Clay Picasso Faces and One-Point-Perspective

The seventh graders finished beautiful clay face relief sculptures in the style of Picasso. They looked at many examples of his cubist style and then created their own interpretations. Here are a few samples.

Last week we moved on to a one-point-perspective project that combines perspective drawing with the style of an artist in the design of a birds-eye-view city scape. Here are a few samples that they saw in order to inspire their creativity. 

  

Finishing fractions and exponents unit

This week in 7th grade math we are finishing up our fourth unit on fractions and exponents.  This week we reviewed scientific notation for writing really big and really small numbers.  We will have a review day and play a Jeopardy math game tomorrow.  We will then take out unit test on Thursday.

I hope everyone has a relaxing and enjoyable two weeks off and safe travels to those going out of town.

Upcoming assignments:

Unit 4 test on Thursday Dec. 17
Alternative Assessment due Thursday Dec. 17
Ruler Project due Friday Dec. 18

Week 16: 7th Grade Science

Week: 16

Have a happy and safe holiday!

Topic:  The Circulatory System

Objectives: 

Explain the function of the cardiovascular system.

Describe the structure and function of the heart.

Sequence the path taken by the blood the the CVS.

Essential Question:

How is our cardiovascular system like a transportation system?  

Key Terms:

CVS

atrium

ventricle

valve

septum

pacemaker

artery

capillary

vein

This week the kids will see how special an organ the heart is and how hard it works. They will understand that the heart is virtually a pump in a closed loop system.   Each student will learn how to calculate their pulse rate at rest and see how exercise affects their pulse rate.  Lastly, the class will sequence the flow of blood to and from the heart.  

Differentiation:

Inferring

Calculating

Data Interpretation

Sequencing

Hour of Code

The middle school students participated in Hour of Code today using TinkerBox HD a physics-based building environment. What does that mean? It means it is a virtual environment with objects that operate and interact as they do in the real world, with gravity, simple machines, and based on scientific concepts. Students built upon their experiences with code from Hour of Code in previous years and moved into a visual learning environment. They had the opportunity to practice with puzzles and create their own Rube Goldberg machines.
Throughout the experience today, students were asked to problem solve, think through situations sequentially, and examine cause and effect behaviors. They interacted with one another offering support and creative solutions. The TinkerBox HD app is on your child's iPad. Ask them to show you how it works.
For further information and coding opportunities, the code.org site is a wonderful free resource with coding and app creation opportunities for children. I would also encourage you to check out Scratch Jr. (works well as an iPad app) and Scratch for more advanced coding experiences. Scratch offers a platform for students to write code and create a game that can be shared with others in a safe online setting. Your child might also be interested in experimenting with a Makey Makey (If I explain it, I won't do it justice). Take a look at this wonderful device that makes it possible to turn bananas into a keyboard. You might also look into the Tynker app. This app provides coding and problem solving challenges for all ages and levels. Coding is the perfect opportunity for kids to utilize their problem solving and spatial reasoning skills over the winter break.
A special thank you to Ted Grunebaum, Heidi McDermott, Margaret Steele, Vince Menees, Julie DePrey, David Tipton (dad to William in kindergarten), and Mike Check (dad to Josie in 1st and Braeden in 3rd). They each enjoyed facilitating the experience for the kids.

Pickleball Tournament

Congratulations to Grizzly Bear Army (Aidan and Elena) for defeating the Purple Chocolate Hippos (Linnea and Julian) in the Championship round of our 7th grade Pickleball tournament! Grizzly Bear Army will now get the chance to win a free Slim's lunch if they can beat Mr. Hotaling and Mr. Hirsch!

Week 15: 7th Grade Science

Week: 15

Topic: Project Fair

Dear Parents,

I hope you all enjoyed Project Fair as much as I did this year.  I always enjoy all the different ideas the kids come up with and through all their hard work they really become an expert in their field.  Thank you also for all your support and patience during this long process.  

Next, the seventh graders will begin to look at the Circulatory System and how it is our bodies transportation system.  

Hope you all have a happy and healthy holiday.  

Sincerely,

Mr. T

Rational numbers and exponent rules

This week in 7th grade the class is continuing to work on our unit on factors, fractions, and exponents.  This week we will be learning about rational numbers and how to order and simplify negative and positive fractions.  Then for the rest of the week we will be learning about the rules for multiplying and dividing exponents.  We also are beginning to work on the ruler project that will be due at the end of next week.

Upcoming assignments:

Quiz on sections 4.5-4.8 on Monday Dec. 14
Test and alternative assessment due on Thursday Dec. 17
Ruler Project due Friday Dec. 18

7th Grade Language Arts: Tour Project

7th graders continue drafting their tour scripts this week.

Upcoming Due Dates:

Book Review First Draft Due: Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Book Review Final Draft Due: Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Book Club Tour Presentation: Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Unit 4 Factors, Fractions, and Exponents

This week in 7th grade math we have begun our fourth unit on factors, fractions, and exponents.  We started the week by working on divisibility and learning the divisibility rules for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10.  Tomorrow, we will learn about what exponents are and how to do order of operations with exponents in them.  We will also learn about the Sieve of Eratoshenes, which is basically a way to identify all the prime numbers. (I will give extra credit on quizzes and tests for knowing the prime numbers 1-100.)  On Thursday, we will go over prime factorization and apply it to finding the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) of numbers and sets of numbers with variables and exponents.  Friday, we will work on simplifying fractions and fractions with exponents and variables in them.  This week I will also be introducing the ruler project that we will be working on this month.

Upcoming assignment:
Quiz on Monday Dec. 7th

Week 14: 7th Grade Science

Week 14

Topic:  Temperature, Thermal Energy, and Heat

Objectives: 

How does a thermometer work?

Describe how thermal energy is related to temperature and heat. 

Explain the significance of a high specific heat.

Essential Question:

Can different objects at the same temperature have different energies?  It’s all about the particles. 

Key Terms:

temperature

celcius

absolute zero

Kelvin scale

heat

thermal energy

specific heat

While working on their Science Fair Projects the kids have been exploring the concepts of thermal energy, heat, and temperature.  What do these words really mean and how do we use them in our everyday lives?  This week the kids analyzed “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” and concluded that the author was only partially correct about the bowls of porridge. 

Dinner Discussion: Is it correct to say in the winter, “Close the door you are letting the cold air in.”

Differentiation:

Observing

Compare and Contrast

Measuring

Data analysis

Upcoming: The Transfer of Heat

7th Grade Language Arts: December Projects

Seventh graders started writing book reviews this week.  During the review writing process, our focus will be on crafting attention grabbing introductions, providing an interesting portrait of the novel’s story, developing opinions, and giving explanations that show strong analysis and conclusions.  Additionally, students will do research about the author or other interesting details to provide insight beyond the story.  Lastly, students will include their own recommendation for the novel.  

Students will draft their writing during class time this week and submit their first draft for teacher feedback through Schoology next week.  A plan for improvement for the final draft stage will be discussed during workshop conferencing.  Students will have opportunities during class to share their reviews with classmates inside and outside their book club groups.

They will also begin working on their group project this week.  Students will create a tour and will serve as a tour guide for the settings of their book club novel.  Their tour will include the following:

• A minimum of five different tour stops that are points of interest from the novel.
• Description of an important event from the novel that occurred at each of the tour stops.
• Artwork, music, props, and/or costumes to help recreate the scene.
• Group members playing the main characters from the novel.
• Interaction between the guide and the characters as the tour takes place.

Groups will plan, write, and rehearse the script prior to the presentation day.

Upcoming Due Dates:

Book Review First Draft Due: Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Book Review Final Draft Due: Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Book Club Tour Presentation: Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Powers and Limitations of Government

Over the past two weeks, the 7th graders have been learning about the powers of state and federal governments.  They also learned about the limits placed on government and the rights given to the people.  Student have been discussing their opinions about how powerful the government should be.
Check out some of their conversations below.  Later this week, students will learn about the Bill of Rights.

Upcoming Date:  

• Constitution Test: Thursday, December 17

Questions for your 7th Grader:

• Should the federal government be more powerful than state and local governments?
• What powers should be given to the people, with no interference from government?

Happy Thanksgiving

In 7th grade we just finished unit 3 and we finished our test today.  After the break we will begin our fourth unit on fractions and exponents.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your time off.

Week 13: 7th Grade Science

7th Grade Families,

This weekend your child should be completing his or her Project Board and preparing their oral presentation.

Have a safe and Thankful holiday.

Sincerely,
Mr. T

7th Grade Language Arts: Science Fiction Book Clubs

Students will have their final book club meeting on Tuesday.  The concluding assessment projects for the Science Fiction Book Club unit will be completed in December.  Students will create a book review individually and work as a group to develop a tour presentation of the novel events and settings.  Check back to see how these projects are developing!

Upcoming Due Dates:

Book Review First Draft Due: Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Book Review Final Draft Due: Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Book Club Tour Presentation: Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Technology in Your Daily Lives

Do you use technology in a creative way on a daily basis? Is there a robot that builds things in your industry? Are you able to provide better care to your patients because of technology? We want to hear from you!
We would like to connect the NPES theme of Humans of Chicago and our Hour of Code experience by bringing in guest speakers that use technology in a creative way. NPES hopes to inspire our students to change the world. From Anthony Atala who is exploring 3D printing as an alternative to organ procurement programs to Brittany Wenger who at the age of 17 turned her love of asking questions in to an award winning cloud based artificial intelligence program for diagnosing breast cancer, technology is changing the way we live our lives and experience health and happiness.
NPES students are our future. Exposing them to humans of Chicago who utilize technology everyday, gives our students the opportunity to look towards that future. Please contact Kim Smith or Brad Riggs if you would like to share your story.

Hour of Code is Coming

The Hour of Code experience at North Park needs you! The entire middle school will participate at the same time the morning of December 11, 2015. Beyond the desire to create and explore with some really great kids,  there are no specific skills required of volunteers. Everything we will do with the kids is something that you can do too. Please sign up for a time that works with your schedule. We would love to have you with your own child's class or with another class. 

Week 12: 7th Grade Science

Week: 12

Topic: Project Fair

Dear Parents,

 This week is the final weekend before Thanksgiving.  The kids should begin their poster boards this weekend and be completed by 11/28.  While doing their poster board they should be preparing their oral presentation. 

The kids have worked hard on their project’s and I am excited to see their final results.  There is a wide range of physical science projects from “How do materials and  collisions affect the brain? to How buoyant is water?”  I hope you enjoy the 7th grade projects as well as the rest of the middle school projects.  See you on the December 3rd.

Please continue to monitor your child’s project progress.  A useful source is Science Buddies which is an on-line project guide.

Sincerely,

Mr. T

Gorgeous Gourds

The 7th graders just finished these beautiful pastel drawings of gourds. They learn how to use a view finder to isolate an interesting section of a gourd photo in order to make a nice composition. They are encouraged to try blending un-realistic color combinations and to show light and shadow. I think they did an excellent job.

They are hanging up in the front hall. Stop in and have a look.

Finishing unit 3 on decimals

This week in 7th grade we are finishing up our unit on decimals.  We have been working with the metric system and how to convert between units and we did the act it out problem solving strategy.  We moved around in class and acted out certain problems and we also learned about Carl Gauss and how he figured out how to add the numbers 1 to 100 very quickly.  For the rest of the week we will be going over how to do multi-step equations with decimals and how to remove decimals from problems.  We will end the week with a review/problem solving day.

Upcoming assignments:
Test on Monday November 23rd
Alternative assessment due Monday November 23rd.
POW Back to School Shopping due Tuesday November 24th

Ask your child at home to show you how to add the numbers 1 to 100 (not just tell you the answer).

Three Branches Projects

Today, the 7th graders finished up their group projects about the three branches of government. The groups came up with some very creative ways to share knowledge with their classmates.  The judicial branch group created a music video, the legislative branch made a stop motion animation video, and the executive group created a interactive video to simulate a presidential election with audience participation.  Now, these projects will be shared with the other students and they will make connections between the powers of the three branches.  Next week, students will learn about the First Amendment.

Questions for your 7th grader:

Show me your three branches of government project.

Which branch of the United States government is the most powerful?

7th Grade Language Arts: Science Fiction Book Clubs

Ender’s Game

“Far into the future, on an earth that has been attacked by an alien species know as buggers, lives a boy named Ender. At a young age, Ender was a super genius. He is drafted into a high intelligence army to learn how to be a well trained soldier. During his first year, he moved up from a “launchie” to an army member. He trains day to day making new friends, and dealing with the stress of leaving his family.  We think that the setting of this book is very interesting. The technology is very futuristic, with laser guns that freeze the players in a training game, and a highly sophisticated desk with an interactive game.” 

-Eric, Julian, Ryan, & James

Life A We Knew It

“In northern Pennsylvania, Miranda lived a pretty average life. She has two brothers, no love life, divorced parents and a stepmom, along with other troubles. And though she didn’t really appreciate the luxuries she had, Miranda would soon. A meteor hits the moon one day, knocking it closer into orbit. There were tsunamis, tornados, volcanic eruptions, and no electricity. Miranda and her family are now facing dangerous challenges and fight to stay alive. 

So far, we have found this book really interesting.  This concept has never been done before. The mom is slowly going crazy, and Miranda’s friend is starving herself to death. In order for our group to continue to enjoy this book, the storyline really needs to pick up the pace.” 

- Noah, Elena, Olivia, Linnea

7th Grade Language Arts: Science Fiction Book Clubs

The Ear, the Eye, the Arm

"Our book is about three kids in Zimbabwe in 2194. They leave their house for a forbidden scout trip. Their adventure takes them around Zimbabwe and their life is changed forever. They are captured, stolen, bitten, and hunted for throughout the mysterious wastelands of Zimbabwe. Read on for more. We all have enjoyed the beginning of this book so far and we are hoping for a just as exciting ending." -Max, Taylor, Aidan, & Phoebe

Decimals and algebra

This week in 7th grade math we are continuing to work on our third unit on decimals.  Today in class we reviewed measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode, and outliers) and worked with how to work with formulas.  We practice used d=rt, which is distance=rate * time, F = n/4 +37, which is Fahrenheit equals number of cricket chirps in a minute divided by 4 plus 37, and P=2L+2W, which is perimeter is 2 lengths + 2 widths.  When using these formulas the students were given different pieces of information and had to use algebra to figure out the missing information.  For the rest of the week we will begin solving simple one step addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication algebra problems that have decimals in them.

Upcoming Assignments:
Quiz on sections 3.1-3-4 on Thursday November 12
Problem of the Week Scale stepping due on Monday November 16
Quiz on sections 3.5-3.7 on Tuesday November 17

Three Branches of Government

This week, the 7th graders are hard at work on their Three branches of government project. (See below)  Students are working in groups and they spent several days coming up with questions about the jobs of the members of each of the three branches and then researched the answers to those questions.  Now, they are starting to plan a project that shares what they have learned with an audience.  Check back next week to see what they are creating.

Questions for your 7th grader:

• Which branch of government are you researching?
• What type of product are you and your team creating?

Week 11: 7th Grade Science

Week: 11

Topic: Project Fair

Dear Parents,

By now the kids should have completed their experiment, data, graphs, and data analysis.  This week in class we will be working on writing their conclusion, and putting together their two page Research Paper and Project Report.  

Next, they should have received their Tri-Fold boards and instructions on how to complete their presentation.  Ideally their boards should be completed by November 21st.

Please continue to monitor your child ’s project progress.  A useful source is Science Buddies which is an on-line project guide.

Sincerely,

Mr. T

Lacrosse in PE

"This unit in gym was lacrosse, and I am not a very gifted lacrosse player. We spent a couple classes learning about cradling, shooting, and passing. After the basics we got to play games. I played every position (including goalie!) and really improved. After 3 weeks of playing lacrosse I am confident to say that I am getting better at playing lacrosse!"

-Olivia

The Constitutional Convention

Last week, the 7th graders learned about America's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation. Students learned about the weaknesses of that form of government and made predictions about the challenges that would be created as a result.  Then, they learned about the Constitutional Convention, where delegates from each state met to fix the problems created by the Articles of Confederation.  Today, they participated in a simulation about the convention.  Each student represented one of the states and shared with their classmates how their state would react to some of the controversial issues at the convention, such as representation in congress and slavery.  Later in the week, they will learn about the Preamble to the Constitution and the system of checks and balances.

Questions for your 7th grader:

• Who did you represent in the Constitutional Convention?  What did they believe about slavery and representation in congress?

• Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

Monsters and aliens with the pre-schoolers!

Last week the 7th graders completed their first "monster project" with the pre-schoolers. The 8th graders have been doing this project for several years now, but since we have so many pre-schoolers, I involved the 7th grade this year and we will do the project every other year. The project is based on the work of artist Dave DeVries who brings to life the drawings of his own children. The pre-schoolers draw monsters and then the older kids choose one of their drawings and have to turn it into a more realistic 3-D image. They interview their pre-schooler to get more information regarding visual details and then they use shading, color and add a background to make their monster look more real. I think you will agree that this is a challenge and they did a great job. I will try to hang them up in the hall next week.

This week we move on to gourd drawings!

Unit 3 Decimals

This week in 7th grade math we are starting our third unit on algebra and decimals.  We are starting the week off with reviewing how to multiply and divide decimals.  I am teaching the students, and requiring them use, the multiplication and division methods that most of us were taught and learned.  I am asking them to use these methods because I feel that they are a little faster then lattice and partial products.  We will then go over ordering and comparing decimals.

Week 10: 7th Grade Science

Week: 10

Topic: Project Fair

Dear Parents,

This past weekend (10/31) the kids should have purchased their materials and begun doing their pre-experiment.  You should plan with your child to have their experiment completed by November 7th.  The kids have completed their rough drafts for their data tables and graphs.  This will allow them to record and plot their data.  This week the 7th graders will receive information on how to proceed with their two page research paper, data analysis, and conclusion.  My goal is to have the experiments and paper work completed by Thanksgiving, enjoy the holiday, use the remainder of the time to create the project board, and their presentation.

Please monitor your child ’s project progress.  A useful source is Science Buddies which is an on-line project guide.

Sincerely,

Mr. T

1st Quarter Grades Posted by 5:00 pm on 11/9/15

Today marks the beginning of the 2nd quarter for middle school students. Grades for the 1st quarter will be posted to Net Community by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, 11/9/15.

Finishing unit 2 on algebra

This week in 7th grade math we are finishing up our second unit of the year on solving algebra equations.  We have been slowly building the algebra problems during the course of the unit.  We started with simple one step equations and inequalities, then moved onto two step equations, then to multi-step equations that require combining like terms and distributing.   Today we added the last piece which was solving equations that had variables on both sides of the equation.  The class is now able to solve pretty complex algebra equations and inequalities.

Upcoming assignments:
Quiz tomorrow October 28th on sections 7.1, 7.2, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6
POW Kaytee's Contest due on Thursday Oct. 29th
Alternative Assessment due Monday Nov. 2nd
Test on Monday Nov. 2nd

Questions to ask at home:
Ask your child to show you their POW Kaytee's Contest
Ask your child to write an equation to find three consecutive numbers that add up to 84 and then explain what they are doing.

Government Unit

This week, the 7th graders are beginning their government unit.  Today, they learned about the purpose of the Declaration of Independence.  Later in the week, they will discuss the Articles of Confederation and the challenges that they created for the new nation.  By next week, we will begin our study of the United States Constitution with an inquiry project about the three branches of government.

Questions for you 7th Grader:

• How is the Declaration of Independence influenced by the Enlightenment?
• Did the Founding Fathers write the Declaration of Independence for selfish or ideological reasons?

Checking out the Declaration of Independence.

7th Grade Language Arts: New Book Clubs

This week 7th graders started their new book club groups.  This quarter the genre is science fiction books.  The books being read this quarter include Ender’s Game, The Ear, the Eye, & the Arm, and Life As We Knew It.  Students received their books today and met with their group members to develop the reading schedule and set goals and ground rules for the meetings.  Each book club group will meet for eight discussion sessions throughout the month of November.  During each meeting, students discuss reading log reflections, literary elements, opinions, frustrations, interesting quotes, predictions, etc.  The concluding assessment projects will be completed in December.  Students will create a book review individually and work as a group to develop a tour presentation of the events and settings in their books.

Upcoming Due Dates:

Personal Narrative Paper:

1st Draft due: Tuesday, November 10, 2015

2nd Draft due: Monday, November 16, 2015

Final Draft due: Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Week 9: 7th Grade Science

Week: 9

Topic: Project Fair

Dear Parents,

By this time your son or daughter has identified their variables, completed their hypothesis, project title, question, and problem question.  This week they are working on their rough drafts for their material list, procedure, tables, and graphs.  By this weekend (10/31) they should have purchased their materials and begun doing their pre-experiment.  I will keep you posted each week of their progress.  My goal is to have the experiments completed by Thanksgiving, enjoy the holiday, use the remainder of the time to create the project board, and their presentation.

Sincerely,

Mr. Tortorici

Multi-step algebra problems

This week in 7th grade we are continuing to work on our second unit on solving algebra equations.  During this unit we started in unit two with the distributive property and then solving simple one step algebra equations.  The second part of this unit, which is part of unit 7 in the textbook, is to apply these skills to more complex algebra problems that require multiple steps.  We started this today, after our quiz, and went over how to solve two step equations and discussed how it was like the reverse order of operations and that they have to add or subtract before they multiply or divide.  For the rest of the week we will add more steps in the algebra order of operations process.  Tomorrow we will add distributing and combining like terms to solve algebra problems.  Lastly, we have spent a lot of time in each lesson talking about how to write an algebra equation for a word problem.  On Thursday we will continue to work on this skill and work on writing some pretty challenging equations.

Upcoming assignments:
Quiz next Wednesday October 28th on sections 7.1, 7.2, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6 in the textbook
POW Kaytee's contest due Thursday October 29th
Test Monday November 2nd
Alternative Assessment due Monday November 2nd

War Unit Conclusion

Last week, students talked about how Native Americans and the United States government often came into conflict with one another.  Students analyzed primary sources and come together to discuss the idea of land ownership in a socratic seminar.  This week, the 7th graders are finishing up their unit about wars in early America.  They have a quiz about Native American conflicts and the War of 1812 on Thursday.  They will write their evidence essay in class on Friday.  Students will be writing about whether or not war ever has a positive outcome using three of the wars from this unit as evidence to support their opinion.  Next week, students will begin their unit about the American government.  We will start by discussing the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.  Then, they will work on a group project about the three branches of government.

Question for your 7th grader:

• Does war ever have a positive outcome?

Native American Conflicts Socratic Seminar

7th Grade Language Arts: Personal Narrative Writing Project

Dear 7th Grade Families:

Your student is about to embark on a Narrative Writing Project, during which he or she will write a personal narrative based on a family member’s life experiences.

Your student will create a series of questions and then use those questions to interview an older relative. Once the interview is complete, the student will create a personal narrative essay to help tell the relative’s story. 

In class, students will develop questions for the interview, review each other’s work, and share what they have learned.  

I am asking you to help your student select a family member for this project and provide assistance in arranging the meeting. This meeting can take place in person, over the phone, on FaceTime, or through email. While it is not your responsibility to conduct the interview, you may assist by video recording the interview.

When students learn about the memories of other people, it can help them become more thoughtful readers and writers in other contexts. With this activity, students will also gain a better appreciation of how daily life has changed over the years.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Payne

Week: 8

***This Saturday 10/24/15 please sit down with your son or daughter and discuss their experiment with them.  Things to discuss are materials, timing, a pre-experiment, and the experiment itself.  I will be giving the students a detailed calendar of assignment due dates.  My goal is to have the project done before Thanksgiving weekend.

Thanks 

Mr. T

Topic:  Energy Transformation and Conservation

Objectives: 

Describe the transformation of energy between potential and kinetic energy.

State the law of conservation of energy.

Essential Question:

If energy isn’t created or destroyed, then where does it go?

Key Terms:

energy transformation

law of conservation of energy

matter

friction

This week the kids will use the motion of a pendulum to reinforce their knowledge of mechanical energy and how it related to their roller coaster project.  

Differentiated Instruction:

visual

Upcoming:

***Project Night***

Completed 

Project Selection

Journal Materials

Key Terms

Observation, Problem & Problem Question

This Week

Note Cards

Bibliography

Title Page

Table of Contents

For Next Week

Hypothesis

Materials and Procedure

MAP Scores Coming Home Today

MAP scores are coming home today via kidmail. If you have more than one child in grades 3-7, all scores will come home with the youngest child. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email Mrs. Smith.

Week 7: 7th Grade Science

Week: 7

Topic:  Energy Transformation and Conservation

Objectives: 

Describe the transformation of energy between potential and kinetic energy.

State the law of conservation of energy.

Essential Question:

If energy isn’t created or destroyed, then where does it go?

Key Terms:

energy transformation

law of conservation of energy

matter

friction

This week the kids will use the motion of a pendulum to reinforce their knowledge of mechanical energy and how it related to their roller coaster project.  

Differentiated Instruction:

visual

Upcoming:

***Project Night***

Completed 

Project Selection

Journal Materials

Key Terms

Observation, Problem & Problem Question

This Week

Note Cards

Bibliography

Title Page

Table of Contents

For Next Week

Hypothesis

Materials and Procedure

Native American Conflicts

This week in social studies, the 7th graders are finishing up their unit about war with lessons about Native American conflicts and the War of 1812.  Students spent today reading several primary sources about how the United States government and Native American tribes disagreed about the idea of land ownership.  Tomorrow, they will participate in a socratic seminar where they will discuss the idea of who should own land and if the government was justified in their actions.  Later in the week, they will participate in a simulation about the War of 1812.  Students will take their quiz on these topics next Thursday and will write their in class essay about our war essential question next Friday.

Questions for your 7th grader:

• Who has the right to own land?
• Do you think the United States should have fought with Native American tribes over land?

Links to the primary sources:

• Treaty of Greenville
• Tecumseh's Speech

Upcoming Dates

• Thursday, October 22  Native American Conflicts and War of 1812 Quiz
• Friday, October 23       In class essay: "Does war ever have a positive outcome?"

Basic Algebra equations, guess check and revise, and inequalities

This week in 7th grade math we continue to work on our second unit on solving algebra equations.  Today we worked on solving one step algebra equations that had addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in them.  Tomorrow we will move onto the guess, check, and revise method for problem solving.  We will spend most of the day learning about this strategy of problem solving and then do other problem solving activities.  We will then finish the week with learning about inequalities and how to solve one step inequality equations.

Upcoming assignments:
Problem of the Week Ostrich Llama count due next Tuesday Oct. 20th
Quiz on sections 2.4-2.9 on Tuesday Oct 20th

7th Grade Language Arts: Scholastic Story Starter

VIP Day was a great opportunity for students to share what they have been working on in Language Arts class with their visitors.  Students also got a chance to play a verbal storytelling game using the Scholastic Story Starter on the Promethean Board.  The Story Starter looks like a slot machine filled with silly story ideas.  Students spun the wheel for the initial idea and then added more details to create a story with their visitors.  The story starter can be used for verbal or written storytelling.  Just type in a name and click on the grades 4-6 button (the prompts can be enjoyed by all middle school grades even though they are labeled as grades 4-6).  

Here is the link if you are interested using the Scholastic Story Starter with your child at home:

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/story-starters/

Upcoming 1st Quarter Assessments & Due Dates:

Literary Elements and Techniques Final Test: Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Short Story Final Draft Due: Friday, October 16, 2015

Football in PE!

"From juggling to fainting goats tag, we are always doing fun things in PE. Football has been a good challenge. We have been practicing throwing through hula hoops and throwing long passes to partners who are running."
- Aidan

American Revolution Simulations

Over the past few weeks, the 7th graders have been acting out the battles of the American Revolution.  On Monday, students created their own simulations and skits about battles that they had read and then used them to teach their classmates.  Today, students will be reviewing some social studies study skills to prepare for their American Revolution quiz, which is on Thursday.  Next week, the 7th graders will be learning about Native American wars during colonial times and the War of 1812.

Questions for your 7th Grader:

• Why did the Patriots win the American Revolution?
• Who are the "heroes" of the American Revolution?

Human contour drawings, image and text compositions.

The 7th graders are almost done with the powerful text and image compositions. They did big contour drawings of wooden architecture mannequins and worked on getting the proportions right.  They are a simple representation of the human body and allowed for each students individual style to come through. They were then required to trace their best drawing at least three times to create an interesting composition. They had to use different techniques to fill in the body shapes, like warm colors, cool colors, patterns etc. One of the figures had to be shaded to show volume. Finally they were asked to think about what being human means to them and to fill their backgrounds with text that communicated this idea. I think they did a great job!