Posts about Middle School Program
February 22, 2019
Teacher Spotlight: Math Subject Expert Teacher Mr. Williams
It’s no coincidence that Mr. Williams is in room 314. Every student entering his classroom knows that mathematical Pi is 3.14 (and many can do dozens more digits). The legendary Mr. Williams has been teaching math for 45 years. Though he’s mainly focused on Algebra I to Pre-Calculus, he’s taught it all from number theory to non-routine problem solving.
His excitement for math is easy to see and his expertise and passion sparks the joy of learning in his students. It’s no wonder his middle school students’ rushed to sign up to decorate his door in our December Door Decorating Contest! (They won too.) We sat down with Mr. Williams to learn more about him, the teachers that inspired him, how BASIS Independent McLean’s Math Department is different, and the importance of math contests.
February 8, 2019
MATHCOUNTS Team Wins Regional Competition for Third Year in a Row
For the third year in a row, BASIS Independent McLean’s MATHCOUNTS team won the Northern Virginia Region Chapter Competition on Feb. 2. The team of Brian L. ’23, Sam W. ’23, Max Y. ’24, and Ethan Z. ’23 will compete in the state championships on March 16. The BASIS Independent McLean team is the two-time defending state champion. Both Sam and Ethan were on the winning team last year too.
January 11, 2019
Everything You Need to Know About Course and Elective Registration for the Upcoming 2019-20 School Year
2019 is here! Half the year has already flown by and we are already preparing for next school year! It's time for middle and high school students to consider the classes they want to take in the 2019-20 school year.
November 8, 2018
We've Got Spirit, Yes, We Do!
Leading up to the Homecoming dance, our high school Association of Student Leaders planned a school-wide spirit week, including several themed dress up days that every grade could partake in.
May 18, 2018
Teacher Spotlight: Math SET Ms. Baljee
Math is more than just numbers to Ms. Baljee, our grade 5 and 6 Pre-Algebra and grade 4 Math & Science Subject Expert Teacher. She sees math as a way to explore nature, logic, and the world. Through her interactive lessons, she introduces students to thinking about math through these lenses. And based on the smiles ever-present in her classroom, students love it as much as she does!
We sat down with Ms. Baljee to learn more about why it’s important to know math is more than arithmetic, the benefits of hands-on activities in the classroom, and her love of dance. Read her full bio here.
May 4, 2018
Middle and High School Students Perform ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
Laughter filled the BASIS Independent McLean Theatre during three rousing performances of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For months, 22 students in grades 6 through 9 rehearsed after school to learn their lines, perfect their blocking, and nail their comedic timing. The students studied iambic pentameter, analyzed their character's arc, and worked on character motivations to perfect their craft.
Enjoy photos from the performance below.
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Inspired by the blissful feeling of uncovering connections, our blog Eureka! McLean is about sharing moments that capture the essence of what it is to be a BASIS Independent student, teacher, administrator, or family.