Category: Middle School

To launch their mini-unit on the U.S. Constitution and government, Saklan’s 8th-grade students began with the question: What does “democracy” mean?

The class first brainstormed words and phrases they associate with democracy, identifying examples that reflect democratic principles as well as those that do not. From there, students read and discussed a series of quotes about democracy, using the perspectives of others to expand and refine their thinking.

The group then compared dictionary definitions of democracy, ultimately crafting their own collective definition. In doing so, they came to understand that democracy is both an idea and a form of government rooted in that idea.

Finally, each student created a sketch in response to the question: What image or symbol might we use to represent democracy? These drawings reflected their evolving understanding of democracy as both a guiding principle and a system of governance.

In preparation for a year full of exciting science investigations, our middle school students kicked things off by revisiting the scientific method. The sixth graders put their skills to the test with a fun and flavorful experiment: Which bubble gum creates the biggest bubbles—Double Bubble or Hubba Bubba?

Students first crafted their hypotheses, then carefully set up their experiment. To ensure fairness, each group used the same amount of gum and selected one “designated bubble blower” to keep the bubble-blowing consistent. After measuring five bubbles and calculating the averages, the results were clear: most groups found Hubba Bubba produced bigger bubbles more consistently.

As budding scientists, the students didn’t stop at the data. They began theorizing why Hubba Bubba outperformed Double Bubble, pointing out that it was softer and easier to blow.

What began as a lighthearted experiment quickly sparked a wave of curiosity, with students already asking new questions and brainstorming their next hypotheses. It’s safe to say the scientific method—and the joy of discovery—is off to a great start in sixth grade!

A long-standing Saklan Middle School tradition is to begin each year with a three-day, two-night field experience called the Advance. The Advance is designed to help students move forward—stepping into the school year with confidence, connection, and a positive mindset.

Over the course of the trip, students participate in activities that strengthen relationships with both peers and teachers. From navigating ropes courses and paddling canoes, to creating advisory names and norms, to playing team-building games, every moment is intentionally structured to foster collaboration and trust.

The Advance encourages students to take risks together in a supportive environment, sparking new friendships and deepening bonds that will last throughout the year. This shared experience helps students develop a strong sense of belonging, which in turn allows them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Yesterday afternoon, the middle school students and teachers returned from the Advance as a slightly different group than when they left Tuesday morning. They formed new friendships, built a new community, and gained a renewed sense of confidence. While they were certainly tired from all the fun and activities, they came back with energy and excitement for the year ahead. Most importantly, the middle school team returned ready to thrive and grow throughout their middle school journey.

At Saklan, the Advance is more than just a field experience—it’s the foundation for a year of growth, courage, and connection.

#SaklanConnected

Over the past few weeks, Saklan’s sixth graders have been immersed in an exciting unit on energy transfer. Their hands-on exploration began with a journey through the electromagnetic spectrum, recreated right in the classroom. Using tools like prisms to investigate light waves and tuning forks and whirly tubes to observe sound waves, students experienced firsthand how energy moves and transforms.

From there, the class explored the three modes of heat transfer: radiation, conduction, and convection. This led to a deeper understanding of how energy can move from one object or substance to another. Students connected these concepts to real-world examples, such as how chemical energy in fossil fuels transforms into motion in a car or electricity to power devices.

As their understanding grew, so did their awareness of the environmental impact of fossil fuel use. This naturally sparked an investigation into alternative energy sources, with a focus on the power of the sun.

In the final week of their unit, students harnessed solar energy in two creative and engaging projects. First, they built their own solar-powered cars, turning radiant energy into kinetic energy to drive tiny motors—and then put their creations to the test in a thrilling classroom race. Next, they constructed solar ovens designed to capture the sun’s rays and transform them into heat energy. Their goal? Bake a cookie using nothing but sunshine!

These activities highlighted the incredible potential of renewable energy and gave students a sense of innovation, teamwork, and scientific discovery. It’s safe to say that the sixth-grade classroom was buzzing with energy of every kind!

#SaklanHandsOn

Eighth-grade geometry students have been busy diving deep into the world of circles. Building on their foundational skills, students used compasses to construct parallel lines, equilateral triangles, and perpendicular bisectors, setting the stage for more advanced discoveries.

Their curiosity led them to explore the properties of chords, where they quickly observed that the center of a circle lies on the perpendicular bisector of any chord. From there, their investigations expanded to include central and inscribed angles, as well as arcs, deepening their understanding of how all the parts of a circle connect.

Students then took on a historical challenge by stepping into the shoes of Eratosthenes, a 3rd-century BCE mathematician who famously calculated the Earth’s circumference. By using the length of a shadow cast by a meter-long stick, just like Eratosthenes did in Syene and Alexandria, students applied proportional reasoning to calculate the Earth’s circumference, arriving at an impressive 24,869 miles!

This hands-on exploration showed just how relevant geometry can be beyond the classroom—and gave the eighth graders a meaningful connection between math and the real world.

#SaklanHandsOn