September 12, 2025

Science 7

Review & Ask: What pathway did you/your carbon take? What vocabulary words did you include in your carbon cycle? What is the Science 17?

Looking forward we will continue discussing photosynthesis and energy and building our knowledge to answer the big idea and Big Aha question; How can photosynthesis solve or cause environmental crisis? Students can plan on writing their first Claim-Evidence-Reason, constructing the equation for photosynthesis and reviewing trophic level pyramids.

Google Classroom has our Table of Contents, the weekly slideshow and all assignments due.

SPANISH-1

After spending 2 weeks learning the most basic vocabulary in Spanish we are finally (and officially) starting our first chapter (#1A).
For the next 3 weeks we will be learning and talking about things that we like to do (or not to do) after school. Students will also be introduced to some basic grammatical concepts such as Verbs in the Infinitive, Definite Article, Indefinite Articles etc.

FYI ... The curriculum of SP-1 has 6 units and each unit includes two chapters. We began chapter 1A and in 3 weeks we'll move to chapter 2B etc.

Math 7

We just had our first quiz covering some of our beginning of year topics. These included simplifying expressions using the Order of Operations and converting between fractions, decimals, and percents. We are transitioning into Simple Probability and then Compound Probability. Because probabilities can be expressed as fractions, decimals, or percents, it was important to review those conversion processes before starting into Probability.

Pre-Algebra

Pre-algebra and Math 7 start the year out covering the same topics, with pre-algebra classes getting into some more challenging problems within those topic areas. We will soon be working in some topics from the 8th grade curriculum in addition to covering the same topics as Math 7 does with the 7th grade curriculum.

PE 7

Rembrandt: Students are continuing to develop their volleyball skills as we simultaneously work through our first round of physical fitness testing. Students will play modified practice games this week as we move toward full speed games (mini class tournament) next week.

My seventh grade classes ran their first timed mile of the year, and students have started tracking their 1/2 mile and mile run times. We hope to get all students running the mile comfortably by the end of the school year, so please talk with your child and help them to set appropriate personal goals around their mile times.

After our Volleyball unit we will move to the blacktop area for more varied games, activities and fitness testing (crunches check, push-ups check, flexibility check - hamstrings and lower back).

Corbolotti: In PE, students are getting back into the rhythm of class and starting to feel comfortable with the routines, rules, and expectations. It’s been great gettig familiar with all the students ans hearing the positive energey out on the blacktop. We’ve recently moved onto our hockey unit, and the kids are having a great time learning new skills, competing, and encouraging one another.

7th Grade Medieval and Early Modern World History- Mr. Jake

Test on Chapter 1 on Friday September 12
Empire brochure project due Wednesday September 17

Essential Question: How did geography and trade routes impact the growth of Rome?

In Geography and Economy of Ancient Rome, you will learn where the Roman Empire was located and how it expanded through conquest and trade.

Essential Question: Was the Roman Republic democratic?

In Roman Origins and Early Political Structures, you will learn how the Roman government changed over time to become more fair and democratic.

Intermediate Band

They asked for it and I delivered (a bit reluctantly)...."Seven Nation Army." We started this piece today (wednesday) and are making some positive strides. You may notice that we're playing some recognizable pieces this year. It's my thinking that at times it makes sense to find fun tunes that kids can get really excited about. This was always a philosophical challenge for me, as popular mainstream music isn't the highest level of musicianship and composition. But, I want the kids to enjoy playing, so we'll be mixing in standard band repertoire, with some fun poppy type tunes in a big band setting. I must admit, it's fun to play these! The jazz band will be playing music for the SPARK in the Park fundraiser on Oct 5, more info coming soon...stay tuned!

Language Arts

Ms. Hensley's class is really getting into Module 1: The Lost Children of Sudan, the first of the new Expeditionary Learning modules we'll be covering this year.

READING:

I encourage students to read for about 15-20 minutes a day at home. They can read the assigned text for class or a personal reading book. See details about each below.

A Long Walk to Water: We have begun reading the anchor text for our first module, "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park. The book covers two separate narratives, based on real-life events and situations, one about a young girl in South Sudan in 2008 and one about a Dinka boy named Salva who is forced to run from his school when South Sudanese gunmen attack his community. The chapters are very short and most students are able to complete a chapter within 20 minutes.

Here is the reading schedule for the next two weeks:

By Friday, September 19, students should have read through Chapter 6 (of A Long Walk to Water);
By Friday, September 26, students should have ready through Chapter 9.

Personal Reading Book: On Wednesday 9/10, we visited the library and most students checked out a personal reading book. They should take that book home and read on their own when they don't have reading to do in the assigned anchor text. Students should bring their personal reading book to class on Fridays. The rest of the week it can be at home so it's available to them when they don't have other reading to do. Please ask your student what book they have chosen to read; if they have not identified one yet, please encourage them to go to the school or local library (or bookstore or the shelf at home) to pick one out they are interested in.

WRITING:

Students wrote drafts of a survival story and this coming week we will be revising them in class for a final grade on this assignment. The story drafts are really fun and full of adventure! Ask your student to share theirs with you!!

We will be a doing some short, in-class writing assignments related to our module in the next two weeks. Students may need to work on them at home if they are not completing the work in class, but for the most part these will be in-class assignments.

Students are working hard and having great discussions. Looking forward to updating you soon!

ART

As we wrap up our intro to drawing unit, students are working on a final drawing that reflects their creativity and the techniques they've learned. Each student will create a full-page artwork on a subject of their choice—this could be a still life, self-portrait, landscape, perspective drawing, or even an abstract piece.

Their final piece will incorporate at least three key techniques from our lessons, such as layering, blending, burnishing, perspective, value contrast, or proportion. We’re excited to see how students combine these skills to create unique and expressive works of art!

STEM

In STEM, students have been working hard on their first design which is making an orthotic boot for clients that have cerebral palsy. Students are learning the steps involved in design, how to plan and sketch, use materials, what constraints are and how to access strengths in team collaborating. We will be using these strategies for the next 14 weeks whenever we design and build.

Students will be doing a gallery walk on Friday, 9/12 as a culmination of our 1st project!

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