October News 7th Grade Newsletter

Social Studies -

In October will be working on our first project of the year, our Explorer Reports. This will be a dual grade, counting in ELA as well. Look for information coming home about this project on Thursday, October 11th. Following this research project we will wrap up chapter two and take a test on our first unit - chapters 1 and 2.

ELA - Our main focus in October will be on the Explorer Reports. We will be researching a European Explorer, creating a project, and presenting our findings. Use of proper documentation and citing will also be covered. The presentations start on Monday, October 22. Book Share #2 will be assigned after October 10th. We will return to our short story unit and author study of Gary Soto after the Explorer Reports are complete. Please check my teacher webpage for due dates, Friday Writing rubrics, and Book Share information.

Science -

Students are nearing the end of the first unit and can expect to be assessed during the week of the 22nd on the following topics: lab safety, tools of the laboratory, metric system, displaying data, and the scientific method. Just a reminder that if any student fails a quiz or test they can go through the extra credit process to earn credit on their quiz or test. This process involves staying 9th period to review the test, asking questions, and practicing similar problems. Once the student demonstrates that they have a better understanding of the material then they will be given a condensed version of a new test. The two grades will then be averaged and the student will earn the averaged grade. Our next unit will be on cells which includes topics like cell structure, process, function, and energy.

Math -

Students will be discussing integers in October. We will add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers. Later in the month, we will be learning how to deal with rational numbers, including the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions, mixed numbers, and decimal numbers. By the end of October, students will start to learn about how to simplify algebraic expressions. This section will serve as a foundation for 8th and 9th grade math topics!

Foreign Language -

Students are currently learning about the geography of several French and Spanish speaking countries. They are working on identifying the location of these countries on a variety of maps as well as labeling the countries in both French and Spanish. In the month of October students will be learning about Nouns in French and Spanish and how they differ in English. Students

will learn about the importance of articles such as “The” and “A/an” and how all objects have a gender that can be identified by their articles.

Band/Chorus -

Students will need black and white dress clothes for our winter concerts. Black pants or skirt, white shirt (must cover the shoulders). They will also need black dress shoes and socks/tights. December 12th is the MS Chorus concert, January 10th is the MS Band concert. The Band Booster organization still has calendars for sale! $10 for a wall calendar that includes the school calendar and music events.

General Music -

We are off to a great start this 10 weeks. The first quarter students have reviewed simple music notation, written a piano composition via the QuaverMusic website and learned to play simple songs on the piano keyboard. RIght now we are working through a research project on composers and time periods of music history.

FACS-

Students have completed their aprons and used them for M & M Cookie Pizzas. I’m hopeful some of you got to taste them. We are making Chicken Noodle Soup in a short few weeks. Put in your requests! Students will need to bring in a container to transport it home. A wide mouthed container is best. The Thermos is difficult to pour the soup into from the large pot.