Mini Term Has Begun!
Every year, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the “Mini Term” weeks, are busy ones at Mustard Seed. There are unique units of study, opportunities for service, the celebration of Advent, and more. Then, on the last day, we all gather in the evening to celebrate Las Posadas, as led by all our Upper School students. Every student has a role to play! Here are some of the unique experiences of the season:
STEAM - Grades 4 & 5:
This term, students in 4th and 5th grade will explore a city block answering the big question: “How do architects and engineers design city blocks to benefit the community?” Students will create a city block with a purpose--a block with structures that help to serve people who have just moved to the USA from other countries, or a structure-filled block where every building benefits the homeless. Students measure angles, calculate the perimeter and area of shapes, and create a blueprint of their block..
Worship: Advent and Waiting . . . (8:30 - 9:00)
During the season of Advent, students from Kindergarten through Grade 8, gather together every morning for worship (in the gym). Each day, we will recall the stories of those Biblical characters across the centuries who waited in faith for the coming of Christ. Parents are invited and welcome.
During the season of Advent, students from Kindergarten through Grade 8, gather together every morning for worship (in the gym). Each day, we will recall the stories of those Biblical characters across the centuries who waited in faith for the coming of Christ. Parents are invited and welcome.
Geography: Getting Ready for the Geo Bee
Each week, students in every classroom will prepare for the upcoming Geography Bee. In grades 6, 7 & 8, students will take daily geography bee practice quizzes. Meanwhile, students in grades 4 & 5 will continue to study the map of North America (and New Jersey) as they complete and create regular geography challenges. The preliminary rounds will take place in December, followed by the final bee in January.
Each week, students in every classroom will prepare for the upcoming Geography Bee. In grades 6, 7 & 8, students will take daily geography bee practice quizzes. Meanwhile, students in grades 4 & 5 will continue to study the map of North America (and New Jersey) as they complete and create regular geography challenges. The preliminary rounds will take place in December, followed by the final bee in January.
Literature : Poetry and Shakespeare
For grades 4 and 5, December is the time when 4th & 5th grade students read and write poetry - while enriching their vocabularies and enlarging their capacity for creating and fully appreciating verbal images. At the same time, there will be drama in grades 6, 7, & 8, as students read Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In all grades, students will be finding their voice and discovering how the power and beauty that their words can hold.
For grades 4 and 5, December is the time when 4th & 5th grade students read and write poetry - while enriching their vocabularies and enlarging their capacity for creating and fully appreciating verbal images. At the same time, there will be drama in grades 6, 7, & 8, as students read Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In all grades, students will be finding their voice and discovering how the power and beauty that their words can hold.
Reading, Writing, and Research:
High Volume Reading: Two Required Reads for Everyone!
Students will read a book a week, which means two or three books in December. During the mini-term, two books are required reads and relate directly to the chosen mini-term electives.
Extra-Curricular Resume Grade 7
Seventh grade students will begin work on an extra-curricular resume and an optional digital portfolio. Students will use this time to organize information about past service, volunteering, and extra-curricular activities. This unit will serve as a foundation for the resume and portfolio required during the high school application process in eighth grade.
Enduring Faith Pre-Writing Grade 8
In the fall, and in the mini-term, students have been thinking about the Marks of Genius. In December, we will turn our attention to people who possessed enduring faith and who, by their acts and example, prompt us to do the same. More specifically, as each student ponders the stories of faith in their own lives and in Hebrews 11, he or she will begin the work that is needed to create a homily that will be shared in Upper School worship during the winter term.
High Volume Reading: Two Required Reads for Everyone!
Students will read a book a week, which means two or three books in December. During the mini-term, two books are required reads and relate directly to the chosen mini-term electives.
Extra-Curricular Resume Grade 7
Seventh grade students will begin work on an extra-curricular resume and an optional digital portfolio. Students will use this time to organize information about past service, volunteering, and extra-curricular activities. This unit will serve as a foundation for the resume and portfolio required during the high school application process in eighth grade.
Enduring Faith Pre-Writing Grade 8
In the fall, and in the mini-term, students have been thinking about the Marks of Genius. In December, we will turn our attention to people who possessed enduring faith and who, by their acts and example, prompt us to do the same. More specifically, as each student ponders the stories of faith in their own lives and in Hebrews 11, he or she will begin the work that is needed to create a homily that will be shared in Upper School worship during the winter term.
STEAM - Grades 4 & 5:
This term, students in 4th and 5th grade will explore a city block answering the big question: “How do architects and engineers design city blocks to benefit the community?” Students will create a city block with a purpose--a block with structures that help to serve people who have just moved to the USA from other countries, or a structure-filled block where every building benefits the homeless. Students measure angles, calculate the perimeter and area of shapes, and create a blueprint of their block..
Mathematics: Solving Equations, pre-Algebra and Algebra:
In Math, students in every grade will grapple with numbers and push their problem solving skills to new levels. In grades four & five, students will delve deeper into geometry and continue to refine their computational fluency skills by applying traditional algorithms to real-life math problems. Sixth graders will work with factors and multiples, learn and use divisibility rules, and use the Sieve of Eratosthenes to identify prime and composite numbers. Seventh Graders will perfect their skills with negative numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages, as well as solve equations that require more complicated calculations. Eighth Graders will take algebraic expressions and find numerous ways to restate them using the distributive, commutative and associative laws. (This sets the stage for their thorough studies of linear and quadratic equations in the new year.)
In Math, students in every grade will grapple with numbers and push their problem solving skills to new levels. In grades four & five, students will delve deeper into geometry and continue to refine their computational fluency skills by applying traditional algorithms to real-life math problems. Sixth graders will work with factors and multiples, learn and use divisibility rules, and use the Sieve of Eratosthenes to identify prime and composite numbers. Seventh Graders will perfect their skills with negative numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages, as well as solve equations that require more complicated calculations. Eighth Graders will take algebraic expressions and find numerous ways to restate them using the distributive, commutative and associative laws. (This sets the stage for their thorough studies of linear and quadratic equations in the new year.)
Service & Leadership:
‘Tis the season when our service is often needed. The service team will put their hands to work to manage our Las Posadas festivities. The Chorus & Choristers, too, will be preparing themselves for an important performance that evening. Until then, older students will serve in lower school classrooms as interns, help to lead worship in the Nest, take part in Advent dramas, or just respond to calls for help. (We usually get our annual call to move nearly a hundred frozen turkeys for In Jesus Name at about this time of year!)
‘Tis the season when our service is often needed. The service team will put their hands to work to manage our Las Posadas festivities. The Chorus & Choristers, too, will be preparing themselves for an important performance that evening. Until then, older students will serve in lower school classrooms as interns, help to lead worship in the Nest, take part in Advent dramas, or just respond to calls for help. (We usually get our annual call to move nearly a hundred frozen turkeys for In Jesus Name at about this time of year!)
Electives and Internships:
This term, we will meet Lego challenges, create websites, carry out science experiments, create animations, learn sign language, play basketball, serve as interns, debate, and much, much more. Thanks to the collective efforts of volunteer parents and teachers, offerings are provided to children so that each may follow varied pursuits. For ten mornings out of the mini-term, students will split up to explore special courses of study.
This term, we will meet Lego challenges, create websites, carry out science experiments, create animations, learn sign language, play basketball, serve as interns, debate, and much, much more. Thanks to the collective efforts of volunteer parents and teachers, offerings are provided to children so that each may follow varied pursuits. For ten mornings out of the mini-term, students will split up to explore special courses of study.
