Week 38: 7th Grade Science

Week: 38

Over the past three weeks the 7th Graders have been working on the cell, its structure, functions, and processes.  The highlight of this unit was comparing and making analogies of the cell to a factory.  The kids designed their own factories using the organelles of the cell.  The class was then introduced to the chemistry of the cell; diffusion, photosynthesis, and respiration.  This was an introduction to next years chemistry units, but more importantly, it is always fun to see the look on kids faces when a chemical reaction takes place.  Lastly, the dissection of the frog always excites them to see how life evolves and how more complex the frog is from the worm.

Another year has passed and I hope your son or daughter enjoyed how science works and how we need it in the world we live in.  Have a safe and relaxing summer!

Sincerely,

Mr. T

End of the Civil War

Today, the 7th graders are finishing up their Civil War unit and are taking their final test.  Earlier this week, students acted out the final stages of the war, including Sherman's March to Sea and the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse (see picture).  Yesterday, students shared their menu items with the class.  We saw some great political cartoons, pieces of propaganda, interviews, and mini-lessons. Next year, students will continue learning about United States history after the Civil War.  Have a great summer!

Chicago grid system, scatter plots, and nonlinear graphs

This week in 7th grade math we took our final exam and have worked on the Chicago grid system.  It was fun to watch the kids on the floor looking at the map of Chicago and writing down the numbers, direction, and names of streets.  It is so interesting to see how easily this comes to some students and how hard it is for others.  For the rest of the week, we will be learning how to create a scatter plot of data and how to write an equation for the line of best fit for a scatter plot.  We will end the year on Friday by graphing and looking at different types of nonlinear data, such as, absolute value and quadratic functions.

It has been a great year and the class has really done a great job.  Have a great summer and see you next year!

Linear equations

In 7th grade math the class has started learning about linear equations.  This week, we have been looking at growing patterns and how they can be represented by equations.  We have also begun graphing linear equations by finding x and y points on a graph.  Tomorrow we will work on graphing linear equations using slope and y-intercepts and how to write an equations for an x, y chart.  We will then spend the rest of the week learning about the City of Chicago grid system.

7th Grade Language Arts: To Kill a Mockingbird Project

To concluded the To Kill a Mockingbird unit, 7th graders dressed as characters from the novel and presented a character analysis.

More Civil War

This week, the 7th graders are learning about the turning point battles of the Civil War.  They are also working on their menu items.  Today, students acted out the epic Battle of Gettysburg.

Questions for your 7th grader:

• Is it fair to to involve civilians in warfare?
• Does Abraham Lincoln deserve to be called "The Great Emancipator"?

Upcoming Dates:

• Wednesday, June 1   Menu due
• Friday, June 3           Civil War Test

Civil War Battles

Over the past few weeks, the 7th graders have been learning about the Civil War in social studies. We have been using the book "Two Miserable Presidents" by Steve Sheinkin to create simulations of the battles.   The book uses stories of soldiers and quotations from primary sources to bring the battles to life.  Students have then been organizing the battles on a chart and map.  The 7th graders are also working on a list menu throughout the unit.  They are working on several small projects that demonstrate their knowledge about the war.  These projects will be presented at the end of the unit.

Upcoming Dates:

• Civil War Quiz- Thurs. May 19
• Civil War Menu-Wed. June 1
• Civil War Test- Fri. June 3

Questions for your 7th grader:

• Which side had the best strategy during the Civil War?
• What advantages and disadvantages did each side have at the beginning of the war?

The cannonballs fly during the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac, two ironclad ships.