Buchanan K-1 Center
In 1st grade social studies this year, our students are focusing on mastering American symbols, community economies, parts of a globe, and cultures. In Unit 1, My School, My Community, we studied our communities. We learned about leaders in our community, state, and country; as well as the rules and responsibilities of a citizen. Unit 1 also introduced American Symbols. We studied important symbols such as the Statue of Liberty, Mt. Rushmore, the American flag, and the Bald Eagle.
Currently, in Unit 2, Work in the Community, we are learning about working within a community. We have discovered goods and services and needs and wants. Soon, in Unit 3, Looking at our World, we will explore the world around us. We will examine various land and water features, as well as how to label them on globes and maps. We will also learn about the continents. Finally in Unit 4, Traditions We Share, we will study cultures, celebrations and traditions, and our similarities and differences.
Our social studies curriculum also incorporates reading skills. We learned about cause and effect, fact and opinion, main ideas with details, compare and contrast, and sequencing.
Submitted by first grade Pod 1 teachers Alex Babcock, Samantha Blum, Michelle Chase, Abby Johnson and April Koch
HHS Language Arts
Marianne Trandalls Language Arts 10 class has recently wrapped up a profound unit on Night by Elie Wiesel, a powerful memoir chronicling the authors harrowing experiences as a Holocaust survivor. The class engaged deeply with the text, exploring themes of loss, resilience, and the importance of remembering history. As the class transitions to a new unit on researching and writing formal research papers, Trandall is excited to guide her students in developing essential skills for academic success.
Meanwhile, Language Arts 11 classes are finishing up a compelling unit on The Crucible by Arthur Miller. This exploration of the Salem Witch Trials and the parallels to the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s has sparked vibrant discussions about the nature of hysteria and the impact of fear on society. Students have examined how these historical events reflect issues that are still relevant today.
As Language Arts 11 wraps up its current unit, students will soon embark on Unit 2, where they will delve into a selection of classic texts, including Aint I a Woman, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Raven, and The Devil and Tom Walker. These works will challenge students to explore themes of identity, gothic horror, and moral dilemmas, enriching their understanding of literary history and its lasting impact.
Submitted by Marianne Trandall, ELA Teacher
HMS counselors
The pace in the HMS Counseling Office is picking up this month! October is Bullying Prevention Month, and includes weekly homeroom activities related to bullying education, prevention, and policies; additionally, crucial social-emotional skills that foster resilience. This year, they made activities more hands-on and engaging to help increase participation among students.
To kick off bullying month, they painted rocks with meaningful anti-bullying and kindness quotes and are displaying them at the middle school and throughout town. Next, they encouraged all students and staff to wear orange on Unity Day (Oct. 16) and demonstrate their schools unity through a picture collage. Finally, they are planning a school-wide anti-bullying and kindness facts trivia challenge. They also have an optional Anti-Bullying bookmark competition, and have had some incredible submissions so far!
The counseling office has also created a variety of after-school clubs including Confidence Connections, Newspaper Club, School Spirit Club, Life Skills Club, Lego Club, and Sign Language Club. Students can check out the flyers outside the counseling office for more information. These clubs are from 3:25 to 3:55 p.m. with the late bus available for transportation.
Finally, the counseling office is planning to implement fun new programs by the end of this semester, including a grade to grade homeroom buddy system, in which they hope to foster positive relationships between different grades.
Submitted by Akina Decker and Taylor Stahly, HMS social workers
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