St. James Day School now has its very own chickens! The Science Club students were charged with the task of designing modifications to turn a storage building already present on campus into a functional chicken coop. They also were in involved in the process of incubating and hatching the eggs that would soon become our beloved Spartan chickens. Currently, they are learning how to care properly for the chickens now that they are nearly full grown. The coop itself is still a work in progress. A chicken run is currently being built and should be finished before the chickens start laying eggs. It is projected that the outside of the coop will be completed sometime during the 2024-2025 school year. The students have plans to begin harvesting and selling the eggs as an ongoing fundraiser for the middle school. Stay tuned!

Atoms that are unstable and begin to break down can emit energy and particles that cause radiation.

The eighth graders worked independently to create a comic strip illustrating how an atom begins to emit radiation. They researched and chose an element from the periodic table that could break down and become radioactive. Then, they created fun characters and settings to show the process of radioactive decay. The comic strips were hung in the middle school hallway for all to read and enjoy!

By Susie Rogers, ELA 5th-8th

The first annual ugly sweater contest in 8th grade was an exciting event that combined creativity, research, and persuasive techniques. Students eagerly delved into the world of themes and symbols, carefully selecting the ones that resonated with them. Armed with their newfound knowledge, they embarked on the design process, blending colors, shapes, and patterns to create visually stunning and hilarious sweaters. But the contest didn't end there. Students showcased their salesmanship skills by delivering persuasive pitches, utilizing techniques such as bandwagon, buzz words, celebrity spokespersons, and emotional appeal. The final product and sales pitch were equally important as students cast their votes for their favorite sweaters. This festive activity not only added a delightful touch to the Christmas season but also effectively incorporated ELA strategies, enhancing students' communication and persuasive abilities. The winner got to take home edible Christmas sweaters they could design and enjoy!

Our seventh and eighth graders hosted primary and pre-k students recently for our school’s annual Pumpkin Patch. Along with some of our traditional activities, such as storytime and teaching about the pumpkin life cycle, our seventh and eighth graders also put on a short skit for them. Another new activity included pre-k students test-tasting three different pumpkin desserts and then voting on their favorites! A fun time was had by all and we look forward to hosting the SJDS Pumpkin Patch for years to come!

Eighth grade students showed off their creative skills recently in their Integrated Physics and Chemistry class! Each student was designated an element on the periodic table of which they had to make a 3D Bohr model (atom model) for. They were required to use common household and/or craft materials to create the subatomic particles (protons, neutrons, and electrons) as well as the energy levels. Once constructed, they briefly presented their models to the class. These masterpieces will make an exciting addition to our classroom decor!

By Susie Rogers, ELA, 5th-8th

Our students are wearing pink to support October Pink Out Day for cancer today! This is a fun and creative way for them to demonstrate their solidarity and compassion for those battling cancer. By actively participating in events like these, students not only raise awareness about the challenges faced by cancer patients and their families but also contribute to fostering a sense of community and empathy within their school environment. Students were encouraged to wear pink as a powerful symbol of support, reminding those affected by cancer that they are not alone in their fight. Additionally, this collective effort helps instill values of kindness and social responsibility in young minds, fostering a culture of support and care that extends beyond the school walls. Enjoy these pictures of our sweet students dressed in pink!

Bernoulli’s Principle states that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure. When applying this principle to the curved shape of an airplane wing, the velocity of air is greater above the wing than below the wing. Therefore, pressure is greater underneath the wing than above it, causing the wing to lift upward.

After learning about Bernoulli’s Principle in class, the eighth graders were posed with the challenge of creating a helicopter-style rotor (Twirly Bird) that could stay in the air for a long period of time. The materials they could use were limited to one pencil, one thumbtack, and one piece of cardstock paper. They were also provided with two templates they could use, but were not limited to, as they were also able to create their own templates. Once they created a design, each group performed three trials in which they launched their Twirly Birds from the same height and recorded how long they stayed in the air. From there, they could modify their designs as needed and test again. With their final creations ready to go, they were prepared for launch day. Each group performed three trials, with their longest times noted. Once complete, the winners were announced. We concluded this activity by studying each design and relating it back to Bernoulli’s Principle. Come to find out, our first place winners had created a design that was the most similar to the shape of an airplane wing. Go figure!

Our eighth graders completed their first round of science stations! Science stations, typically done at the end of a unit, are seven designated locations in the classroom where activities challenge students to apply what they have learned and build on their understanding of the concept being taught. They provide an engaging way for students to extend their knowledge and skills by working independently of the teacher in small groups or pairs. Students benefit from science stations because they incorporate multiple learning styles with reading, writing, communicating, listening, and manipulation.

For our first unit, Experimental Design, our eighth graders worked together in small groups to create a new unit of measurement. They gave their new unit of measurement a unique name and an abbreviation. While using their new unit to measure various lengths around the classroom, the students completed a data table and then had to describe exactly how to measure using their new standard of measurement on an index card. Each group then swapped index cards with another group in order to test each other’s unit of measurement to see if they were able to come up with similar data. They all did such a fantastic job with this first round of stations!

We are off to a running start here in eighth grade! Our first week consisted of becoming familiar with how we will manage our math and science classroom time. The students also re-acquainted themselves with the flag protocols and are absolutely doing a fantastic job with this undertaking. I’m so thankful they were “passed the torch” last year and we will be certain to do the same with our current seventh graders at the year’s end.

During our second week, our eighth graders conducted their first lab where they practiced the safe use of lab materials. Scientists avoid cross contaminations when mixing chemicals so it is important that the students learn this right off the bat! They also developed their measuring skills, practiced their observation skills, and checked their ability to follow directions in a science lab which are all important to instill before we move forward through our chemistry units. This lab was also a great way to introduce them to chemical reactions which is a full unit we will be getting around to during this first semester. We used red cabbage juice as our acid/base indicator. The students observed a particular color change to the juice depending on whether it was mixed with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda + water = base) or acetic acid (vinegar + water = acid). Then, they mixed the acid and base together and observed yet another (and more exciting!) chemical reaction taking place. Let’s just say they might think about this lab the next time they open the lid to a soda pop!

The 8th Graders successfully competed in this year’s Regional History Day competition. They visited Texas A&M - Texarkana and competed against other local Middle School students. Their exhibits spanned history from the early Viking attacks on England to the exploration by the Hubble Telescope. They exhibited the contributions towards mental health accountability by Nellie Bly and the weapons developed in World War I. St. James students took first and third place for Individual Exhibits and second place for a group exhibit.

This event represents the culmination of a school year’s worth of research, and we are so proud of them!

by Jennifer Jordan, Latin Teacher

For the past month, our 8th grade students have been practicing diligently for the National Latin Exam (most likely, their last time taking it) by completing past exams and reviewing Latin II concepts. To take a little break and honor that famous Roman dictator, Julius Caesar, on the anniversary of his death, we played a Choose Your Own Adventure game. Two creative Latin teachers (not me) designed a slideshow called “Beware the Ides of March” with background information about Caesar’s rise to power and choices for students to make as they navigated the game. All of the slides were in Latin, of course, so we had to rely on our vocabulary knowledge. Students took on the role of Caesar and decided if they were going to return home to Calpurnia or go into Rome and attend a meeting called by the senators. One of these choices led to a long, quiet life and the other, a not-so-peaceful death. I hope that learning about Caesar’s assassination in a unique format was both interesting and a quick break from studying.  Strawberry Twizzlers (representing Caesar’s blood) added a little excitement too. 

The 8th graders participated in a physics and engineering challenge called Rotor Egg Drop, along with some of the other members of the Science Olympiad team. In Rotor Egg Drop, “A team will construct an unpowered, autorotation helicopter device, which uses one or more helicopter rotor(s) to safely transport a raw chicken egg from a specified height to the floor.“

To conclude our study of chemical reactions, each student selected a reaction to research and demonstrate for the class. After sharing how to balance the chemical equation and classifying the type of reaction, students conducted their reactions in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. We observed many different evidences of chemical reactions—from production of a gas, to color change, to sudden bursts of energy!

The 8th grade will be participating in the National History Day competition in the Spring, and it is time to get started! This year’s theme is “Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas.” As the NHD website tells us, there are frontiers of all kinds throughout history, from crossing the wilderness of space to exploring the boundaries of society. The 8th graders are brainstorming what subjects they want to explore, and how they want to present their projects. NHD entries can take the form of an exhibit, a documentary, a website, a paper, or a performance, and can be entered individually or as a group. With the whole world of history open to us, we have all kinds of material to explore!

The Spartan Science Olympiad team has hit the ground running this year. After finishing 1st place at Regionals and 11th place at State last year, we are on a quest for continued success on ongoing improvement. We competed in two early-season virtual tournaments this month against some of the top teams in the country to sharpen our skills and get a taste of next-level challenges. While the program is designed for 6th-9th graders, we have students as young as 4th and 5th grade who are eager to learn science and engineering. We look forward to an exciting year…Go Spartans!

The Pumpkin Patch has become one of the premiere activities for our upperclassmen at St. James Day School. Starting in May of the previous school year, students begin preparing the ground for planting pumpkins. They start their seeds in late June or early July, and they tend to their crop throughout the summer. The 7th and 8th graders are growing pumpkins to give to the preschool students when they visit our pumpkin patch in the fall. It takes a great deal of time and patience to produce a healthy crop!

When the preschool students visit the Pumpkin Patch, a pumpkin is not the only gift they receive. Each 7th and 8th grade student writes and illustrates an original piece of children’s literature to share with their preschool buddy. Students enjoy a picnic treat together while the big buddy—dressed in character—reads to their little buddy. The older students teach a science lesson on the life cycle of a pumpkin, and they lead the younger students in a festive fall song and dance. The upperclassmen also decorate a pumpkin to accompany their story, making this a true cross-curricular project.

by Jennifer Jordan, Latin teacher

In my previous 8th grade blog post, I mentioned that I was excited to see these five students push further in Latin.  Well, it’s October and they have already pushed their boundaries. Each student can take a Latin sentence, label each part of speech (our form of diagramming, which requires in-depth analysis) and smoothly translate that sentence without my assistance. It’s magical to watch these connections build and then yield success.

Our next challenge is to translate from English to Latin!

By Susie Rogers, 5th-7th ELA

The 8th graders completed their novel study over Legend by Marie Lu and presented their final projects over this dystopian unit. It was called the 100 Point Project. They were given a variety of choices from cartoons, a newspaper, a diary, a time capsule, novel cover, and many more projects that were worth a certain amount of points. Their group had to choose enough projects to total 100 points! Groups found 15 items to place in their time capsule along with an explanation of their significances. They redesigned the book cover. They wrote details diary entries from a character’s point of view. They then presented all of the parts of their projects to their class. Legend has it that it was their favorite novel project yet!

by Jennifer Jordan, Latin teacher

In three short years, the 8th grade Latin students have learned the grammatical foundations of the language– 6 verb conjugations, 5 noun declensions, numerous adjectives and prepositions, and a sprinkling of conjunctions. Most importantly, the 8th graders have learned how to apply all of these elements to translate sentences and stories.  Now in their fourth and final year of Latin at St. James, these students have truly absorbed the foundations to be able to pick up new concepts immediately. This week, they learned a new verb tense– the perfect tense– which forms from a different part of the verb. The students grasped the conjugation quickly and began to apply the conjugation to various verbs and translate them correctly. They have also translated a story without my help!  It’s every Latin teacher’s dream for his or her students to become fluent in translation, to be able to read in the original language, and understand it. I think that my dream has been achieved with this group of 5 8th graders, and it’s only September. I cannot wait for these students to push even further. What wonderful learning we have to look forward to this year!

by Nicole Ayers, 7th & 8th Grade Math and Science

The eighth grade students are taking Integrated Physics & Chemistry this year. Our first unit is an investigation of the structure and properties of matter. We analyzed various solids, liquids, and gases to see how the structure of the particles affected the density of each sample. As with all good science, some of the students’ hypotheses were supported by the data collected, and some unexpected results were encountered along the way!

Students then took time to invite the 3-year-old class to join us in the middle school for a science demonstration. The older St. James students enjoy sharing their learning experiences with the younger grades, inspiring scientists of all ages.