Walking in the Footsteps of History
The 7th grade went on a field trip to Old Fort Niagara! It was a great trip that let us experience what it was like to live in the fort during the 1800's. We were able to see what their living conditions were like. Soldiers had slept in wooden bunk beds that were filled with hay and were only allowed to keep a small sac of items for themselves. We also saw where they ate, how they washed clothes and where they bathed. We were surprised by the amount of layers people had to wear and the types of clothing that was available during this time period. Some other great things we were able to see were the firing of the cannon, and muskets as well as Native American dancing. The views were incredibly beautiful from the fort. The lake views made the trip even more spectacular. During the trip the 7th grade students saw actors dressed in period correct clothing from the 1800's. It made the trip more immersive and made you feel like the fort was paused in time. The whole experience from the trip was an amazing experience and opened our eyes to how people used to live back in their time period. This was an amazing opportunity for the 7th grade to have an amazing time while learning about our past. The 7th grade got to explore the French Castle, a massive stone building that used to house French soldiers, and the British barracks, where British troops prepared for battle. This experience was a wonderful learning opportunity for the students in 7th grade and is a great memory the 7th grade students will hold with them forever.
Written by Emily O. & Amelia N., 7th grade students
7th Grade Technology Innovation and Design
Technology is off to a blazing start to the year!
As the new academic year kicks off, the 7th grade students in Mr. Cooper’s and Mr. Nolan’s Technology classes are diving headfirst into the exciting world of innovation and design. This semester began with a focus on the Engineering Design Process, the seven resources of technology, and the importance of renewable energy.
Students put their knowledge into practice by designing and constructing a solar-powered s'more cooker using recycled materials and readily available household items. The challenge was to create a functioning device capable of cooking a s'more within just one class period.
The results were nothing short of impressive, showcasing a diverse array of creative designs. From contraptions utilizing reflective surfaces to harness solar power to clever configurations that maximized heat retention, students demonstrated not only their technical skills but also their innovative thinking. As they worked collaboratively, the classroom buzzed with excitement and camaraderie, proving that technology education is not just about learning—it's about creating and experimenting.
This hands-on project not only reinforced key concepts in engineering and renewable energy but also inspired students to think critically about sustainability and resourcefulness in their designs. As the year unfolds, it’s clear that these young innovators are just getting started on their journey in the world of technology.
6th Grade W.E.B. - Halloween Charades and Mummies
Our 6th graders participated in some fun activities where they discussed time management and did some team building. These activities included Halloween Charades, Mummy Wrapping and Making Lists. The 6th graders had a great time with their 8th grade W.E.B. leaders and found out ways to manage their time better.
7th Grade W.E.B. - Potholes
The 7th grade learned about how stress is the body’s reaction to any demand or pressure. It is a natural response that can have healthy or unhealthy effects on our lives. The 7th graders worked in groups and were asked to write down two stressors on separate pieces of paper. Some of the responses included pressure from friends, academics, family, relationships, and different responsibilities. Each piece of paper with a stressor represented potholes that we face in our daily lives. Volunteers had to walk blindfolded across the floor with guidance from their team to try to avoid the potholes. We talked about different ways to manage out time and how that helps us avoid potholes (stressors) in real life.
8th Grade W.E.B. - Stress Mail
The 8th graders spent some time talking about different stressors in their lives and how we can use time management skills to help manage these stressors. They were given different scenarios such as "Imagine this: You’re late for school, today’s assignments aren’t done yet, and you spilled a drink on your shirt in the car on the way in this morning." After brainstorming ways to deal with stress and manage time better, the class was given the following task: "You decide to reduce the stress level in people’s lives by creating a new Internet service called Stress Mail. A stressed-out person can write you an email, and you’ll respond by providing suggestions on how to deal with the stress." As a class, we read through some of the emails received on Stress Mail and come up with a responses and talked about them as a class. This was a great way to build some skills with time management.
During the month of October, we learned about and practiced good "Time Management Skills" through different fun activities. We had various Escape Rooms set up in our counseling center, where students at all grade levels took time to master clues about time management. Some 8th Grade students worked together in small groups to "save the earth" from an invasion by an alien race known as the "Xelarians." Some of our 6th and 7th Grade students found themselves trying to escape mummies and zombies, discovering different clues that would help them to safety. Thank you to our student leaders that helped make the Escape Rooms a success: Gareth B., Onalee P., Isabella I., Serenity C., Allie P., Harper T., Emily O., and Jenna H.
