VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4: JANUARY 2024
INFLIGHT NEWS The WNS Middle School Newsletter
A NOT E F R O M MR S . R O D As we begin the second semester, there are a lot of amazing curricular experiences happening in our classrooms. While this newsletter is a lengthy one, it is full of curriculum highlights across the middle school, so make sure to soak it all in. We also look forward to kicking off our spring electives season on Monday, February 12. One of the new additions to our middle school hallways is our affirmation wall. Students are encouraged to pick a sentence starter and complete it with a positive affirmation in one of the five mirrors. I encourage you to ask your child if they have engaged with our affirmation wall.
In this issue A Note from Mrs. Rod PAGE 1 Winter Performing Arts Showcase PAGE 2-3 Buddies PAGE 4 Sixth Grade Game Night PAGE 5 Advisory Snapshots PAGE 6 Curriculum Highlights PAGE 7-14 Important Dates and Announcements PAGE 15
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Performing Arts Showcase: Motown December 14 and 15 Kindergarten through eighth graders performed Motown songs, as a way to lift everyone up through song. Students were delighted to perform for their families and friends. We hope you enjoyed the music, the theme, and the energy the students brought to our stage. We especially enjoyed our grand finale, “Sir Duke”, where every single student filled the room with song, movement, and love to close out 2023.
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Sixth graders performed “Dancing in the Street” by Martha & The Vandellas. Seventh graders performed “Don’t You Worry ‘bout a Thing” by Stevie Wonder. Eighth graders performed “Aint No Mountain High Enough” as a class and “Sir Duke’ with their Kindergarten buddies. The middle school festival choir performed “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” by The Four Tops and “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” by Diana Ross.
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Buddies, January 18 6th graders and 1st graders reflected on their hopes and dreams together while celebrating one another’s ideas.It’s always a highlight for sixth graders to spend time with their buddies. They enjoy connecting, laughing, and sharing stories.
7th grade and 3rd grade drew monsters with their buddies. Each table had a monster drawing guide with examples of monster bodies, eyes, mouths, hair, and more. They had a blast. There was a lot of laughter and love that filled the air. 8th graders and their kindergarten buddies created doodles and turned those into a piece of art. Some created stories and some wrote short poems about their masterpiece! It’s so sweet to see how excited they are to spend time together and to witness the hugs as the 8th graders leave the Kindergarten classrooms.
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Sixth Grade Family Game Night, January 19 Sixth-grade students, families, advisors, and teachers came together in the MPR for a night of fun games, friendly competition, and community bonding. After enjoying a lovely pizza dinner and warming up with some classic games like Jenga, corn hole, Connect Four, and others, students and families were split into smaller groups to participate in multiple rounds of challenges. These challenges, facilitated by faculty, asked families to use their skills in communication, collaboration, trivia, and creativity. The night flew by and was over before we knew it, but that's what happens when everyone is having fun.
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Advisory Snapshots
6th grade
Our morning advisory curriculum has recently focused on a variety of topics, including leadership, perspective-taking, managing friendships, and the value of reflection. In Advisory Plus, the sixth graders' recent modules from Managing Me have been focused on mindset and preparation. Within our mindset module, we learned about our brain's plasticity and how it can rewire itself when building new connections. The preparation module focused on action plans necessary to build new good habits and how to respond to failure.
7th grade During our first Advisory Plus of 2024, each advisory split into two teams to compete in a sorting algorithm activity. Teams were given a container of numbered ping-pong balls. The task was to load the ping pong balls into a clear tube in order from 1-10 as fast as possible. Teams had four tries so that they could develop a system (algorithm) to complete the task more quickly. Congratulations to the team from the McGrath/Harlan Advisory who had the fastest time of all teams. After the activity, students met with their advisors and checked OnCampus for any assignments in need of attention. On January 22, the 7th Grade had the opportunity to view a documentary about The Farmlink Project. The Farmlink Project was created by college students during the pandemic. Some of the founding members shown in the film are former students of Mr. Umekubo and Mr. Harlan. The Farmlink Project connects farmers to communities facing food insecurity, delivering millions of pounds of farm fresh produce that would otherwise be wasted to feed families in need. Key leaders in the Farmlink Project presented the film and answered questions for the students. We hope the example set by The Farmlink Project will inspire our students as they develop their SPLASH projects.
8th grade In early January, advisories included several photo challenges where students needed to think creatively as a group to effectively communicate the day's theme through a group photo. Toward the end of the month, students had to shift their thought process to create their own advisory slides that included specific socialemotional lessons they have learned that they think their classmates would benefit from as well.
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6th grade As we close out the first semester, sixth grade is continuing on their literary journey exploring the theme of POWER. We are currently reading our latest selection, Legend by Marie Lu, and IT. IS. GETTING. GOOD!! As we read this intense novel, the students have seen the impact one person can have on a power structure as well as how to trust... but verify (especially when learning about other people's hidden challenges). We also continue to refine our writing skills, practicing grammar and vocabulary regularly. Sixth graders continue to grow into a group of literary wonders!
7th grade
In seventh-grade English, students have been reading a historical fiction novel titled, I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys. Taking place in the fall of 1989 in Bucharest, Romania, students have been discussing the role of censorship and government control through a real-life example. Along with these thematic conversations, students have been looking closely at character development and building their analytical skills by closely looking at the text.
8th grade In English, eighth graders have been reading Shakespeare's Macbeth, looking closely at vocabulary, analyzing text through assignments like close readings, and thematic group assignments to look at themes like the challenging of traditional gender norms, morality, and "appearances" vs "reality." As our journey continues, students have engaged in debates to question who is more guilty between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, and Socratic Seminar to further question the text amongst their peers. We will conclude the text with a Macbeth final essay, where students will prepare a thesis with multiple pieces of evidence from the play to prove their claims.
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6th grade Sixth-grade students have been focusing their attention on rational number operations, which was a focus in 5th grade, but also includes a new application this year with negative numbers. In wrapping up the units on fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals, they are now shifting to develop their fundamental algebraic thinking in our unit on expressions. The concept of variables representing unknown quantities in expressions and equations will be essential to the scope and sequence of topics they will cover during their time in middle school. As we look to the spring, one thing sixth graders will be looking forward to enjoying is the upcoming scale project, where students will build a scaled-up or scaled-down model of an item of their choosing.
7th grade
Seventh-grade students have been covering a variety of topics from the Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 curriculums. Some of the more challenging topics have been algebraic equations, inequalities, and functions. The focus on more abstract and algebraic thinking has required students to find ways to connect these challenging topics to a variety of applications. A major skill we have been working on with seventh graders is translating word problems into equations or functions that can be used to find solutions. As we look towards the second half of the year, seventh graders are excited to get the roller coaster project underway. In the coming weeks, students will be introduced to the project and start to build the beams and columns that will be the essential support structures for their roller coasters.
8th grade
The recent focus of 8th-grade students in math has been on equations, inequalities, linear functions, systems, geometric proofs, and triangles. Whether in Algebra 1 or Geometry, students continue to be pushed to deepen and solidify their thinking through applications and problems that require critical thinking. While students were busy with their high school applications, their teachers have been focused on making sure they have a solid understanding of these challenging curriculums, which will allow them to take that next step in high school.
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6th grade Students kicked the new year off by watching 2040, a documentary to crack open our climate change unit. After completing a creative poster project on a topic of their choice, we've moved on to exploring the connections between global warming, sea level rise, and renewable and non-renewable energy sources. 6th graders will soon begin a science and art collaborative project inspired by guest speaker Jill Pelto, who will speak to students about the power art can hold in communicating and presenting scientific data and findings about our world. Our culminating project for this unit will be the design and construction of solar ovens, a project that will highlight students' conceptual understanding of energy sources and provide an opportunity for some in-class cooking! Stay tuned for updates on DIVE, our end-of-year interdisciplinary project.
7th grade
After completing a unit on scientific thinking, the 7th Grade Life Science class finished the semester studying the characteristics of life and the functioning of cells. They viewed cells in the microscope and identified several organelles. They completed lab activities where they witnessed metabolism, diffusion, osmosis, photosynthesis, and respiration. The semester will conclude with a study of DNA through activities such as building models and extracting real DNA from cells.
8th grade Students have been working hard to wrap up their chemistry unit. We've taken the content they learned at the beginning of the year and brought it to life through various experiments. Instead of seeing molecules written out on paper and trying to imagine elements interacting, they got to see it for themselves in the real world. It was great seeing students make the connections between what we've discussed so far and explain the chemical reactions that were taking place in front of them. Ms. Fricke is excited to move on to physics in the upcoming months.
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Social Studies 6th grade Sixth graders have embarked upon Big History, which explores our past, present, and future. It’s an investigation of who we are and it all starts with the beginning of the beginning: The Big Bang. While this may seem more like a science-focused exploration, it’s critical to know who we are, where we came from, and how everything is connected. Students created Big Bang infographics.
7th grade In seventh-grade social studies, we continued our focus on religious traditions that spread beyond their initial contexts and united different parts of the ancient and medieval world. In doing so, we looked at not just how world religions changed the places and cultures they came into contact with but also how different people around the world adapted those traditions to their own needs and contexts. In addition, seventh graders were working hard to learn how to identify every country in Asia on a map, and given their excellent quiz results, it's fair to say we have an impressive group of geographers! They are now each learning in greater depth about a different country in Asia and will share what they learn with their classmates in the weeks ahead.
8th grade Students returned from winter break to examine the trials and tribulations faced by the early Republic of the United States. They analyzed the issues that emerged as the federal government and its leaders failed to live up to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, as well as the reactions from various groups and peoples within the expanding borders of the US when those ideals did not extend to all.
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Music
6th grade Sixth graders are about to start their Spring Concert music, “Brand New” by Ben Rector an arrangement of “Africa” by Toto, and “Sing” by Pentatonix. Students are building their music literacy. They’re becoming more comfortable with music notation and reading a choral score. Students will also have the opportunity to do more cloud-based music making, such as Soundtrap to learn fundamental songwriting skills.
7th grade Seventh graders have been deciding what songs they would like to sing for their Spring Concert. They’ve created their dream Spotify playlists. So far, we have voted as a class to perform “Iko Iko” by Dr. John, “Could You Be Loved” by Bob Marley, and “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles. Students are continuing their mastery of solfege and singing in harmony. Students will also explore instrumentation.
8th grade In music, the 8th graders will be preparing two songs, “See You Again” by Tyler the Creator, and “Riptide” by Vance Joy. In preparation for performing these two songs, they are learning the fundamentals of playing both guitar and ukulele, while continuing to learn the essentials of vocal technique, as well as music literacy.
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Theatre Arts 6th grade Students just culminated their lipsync projects with a fantastic performance for their peers. Every student stretched their bodies, minds, and hearts developing the ability to capture an audience’s attention through embodying the artist(s) they were portraying. Next, they’ll delve into a puppetry unit, where they will bring objects to life by building a sock puppet and writing a story to perform.
7th grade Students just finished writing their reality TV adaptations of scenes from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They cast their scenes, chose directors, and are staging their scenes. In a few weeks, they will costume their actors and give an in-class performance demonstrating their grasp of the bard’s work. Then, students will leap into a stage combat unit using safe foam swords.
8th grade
Students wrote scenes. voted on their favorites, and were cast in at least one role on stage and given an important role behind the scenes. They blocked their scenes and are working on all aspects of production from costume, prop, and projection design, to lighting and sound design. They’re excited to invite you to see their show: “Westside Radio” on Friday, February 23, 2024.
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Visual Arts 6th grade In Traditional Art, students are working on creating a personal, visual narrative that originated from a family photograph, hence “A Moment in Time”. It is based on an important date/time in the history of their family and/or friends, or a moment merely capturing everyday life. We viewed and discussed the art during the Harlem Renaissance period as our inspiration for this project. Students are being challenged to place themselves in that very moment within time and space, and then recreate its energy and sense of importance while capturing the overall feeling; these recreations are mixed media collages, utilizing various materials such as painted papers, newspaper, fabric, wallpaper etc. In Digital Art, students have completed their “Geometric Animal Drawing” on a program called Procreate using iPads. Students chose an animal that inspired them and created a digitalized geometric drawing. Additionally, as a requirement, they wrote an artist statement describing the significance of their chosen animal. In the final weeks of semester one, students started a new project in animation as well as participating in an art critique of their geometric animal drawing. Art critiques play a crucial role in the development of students' artistic skills and understanding of the creative process. This also strengthens the ability to give and receive feedback constructively. We will be ending digital art with “GIFS of Emotion,” where students are introduced to animation. In digital art, we have practiced social-emotional learning through art by identifying emotions and expressing them artistically. Using a feelings wheel, students choose an identified emotion and must animate that emotion as a GIF (Graphics Interchange Format). After this project, 6th-grade students will switch out of Digital Art and take Traditional Art with Ms. Zachman.
7th grade
8th grade
"Elements of Design Booklet”
"Pop Art Self-Portraits”
In seventh grade art, we started off the school year with “Elements of Design Booklet.” This is a review project based on the seven elements of art. The elements and principles of art are guidelines or tools that artists use to create effective compositions. Students will create a seven-panel accordion booklet, listing all elements of design. Each element will be created with multiple mediums including pencil, pen, paint, construction paper, watercolor, and marker.
Inspired by Andy Warhol’s Four Panel One-Subject Series, 8thgrade students are working on creating a total of four selfportraits. Two pieces will be created digitally, while the other two will be created in a traditional art style. This will transform into one final art piece. To unify their work, they are challenged to choose a warm or a cool color palette while maintaining their silhouette structure.
Learning the elements of art is fundamental to developing a strong foundation in visual arts and strengthens the skillset of an artist. The goal is to identify, describe, and comprehend the core elements of art. Additionally, students will examine how artists use the elements of art to convey meaning, create emotions, and achieve an effective art piece.
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Pop Art encompasses a range of artistic, cultural, and critical thinking skills. Understanding this art movement helps students develop a deeper understanding of art's relationship to society, materials, and context. They will explore photo manipulation and portrait line drawing on a program called Procreate using iPads. They will also incorporate a hands-on painting using a loose, painterly style, and another, collaged with painted, cut/torn papers. Lastly, their requirement for their self-portrait will demonstrate their understanding of the relationship between line, shape, color, value, form, and texture.
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Spanish 6th grade Our 6th graders have been very busy since returning from winter break! In Chapter 2, they have been learning vocabulary related to the family and the house and how to use the verb tener (to have) and possessive adjectives. After they finished this chapter, they started a project, "Mi album familiar" (my family album). These projects will tell a story about two family members of their choice and their own house and give the students the space to use their creativity, art, and Spanish skills all at once! In sixth grade Spanish Immersion, we finished the unit on family and pets. They learned vocabulary about family and pets, created dialogs with the vocabulary, and read stories on the topics.
7th grade After winter break, we continued working on chapter 8 about summer and winter vacations and tackled the preterite of "ar" verbs and ir and ser. The students created a flyer about a summer or winter resort for this chapter. They used their writing and speaking skills to present their projects to their peers. They enjoyed this chapter and the project they worked on directly related to it! In seventh grade Spanish Immersion, students finished the unit on travel. They learned the past tense of ar verbs and used them to write picture stories on travel to Spain.
8th grade After winter break, the 8th graders continued working on their project about traveling. They used vocabulary words related to airports and traveling by plane, some new irregular verbs, the present progressive tense, and the present progressive tense. For this chapter, they created their airlines from Spanish-speaking countries, in groups, and used their new vocabulary and grammar to make their airlines the top competitors. They used their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills to make this project come to life! They are currently working on chapter 2 about camping, learning daily routines and vocabulary related to personal hygiene and outdoor activities. In eighth grade Spanish Immersion, students finished the unit on train travel. We watched a couple of videos on travel by train throughout Latin America, had discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of traveling by train, and read stories about trains. They finished their project on traveling by train.
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Upcoming Dates Next Winter MAP Testing: Reading Comprehension, Wednesday, February 7 No School - President’s Day: Monday, February 19 8th Grade Show: Friday, February 23, 9:00 am and 6:00 pm No School - Professional Development Day: Friday, March 1 EVERY WEDNESDAY IS SPIRIT DAY!
Announcements
54.01 FM
Please help us by removing your child’s devices at night and supporting our no chewing gum and no eating candy at school policies.
Westside Radio KWNS
You’re invited to see the Eighth Grade Show: Westside Radio written, directed, and performed by the eighth-grade class on Friday, February 23 at 6:00 pm in the MPR. It’s a vignette show featuring 12 scenes inspired by songs.
Coming up in our February issue Buddies Family Groups Affinity Groups Eighth Grade Play
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