THE DEANS' DEN

Band 3 cont.

Science: Throughout February students began studies in environmental science, learned about earth systems (atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and cryosphere) and how they function to keep our planet habitable We will use our recent visit to the Natural HistoryMuseum,inparticularwhatwelearnedfromtheP22 mountain lion exhibit, to better understand the importance of urban wildlife and ways we might work to protectandsaveanimalsinourmidst Wealsocelebrated importantBlackscientistsforBlackHistoryMonth,andare planning ahead to celebrate Women’s History Month as weprepareforanupcomingCommunitypresentation.

Math: In Math class, our learners continued to deepen their knowledge of fractions, while learning multiple methods for approaching various concepts More specifically, students are mastering how to add and subtractfractionswithuncommondenominators(including mixed numbers), multiply and divide fractions, and gain skills for interpreting and solving word problems. To strengthen their understanding of the material, students are also exploring and solving real world problems involvingfractionsoperations(e.g.,byusingvisualfraction modelsorequationstorepresenttheproblem).

Band 4 (7th & 8th Grades)

7thgradershavemademajoradjustmentstotherigorand expectationsoftheirclasses,andhavebeenapleasureto teach Our 8th graders are done with their high school applications, and are counting down the days to head acrossthepondfortheirseniortriptoLondon!

Our8thgradersarecurrentlytakingaLondonpreparation course with Mr Campy and Mr Eleftheriades so that they have historical context and a better understanding of the sitesandshowstheywillexperience

7th graders have started a fun new project in Spanish class Theyarecreatingvideosinwhichtheyshowcase their understanding of our newest restaurant vocabulary in fun, creative, real-world scenarios.

In Spanish, 8th graders are finishing up the last grammar topics they really need to know in order to place into Spanish 2 at their choice high school in the spring (should they choose to take a placement exam and continue with Spanish) Trimester 3 will be almost entirely project-based as students culminate their three years of Middle School Spanish by creating and illustrating their own children's books that they will share with Wesley lower school students at the end of the school year.

7th grade science recently wrapped up their weather unit. Students have been investigating how clouds form, what causes updrift in the atmosphere, and why some storms produce hail while others do not. In their next unit, they will be exploring chemical reactions and matter. 8th graders closed out the unit on cells and systems and have transitioned into investigating contact forces. They have recently been learning about forces and energy, while conducting activities to see how solid objects bend or change shape

In 7th math, they are currently learning about the surface area and volume of prisms, cylinders, cones, and pyramids They are working on a project of constructing these solids with the dimension provided to them Then, they are supposed to find the surface area and the volume of their solids The 8th graders are working on exponential and logarithmic equations These two concepts are taught in high school in 10th and 11th grades They are really excited about learning high school concepts, and are thriving.

The 7th grade Printing & Publication class produced the very first issue of The Paw Print, Wesley's first studentproduced magazine, and the 7th grade theatre class performed their wildly entertaining musical production to rave reviews! Bravo!