BB 12-16-22

 

BRADFORD BULLETIN

VOLUME XV, ISSUE 17

Dec 16, 2022

 

FROM THE OFFICE

Merry Christmas!  We are thankful for the opportunity to rest, gather together as a family, and celebrate the birth of our Savior.

 

UPCOMING

NEXT WEEK:  CHRISTMAS BREAK!

IN THE NEAR FUTURE:

  • Tues, 1/3: Return to school
  • Mon, 1/16 – No school (MLK Jr day)
  • Fri, 1/27 – School Spelling bee (4th – 8th grades) at the lower school campus

 

FROM THE TEACHER’S DESK

 

GRAMMAR SCHOOL

 

Transitional Kindergarten (Mrs. Rich and Mrs. Grubb)

TK ended the second quarter by performing our Nativity play for our families. The students worked so hard on each of their roles and did a fabulous job! We also were able to celebrate Christmas with many different activities in class. We look forward to seeing everyone back in January. Have a wonderful break!

Lower School P.E. (Mrs. Bennington)

K – 5th
  • Students worked on  characteristics of good listening skills and following directions. We played several team building games.

Lower School Music (Mrs. Bennington)

K-5th 
  • Students sang multiple Christmas Carols and songs. Some classes were even able to play Sleigh Bells while singing. We ended with some fun musical Christmas games. 

Lower School Art (Mrs. Palmer)

3rd 
  • This week we wrapped some special Christmas gifts.  We also worked on fine tuning our scissor skills by creating snowflakes!  Next quarter we will begin with a new Artist of the Quarter, Claude Monet.
4th
  • We were not able to meet for art class this week due to a half day on Friday.  Merry Christmas and encourage your student(s) to keep creating for His glory!
5th
  • We were not able to meet for art class this week due to a half day on Friday.  Merry Christmas and encourage your student(s) to keep creating for His glory!

Kindergarten (Mrs. Lopes and Mrs. Rivera)

This Week
  •  Whew! We made it to the last week before Christmas break! We had a few regular academic days, where we learned to write number words associated with their numerals. We also ordered objects from longest to shortest. In history we talked about the birth of Christ, and how the Roman Empire set the stage for the spread of Christianity. We finished creating Mr. Gallon Man and he will be happy to hang on your refrigerator for a few weeks. We ended our week with a Christmas celebration with a special reading by Mr. Johnston. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas break and we look forward to the new year!
Memory Work:
  • Review 1st and 2nd quarter verses

 

1st Grade (Mrs. Morgan & Mrs. Smith)

This Week
  •  What a great end to the second quarter! The students have just wrapped up  sums of 16, 17, and 18 facts in math. They have done much in grammar, learning about nouns, pronouns and we will begin verbs soon. We have been reviewing poems, chants, songs, and Bible verses, as well. This week, we finished up Pilgrim Stories and when we return we will begin Squanto Friend of the Pilgrims. Finally, this week we have been opening up our Bible’s and taking turns reading about the birth of Christ and the true reason for this season. 
Memory Work:  
  • None
Upcoming:
  • Jeremiah 9:23-24

2nd Grade (Mrs. Hedgecock & Mrs. Batten)

This Week
  • Second grade balanced a busy and festive academic week as we finished out the second quarter.  In math, we used our estimating and addition skills to “shop” for our friends and family. We closed the book on our last case with Leroy “Encyclopedia” Brown and look forward to beginning “Sarah, Plain and Tall” in January. In history, we were in awe of God’s sovereignty and goodness as the story of Joseph unfolded, and we were especially encouraged to see how God worked through all the events in Joseph’s life to fulfill His divine purposes for His people. Our mini science unit on matter was a “gas,” and the sound-off helped solidify our understanding of these big concepts! When we return, we will begin a geology unit. As we say goodbye for now to Mrs. Batten and pray for the safe delivery of her baby, we gratefully welcome Mrs. Eng to the second grade family. 
Memory Work: 
  • Hebrews 11: 1-3 (week of January 3)
  • No spelling or history tests the week of January 3

 

3rd Grade (Mrs. McDorman and Mrs. Meredith)

This Week
  • We finished our study of astronomy, and students created their own star wheels to help them find constellations in the night’s sky. Ask your student how to find Polaris (the North Star) overhead! In math, students learned how to draw, write, and label number sentences for arrays. In history, we learned about the birth of Jesus Christ, and the time period and circumstances in which he was born. The Old Testament shadows the coming of Christ.  Many waited for the Messiah to come as an earthly king, who would crush their oppressors, despite overwhelming biblical prophecy to the contrary. Jesus was born in a humble way, because he would be a servant to all, even to the point of dying on the cross. Students spent the week reading the accounts of Christ’s birth in Matthew and Luke and discussing the many prophecies he fulfilled. Jesus came so that we may have life! May the God of hope fill you with peace and joy this holiday season! 

 

4th Grade (Mrs. Burtram and Mrs. Lawson) 

This Week
  •  We enjoyed a wonderful week learning about St. Francis of Assisi.  He created the first Nativity to share Christ with his community.  We took assessments in Math this week as an evaluation tool for next term and will reteach skills as needed for mastery.  The students loved continuing their reading group time with Mrs. Lawson.  We created Christmas cards, fiber arts ornaments, and creative writing with Christmas words. We finished our wonderful read aloud devotional Bartholemew’s Passage.  It was a joyful week in fourth grade.  

 

5th Grade (Mrs. Owens) 

This Week
  • We have reached the end of the 2nd quarter!  The students have had a busy week of wrapping up a few assignments.  We have finished The Witch of Blackbird Pond where we saw our character, Kit, stand up for what she believed to be true about a close friend.  Next, we finished our Chemistry section with a visit from Dr. Calixte from Elon University.  She walked through an experiment with the students where they got to experience different reactions when two substances were combined.  I met one on one with each student to discuss edits of the second draft of their creative writing story.  We are getting closer and closer to the deadline for the Burlington Writers Club submissions.  The stories are wonderful and showcase the students’ imagination very well.  Our lessons in grammar about different sentence types have helped our students to continue to improve their writing skills.  All of the students have worked hard this quarter and all deserve a restful break.  I will be praying for them and you over the next couple weeks.  
Memory Work:
  • Isaiah 40:7-8
Upcoming:
  • 1st day of 3rd Quarter – Tuesday, January 3rd
  • Typed draft of creative writing story due on Wednesday, January 4th

 

LOGIC SCHOOL

 

Mrs. Bennington

6th-8th Band
  • Students did a great job wrapping up their first semester in Band. We discussed all the pros and cons of their first concert. We also completed a review and review game of all of the notes and rhythms that they have learned so far. 

Mrs. Thrasher

6th-8th Choir
  • In class this week, we celebrated last week’s concert with cookies and caramels, then we played a challenging game: Mystery solfege Christmas songs. We were able to listen to a small part of Handel’s Messiah with some extra background information on Baroque “text painting.” On Wednesday, we performed our concert music for the FBC Senior adults’ Christmas luncheon, along with the Bradford Chorale and pianist Sarah Johnston. Again, they did a wonderful job and sounded amazing together. 

Mr. Davis

6th -8th Boys’ PE
  • This week the students worked on running drills as well as played a game that helped build hand and eye coordination. 

Miss Stevenson

6th-8th Girls’ PE
  • This week we did our Bradford Bootcamp mile-run, sit-up, and push-up test. The girls also joined the MS boys on Wednesday to play Pumpkin Patch.
6th Reading and Literature
  • This week we finished reading A Christmas Carol. The kids did a great job enacting the different characters as we read aloud!
6th Grammar and Writing
  • This week we reviewed the comma and capitalization rules we learned this semester.
6th Bible
  • We are still working our way through the Gospel of John. 
6th History
  • This week we learned about the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869.
6th Science
  • We did not have a Science lesson this week.
6th Logic
  • This week we discussed the difference between the Part-to-Whole and the Whole-to-Part fallacies. 

Mrs. Frueh

6th Grade Math
  • We practiced using the order of operations this week. The students learned the importance of everyone following the same set of rules in order for mathematical thinking to work properly.

Mrs. Palmer 

6th Art
  • We finished any last minute details and matting on our Italian landscapes in colored pencil.  After wrapping up our final project, students worked on Christmas projects. Merry Christmas and encourage your student(s) to keep creating for His glory!

 

Mrs. Crotts

7th Grammar and Writing
  • Students completed a creative writing assignment by viewing a picture of a lamp post in the snow and a wardrobe–both relating to  C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe.  They used a pie prompt to brainstorm; each student had a piece of paper with a picture of a pie divided into 8 slices.  After writing the topic in the center, the student wrote one idea in each pie slice.
7th Grade Omnibus
  • We celebrated completing our listening project–listening to an audio version of a book and writing down literary terms used in each chapter–by viewing the Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe movie.
7th Logic
  • Students concluded discussing emotional fallacies with a focus on logical thinking to combat foolishness fueled by greed.

Mrs. Frueh

7th Grade Science
  • We wrapped up our earthquake unit by building skyscrapers from spaghetti and marshmallows. The students put into practice all that they’ve learned about P-waves, S-waves, and surface waves to build some excellent structures.
7th Grade Pre-Algebra
  • We wrapped up the quarter with a cumulative benchmark test.

Mrs. Palmer 

7th Art
  • Students finished their winter watercolor paintings.  These should be headed home this week, be on the look out!  Merry Christmas and encourage your student(s) to keep creating for His glory!

 

Miss Windes

8th Grade Omnibus
  • History: We mostly finished our history for the year last week and focused more on literature this week.
  • Literature: We have come to the end of Fellowship of the Ring! The students took their final literature exam on Wednesday reviewing all the books we have read this year so far, and we all enjoyed watching the Fellowship of the Ring movie together on Friday! 
  • Composition: This week we began thinking about the short story we will write in January; we discussed the elements of a good story and the parts of the plot. 
8th Grade Latin
  • We had some fun in Latin this week singing Christmas carols in Latin and translating the Grinch from Latin into English! 

Mrs. Frueh

8th Grade Science
  • Students are working hard on their self-propelled vehicle projects. They are due at the end of January.
8th Grade Algebra I
  • We wrapped up the quarter with a cumulative benchmark test.

Mrs. Palmer 

8th Art
  • Most students finished their magazine clipping portraits this week.  These turned out so well! I’m very proud of their hard work.  Merry Christmas and encourage your student(s) to keep creating for His glory!

Mr. Davis

8th Logic
  • This  week the students worked on learning about syllogisms and took a quiz.

 

RHETORIC SCHOOL

From COLLEGE COUNSELING Office:

Juniors:

  • As a reminder, in January and February we will plan to have SAT study sessions once a week in the afternoon to study for the SAT 
    • I recommend that all students take at least the SAT or ACT in March, though they could also take both tests
    • Taking the tests in March will give them time to evaluate where they are and make appropriate study goals for taking the test again either later in the spring or in August
    • The goal is to have a strong score in hand by October before they apply to colleges
      • Applying to many college’s scholarships requires applying to the college in October or November to qualify!
  • Also, Christmas break is an excellent time to explore and continue building their college list. Many of them are well on their way! Here are a few resources to help: 

Seniors:

  • Most of the seniors are on a great track in applying for and being accepted to colleges! Congratulations to them all for getting to this point in the year and for their application successes so far!
  • Christmas break is an excellent time to reassess and make a plan for the rest of applications, the scholarship search, etc. 
  • Parents and students are welcome to meet with me in January if you have any questions as we head into the new year and students enter their final semester at Bradford!  

Mrs. Palmer 

9th Spanish 
  • This week we worked with Christmas vocabulary through various activities.  We also reviewed stem-changing verbs and listened to authentic Spanish “villancicos,” Christmas carols.  iFeliz Navidad!

Dr. James

9th Geometry
  • The students took their last test of Q2 this week. 
  • Have a Merry Christmas, and I look forward to resuming in 2023. 

Mrs. Hicks

9th Biology
  • We did several fun review activities this week as we wrapped up our last unit last week. On Tuesday, we completed an Escape Room about The Cell and did a reasoning activity about who destroyed the snowman On Thursday, we played do you want to build a snowman with food  where we reviewed all the concepts we have covered so far and played a murder mystery game. 

Dr. Smith

9th Theology
  • Students have been learning about the dispute between Pelagius and Augustine in the 5th century regarding the doctrine of salvation. 

Mrs. Crotts

9th Grade Literature
  • This week we completed viewing the BBC version of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.

Coach Johnston

9th History
  • This week we completed our overview of the Napoleonic Wars and the major battles at sea and on land.  We also completed a brief survey of America’s early political precedents leading up to and culminating in the War of 1812.

 

Mrs. Byrd

10th Algebra II
  • This week we learned to simplify complex fractions and rationalize denominators.  We played a round of “rules of exponents” bingo to cap off our semester.

Dr. Byrd

10th Bible Survey
  • This week, we learned the various genres of the Psalms. We also worked on several activities to help us understand them. Then we had a lesson on the book of Micah and Christmas. We studied especially Micah 5:2-5a in light of Matthew 2. We saw how Jesus would be born in Bethlehem and how he would be our peace. 

Mrs. Crotts

10th Grade Literature
  • Students read and discussed an article from Tabletalk Magazine about Psalm 150 as a conclusion to reading the poetic Bible book, Psalms.  Also, to celebrate Christmas literature we viewed a biographical take of Charles Dickens. 

Dr. James

10th Chemistry
  • The students took their Q2 final exam this week. 
  • Have a Merry Christmas, and I look forward to resuming in 2023. 

Coach Johnston

10th History
  • We completed our overview of the government of Sparta while continuing to read parts of Book 1 and 2 of Thucydides’ Peloponnesian War. We also played Christmas-themed games that challenged students to a time-sensitive competition in order to earn points through a combination of word-association, drawing and acting skills.
10th PE
  • We completed two different workouts using dumbbells for the first and resistance bands for the second. Both workouts serve as good models for what students could do during their holiday break in order to stay active during that time away from school. 

Miss Oldham

10th Rhetoric I
  • Students took their final exam this week and watched a classic Christmas movie in preparation for the break. 

Mrs. Palmer 

10th Spanish
  • This week we worked with Christmas vocabulary through various activities.  We also reviewed stem-changing verbs, the verb “ir” and listened to authentic Spanish “villancicos,” Christmas carols.  iFeliz Navidad!

Mrs. Byrd

11th Physics
  • Students perfected their egg protection devices and then competed for the “egg drop champion”.  There were several scrambled eggs as a result, but one device emerged victorious – a unique “cup within a cup” suspension design.  
11th Precalculus
  • We concluded our study of logs and exponents with a test and also a investment project “Mega Bucks”.

Dr. James

11th Personal Finance
  • The students took their last test of the course this week. 
  • Have a Merry Christmas, and I look forward to resuming in 2023 with those joining me for Geography. 

Miss Oldham

11th Grade Literature
  • Students finally finished Romeo and Juliet. We laughed, we cried, we gasped. Shakespeare definitely kept us on our toes! 

Dr. Smith

11th NT Greek
  • Students have been working with the use of relative pronouns and have just been introduced to the use of verbs. The latter will consume much of our second semester work. 

Mr. Webster

11th Grade History
  • This week the students finished their book report on the Two Lives of Charlemagne. 

 

Mrs. Byrd

12th Calculus
  • We reached the end of Analytical Applications of Differentiation and practiced some related AP style free response questions.  After break we will pick up with part 2 of our course – integration.

Mrs. Hicks

12th Anatomy
  • This week we spent time reviewing all the systems we have covered so far! On Tuesday, we completed an escape room about The Respiratory System. On Thursday, we played do you want to build a snowman with food as a review for all the systems we have covered.

Coach Johnston

12th History
  • This week we completed our overview of the Napoleonic Wars via small-team, student-led research projects into the  major battles at sea and on land that determined the outcome of the wars.  We also completed a brief survey of America’s early political precedents leading up to and culminating in the War of 1812.

Miss Oldham

12th Grade Literature
  • Students finished The Importance of Being Earnest. 
12th Grade Shakespeare Elective
  • Students presented their final projects and watched a Shakespearean film. 
12th Rhetoric II
  • Students turned in their final products Wednesday night. Praise the Lord that this piece is done! They get a much needed break until January where we will hit the ground running.