BB 2019 – 10 – 25

 BRADFORD BULLETIN

VOLUME XII, ISSUE 7

OCTOBER 25TH, 2019

 

FROM THE OFFICE

Sweaters:  Just a reminder that all K – 10th graders are required to wear a sweater in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.  If your child does not have one, please order it ASAP so they will be in compliance with our uniform code.  

Socktober:  Now is the time to donate new socks for the Piedmont Rescue Mission!  

Leiden’s supplies:  Remember, bring in your tissues, Clorox wipes, and paper towels if you have not done so already!  

 

Report card scale for K – 2nd grade:  

4 – Above grade level work; consistently exceeds expectations

3 – Meeting grade level expectations

2 – Making some progress towards meeting expectations

1 – Not making adequate progress towards meeting expectations

UPCOMING

Tomorrow:  Saturday, 10/26:  XC State Championship!!

 

NEXT WEEK:

  • Wednesday, All Day – Greek Olympics House Competition, Volunteers welcome!  Please contact Mrs. Mitchell, emitchell@bradfordacademy.org   ***Rain date:  Fri, 11/1
  • Saturday, 11/2 – XC end of season party, 4 – 9 pm
  • Saturday – Don’t forget to set your clocks back 1 hour!

 

IN THE NEAR FUTURE:

  • Fri., 11/8 – HOBBIT Day for 5th grade
  • Sat. 11/9, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM:  Plymouth House Social
  • Mon, 11/11 – Veteran’s day; no school
  • Sat. 11/23, 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM:  Plymouth & Leiden, Destination Downtown Caroling 
  • Tues, 11/26 – Thanksgiving feast
  • Wed 11/27 – Fri 11/29 – Thanksgiving break
  • Sat. 11/30, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM:  Austerfield/Scrooby, Small Shop Saturday Caroling
  • Fri, 12/6 – OPEN HOUSE for prospective parents
  • Wed, 12/11 – to Christmas Carol (field trip) – 1st – 3rd and 6th grades
  • Fri, 12/13 – to Nutcracker (Greensboro) – 4th – 5th grades
  • Fri, 12/20 – Christmas celebration; noon dismissal

 

FROM THE TEACHER’S DESK

 

GRAMMAR SCHOOL

 

Transitional Kindergarten (Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Grubb)

Bible
  •  This week TK students learned about the life of Moses.  God preserved Moses’ life in dangerous times and used him for God’s glory.  God did great works through Moses! 
Theme Adventure
  • This week TK created special binoculars using empty toilet paper rolls.  Through the lens of the special binoculars TKers are keen to the scenery in the books that we read.  Because the binoculars have special lenses, we will use them to help us see specific things in lessons and in the forest! 
Literacy
  • This week students continued developing their pencil grip.  
  • Students are creating shapes and letters using vertical, diagonal, and horizontal lines.  
  • TK students focused on the scenery in the books we read this week.  
Math
  •  This week the focus was on shapes.  We used pattern blocks to cover and copy designs.  TK students also observed different attributes (shape, color, and size) of shapes and were able to describe and compare triangles and squares.  
Arts and Sciences
  • This week TK students began learning about the lifecycle and parts of a pumpkin.  We will use this knowledge for pumpkin week in the kitchen and outside next week! 
  • TK used their creative skills to make one of a kind binoculars! 

Kindergarten (Mrs. Rivera & Mrs. McDorman)

This Week
  • Our kindergarten scholars read their first sentences this week! We played Letter Bingo to review sight words and letter sounds. Please continue to review our sight words with your child. (the, this, is, a, in, on, and, to) In handwriting, we are practicing the 3P’s: pencil hold, posture, and paper position. We added a fourth P- pressure. The letter E was added to our Phonics Museum. Students colored a reproduction of the Faberge Egg. They presented their museum bag treasurers and answered questions from their classmates.Our students were introduced to addition facts that add one to the numbers 1 through 10. We are still practicing writing addition and subtraction number sentences. In art, we made leaf rubbing notecards.    
Music 
  • Our lesson was an exercise in which the students heard the simple melody of a hymn, and then the melody with an accompaniment, and had to identify each one of them. We also continued practicing our songs for Bradford Night that will be here soon!
 
Memory Work:
  • Psalm 75:1

 

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

This Week
  • This week in history we jumped forward to the early fifteenth century.  In the coming weeks our focus will be the establishment of both the Jamestown and Plymouth colonies, but our current spotlight is the Indians who dwelt in this land long before the arrival of Europeans.  We began learning about Pocahontas, the Indian princess of the Powhatan tribe, and her role in the survival of the colony. We practiced counting money using dimes and pennies and writing fact families. Our students also learned to recognize and read the vowel+r sounds (ar, er, ir, or, ur).
Music 
  • Our lesson was an exercise in which the students heard the simple melody of a hymn, and then the melody with an accompaniment, and had to identify each one of them. We also continued practicing our songs for Bradford Night that will be here soon!
P.E.
  •  This week the students practiced events for the coming Greek Olympics. 
Memory Work:  
  • Proverbs 2:6,7

 

2nd Grade (Mrs. Jones)

This Week
  • Second grade had a great week back after Fall Break. We finished reading The Boxcar Children, where the students were all relieved to discover that Grandfather was not a mean man after all. The class loved getting to pretend like they were the Boxcar Children by eating the same foods and inventing tools using only trash. We also studied about someone else without a permanent home: Abram. We discussed the faith it took for him to move all of his family and belongings to an unknown land. The students colored a map of the ancient land and traced Abram’s journey that included a trip to Egypt. How surprised they all were to realize that Abram probably saw the great pyramids during his visit!
Music 
  • Our lesson was an exercise in which the students heard the simple melody of a hymn, and then the melody with an accompaniment, and had to identify each one of them. We also continued practicing our songs for Bradford Night that will be here soon!
P.E.
  • This week the students practiced events for the coming Greek Olympics.
Memory Work: 
  • Colossians 3:1-2
Upcoming:
  • Proverbs 25:6-7

 

3rd Grade (Mrs. Garner)

This Week
  • Our class was brimming with excitement as we started to unpack our Earth Science goals. It amazed us to study God’s keen handiwork when He created to our earth in relation to the sun and the benefits that it provides our planet. Another time of joy in our class was when we discovered the joy of writing checks in our math lesson. It was so much fun coming up with an amount and a reason to give away our (pretend) money! Such a time of generosity!!
Music 
  • Our lesson was an exercise in which all the students participated, where we learned about how to sight – sing music that one has never heard or seen before. We also worked hard on practicing our music for Bradford Night!
P.E.
  • This week the students practiced events for the coming Greek Olympics.
Memory Work:
  • Matt. 6:25
Upcoming:
  • 1 Thess. 4:9-10

 

4th Grade (Mrs. Hamilton) 

This Week
  • Students were excited to begin working on our next creative writing unit, Writing From Pictures. In Grammar, we are at last diving into some new material, which includes subject, object, and possessive pronouns, as well as understood subjects.  The highlight this week, however, was once again in Literature (Rolf and the Viking Bow), when the students were able to reenact one of the most dramatic chapters in the book where Rolf defeats Vemund the Pitiless and wins his freedom and the Viking bow with which he will prove his father’s unjust slaying. Students discussed what makes this book a great bildungsroman and focused on the growing inner conflict of bitterness and forgiveness. 

Science

  • Chemistry: We learned chemical safety rules and got accustomed to our lab (the kitchen) by doing a couple of exciting demonstrations, which included exploding snack bags and slime. 
Music
  •  In our lesson, the students learned the new rules for practicing recorder. These rules must be followed in order to earn a good grade in 4th grade music class. We also worked hard on practicing our music for Bradford Night!
P.E.
  • This week the students practiced events for the coming Greek Olympics.
Memory Work:
  • Psalm 23 and other verses in preparation for Bradford Night
  • 30 elements of the Periodic Table (song)

 

5th Grade (Ms. Windes) 

This Week
  • Students have done a fantastic job returning from break and picking up all of our routines with a renewed vigor! In writing, we began learning about how to write a compare and contrast paragraph, beginning with a precise thesis statement and using claims backed up by specific examples (what we call tiny stories). They are picking up on it quickly and each student made a well thought through outline. In art, we were excited to begin learning about chalk pastels and to begin using them to recreate a beautiful picture of an aurora borealis in Scotland! Preparations for Hobbit Day are underway. Students received their scripts this week and can begin gathering costume pieces!
Music 
  • Our lesson was an exercise in which all the students participated, where we learned about how to sight – sing music that one has never heard or seen before. We also worked hard on practicing our music for Bradford Night!
P.E.
  • This week the students practiced events for the coming Greek Olympics.

Memory Work:

  • Verse: Colossians 3:23-24
  • Math song: When you’re adding decimals . . .
  • Periodic Table Song
Upcoming:
  • Thursday, 10/31: Latin ch. 10 test, Math test, Hobbit poetry recitations
  • Friday, 11/1: Massachusetts Bay Colony test 

 

6th Grade (Mrs. Garrett) 

This Week
  • The class looked into the westward expansion across America via several routes including the Mormon trail, the Oregon trail, the Santa Fe trail, and the California trail. The reasons and motivations for the settlers leaving their home and communities were discussed. One group in particular, the Mormons, were examined regarding their religious beliefs. The students also presented their  poetry to the class and to their respective houses at school. They did so very well! The class began researching and preparing note cards regarding scientists and inventors that they are interested in. 
Music 
  • Our lesson was an exercise in which all the students participated, where we learned about how to sight – sing music that one has never heard or seen before. We also worked hard on practicing our music for Bradford Night!
P.E.
  • This week the students practiced events for the coming Greek Olympics.
Memory Work:
  • I John 1-2:11, 1815 History Song
Upcoming: 10/28: Poetry recitation, 10/30: Greek Olympics, 10/31: Math test, 11/1: States and Capitals test.

 

LOGIC & RHETORIC SCHOOL

 

Mrs. Byrd

Calculus
  • We have covered the basic rules for taking derivatives and are moving onto some more complex procedures:  chain rule, derivatives of transcendental functions,, and implicit differentiation
Precalculus
  • We concluded a study of rational functions and their graphs and are beginning to study exponential and logarithmic functions – beginning with their equations and graphs and moving on various applications.
Geometry 
  • We are nearing the end of our study of segments and measurement.  A test is planned for next Wednesday. The class also spent time finalizing their popsicle stick bridges.  We plan to weight test them next Friday to see which group designed the strongest bridge.

Dr. Byrd

10th Bible Survey
  • We are still studying the book of I Samuel and have begun the life of David.
  • Students worked in groups to answer the question – how do I study and interpret the Bible? They worked diligently to develop five or more key themes. They then shared their answers and logos with the whole group. We engaged in a time of discussion and reflection from the Scriptures. Then we ended with a period of prayer to apply what we had learned. Our desire is to grow in our communion with the Lord. 

Mrs. Dovan

10th Rhetoric I
  • In Rhetoric I this week, students reflected on the big ideas of the first quarter: Why is it good to learn two sides of an argument?  How does rhetoric appeal to the entire person, not just the intellect? What does it mean to “discover the means of persuasion”? They also chose poems which they will be memorizing to recite next Thursday, October 31. 
12th Rhetoric II
  • This week students peer-edited each other’s encomium essays (which will soon be encomium presentations).  They also received feedback on their areas of interest for the senior thesis. In the next few weeks, we will be finalizing a topic area and developing a thesis statement.

 

Mrs. Frueh

7th Grade Science:
  • We are studying the important revolution that occurred in science when the heliocentric model of the solar system was proposed over the geocentric model that had been accepted since the days of Plato and Aristotle. This is an important point in scientific history as we get a first-hand look at the changeable nature of scientific conclusions as man strives to understand God’s creation.
8th Grade Science:
  • We are continuing to study the three basic phases of matter and how changes occur between those phases. This week we experimented with melting ice and butter to see how the exceptionally high latent heat of fusion and specific heat of water affects its phase changes.

 

Mr. Hamilton

9th History
  • In our present unit we are covering the revolutions in science and philosophy that became key components of the modern period.
9th Literature
  • We are having a fascinating study of the life and thought of Benjamin Franklin, being careful to appreciate his strengths and properly ascertain his weaknesses. 
9th Theology
  • This week in theology we have examined the doctrines of original sin, imputation, and the covenants.
10th History
  • We are greatly enjoying our examination of the history of the nation of Israel. This has opened up several interesting discussions related to secular accounts of history, the authorship of the Old Testament, the issue of inerrancy, etc.
10th Literature
  • The Iliad! We are going for it. Our examination of perhaps the greatest of all the literary works of the ancient world has begun, and as background, we have noted the complexity of Greek and Roman mythology and the difficulty of finding “authoritative” versions of the life of Achilles.
11th Philosophy/Apologetics
  • This week we examined the major ideas of two giants in modern philosophy, Descartes and Hume.
12th History
  • At present, we are examining how Europe is seeking to emerge from the chaos and war that occurred after the Reformation.
12th Literature
  • We are taking a brief but careful look at the many merits of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, which continues to be an enormously influential book in the study of economics. Specifically, we are seeking to understand his vitally important delineation and critique of mercantilism and his explication of key concepts such as the nature of true wealth, the benefits of trade, the importance of a division of labor, and, of course, the famous invisible hand.

 

Dr. James

10th Chemistry
  • This week the students learned more about the periodic table (reasons behind its organization and what can be learned from it) and properties of various groups of elements.
  • Next week we will conclude this section and have our first test of this quarter on Friday. 

 

Miss Oldham

8th Grade Omnibus
  • We are working through On the Incarnation by Athanasius. It has fostered tough, but edifying conversations about Christ’s divinity and humanity. 
11th Grade Literature
  • We are traveling through Dante’s Comedia beginning with Inferno. We will test over this next week and then begin Purgatoria. 
11th Grade History
  • We are continuing to talk about the cycles of humanity in the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. 
7th Latin
  • We have begun translation work with an eye to expanding our vocabulary and strengthening our grammar. There will be a vocabulary quiz on Tuesday. 
8th Latin
  • We have begun translation work with an eye to expanding our vocabulary and strengthening our grammar. There will be a vocabulary quiz on Monday. 

 

Mrs. Palmer 

7th Art
  • This week we evaluated our comic strip projects.  We also learned about Rembrandt van Rijn and will have a quiz on him next week! 
8th Art
  • This week we finish our historical figure pen and inks.  We mounted them with matte and are proudly displaying them in our room currently.  Keep an eye out for your student’s work coming soon to Bradford night!
9th Spanish 
  •  This week we are finishing up Chapter 2.  We took a vocabulary quiz, reviewed past vocabulary, and focused on higher numbers.  Students will have a Chapter 2 test on November 5th. Students are encouraged to study their notes 5-10 minutes each night! 🙂

10th/11th Spanish

  • This week we took a vocabulary quiz on food words from Chapter 8.  We also worked on direct objects, indirect objects, and double object pronouns.  Students are encouraged to study their notes 5-10 minutes each night! 🙂

 

Mr. Palmer

7th Pre-Algebra
  • This week we worked on problems with variables, reviewed for a test, then took a test.
8th Algebra I
  • This week we worked on algebraic word problems, reviewed for a test, then took a test.
10th Algebra II
  • This week we worked on uniform motion problems and complex fractions. Next week there will be a test.
9th Intermediate Logic
  • This week we learned how to use shorter truth tables to determine the validity of an argument.
12th Systematic Theology
  • This week we talked about God and and how well we can truly know Him.  Next week we will dive into the attributes of God.

 

Mr. Davis

7th and 8th Grade Choir
  • This Friday the students performed “Our Great God” for the school at Forum. They did a wonderful job.
7th Grade Logic
  • The week the students began Unit 2 in logic.
8th Grade Logic
  • This week the students began Unit 3 in logic. 
7th and 8th Grade P.E.
  • This week the students played Ultimate Frisbee. 

Advanced P.E.

  • This week the students worked on cardiovascular and aerobic activities through biking and running.

 

Ms. Hutchison

7th Grade Forum

  • Inductive study of 2 Timothy chapter 2
  • Hymn study: review of hymns from Quarter 1

 

7th Grade Omnibus

  • History

Hammurabi, Babylon and the Rule of Law

Comparing ancient Babylonian law to Old Testament Jewish Law

Students engaged in an activity designed to apply their knowledge of Hammurabi’s Code to three different criminal cases.  After we put Hammurabi’s Code “on trial”, students revisited the same cases and applied the Old Testament Civil Laws. We discovered some interesting differences.

Students also continued to work on their Tabernacle Projects, which are due and will be presented to their class on Monday, November 4.

  • Literature

  We delved into Hammurabi’s Code this week and discussed some deep issues.  Students 

considered themes of justice, salvation, civil order,  and the nature of man and 

how our worldview affects our understanding of all these things.

9th Grade Biology

  • Biology students began their study of Kingdom Fungi this week.  We enjoyed examining some

Shitake mushrooms up close and are learning some fascinating facts about this unusual kingdom. 

Biology students are growing mold samples at home and should bring in those samples, along 

with any mushroom samples they find, for a lab we will perform on Monday, October 28.

Honors Biology

  • Honors Biology students are learning about the structure and functions of membranes which exist within a cell.  This week we studied different kinds of passive and active transport which happen across membranes and some of the mechanics of those processes.  We are learning about concentration gradients, protein pumps and how to calculate water potential. Fun stuff 🙂