Science

Welcome back to Middle School Science!

The first few days of school have passed and the students have already reviewed laboratory safety rules, classroom policies and the metric (SI) measurment system. The remainder of the nine weeks will focus on:
*Measurment and Lab Tools
*The Scientific Method
*Science Fair
*Work and Power

Each day they are writing their homework assignments in their agenda on the day they are due. Look for my "green" initials in their agenda by their homework.

The students are doing a great job bringing their science textbook, science workbook, binder and agenda to class each day. They have set up three tabs for science in their binders. Look for their vocabulary/notes, labs/assignments, and science fair information in each section of their binder.

This will be a great year in Science!

Notes from the Music Room

New to our music curriculum is the addition of a middle school musical revue on April 7, 2011. The revue is a collection of songs woven together with dialogue. All middle school students will learn the songs and choreography. Students will be able to audition for spoken parts and possibly solos. We will probably need a few students for a technical crew as well. The set will be designed and created by Miss Bella and students in art classes. We will wear costumes instead of uniforms. I will try to keep our rehearsals limited to class/school time. Special parts will probably need after school rehearsals, and possibly a couple of dress rehearsals in the evening. In preparation for the choreography, we will be learning dance steps throughout the year. I am extremely excited about our new performance!

Seventh Grade Art

Seventh grade learned how artists can create successful drawings with diverse styles of line by copying the work of famed artists Henri Matisse and Paul Klee. The rich imagery of PreColumbian America is the inspiration for our next art project.

Technology Clas

How terrific to see our returning and new 7th Graders in class today. In our first class we reviewed what makes a good password, and made sure everyone could log in to our network and school email. I also gave new logins to our new students and all students setup a network printer on the computers they were using.

Homework
All 7th Graders should bring their flash drives to class next Friday (8/27). The flash drive (or usb) will be a tool in many of the classes this year. It's a great way to carry a project to and from school. I've assigned this as homework because I will be checking to make sure everyone has a flashdrive, it's labled and all know how to use their flash drive.

I look forward to a great year!

Gail Markson

Judaic Studies and Tefillot

Dear Families:

With all of the changes underfoot at the EKA and family responses not always being timely, we really have worked up to the minute on settling schedules and making decisions.

As we work through the schedule for the first week of school, we are seeing things that looked good on paper, not work out in the day-to-day. All of these items are being addressed, but it takes time. The students are still in their classes with the teachers that are going to teach them, but it may be that the times that they take each class may change.

After hearing from the majority of families, I have decided that for Judaic Studies, the students will take a Mishna / Navi class with Rabbi Marrus, a Chumash / Holiday class with Mr. Olitzki, and students requiring an Orthodox teacher for their studies, will take a the Chumash / Holiday class with Rabbi Levi Teldon. Tefillot classes will be tracked into Orthodox and Egalitarian with the choices made during the summer holding.

Please understand with the dual tracks and three grade levels having two classes, the schedule is complicated. We are working diligently to make right anything that appears to be off.

Thanks for your understanding and support.

Judaic Studies-Rabbi Marrus' Class

Dear Parents,

Welcome to a new and exciting school year. I am looking forward to teaching your children and watching them grow in their knowledge and understanding throughout the year. As there are some students that find Hebrew only textbooks difficult, I am including some links so you may purchase books with English translation.

If your child will benefit from these books, please purchase them. If however your child is comfortable with Hebrew text etc. please do NOT purchase them as they will hinder their Hebrew language skills.

Important Update 8/23/10
As a result of the change in Judaic Studies schedule (7th and 8th grades have been split) here is a new and revised list and links for English translation books. I sincerely apologize for any confusion and difficulty this may have caused.

Navi: Prophets - Shmuel
Mishnah: Rosh Hashanah & Sukkah