TBMS Weekly Newsletter - Issue 24-25.30

SEVENTH GRADE

In Math, the 7th graders have recently completed their unit on 2D and 3D Geometry, focusing on circles, cross-sections, surface area, and volume. They did an in-class project where they designed a cake and calculated the surface area (frosting) and volume (batter). We will be starting our next unit on Statistics, where we’ll compare data sets using box plots and dot plots, focusing on measures of central tendency and deviation. We will also discuss methods for obtaining a representative sample from a population and how taking repeated random samples can give us an accurate prediction of the whole population. This will be done using data from a survey they completed! Additionally, students are continuing to review earlier concepts through their Skill Drills alongside our current lessons.

In FLEX, students participated in a lesson on "Stereotypes," where we discussed how stereotypes can be harmful by reducing individuals to just that label, ignoring all the qualities that make them whole.   We also held academic support FLEX sessions, where students could complete classwork, check on any missing assignments, and finish them before the end of the term.

EIGHTH GRADE

We are currently in the most topic heavy unit of the year for math - systems of linear equations! Students learn about the various types of solutions when solving for two variables with two linear equations (one solution, no solution, infinitely many solutions) with a focus on solving for one solution by graphing, using the substitution method, and the elimination method. With an emphasis on the importance of students showing their work & explaining how to solve each problem, students are now learning the last part of the unit: elimination, otherwise known as cancellation. I recommend asking your student to teach you a problem from one of their most recent homework assignments!

This week in flex, students have completed their final day to work on their Comparison Essay Letter which emphasized the importance of peer collaboration throughout numerous flex lessons. Students were also provided one more day before MCAS to complete the practice test where students can learn familiarity with the digital tools offered by the assessment as it is their first year taking the assessment on a computer rather than an ipad. While there was no flex on Wednesday due to the half day, Thursday was a time where students “DEAR”, which is an acronym for “Drop Everything and Read”. On Friday, students were provided an academic day.

UNIFIED ARTS

While Spring may not have fully sprung, our sports teams have begun practicing both indoors and in between raindrops. 6th, 7th and 8th grade students have had the opportunity to participate in track and field, softball, or baseball and 7/8th graders were also offered High school level lacrosse (girls) and tennis. Keep an eye out for home games around Harvard starting this and next week!

In PE we’ve been wrapping up a playground games unit (check out some great pictures on the Harvard Press website) and moved into Badminton. Students have been loving skill work and tournament style play in our one indoor racquet sport of the year.