Middle School Happenings

Our students have been working very hard. We look forward to seeing you there!

The solar eclipse on April 8th and Earth Day on the 22nd inspired Mrs. Doherty and our students to create a variety of artistic pieces in celebration of these two events. Some of the work took place in the art classroom and others were enjoyed under the warmth of the sun!

To the right, Mr. Cowman and students are taking in the eclipse. We won't have this opportunity for another 55 years!

The Math Team season came to a close with the fifth and final Meet of the season, which we hosted. It was a memorable final Meet for 8th grader Keira F., as she scored an overall top score of 16 points, a total equaled by 7th grader Arion S. Sixth grader, Aviva H., took home yet another top-scoring certificate with 14 points!

Congratulations Keira, Arion and Aviva! Eighth grader, Saskia K. concluded her sensational Middle School Math Meet career with 12 points! A number of Hornets scored impressive totals:

14 points: 7th graders Hobbs B., Max C., Freddy J., Erika K., Diego L-P., Quinn M., Luke M., and

Claire Y.

12 points: 6th grader Marcel M-P along with 7th graders Bodin C., Lucy C., Mikel D., Ellen G., and Devin P.

Masco Team One scored a perfect 36 in the Team Round, which lifted them past Manchester Essex Team One by a score of 138-124. As a result, our Hornets Team One finished in second place.

Exciting news to report! 8th grader Keira F. and 7th grader Arion S. both earned a top score certificate with 16 points apiece! Congratulations to both Keira and Arion for ending the season with a spectacular performance!!

10 points: 6th graders Melina B. and Addy H. along with 7th graders Nate C. and Thomas C.

Best of luck to our graduating 8th graders. 6th and 7th graders, we need YOU for Math Meets next year. Information about next year will be given out in September. Thanks to all for a terrific season! Go Hornets!!

Students participated in our fourth student-led Socratic discussion on the short story “The Save” by Joseph Bruchac.

Socratic discussions involve students in higher order thinking, encourage students to reflect and critique, and allow multiple perspectives

to be examined in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Students enjoyed a field trip to Wolf Hollow located in Ipswich. The purpose of the field trip was for students to learn more about the Grey Wolf – a threatened species in North America – and their many adaptations that make them a critical apex predator and keystone species.

This experiential field trip will help to build students’ knowledge and understanding of the impacts of human expansion into nature and the cascade of effects that removing one species can have (think back to the RAD about invasive ants).

Although we finished our Egyptian unit more than a month ago, as part of our exploration into mummification, we had to allow time for the natron to dry the orange peels. Students have been very patient!

These "mummies" were carefully wrapped and sealed in their sarcophagi until recently when we conducted our "unwrapping" ceremony. Fortunately, our mummification process was successful!

Students observed and noted the variations in color, weight, and texture

of their mummified orange peels, drawing connections to the Ancient

Egyptians' mummification techniques.

Students built radio controlled vehicles from scratch! Using hand saws, they cut out the shape of their vehicle in plywood. Next, they attached 360 degree servos to the vehicles then attached wheels. They used both electrical drills and manual drills for this step. Each vehicle had a small receiver and battery that were attached to the body of the vehicle. When the design and build processes were complete, students drove their vehicles through an obstacle course using hand-held controllers. Below are examples of two designs.

Our young mathematicians are using their audience response devices to compete in a class challenge as review and preparation for MCAS next week.

Our Health & Wellness class is launching a new unit of study on technology and social media. The goal is to educate students around the benefits and pitfalls of technology and social media in their lives. Our goal is to help them be more mindful about the influence of technology and to make better choices with it. We will also be sending out parent resources that correspond to various lessons.

You may recall completing a survey during Open House. We asked you several questions about your perspectives on your student's use of technology and how you believe it is impacting them. The word cloud below summarizes the responses of 311 of you. You were asked: What words come to mind when you think of your child's technology use? This, in addition to students' responses to other survey questions, are being used to inform lesson development.

Students took a field trip to Boston to visit the Auschwitz: Not long ago. Not far away exhibit. In addition to engaging students in important learning about historical events, this trip extended the learning of a non fiction unit in which students are comparing Anne Frank's Diary with the young adult version of Trevor Noah's autobiography in English class.

In March, students celebrated Pi Day by writing Pi-kus: Haikus in the spirit of pi day! A pi-ku follows a 3 syllable, 1 syllable, 4 syllable format. Here are some examples:

Students participated in an historical simulation, in which they took on the role of a Prince Hall Masonic Lodge member and explored two possible petitions they would send to the Massachusetts legislature. Students debated the merits of the two petitions and, as a lodge, voted for the petition they believe would be best for their community.

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Email: mainoj@mersd.org
Website: www.mersd.org
Location: 36 Lincoln Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, USA
Phone: 978-526-2022
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterEssexRegional/