7th grade students have an exciting 4th quarter ahead of them. The 7th grade teachers like to save the best for last, and the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton never disappoints! Students kicked off the 4th quarter with a research project and presentation on different aspects of the 1960s. The purpose of the project is to help students gain valuable background information about the time period in which the novel is set, which they will begin reading after spring break.

In April, students will also participate in a Poetry vs. Song tournament in honor of National Poetry Month. Throughout the tournament, students will review figurative language and analyze its use and meaning in the different poems and songs we read and listen to. Eventually, these poetry and figurative language skills will tie into the novel when the poem Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost, a literary allusion in the novel, is discussed.

Students in Mrs. Lesko's class joined the Iron Giraffe Challenge as a literary tie-in to the last novel the read, A Long Walk to Water. They are raising money for the non-profit Water for South Sudan.  For more information on the fundraiser: Pictures with the Bunny.  For more information about the challenge: Iron Giraffe Challenge.