Welcome to 9-A!

Today we began our study of nouns. The girls enjoyed a Mad Libs-like activity in which they chose people, places, and things and filled their choices into a poem to make it unique.

Today we began our grammar lesson with a review of subjects and predicates, which we learned about last week. We sang this song to help us remember what they are. Enjoy!

9-A recently read Akiak, the story of a courageous sled dog who overcomes injury to help her team win the Iditarod. As a followup activity the girls had the opportunity to visit a Scholastic website to learn more about the Iditarod. Click here to access the website the girls visited.

9-A will have a practice history test on Chapters 1-3 on Wednesday. The girls completed a review sheet in class today. Click here to see a review sheet with the answers filled in. Click here for a blank copy of the review sheet. It may be helpful to print out a few copies and ask the girls to fill them in to help them prepare for the test.

We have been studying cave people in history. This week, the girls were asked to bring in a stick no longer than their arms and a rock no bigger than their fists. The only information I gave them was that they would use these objects to make cave tools. Today they used about four feet of string to attach the rock to the stick. Many girls thought that this would be easy, only to find that twenty minutes later they still had only a rock, a stick, and a piece of twine. Eventually, with some teamwork, each girl ended up with her very own cave tool. The pictures below show some highlights of the project.

This week the girls have been working hard to write sentences that are descriptive and that use sophisticated language. Their composition was about meteorites. For inspiration, Mr. Howe gave each girl in 9-A their very own piece of a meteorite called NWA 869 which landed in Algeria about ten years ago.

Yesterday the entire school gathered for Calvert's opening assembly. This will probably be the only time all year that the entire Middle and Lower schools gather together. Dr. Martire, Dr. Trusty, and Mrs. Herrity all gave opening remarks, and a former 9-A student helped lead the Pledge of Allegiance. What a great start to a new year!

The silhouette is a longstanding symbol of Calvert School. Now the girls' silhouettes together symbolize 9-A. They are hanging in the front of the room, above the chalkboard. Parents: Can you identify your daughter?

Well, the school year is underway. The girls of 9-A had a fantastic first day!! I sent the girls a letter a few weeks go. Part of my letter asked that each student bring in something that makes her proud. Below is a slide show of many of the new 9-A girls sharing their stories and items.