These few weeks between our two major holiday breaks have always been, for me at least, a time to look back at just how fast the beginning of the school year goes! It really is interesting in the fact of just how much we all go through in just a few months. I also reflect on just how grateful I am for this community and everyone involved. In this season of thanks, I truly am appreciative of my colleagues and everyone else who puts forth so much effort every day to make this truly the great place it is. I hope for everyone they can find time to reflect on what a great start to the school year we have had and can also get excited for what is to come!
-Kevin
Upcoming Dates:
- December 10 – Cluster Lunch (pizza provided for lunch)
- December 12 – 5th + 6th off campus for PE (ice skating)
- December 19 – Holiday Extravaganza (½ Day)
- December 20 – January 5 – Winter Break
- January 5 – Teacher Work Day – No School
- January 9 – 7th + 8th off campus for PE (ice skating)
ELA: 7th grade readers and diarists continued their reading of Anne Frank – reflecting on what Anne found hope in and her view of the human experience. We compared this to our own hopes and dreams for our futures as individuals and communities. We also began a new grammar unit diving deep into the many iterations and rules of nouns and pronouns.
Next week, 7th grade diaries will be due on 12/12 and they can prepare for a grammar test on 12/11.
Science: This week in science 7th graders explored the Mono Lake ecosystem to learn about feeding relationships between organisms and how biotic and abiotic factors interact. Students then used that knowledge and applied it to an ecosystem they are studying with a group of their peers. Throughout the next several weeks students will become the class experts on their ecosystem and share their findings with the rest of the class. Next week students will take a more detailed look at producers and how they use the sun for energy.
Social Studies: Seventh grade has begun our work on the Federal Government. We are beginning with how our government came to be through the revolution and going into the Bill of Rights. They will have a quiz on the Bill of Rights this upcoming Tuesday (on google classroom) and then go into some famous writings on the ideas of government and democracy from John Locke and Rousseau. This is an important area to study and will tie into our trip to Washington D.C.
Math: This week in math, 7th graders wrapped up unit 3 in which they solved multi-step equations using diagrams. They took their test on Tuesday, and then we begin unit 4 – which expands on the previous unit and applies that mastery to writing and solving more complex equations, inequalities, and systems.
