Weekly Updates

Week of 3/23

Hello Parents,

As we gear up for a full week of remote learning we wanted to reach out and send a few updates. First, we want to say thank you for your support, flexibility, understanding, and partnership in your child’s education as we navigate this unusual time. We could not do this without you and we appreciate your support. If you have any issues please reach out to us by email. We would be happy to schedule a phone call (reminder the call will come from a blocked number) or schedule a Zoom conference.

Other updates:

• Screen Time- It is our goal to try and balance your child’s screen time with non-technology activities. As we continue in this remote learning journey, please help your child take breaks from technology. We teachers are also finding that our technology usage has increased exponentially, please be aware that we will be available to answer emails between 8:00 am-3:00 pm but after that, we need to give our eyes and brains a break too.
• Workload- As we work to balance screen time we also are working to balance student workload. Most of the assignments are due the same day by 7:00 pm. We feel that this will keep students on task and then give them the night to rest. We know this is different than the traditional schoolwork/homework situation but we feel this gives students a cut off time and work won't pile up. There may be a few extended projects but for the most part, everything is due the same day.
• Daily Agendas- It is important that your child is looking at the daily agendas that are found on their iPads by tapping the OLQA logo or here on the website. We have found that most of the students are simply searching their Google Classrooms for work. These agendas give students a nice outline of the day’s work.
• Zoom Sessions- Students are now expected to log onto Zoom at 9:00 am every day with their homeroom teacher for prayer, daily check-in, and religion lesson. Then log in again between 1:00 pm-3:00 pm according to the Jr. High schedule posted on the daily agendas. Students will be receiving participation points for each session so it is important that they are aware when and with what teacher’s zoom they need to log in to. We are reminding the students that these sessions are in place of our class time so they are very important to us. We ask that students be sitting at a table or desk, in a quiet space, with all their materials, ready to learn, participate and cooperate. We ask that they not be eating, chewing gum, wearing hats, hoods or sunglasses.

Continued prayers for you and your family's health. We are all in this together and we are here to support the students in all aspects during this time. If anything should arise please don't hesitate to reach out.

Many Blessings!

The Jr. High Team

Week of 3/9

Announcements:

• T2- Finals this week:
  • Monday - ELA and Social Studies
  • Tuesday - Mrs. Carlberg/Mrs. Mang Spanish, Mr. Ricks Math; Religion, Music
  • Wednesday - Mr. Ricks Spanish; Mrs. Carlberg/Mrs. Mang Math
  • Thursday - Science, Music (continued from Tuesday, if needed)
• Trimester 2 ends this Friday, March 13th. Please check FACTS with your student to go over their grades and check their progress.
• Make up work, quizzes, and tests. Moving forward if your student misses a quiz or a test we will be holding makeup or missed work tutorials on Tuesday mornings 7:15 am in room 7A and Thursday afternoons in 8B.
• Charging iPads: students are responsible for bringing a fully charged iPad at the beginning of every school day. Lately many students have not followed this practice and your support of ensuring their iPads are fully charged is much appreciated.
• Spring Junior High Dance - the spring dance is only a couple months away! More planning details to follow. If interested in volunteering please contact Ashley Rodi and Jennifer Balint.

Religion

Students have their Trimester 2 Final tomorrow. Students have been provided a note sheet for use on the final. Our next chapter is chapter 10 Disciples in Community which focuses on that notion that we are disciples in Christ in his church, following his example by trusting in the Father, learning, praying, and reaching out to others.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg This week we conclude our study of ratios, proportions and percents. The students will take their final on Wednesday. There will be a study guide and ALEKS review due Wednesday. No ALEKS topics due this week. On Thursday we will begin our unit on consumer math.
• Ricks- This week we are preparing for our Unit 3 Test final exam on Tuesday 3/10. Students should refer to the study guide given out in class last week. ALEKS is 10 topics due Sunday.

ELA:

Literature: the students will move forward with a literary analysis of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” focusing on Act 1 Scene 5 (this scene is where they first meet). Students will focus on theme parallels between this classic piece of literature and their most recent class novel The Outsiders.

Read Across America and Author Visits: To further promote reading and to celebrate Read Across America Day, we are excited to share that an author will be visiting OLQA! Author C.W. Trisef will present to students in grades 4-8 on Wednesday, March 18th. Mr. Trisef has offered to sign books purchased by our families/students.

Social Studies:

The students will continue their study of Japan. Tomorrow, 3/10, they will be taking their Quiz about Life in Medieval Japan, which includes discussion of the sects of Buddhism- Pure Land Buddhism and Zen Buddhism. We will then begin to prepare for the Chapter Test, which is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, 3/17.

Spanish: Students will have their final this week. Students were given a study guide to help them prepare for the final. Students have been working on in class activities listening that mimic the final.

Music: 7th Grade Music final will be on Tuesday, March 10 and will be concluded on Thursday, March 12 if the extra time is needed. The final will be an assessment of the students’ understanding of four of the basic elements of music: Beat, rhythm melody and harmony. Students may choose between giving a written description in their own words or demonstrating understanding of the concept by creating an example of the element using Chrome Music Lab. All students will have a brief listening portion of the final where they will identify which element is being demonstrated.

**Part 3 of 7th grade Listening Journals are due on Tuesday, March 10. We will listen to the final composition on the list (#12), then students will complete their writing and turn in their journals before beginning the final.

Science: The students will have the final test on Thursday March 12. Last week they received the science study guide and we are reviewing in class. They are currently studying lesson -2 in chapter -1. They are learning about cell structures and functions. They will continue making observations in the microscope and they will complete a lab report about the use of the microscope. This week, the students will finish their science project that is due on March 13.

Week of 3/2

Announcements:

• T2- Finals week: 3/9-3/13.
  • Monday - ELA and Social Studies
  • Tuesday - Mrs. Carlberg/Mrs. Mang Spanish, Mr. Ricks Math; Religion
  • Wednesday - Mr. Ricks Spanish; Mrs. Carlberg/Mrs. Mang Math
  • Thursday - Science
• Trimester 2 ends Friday, March 13th. Please check FACTS with your student to go over their grades and check their progress.
• Make up work, quizzes, and tests. Moving forward if your student misses a quiz or a test we will be holding makeup or missed work tutorials on Tuesday mornings 7:15 am in room 7A and Thursday afternoons in 8B.
• Charging iPads: students are responsible for bringing a fully charged iPad at the beginning of every school day. Lately many students have not followed this practice and your support of ensuring their iPads are fully charged is much appreciated.
• Spring Junior High Dance - the spring dance is only a couple months away! Our seventh grade class is in charge and each family will be billed $40 via FACTS on Monday. More planning details to follow. If interested in volunteering please contact Ashley Rodi and Jennifer Balint.
• Read Across America and Author Visits: To further promote reading and to celebrate Read Across America Day, we are excited to share that an author will be visiting OLQA! Author C.W. Trisef will present to students in grades 4-8 on Wednesday, March 18th. Mr. Trisef has offered to sign books purchased by our families/students.

Religion

• Students have their Chapter 9 test on Tuesday, 3/3. Students have been provided their guided note taking sheet and this is highly encouraged for them to study and use on the day of the test.
• With the start of Lent students have been viewing and reflecting on the Best Lent Ever videos through the Matthew Kelly/Dynamic Catholic program. The essential question for their journey this Lent is. “You’ve got 40 days. Who will you become?”.
• The study guide for the Trimester 2 Religion final has been posted in the students Google Classroom. Students will be provided a one page (8.5x11) note sheet to help them prepare and use on the final.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- This week we will discuss percent proportion and percent equation. We will find percentages of numbers in real-life situations. We will use strategies to find percentages mentally. ALEKS this week is an 80% or better assignment due Friday and 5 topics due Sunday. We will be working on Simple Solutions lessons 29-32 and the quiz will be Thursday 3/4.
• Ricks- Students are getting ready for the Unit 3 test, this test will serve as the Trimester 2 Final. We have been discussing inequalities and how they are represented. Aleks: 80% due Thursday and 10 topics due Sunday.

ELA:

• Writing: This week students will focus on their academic language choices, paraenthincal quotations, and final revisions and edits for their argumentative writing project. This Writing Project will be due Friday March 6th, this writing project will be submitted digitally through the writing by design platform.
• In Literature, students are focusing preparing their annotations and recall of the novel for the upcoming ELA final. They are also creating a One Pager visual thinking project that will be Due Monday March 9th. Much like the first trimester final the second trimester final will focus on our novel study The Outsiders. Students are encouraged to re-read and re-annotate nightly.
• ELA Final: the study guide for the Trimester 2 ELA final has been posted in the students ELA Google Classroom. This study guide helps the students prepare for the final as well as the in class literary analysis essay.

Social Studies: The students will begin a new lesson today about life in Medieval Japan. They will examine how religion helped to shape Japanese culture and will compare the roles of men and women during this time of feudalism. The QUIZ for this lesson is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, 3/10.

Spanish: Students will continue to work on short stories in class. They will learn to identify important vocabulary words and grammar in context. The study guide for the final has been posted in google classroom.

Music: This week, 7th grade students will continue to study and apply the elements of music. We will be delving more deeply into melody and harmony. Students will apply and explore these elements using Chrome Music Lab. On Friday, students will listen to selection #11 and continue to write in their Listening Journal. Part 3, the final section of their Listening Journals, is due on Tuesday, March 10.

Science: This week the students will learn how to identify every part in the microscope and they will describe the function of each part. They will learn how to use a compound microscope and how to measure the magnification. The students will learn the different levels of organization in living things and they will analyze the importance of organization in living things. They will begin lesson-2 “Looking Inside Cells”. The students will identify the location, characteristics and functions of the cell organelles.

Week of 2/24

Announcements:

• NO LATE START this Wednesday 2/26. Ash Wednesday Mass at 8:30. Please remember no sweatshirts can be worn to Mass.
• T2- Finals week: 3/9-3/13. Schedule will be sent out soon
• Trimester 2 ends Friday, March 13th. Please check FACTS with your student to go over their grades and check their progress.
• Make up work, quizzes, and tests. Moving forward if your student misses a quiz or a test we will be holding makeup or missed work tutorials on Tuesday mornings 7:15 am in room 7A and Thursday afternoons in 8B.

Religion

• Students have started Chapter 9: Christ our Savior this Monday. This chapter focuses on reflecting on Original Sin, personal sin, and redemption. The chapter 9 test is on Tuesday, 3/3. Students have been provided their guided note taking sheet and this is highly encouraged for them to study and use on the day of the test.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- This week we will continue to use our knowledge of proportions while looking at similar figures and indirect measurement to solve for missing lengths. We will also begin our study of percentages. We will have a homework quiz this Friday. ALEKS this week is an 80% or better assignment due Friday and 5 topics due Sunday. We will be working on Simple Solutions lessons 29-32 this week and have a quiz on Tuesday, 3/3.
• Ricks-

ELA: This week students will continue to formulate and add evidence to enhance their argumentative writing project. They will continue to develop reasons and evidence to support their thesis statement. This Writing Project will be due Friday March 6th. In Literature, students are focusing on the impact of a story’s setting as we wrap up and conclude the novel The Outsiders. Much like the first trimester final the second trimester final will focus on our novel study The Outsiders. Students are encouraged to re-read and re-annotate nightly.

Social Studies: The students will continue studying Japan during the Middle Ages. They will examine the feudal system and learn about the roles of the emperor and the shogun in Medieval Japan. Students will receive the study guides for this lesson on Wednesday, 2/26 to help them prepare for the QUIZ which is tentatively scheduled for Friday, 2/28.

Spanish: This week students will be working on speaking, listening and writing activities. This will give students the opportunity to use the language in context. We will also continue to cover grammar (infinitives). The test has been moved for finals week, this will give students plenty of time to study. All the in class activities will mimic what the final exam will be like. For additional practice, a study guide will be posted in google classroom. All research projects must be submitted today via email.

Science: Last week the students finished the units about Physical Science. This week they will begin to study the first Life Science unit, the main focus will be the study of cells and heredity. They will learn the structure and organization of cells and they will get familiar with the parts of the microscope and their functions, they will learn how to calculate the magnification of their samples. They will observe samples in the microscope using a combination of different lenses. The students will continue working on their science project. They need to use the project guidelines package and the timeline. By the end of the week, I will check the individual project notebook they are using to record every step required to complete the experimental project.

Week of 2/10

Announcements

• Valentine’s Day: Per the all-school rule, please do not send in any food, balloons, flowers, and candy hand out. Although there will not be a designated party on Friday, if your student brings Valentines please have them bring a card/trinket for everyone in their homeroom class.
• Uniform/dress code check: Over ski week is a great time to check in with your student and their dress code uniform needs. Many students need the following items: white non-logo socks, sweatshirts, jackets, and sweaters for Mass attire. Please refer to the student’s planner for more details on skirt lengths and boys haircut parameters.
• Winter break/Ski week next week 2/17-2/21. Be safe and enjoy!
• Supplies: please ensure that your student has the following school supplies: black/blue pens, 3 glue sticks, and pencils. Additional optional supplies (student preference) colorful post-its/flags (for annotating) and highlighters.
• Student Planners/Agendas: As always an effort to continually develop our students organizational time management skills in each class students are given important assignments and assessment dates. They are instructed to write and track these dates while utilizing their planner on a daily basis. We strongly encourage you to check your student’s planner on a daily or weekly basis.
• Weekly Homework website: moving forward in hopes to streamline communication and instill autonomy in students we will not be utilizing the homework tab on the 7th grade website. We strongly encourage you to check your student’s planner on a daily or weekly basis.

Religion

• We will move onto Chapter 8: “Model of Wisdom”. This chapter focuses on reflecting on God’s personal invitation through scripture, as well as focusing on why Jesus used parables to teach, and how the Beatitudes offer us the path to a life of happiness and peace. Students have a group collaborative project titled “Modern Day Parables” due Friday February 14th. The chapter 8 test is on Friday, 2/14. Their guided notes that are allowed to be used on the test are due on Friday too.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- This week we will be finishing the first part of unit 4: ratios and proportions by setting up and solving proportions from word problems, scale drawings and similar figures. Students will have a Unit 4 part 1 quiz on ratios and proportions on Friday, 2/14. ALEKS this week is a test review due Friday and 5 topics due Sunday.
• Ricks- This week we are working on solving multi-step inequalities. There will be a quiz on Thursday 2/13. ALEKS- 5 topics due Friday.

ELA: This week students will formulate a rough draft for their argumentative writing project. They will continue to develop reasons and evidence to support their thesis statement. In Literature, students are focusing on the impact of a story’s setting as we continue to read The Outsiders. There is a quiz on chapters 5-8 on Wednesday, February 12th.

Social Studies: The Students will be preparing for their Quiz regarding how geography influenced the civilization that developed there. The QUIZ is scheduled for Wednesday, 2/12. The next lesson will examine the medieval period in Japan and the roles of Shogun and Samurai.

Spanish: Students are working on a research project. Students were assigned to a Spanish speaking country and they were given a list of things they needed to research about their country. This week we will talk about culture and education. We will compare and contrast education in the US and education in Spanish speaking countries. The final project is due on 2/24 and the students were given instructions and a rubric. Students will have a test the week of 2/24. I will post a study guide on 2/14 in google classroom to help students prepare for the test.

Music: Students will continue to explore different families of instruments as we learn about the Brass family. Students will also use the Chrome Music Lab Song Maker to apply and gain a deeper understanding of the musical elements, specifically rhythm, melody and harmony.

Science: The students will finish a poster that represents the methods by which charges can redistribute themselves to build up static electricity. They will learn the law of conservation of charge.

They will work in their science project assignment identifying variables gathering research about their topics and writing their hypotheses. On Wednesday February 12 the students will have a quiz about lesson 6-1 including types of charge, electric force, electric fields, static electricity and methods of charge redistribution.

Week of 2/3

Announcements

• Supplies: please ensure that your student has the following school supplies: black/blue pens, 3 glue sticks, and pencils. Additional optional supplies (student preference) colorful post-its/flags (for annotating) and highlighters.
• Student Planners/Agendas: As always an effort to continually develop our students organizational time management skills in each class students are given important assignments and assessment dates. They are instructed to write and track these dates while utilizing their planner on a daily basis. We strongly encourage you to check your student’s planner on a daily or weekly basis.
• Weekly Homework website: moving forward in hopes to streamline communication and instill autonomy in students we will not be utilizing the homework tab on the 7th grade website. We strongly encourage you to check your student’s planner on a daily or weekly basis. Students are also encouraged to reach out to their teachers via email for any help, clarification, or direction.

Religion

• This week we will finish up Chapter 7: “The Way” in our Alive in Christ textbook. Students will have a test on Chapter 7 Tuesday February 4th. Students have been provided with an graphic organizer to help them with their notes on the chapter, concepts, objectives, and vocabulary. Students are allowed to use this graphic organizer on their test.
• We will move onto Chapter 8: “Model of Wisdom”. This chapter focuses on reflecting on God’s personal invitation through scripture, as well as focusing on why Jesus used parables to teach, and how the Beatitudes offer us the path to a life of happiness and peace.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- This week we will be solving proportions, using proportions in real-life situations, as well as, determining and using scale factor. Students will have a quiz on ratios, unit rates and solving proportions on Wednesday, 2/5. We will be working on simple solutions lessons 25-28 this week. Simple Solutions (25-28) Quiz on Friday, 2/7. ALEKS this week is an 80% or better assignment due Friday and 5 topics due Sunday.
• Ricks-

ELA:

• This week we continue our novel, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. As we read, students will focus on the themes of Coming of Age and Loss of Innocence. Students have completed their first quiz on chapters 1-4. It is important that each night students re-read what was covered in class and update their annotations. Students utilize their annotations not only in class but also on assessments.
• This week in writing, students will continue to learn how to write an argumentative essay. The students have chosen their topic of interest and this week will create an outline to assist as they form their thesis statement as well as their first draft.

Social Studies: The students will be reviewing for their Chapter Test, which is scheduled for Tuesday, 2/4. We will then move on to the next Chapter about Medieval Japan. They will learn about Japan’s physical geography and its effect on the development of the civilization there, the Feudal system, and the role of Shogun and Samurai.

Science: The students will continue to study electric fields and they will use lines to represent electric fields, they will analyze the relationship between the number of field lines in an area and the strength of the electric force. The students will be introduced to the concept of neutral atom and how the loss or gain of electrons produces a build -up of charges called static electricity. They will experiment with lab equipment to visualize the effect of static electricity on objects.

Spanish: This week we will be talking about Latin American countries. Students will be researching a Spanish speaking country and learning about their culture and popular traditions.

Week of 1/27

Announcements

• Supplies: please ensure that your student has the following school supplies: black/blue pens, 3 glue sticks, and pencils. Additional optional supplies (student preference) colorful post-its/flags (for annotating) and highlighters.
• No School Mass on Thursday, please make sure your student is in proper Mass attire for Friday January 31st. We will be attending a school wide Mass on Friday for Special Persons Day.
• The Book Fair will take place this week. Our time slot to visit the Book Fair is Wednesday January 29th. Please note the Book Fair will be open on Special Persons Day as well as Open House.
• Happy Catholic Schools’ Week
  • Monday- Student Appreciation Day
    • Out- of- uniform dress for students
  • Tuesday- Parent Appreciation Day
    • THANK YOU for partnering with us in your child’s education!
    • All of our wonderful parents are invited to a Kean Coffee & Cest Si Bon Croissants Tailgate in the MAIN A parking lot, and you’ll receive a small token of appreciation during carpool morning drop off. (7:45 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.)
  • Wednesday- Community Appreciation and Outreach Day
    • Make a Difference With Denim. Students who bring in a canned good may wear jeans for SPIN (Serving People in Need) and Helping Hands.
    • 7th Grade will visit the book fair
  • Thursday- Staff, Faculty, Priests, Administration, and Parish Staff Appreciation Day
  • Friday: Special Person’s Day
    • Mass at 8:30 with their special person
    • Breakfast provided on campus after Mass
    • All students can be checked out any time after Mass but must be checked out from the classroom. Reminder it is a 12:10 dismissal.
  • Sunday- OPEN HOUSE
    • Mass at 8:30am
    • Please join us for Open House at 9:30 a.m. The classrooms will be on display to showcase and highlight the accomplishments of our students.

Religion

This week we will continue Chapter 7: “The Way”. The key concept throughout this chapter is: Jesus Christ is the only son of God, who took on human flesh to redeem us from sin and show us the way to the Father. Students will have a test on Chapter 7 Friday February 7th.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- This week we will continue to work with ratios. We will be calculating unit rates to figure out which products are the better buy. We will also begin looking at proportions and proportional relationships. We will be working on simple solutions lessons 25-28 this week. ALEKS this week is an 80% or better assignment due Friday. No topics this week.
• Ricks-

ELA:

• This week we will continue our novel, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. As we read, students will focus on the themes of Coming of Age and Loss of Innocence. It is important that each night students re-read what was covered in class and update their annotations.
• This week in writing, students will continue to learn how to write an argumentative essay. The students have chosen their topic of interest and this week will create an outline to assist as they form their first draft.

Social Studies:

The students will be reviewing for tomorrow’s QUIZ about the Ming Dynasty. We will then review important Chapter ideas and concepts from China to prepare for the Chapter Test, which will be on Thursday, 1/30.

Science:

This week the students will begin chapter-6 about electric charge and static electricity, they will learn about subatomic particles and relate it to electric force and electric fields. They will experiment with the Van de Graaff apparatus to observe static electricity. They will begin a group experimental project and guidelines will be provided.

Spanish: Students will continue to work on their short stories in class. Students will also work in groups to complete activities on “la familia” as we finish the unit. They will be turning in their family tree projects this week.

Music: Students will continue to build their understanding of chord progressions by experiencing them in different ways. For those 7th grade students who have not yet submitted their String projects (instructions are on T2 7th grade music classroom) the final deadline to turn them in is this Tuesday, January 28.

Week of 1/20

Announcements

Next week is Catholic Schools Week. Mrs. Tipton will send more information home, but here are some days with extras for your student:

• Book Fair this week
• Monday: students may wear free dress (follow free dress guidelines) for student appreciation
• Friday: Special Person’s Day
  • Mass at 8:30 with their special person
  • Breakfast provided on campus after Mass
  • All students must be checked out from the classroom at 12 (half day today)

Religion

• This week we will start chapter 7: “The Way”. The key concept throughout this chapter is: Jesus Christ is the only son of God, who took on human flesh to redeem us from sin and show us the way to the Father.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- This week we will begin Unit 4- Ratios and Proportions. We will focus on ratios and rates this week, learning how to write and simplify ratios and learn how to solve for a unit rate. Students will have a Simple Solutions quiz lessons 21-24 on Wednesday. They will also have a homework quiz on Friday. ALEKS this week is an 80% or better assignment due Friday and 5 topics due by Sunday night. We encourage students to complete their ALEKS early in the week so that we are able to answer questions before the weekend.
• Ricks- This week we will continue to solve algebraic equations including exploring unique solutions. The ALEKS 10 topics is due by Sunday evening and we will also be working on Simple Solutions lessons 21-24 this week. There will be a Simple Solutions (lessons 21-24) quiz on Friday, 1/17.

ELA:

• This week we started our new novel, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. As we read, students will focus on the themes of Coming of Age and Loss of Innocence. It is important that each night students re-read what was covered in class and update their annotations.
• This week in writing, students will be starting to learn how to write an argumentative essay. They should choose a topic by Thursday.

Social Studies: The students will continue to examine China during the Ming Dynasty. We will discuss Ming reforms that helped to strengthen China’s government. They will also learn about the travels of Zheng He and the discoveries he made throughout Asia and Africa. Study Guides for this lesson will be posted on Thursday, 2/13. The QUIZ is scheduled for Tuesday, 1/28.

Science: This week the students will learn about conductors, insulators, specific heat and thermal expansion. The students are experimenting with different types of heat transfer, they will calculate the energy change of different substances and they will analyze different examples of thermal expansion. They will be reviewing chapter-5 and the test is on January 28.

Spanish: We will continue working on family and family members. This week students will be working on their writing. Their family tree project is due next week.

Music: Students will continue to improve their ukulele skills. They will also continue working on their smart strings project in which they choose and write out their own chord progression. The instructions are on the T2 7th grade general music google classroom and this project is due this Friday, January 16 . It is important for students to check google classroom frequently to stay up to date in music.

Week of 1/13

Announcements

• With the winter weather please ensure that you student is wearing sweatshirts, sweaters, or any Vicky Marsha outwear to school.
• Please check your student’s school supplies in their backpacks.
• Seventh grade will be taking their reading STAR test on January 14th. They will take their math STAR test on Tuesday, 1/21 (8:15-9:00 am)

Religion

• This week in religion, seventh grade is wrapping up our chapter on the Holy Spirit. Students have a guided notes page that they’ve been completing as we read. The test for Chapter 6 will be on Friday, January 17th.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- This week we will continue to learn about inequalities- how to write, graph and solve. We will be focusing on solving one and two step inequalities. The Unit 3- Inequalities test will be this Friday, 1/17. ALEKS this week is an Inequalities review assignment (80% or better) due Friday and 5 topics due by Sunday night. We encourage students to complete their ALEKS early in the week so that we are able to answer questions before the weekend. We will also be working on Simple Solutions lessons 21-24 this week. There will be a Simple Solutions (lessons 21-24) quiz next Wednesday, 1/22.
• Ricks- This week we will continue to solve algebraic equations including exploring unique solutions. The ALEKS 10 topics is due by Sunday evening and we will also be working on Simple Solutions lessons 21-24 this week. There will be a Simple Solutions (lessons 21-24) quiz on Friday, 1/17.

ELA: This week in ELA we are winding down our extended writing project - Summary of Informative Text. This summary is due on Friday, January 17th. Students have been assigned a January reading goal, please ensure that students are reading a minimum of 20 minutes every night.

Social Studies: Today the Students reviewed important topics and concepts about the Mongols in China. They will be taking a QUIZ tomorrow. 1/14. We will then continue to took at China’s Ming Dynasty. The students will examine how the Ming leaders helped China to become more powerful and wealthy.

Science: The students will finish lesson 5-2 by creating a digital presentation summarizing the main concepts included in the lesson.

The students will begin lesson 5-3 about “Thermal Properties” and they will prepare a brochure about the lesson. They will apply critical thinking skills by creating hypotheses and analyzing data.

Spanish: We will continue to work on the family unit. We will begin working on “comparativos y superlativos. Students will have a quiz this week.

Music: Students will continue to improve their ukulele skills. They will also continue working on their smart strings project in which they choose and write out their own chord progression. The instructions are on the T2 7th grade general music google classroom and this project is due this Friday, January 16 . It is important for students to check google classroom frequently to stay up to date in music.

Week of 1/6

Announcements

• During the month of January, we will be welcoming Miss Grace Edwards, a Connolly High School student who will join us as an intern teacher 1/7-1/28. Grace is interested in becoming a teacher and is looking forward to observing and helping in the Jr. High classrooms and learning all about the wonderful world of teaching. If you have any questions about this internship, please contact Mrs. Mang.
• With the winter weather please ensure that you student is wearing sweatshirts, sweaters, or any Vicky Marsha outwear to school.
• Please check your student’s school supplies in their backpacks. Many came today without pens and pencils.
• Seventh grade will be taking their reading STAR test on January 14th. They will take their math STAR test on Tuesday, 1/21 (8:15-9:00 am)

Religion

• Students will focus on Chapter 6 in Alive in Christ this week. This chapter focuses on how the Holy Spirit is our guide. Students will begin to utilize a Junior High note taking strategy to help better prepare themselves for this chapter and other chapter tests.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- This week we review solving one and two step equations and begin to learn about inequalities- how write, graph and solve. Students received their Unit 3 test back today and will be expected to complete test corrections due Wednesday, 1/8. There will be an inequality mini- quiz on Friday 1/10. ALEKS this week is an 80% or better assignment due Friday and 5 topics (Carlberg only) due by Sunday night. We encourage students to complete their ALEKS early in the week so that we are able to answer questions before the weekend. We will have a tentative test on Inequalities next Friday, 1/17.
• Ricks- Students have been assigned ALEKS- 10 topics due Sunday

ELA: Continuing with a focus on classic British literature students will read and discuss W.W. Jacobs “The Monkey’s Paw”. In addition to the literary elements students will analyze symbolism and foreshadowing. Students have been assigned a January reading goal, please ensure that students are reading a minimum of 20 minutes every night.

Social Studies: The students have begun a new lesson about the Mongol. We will take a look at how Genghis Khan and his sons created an Empire in China. They will receive a study guide for this lesson on Thursday, 1/9. The QUIZ will be scheduled for Tuesday, 1/14.

Spanish: This week we will create“word of the week”. Students will practice the word of the week which will be their password to come in to class every time we meet. We will talk about family and family members, as this will lead to their “family tree project”. Students will have a quiz the week of 1/13 on reading comprehension with vocabulary words they already know (nothing new).

Week of 12/2

Announcements

• Friday, December 6th is St. Nicholas’ feast day. In celebration, students may wear school appropriate pajamas. Please follow the dress code for pajamas and footwear (no slippers).
• Volunteer opportunity: The Stand Up For Kids Christmas Party is a long-standing and beloved tradition of GEN 1 Youth Ministry here at OLQA. If interested please reach out to Jen - (949) 219-1418 or jlautenbach@olqa.org
• On Friday, December 13th, student council will host a spirit rally. Students are encouraged to wear a Christmas sweater with out of dress code compliant bottoms to be entered into a competition.
• Last Call: we still have 1 sleeping bag leftover from the Catalina trip. If not claimed by this week it will be donated to the front office.

Religion

• Today we discussed the season of Advent and what that looks like in our lives. Throughout the month students will be reflecting on a bible verse every morning in religion to help prepare their hearts in hopeful waiting for Jesus’ birth. Here’s an Advent video that was shown today to the class.
• Random Acts of Kindness project: During this busy holiday season, it is easy to get caught up with buying presents, parties and spending time with friends. It is important to remember that during this Advent season we are preparing our hearts and minds for Jesus’ coming. We know that one of the best ways to live our faith is to serve others and spread love and kindness. This Advent we would like our students to choose a Random Act of Kindness from the list provided tomorrow or create one of your own and do it. This project is due on Monday, December 16th.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- We are beginning Unit 3: Equations and Inequalities. This week we will learn solving one step equations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. We will then solve equations involving rational numbers (fractions and decimals). There will be a quiz at the end of this week or the beginning of next week. Please note that we will finish this unit before Christmas break. The Unit 3 test will be Thursday, 12/19, please plan for your student to be in attendance to take the test. In trimester 2, ALEKS assignments will be worth more and due on Friday evenings. It is important that students work on ALEKS during the week. Students should be doing math every night.

ELA: Students will focus on a classic piece of literature by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. They will be reading two short stories from the Sherlock Holmes series. While students read, they will be focusing on story elements such as setting, plot, and conflict. We are also continuing our personal narrative writing. This writing piece will be due on Thursday, December 19th.

Social Studies: The students began looking at the Empires in China. We will explore the Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties. The students will discuss the accomplishments and reforms that were made to reunite and stabilize China after the Period of the Warring States.

Science: This week the students create a graphing organizer for the vocabulary concepts in lesson-1. They will learn about energy, kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy. They will conduct experiments to measure kinetic and potential energy. The students will identify the types of energy involved in windmills.

Spanish: This week we will be focusing on commands (affirmatives and negatives) as well as some grammar and conjugations.

Week of 11/18

Announcements

Trimester 1 Final Schedule for 7th Grade

• Tuesday - Religion (Study guide posted in Google Classroom)
• Wednesday - ELA (Study guide posted in Google Classroom), Math (Ricks), Spanish (Mang & Carlberg)
• Thursday - Social Studies, Math (Mang & Carlberg), Spanish (Ricks)
• Friday - Science

Religion

• This Tuesday November 19th students will have their Religion Trimester 1 final. The study guide for the final has been posted in their google classroom and they are allowed 1 note card with handwritten notes on both sides. They also have a collaborative project on a Saint from their groups choosing. They will present their project on Friday November 22nd to the class.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- This week we will be finishing our study of expressions. Students will continue to simplify expressions by combining like terms but will also learn the distributive property. Students will spend the week reviewing all of the Unit 2 topics: order of operations, translating expressions, translating expressions, simplifying expressions by combining like terms and distributing. The Unit 2: Expressions Test which will be on Thursday, 11/21. This will serve as their T1 final. The ALEKS assignment this week is the Unit 2 review and is due Thursday 11/21. Students need to earn an 80% or better on this to receive credit and it is a great study aid as they prepare for their Unit 2 test.
• Ricks-Trimester 1 Final is on Wednesday Nov. 20th.

ELA: This Wednesday November 20th the students will take their ELA final. The study guide for the final has been posted in their google classroom and they are allowed to use their The Giver book. Students have been annotating as we’ve been reading and will put those skills to use as they analyze the book on the final. We are in the beginning phase of writing a personal narrative. Students will be writing an engaging introduction paragraph this week.

Social Studies: This Thursday, the students will be taking their Social Studies Final. This Test will cover the Islamic Chapter. They began working on the Chapter Review today, which is due on Wednesday. We will review the answers to ensure they have the correct information to study. The following are possible essay response topics:

• Muslim achievements and inventions in the field of art, science, and literature
• How and why was the religion of Islam founded?
• Discuss the split between Sunni and Shiite Muslims.

Science: This week the students will finish the lab report about calculation of momentum. They will learn the reaction of objects to forces and the law of conservation of momentum. They will analyze the momentum of objects during collision. We will begin Lesson 2-5 about free fall and circular motion. They will conduct experiments about the concepts learned and we will review the topics included in the final first trimester test.

Spanish: This week we will be working on short stories (reading comprehension). Students will have a final this week. We will review material during class that will prepare them for their final.

Music: Listening Journals are due this week on Tuesday, November 19! 7th grade students will listen to the last selection this Tuesday so they can complete their writing before turning in their journals. We will also continue working on basic chord progressions on ukulele for individual students assessments.

Week of 11/11

Announcements

• First trimester finals week: A cumulative test will be given for each core class during the week of November 18th. The core classes include: Religion, ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish. Students will be notified about each test in each class.
• Please start sending in non-perishable food items for our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. The last day to bring items is on Monday, November 18th.

Religion

• This week we will begin reviewing for the student’s religion final. Students will be able to use both sides of a handwritten note card.
• Students were assigned a reflection assignment on their Servite/Rosary retreat.
• Throughout the month of November, students will learn about a new saint each morning. This material is recorded in their daily notebooks and will be part of the final.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- We continue to study expressions. This week we will continue to practice simplifying expressions by combining like terms. We will also learn the distributive property and use it to help simplify expressions. Assessments this week include:
  • Tuesday 11/12- 2-1 quiz #2 (order of operations, translating expressions and evaluating expressions)
  • Wednesday 11/13- Simple Solutions 13-16 quiz Wednesday 11/13.
  • 2-2 quiz- simplifying expressions by combining like terms and distributive property Friday, 11/15.

ALEKS this week is 10 topics and an 80% or better assignment due by Sunday night. Encourage your child to work on these assignments early in the week. Looking ahead: next week we will be reviewing for the Unit 2: Expressions test which will be on Thursday, 11/21.

• Ricks- Aleks this week is 10 topics and an 80% or better assignment due by Sunday night. Encourage your child to work on these assignments early in the week.

ELA: Students are presenting their Utopian Society projects this week. We are continuing to read The Giver and will finish the novel before their final. Students are encouraged to re-read daily and to expand their annotations. This novel with their annotations will serve as part of their study guide and the students will be able to use the novel during their final. Last week we started talking about the student’s personal narrative. Students should have submitted their topics and will begin drafting this week in conjunction with the new Writing By Design program.

Social Studies: The students will be finishing up Chapter 2-3 this week, which was about the Muslim Way of Life. The Study Guides will be uploaded Wednesday on Google classroom. They will have a QUIZ on Friday, 11/15. After this week’s quiz, we will prepare for the Chapter Test, scheduled on Wednesday, 11/20.

Science: The students will study lesson 2-4 about momentum and they will work in the school -yard calculating their momentum as they run using a scale and a speed radar. They will analyze the momentum of different objects in motion and they will learn about the law of conservation of motion. In lesson 2-5 they will study free fall, circular motion, centripetal force and satellite Motion.

Spanish: This week students will finish their Day of the Dead presentations. We will also review vocabulary that will prepare them for their assessment.

Music: This week, AMT music students will continue to learn and practice chord progressions on the ukulele. They will also continue with listening to and writing about the next selection of their Listening Journal. The Listening Journal is a cumulative project that will be due on Tuesday, November 19.

Week of 11/4

Announcements

• Rosary/Servite retreat: On Wednesday our seventh grade class will enjoy a day of growing in their faith. The two schools are hosting this retreat for us on Rosary Academy's campus.
  • Please have your student in their homeroom class by 7:45 AM. We will need to be in the cars by 8:00 in order to get to the retreat on time.
  • Students can wear an OLQA spirit shirt/sweatshirt with jeans or pants. Snacks and lunch will be provided by Rosary and Servite.
  • We will return back to OLQA in time for carpool
• No school this Friday. 11/8.
• First trimester finals week: A cumulative test will be given for each core class during the week of November 18th. The core classes include: Religion, ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish.

Religion

• This week we are finishing our work with chapter 4 “The Trinity.” Students will be learning more about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Students were given notecards today in class so that they may begin their studying for the chapter 4 test on Monday, November 11th.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- We continue to study expressions. This week we will learn the terms that make up expressions and simplify expressions by combining like terms. There will be a homework quiz on Thursday this week. We will also be working on Simple Solutions lessons 13-16 due Tuesday 11/12 and looking at a quiz on Wednesday 11/13. ALEKS this week is 10 topics and an 80% or better assignment due by Sunday night. Encourage your child to work on these assignments early in the week.
• Ricks- This week we are studying the rules of exponents while combining like terms. We have a tentative quiz on Thursday 11/7. Aleks this week is 10 topics and an 80% or better assignment due by Sunday night. Encourage your child to work on these assignments early in the week.

ELA:

• Students have been collaborating on a Utopian Society project the past few weeks. This project is in conjunction with our class The Giver and students will present their final project as a team on Thursday, November 7th.
• Students will begin their Personal Narrative long-term writing project this week. We are in the beginning phase of brainstorming ideas that will help write a dynamic essay. The rubric, assignment details, and lessons can be found on google classroom to reference as students write.

Social Studies:

The quiz that was scheduled for Monday, 11/4 has been rescheduled for Tuesday, 11/5. I wanted to give the students another opportunity to review once more before the assessment. We will then begin the next lesson which will take a look at the Muslim way of life. The students will examine how trade influenced the growth of Muslim cities and describe the achievements and contributions made by Muslims in the field of math, science, and the arts.

Science: The students will create graphic organizers summarizing Newton’s Laws of Motion. They will learn the relationship between mass, acceleration and net forces. They will design experiments to test the three laws of motion and they will learn about momentum and the factors that affect it.

Spanish: Students will continue to work on their ofrendas. Students will present their ofrendas this week.

Music: This week, AMT music students will continue to learn and practice chord progressions on the ukulele. They will also continue with listening to and writing about the next selection of their Listening Journal. The Listening Journal is a cumulative project that will be due on Tuesday, November 19.

Week of 10/28

Announcements

• There was one sleeping bag left behind from Catalina. Please contact Ms. Taylor or Mrs. Hennessy if it belongs to your child.
• Upcoming Rosary/Servite retreat: On Wednesday, November 6th our seventh grade class will enjoy a day of growing in their faith. The two schools are hosting this retreat for us on Rosary Academy's campus. Please email me ashleyrodi@icloud.com if you're able to drive to and from the retreat. Note: all drivers must have fingerprint clearance, safety training complete, a copy of their car insurance and drivers license in the office.
• Dance - Monster Mash Bash dance on Wednesday. The attire is all black. Lunch will be provided by our eighth grade class.
• Halloween - Students may wear a school-appropriate costume of jeans and a t-shirt. It is a 12:10 dismissal time.

Religion

• We are continuing our work with chapter 4 “The Trinity.” Students will be learning more about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In an effort to be more of an active participant and vocal presence in Mass we have been working on the appropriate Mass responses. If possible, please review these with your student over the next few weeks. Students do have access to the correct responses via their Google Classroom. CH. 4 Test Monday, November 11th.
• During the month of November students will choose and work on an informative Saint Report. More information to follow.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- This week we will be reviewing Order of Operations, Translating Expressions and Evaluating Expressions. Students will have a 2-1 quiz on Wednesday assessing all of these topics. ALEKS this week will be a 2-1 Quiz review due Wednesday. Students need to earn an 80% or better to receive credit. Students are able to take the review as many times as they need which makes it a great practice for the quiz.
• Ricks- Short but fun week! We will be going through simplifying expressions and combining like terms. The students need to complete their ALEKS assignments by Sunday evening. We will also get through three more Simple Solution Lessons this week.

ELA:

• Students are continuing developing and creating their D.A.R. extended writing project. Numerous historical and factual resources can be found on their Google Classroom for ELA. This creative writing project will be due on Wednesday, October 30th.
• Students have been collaborating on a Utopian Society project the past few weeks. This project is in conjunction with our class The Giver and students will present their final project as a team on Thursday, November 7th.

Social Studies:

Today the students continued to learn about the spread of Islam and the beginnings of the creation of the Islamic Empire. We should be wrapping up this lesson tomorrow and beginning to prepare for the quiz. Due to the shortened schedule this week, the Quiz is tentatively planned for Tuesday, 11/5.

Science:

This week the students will learn about Newton’s laws of motion. We will start with Newton's first law of motion and we will discuss the relationship between inertia and mass. The students will apply the concept of nonzero net force to the first law of motion. They will relate the content of this law to experiences in their daily lives. They will conduct activities in the school yard to observe evidence of the first law of motion.. Next they will learn about the second Newton’s law. As they learn the second law of motion, the students will integrate the concepts of mass, acceleration and net force. Finally, the students will learn about the third Newton’s law and they will identify the forces involved in this law, they will find examples of evidence of this law in their daily activities and they will do activities related to the topic.

Spanish: This week we will start talking about culture and traditions in Mexico. We will start talking about Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead celebrations begin October 31st and end November 2nd . Mexicans view this day not as a day of sadness but as a day of celebration because their loved ones awake and celebrate with them. Students will complete a project where they will create an ofrenda. Students will need a shoe box to create it. Parents, I want to ask for your help, please help your child obtain a shoe box and materials to complete this project. I will post instructions and a rubric for this project in google classroom. Students will present their ofrenda to the class in Spanish. Please email me with any questions. I have posted a rubric as well as detailed instructions in google classroom.

Music: This week, AMT music students will continue to learn and practice the ukulele part for this year’s Christmas program. The Christmas program will be on Thursday, December 12 at 7:00pm. As we are only meeting one day this week due to conferences, students who need to complete missing projects will be given time to do so during class on Tuesday.

Week of 10/21

Announcements

• Please review the final Catalina email sent out on Sunday. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Hennessy or Ms. Taylor.

Religion

• Today we started chapter 4 “The Trinity.” Students will be learning more about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In an effort to be more of an active participant and vocal presence in Mass we have been working on the appropriate Mass responses. If possible, please review these with your student over the next few weeks. Students do have access to the correct responses via their Google Classroom.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- This week we will continue to practice translating expressions and learn how to evaluate expressions. No ALEKS this week due to Catalina trip.
• Ricks- Monday we will review combining like terms and applying the distributive property as well as using the distributive property to factor. We will have HW Quiz 2-1 on Tuesday. No ALEKS this week due to Catalina trip.

ELA:

• Tuesday October 22nd the students have a quiz on Quotations and Dialogue grammar rules.
• Students are continuing developing and creating their D.A.R. extended writing project. Numerous historical and factual resources can be found on their Google Classroom for ELA. This creative writing project will be due on Wednesday, October 30th.

Social Studies:

• The students will continue to learn about the Islamic religion. We will explore the divide between the Muslim people, Shiite and Sunni Muslims. Students will also describe how the Muslims created different Islamic Empires throughout time.

Science: The students had a quiz about calculating net forces today. They are learning about gravity on Earth and on other planets. Tomorrow is the last class of the week and they will work in a lab about forces.

Spanish: This week we will start talking about culture and traditions in Mexico. We will start talking about Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead celebrations begin October 31st and end November 2nd . Mexicans view this day not as a day of sadness but as a day of celebration because their loved ones awake and celebrate with them. Students will complete a project where they will create an ofrenda. Students will need a shoe box to create it. Parents, I want to ask for your help, please help your child obtain a shoe box and materials to complete this project. I will post instructions and a rubric for this project in google classroom. Students will present their ofrenda to the class in Spanish. Please email me with any questions.

Music: This week, AMT music students will continue to learn and practice the ukulele part for this year’s Christmas program.

Week of 10/14

Announcements

• The Catalina trip is next week. We will send an informational email in regards to carpooling, packing, and expectations later this week.
• Picture Makeup Day is this Friday October 18th.

Religion

• This week we are wrapping up our work on Chapter 3 “Jesus, Sign of God’s Love” Students will have a chapter review on Tuesday and the test will be on Friday October 18th. Students are given a note card to record needed notes for the test-only on one side of the card please.
• In an effort to be more of an active participant and vocal presence in Mass we have been working on the appropriate Mass responses. If possible, please review these with your student over the next few weeks. Students do have access to the correct responses via their Google Classroom.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- This week we will open Unit 2: Expressions. We will review the order of operations and use that knowledge to evaluate expressions. By the end of this week we will translate and evaluate expressions. Students are expected to complete 10 Aleks topics and an 80% or better assignment due Sunday. Assessments for this week include Simple Solutions Quiz 9-12 on Thursday 10/17 and Homework Quiz Friday 10/18.
• Ricks- We are beginning Unit 2: Expressions and Equations. This week we will be translating and simplifying expressions. Quiz 2-1 will be this Friday 10/18. We will be working on Simple Solutions Lessons #13-16. Students are expected to complete 5 Aleks topics and an 80% or better assignment due Sunday.

ELA:

• In class we are continuing to read The Giver. As we read we are focusing on developing the following skills: characterization, plot, and annotation. As we analyze the utopian/dystopian society in The Giver, students will create their own during their collaborative Utopian Society Project. This week students will begin the early stages of writing their personal narrative.
• Students are continuing developing and creating their D.A.R. extended writing project. Numerous historical and factual resources can be found on their Google Classroom for ELA. This creative writing project will be due on Wednesday October 30th.

Social Studies: The students will be studying the rise of Islam. We will look at how the geography and the environment in Arabia shaped the Arab way of life. They will also learn about how Muhammad founded the religion of Islam. The QUIZ for this lesson is tentatively scheduled for Friday, 10/18.

Spanish: This week we will be working on vocabulary in context and we will be exploring culture (Mexico and Spain).

Music: This week, music students will be introduced to the ukulele part for our 6th-8th grade song for the evening Christmas program. This year’s program will take place on Thursday, December 12 at 7:00pm. The students who currently have music for AMT this trimester are invited to play the ukulele, all 7th grade students are welcome to sing. We will also continue with week 8 of our listening journal. The listening journal is a trimester long project and is due on Tuesday, November 19.

Week of 10/7

Announcements

• Catalina Paperwork: if you have not turned in all paperwork or are missing items we will reach out to you this week. Thank you in advance for the parents that have volunteered to carpool.
• Headphones: please ensure that your student has headphones that can plug into their iPads (no wireless models please). Students need to have their headphones for all classes.
• Nutrition/Lunches: we have noticed a trend amongst the 7th grade students of either not having a lunch or snack frequently. We have also noticed that some students consume their lunch at nutrition break and then do not have a lunch later in the day. Please touch base with your students on their nutrition trends and needs thank you.
• Tomorrow 7th grade girls will have a Scoliosis screening during school hours.

Religion

• Religion reflections are a daily assignment in class. We have different themes for different days such as Mindset Monday, Gospel Reflection, Tech Tuesday, etc. Students are assigned a quote or reading and have a rubric to guide their reflections for that assignment. We encourage you to discuss with your student their connection with the Sunday’s gospel. There are numerous resources posted in the student’s Google Classroom to help guide their reflections.
• Today we started Chapter 3 “Jesus, Sign of God’s Love” in class. Through this chapter students will be able to understand that God’s new covenant is made present in the world through the Eucharist.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- This week we will be finishing our study of Unit 1 with converting decimals, percents and fractions. We will review for the Unit 1 test this Friday, October 11. Students will be tested on integer (positives and negatives) operations, fraction operations (including negatives and positives), and converting decimals, percents and fractions. Students will have a Unit 1 ALEKS review due Friday. Students are able to take this review as many times as they wish and the system will generate new problems every time. It is a great review resource for students and we highly encourage them to use it as a study tool. For this week, students need to complete the weekly 5 Aleks topics due Sunday.
• Ricks- This week we will be finishing our study of Unit 1- the real number system, integers, fractions and rational/irrational numbers. Students will review throughout the week. There will be a Unit 1 Test on Friday, October 11. Students are expected to complete the usual 10 topics in Aleks and an 80% or better assignment due Sunday, October 13.

ELA:

• We are still continuing our work on the D.A.R writing assignment. Students have access to numerous videos, resources, and sites via their google classroom to assist in their creative writing. This is an extended creative writing project that all students participate in, which is due Wednesday October 30th.
• We started our first class novel The Giver by Lois Lowry today. We have read chapter 1 and the students are encouraged to reread and continue to develop their annotation skills.
• Tomorrow (10/8) students will have a test on Characterization and Types of Conflict.

Social Studies:

• Students will be reviewing the Chapter 1 topics and concepts to prepare for the Chapter Test, which is scheduled for Wednesday, October 9. We will then move on to the next chapter about the Islamic Religion. Students will examine how Muhammad received Allah’s message and created Islam.

Science: They will have a chapter TEST, on Tuesday October 8.

Spanish: This week students will be working on short stories and answering questions about them.

Music: In 7th grade, one of our learning standards is to develop aural and visual recognition and appreciation of the primary families of instruments. This week we are focusing on the woodwind family. Students have chosen a woodwind instrument to research and to find a musical selection that features their instrument. This project is due this Friday, October 4. Students will also continue to add to their cumulative listening journal as we listen to the 6th selection on their list this Friday. Their listening journal will be due on Tuesday, November 19.

Week of 9/30

Announcements

• Catalina Paperwork: if you have not turned in all paperwork or are missing items we will reach out to you this week. Thank you in advance for the parents that have volunteered to carpool.
• Tuesday October 8th-Girls in 7th will be screened for Scoliosis
• Students will be given their FACTS student login information during homeroom this week.
• We have had to revisit practice and protocol in regards to lockers and their combination locks. As stated in the Jr. High Handbook, locks must be secure on their assigned locker at all times. If a student's lock has been misplaced please ensure that is it found or replaced.

Religion- This week we will be focusing on Chapter 2-Exploring the Word of God. Students have a podcast assignment due this week. Chapter 2 test will be this coming Friday 10/4.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg- This week we will review and expand on how to multiply and divide fractions. We will use our knowledge of fractions to solve word problems that involve real-life situations. Assessments for this week include Fractions Quiz (Add/Subtract/Multiply/Divide) on Thursday, 10/3 and Homework Quiz on Friday 10/4. Students are expected to complete the weekly 10 Aleks topics and an 80% or better assignment due Sunday.
• Ricks- We continue to work on Unit 1 this week. Learning Scientific notation, evaluating expressions and the Real Number system. We will have a Simple Solutions lessons 9-12 quiz on Friday 10/4. Students are expected to complete the weekly 10 Aleks topics and an 80% or better assignment due Sunday.

ELA: Students will be given a copy of the class novel “The Giver” by Lois Lowry. This novel/book is theirs to annotate and make notes while reading in and out of class. We are adamant at not only instilling this much needed skill through practice but encourage students to re-read and continue to annotate at home as well. The Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R) writing contest has been announced and discussed with the students. Students have access to all information via their google classroom. This is an extended creative writing project that all students participate in, which is due Wednesday October 30th.

Social Studies: This week we are continuing to look at the Byzantine Empire. The students will explore the arguments between the Roman Catholic Church with the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Chapter 1-3 SG (Study Guide) will be uploaded tomorrow and will be due the day of the QUIZ, Friday 10/4.

Science: This week the students are finishing their field work report about average speed. They are learning about the motion of an accelerating object and they will calculate the slope of a graph of time versus speed to find the acceleration value. The students will participate in a lab about acceleration. By the end of the week they will complete a chapter review and assessment to prepare for the test. They will have a chapter TEST, on Tuesday October 8.

Spanish: This week we will be working on vocabulary words and using them in short stories. Students have been working on speaking and writing in complete sentences and we will continue to work on that this week.

Music: In 7th grade, one of our learning standards is to develop aural and visual recognition and appreciation of the primary families of instruments. This week we are focusing on the woodwind family. Students have chosen a woodwind instrument to research and to find a musical selection that features their instrument. This project is due this Friday, October 4. Students will also continue to add to their cumulative listening journal as we listen to the 6th selection on their list this Friday. Their listening journal will be due on Tuesday, November 19.

Week of 9/23

Announcements

• Catalina paperwork and permission slips are due tomorrow. See Mrs. Tipton’s email from 9/16 for details.
• Picture day is on Wednesday. Please send your student in their regular school uniform. They will have light PE and will not need to change.

Religion- This week we started exploring The Word of God in Sacred Scripture (Chapter 2). God’s word speaks to us and tells us more about Him. Throughout this chapter, we are going to examine different bible passages and interpret the meaning.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg-We continue to work on Unit 1- Number Sense. This week we will be reviewing operations with fractions so that students are able to master these skills to eventually be able to apply their knowledge to solving equations involving fractions later this year. We are working on Simple Solutions lessons 5-8 this week. Simple Solutions quiz on Thursday 9/26. Reminder Homework quiz Friday 9/27. This week students are required to complete 10 topics and an 80% or better assignment in ALEKS by Sunday Night. Please encourage them to complete this assignment early in the week and not to let it go into the weekend.
• Ricks- Continuing to study Real Numbers- rational and irrational. There will be a 1-2 quiz on Thursday 9/26 and Simple Solutions lessons 5-8 quiz on Friday 9/27. This week students are required to complete 10 topics and an 80% or better assignment in ALEKS by Sunday Night. Please encourage them to complete this assignment early in the week and not to let it go into the weekend.

ELA: This week we are finishing up “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. Our focus has been annotation, reading for purpose with Depth and Complexity icons, and theme. “The Lottery” quiz is on Wednesday 9/24. The student’s one pager project on “The Lottery” is due on Friday 9/27.

Social Studies: We will be taking the Chapter 1-2 QUIZ tomorrow, 9/24. The students will begin the next lesson on Wednesday, which will focus on the Byzantine Empire. They will identify the reforms made by Emperor Justinian and his wife, Theodora, that strengthened the Empire. They will also discuss how Roman, Greek, and Christian ideas contributed to the Byzantine culture.

Science: Previous to the quiz on Wednesday, September 25, we are reviewing the concepts of motion, reference points, International system of units (SI), units conversion, speed calculation, instantaneous speed, average speed and velocity. On Tuesday they will be working in the school field calculating average speed collecting data and making graphs to communicate results. The rest of the week they will learn how to measure and graph acceleration.

Spanish: We will be working on vocabulary words this week. Students will learn to use hay (there is/there are) in context to communicate real information. Students will have a quiz this week, which will cover the material we have reviewed so far. They will receive a study guide to prepare for the quiz.

Week of 9/16

Religion-This week the students will wrap up Chapter 1”God Has a Plan”. There will be a test on Friday for the first chapter. Students are encouraged to study using not only the textbook but the online test prep resource as well.

Math

• Mang/Carlberg-We are currently working on Unit 1- Number Sense. This week we are assessing on Integers: comparing and ordering, adding and subtracting, multiplying and dividing integers (negative and positive numbers). Integers quiz on Tuesday 9/17. We will then begin reviewing operations with Fractions. We have begun working on our Simple Solutions curriculum and will have a quiz on lessons 1-4 on Thursday 9/19. Reminder Homework quiz Friday. Each week the students have an assignment on ALEKS. This week they need to complete 10 topics and an 80% or better assignment by Sunday Night. Please encourage them to complete this assignment early in the week and not to let it go into the weekend.
• Ricks - We are currently working on Unit 1 - The Real Numbers. We will have a quiz on Integers on Wednesday, 9/18. We will have Simple Solutions Quiz #2 on Friday. Each week the students have an assignment on ALEKS. This week they need to complete 10 topics by Sunday night.

ELA: This week we are continuing our Writing by Design Six Traits lessons: organization, voice, and word choice. The students will also continue with practicing their annotation skills with the text “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. We will touch base on the concept of theme in literature and the students will start a visual thinking project that will incorporate their current text, theme, and writing.

Social Studies - We will be looking at the weakening of the Roman Empire due to poor leadership and invasion by the Germanic Tribes. Students will also explore the contributions and ideas created by the Romans used in our government today. The Study Guides will be given to the students on Thursday. The Chapter 1-2 Quiz will be on Tuesday, 9/24

Spanish: Students are writing and presenting about themselves this week. They are also using the preterite and imperfect in context.

Music: Please bring your iPads (and headphones or earbuds if you have them) to music on Thursday and Friday. Please bring your music binder and something to write with to every music class.

Catalina Trip: All Paperwork and Permission slips due by Tuesday September 24th.

Week of 9/9

Religion- Students started studying Ch. 1, began their weekly journals and reflected on this Sunday's 9/8 Gospel. Ch. 1 test expected for later next week. Students can use this website for interactive reviews to study each chapter: https://aliveinchrist.osv.com/family/interactive_reviews

Math

• Mang/Carlberg-We are currently working on Unit 1- Number Sense. This week we are studying Integers: comparing and ordering, adding and subtracting, multiplying and dividing integers (negative and positive numbers). Homework quiz Friday. This week the students with take their initial knowledge check in ALEKS and be expected to complete 10 topics and an 80% or better assignment by Sunday NIght. Please make sure students have a binder with 3 dividers and a composition book for math.
• Ricks- We are beginning Unit 1: Real Numbers. We will be learning about integers and their operations and rational numbers (fractions and decimals) and their operations. This week the students with take their initial knowledge check in ALEKS and are expected to complete 10 topics by Sunday NIght.

Social Studies -We have finished up the first lesson last week about Roman Culture. Students should be working on completing their Study Guides for Chapter 1-1 (SG 1-1). Study guides will be due on Wednesday, 9/11. The QUIZ for 1-1 is on Wednesday 9/11. We will begin the next lesson on Thursday. It will focus on the Fall of the Roman Empire.

Science - The students are working in a lab experiment about quantitative measurements, scientific tools and metric units. The individual lab report is due on 9/11/19 and they will have a quiz about this topic on 9/13/19.

Spanish: Students are working on greetings and commands. They will start writing sentences in spanish. This week they will be introduced to “verbos comunes” (common verbs).

ELA: Tomorrow in ELA we're going to have a discussion and prayer service in memory of 9/11. In preparation, can you share your experience of where you were on the morning of 9/11 tonight with your student. We'll be showing a clip called "The Ground Zero Cross" to the students. This clip is an amazing display of how God is always with us - even through the hard times. The prayer service will culminate with students writing and sharing prayers for the victims and their families. We thank you for your support and hope this conversation will have a significant impact on their faith. Video link: https://www.history.com/news/september-11-attacks-videos Scroll down to find The Ground Zero Cross