By Susie Rogers, ELA 5th-8th

2022-2023 has started off with a hands-on colorful way! I love teaching in an environment filled with enthusiasm, love of learning, and kindness. All of the middle school students were assigned a hexagonal one-pager in ELA. In this guided one-pager activity, students created a hexagon about who they are. I asked all of my students to create a one-pager explaining 6 different personal aspects: name meaning, favorite Bible verse, favorite song, 2-3 goals, Saturday activities, and college & careers you find interesting.  They used their creativity and imagination to write and illustrate their unique perspectives. 

My 7th-grade students were then asked to take all the hexagons and find how classmates were connected through the different aspects of their lives. They created a web of interconnected hexagonal one-pagers that is hung in the commons area for all the students to explore the different ways everyone connects to one another. This assignment provided a meaningful way for students to see how they are all connected in unexpected ways. Because most of the students have known each other for a long time, they were surprised by the information they did not know. This introspective back-to-school activity provided a colorful visual of connection. 

By Susie Rogers, ELA, 5th-8th

Research doesn’t have to be boring, especially when you have a really interesting topic! My 7th and 8th grade classes held a Career Fair after taking an aptitude test, exploring the pros and cons of recommended fields, and researching a potential future career. They were required to include the education level needed, job growth forecast, average salary, skills needed, work environment, and a typical day. They also had to interview someone in that particular career. For the presentation day, the students dressed in career attire and enlightened visiting students, parents, and staff all the details of their chosen career. Enjoy the pictures from our future teachers, novelist, game warden, athletic trainer, architect, astrophysicist, business intelligence analyst, chemical plant technical director, and vet tech.

by Nicole Ayers and Erin Hobson, Middle School Math & Science

“What is a math teacher’s favorite dessert? Pi!”

The 6th and 7th graders got together during math class on 3/14 to celebrate the number pi, which is approximated as 3.14. Students brought pie and other round treats to measure the circumference and diameter. When they divided the circumference by the diameter, they found pi! Students also played a fun trivia game on Gimkit to test their knowledge and learn new facts about the history of pi. Of course, we had to enjoy pizza (pie) for lunch to “round” out the celebration!

by Nicole Ayers

The Spartan Science Olympiad team competed in the Texas A&M University - San Antonio Regional and placed first overall. We will travel to Texas A&M - College Station next month to compete in the State finals. We are a young team of 5th-8th grade students competing against 6th-9th graders, but we have DRIVE!

Individual awards were as follows:

1st Place

• Codebusters: Katherine, Staten, & John

• Crime Busters: Olivia K & Morgan

• Experimental Design: Livi D, Henry, & Bailey

• Food Science: Henry & John

• Mission Possible: Bailey & Cage

• Mousetrap Vehicle: Cooper & Daniel

• Naked Egg Drop: Morgan & Staten

• Ornithology: Addison & Morgan

• Storm the Castle: John & Daniel

• Write It, Do It: Livi D & Bailey

2nd Place

• Dynamic Planet: Daniel & Taryn

• Electric Wright Stuff: William & Cooper

• Meteorology: Taryn & William

• Ping Pong Parachute: Morgan & Staten

• Road Scholar: Staten & William

• We've Got Your Number: John & Daniel

3rd Place

• Bridge: Henry & Cage

By Susie Rogers, 5th-8th ELA

St. James is known for cultivating a well-rounded student by providing an excellent education, surrounding them Christian love, and providing opportunities to help others. One of the many ways we do this is through volunteering. Yesterday my 7th grade class spent the morning at Opportunities, Inc., helping them make treat bags for their employees and packaging original art created by their clients to sell in stores. Giving back gives us a chance to show our appreciation for our community and make a difference beyond our campus.