PTA Update Week 15

Please check the website www.team72.co for updates.

English:

This past week we have been reading and working on activities  pertaining to Rumble Fish, by S.E. Hinton.  We will continue after the break. There will be no assigned work over vacation. I wish you all a very happy, healthy, and safe holiday season. See you in 2015!

Health:

This week in health we are wrapping up the alcohol unit and beginning the drug unit. Please sign and return the permission slip for the human sexuality unit  (available on www.team72.co) which we will begin after the winter break.  Feel free to contact me with any questions regarding that unit.  Have a wonderful, safe, and healthy holiday!

Mathematics

Have a wonderful break!

Science

Have a wonderful break!

Social Studies

This past week we completed a document based question, wrote the essay as a quiz grade and took a test on Chapter 5, Causes of the American Revolution. When we return from break we will be discussing the American Revolution and Early American Government before taking the quarterly exam. Please ask your child if they handed in the DBQ Essay. The test will be return in January. Have a wonderful two week break and holiday season!

PTA Update Week 14

English

This week we took an x skills test. Students received their scores on the screen immediately, and will be bringing home a printout of the score. Please sign the handout for them to return. In addition, our theme essays were completed and handed in on Thursday. Some are overdue. Please encourage your child to complete assignments in a timely manner. Any borrowed books should also be returned at this time. We also introduced our new whole class novel, Rumble Fish, by S.E. Hinton. Books were distributed on Friday, and we expect to work on Chapters 1-6 over the course of the upcoming week. There will be small activities, both at home and in class, to complete during this time.

Health

TBA

Mathematics

Both classes will have a Unit Exam on Friday December 19th. Accelerated will be tested on Chapter 7, along with review material. Regular will be tested on Chapter 5, along with review material. Start studying over the weekend!

Science

This week in science we explored the plant and animal cells. A quiz was given on Tuesday and a laboratory investigation on Wednesday and Thursday. In the lab, we used microscopes to compare and contrast plant and animal cell structures. Students observed their very own cheek cells and compared them to onion root cells. Students were introduced to the microscope technique of staining cells. We completed the unit with the culminating cell/homeostasis analogy project. Looking to next week, we will begin the study of the skeletal system. In addition, Science Congress Candidates will be re-judged next Wednesday, December 17. Students were notified if they qualified and must bring in their boards in by next Wednesday. The re-judging will take place during the school day. We will select 15 projects from the 7th and 8th grade to move on to Science Congress competition in the spring.

Social Studies

This week we will be assessing our understanding of the causes of the American Revolution. Just as teens fight with their parents and peers over issues of power, the causes of the American Revolution can be seen as gradually poorer relationship between "mommy" England and the 13 Colonial "children." This week we will conclude our notes, and complete a document based question. Using our critical thinking skills with specific details, we will be writing an essay on the causes of the American Revolution as a take-home quiz and we will be having a tradition paper and pencil twenty-five question test this Thursday. A quilt will go up on my website (www.team72.co) by Monday. Have a wonderful holiday vacation!

PTA Update Week 12

The 7th Grade is participating in 6th Annual Holiday For Heroes Family Toy Drive.  We are asking each student to bring in a toy for children spending the Holidays at Walter Reed Hospital.  This Toy Drive is sponsored by the Waterfront Warriors.

English:

We took an inquiry test this past week. They were returned on Friday. Students were asked to get this signed. We also worked with a short story "Raymond's Run". Next week, we will continue working with Workshop 2, "Bombardment". We are exploring plot elements, cause and effect, sequence of events, and central ideas. We are also working towards reading our novels for writing the themed essay. While the final copy is due December 11th, the rough draft is due December 4th. Students have gotten an optional format for the essay writing as well as "bookmarks" to help them cull information.

Health:

This week in health we wrapped up our mental health unit.  We are beginning a unit in tobacco.  We will be engaging in activities and lessons related to the dangers of smoking and the physical and social implications of smoking.  We will also discuss the new information surrounding electronic cigarettes  and why they are so dangerous for teens.

Mathematics:

In Math both classes took a quiz on Friday.  

 

Accelerated: Each student was given the Car Dealership Performance Task today.  This assignment is due on December 1st.  We will continue with Chapter 6 next week.

 

Regular:  Each student was given the Chapter 4 Performance Task today.  This assignment is due on December 1st.  We will continue with Chapter 4 next week.

Science:

Hooray!  Students have made it and completed their Science Fair projects.  Oral presentations will be completed in class and the viewing of the projects will take place on the evening of Tuesday November 25th from 6-8.  If you cannot make it, please send a note with your child and have them make arrangements with their friends to take home their board.  All boards should be saved until grades are returned.  Students will be notified individually if they are being considered for re-judging for Science Congress. 

Social Studies:

This week we will be having a colonial day on Wednesday. Each teacher on the team will dress up as a colonial and we will complete colonial activities appropriate to each core subject. Have a great Thanksgiving break.

PTA Update Week 11

Our pen pal letters have arrived in Kabulasoke, Uganda! The students there are excited about receiving them and are eager to respond to us. We expect the responses around mid-January. We will keep our 7-2 family updated.

English:

This past week we completed the first half of Workshop Two in Expert 21. We also started work on understanding theme and how an author conveys it in a passage. This will help them with their independent reading assignment, which is an essay based on a novel's theme (due December 11, 2014). The assignment handout will be posted on our Team's website at www.team72.co. Next week, we will have our inquiry test on Tuesday, November 18, 2014. We will also continue with the second half of Workshop 2.

Health:

This week in health class we are continuing our mental health unit.  We are discussing healthy habits and how healthy habits relate to our mental health.

Mathematics:

Students completed the 1st Common Assessment today.  Once exams are graded students will complete test corrections and a reflection sheet. Accelerated: We will start Chapter 6-Percents next week. Homework is given daily.  Please make sure that your child is completing homework each night. Regular: We will start Chapter 4-Inequalities next week. Homework is given daily.  Please make sure that your child is completing homework each night.

Science:

This past week students went to the computer lab to construct their data tables and graphs which were due on Thursday.  Students should be wrapping up their projects, analyzing their data, and developing their conclusion.  The completed project and final display board is due on Wednesday 11/19.  There are still boards available for students who might need them.  Science Symposium is the evening of Tuesday November 25.

Social Studies:

This week students will be learning about life in the 13 American colonies and discussing the similarities and differences. Students have now taken two quizzes. Please ask your child to look at them and discuss study habits for the second quarter. The level of difficultly and rigor will continue to increase as the year progresses.

PTA Update Week 10

The quarter is almost at an end. Please check our team website at http://www.team72.co for updates. If you are not already receiving texts, please consider joining our remind list.

English:

This past week students were assigned their second quarter independent reading assignment, which will be due December 11, 2014. Students will need to read a novel and write a 3-5 paragraph essay based on the novel's theme. The requirements have been discussed, and students will receive some time in school to work on reading, identifying the themes, and writing drafts. However, the bulk of the responsibility needs to be accomplished at home. We also started Workshop 2 in our Expert 21 books and read "Casey at the Bat". Next week, we will continue working with the workshop's selections and practice identifying theme. As always, please encourage your children to keep up with their reading responsibilities and assignments.

Health:
TBA

Mathematics:

Common Assessment next Friday.  Accelerated Exam covers Chapters 1 - 5.  Math 7R Exam covers Chapters 1 - 3.  Please start reviewing over the weekend!  Get started by completing the Self Check Quizzes online at bigideasmath.com.  Username is first name with the first 3 letters of the last name.  Password is passwordms.

Science:

Students are continuing their study of the microscope and scientists that helped develop the Cell Theory. Science Fair Projects should be in full swing. Mini-boards were handed in this week. This was a miniature version of what the large display board will look like. I have implored to all students to begin their science fair experiment ASAP, if they haven't already done so! A graphing lab was completed this Friday. This lab investigation is an introduction to data tables and graphs. Data tables and graphs are due next Friday, November 14. We will be going to the library to learn how to set up data tables and graphs on the computer next week, in the library. Students will be required to hand in the set-up of both, data tables and graphs, even if there isn't data provided. I want to see that they have proper titles and appropriate labels for both.

Social Studies:

This week students will be continuing our exploration of the original 13 American Colonies. We will be examining the influence of geography on the social, economic, and political aspects of the three colonial regions (New England, Middle, Southern). 

PTA Update Week 9

The quarter is almost at an end. Please check our team website at http://www.team72.co for updates. If you are not already receiving texts, please consider joining our remind list.

English:
This past week we wrapped up our unit on the novel Freak the Mighty. Students have been working to complete their culminating project for the unit, a "case study" in which they present Max's case to his teachers to help them better understand the character. This is due on Monday, November 3...as first quarter ends this Friday, the activity will be their first assessment grade for second quarter. Next week, we will begin Workshop 2 in the Expert 21 workbooks, in which we will be exploring such questions as "Is competition worth the effort?" and "How much is one willing to sacrifice to achieve a goal?"

Health:
This week we are discussing the power of our words and how our actions each day affect others. We have been engaging in activities that raise awareness about bullying and friendship. We are empowering the students to be the change they want to see in their school.

Mathematics:
 TBA

Science:
This week in science, students went to the library Monday and Tuesday to work on science fair. The next deadline is the mini-board which is due Wednesday, November 5th. The mini-board is a miniature example of the big display board. We started the next unit of study, the microscope, scientists, cell and cell theory.

Social Studies:
This week students will begin to explore the 13 American colonies and the characteristics that allow us to group them as New England, Middle, or Southern Colonies. Students finished the first part of their final project last week, and will be working on these google docs for the remainder of the year.

PTA Update Week 7

The quarter is almost at an end. Please check our team website at http://www.team72.co for updates. If you are not already receiving texts, please consider joining our remind list. 

English:

This week we took our second inquiry. Students got back their scores on Wednesday. Please ask them about their scores. We also started discussing characterization and plot development in Freak the Mighty. We will continue to work with this novel for the next several weeks. In addition, pen pal letters have been finalized for our team project and are ready to be mailed. We will expect responses by mid January. Next week, we will take an X-skills test. This will measure the students' skills progress regarding understanding plot, main idea and details, character development, conflict,  cause and effect, and vocabulary. They can study the vocabulary pages for the selections we read in the Expert 21 workbook.

Health:

This week in health we are beginning the stress unit.  Students have been engaging in different activities that cover positive and negative stress and will be identifying how stress impacts their daily lives.  The "Music with a Message" projects are due today, Friday October 17th.

Mathematics:

All students took a test on Friday.  That will be the last test for Quarter 1.  There will be many quizzes in the next few weeks.

Accelerated - We will review on Monday before we move on to Chapter 4.  I want to spend one more day on Expressions and Equations before we start Inequalities.  I hope that you are taking advantage of the Big Ideas website.  There are tutorial videos for each lesson.  If your child is struggling at home with the homework, they should make use of the website.

Regular - We will start Chapter 3 on Monday.  The students will learn about Expressions and Equations for the next few weeks.  I hope that you are taking advantage of the Big Ideas website.  There are tutorial videos for each lesson.  If your child is struggling at home with the homework, they should make use of the website.

Science:

Students spent this week in the library conducting science fair research for their science fair experiment and writing the research paper and work cited page that is due, Tuesday, October 21.  Students  should be experimenting at this time or begin as soon as possible to allow enough time to collect data. Science research club will begin on Wednesday November 22. Next week, we will be having our first unit test on Thursday November 23. The topics covered on this exam are, Biological Sciences, Life Functions, and Scientific Method. Review sheets will be given on Monday November 20. Class notes and homework notebooks are also great study tools if anyone wants to begin reviewing now. Homework notebooks will be collected and graded next Friday November 24.

Social Studies:

This week we completed the curriculum for the first quarter. On Tuesday we will be having our quarterly exam. Please check my website at http://www.team72.co for a quizlet review and study guide. Next week I will be out due to Frost Valley. Students will be taught by Mr. Maggio. Students will be working on completing the rest of Chapter 2 in the TCI workbook.

PTA Update Week 5

The quarter is almost at an end. Please check our team website at http://www.team72.co for updates. If you are not already receiving texts, please consider joining our remind list. 

English:

This past week we completed our Workshop One readings in Expert 21 and embarked on our next unit: a whole class reading of Freak the Mighty. We will work on this for approximately three and a half weeks. Students have been informed that they need to bring their novels back and forth between home and school every day. We will explore issues of self image, friendship and family. There is an Inquiry test next week on Tuesday, October 14th. This will again be open-book, and will cover "We Beat the Street", "What's Your Life's Blueprint?", and "Start Your Own Business".

Health:

This week in health we are beginning the stress unit.  We will identify what stress is and the difference between positive and negative stress. 

Mathematics:

There will be a math unit exam on Friday. Regular students will have the test on Chapter 2. Accelerated students will have a test on Chapter 3. 

Science:

Students will be in the library this week conducting background research for their science fair project.  The research paper and work cited page will be due next Tuesday, October 21. The first unit exam will be next Thursday, October 23. The topics covered will be Biological Sciences, Life Functions, and Scientific Method. 

Social Studies:

This week students will be completing the Age of Exploration. Our quarterly exam is next Tuesday, 10/21. Exam help for the quarterly exam is THIS THURSDAY (10/16) and FRIDAY (10/17). Student guides will be given out when copies are made. The quizlet for the quarterly is available on my website.

PTA Update Week 4

Hello, Team 7-2 Family! We have recently embarked on an interdisciplinary team project entitled "Our Ugandan Friends". We will be implementing a pen pal letter-writing campaign between the students of our team and students in Uganda. This is for the purpose of helping foster literacy, developing global awareness, and creating an international conversation among peers of a similar age group. Ms. Vetter's son is currently serving in the United States Peace Corps. He is working in the community of Kabulasoke, Uganda at a primary teacher college. His students are learning to be teachers themselves. They have all expressed an interest in building their students' English reading and writing skills, and we feel that this was an excellent opportunity. Each subject area in our team has introduced some aspect of Ugandan life and culture, including education, family life, social issues, geography, health, disease, nutrition, economics and money conversions. It is our hope that we will have an ongoing writing relationship with our "friends in Uganda". There will be more information to relay to you in the future as this program progresses.

English:

This week we took our first Inquiry test based on the first three readings of Workshop One. Students have had their tests returned and have been asked to share their scores with their families. We also continued working with the fourth reading selection, "We Beat the Streets". On Friday, an interdisciplinary, global pen pal project was introduced to them. Next week, we will continue with our Workshop 1 reading and analysis. Please remember that the independent reading assignment, an essay based on the novel the students read, is due on Wednesday October 8th. We plan on introducing our first whole-class novel, Freak the Mighty, on Wednesday.

Health:

This week in health we discussed risk-taking and the difference between positive and negative risks.  The students identfied why positive risks are necessary in life to grow and change while negative risks can change our lives forever.  There will be a project called "Music with a Message" presented to the students which will be due  October 17th.  We will be connecting this project with the team's activities related to Uganda.  The students will learn about the type of music that Ugandans listen to and the meaning in their music.  They will compare this with the music listened to in America and how all music influences our thoughts, choices, and behaviors. 

Mathematics:

Both classes received their first exam grades back this week.  All students are encouraged to complete test corrections and get the exam signed by a parent/guardian.  We visited the library this week to practice using the Big Ideas website.  This website is a very useful resource for all students.  Students were given their username and password to access the website.

Accelerated: We are currently working on Chapter 3: Expressions and Equations. This week we simplified algebraic expressions, combined like terms, and started solving equations.  We will continue on with Chapter 3 next week.

Regular:  We are learning about adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing rational numbers.  We need to review and practice all operations with fractions and decimals.

Science:

This week in science, students reviewed the scientific method and conducted a laboratory investigation  focusing on, making accurate quantitative observations. Students worked in pairs and were required to hand in one lab report that represented their work. On Friday, October 3, the team took a break from regular curriculum to focus on a global awareness project spear-headed by our very own, Mrs. Vetter. (See English update for full description!) In science class, students explored the climate and ecology of Uganda and investigated some known parasites and disease native to the area. Next week, students will go to the library to finalize the search for a science fair topic on Monday, October 6.  The due date for finalized title and parent approval has been moved from Tuesday, October 7th to Wednesday, October 8th.

Social Studies:

This week we will be discussing the Age of Exploration and the building of colonies in the New World. We will be building a colony in a classroom simulation and reflecting on our actions. 

PTA Update Week 3

Welcome to Team 7-2.  It was great meeting all the parents on Thursday, Sept 18. Please consider joining the team Remind.com site. Check our website www.team72.co

English:

This week we accomplished several things. Students have read the first selection in Workshop 1, "The Explosion". We also took our first SRI online test on Thursday. Students received their scores and a recommended reading list based on their reading levels. I encouraged them to bring them home and share the results with you. The lexile band for seventh grade is 955-1155. That means if your child is reading within this range, they are on reading level. The goal is for them to improve their levels over the course of the year, regardless of where they fall. Students also continue reading their novels for the first quarter reading assignment. The assessment for this will be to write an essay based on the character's goals. They have received the assignment handout, and I will be providing them with an optional format/outline that they may choose to utilize. The essay is due October 8th. Over the weekend they will continue to read, and complete the second selection, "Call Me Maria". We will also read the poem "The Road Not Taken" and analyze its literary devices and theme. Picture Day is Wednesday the 24th, and students will take pictures during English class that day.

Health:

This week in health we engaged in many activities that focused on setting short term and long term goals.  We discussed how we can reach our goals and created a plan.  We will revisit these "plans" in December to assess if the students are following the goals they set for themselves.  We are also discussing the decision making process and will continue activities related to making healthy decisions next week.  There will be a quiz on Tuesday, September 23rd on the health triangle and the decision making process. 

Mathematics:

Thank you coming attending Back to School Night.  It was nice to see new and some familiar faces.  WE have gotten off to a great start in Math.  The students are working very hard and asking many questions when they do not understand.  Students will be given their username and password for the Big Idea's website in the next two weeks. Please encourage your child to take advantage of this wonderful resource.

ALL classes will have their first Unit Exam next Wednesday September 24th.  The accelerated class will be tested on Chapters 1 and 2.  The regular class will only need  to study Chapter 1.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Science:

This week in science, students explored the topic of life functions or, the characteristics of life. The first “Choice Project” on Biological Sciences was due this week (Monday, September 15). The projects look really great! Textbooks were distributed and should be kept at home as an ancillary resource. Homework readings will be assigned from this text. Next week in science, we will wrap up our study of the life functions and begin our investigation of the scientific method. In addition, I will be introducing the Science Fair/Symposium which falls on Tuesday, November 25 this year. Looking ahead, team 7-2 science students will be going to the library for the initial search of topic ideas on Monday, September 29. Stay tuned for more information and deadlines. On a personal note, it was a pleasure to meet so many parents at Back to School night. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to come. If you weren’t able to make it on Thursday evening, please do not worry! You may contact me via email or phone anytime if you have specific questions. In addition, Dr. Marr will be updating the team website regularly with any important information from the team. The team website is: www.team72.co (this is not a typo, it is .co, not .com) Have a great weekend!

Social Studies:

Welcome to the exciting world of individuals and societies (also known as social studies.) It was great meeting all the parents at Meet the Teacher night. Please check my webpage at www.team72.co for a daily calendar of events and all my handouts. Please check out my communication page to join the team remind.com list to be notified via text and email when assignments are due.  Students have a quiz on Tuesday on everything we have learned so far this year. Please bring in permission slips and money for the Old Bethpage Village Restoration trip.

Welcome to the 2014-2015 School Year!

Welcome to social studies! My name is Dr. Marr and I look forward to an exciting, interactive year. Together, your children and I will be learning about the social sciences: history, anthropology, archaeology, political science, and economics to name but a few! As social scientists, your children will examine bias and seek to uncover the "truths" in our society. Focusing on nine essential questions, we will learn to tell the story of American History in a personal way. I maintain a team website at http://www.team72.co which holds links to homework, PTA updates, and all of my handout which are updated weekly. I also maintain the team communication list on remind.com. This site will allow you to keep up-to-date with team activities through text and email messages. Visit my website and click on the communication tab to learn how to to join, or look at the information sheet sent home with your child on the second day of school.

We have a lot to do this year. We will begin by reviewing and learning basic skills necessary to successfully navigate the world of social sciences. We we examine what type of learners we are, what history exists within each of us, the power of artifacts, and work on a series of bias lessons where we will examine certain assumptions held by individuals which as a social scientist we need to be aware of (in this case, concerning pre-historic man.) Finally, we will be working on make sense of the nine essential questions before moving on to the last Ice Age.

PTA Update Week 36

ENGLISH:
Research paper were handed in this past Monday. Any overdue papers must be handed in as soon as possible. The fourth quarter is quickly coming to a close and the papers weigh heavily in the fourth quarter grade. We are culminating our work by watching Ruby Bridges, a film that ties in to our breaking barriers themes. Next week we will close out the school year by reflecting on our progress in writing and reviewing our portfolios. Summer reading options will also be discussed.

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE:
Students will present their class projects and use their culinary skills to prepare foods for their class luncheon.

MATH:
Please review for your final examination.

SCIENCE:
Students have been working out of their review packet for the Final on Thursday June 19th.  Students must bring this packet everyday and have been assigned portions of it every night for homework.  Students should be actively studying at this point.  Extra help will be Tuesday and Wednesday before the final, as well as on Thursday morning at 7:15 am.  Students will need a pencil, and both textbooks are due to be returned by Thursday June 19th.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
This week we will be reviewing the entire curriculum backwards on Monday and Tuesday. The walkabout from Friday is a form of review for the final exam which will be on June 18. A quizlet review is available here. Please study. The final extra help session will be Tuesday, June 17 for one hour. 

PTA Update Week 35

ENGLISH:
This week we completed Workshop four of the Expert 21 workbook. We reviewed the important details and skills we used during the workshop and took both inquiry and xskills tests. This week students need to complete work on their research project, which is due this coming Monday, June 9th (note the date was changed from the original date of June 6th). We have been working on the project since April 29th. They have had ample time in class and out to fulfill the requirements of the task.  Please remember that this is being counted as their final project and will weigh heavily in their fourth quarter grade.I moved my Friday extra help this week to Thursday (the day before Mushroom Park) to allow for any last minute questions/assistance.

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE:
Students will learn how to prepare entrees for class luncheon and review topics for class final. They will also learn how to write a check and balance a check book.  

MATH:
Both classes will have a test next week on Thursday June 12th.  Please make sure your child is studying/reviewing a little each night. 

In Accelerated we will complete Chapter 16 on Monday.  The test will be on Chapter 16 along with a few review items.  The final exam is on Friday June 20th.

In Regular we have completed all 10 Chapters of the Big Ideas Math textbook.  For extra review material, your child can go online to the textbook's website a take the Self Check Chapter Tests.   The final exam is on Friday June 20th.

SCIENCE:
Students continued the study of Genetics. A quiz on vocabulary and Punnett Squares was given on Tuesday. Patterns of inheritance, pedigrees, and mitosis were the new topics this week. Students may refer to their Life Science textbook at home, if they were absent or missed a class due to lessons. The Science Final Exam is June 19. Review packets will be distributed next week. Students may also use their homework summary notebooks as study tool. If done correctly, this is an organized source of all class notes and diagrams.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
We will begin our final project for the year on Monday using the summary organizer we completed last week. Students will have the project shared to them on their lbeachg.org school account. The project is also a form of review for the final exam which will be on June 18. A quizlet review is available here.

PTA Update Week 34

ENGLISH:
This past week, we read "Hum", a short story about a Palestinian boy growing up in the United States when the Twin Towers were bombed. We also continued working on our research paper, peer-editing with a partner, conferencing with the teacher as needed, and beginning to revise. The rest of the work must be completed independently, and the final, completed research paper, including a title page and a works cited page, is due Monday, June 9, 2014. This research paper is the students' final project and is crucial to their quarter's success. Upcoming next week is an Inquiry test on Tuesday, June 3rd based on the last three readings in Workshop 4: "Hum", "Gracie", and "Letter from a Concentration Camp". On Thursday, June 5th students will be engaged in an X-skills test, which will assess their knowledge of the skills we worked on over the course of Workshop Four's readings as well as the vocabulary for the selections. On Friday of next week, we will not have regular classes as we will be going to Mushroom Park.

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE:
Students will complete final stages of their class projects, learn how to make cookies from scratch, plan and make preparations for class luncheon.

MATH:
Please check www.team72.co for update.

SCIENCE:
Please check www.team72.co for update

SOCIAL STUDIES:
We will begin our final project for the year. Students will have the project shared to them on their lbeachg.org school account. This project will contain quiz grades as well as a final project grade. The project is also a form of review for the final exam which will be on June 18. A quizlet review is available here. Review sheet will be coming home this week.

PTA Update Week 33

Please remind your children that they are responsible for writing their homework down in their agendas everyday. We cannot always rely on the online homework as internet and network problems may sometimes occur.  Please visit http://www.team72.co for team updates.

ENGLISH:
This week students received an inquiry test score. They also took their last SRI, which measured their reading growth since this past September. I encouraged students to share these scores with their parents. In addition, we discussed Japanese internment camps during World War II when we read "Letters from a Concentration Camp". Students had many questions about this episode in our history. Last, we spent a few days working on the rough drafts for our research paper. Next week, we will read "Hum" in the Expert 21 book. Please remind your children that the rough draft of their papers is due May 29th. On that day and the next, we will peer-edit and I will conference with them. The final completed paper is due June 9th.

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES: 
Students reviewed food safety practices, table etiquette and learned how to cooperatively work together to make pancakes from scratch.

MATHEMATICS: 

TBA

SCIENCE:
This week in science class students have started the study of Genetics. The basic principles of Mendelian Genetics were discussed and an introduction of Punnett Squares. Mushroom Beach Park permission were distributed this week. The DEADLINE for permission slips and money is due: WEDNESDAY, MAY 28.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
This short week students will finish learning about the Causes of the Civil War and we will discuss the Civil War itself and its consequences. We will be in the library starting Friday for eleven days to complete the final end-of-year project.

PTA Update Week 32

Please remind your children that they are responsible for writing their homework down in their agendas everyday. We cannot always rely on the online homework as internet and network problems may sometimes occur.  Please visit http://www.team72.co for team updates.

ENGLISH:
This past week we took an Inquiry test. Students have received their scores on Friday. We also continued working through our fourth quarter unit, "Breaking Barriers" by reading "Gracie". Our final SRI is being taken on the 16th. These final scores are  expected to show student growth in reading. We also continue working on our research project. Next week we will practice how to cite sources properly in research papers and how to create a strong works cited page for an English classroom. In addition students will have time to draft and work on components of their paper.

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES: 
Students will review food lab procedures, learn about kitchen utensils, equipment, and their use. They will also create kitchen safety rules and learn how to make a nutritious snack.

MATHEMATICS: 

Next week in Regular we will continue working on Chapter 7.  In Accelerated we will begin Chapter 15: Volume and Similar Solids.  The Final Exam will be on June 20th.

SCIENCE:
This week in science, students learned food is produced by photosynthetic organisms, that food contains energy from the Sun that drives life processes and that food energy moves from one trophic level to another through feeding relationships  . A take home test was given, where students had to construct a food web based on a reading. Students made and recorded observations on their Milkweed Bug habitats and their mini terrarium and aquarium ecosystems. It was fascinating to see all the changes taking place.  In another exciting investigation, students burned food (cheese ball) to confirm that it contains energy and that energy in food can be measured.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Students will continue to explore the how and why of the reform movements in the 1830s-1850s. We will continue to discuss the division between the North and the South, which will ultimately lead the the American Civil War. Students will be creating Acrostic poems in class on Monday.

PTA Update Week 31

Please remind your children that they are responsible for writing their homework down in their agendas everyday. We cannot always rely on the online homework as internet and network problems may sometimes occur.  Please visit http://www.team72.co for team updates.

ENGLISH:
We had our Hunger Games celebration and announced the winners of our points contest - congratulations to District Ten members! Students worked this past week on a speech by Barack Obama entitled "A More Perfect Union" as well as a compilation of poems called "Poetic Justice". All revolved around themes of freedom and democracy. Students also received an outline they may use as a potential format for their research paper. Next week, students will have an Inquiry test on Monday based on the first three readings of the workshop. They will also read Gracie, a play about a girl fighting to play on her school's all-boy soccer team. In addition, students are being asked to bring in their research material so they can utilize their class time to continue reading and taking notes. Next week on Friday the 16th, we will also take our last SRI of the year. This will measure their reading growth from the beginning of the year.

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES: 
Students will complete personal inventories, conduct student interviews, and create name stories and advertising for their sale.

MATHEMATICS: 

We will continue on Chapter 7 next week in Regular and Chapter 14 in Accelerated.  There will be a test on Friday May 9th for both classes.

SCIENCE:
Students continue their study of Ecology by observing class mini-ecosystems. Students are taking notes and recording observations on the changing populations in the aquariums, terrariums, and milkweed bug habitats. There was a quiz on food webs and food chains this week. We also stopped science curriculum for one day to participate in the Hunger Games culminating celebration, we watched the movie and awarded the winning District a prize for their hard work. It was a great time! Next week, we will continue to explore the topics of trophic levels and limiting factors.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Students will be watching the rest of the Gold Rush movie and working on Life in the West (TCI Chapter 16.) We will be having two open TCI workbook quizzes this week on both Chapters 15 & 16. Students must study for these assessments, as not everything on the quizzes can be found in the TCI workbook.

PTA Update Week 30

Please remind your children that they are responsible for writing their homework down in their agendas everyday. We cannot always rely on the online homework as internet and network problems may sometimes occur.  Please visit http://www.team72.co for team updates.

ENGLISH:
This week students were introduced to their fourth quarter project: Breaking Barriers. Students will need to research an individual who has broken a barrier that impacted society in some way. They will need to read a book and use internet sources as well for their information. We will spend a number of days in class working on outlining, formatting, and organizing. We will also be continuing to work in our Expert 21 books with Workshop 4.

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES: 
Students will start their “All  About Me” projects. They will create their own ethical codes, complete personal inventories and conduct student interviews.  

MATHEMATICS: 

The Assessment Exam is finally behind us.  All students gave their best effort this week.  I am very proud of them!

 

Accelerated:  We will begin Chapter 14 this week.  We have three chapters to complete before we start preparing for the Final Exam on June 20th.  There will be a quiz on Friday.

 

Regular:  We will work on Chapter 7 starting this week.  We will study angles and triangles in the next two weeks.  There will be a quiz on Friday.

SCIENCE:

Interesting studies are taking place in Science! Last week, students sorted organism pictures into two sets, based on the kind of physical environment in which the organism might live, aquatic or terrestrial. They assembled an aquarium and a terrarium in preparation for introducing organisms. This week students observed aquatic organisms and terrestrial organisms in isolation and recorded observations. They predicted how organisms would interact when they are placed in their environments to create miniecosystems. Students administered aquatic and terrestrial organisms into their aquarium and terrarium and now will begin a long-term observation of the miniecosystems.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
This week we will continue our exploration of Manifest Destiny and the movement of the United States from east to west. We will be having a quiz on the material on Friday.

PTA Update Week 29

Please remind your children that they are responsible for writing their homework down in their agendas everyday. We cannot always rely on the online homework as internet and network problems may sometimes occur.  Please visit http://www.team72.co for team updates.

ENGLISH:
Welcome back!  I hope everyone enjoyed their Spring Break! This week we were introduced to our fourth and final workshop, Breaking Barriers. We will explore individuals and movements that have influenced the rights of individuals and groups in our society. Next week, we will be introduced to our fourth quarter research paper. We will visit the library, have the steps to the assignment carefully explained, and work on research skills.

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES: 

This week students created items for their student run fundraising business and started their journey of learning more about themselves and others in our Personal Development Unit.

MATHEMATICS: 

TBA

SCIENCE:

TBA

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week we will finish our study of Andrew Jackson. Last week we began to examine the influence of Jacksonian Democracy on our society using a series of video and worksheets. There will be a quiz on Andrew Jackson on Tuesday, April 29. Videos cane be watched that review Jackson. These include: Introduction, Reinventing the Presidency P1, Reinventing the Presidency P2, Corporations, the Bank War, Indian Removal, Cherokee & the Supreme Court, and Nullification. The Math Assessment will be Wednesday through Friday with shortened classes. During this time we will talk about westward expansion in the United States. Students have this week left to hand in the Cerealism Project before the grade is locked to a zero. The project can be found here.