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.

Water bottle projects and linear equations

This week in 7th grade math we finished our unit on geometry.  On Monday, we had the unit test on geometry and on Tuesday the final water bottle and all the nets were due.  We then watched two of my favorite math related movies: Flatland and Donald Duck in Mathmagicland.  On Wednesday, we will begin our next unit on linear equations.  We will start by filling up vases with water and graph the height of the water.  Each graph will look different and tell a story about the water and the vase.  We will then begin to look at functions and patterns.

Here are all the water bottle projects.  The kids worked really hard on the project and the end results look awesome.  Great job to all.

Week 34: 7th Grade Science

Weeks: 34

Topic:  Cell Structure & Function

Objectives: 

Identify the role of the cell wall and cell membrane in the cell.

Describe the functions of cell organelles.

Explain how cells are organized in many-celled organisms.

Tell how bacterial cells differ from plant and animal cells. 

Essential Question:

How are cells like a factory? 

Key Terms:

organelle

cell organelles

This week: This unit is a self-study/research project on the cell.  They will research each organelle of the cell and compile their research into a spread sheet format.  It will be a great study guide for high school.

Differentiation:

researching

art integration

technology integration

Upcoming:   Cell Project

                     The Cell in its Environment

                     Photosynthesis

                     Respiration

                     

Water bottle project

This week in 7th grade math the class is still working on the water bottle project.  They are currently working incredibly hard on the nets for all of their designs.  They have completed volume and surface area for all of their designs and just have to finish the nets and then choose one of their designs to create.  They have worked so hard on the project and have really done a great job.  I have been very impressed with the effort that they have put in and how challenging they have made it for themselves.  There is some really great thinking going on in the math room right now.

Test on geometry on May 16th
Final water bottle and paper due on May 17th

April was National Poetry Month

In library, 7th grade has celebrated National Poetry month throughout April with lots of reading poetry aloud including poems for two voices from the Newberry Award winning book, "Joyful Noise."  Today the kids read poems for two voices that they wrote themselves.  Most of them had opposing voices such as: Warm and Cold Weather, Ohio State vs. Michigan football, Killer and Victim, Coke and Pepsi, Kim Kardashian and Will Ferrel.  The kids did an excellent job and wrote very creative poems.  Ask them about it!

Week 33: 7th Grade Science

Weeks: 33

Topic:  Igneous to Metamorphic

Objectives: 

List the characteristics used by geologists to identify rocks

Identify and describe the three major rock groups 

Describe ways in which rocks are used 

Essential Question:

How do rocks compare? 

Key Terms:

igneous, sedimentary, & metamorphic

grains & texture

extrusive and intrusive rock

erosion, deposition, compaction, cementation

foliated

This week: The week the 7th grade geologists went into the field to find rocks and create a “Field Guide” to classify the main characteristics of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock.  

Differentiation:

classifying

inferring

observing

drawing conclusions

Upcoming:  Creating the Rock Cycle