This week in middle school was packed with learning and activities that kept us all on our toes! In math, students sharpened their skills with percentages, learning how to find them and write percent equations. Their progress has been amazing, and they are starting to see how these skills apply in everyday life.

Science was a hands-on adventure as students dove into experiments focused on heat. They explored heat as a form of energy and observed how it interacts with different materials. It was excellent to watch their curiosity grow as they witnessed the effects of heat transfer and began to think about how these concepts apply to the world around them.

In History, we’ve begun an exciting journey with JUNA, as students started drafting their resolutions. We also began reading Unstoppable Us, which takes a deep dive into the evolution of humans and our impact on the planet. The discussions sparked some big ideas about our responsibility to the Earth and each other.

Over in English, students reflected on their time at Butter and Egg. We focused on “breaking open moments” — a writing exercise where they slowed down to describe their most impactful experiences from the trip. It’s always inspiring to hear what resonates with them as they translate their memories into vivid stories. We hope to share some of these moments with you soon!

After tackling a math quiz and having a thought-provoking seminar, Friday turned into a Fall Festival frenzy! We incorporated geometry as students built a maze, working through designs and dimensions. They also stretched their executive functions by planning an upcoming Halloween party, which is sure to be a blast. To round out the day, we got creative with pumpkin decorating!

With so much energy in the air, it’s safe to say both students and teachers are feeling a little wiped out, but in the best way possible! We’ve had a productive, fun-filled week, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store next.

Have a great weekend!

We’ve had an amazing first two days here at Butter and Egg Adventures, and I wanted to give you a quick update on how things are going. The students have been working hard, participating in a variety of team-building activities that challenge both their minds and bodies. From building boats to soaring through the trees on zip lines, they’ve faced each challenge with enthusiasm and determination.

Our days have been a mix of exciting outdoor adventures, from high ropes courses to creative group projects, and it’s been incredible to see everyone come together as a team. In between activities, we’ve made time to relax, laugh, and share meals: strengthening friendships and building memories that will last long after we return home.

I couldn’t be prouder of how they’re embracing every opportunity—pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones and having fun while doing it. This trip has truly allowed them to grow, and we’re all looking forward to the rest of our time here!

We’ll keep you updated as we continue to enjoy our time at Butter and Egg. The internet is spotty so here are jsut a couple of pcitures to give you a taste of what the kiddos have been up to. 🙂

What a busy and productive week we’ve had in middle school! Our students took on several big challenges, starting with their Math Test and a Formal Writing assignment focused on crafting strong argument paragraphs. Their hard work and focus really showed in the results!

We also celebrated our annual Peace Ceremony, where our middle schoolers shined with professionalism as they presented meaningful quotes on peace. Their thoughtful reflections were impressive, and they handled the ceremony with maturity and grace.

In Science, students kicked off an exciting new unit on Energy. They’ve started exploring different forms of energy and are gearing up for some hands-on experiments that will really bring the concepts to life.

Meanwhile, in History, we’ve been journeying through The Little History of the World and diving into Eastern Europe. This week, students studied the seven Eastern European countries, adding depth to their understanding of world geography and history.

In Spanish, we continued to master the differences between Estar and Ser. Students are making great progress in recognizing when to use these two forms of “to be” in different contexts.

Overall, it’s been a week of growth and accomplishment, and we are proud of our students for staying engaged and rising to every challenge!

This week at JBMA Middle School has been FULL of activity, excitement, and learning. We celebrated not one, but two student birthdays, which brought some extra joy to our classrooms. It’s always fun to take a moment and make our students feel special on their big day!

We also had picture day, where everyone showed up looking sharp and ready for their close-up. It’s one of those days where students come together, share some laughs, and capture memories they’ll look back on for years to come.

In the science lab, things got especially colorful with an exciting experiment that had students fully engaged. Watching their reactions as colors and chemicals mixed together reminded us why we love bringing hands-on learning into our classroom—there’s no better way to spark curiosity than by getting our hands dirty (or colorful)!

We wrapped up the week with a group cultural presentation that brought a sense of global connection to our middle schoolers. They explored different cultures and traditions, and it was amazing to see how much effort and creativity each group poured into their projects.

In Spanish, we dove into the difference between Estar and Ser—the two forms of the verb “to be” in Spanish. Understanding when to use each is key, as Estar is for temporary states, and Ser is for permanent characteristics. Our students are catching on quickly and practicing their new skills with enthusiasm!

Over in ELA, we’ve been hard at work on our argument paragraphs, sharpening our ability to make claims and back them up with solid reasoning and evidence. It’s impressive to see the growing confidence in our writers as they tackle complex ideas and put them into words.

On top of all the excitement, the weather has finally given us a much-needed break! After weeks of heat, the cooler fall air has rolled in, and we’ve noticed an immediate shift in our students. With the heat behind us, there’s a more relaxed, happy energy in the air—and we are here for it!

Here’s to wrapping up another full and fulfilling week at JBMA Middle School! As we head into the weekend, we’re grateful for the energy, excitement, and engagement that makes our school such a special place.

We’re a few weeks into the school year now, and the students are really getting the routine under their belts! This week was a milestone as they took their first Math test, as well as quizzes in Science and Spanish.

In Math, the test results showed that consistent practice is paying off, with many students performing well. In Science, the quiz focused on the scientific method and the process skills we’ve been developing, and it’s clear that the students are starting to think like scientists. The Spanish quiz was particularly fun, as students practiced introducing themselves, reviewed the days of the week, and worked on mastering the alphabet. Their enthusiasm for learning a new language is shining through!

What is most encouraging for me is to watch our students bond and become a joyful community. I am so excited for the adventures that lay ahead!

Hello Middle School Families,

This week has been a busy one across all subjects as we dive deeper into our studies.

Math
In math, students have been tackling the concepts of multiplying and dividing fractions. They’re getting the hang of it, but it’s crucial that they keep practicing these skills!

History
We’re gearing up for our Map Quiz on North America and Central America. The students have been doing a fantastic job studying, and I’m hopeful they’ll do well. We’ve also been reading A Brief History of the World, an excellent, but old, book, which has sparked some thoughtful conversations about how history changes as time goes by.

ELA (English Language Arts)
In ELA, the focus has been on writing biographies of famous people from the Americas. The students have chosen some cool figures to research, and their writing is coming along nicely. Additionally, we’re building our vocabulary skills, which will be helpful across all subjects.

Science
In science, we’ve continued our exploration of science process skills. The students have been analyzing and interpreting data, and we’ve been breaking down the steps of the scientific method. These skills are the backbone of scientific inquiry, and it’s great to see the students applying them so well.

Electives
Our elective classes are also buzzing with creativity. The students are working on some exciting projects that will be revealed soon, so stay tuned!

As always, thank you for your support at home – There are quite a few quizzes next week, so please encourage your kiddos to study hard!

This week, students began to find their flow by managing their first full academic week of the year. Ms.Kaitlyn led the students through graphs, and Ms. Catherine explored the concept of Observation vs. Inference. In History, we began reading A Little History of the World as a class, and are studying the geography of North and Central America… and Greenland. 🙂

It’s always fun to watch groups fill our middle school space in the first couple of weeks of school. On the first day, kids usually stick to residual cliques, left over from previous years. We are already starting to see these groups begin to meld together. It’s wonderful to watch the transformation into a community. The excitement is palpable as nervousness gives way to playfulness and excitement. It is sure to be an amazing year!

Greetings from the 1st week of 2024-2025 Middle School! We are so excited to have the students back with us in the classrooms. The campus is a buzz with old friends reuniting, and new friends being made. The Middle School met their teachers this week and were introduced to their environment. We have been discussing future plans and the steps we will take to reach our goals. The energy is abundant and positive. It forecasts a year of excitement and fun!

We look forward to sharing our adventures on the blog weekly, so be sure to check back in!

The DC trip was awesome! On the first day, as we settled into our accommodations for the next six days, the boys at our house prepared a really good dinner. In the evening, we started the night tour, during which we saw many monuments and buildings, such as the Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, and the White House. Then we returned home and rested.

The next few days were packed with fun. After breakfast, we kicked off our days by visiting the National Air and Space Museum, where we learned a lot about planes and space. We participated in various fun activities, including watching a planetarium show about space. Later that day, we visited the National Archives, where we saw the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.

The following day, we explored the Natural History Museum, where we learned about animals and their evolution. We even got to hold some cool insects and observe a tarantula hunting for prey. In the afternoon, we split into two groups, with one visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the other going to the National Art Museum. At the African American History Museum, we saw many historical artifacts, including cars and Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther suit. At the National Art Museum, we admired various paintings and sculptures and learned about their creation.

After lunch, we visited the International Spy Museum, where we learned about espionage and played interactive games. The next morning, we took a few hours to relax before heading to the National Holocaust Museum. It was a somber experience, seeing the hardships endured by the Jews, especially with the Anne Frank exhibit, which resonated with our class reading.

After the museum, we took the metro to the National Harbor, where we enjoyed a meal at a nice restaurant before riding the Ferris wheel. The view from the top, especially at sunset, was breathtaking. As we returned home on the water taxi, the city lights made the evening magical.

The next morning, we packed up quickly and headed to the National Zoological Park. But first, we stopped at a local pastry shop for some delicious treats. At the zoo, we split into groups and explored, seeing animals like elephants, birds, flamingos, monkeys, and cheetahs.

Afterward, we took our final metro rides to Union Station. While waiting for the train, we grabbed some food and chatted. During the train ride, we gathered in the dining car, reminiscing about our trip and how much fun we had. After 19 hours, we arrived back in Birmingham, tired but happy. It was bittersweet to leave the train, marking the end of our trip.

This DC trip taught us many things, from navigating the metro to appreciating the city’s architecture and history. It was a memorable journey, fostering a deeper awareness of our country. For the students of the 2023-2024 JBMA middle school year, it was a beautiful and meaningful experience.

We had yet another fun-filled week at the JMBA middle school. On Monday we were invited by Upper Elementary to visit their living wax museum. It was great getting to support our younger schoolmates. This week in math we progressed our graphing to learn all about slope. In science we buckled down on viruses and bacteria, discussing the best ways to prevent diseases. We also all got to do a little bacteria sleuthing and swabbed different parts of the school to see where the most bacteria would grow from. Then with Ms. Hallie, to prepare for our trip to Washington DC, we started reading “Diary of a Young Girl” to get some real insight into the events of the Holocaust. Then on Friday to wrap it up we watched the movie “Life is Beautiful,” and there may have been a few tears shed. All in all it was a great week and we are counting down the days to our big DC trip!