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.
