Middle School Happenings

The Middle School Winter Concert will be held on Thursday, January 18th, at 6 pm (please note the new start time) in our auditorium. Performances will be by our talented Choruses (6th, 7th, and 8th grades) and Bands (6th and 7th/8th).

We are excited to share the hard work our students have been doing in their classes. Hope to see you there!

Middle School Jazz Band has started! Meetings are after school on Tuesdays.

Interested or want to know more? Contact Mr. Janack.

Our Grade 7 general music students have been cooking up some hip hop beats on an online drum machine. Such creative fun!

Pictured below are our talented volunteer band members and piano soloist who provided music for the Veterans’ Day Assembly in November. Band members from grades 6-8 played America and America, the Beautiful, and piano soloist, Arion S., welcomed visitors to the auditorium with his own rendition of America the Beautiful.

Science: As a part of their chemical reaction unit, students investigated a chemical reaction mystery. Through their investigations, students discovered which chemical combination results in color change, gas, and exothermic and endothermic reactions.

English: During the first trimester of the year, students combined reading with art as they demonstrated their understanding of the elements of fiction. After finishing their independent reading books, students created colorful and descriptive one-page overviews of literary elements such as setting, characters, mood, tone, and theme.

Health: As part of their study on happiness, students worked together to research, create, and present their findings to their peers.

Click the smiley face below to enjoy the full presentation done by Harper, Mia, and Lina.

French: Students have been reading a book in basic French about a time-traveling foodie and her uncle. In each chapter, they visit a different city at a different time and try the local food. After finishing the book, students wrote a new "Mad Libs style" chapter, choosing a place where French is spoken and a famous local dish. Each student presented their new chapter to the class when they were done.

English: As part of our study of Lois Lowry’s The Giver, students made posters detailing the rigid and strict rules of the novel’s society. This activity helped students visualize important concepts from the novel, as well as explore how oppressive societies maintain power through imagery and propaganda.

Art: Students have been working with the Cape Ann Museum on a community connections project titled Snapshots:​ Cape Ann Eighth Grade Exhibition.

This will be the 3rd year of this collaborative project with the Cape Ann Museum, our MERSD students, and the towns of Gloucester and Rockport Grade 8 students.

The project is inspired by the current exhibit at the Cape Ann Museum titled Above the Fold: The Photographers of the “Gloucester Daily Times,” 1973-2005, on display from Dec. 2, 2023 — March 17, 2024.

To find information about this exhibit, click on the Gloucester Daily Times image above.

Civics: Attorney Marc Randazza, a parent of MERSD students, visited our 8th graders to help further their understanding of the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment.

Attorney Randazza gave students a glimpse into the many responsibilities and challenges of being a First Amendment lawyer by sharing details of certain First Amendment cases. He outlined and described complications surrounding First Amendment protections and led students through conversations and critical thinking about these complications as they relate to the law.

Three times a year middle school students enjoy in-school clubs during the last hour of a half day. During our November 22nd half day, students enjoyed a large variety of clubs based on their personal interests. Beyond the fun and socializing, these clubs give students an opportunity to practice collaboration, cooperation, and leadership skills within multi-grade groups.

Many thanks to all of our teachers who help make this day possible!

Click the green buttons to access links.

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/