October has been an exciting month full of hands-on learning and exploration for our middle schoolers! Students have been engaging in projects that blend critical thinking with real-world applications, from historical analyses and creative expression to scientific investigations and math in action. These activities are helping them build teamwork skills and apply their knowledge across subjects.

As we continue to progress through the school year, please encourage your student to stay organized with their assignments and actively participate in class discussions and projects. We appreciate your continued support and partnership in making this a successful year for your child.

Thank you for being a vital part of our school community!

7th Grade students are continuing to read "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" and will focus on creating a plot and improving their reading comprehension skills. This  will emphasize analyzing how elements of a story, such as characters and setting, interact and move the plot forward. 

As for 8th Grade students, they are working on "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe. They are using a graphic organizer to analyze the story while also focusing on reading comprehension, which emphasizes determining themes and summarizing texts.

For 7th Grade Math, students are working on proportional relationships. They are identifying proportional relationships in various forms such as tables, graphs, and equations, and learning to use these relationships to solve real-world problems. 

As for 8th Grade Math, students are focused on exponent rules. They are learning how to apply properties of integer exponents to simplify expressions, such as multiplying and dividing powers with the same base.

7th Grade Students are learning about how Constantine established Constantinople as the new capital, marking the rise of the Byzantine Empire. The focus is on how this led to the development of two distinct civilizations: the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, including their differing views on the relationship between church and state. 

As for 8th Grade, students are studying the taxes on the American colonies imposed by Britain, such as the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts. These taxes sparked colonial unrest and the phrase “no taxation without representation,” which played a key role in leading to the American Revolution.

For 7th Grade, students are focusing on Atoms and Elements. They are  learning to understand and identify different forms of matter by examining its properties and behavior. 

As for 8th Grade, students are focusing on focusing on the topic for Force and Motion. They are learning to explain concepts like position, reference point, reference frame, and how to calculate velocity and rate using the appropriate units.

Students are focusing on the "Learning to Lead Self" module. They are developing self-awareness by identifying their personal strengths, weaknesses, and values. The emphasis is on building habits that promote responsibility, accountability, and goal-setting, empowering students to take ownership of their actions and decisions.

Seventh graders explored the social and environmental impacts of cell phone production by investigating chemical elements and sustainability practices, emphasizing recycling and reducing waste. They also visited a "Farmers Market" activity, where they designed handmade products, calculated unit costs, and explored proportional relationships to connect math concepts with real-world applications.

Eighth graders took on the classic Egg Drop experiment, examining motion, force, and the importance of impact protection by comparing the egg’s fragility to the human brain—illustrating the engineering behind helmet safety. In another project, students collaborated as scientists in training to tackle scientific notation, even presenting in Ms. Hasselberg’s class, discussing why this notation is vital in scientific fields.

When your child is absent from school, enroll them in Independent Study. We are here to support them with the classwork that they are missing. This will prevent them from falling behind. It's an easy straightforward process, and assignments can be completed either at home or upon their return to school. Please send your request via email to: IS@bellamentecharter.org.

• 10/3 Parent information Night: Monitoring Student progress 
• 10/3 After school Soccer
• 10/4 Leader In Me Assemblies 
• 10/9-10/17 Boosterthon 
• 10/15 Monthly Dine out at Panera Bread
• 10/18 Staff Development day, No School for students
• 10/23 Minimum Day