Fifth and sixth graders hosted the middle school science fair on Friday, with the help of their science teachers Ms. Dorsey and Ms. Dobler, and a number of volunteer judges from our Washington, D.C. community. Experiments assessed plant growth, range of motion, cleaning powers of different detergents, sugar content of various foods, and bacteria growth, among other exciting questions. Fifth and sixth graders spend several weeks on their science units, forming a hypothesis, completing research, forming a plan and procedure, conducting the experiment, and assessing and analyzing their data before practicing presenting the information to their classmates. The steps of the scientific process allow them a hands-on approach to understanding the dynamics of the world around them. 

The middle school girls’ basketball team left school early on Thursday, so they could travel to the PCSAA playoff game against Basis DC at the Rosedale Rec Center. Coach Mozie coaches the team. The girls beat Basis 20-18, and proceed to the championship game on Saturday at Washington Latin at 11am in the gym. The varsity boys’ team beat Capital City Public Charter School 45-39 in regular season play. Mr. Eleby-El coaches the varsity boys. The varsity girls lost a nail biter against SEED Public Charter School.  Their coach is Coach Vaughn.

Eighth graders in Ms. Haywood and Ms. Breitman’s classes began their poetry and research unit on Langston Hughes on Tuesday, not knowing that it was actually the poet’s birthday! Students will read several of the Harlem Renaissance poet’s works and complete a lengthy library research essay on how Hughes depicted his own experiences through his writing, and what experiences he chose to omit or fictionalize. Connecting history to literature through research is a key component of the work done by Latin’s literary librarian Ms. Hamm, who helped cultivate and organize the research assignment and will assist students in their research and citation skills this  month.