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5th Grade:
Math - 5th graders have wrapped up their first unit on Numerical Expressions and Volume. Next, students will be digging deeper into multiplication strategies.
Science - Junior scientists are tackling a variety of tasks including the creation of Earth Science Posters and learning about the phases of the moon.
ELA - students are wrapping up their first novel of the year, Esperanza Rising. Emphasis on figurative language such as metaphors and similes has sparked discussion of common themes in literature. Readers have also become experts with using the character’s words and actions to determine character reactions.
6th Grade:
ELA - This week, students read Chapters 9–11 of The Lightning Thief and focused on identifying the theme and main idea of a story. Students practiced using details from the text to support their thinking and completed a mid-unit assessment to show their understanding of these skills.
Social Studies - This week, students learned about the settlement of Jamestown and explored how King Henry VIII’s break from the Catholic Church changed religion in England. We connected these religious changes to the reasons some people later came to America seeking religious freedom and new opportunities.
7th Grade:
Science - Students will explore how the periodic table organizes elements based on their properties. Through hands-on activities, they will discover patterns and learn how elements are related.
Social Studies - Students are just finishing up learning about Mesopotamia. We will be moving into our unit on Egypt and Kush.
Math - Students are wrapping up their unit on proportional reasoning, with a test next Wednesday. Ask your child if they’ve used Khan Academy or IXL to help prepare!
English - This week, students are continuing to read A Long Walk to Water while reviewing their first mid-assessment and reflecting on their learning. We are also continuing our personal narrative writing, focusing on developing our stories, and learning about themes—what a story teaches us about life. Students will practice identifying themes and using evidence from the text to support their thinking.
Spanish - While Sp 2 students this week took a grammar quiz on affirmative and negative expressions, Sp 1 students took a chapter test. Check PowerSchool for grades soon. Sp 2 will be taking their first chapter test soon, check Google Classroom for dates and details.
8th Grade:
English - Students are reading Summer of the Mariposas by Guadalupe García McCall. Through this novel, students are exploring Latin American folklore and examining how authors use traditional legends, cultural beliefs, and supernatural elements to develop an engaging story. As we read, students are strengthening their reading comprehension and literary analysis skills by exploring plot development, character relationships, conflict, and theme. We are also focusing on how authors use figurative language, descriptive details, tone, and mood to shape a reader’s experience. Additionally, students are building their vocabulary by using context clues to determine the meanings of unfamiliar words and analyzing how word choice contributes to a story’s meaning. Through class discussions, written responses, and close-reading activities, students will practice identifying key ideas and making connections between the novel’s events and its larger themes.
School Counselor:
Students will attend two more in-school presentations this month to learn about high school options. Earlier this month we had presentations from ECA and the Sound School. These sessions offer students a helpful overview of what each school provides.
In-School Student Presentations for the rest of the Month:
Middletown Vo-Ag: October 19, 2026 Vinal Tech: October 29, 2026
Parent & Family Open House Dates: If your child is interested in learning more about one of these schools, we encourage families to attend their upcoming Open House:
The Sound School: October 22, 2026 5:00 - 7:30pm ECA: November 17, 2026 6:30 - 8:00pm Vinal Tech: November 19, 2026 5:00 - 7:00pm (Note: Open House dates for Middletown Vo-Ag will be shared once finalized.)
Looking Ahead to Spring: All 8th graders will listen to a presentation and take a tour of the elective classes at The Morgan School, followed by an evening Open House for families. Dates will be announced in the spring. Please reach out if you have any questions!
Related Arts:
Technology Education with Mr. Hogle
Grade 6 - Students started the school year with an in-depth shop safety lesson. We have spent the first month of school designing aerodynamic CO2 dragsters. Students went through the concepts of the design process, including thumbnail design drawings and full scale drawings for use as templates for tracing the cutting of their car designs. Race day will be at the end of October and classes will compete against Mr. Stevens’ grade 6.
Grade 7 - Students are in the midst of their engineering design project; designing, constructing, and testing truss bridge models. Students must create a bill of materials and operate within a specific materials budget range as they construct their models. Bridges will be tested for their ability to hold as much weight as possible suspended from the roadway of the bridge.
Grade 8 - Students are wrapping up the Computer Aided Drawing unit as quarter 1 draws to a close at the end of this month. Students have explored advanced 3D part drawing, creating objects that were 3D printed, and are currently designing custom house models. Students are utilizing real world building codes and nominal lumber and material sized in their model construction. Students will explore interior design as well, as they will populate their house models with furniture and amenities at the conclusion of the project.
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