ELA - Ms. Tompkins
We finished reading The Hunger Games this week! We wrapped up our reading with a final discussion of the text. Students made connections between themes, symbols, and the setting of the text. We ended the week with a vocabulary quiz and worked together to write an introduction paragraph for their final essay. Have a nice weekend!
French - Ms. DiRusso This week we finished our discussion about “La course camarguaise”, an event where trained athletes run with bulls in Camargue, France. We wrapped up Unit 2 with assessments in reading and writing, and will begin learning about Moroccan kasbahs next week.
Latin - Ms. Hicks
The Latin students had their first quiz on “Rufus et Arma Atra”. They are continuing to read and learn about gladiators.
Math - Ms. Goff
We wrapped up Units 2 and 3 on Operations with Rational Numbers this week. Next week, we’ll begin Unit 4 on Proportional Relationships, where students will connect their understanding of ratios, rates, and proportions and learn how to represent those relationships using graphs. A quick note about progress reports: Students received their graded Unit 2 quiz this past Monday, leaving limited time to make corrections before grades were due. Students who earned below a 70% and not yet submitted corrections are encouraged to complete and turn them in.
Science - Mrs. Dionne
This week in Science, students continued exploring how energy changes form and moves between objects. Using the PhET Energy Skate Park simulation, they investigated how kinetic and gravitational potential energy change as a skater’s position and speed change. Through reading and hands-on activities, students practiced distinguishing between energy transformations and energy transfers. We also strengthened our graphing skills by practicing how to label axes, scales, and plot data to show how mass and speed affect kinetic energy. We wrapped up by examining how friction transforms motion energy into thermal energy.
Our unit test is next Thursday, October 29. Students should begin reviewing their vocabulary, notes, and classwork. Reviewing a little each night will help them feel prepared and confident!
Social Studies - Mr. Dennis
This week, students brought Ancient Greece to life as they completed their first final project of the year! Using their knowledge of Greek mythology and history, students wrote original short stories, illustrated comics, and created and performed plays. These creative projects were a fun way to wrap up our study of Ancient Greece. Next week, we travel to Ancient Rome as we begin our second unit of the year!
Spanish- Mrs. Tetreault
This week in Spanish, the students created characters in the “Imagination Laboratory.” The students then created their own silly character and wrote about its features and characteristics. Towards the end of the week, the students began learning about the country of Peru and some of its unique landscapes and other interesting facts about Peru.
ELA - Ms. Tompkins
We used the short week to work on compare and contrast writing this week. Students compared the article “Trapped in a Cave” to The Hunger Games. They analyzed the ways that the characters were resourceful and utilized help from others in order to survive.
Students also received field trip forms this week. They have a copy of the permission slip and may pay by check or online here.
Have a great weekend!
French - Ms. DiRusso This week students began learning about “La course camarguaise”, an event where trained athletes run with bulls in Camargue, France, through storytelling in French. Students are using core vocabulary from our current unit and demonstrating understanding with gestures, simple French responses, and written replies.
Math - Ms. Goff
For the past two weeks, students have been learning operations (adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing) with negative and positive numbers. Next week, we will practice and review all of the different rules; the Unit 2 & 3 Test will be Wednesday, 10/21. There are multiple resources in the EdGems program online as well as in the workbook to help your student prepare. In addition, students who need to submit corrections for quiz #1, skill drills or missing assignments, must do so by Monday for the changes to be reflected in their progress reports.
Science - Mrs. Dionne
This week in science, students completed their Forces and Motion Vocabulary Quiz and investigated how mass and speed affect kinetic energy. They created and analyzed graphs, compared patterns, and used data to support their explanations. Students learned that doubling an object’s mass doubles its kinetic energy when speed stays the same, while doubling its speed makes its kinetic energy four times greater when mass stays the same.
We also explored energy transformations, learning how energy changes from one form to another.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Social Studies - Mr. Dennis
This week, students learned about Alexander the Great and his empire. They designed their own Alexandrias, inspired by the cities Alexander founded to spread Greek culture and ideas across the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. On Wednesday, we explored the major achievements of the ancient Greeks and their lasting legacy. We ended the week by beginning our first major project: creating an original Ancient Greek myth.
Spanish- Mrs. Tetreault
This week in Spanish, the students finished their second unit on Costa Rica and some of its traditions, such as their Independence Day celebration. The students did a reading assessment to check their knowledge of what they learned. The students began a new unit, building on vocabulary from the last units. The students learned new vocabulary about the calendar and practiced it on paper.
ELA - Ms. Tompkins
We are officially on the third and final section of The Hunger Games! At the start of the week, we continued our work with the different types of conflict and analyzed what we’ve seen so far throughout the text. We also had some practice with our new set of vocabulary words. To end the week, students read and annotated an article about the soccer team that got trapped in a cave in Thailand. Next week, we are going to compare and contrast their survival strategies with Katniss’s and discuss how both groups relied on help from others to get them through. Have a great long weekend!
French - Ms. DiRusso
This week French students wrote and drew out a story in French. We completed a listening assessment by answering questions in English about a story we heard in French. Out loud every day, we spoke in French about the date, weather, and used greetings for different times of day.
Latin - Ms. Hicks
We are learning about gladiators, the Colosseum, and have started reading “Rufus et Atra Arma. The students are also working on creating their own shields with a Latin motto. Our classroom is running very low on tissues and paper towels and we would appreciate donations. Thank you!
Math - Ms. Goff
On Thursday, students took a brief quiz covering integer addition and subtraction. Today students were introduced to multiplication and division of rational numbers with signed values (negative and positive). We will continue to practice these skills next week.
Science - Mrs. Dionne
This week in Science, students explored motion and energy! Using the Gizmos Sled Wars simulation, they investigated how mass and starting height affect a sled’s speed. They also learned about Newton’s three laws of motion. Through a forms of energy reading activity, students classified energy as potential or kinetic, recorded interesting facts, and identified examples. We then took a closer look at how mass and height affect an object’s gravitational potential energy, discussed chemical and elastic potential energy, and explored different types of kinetic energy.
Students should continue practicing their vocabulary words at home to prepare for our vocabulary quiz on Thursday, October 15. Different study options are available in Google Classroom under the Classwork tab.
Social Studies - Mr. Dennis
We learned about the Delian League, the Golden Age of Athens, and the Peloponnesian Wars. Students explored Athens’s greatest achievements through note-taking, memes, or illustrated picture books. On Wednesday, students took their first quiz (grades are posted on ASPEN) and learned about ancient Sparta. On Thursday and Friday, we performed an original play, The Peloponnesian Wars. All Ancient Greece assignments are due Friday, October 16. No late assignments will be accepted after this date.
Spanish- Mrs. Tetreault
This week in Spanish, the students learned about Costa Rica and its Independence Day celebration. The students read about the geography and the traditions of their Independence Day celebration. The students did a variety of activities to practice new vocabulary, including reading and listening activities.
Yearbook Info:
Remember to order your yearbooks! To order online, please use the following link: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1065825/Littleton-Middle-School/2027-Yearbook/20260803191509960139/CATALOG_SHOP/?utm_campaign=YBK_SY27_STANDARD_BACK_TO_SCHOOL_20260701&utm_medium=vanity_URL&utm_source=flyer.
ELA - Ms. Tompkins
We’ve continued to read The Hunger Games and are a little over halfway through the novel! This week, we worked on visualization and taking notes to help remember important details from a text. At the end of the week, we discussed conflict and the types of problems that Katniss has faced as a character. Specifically, we debated the root of the issues that she faces in the Games (society, nature, technology) and examined specific parts of the text to back up our claims. Have a nice weekend!
French - Ms. DiRusso This week students read simple information in French about different places, events, and items in francophone culture. We learned vocabulary to talk about the weather and added weather discussion to our daily calendar talk. We began our second unit about different ways we get around by writing down core vocabulary and reading and hearing examples of it in context.
Latin - Ms. Hicks
The Latin students have finished reading Rufus and will have a quiz on Monday.
Math - Ms. Goff
We started Unit 2: Adding and Subtracting Rational Numbers, learning how to work with positive and negative integers, fractions, and decimals.
The Ratios & Rates Quiz was returned today only to those students who need to make corrections with corrections forms attached. Students need to correct any question where they lost points. Corrections do not need to be completed at school. Students can work on their own time, use any resources available to them, and ask for help if they need it. The goal of corrections is to give students an opportunity to review their mistakes, strengthen their understanding and boost their grade up to a 70%. Corrections are due by Friday 10/9. Directions and extra forms are available on Google Classroom.
Science - Mrs. Dionne
This week in Science we began building the foundation for our Energy and Forces unit. Students created vocabulary drawings and sentences to help them connect science terms to everyday examples. We also reviewed motion, reference points, and speed, along with force and work. Students practiced describing how objects move and identifying when a force results in scientific work.
Our vocabulary quiz will be on October 15. Until the quiz, students’ nightly homework is to study their vocabulary for 15 minutes. They can review their definitions, drawings, and sentences, quiz themselves, use the vocabulary cards I made them, use the Study Stack link I provide everyday on Google Classroom, or ask someone at home to quiz them. Encourage your child to explain the terms in their own words and give examples.
Thank you for supporting these study routines at home. Have a wonderful weekend!
Social Studies - Mr. Dennis
This week students learned all about ancient Athenian demokratia, or democracy! Students read and completed guided notes on the lives of ancient Athenian men, women, children, and enslaved peoples and their roles within Athenian society, government, and economy. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday students grappled with the historical thinking question: was Athens truly democratic by reading and analyzing primary and secondary sources the wrote a paragraph in their journals defending their claim with evidence from the documents from class. On Friday we watched a short video about the Greco-Persian Wars then played Gimkit to prepare for Wednesday’s quiz!
Spanish- Mrs. Tetreault
This week in Spanish, the students read and listened to a story about unusual animals. Then they created stories about an unusual animal. On Friday, the students practiced their vocabulary playing the 6,7 Unfair Game!
Yearbook Info:
Remember to order your yearbooks! To order online, please use the following link: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1065825/Littleton-Middle-School/2027-Yearbook/20260803191509960139/CATALOG_SHOP/?utm_campaign=YBK_SY27_STANDARD_BACK_TO_SCHOOL_20260701&utm_medium=vanity_URL&utm_source=flyer.
ELA - Ms. Tompkins
This week we continued our conversation about The Hunger Games in comparison to reality tv. Students analyzed and discussed how Katniss comes across to the audience based on her actions, appearance, and relationships. They completed an extended response writing to express their thoughts. We ended the week with our vocabulary quiz for the first part of the text. Have a wonderful weekend!
French - Ms. DiRusso
This week in French we practiced greeting each other and stating the date. We recalled and retold a story we wrote last week as a class, then listened to our first story in French using visuals to gather new vocabulary. We are discussing different note-taking strategies for French as we settle into the year.
Latin - Ms. Hicks
The Latin students are still reading Rufus and should be finishing up next week.
Math - Ms. Goff
We wrapped up Unit 1, Ratios and Rates, with a quiz this past Thursday. On Friday, students reviewed absolute value and integers (positive and negative numbers) to prepare for our next unit. We will begin Chapter 2 on Monday, students will also be given their first skill drill of the year (due on Friday during class).
Science - Mrs. Dionne
This week in Science, students completed activities designed to help them identify and understand the different parts of a Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) response. They then put their detective skills to work by examining evidence and connecting suspects to determine who stole a painting from the Great Museum! We ended the week with students using what they discovered to write a complete CER response about the Great Museum Mystery.
Next week, we will begin our first official seventh-grade science unit: Physics! During the first two weeks of the unit, we will place a strong emphasis on learning the important vocabulary students will need to understand and discuss the concepts we explore. Students should study their vocabulary words for 10–15 minutes each night during these first two weeks.
Our first vocabulary quiz will be on October 9. Consistent practice at home will help students feel prepared and confident for the quiz.
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Social Studies - Mr. Dennis
This week students used maps of ancient Greece’s Bronze and Classical Age to determine the location of the ancient Greek’s most important city-states and kingdoms. We read about the controversial figure Heinrich Schliemann, the German business man who “discovered” the ancient city of Troy. We completed stations focusing on the four forms of Greek government then played Jeopardy on Friday! Next week students will learn all about ancient Athenian democracy.
Spanish- Mrs. Tetreault
This week in Spanish, the students started a new unit, and practiced their new vocabulary in a variety of ways. The students learned a new song, “La vaca Lola”, they saw a presentation about unusual animals, and then made their own unusual animal.
Yearbook Info:
Yearbook order forms were distributed to students by their flex block teachers last week. Orders are due by September 25th. To order online, please use the following link: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1065825/Littleton-Middle-School/2027-Yearbook/20260803191509960139/CATALOG_SHOP/?utm_campaign=YBK_SY27_STANDARD_BACK_TO_SCHOOL_20260701&utm_medium=vanity_URL&utm_source=flyer.
ELA - Ms. Tompkins
We had a great week in ELA! Students continued some strong discussions with The Hunger Games, and we had a very fun day of archery on Thursday! We ended the week by discussing the parallels of reality TV in real life and the games as reality TV to the people of Panem.
French - Ms. DiRusso This week French students began to review numbers as we learned how to count from 0-100 in French. We also reviewed how to state the day’s date and now begin class with calendar talk in French. As a class, we wrote our first story in French using our new core vocabulary, then practiced summarizing and answering questions about it.
Latin - Ms. Hicks
The Latin students are reading “Rufus Lutulentus”. They will have their first translating quiz next week.
Math - Ms. Goff
We continued to work with ratios and rates focusing on complex fractions and scale drawings; both new topics for our 7th graders. We will review all the topics from Unit 1 next week and the quiz is on Thursday, 9/24..
Science - Mrs. Dionne
This week in Science, we walked through the entire scientific inquiry process one step at a time using a Gizmos Germination Lab. Students developed a hypothesis, designed and carried out an experiment, collected and analyzed data, and used their results to draw a conclusion. This activity allowed students to practice each part of the scientific inquiry process while investigating how the amount of water affects seed germination.
We ended the week by learning about claim, evidence, and reasoning (CER). Students practiced identifying each part in sample CER responses and discussed how scientists use evidence and scientific ideas to support their claims.
Next week, we will continue strengthening our CER skills through a sorting activity and a mystery to solve. These activities will help students practice organizing evidence and explaining how it supports a scientific claim.
I hope you have a wonderful long weekend!
Social Studies - Mr. Dennis
This week students created their own “lost” Greek deity. For the rest of the week students read and analyzed the myth, “The Trojan War” and discussed the themes of; power, choice, consequence, and heroism. Next week students will create an alternate ending to the Greek myth.
Spanish- Mrs. Tetreault
This week in Spanish, the students continued the unit learning about Mexico. The students did a variety of activities to practice what they’ve learned about Mexico, including Grudge Ball and The Fly Swatter Game. The students did a few speaking activities talking about facts about Mexico, as well as things that are important to them.
Yearbook Info:
Yearbook order forms were distributed to students by their flex block teachers this week. Orders are due by September 25th. To order online, please use the following link: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1065825/Littleton-Middle-School/2027-Yearbook/20260803191509960139/CATALOG_SHOP/?utm_campaign=YBK_SY27_STANDARD_BACK_TO_SCHOOL_20260701&utm_medium=vanity_URL&utm_source=flyer.
ELA - Ms. Tompkins
We’ve had some excellent discussions about The Hunger Games this week! Students have noticed important details about what distinguishes the Capitol from District 12 and the qualities that make Panem a dystopia. We worked on extended response writing and explaining how a flashback can reveal a character’s qualities. We ended the week with some close reading/quote analysis.
Next week, we have a fun day planned with Mrs. Buonacore on Thursday! She is going to give us an archery lesson as an opportunity to see how our skills compare to Katniss’s! Have a wonderful weekend :)
French - Ms. DiRusso
This week French students continued using greeting vocabulary daily in class. We learned how to ask about other people to learn their names and what they are like. We read descriptions of people in French and learned new words to describe others. Students wrote down descriptions of images and we began discussing what proficiency in French class means.
Latin - Ms. Hicks
The 7th grade Latin students are reading the novella “Rufus Lutulentus”. It is a story of a young Roman boy who wants to be muddy all around the city of Ancient Rome.
Math - Ms. Goff
We started our first unit on Ratios & Rates. This week’s lessons should be a review from last year; next week we will add two new concepts. I also sent parents and guardians an email via Aspen on Thursday evening that included a Family Guide for Ratios & Rates. If you didn’t receive the email, please let me know and I can resend it. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on Monday night!
Science - Mrs. Dionne
This week in Science we continued building our classroom community by reviewing and practicing our classroom procedures and expectations. Students also learned about the difference between observations and inferences. They practiced identifying each one and using evidence to make their own observations and inferences. We ended the week by beginning to explore the scientific inquiry process, which will guide much of the work we do throughout the year. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Social Studies - Mr. Dennis
This week students reviewed vocabulary from 6th grade Social Studies. We made our own civilizations while utilizing important vocabulary related to ancient history and geography. On Thursday students shared their projects in their table groups and on Friday we made a class timeline.
Spanish- Mrs. Tetreault
This week in Spanish, the students learned two songs in Spanish! The students learned the lyrics to “Los pollitos dicen” and “La cucaracha”, then did follow-up activities around the theme or lyrics of the songs. The students created a simple story in Spanish, using cognates and a few new phrases they learned this week.
ELA - Ms. Tompkins
It was wonderful to meet these seventh graders! This week we reviewed classroom expectations and routines while getting to know each other a bit. At the end of the week, we jumped into our first unit on The Hunger Games. We will be using this text to explore a variety of literary elements such as genre, characterization, setting, and how these elements interact with one another. Students should finish the first chapter before Tuesday. Have a wonderful weekend!
French - Ms. DiRusso
I was excited to meet with our seventh grade French students! This year we will begin learning some French language for communication and a bit about francophone culture. This week we reviewed classroom procedures and began learning some greetings in French. We also began using our new vocabulary to sing a song in French that native speakers would learn in school. Please email me at mdirusso@littletonps.org with any questions. I look forward to a great year!
Math - Ms. Goff
Students got to know each other “by the numbers”, logged into Google Classroom - where assignments and other important resources will be posted throughout the year. Today we started getting our math brains working by playing a review game of concepts taught in 6th grade. Enjoy the long weekend!
Science - Mrs. Dionne
We had a great start to the new school year! This week we focused on getting to know each other and doing some demonstrations to get students curious about scientific inquiry. Next week we will start the week with going over classroom procedures and expectations, we will go through our syllabus, review observations versus inferences, and learn more about the process of scientific inquiry. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Social Studies - Mr. Dennis
Students learned about their new classes and shared a little bit about themselves. We completed identity webs, surveys, classroom scavenger hunts and reflected on the first week of SS7. Next week, students will review what they learned in 6th grade social studies and make their first project. Check out my Google Website: https://sites.google.com/littletonps.org/mrdennissocialstudies/home
Spanish- Mrs. Tetreault
The students had a great start to the new year. The first few days, the students learned new routines that they will continue throughout the year. Students picked a walk-up song that represented them and created a Smashdoodle that shared details about themselves.