Seventh-graders in Mr. Duke’s social studies class wrote research papers on dinosaurs that once roamed the Texas landscape. To help bring their research to life, the students are now making 3D models of their dinosaurs, based on the fossil record. And yes, every Texas dinosaur they researched had feathers!

This week in Morah Sandy's ECE3-A class students learned from parshat Ki Teitzei that if we find something that belongs to someone else, we should find the owner. The class played a game where they each looked for their friends' water bottles hidden around the room and then returned them to their owners. They also learned about how a mother bird should be "shooed" away before taking her eggs. The class gathered twigs, made nests complete with eggs and birds, and practiced sending away mother birds.

Each English Language Arts class in middle school is getting into their novel study. The classes are having dynamic and engaging graded discussions about the assigned chapters, learning the challenging words found in those chapters, and responding to the literature in writing. Using all the language arts: reading, writing, listening, and speaking helps students connect with the literature in a meaningful way.

Our Horim Lomdim (parents learn) series kicked off this week with the very first Caffeine for the Soul class taught by RMBA parent and UOS's Rabbi Yitzchak Sprung. Parents and community members in attendance were treated to a quick 20 minutes of parsha, inspiration, and food for thought about how important it is to recognize the potential we each have and how it can take just one person to bring about the coming of Mashiach. We hope you will join us next month on October 12 (see details below about additional classes within the series).

Students in Morah Aviva's ECE4 class began their Rosh Hashana/Apples unit this week. After a discussion and story on the different types of apples, the students had an opportunity to paint their own apples at the easel. The class also began one of several Rosh Hashana projects this week - an apple plate consisting of the Rosh Hashana simanim (symbols). The students also loved participating in a sponge painting activity and can't wait to bring it home for the upcoming holiday. The class also took a special walk to the Teepee village in the Magical Forest. The students were excited to explore and climb!

High school students in Rabbi Ouzzan's Judaic elective were all prepared and ready this week to take a quiz on the second chapter of the Book of Yehoshua.

This week students in Morah Tsippi's ECE2-B class colored a leaf and stamped their hand print to create a unique family tree for their All About Me unit.

This week's featured after school activity is Legos with Building Brains. RMBA students from ECE3– 5th grade have been learning to build with Legos and K'nex. The students have been working in age appropriate groups to construct cars to race, develop pulley systems, and apply math and science skills to create machines. The children have been benefiting from expert instruction. Is there an after school activity you would like offered next semester? Email suggestions to fnater@berenacademy.org.