class discussion on what it means to students to be vulnerable, and how being more vulnerable can allow us to connect more deeply with ourselves and others? What is the value of allowing ourselves to become vulnerable? Why do you think this can often be a challenging and scary process? What are some ways we can allow ourselves to be more vulnerable? What might it feel like to put on someone else's emotional lenses? What can we do to "clear up" our emotional lens? How can you make your internal strengths more visible so other people can see them? If you would like to learn more about Move This World, please visit their website: https://www.movethisworld.com/
Dr. Baskinger's Curriculum Corner
Student Development Day #1- Lesson Feature "Give a Hand in Global Citizenship"
On Wednesday, November 23rd, students at Hoboken Middle School participated in their first Student Development Day for the 2021-2022 school year. Each class completed hands on tasks to build character, community, and citizenship. In Social Studies class, students in grades 6th-8th worked on a unique Global Citizenship task that instilled students with the knowledge on how to be members of our changing world and how to influence others to use their identity to help others.
Students discussed the meaning of Global Citizenship and how this shift can help others take action and a stance on social, political, environmental, and economic actions with a more global mindset. During the class discussion, student mentioned how they could be part of issues on a larger scale such as pollution and human rights. To wrap up the lesson, Social Studies teachers directed their students to create a poem of any style about how they and others can be true Global Citizens while still staying true their their identity and beliefs. Eager students created original and reflective poems on hand cutouts to display that they too have a hand in Global Citizenship.
Elk's Americanism Essay Contest
Update:
All Social Studies students at Hoboken Middle School have been diligently working on their Elk's Americanism Essay Contest. This year's theme has asked writers the following question to prompt original and heartfelt writing: "What does it mean to love your country?"
This writing opportunity has engaged students into expressing their views on this subject which will hopefully prompt an emotional and personal connection. HMS Social Studies students have started to brainstorm their ideas and incorporate this writing opportunity within the Social Studies classes.
Contest Details:
The Elks Lodge #74 will select six essays total and prizes and other awards will be given to the chosen essays. Once essays are selected, student winners will then be entered into the secondary portion of the contest, District and State levels and end with the naming of National Winners at the Grand Lodge Session in Atlanta GA in July 2022. Nationally, first-place, second-place, and third-place winners in each division will receive bronze plaques.
Student Essays are due Monday, December 13th in order to be delivered on time on December 15, 2021.
Scripps National Spelling Bee Dates Announced!
Hoboken Middle School to Compete in Scripps National Spelling Bee
- January 17th-21st, 2022: Grade-level Classroom Spelling Bee
- February 3rd, 2022 - School-Wide Bee
- February 11, 2022 - School Bee Champion will be chosen
- February 19, 2022 - Hudson County Spelling Bee.
Date & Time: 02-19-2022 10AM
*Student study lists and other resources will be shared at a later date.
Clubs and Activities Corner
HMS Student Council Club
This week concluded NJHS and Student Council's first drive of the year. Both HMS clubs collaborated and collected hygiene products for Hoboken Food Pantry's Family2Family outreach program. Thank you to whoever donated, making the drive a huge success! Next Friday, 12/3 we will begin our Spirit Fridays by wearing attire from our favorite teams for Sports Day!
National Junior Honor Society at Hoboken Middle School
NJHS & HMS STUDENT COUNCIL JOIN FORCES WITH HOBOKEN FOOD PANTRY IN FAMILY2FAMILY PROGRAM
This week, members of the National Junior Honor Society and HMS Student Council wrapped up their first collection drive for the Hoboken Food Pantry. The Family2Family Drive collected diapers, wipes, feminine products, basic hygiene supplies, household cleaning supplies, and pet food. Members of the NJHS and Student Council surpassed all collection expectations! Delivery of these goods will be completed during the week of November 29th and both clubs are already in the process of planning their next collection just in time for the holiday season. Thank you to all those who have donate towards this cause!
*Reminder: The next HMS NJHS meeting will be held Thursday, December 9th, 2021. Members of the NJHS have until November 30th to complete their first round of Community Service Hours.
Academic Team
The Academic Team has had a successful start to the year. This past week, we submitted our student’s scores for the Euclidean Mathematics Meet 1 to the CML results website. A handful of our 6th grade students achieved perfect scores, which enabled our 6th Grade CML team to have an impressive team score! Our next meeting will be Thursday December 2nd. During this meeting, we will practice for the upcoming Euclidean Mathematics Meet 2, which will take place on December 9th, and the Current Events Meet 2, which will be held in the beginning of January. We will also begin to prepare Mock Trials for the Law Adventure competition which are due at the end of January.
Newsletter Activity Club
Please look out for the HMS Quarterly Newsletter. See everyone on Monday!
Yearbook Club
Even though Yearbook Club did not meet this week, club members are to continue keeping their eyes peeled for inspiring ideas they see in the community that would be engaging to include in the yearbook. Now that the ladders have been created and organized, it's up to the club members to decide what content areas they wish to focus on. As a reminder, watch the Walsworth Editing video clip and complete the Google Form prior to next week's meeting. Details have been posted in the Google Classroom.
GSA Club
This week, the GSA worked collectively to focus on our first major project. Following our club mission to educate others about the LGBTQ+ community, students began designing educational posters. Our goal is to create posters that will spread messages about kindness and empathy by focusing on members of the LBGTQ+ community who have made an impact on our world. We look forward to continuing this project next week!
Best Buddies & Diversity Club
Best Buddies will meet on Wednesday, December 1st. We are starting our Pen Pal letters .
HMS Chorus
HMS Literary Club
This week in Literary club we began to write complete short stories. The week prior we created and found several short story prompts. They ranged from comedy to serious, and everything in-between. This week, students picked a prompt, or modified an existing one. Then, they brainstormed and discussed what they wanted to write about. They were given a graphic organizer to help solidify their ideas, then they began to write. As they wrote, students discussed either with myself or other students how their story should continue or be written. In the next few weeks, we will complete the rough drafts and begin to edit them to finalize them.
Ms. Falcone's Guidance Counselor Corner
Our Stevens Math Tutoring Program has been a great success! I would like to thank both students and parents for their feedback; I'm so happy to hear that students are doing well in their Math classes as we transition into the second marking period.
If students feel they need support in their academics, managing their emotions, making up missed assignments, or organization, I encourage them to schedule a time to meet with me. Students may fill out this form to schedule a check-in.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me: sfalcone@hoboken.k12.nj.us.
HMS Nurse's Corner
Please continue to fill out the daily Covid questionnaire and update us with any changes in your child’s health. With the weather changing we are starting to see runny noses, sore throats and general cold symptoms going around. We ask that you keep reinforcing good practices at home with your child. Hand washing is the number one defense against germs!
Also, just a reminder that there are two required immunizations for all 6th graders as per the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. If your child has been immunized and is up to date on their required immunizations please send me a copy. If they have yet to receive the two required immunizations please make an appointment and provide proof of immunization as soon as possible.
The 2 required immunizations are as follows:
N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.10: Diptheria, Tetanus and Pertussis Vaccine (TDap)
Every child born on or after January 1, 1997 and entering or attending grade 6 on or after September 1, 2008 shall have received one dose of TDap, given no earlier than his/her 10th birthday.
N.J.A.C. 8:57-4:20: Meningococcal Vaccine
Every child born on or after January 1, 1997 and entering or attending grade 6 shall have 1 dose of meningococcal vaccine such as the medically preferred meningococcal conjugate vaccine.
Any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at 201-356-3744 or email me at nkirwin@hoboken.k12.nj.us.
Effective School Solutions Corner
The holidays continue to look different for all individuals and families this year. These articles focus on strategies to lessen the stress that may come during the vacation. A few of the recommendations include (1) make plans and communicate the change of traditions to your children to give them a chance to acclimate themselves to the shift, (2) start new family traditions, (3) give your children a voice in the choice of traditions, (4) listen and validate your children's feelings about these shifts, (5) model positive coping strategies, and (6) last but not least self-care (!).
HMS World Language Corner
Spanish, French & Mandarin
On Tuesday, Ms. Sha, Ms. Trinidad and Ms. Jette transported a large cart filled with non-perishable food donations to the Hoboken Shelter. Please find pictures below. The World Language teachers would like to thank all their students for being so generous and participating in the World Language Thanksgiving Food Drive! We would like to wish you and your family:
Happy Thanksgiving
Joyeux Jour d'Action de Grâce
Feliz Dia de Acción de Gracias
感恩节快乐
Grade & Content Level ~ What Have We Been Learning?
6th Grade ELA
This week in ELA, our 6th graders familiarized themselves with color connotations and symbolism in literature. We started off the week analyzing Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by focusing on how the theme of purity and peace was enhanced by Frost’s frequent reference to the colors white and blue throughout the poem. Later in the week, students put their creative writing skills to the test by inventing paint color names on a digital paint strip. Students first chose a color and a common connotation associated with that color as inspiration for their paint names. Students really enjoyed this activity and it was wonderful to see their creative minds come together! Next week, students will continue to work with color connotation as they use the same paint strips to create their own poetic pieces.
6th Grade Mathematics
This week our sixth grade mathematicians worked on Topic 3: Numeric and Algebraic Expressions. In this topic students were able to understand and represent exponents, find greatest common factors and least common multiples, write and evaluate numeric and algebraic expressions and simplify algebraic expressions. Students completed their mid-topic assessment and are now working on discovering how to write algebraic expressions by analyzing patterns, word phrases, and identifying the parts of an expression.
6th Grade Social Studies
This week during 6th grade Social Studies we explored the first Thanksgiving, separating truth from misconceptions. We also introduced new vocabulary words, correlated to our current lessons, to our word wall. Also, this week students took part in a Student Development Day. Using our Move This World Curriculum, students discussed what it means to be a responsible digital citizen. Followed by a poem expressing their feelings on the issue.
6th Grade Science
This week in science, students learned about the Earth's spheres and their importance to life on Earth. They then used their knowledge on Earth's spheres to complete an escape room activity. Each level consisted of questions that involved Earth's spheres and their interactions. Students were successful when they completed all levels of the escape room! Finally, we participated in a Move This World activity which involved students to recognize their personal interests, characteristics and strengths can help them accomplish personal goals.
7th Grade ELA
This week, seventh graders submitted the final drafts of their first writing pieces! On Monday, students explored a variety of text features which they considered for their final draft. These text features, which included graphs and charts, subtitles, “About the Author” pages, and dedication pages, were added to student pieces to enhance the presentation of final pieces, as well as strengthen reader understanding. We are excited to share these pieces when we return from Thanksgiving break. Next week, we will begin to wrap up our first core novel, Uglies, and work on a winter poetry assignment!
7th Grade Mathematics
7th grade students completed Topic 2, Proportional Relationships. Students reviewed in class with two activities: Topic 2 Review Nearpod activity and a Proportional Turkeys activity. To acknowledge the holiday, with groups, students matched the correct verbal sentence, constant, equation, graph and ratio table for each proportional turkey. Students raved about this activity and stated it was “fun”; it also emphasized the connection between all proportional representations, which students saw on their assessment. Students will receive their Topic 2 Assessment feedback when they return from break. The 7th grade math teachers wish everyone a happy, healthy, and relaxing Thanksgiving! We sure are thankful for students’ hard work this marking period!
7th Grade Social Studies
This week in social studies, students learned about how trade between countries depends on geographic region and economic goals. Through example problems, students calculated the profit of a business and its revenue. For example, do you know the average price of stuffed animal repair in New Jersey is $50? We also started our lesson on money management by looking at banks and credit. When we return we'll have a mini-quiz for the end of Chapter 5 and begin Chapter 6 on population and movement. Have a nice Thanksgiving and happy Hanukkah!
7th Grade Science
This week in Science, students worked together to review for their Unit 2.2 Quiz: Properties of Light. Each group had five different review stations, which included crossword puzzles, true or false questions, and comprehension questions all related to the different properties of light. Next week, students will begin researching for STEAM TANK 2021-2022! The STEAM Tank challenge encourages students to apply science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) in response to issues facing the world today. They will work together to invent something new, modify an existing product, or identify a situation or real- world problem that needs attention.
8th Grade ELA
This week we continued reading Lord of the Flies by William Golding, encountering and discussing elements of foreshadowing, and taking note of some of the emerging themes. In Writer’s Workshop, we continued to draft our “Winter Poems,” with a focus on using sensory details, as well as other poetic techniques such as figurative language, alliteration, repetition for effect and ending with meaning. To conclude the week, students participated in a Student Development Day, utilizing Move This World, where students were able to recognize emotions by practicing emotional management strategies.
8th Grade Mathematics
Pre-Algebra I
This week in Pre-Algebra, students extended their understanding of solving multi-step equations to solving equations using the distributive property. Students drew models of the distributive property to solidify their understanding and practiced solving these problems in real world contexts. Next week, students will begin comparing proportional relationships.
Pre AP Algebra
During our short week algebra students explored the differences and similarities between point-slope and slope-intercept forms of linear equations. We graphed these and talked about several different methods to move between the two. Kids also generated ideas about when one is more useful than the other given different contexts. When we come back from Thanksgiving we will do a practice performance assessment for this first unit on linear relationships and then look at yet another form of linear equation - standard form.
8th Grade Social Studies
Social Studies
During this short week in social studies we began our exploration of Ancient Rome, the next classical civilization. We started by reviewing and understanding the geography of Rome and how that affected its development into an empire. We discussed the Italian peninsula and how its location and terrain played a major role in the strength of the Roman Empire. Then, we looked into the founding of Rome. The actual creation of the city of Rome is debated and unsure, so we turned our attention to the mythological founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus. Students began creating a storyboard of the story.
Pre-AP World History
During this short week of class, we continued our discussion and dissection of the development of complex societies. Students learned about the development of Egypt through WebQuest that heavily pulled from the British Museum of Egypt. The next day, students learned about the first treaty in history between the Hittite Empire and the Egyptians after the Battle of Kadesh, the largest Chariot battle in history. Finally, students were introduced to the Elks Essay contest that we will be participating in.
8th Grade Science
This week in Science class we focused on chemical reactions and the evidence that exists to help us determine whether changes in matter are chemical or physical. We began creating graphic organizers to differentiate between chemical and physical changes. In this graphic organizer we identified examples of each type of change. Then, we examined models of chemical reactions and noticed that for each reaction, atoms were rearranged and bonds were created or broken. Finally, we completed an observation lab where we analyzed real world examples of chemical and physical changes. We determined whether or not a chemical reaction had occurred and supported our decisions using evidence. We ended the week with a Student Development Day. In our Science class we focused on building our classroom community by being vulnerable and sharing our self reflections.
Fine and Performing Arts Corner
Pre-AP Music
HMS Strings
Ms. Monblatt's HMS String students spent this short week of school perfecting "Somewhere In My Memory" in preparation for our upcoming concert! This beautiful piece provides students the perfect opportunity to work on performing more complex rhythmic patterns as well as notes that require learning new fingerings! This week, students engaged in intentional partner practice, working to improve their intonation and finger placement for notes with a partner by modeling, taking turns performing, and providing a peer with targeted feedback. Check out some pictures from our classes this week and you'll see us hard at work! This piece will be performed on Wednesday, December 22nd at the District Winter Concert, and you won't want to miss it!
Creative Writing
This week marked the start of MP 2 and a new group of Creative Writers. Students began the course with an interest survey and brainstorming ideas for our first writing assignment. Additionally, as a part of Student Development Day, students participated in a Free Write. There was lots of sharing and glows for all! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Pre-AP Visual Arts
This week in Pre-AP Visual Arts, students made artist trading cards to describe themselves and share winter stories, holidays and traditions. Artist Trading Cards started as a conceptual art movement in the 1990s and continue to be made in all kinds of art communities around the world. On designated days, students will be able to make and trade their own unique 2”x3” miniature artworks with one another. It’s a wonderful activity that helps everyone bond, and appreciate each other's creativity.
Happy Thanksgiving to HMS students and their families!
Pre-AP Dance
In Pre-AP Dance this week students finished learning and exploring the Five Basic Dance Elements that will be essential for our dance study creations this marking period. They viewed examples on how these elements are personified in various dance pieces this week.
Pre-AP Theater
This week in Pre-AP theater students listened to, read, and watched, the prologue of West Side Story. Viewing the opening through each of these lenses allowed students to expand on their predictions for what this play will be about. Students identified the "who, what, where, when, and why" of this piece based on the information they have so far. We are looking forward to continuing our work with this musical next week!
Health & Fitness Education
Physical Education
In Physical Education this week students enjoyed preparing for our floor hockey game play lessons when we return from our Thanksgiving break. Students are very excited to put their skills of dribbling, passing, and shooting to the test!
HMS Health
In Health class this week students in the 6th grade wrapped up their bullying and cyberbullying unit with studying how to promote safe schools. Students in the 7th grade learned about what kind of help there is for mental and emotional disorders. And our 8th grade students finished their violence prevention unit with how to prevent/cope with abuse.