Day in the Life - Miles Grade 8
Middle School students take a total of eight classes, alternating four classes per day (rotating A & B days).
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Before School
My family lives close to school, so it doesn’t take long to get to campus. My older brother is a junior in the Upper School, so he usually drives me to school. When I arrive, I hang out and catch up with friends before our first class starts. If I need extra help in a class, I will make an appointment to talk to a specific teacher. Every other Friday morning, I participate in MS SASSA (Middle School Saint Andrew’s School Student Ambassadors).
A DAY
A Block - Geometry Honors
In Middle School, students have the opportunity to take advanced math courses, and I am currently in Geometry honors. The material in the class is sometimes challenging, but I’m always given the extra help I need to succeed. I love it when the things I learn in class come together, and I can see math’s connection to the real world. Mr. McCullough always prepares me and my peers for tests and our future in math.
C Block - Design 8
Ms. Crombie’s Design class is very interesting to me. We have done several things in this course, but working with drones that we can code to fly different flight paths is definitely my favorite. In these lessons, I learned a lot about drones, and one of my favorite projects was coding a drone with my partner to simulate a rescue mission in which people were “stuck in the forest” and then rescued and brought to safety.
In the first half of the year, I was in Ms. Ranieri’s art class, where I experimented with paintings and created cool, colorful designs.
Advisory Block
Advisory provides me with a great opportunity to work on the aspects of Mind, Body, and Spirit. I enjoy coming together as a whole Middle School in assembly on Mondays. On Tuesdays and Fridays, we discuss important topics, work on our community project, and receive help from our advisors. On Thursdays, we have Chapel, which gives me time to reflect and learn about Christianity. Some weeks, I participate in the Chapel service, serving as an acolyte and reader.
E Block - Americans Enter the Global Age
History class with Mr. P is one of my favorites. Often, we participate in fun activities that help us learn about the causes and effects of historical events, which in turn help us better understand their impact. One of these fun projects was a Socratic seminar on President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, where we debated our peers, and new ideas and opinions were revealed.
Lunch Block (FLEX followed by Lunch)
G Block - Advanced Literature and Composition 8
Mrs. Ascroft is my grade 8 English teacher. We are currently working to improve our argumentative essays through drafting and editing. My essay is about whether the boys in Lord Of The Flies should be held accountable for their actions. While writing the essay, we met with the Middle School Librarian, Ms. Martin-Gull, to discuss how to find and cite reliable sources for research.
B DAY
B Block - Physical Health Education Tennis 8
Tennis with Coach Maja has helped me to learn more about tennis, taught me how to take care of my body better, and improved my overall athleticism. This time to move around during the school day provides me with a nice brain break from academics.
D Block - Advanced Concert Band
During band, I improve my musical talent by working with my sectional instructor, Mr. Stancampiano. We also prepare for MPA, a musical assessment, by playing selected music and music we have never heard before.
Lunch Block (FLEX followed by lunch)
During flex, I usually play basketball or football with my friends. Occasionally, I will go to the library where Mrs. Martin-Gull can help me with projects or assignments that are due.
At lunch, we have about 30 minutes to eat. We get to sit with our friends and spend time together. Lunch is a lot of fun, as we get to socialize with our friends and talk about our days.
F Block - Spanish Year 3 Accelerated
Ms. Warren is my Spanish teacher this year. In her class, we have been learning about the difference between querer and gustaría. We have also spent time working on possessive adjectives. Spanish Class is a great way to learn another language while also having fun.
H Block - Science 8
In grade 8 science, we mainly focus on learning the basics of biology, such as the various organelles in eukaryotic cells and the different parts of our DNA. Periodically, we have hands-on projects and labs that allow us to show our knowledge in interesting ways. One of my favorite projects this year was presenting a 3-D cell. This project helped me understand the way cells and organelles work.
After School
Baseball has always been a passion of mine, and I am currently playing on the Middle School Baseball Team. The team includes many of my close friends, which is a great way to have fun and play baseball. During season 5, I am going to play on the golf team with many other close friends. Sometimes, if needed, I can schedule extra help sessions after school with my teachers.