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Mrs. Markert
7th Grade ELA
In Mrs. Markert’s 7th grade ELA classes, January’s focus was on argumentative writing. Students read a variety of argumentative texts, identifying an author’s claim, reasons, evidence, counterclaims, and rebuttals. After reading an argumentative text, students also evaluated the strength of the writer’s claim by identifying and evaluating the reasons and supporting evidence. Students were able to compare and contrast arguments written on the same topic but with differing points of view.
Mrs. Ziccardi
7th Grade Science
In Mrs. Ziccardi’s 7th grade science class we are still in our traits and heredity unit. We have learned how genes code for traits and will soon be switching over to learning how genes are inherited. We are currently taking a brief intermission to do a mini project where students can design a use for CRISPR that solves a problem (a new and precise gene editing technology).
We have discussed the pros and cons of gene editing and students have formed their opinions on editing human genes. We also just received our trout! We have yet to count them, a tedious task, but below is a picture! We will soon be learning about how to care for trout, trout genetics, and trout ecosystems. Those that survive will spend the rest of the year in our classroom until we release them in May to Little Fishing Creek.
Thanks to our super fun STEAM coach Miss. D’Ambrosia, in skills class, we are doing STEAM challenges to celebrate the winter Olympics! We will hold our trials in February. Students are competing for their country of choice in ski races, the biathlon and bobsledding! You can see some samples of student creations below! Also, below is an update on our chicks Mango and Papaya. They are now outside with the students’ other hens and roosters and slowly getting acclimated!
Mrs. Besecker
7th Grade Math
Throughout the month of February, students in Mrs. Besecker’s classes will start working through our new unit - Analyze and Use Proportional Relationships. This unit starts by centering on ratios, rates and unit rates. Students will next work with equivalent ratios, in a table format, to decide whether the quantities are in a proportional relationship. They will then be introduced to the constant of proportionality and be able to use it in an equation to represent a proportional relationship.
Does this table show a proportional relationship between the number of dozens of eggs and the cost?
Mr. Clark
7th Grade Social Studies
I hope this message finds you well! In Social Studies, we finished our exploration of Rome and Europe’s early history. Students were busy tackling Guided Notes, Inquiry Investigations, and Depth of Knowledge (DOK) questions as we looked at the impact Rome made in European history. This month, we also welcome back Mr. Lehamn to our classroom. Mr. Lehman is a student-teacher from Penn State and will be with us through the beginning of May. Please find Mr. Lehman’s introductory (welcome) letter below:
Dear Parents/Guardians,
My name is Alex Lehman, and I will be student teaching in your child’s social studies class with Jonathan Clark. After student teaching, I will graduate from Penn State University with a degree in Secondary Education, specializing in social studies. I will also graduate with a minor in History.
I was born and raised in the Downingtown area, a town about 10 minutes away from West Chester. However, I have lived in State College for the past four years, as I am in my last semester at Penn State. In my spare time, I enjoy coaching baseball, listening to country music, and hanging out with friends. I am really into sports, specifically baseball and football, as those were the sports I played growing up. (Go Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles!).
I am looking forward to continuing to build on the relationships I am forming with your children in the classroom! If your child is in periods 1-3, they had me in the fall for six weeks with them in the classroom, so if your child is in the eighth period class, we are still getting to know each other. I cannot wait to become part of your child’s educational process as well as this community! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email (alehman@basd.net).
I am looking forward to a great rest of the year!
Alex Lehman
Mr. Lehman spent a number of weeks with us in the Fall with me, co-teaching periods 1-3. Since his return in January, Mr. Lehman and I have been co-teaching while he slowly takes over the majority of teaching responsibilities. Mr. Lehman will be covering 2 topics during his time with us in the Spring (Middle and South America). Mr. Lehman has done a great job so far, and I am looking forward to having him in the classroom.
As always, please encourage your son or daughter to share what they're learning, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about our curriculum or your child's progress.
Thank you for your continued support of your child's education. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Thank you,
Jon Clark
7th Grade Social Studies
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