Language and Literature- Mr. Schaefer
6th Grade– Next week we will begin our unit on mythology. The students will be reading some of the myths that are featured in our text books. Everyone will need a copy of The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan for after Easter vacation because we will be reading that in class. They may either check it out at a library or buy. Luckily, it can be found at any bookstore and quite often Target or Wal-Mart. I will hold everyone’s copy of the book, so send it in when you get it so I can make sure it is here for them. Their spelling test on Unit 13 will be on Thursday since we don’t have school Friday.
7th Grade- We are continuing with our study of the Holocaust and the importance of first person accounts in the study of history. Everyone will need a copy of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien for after Easter vacation because we will be reading that in class. They may either check it out at a library or buy. Luckily, it can be found at any bookstore and quite often Target or Wal-Mart. I will hold everyone’s copy of the book, so send it in when you get it so I can make sure it is here for them. Their spelling test on Unit 13 will be on Thursday since we don’t have school Friday.
8th Grade– The eighth grade is continuing to study prepositions and prepositional phrases. They will have a quiz on prepositional phrases on Wednesday. Their spelling test on Unit 13 will be on Thursday since we don’t have school Friday.
Language and Literature- Mr. Maddock
6th Grade Grammar and Writing-– This week we’ll be patiently admiring all the appealing qualities of Adverbs! Then I suppose we’ll hop down the bunny trail.
7th Grade Grammar and Writing-– Those 7th graders with logical, orderly, methodical, analytical minds (if any) are in for a treat this week as we begin to diagram sentences! And speaking of orderly, the class will also begin to discuss issues related to the 7th grade’s Individuals and Societies research paper.
8th Grade Literature and Writing– We have started our reading of White Fang, a terrific story that also provides opportunities to explore many of the great themes of literature. The kids will be practicing the annotating skills that high schools will want to see.
Science- Mr. Short 
All Grades: After many hard working weeks the Science fair was a great success. I was very impressed with all of the students. Every year seems to get better! Next week we will wrap up the current topics with an assessment.
Language Acquisition- Madame Rooks
To all French students: Remember the VCU / UR sponsored French Film Festival is this weekend. See http://frenchfilmfestival.us/
6th Grade: Working on telling time in French. Please check with your students on their familiarity with the analog clock rather than the digital!
7th Grade: Enjoying the Restaurant and Café unit. This would be a great time for your family to try some new French foods or cheeses, or to dine at Chez Max or Can-Can!
8th Grade: We are practicing our play, “The Emperor and the Nightingale”, intending to present it next week.
Bonne Fin de Semaine!
Language Acquisition- Senora Thompson
Math- Mrs. Koehler
NOTICE: Math Lab continues to meet on Monday and Wednesday from 3:00-4:00 in the MS math room.
To all Middle School Parents: The students were asked to purchase a composition book which they are using as a daily math journal. Each day, they are given a prompt relating to a concept previously learned in the chapter. The prompt may be on vocabulary words, writing the steps to a mathematical process, or comparing and contrasting processes. The purpose is to get the students to articulate how to do a problem or explain a mathematical concept. If they can do this, then that shows they have a true understanding of the mathematical concept and should be able to successfully master the problems. It is taking a bit of practice to adjust to writing mathematical procedures in words, but the students are finding these journals to be an excellent study tool. Ask to take a look at what they are writing.
6th Grade: We began Chapter 10 this week learning to solve ratios and proportions. This chapter uses the algebra skills acquired in Chapter 9 to cross-multiply and solve for the variable to find a proportion solution. After, examining the final assessment test on Chapter 9, I have decided to take a few days before moving on in Chapter 10 to practice solving 1- and 2- step algebraic equations. It is essential the students master this skill to have success in Pre-Algebra next year. We spent the end of the week reviewing the rules and practicing balancing algebraic equations. There will be a 20 problem test on Tuesday, 3/31, with algebraic equations involving all operations (+, -, x, ÷).
7th Grade: We finally completed the “not so favorite” Chapter 8. The students were given a detailed study guide with steps for each type of problem which they were allowed to use during the test. I am expecting some great grades on these tests with the tools the students were provided. Due to Science Fair, the vocabulary quiz is postponed until Monday, 3/30. The students were given a typed study guide, so please remind them to study for the Vocabulary quiz on Monday. Let’s start this quarter off with some awesome grades!
8th Grade:
Advanced Algebra (HS) – Most of the tests scores were very good on the Chapter 8 final assessment, but some students need to work a bit more on mastering the skills of the chapter before the final exam. Please check the Communicator if your son/daughter has not shared with you. The students seem to be enjoying exploring polynomials in Chapter 9. This is a completely new concept that is quite simple if one learns the exponent rules. Most students are finding this to be a nice relief from Chapter 8! Due to the students’ project workload, there were no assessments this week, but there will be a test mid-week before heading out on Spring Break!
Algebra (HS) – We ended the week with a combined computation/vocabulary test on Chapter 8. The students were allowed to use a reference card for the computation part of the test. I am hoping to see a good start to 4th quarter! We will begin Chapter 9 on polynomials but will not be able to complete it before break. I anticipate a quiz on Wednesday, 4/1, or Thursday, 4/2 on the lessons we have covered.
There will be no math projects or assignments during Spring Break! That’s why it is called a BREAK! My next math update will be after the holiday.
Enjoy Spring Break and God Bless you all during this joyous season!
Ms. Koehler
Math- Mrs. Schiavo
Sixth Grade Pre-Algebra If you were to walk by our classroom this week you would observe two things: noise and classroom management. The kind of noise that promotes effective learning. The students are enjoying our lessons in Geometry and are using their partner and table voices . We spent the week measuring and drawing angles, we classified triangles by their angles and then by their sides, we practiced how to find the length of a side of a right triangle and learned about the distance and midpoint formulas. Their favorite topic this week was The Pythagorean Theorem.
Individuals in Societies- Mrs. Tuskey 
6th Grade US History
This week the students started their study of Andrew Jackson and his presidency. It has been quite entertaining for me to watch their reactions as they learn of his actions as president. These students definitely have strong opinions on Old Hickory! They will begin next week by completing their word cloud of Andrew Jackson and continuing their in-depth look at one of our most controversial presidents. We will have a quiz mid-week.
7th Grade US History
The students spent this week diligently working on their research for their World War II projects and will continue doing so next week. I have posted all relevant documents to the project on Blendspace so the students can access them for reference at home even if they accidentally left them at school. They are finding some great websites which are also listed on Blendspace. The research is due April 13th, and the paper and presentations are due on April 20th. Please note that while the project is to be worked on both at school and at home, I have spaced out the component due dates so that nobody should need to work on this project over Easter vacation.
8th Grade World Civilizations
After spending the first part of the week working on their IB Councils project, the 8th graders ended their week with an introduction to the early Middle Ages, traditionally called the Dark Ages. They learned about daily life during this time period, after which they all agreed they are happy to be living in 2015! Next week they will examine the art and music of the time as well as learn about feudalism. I anticipate a quiz mid-week.
Religion- Mrs. Slifka
All Grades: Family life lessons will be starting after we return from our Spring Break. I will send out more info and opt out forms soon.
6th Grade– The Prayer for this month has been the Act of Contrition (mostly done in class). To review Holy Week and the Triduum. Meditative prayer on the Last Supper, Garden of Gethsemane, Good Friday, and the Resurrection.
7th Grade -We have gone over the 3 traditions that we need to do through Lent, and into the Triduum; Watched You don’t know Jack about Lent and reviewed what it is all about; We reviewed and highlighted pp. 285-291. Journals are being graded- we went over all items that should be complete. Discussion on rising with Jesus, and becoming the best version God has intended for us.
8th Grade– Creating presentations of the various councils throughout our Church History into a presentation- should be complete and ready to go by the end of the week. To present and share after the break. We have also been re-visiting the Act of Contrition and praying it throughout the week and used meditative prayer to focus on Holy Week.
I wish you a wonderful Easter!
Design- Mrs. Clopton
6th grade– Students will be finishing up their iMovie presentations and should be able to wrap up the unit before Easter Break. After Easter break, they will be introduced to their last unit on How Computers work.
7th grade– Students will be researching for both their Individuals and Societies class project as well as for their Design class project. Students wont fully begin their Design class project until after break.
8th grade– Students should keep working on their Developing Ideas section of their Community Project. They are designing and planning out what and how their final project will look like. How they plan on completing their project and when they should work on it. I am so proud of the 9th grade and how much they are working in all of their classes. Projects are due May 11th.
PE- Coach Spicer
The middle school students are starting to work on their final fitness testing for the year, with the goal of improving their overall performances. This past fall, the school has begun to keep records of the fitness test. This, along with the goal to personally improve will motivate the students to focus and feel proud of their improvement and success. The students will also be improving their overall knowledge about fitness and its benefits, as well as which parts of the body work together to promote muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, speed, and flexibility.
Music- Mrs. Taylor
Composer of the Month: March: Franz Joseph Haydn-“Papa Haydn” the Father of the modern symphony orchestra.
An interesting article from the Wall Street Journal written by a professor at Yale. It discusses the importance of all students study of composers and their significant works, especially in a world where music is “becoming a minor consumable, like toothpaste” http://www.wsj.com/articles/music-education-needs-to-be-a-click-away-1426870446
6th grade: We continue to work on material for the Spring Sing which will be held here on Friday May 1st. All narrations and solos will be given out the week before Spring Break in order for them to practice.
8th grade: The Dinner Theater production date has been set as Wed. May 6th at 6-8:30pm—PLEASE SAVE THE DATE you will not want to miss this culminating event. We are creating and voting on t shirt designs and logos, script writing, music rehearsing, etc. it’s an exciting and busy time as we put all of the components together. Each student has a unique and specific role to play within the production. We try to have all production elements, as well as rehearsal happen during school time (busy after school schedules for all involved). Thank you for your support of this project.
Art- Mrs. Dunham
6th Grade Religious Arts
Students are currently working on their “Illuminated Manuscript Initial” project.
7th Grade Art
Students have completed their “Rad Bike” project for the art show and are currently practicing one-point perspective in preparation for their next project.
Currently collecting for the art room: egg cartons, newspaper, plastic kitchen wrap and dish soap. Thank you!
Other Updates
Rice bowls are due on Tuesday!
Thursday is full day and Friday the school is closed.