GMP Newsletter

6th Grade- International Fair

7th Grade- Shakespeare

8th Grade- Gettysburg Address

Congrats to our students who represented Holmes at the D11 Talented in Pikes Peak Region Opportunity!

Jinx and Penelope were recognized as Advanced Superior in Theater and Laila and Taylor achieved this level in Dance!

Hazel Holmes was recognized as Advanced Superior in Choir!

In March, GMP ELA students will continue to focus on writing standards. Sixth graders will read, analyze, and write their own Speech to the Young poems. Seventh graders will use their Machines, Not Men outlines to write a persuasive essay. Eighth graders will read the short story Marigolds and write a literary analysis essay. All three grades will participate in the school-wide idiom day where students and staff dress as an idiom of their choice. An idiom is a group of words that doesn't represent its literal meaning, but is understood to mean something else. For example, a student might pin a bag of chips to a shoulder to represent having "a chip on my shoulder" or might color their thumb green if they "have a green thumb". I look forward to seeing how creative everyone's idioms will be!

This month, Algebra 1 will be continuing to explore Quadratic Equations. We will be learning how to complete the square and model these functions, nearing the end of Module 4 before CMAS next month. Our Math 7 classes will continue with percentages for the remainder of the month. We will be learning to calculate taxes, discounts, and how to determine the best deal. Finally, in Math 8, we will be extending our knowledge of linear equations in one variable to linear equations in two variables, as well as using similar triangles to find the slope of a line.

In sixth grade, we are completing a brief unit on the age of discovery. Students will examine this period of history from multiple perspectives. Students will experience life as early explorers and make decisions about how they choose to interact with the native people and make it home safely. They will explore the scents and sounds of the New World and learn about the long term positive and negative consequences of the Columbian Exchange. We will even put a few explorers on trial.

In seventh grade, we are wrapping up our study of the Eastern civilizations before diving into Ancient Greece and Rome. We plan to enjoy some cultural fun with chai, henna, and relaxation techniques before examining Greece and Rome’s exciting history. We are developing a greater appreciation for how the ancient world led to the modern era and have discovered the necessity of finding patterns in history.

In eighth grade, students are sharing their Voices of Early American Leadership projects that provided opportunities to research and create videos, monologues, or digital presentations. I am excited to see how students can show how a single administration can shape history. Students have examined the American experience, as told through different historical lenses. I hope students keep their pocket Constitutions handy as they learn about the rights and responsibilities of being citizens of the United States of America.