Math
The 7th graders covered finding the area of triangles and quadrilaterals on Tuesday. On Wednesday they had a lesson about finding the area of composite shapes. Thursday, they worked in groups of 3 to solve problems in a round table format. The 8th graders worked on a unit review Tuesday and Wednesday and started their check-in on Thursday. The Algebra students had 3 lessons over graphing exponential functions, exponential function applications, and geometric sequences.
Humanities
The week we worked to finish our examination of Warhorse and the experiences of World War I. Students prepared and completed Literary essays that analyzed the unique perspective of telling the story of the war through the eyes of a horse. Their essays sought to evaluate this perspective, making two main points and details using quotes from the book. Students also gave their opinions of their reading, with many commenting that the main character Joey was a static character who did not develop, while others cited the general lack of character development. The themes of loyalty and loss set against the extremes of the war experience dominated student thought as they prepared their writing.
We will begin our look at World War II next week by reading The Book Thief, a particular favorite of students in the past.
Theme
World War I continued in Theme this week as students documented the US Entry into the War. We looked at the sinking of the Lusitania and other ships that fell victim to Unrestricted Sub Warfare, a new technology in this war. We also became secret agents to decode the contents of the Zimmerman Telegram, an overt shot at the US that ultimately fostered our entry into the war. Students analyzed these events overseas, but also did some evaluation of home events also.
After splitting into “growing groups”, the Epsilon class prepared, planned for, and planted their own “Victory Garden”. Starters of spinach, leaf lettuce, radish, bush beans, and onions went into the soil as students will track their progress for the next five weeks. A feast of the yield is the goal in mind!
Meatballs working on finding the area of composite figures.
At top, students participate in a team-building skill during PE time. Above, final instructions were given to get the WWI Victory Garden planted.
A bounty of vegetables is the goal of the Epsilon world war Victory Garden project.
At top, the use of gardens to enhance learning is a traditional school wide activity. Above, students work to decode the ideas of the Zimmerman Note, one of two causes of the US entering WWI
