Welcome and Highlights

Have A Great Summer!!!

See you on September 7, 2010

New Students (2010-2011 School Year)

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2009 2010 Year In Review

We started the year with wonderful team building activities at Camp Chickamee.. Throughout the year, we applied the inquiry method we learned in science class to predict answers and analyze problems in all subject areas. Teams 6-3 and 6-4 culminated their study of religion in Asia with a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston where students shared presentations on works of art from major world religions. The two teams also got to visit the FIRST Robotics competition and saw former Oak Hill students solving advanced technical problems as members of the newly formed Newton Ligerbots team. We also got to see STEM in action with a fun, interactive trip to the Natick Labs. **See end** Team 6-4 also visited the Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library. In addition to stepping inside a three story globe and witnessing the changes of the last 60 years, students practiced math skills by identifying geometric shapes and measuring and calculating perimeter, surface area and volume of architectural features on the grounds of the library.

In social studies, students used the geography skills they had developed to perform in-depth analysis of the international oil markets and to understand Bangladesh’s flooding problems and search for solutions. They also applied the inquiry method and use the graphing skills they had developed in math and science. Students also collected the maps, essays, pop-ups and graphs they made into atlases describing the five themes of geography, Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. During the month of December Team 6-3 and 6-4 collaborated on an economics simulation project to deepen their understanding of international trade. Ms. Sweet and Mr. Bunting created model economies where students bought and sold office supplies using Chuck Bucks and Sweeties. Students learned about the law of supply and demand when shortages and surpluses were introduced. Then the two classes traded with each other to get the things they lacked. After much fun and excitement, students emerged with a clearer understanding of the laws of economics and the dynamics of world trade. Team 6-4 read several novels this year. A highlight was the study of the role of memory and the meaning of history in a linked study of several works including The Devil’s Arithmetic, The Giver, “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury and “At the Home” by E. L. Konigsberg. The unit of study culminated with students writing about and searching for the meaning of a memory significant to them. Students also had many chances to use twenty-first century skills to build their understanding. They used online discussion forums to move their understanding of novels outside the classroom. They used online tests to save paper and time. They also created podcasts of memories that were significant to them. To prepare for MCAS exams, students logged onto to Study Island where they reviewed Math and English concepts and tested their mastery of them, all while playing games. As a culminating activity, students led portfolio conferences in which they shared their work, strengths, weaknesses and goals with their parents. All-in-all it was a great year and students are ready for a thrilling and successful seventh grade experience.

**In addition to this blog (the one you are reading now), we started a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Blog....see link to check it out! We had several parents (grandparents) share with us their professions and how they were connected to STEM. We also blogged with our friends at the Natick Labs to learn in more depth what it is they do. Please encourage your parents to complete the STEM part of the parent survey if they are interested in sharing with us what they do and how it is connected to STEM.