Nichols Middle School Curriculum Updates
In an effort to keep everyone updated in what we are doing in our classes, I have gotten a chance to ask our teachers and department leaders what we are doing with our curriculum with your children.
This, too, is to help you bridge and/or start those conversations with your children on "what did you do in school today?"
Here are some of the updates:
Mathematics
The start to the 2015 -16 school year has all grades jumping
into Mathematics, challenging students to recall past skills to apply them to
new concepts. 6th grade
students are examining Expressions and Equations, focusing on the role of
variables in problem solving. 7th
grade has been studying Ratios and Proportional Reasoning, comparing values to
solve problems. 8th grade
has been working on Rational and Irrational numbers, learning how to identify,
compute, convert and solve with them.
All grades participated in the beginning of year Benchmark testing. As a pretest this data is available
immediately for teacher so they may use it to affect instruction. Later in the year students will be able to
see their growth as a math student and celebrate their accomplishments in the
classroom.
ELA Department
Grade 6
ELA 1: Students are diving into the narrative unit where they explore elements of fiction and author’s style. Students will write their own narratives.
ELA 2: Students are learning about perseverance. They are reading and researching what it takes to work through obstacles.
Grade 7
ELA 1: Students are reading and analyzing an informational story of Phineas Gage; a man who survived blunt force trauma to the head.
ELA 2: Students are learning about the research process along with writing for a blog.
Grade 8
ELA 1: Students are reading an autobiography, We Beat the Streets. This shows how 3 underprivileged men overcame poverty.
ELA 2: Students are working on a Wes Moore Project. The Other Wes Moore is an autobiography that students read over the summer.
Science
Grade 6 has begun their quest to understand the scientific method. Using the framework of developing the skills necessary to write a good lab report, sixth graders are focusing on creating a good hypothesis. They are learning how important a good hypothesis is to understanding a scientific question. They are also working on their scientific measurement skills.
Grade 7 is working in their first unit on understanding Earth's changing shape by examining the various geographic features of the Earth. They are examining the many different geographic features of the Earth, such as mountains, valleys and ocean trenches and how those features were created.
Grade 8 is wrapping up their unit on the tools of science as well as the tools of design as they explore the skills necessary to designing and building prototypes. They have been utilizing the tablets and web-based interactive drawing tools to understand the importance of orthographic projections and isometric drawings to the engineering and design process. They have also been working on further development of their scientific measuring skills.
Social Studies
World Geography
Students began Geography with the study of the 5 themes of geography, location, place, region, movement, and human environmental interaction. Students will be moving on to a study of South America which will focus on the struggle for independence, national and regional economics, and modern cultures of the nations. Students will be utilizing web based research to create a report on a South American nation. Over the course of the year we strive to connect the study of geography to the major events of the past and to current events, which continuously reshape the world we live in. Students will build connections between themselves and other parts of the world to better understand the global interconnected world we live in.
Ancient Civilizations
7th grade are completing their first unit of the year which exploring the origins of humankind. Students researched and examined some of the best examples fossil evidence and prehistoric artifacts to gain a better understanding of the evidence used to build a picture of human origins and how we lived during the Paleo and Neolithic Ages. Students learned about and discussed the contributions tool making, farming, and the eventual emergence of civilization at various points around the world. Students will be moving on to a study of ancient Mesopotamia known as "the land between the rivers.” The civilizations of Mesopotamia were the first humans to create great cities and made many technological leaps forward such the wheel, sail, and the earliest writing system in the world. Our study of Mesopotamia will also focus on the Code of Hammurabi which is one of the earliest and most complete law codes in human history. Our students will judge whether Hammurabi’s Code was fair utilizing document based research and writing.
World History Part I
Our 8th graders began their year by examining the Byzantine Empire the Eastern half of the Roman Empire which survived the until 1452. Students learned about the religious traditions of Eastern Orthodox Christians which developed within and around the Byzantine Empire. Students studied the culture and learning which the Byzantine Empire preserved from the classical world. Students will be moving on to study the origins of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula and the kingdoms and caliphates which arose out of the conflicts between new powers and established empires. Students will completing a research project on the traditions and beliefs of Islam such as the Five Pillars, Belief, Worship, Fasting, Alms-giving, and Pilgrimage. Students will have multiple choices as to how they will demonstrate what they have learned about Islamic culture and beliefs.
Unified Arts
Art
Grade
6: Sixth grade artists have begun a unit
in clay! They are learning about the origins of clay, cultural uses and ceramic
technology. They are planning their own coiled containers and thinking about
functionality as well as beauty.
Grade
7: Young artists of grade 7 are learning
watercolor painting techniques! As they create a still life of their choice,
they learn brush mastery and controlling techniques of a “runaway” medium!
Students also view watercolors of master watercolor artists.
Grade
8: The grade 8 artists are beginning
their study of sculpture. They have looked at public sculpture from ancient to
modern times, and understand the criteria of 3D form. Students have planned and
are now creating their 3D designs in clay!
Art
Club: Art enthusiasts in Art Club are
celebrating fall using art materials of their choice! They are making watercolor batiks, pumpkins in
oil pastel, mixed media scarecrows and autumn scenes. The student led Anime
Group is working on basic anatomy to understand the figure in action.
Yearbook
Design: The NMS Yearbook Cover Design
has been completed by a group of Grade 8 students who collaborated to combine
their winning designs. The final design has been submitted to the publisher!
Technology Integration
Grade 6
Sixth grades have been busy setting up their g mail accounts, joining Google Classroom, learning about the advantages of Google drive as well as learning to create and share a Google document with another classmate.
They are also beginning to learn about effective and efficient online search techniques.
Grade 7
Seventh graders have been learning vocabulary associated with technology: cloud computing, cookie, web browser, search engines etc.
They have also been learning about the impact of digital media in their lives as well as sharing how their parents might feel about the availability and use of various types of digital media (cell phones, tablets, gaming consoles. I Pods etc:
Grade 8
Eighth graders have also been learning vocabulary associated with technology: wiki, blog, hyperlink, bias, podcast etc.
They have recently begun a Unit dealing with their Digital Footprint: what it is and what their footprint might convey about them.
Health
Grade 6
Students are collaborating in groups to form various messages to 'Stop Bullying.' Instead of defining bullying and its negative impacts, students are coming up with messages and signs to encourage a more ways to have a positive climate at NMS. For example, one group made an acrostic poem of the word FRIEND and what it means to be a friend. Some students incorporated our T.I.G.E.R.S. acronym into their masterpieces as well.
Grade 7
Students have worked in groups to complete a jigsaw activity regarding mental health disorders. The jigsaw activity allows all students to play a role in their group and do equal amount of work as one another. After reading their assigned piece of their article, they each shared the key points about what they read to one another. Together, they were able to create a poster, which included the definition, symptoms, causes, treatments/cures, and any extra facts about their disorders and will then teach all about it to the class.
Grade 8
Students have recently been working through their Sex Ed unit. Students have gained knowledge about healthy hygiene, puberty, female and male reproductive functions, healthy/risky choices around safe sex and STDs. We reviewed as a class through a game of Sex Education Jeopardy and students will be taking their 20 question test. We will then begin discussing what it means to be in a healthy, unhealthy and abusive relationship and to identify the patterns which go along with the cycle of abuse.
Musical Arts
6th Grade Music
Musical Arts
6th Grade Music
In 6th Grade Music, students are taking off with the written and aural language of music. Our classes include singing, creating and moving and will soon include the playing of pianos and classroom instruments.
7th Grade Music
In 7th Grade Music, students are continuing the application of the written and aural language of music. They are beginning to discover deeper application of their skills through singing, creating, moving and the playing of both classroom instruments and the piano.
8th Grade Music
In 8th Grade, music students are working to apply their knowledge of the written and aural language of music through improvisation and composition. They will be using Google Classroom for collaboration on their composition projects. Students will be continuing to apply their knowledge of music through the playing of guitars.
6th Grade Chorus
As we prepare for our concert in December, 6th Grade Chorus students are working on their skills as musicians who are part of a chorus. We are working on developing a round unified sound. Students are learning about using solfege ( think "The Sound of Music") to help them begin to learn how to read music as a singers.
7th Grade Chorus
As we prepare for our concert in December, 7th Grade Chorus students are continuing to work on their skills as singers. These skills include the use of proper breath support, proper vowel formation, sight reading and singing in more than one part at the same time. The 7th Grade Chorus is currently working in small groups on a short canon (like a round) to perform.
8th Grade Chorus
As we prepare for our concert in December, 8th Grade Chorus students are working on becoming more independent musicians as singers. Students are also continuing to apply the skills of proper breath support , proper vowel formation, and sight reading. As they move forward in becoming more independent singers, the students are currently working in small groups on a three part round to perform.
6th Grade Band and Orchestra
The 6th grade Band and Orchestra are honing their technique in the basics of reading music and playing instruments. In Orchestra we are working on hearing, singing and playing the music to develop better intonation (playing in tune), using long smooth bow strokes for a beautiful tone quality and listening to ourselves and our classmates for a unified sound. In Band we are working on clean, clear articulation, supported and controlled breath, and a focused tone quality.
7th Grade Bands
The 7th grade Bands are preparing for their first year of Marching Band, learning Eye of the Tiger, and America, and how to march and play at the same time.
8th Grade Band
The 8th Grade band is refining their marching technique and has begun preparing our December concert music, with a winter weather theme. Blizzard Warning, Storm Chaser, Do You Want to Build a Snowman? and others.
7th and 8th Grade Orchestras
The 7th & 8th grade orchestras have begun preparing our December concert music as well including Yuki Matsuri (inspired by Japanese Winter Festivals), Sleighing, Whispering Winter Pinesand "Let it Go."
Jr. District and Jr. SEMSBA
7th & 8th graders in band, chorus, and orchestra have the opportunity to audition for Jr. District and Jr. SEMSBA music festivals and should see Mrs. Thornton or Mrs. Young if they are interested. Audition information is available at the following websites. www.semsbama.org, www.semmea.org. Private lessons are not required, but are encouraged, please contact us for a teacher recommendation if you are interested.
STEM
Our sixth graders have been working on learning how to use the steps of the Engineering Design Process to solve problems. They're putting it to use building the highest newspaper towers possible from two full sheets of newspaper. Our previous record from last year of 156 cm was broken and is now an incredible 174 cm high! These towers are taller than the students building them!
Our 7th grade students have been working hard on creating their own prototype speakers to amplify the volume from their electronic devices. They're using math to calculate the percent increase in volume. Their classes have certainly been "rockin" this challenge.
Physical Education/Fitness
As we begin our second unit, the students and Physical Education staff have enjoyed having the option for students to choose which units they participate in. For our first round of units, students did an excellent job of playing football, a variety of outdoor games, and creating music videos. With the increased participation and decreased behavioral problems we are all excited for a great year as the choices continue.
Lacrosse: Students in all 3 grades who chose to participate in our lacrosse unit are working on developing and refining the skills of cradling, scooping, throwing, and catching. They will be utilizing these skills to participate in small-sided games of lacrosse and ultimate lacrosse. Also, they will work on using the game strategies of moving to open space and using the give-and-go to attack their opponents goal.
Track and Field: The students participating in this unit are actively involved in all aspects of the events. At various times students are working as timers and record keepers, and at other times they are competing in 4x100 Relays, hurdles, shot put, and javelin. Through this unit they will have a positive experience of track and field events so they will hopefully be motivated to join the track teams at the high school level.
Step Aerobics: Step aerobic students begin by learning the basic steps used in step aerobic workouts, and continue progressing towards more complicated steps. The children are then able to incorporate these steps into a variety of step aerobic routines during classes that are created to go with the songs they enjoy listening to outside of school.
Also, the NMS PE Department has its own website with more information: http://www.middleboro.k12.ma.
That's some of the things we are doing. Again, hopefully that can help you to have some great conversations with your children.
Have a great, long holiday weekend.
