welcome, Team Innovate!

ELA:

bbrown4@wcpss.net

Instagram: brown_loves_books

Assignments

• Complete Missing ("M") assignments from ANY Quarter--start with any that say "Assessment" in the title.
• If you didn't get to finish reading Ghost Boys with Mr. Hines, you can still read it here:

bit.ly/ghostboyspdf

• Read (via NewsELA) about two other stories inspired by the BLM movement:

The Hate U Give (book) by Angie Thomas

Blue (opera) by Jeanine Tesori

Then, participate in the discussion on our Padlet:

bit.ly/blmtalk

PASSWORD: teamkidsfirst

Recommended Reading

If you enjoyed Ghost Boys, you might also like:

• The Hate U Give (Angie Thomas)
• Dear Martin (Nic Stone)
• All American Boys (Jason Reynolds)
• How It Went Down (Kekla Magoon)
• Tyler Johnson Was Here (Jay Coles)

SOCIAL STUDIES:

jpapile@wcpss.net

• Let's keep changing those "Ms" over to 3s and 4s!!!!
• I also posted an assignment titled "Colonization Review and Connection to COVID 19" in Empower. It's a little review of the Aztecs and how disease helped the Spanish conquer them. Give it a shot!!
• Plus, the other 2 SS teachers have posted instructions for their Google G.2.2 maps. We've already done that so if you need to turn it in, do so!!
• I'm also going to do a couple of practice runs on Google meet this week. Stay tuned for that!!

MATH:

jsamuels@wcpss.net

• Dreambox!
• Complete missing assignments in the Unit 6 playlist.
• Everything can be complete and turned in!

SCIENCE:

ebuie@wcpss.net

• Missing assignments on Empower from ANY competency, particularly those labeled "Check In" or "Quiz."
• Review Wind & Weather vocabulary with: bit.ly/windquizlet

ELA:

bbrown4@wcpss.net

Insta: brown_loves_books

Twitter: brownlovesbooks

• Follow along as Mr. Hines continues reading from Ghost Boys! Find him on Instagram @mrhines_
• Complete missing assignments on Empower from ANY unit: especially those that cover multiple Standards. Let's turn those "M's" into numbers!
• Language Review: Finish any remaining GoFormatives.

www.goformative.com

SOCIAL STUDIES:

jpapile@wcpss.net

• Complete and submit any missing assignments.
• Additionally, review feedback for any assignments that are graded below a 3 and resubmit them for a possible higher grade.
• The 7th grade SS team will be posting enrichment and remediation opportunities in Empower on a rolling basis. I will update the assignments here for the previous week.

MATH:

jsamuels@wcpss.net

• Dreambox!

SCIENCE:

This week, students will really dive into their summative weather assessment, the Road Trip PBL! In this project, students utilize their weather prediction skills to collaborate on the safest and quickest road trip to their final destinations.

Planning documents and PBL directions/rubric can be found on Empower.

ELA:

This week, we will be continuing our study of Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes.

We will also be continuing our Language Unit: students will continue completing nightly language homework (except on Fridays). All of these assignments will be completed on goformative.com.

Homework (L 7.4)

Tues. 3/10: Lesson 16

Wed 3/11: Lesson 17

Thurs. 3/12: Lesson 18

View Full Homework Schedule Here

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Students will start the week by finishing their summative projects for Unit 5. Then we will learn about the Industrial Revolution and the consequences of that historical time period with a focus on the economic theories that arose from the industrialization processes. We will also examine some of the technological advancements.

MATH:

This week we will continue Unit 6: Expressions, Equations, & Inequalities. Students will have a quiz on Friday of this week.

Monday- No school

Tuesday- Multistep equations

Wednesday- Multistep Equations

Thursday- Multistep equations

Friday - Multistep equations

SCIENCE:

We'll begin the week classifying cloud types through analyzing works of art - and creating works of art of our own.

Later in the week, students will begin our summative weather project, the Road Trip PBL! In this project, students collaborate with a partner and use their weather prediction skills to plan the safest and quickest road trip to their final destination.

ELA:

This week, we will be starting a new unit. For the next few weeks, we will be reading Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes.

We will also be continuing our Language Unit: students will continue completing nightly language homework (except on Fridays). All of these assignments will be completed on goformative.com.

Homework

Mon. 3/2: Lesson 11 (L 7.1)

Tues. 3/3: Lesson 12 (L 7.1)

Wed 3/4: Lesson 13 (L. 7.2)

Thurs. 3/5: Lesson 15 (L 7.3)

View Full Homework Schedule Here

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week Team Innovate will wrap our Revolutions unit by researching revolutionaries from one of the revolutions and then conducting an interview as that person. The students will be able to explain how culture both united and divided people during their revolution and the democratic ideas that influenced the revolution in which they fought. The second half of the week will bring the Isms unit which will have students learn about Industrialism, Nationalism and Imperialism in the 1800s.

MATH:

This week we will continue Unit 6: Expressions, Equations, & Inequalities. Students will have a quiz on Friday of this week.

Monday- Multistep equations

Tuesday- Multistep equations

Wednesday- Multistep Equations

Thursday- Multistep equations

Friday - Quiz (Combining Like Terms, factoring, distributive property, & Tape diagrams)

SCIENCE:

Since last week was cut short, ironically due to *weather conditions,* this week students will begin the mini-project in which they'll "create their own weather" by manipulating weather maps in a paper slides video.

At this point, all "Earth Systems, Structures and Processes" standards have been assessed at least three times. While we still have summative projects, review, and assessments to go before moving on from this unit, it would be beneficial for students to review their current standards grades. Furthermore, this would be an opportune time for targeted instruction on standards below the 3.0 level. I am happy to provide supplemental resources and individualized materials via Empower for students who request it.

ELA:

This week, we will continue reading Excerpts from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and reviewing Figurative Language terms.

We will also be starting a Language Unit which will require students to complete nightly language homework (except on Fridays). All of these assignments will be completed on goformative.com.

Homework

Tues. 2/25: Lesson 1 (L 7.1)

Wed 2/26: Lesson 7 (L. 7.1)

Thurs. 2/27: Lesson 8 (L 7.1)

View Full Homework Schedule Here

SOCIAL STUDIES:

We will finish up our overview of the 3 revolutions this week. We will start off reviewing the French Revolution then our last revolution will be the Haitian Revolution. The end of the week will see the students beginning their project for the unit which will be an interview with one of the revolutionary figures from their overview studies.

MATH:

We will continue Unit 6 Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities. Students will continue to complete activities and assignments in class and through Empower learning.

SCIENCE:

This short week in science, students will become experience meteorology as they analyze weather maps to predict weather conditions. Later in the week, they'll "create their own weather" by manipulating weather maps in a paper slides video.

ELA:

This week we will be continuing Unit 7 as we review Poetry & Figurative Language Terms so we can better understand and appreciate the poetic devices Frederick Douglass employs in his Narrative.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This 3-day week will see Team Innovate students finishing up their Revolutions overview and then diving deeper into a specific revolution to fully understand and present how culture was a major cause in that Revolution. We will also examine some modern Revolutions to get a sense of how cultural differences can still play a role.

MATH:

SCIENCE:

This week we'll dive into the wild world of extreme weather. Students will work with a partner to create a Public Service Announcement that raises awareness in the community about their chosen extreme weather system.

ELA:

This week we will be continuing Unit 7 as we start reading excerpts from the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.

A note on progress reports:

• To determine whether students were "Behind Pace," "On Pace," or "Ahead of Pace," in ELA, I reviewed their performance on the Power Standards (the Standards tested by the EOG) which we have covered so far: RL 7.4, RI 7.1, RI 7.3, & RL 7.1. At this point, all students should have 3's on these Standards.
• We have not yet "completed" any of the ELA Competencies, but we have focused most heavily on Competencies 1 & 2, so student scores should be higher in these two areas.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week the rest of the team will finish the unit 4 test that they couldn't finish due to the storm. Then the whole team will begin unit 5 on Revolutions. The students will begin with an overview about the American, French and Haitian Revolutions and then learn about modern revolutions and how culture played a role in all of them.

MATH:

This week we will complete Unit 5 Rational numbers! The main focus of this unit is adding, subtracting, multiplying , and dividing integers. This week's focus will be rational numbers.

There will be a test on Friday.

SCIENCE:

This week in science, we'll broaden our discussion of convection to explain weather fronts and their relation to extreme weather conditions.

A note on upcoming progress reports:

• Competencies 7.P.1 and 7.P.2 are "complete," meaning we will not revisit these standards in class. However, students may improve these grades until the end of the school year by completing missing or alternate assignments.
• Competency 7.E.1 is currently being taught and assessed in class. For this reason, it's likely that a student's progress report scores for this Competency will naturally be lower. Please check Empower for a more accurate depiction of your student's progress.

ELA:

This week we will be starting Unit 7 as we begin building context for our study of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.

A note on upcoming progress reports:

• To determine whether students were "Behind Pace," "On Pace," or "Ahead of Pace," in ELA, I reviewed their performance on the Power Standards (the Standards tested by the EOG) which we have covered so far: RL 7.4, RI 7.1, RI 7.3, & RL 7.1. At this point, all students should have 3's on these Standards.
• We have not yet "completed" any of the ELA Competencies, but we have focused most heavily on Competencies 1 & 2, so student scores should be higher in these two areas.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week Innovate students will finish the unit on Absolutism and Enlightenment and take the unit test on Tuesday. They will then begin the Revolutions Unit by engaging in an overview of the American, French and Haitian Revolutions that were inspired by Enlightenment ideas on governments and rights.

MATH:

This week we will continue Unit 5 Rational numbers! The main focus of this unit is adding, subtracting, multiplying , and dividing integers. This week's focus will be rational numbers.

SCIENCE:

In addition to continuing our weather tracking exploration, this week students will consider how convection relates to weather and climate conditions. They will observe and participate in multiple demonstrations of heat transfer.

ELA:

This week, we will wrap up our Research project! On Monday and Tuesday, we will be creating Works Cited pages, and on Thursday and Friday, students will present their findings to the class.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Team Innovate students will finish learning about the Enlightenment ideas that shaped modern democracies. They will then learn about the modern governments of the world and see how those Enlightenment ideas have been applied. They will then learn about the rights of the citizens in some of the modern countries.

MATH:

This week we will continue Unit 5 Rational numbers! The main focus of this unit is adding, subtracting, multiplying , and dividing integers. This week's focus will be evaluating expressions and solving one step equations.

Monday- Solving One step Equations

Tuesday- Quiz (multiplying, dividing, & evaluating expressions)

Thursday- Solving One step equations

Friday- Solving One step Equations

SCIENCE:

This week, we'll begin our weather tracking exploration. Students will monitor weather conditions in Raleigh as well as a location of their choosing. After a few weeks of this, we'll discuss how our weather measurements compare to historical climatology data.

By the end of the week, students will be able to explain the difference between weather and climate.

ELA:

This week, we will continue work on our research projects, but we will begin the Writing process. First, we will write "Proposals" to outline the information and images to be "published" in our magazine spreads. Then, we will begin drafting our articles and Works Cited pages.

Homework: If students did not finish and submit their research (Packet: 3 research questions + 3 sources/notes) in class last week (due Friday, 1/17), they will likely have homework most nights this week, too, because they will be playing catch-up to get back on track.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week we finally get to learn about my favorite era of history: the Enlightenment and its philosophers. We'll learn about Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu and Voltaire and how their ideas shaped our modern democracy. We'll also connect those ideas to the Declaration of Independence to understand what a good government is supposed to do and how it's supposed to treat its citizens. We'll also look at the rights and responsibilities of citizens in various countries around the world and compare how those governments operate.

MATH:

MATH:

This week we will continue Unit 5 Rational numbers! The main focus of this unit is adding, subtracting, multiplying , and dividing integers. Additionally, students will discover the use of rational numbers in the real world.

This week's focus will be multiplying and dividing rational numbers.

THERE WILL NOT BE ANY CALCULATORS USED THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THIS UNIT. Students are expected to complete problems involving Rational numbers with & without calculators. This unit gives students the perfect opportunity to refresh all of their computational skills!

SCIENCE:

This week, we'll begin our weather tracking exploration. Students will monitor weather conditions in Raleigh as well as a location of their choosing. After a few weeks of this, we'll discuss how our weather measurements compare to historical climatology data.

By the end of the week, students will be able to explain the influence of convection on weather and climatic conditions.

ELA:

This week, we will continue work on our research projects, but we will begin the Writing process. First, we will write "Proposals" to outline the information and images to be "published" in our magazine spreads. Then, we will begin drafting our articles and Works Cited pages.

Homework: If students did not finish and submit their research (Packet: 3 research questions + 3 sources/notes) in class last week (due Friday, 1/17), they will likely have homework most nights this week, too, because they will be playing catch-up to get back on track.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week we finally get to learn about my favorite era of history: the Enlightenment and its philosophers. We'll learn about Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu and Voltaire and how their ideas shaped our modern democracy. We'll also connect those ideas to the Declaration of Independence to understand what a good government is supposed to do and how it's supposed to treat its citizens. We'll also look at the rights and responsibilities of citizens in various countries around the world and compare how those governments operate.

MATH:

MATH:

This week we will continue Unit 5 Rational numbers! The main focus of this unit is adding, subtracting, multiplying , and dividing integers. Additionally, students will discover the use of rational numbers in the real world.

This week's focus will be multiplying and dividing rational numbers.

THERE WILL NOT BE ANY CALCULATORS USED THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THIS UNIT. Students are expected to complete problems involving Rational numbers with & without calculators. This unit gives students the perfect opportunity to refresh all of their computational skills!

SCIENCE:

At the start of this week, students will defend the importance of the atmosphere using scientific evidence in our Atmosphere Seminar.

Then, we'll begin exploring the difference between weather and climate. How do atmospheric conditions and geography impact both?

ELA:

This week, students will begin researching individual topics related to current Labor issues and Working Conditions as they prepare to write and publish an article for our Other People Matter "magazine."

Homework: If they have not completed their research process (taking notes and completing full MLA citations) by the end of the week, this assignment will become homework, as they will need to have these finished when we begin the writing process next week.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week is packed with learning. On Monday, students will finish presenting their research on their absolute monarchs. Tuesday we will look through the Declaration of Independence for evidence and actions of absolute monarchs. Then we will delve into the philosophies that shaped our modern democracy.

MATH:

This week we will continue Unit 5 Rational numbers! The main focus of this unit is adding, subtracting, multiplying , and dividing integers. Additionally, students will discover the use of rational numbers in the real world.

There will be a quiz covering addition & subtraction of integers this week.

THERE WILL NOT BE ANY CALCULATORS USED THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THIS UNIT. Students are expected to complete problems involving Rational numbers with & without calculators. This unit gives students the perfect opportunity to refresh all of their computational skills!

SCIENCE:

This week in science we'll continue to wrap our minds around the large task of monitoring and protecting our vast atmosphere.

Students will begin preparing for our Paideia Seminar in which they'll defend the importance of the atmosphere using scientific evidence.

ELA:

This week we'll be starting a student-led research project about the working conditions, sustainability, and other practices of companies whose products we use every day. Students will research a particular company's policies and practices and will ultimately present their findings in the form of a website and formal presentation.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

We kick off the new year with a deep look at absolute monarchs, the philosophies of the Enlightenment and how the Declaration of Independence connects them both. Student will be researching what absolute monarchs did during their reign and how it affected their subjects. We'll then look at Enlightenment philosophers and their ideas on government. Lastly, we'll read the Declaration in various ways to see the connections.

MATH:

This week we will be starting Unit 5 Rational numbers! The main focus of this unit is adding, subtracting, multiplying , and dividing integers. Additionally, students will discover the use of rational numbers in the real world.

THERE WILL NOT BE ANY CALCULATORS USED THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THIS UNIT. Students are expected to complete problems involving Rational numbers with & without calculators. This unit gives students the perfect opportunity to refresh all of their computational skills!

SCIENCE:

We'll begin our Weather competency by analyzing the steps of the water cycle and the global factors that affect the water cycle. Towards the end of the week, we'll explore the air quality index and factors that contribute to poor air quality events.

Now that we have completed our 7.P.1 (Forces and Motion) and 7.P.2 (Energy) Competencies, please take a moment to go through Empower with your child. I encourage students to come see me about ways to submit or compensate for missing work that may be affecting their grades.

ELA:

This week we will continue our Short Story unit as we review story structures (Plot Diagram) and story elements (characterization, conflict, figurative language, etc.).

This week, students will read a Suspense Fiction selection: "Lamb to the Slaughter" or "The Tell-Tale Heart."

Homework: Complete any work not finished in class (see Empower and/or Google Classroom for specific assignments)

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This last week before holiday break will see Team Innovate learners tackling Absolute Monarchies and studying the ideas that formed our modern democracies. We will study how the Declaration of Independence connects to both topics when we read it in-depth.

MATH:

This week students will complete Unit 4. They will complete a series of activities that will require them to apply all learned concepts to real world scenarios.

Homework this week will consist of completing all unfinished classwork & 10 total Dreambox lessons.

Enjoy the upcoming break and happy holidays!

SCIENCE:

We'll begin the week by testing our egg carts! Then after the field trip we'll move into the incredible world of weather - our third competency of the school year.

ELA:

This week we will continue our Short Story unit as we review story structures (Plot Diagram) and story elements (characterization, conflict, figurative language, etc.).

This week, students will read a Realistic Fiction selection: "Raymond's Run" or "Charles."

Homework: Complete any work not finished in class (see Empower and/or Google Classroom for specific assignments)

SOCIAL STUDIES:

We will learn about the Slave Trade before reviewing the unit and taking the unit test mid-week. We will then move onto Absolutism and the Enlightenment.

MATH:

This week we will complete Unit 4: Proportional relationships and Percents. Please expect a large quiz on Friday December 13th and a Unit project due before break.

Please continue to remind your child to complete homework daily, and to work on Dreambox daily!

Minimum of 8 Lessons complete per week/60 min of out of school time!

SCIENCE:

Students grades for the 7.P.2 Energy Competency are up to date on Empower - this includes the 7.P.2 Energy Test that they took on Monday.

This mini-week I am so excited to introduce students to the "Egg Cart CBL project"! This project will require serious collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and communication and will assess standards from our two physics competencies (7.P.1 and 7.P.2).

ELA:

This week we will continue our Short Story unit that will carry through the next few weeks as we review story structures (Plot Diagram) and story elements (characterization, conflict, figurative language, etc.).

This week, students will read a Dystopian Fiction selection: "Examination Day" or "Harrison Bergeron"

Homework: Complete any work not finished in class (see Empower and/or Google Classroom for specific assignments)

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This coming week will see Team Innovate students complete unit 3. We will learn about the Triangle Trade by creating maps showing various trade routes throughout history. Then the team will move on to learning about the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and its effect on both the New World and the African World. We will wrap up the week by taking the Unit 3 Assessment.

MATH:

This week we will continue Unit 4: Proportional relationships and Percents. The focus of this unit is consumer math: unit rate, discount, percent of change, price markup, tax & tip.

Monday - Percent of a number

Tuesday - Tax & tip

Wednesday - discount, mark up, & commission

Thursday - Consumer Math

Friday- Consumer Math

Please continue to remind your child to complete homework daily, and to work on Dreambox daily!

Instructions on how to set up a parent dashboard so you can track your child's Dreambox can be found in the link below:

https://support.dreambox.com/s/article/Set-Up-Parent-Access-on-a-School-Account

Minimum of 7 Lessons complete per week/60 min of out of school time!

SCIENCE:

Monday 11/25 = Energy Test

Click here for the study guide (posted on Google Classroom last week).

Then, students will get creative as they design their own Rube Goldberg-inspired cartoon strips.

ELA:

This week we will start a Short Story unit that will carry through the next few weeks as we review story structures (Plot Diagram) and story elements (characterization, conflict, figurative language, etc.).

Homework: Complete any work not finished in class (see Empower and/or Google Classroom for specific assignments)

Happy Thanksgiving!

SOCIAL STUDIES:

It's a short 2-day week as we prepare to celebrate all everything for which we are grateful. I know I'm grateful that I get to teach the ins and outs of colonial trade this week!! We'll learn about Mercantilism and the Triangle Trade on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

MATH:

This week we will cotinue Unit 4: Proportional relationships and Percents.

Monday: Percent increase & Decrease

Tuesday: Fractional Percents

Please continue to remind your child to complete homework daily, and to work on Dreambox daily!

There will be zero homework over Thanksgiving break, but please encourage your child to keep their math skills sharp through Dreambox!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

SCIENCE:

This week we'll continue building circuits and analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of our world's energy sources.

On Wednesday, "Energy Guardians" will visit Carroll. The show will be performed by two professional actors who will lead students through "a series of comical improvisational shenanigans, all while teaching about energy conservation and resources."

ELA:

This week, we will wrap up our discussion of the United Farm Workers and the Labor movement of the 1960's and 70's as we shift our focus to more recent social justice issues. Students will take a Summative Assessment this week focusing on the same standards (RI 7.1, RI 7.2, RI 7.3, & RI 7.5) that we have been covering the past few weeks.

Homework: Complete any work not finished in class (see Empower and/or Google Classroom)

SOCIAL STUDIES:

We will begin the week writing a paragraph assessing whether colonial settlers in New Spain should treat the natives better or not. We will then move on to talking about other countries colonial settlements and the Triangle Trade and the role the Slave Trade played in colonial trade.

MATH:

This week we will cotinue Unit 4: Proportional relationships and Percents. This focus of this unit is consumer math: unit rate, discount, percent of change, price markup, tax & tip.

Please continue to remind your child to complete homework daily, and to work on Dreambox daily!

Instructions on how to set up a parent dashboard so you can track your child's Dreambox can be found in the link below:

https://support.dreambox.com/s/article/Set-Up-Parent-Access-on-a-School-Account

Minimum of 7 Lessons complete per week/60 min of out of school time!

SCIENCE:

This week we'll continue to discuss and explore electrical energy transfer in multiple ways. Students will manipulate a series of hands-on circuits, will respond to a creative writing prompt, and will dive into a text surrounding "unique" energy sources around the world.

ELA:

This week we will continue to explore social justice as we discuss Cesar Chavez and the UFW's fight for workers' rights. We will focus on standards RI 7.1, RI 7.2, RI 7.3, and RI 7.5 as we delve into the "Commonwealth Club Address" and a TED Talk by Dolores Huerta.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week continues our study of colonization with a look at how the Spanish set up their colonial system and treated the Native Americans as the students will read and write about the mistreatment and attempts to improve the situation.

MATH:

This week we will finish our 3rd Unit: Measuring Circles. The main focus of this unit is being able to identify the parts of a circle, calculate the circumference and area of the circle, and calculate the area of composite figures.

Competency: Student can solve and explain real-world and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume both in words and in writing.

Please continue to remind your child to complete homework daily, and to work on Dreambox daily!

Instructions on how to set up a parent dashboard so you can track your child's Dreambox can be found in the link below:

https://support.dreambox.com/s/article/Set-Up-Parent-Access-on-a-School-Account

Minimum of 7 Lessons complete per week/60 min of out of school time!

Monday- NO SCHOOL

Tuesday- Test Review

Wednesday- Test

Thursday- Unit 4 Intro

Friday- Unit 4

SCIENCE:

This week in science will be centered around the energy transfer that takes place in electrical circuits. Students will manipulate a number of virtual and hands-on circuits to experience this electrical transfer and the necessary components of circuits.

ELA:

This week in ELA, we will be starting a new Unit, which focuses on Social Justice. We will be starting with a focus on Working Conditions, as we examine the life and work of Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers' movement of the 1960's and 70's.

Students will also be putting the finishing touches on their Spoken Word poems (drafts should have been submitted via FlipGrid over the weekend). Our in-class Poetry Slam will be on Friday, November 8th.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week we really get into Colonization as we begin talking about the ways in which culture brings us together or divides us and we will also talk about the economics of colonization as the students will learn about the Columbian Exchange, the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs and the Dutch East India Co.

MATH:

This week we will continue our 3rd Unit: Measuring Circles. The main focus of this unit is being able to identify the parts of a circle, calculate the circumference and area of the circle, and calculate the area of composite figures.

Competency: Student can solve and explain real-world and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume both in words and in writing.

Please continue to remind your child to complete homework daily, and to work on Dreambox daily!

Instructions on how to set up a parent dashboard so you can track your child's Dreambox can be found in the link below:

https://support.dreambox.com/s/article/Set-Up-Parent-Access-on-a-School-Account

Minimum of 7 Lessons complete per week/60 min of out of school time!

Monday- Composite Figures

Tuesday- Composite Figures

Wednesday- Composite Figures

Thursday- Unit 3 Review

Friday- Test

SCIENCE:

We'll begin the week by completing the Skate Park Energy Lab. By this point, students should be able to describe the difference between potential and kinetic energy in a system.

Later in the week, we'll begin exploring the different forms of energy (mechanical, light, sound, heat, electrical, etc.) Students will participate in another virtual lab surrounding energy transfer and conservation.

ELA:

Students should have submitted the final draft of their Unit 3 Essay on Friday by 2:15 PM. If that's not the case please have them submit ASAP.

When students get their feedback they can still work on their essay to get the desired 3.0. They will get access to this set of activities that they can do at home. You can access the link by clicking here, but the links inside the document are limited to WCPSS students and teachers.

This coming week we are tying up all loose ends of Quarter 1 by updating our portfolios, reflecting on the learning, and finally taking part in some Spoken Word. The Spoken Word activities help develop students ability to think creatively and practice public speaking.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

We will wrap up unit 2 mid-week! Our unit assessment will take place Tuesday/Wednesday. Then it's time to get settled into Unit 3: Colonization. Students' exploration essays are due Wednesday by 2:15.

Also, we will be updating our digital portfolios with our Unit 1 and Unit 2 reflections and artifacts.

MATH:

This week we will continue our 3rd Unit: Measuring Circles. The main focus of this unit is being able to identify the parts of a circle, calculate the circumference and area of the circle, and calculate the area of composite figures.

Competency: Student can solve and explain real-world and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume both in words and in writing.

Please continue to remind your child to complete homework daily, and to work on Dreambox daily!

Minimum of 7 Lessons complete per week/60 min of out of school time!

Monday- Area of Circles

Tuesday- Circumference Quiz

Wednesday- Area of circles Practice

Thursday- Area of circles Application

Friday- Area of circles Application

SCIENCE:

The Forces and Motion science test has been postponed to Monday, 10/21. Again, please click here for a digital copy of the study guide. It is also posted on Google Classroom.

After this assessment, we'll begin our second physics unit - Energy Conservation and Transfer.

ELA:

Have you ever turned in an essay as a final draft when really it was a rough draft? If that was ever your experience I would imagine that you didn't truly show off your best writing. This week in ELA we will be editing and revising student rough drafts all week.

Editing an essay can be tedious and many students won't want to participate. You can help at home by asking them to show you and explain the edits that they make to their writing each day. Final drafts will be due at the end of the school day on Friday. Email Mr. Hines, shines4@wcpss.net, if you have any questions about ELA.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week we will finish our map construction centering around exploration and trade routes. We will conclude the week with our unit assessment with writing process culminating in an essay about exploration and its impacts.

Standards:

• 7.H.1.2 Summarize the literal meaning of historical documents in order to establish context.
• RH.6-8.2 Student can determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
• RH.6-8.4 Student can determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies.
• 7.H.2.3 Explain how increased global interaction accelerates the pace of innovation in modern societies.

MATH:

This week we will begin our 3rd Unit: Measuring Circles. The main focus of this unit is being able to identify the parts of a circle, and calculate the circumference and area of the circle.

Competency: Student can solve and explain real-world and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume both in words and in writing.

Please continue to remind your child to complete homework daily, and to work on Dreambox daily!

Minimum of 5 Lessons complete per week/60 min of out of school time!

Monday- Project Presentations & Study Guide

Tuesday- Unit 2 Test

Wednesday- Intro to Circles

Thursday- Lesson 2

Friday- Lesson 3

SCIENCE:

After we complete our "Graphing Dash's Adventure" activity we'll begin to review and target standards that need support before the upcoming test.

Our first test of the year will be Thursday, October 17 on Forces and Motion. Click here for a digital copy of the study guide. It is also posted on Google Classroom.

Quick Check:

• Ask to see your child's "Dash Graph" and have them explain the table and graph to you. A photo of the graph should be linked on his/her Digital Portfolio under Science artifacts.

ELA:

This week students will continue their work with analyzing poems. They will use their new skills with poetry and old skill of finding theme to write an explanatory essay.

The explanatory essay, will be due on October 25. Students will have had plenty of class time to work on it.

How can you support your child at home? Have them log into their google classroom and click the link at the top that says "To Do." This will show any assignments they have not completed.

ELA tutoring is available for any student needing help on Wednesdays from 2:30- 3:30.

If you have questions about ELA, please email Mr. Hines.

Email: shines4@wcpss.net

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Some classes will be completing their presentations on Exploration on Monday. Other classes have finished. Our next stop in our journey through Exploration will be to examine the tools and inventions that explorers used to find new trade routes and new lands. Once we've completed that activity, students will create maps that retrace the routes that explorers took to these new lands.

Standards:

• Student can explain how increased global interaction accelerates the pace of innovation in modern societies (e.g. advancements in transportation, communication networks and business practices).
• Student can use maps, charts, graphs, geographic data and available technology tools (i.e. GPS and GIS software) to interpret and draw conclusions about social, economic, and environmental issues in modern societies and regions.

MATH:

This week we are completing Unit 2 Proportional Relationships. Throughout the week we will be completing review assignments in preparation of the test on Friday.

COMPETENCY: Student can analyze and explain proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

Please continue to remind your child to complete homework daily, and to work on Dreambox daily!

Minimum of 5 Lessons complete per week!

Monday- Four Representations

Tuesday- Four Representations

Wednesday- Review

Thursday- Study Guide

Friday- Test

ELA:

On Friday students completed Unit 2 with an assessment. They should have already turned in their project for Unit 2 on Google Classroom. Please ask you child to show you their submission. There are a lot of projects missing right now.

This week we will begin Unit 3. The first part of this unit is all about analyzing poetry. We will start the week by analyzing some music and as the week progresses we will move on to excerpts from the book “Home of the Brave,” which is written in verse.

If you have a question or concern about ELA please email Mr. Hines @shines4@wcpss.net

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week we continue our journey through exploration. The students finished researching about the explorers last week and we start learning about where each country explored and what parts of the globe they claimed in preparation for colonization.

Later in the week we plot exploration and settlement locations on google maps.

Standards:

Student can summarize the literal meaning of historical documents in order to establish context.

Student can explain how increased global interaction accelerates the pace of innovation in modern societies (e.g. advancements in transportation, communication networks and business practices).

MATH:

This week we will continue Unit 2: Proportional Relationships.

The competency that we will be covering in Unit 2 is the Ratios and Proportion Unit.

COMPETENCY: Student can analyze and explain proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

Please continue to remind your child to complete homework daily, and to work on Dreambox daily!

Minimum of 5 Lessons complete per week!

Monday- Proportional Relationships (Graph)

Tuesday- Unit 2: Proportional Relationships (Graph)

Wednesday- No School

Thursday- Unit 2: QUIZ

Proportional Relationships (Graphs)

Friday- Unit 2:Proportional Relationships (Graph)

Quick Check: Ask your child what is a Proportional relationship, what is the COP, what is the equation for a Proportional relationship.

SCIENCE:

This week students will begin learning how to interpret and create distance-time graphs that communicate an object's motion over time.

Our competency focus:

• Students can integrate information expressed in a text with the graphical representation of motion.

ELA:

This week, students will be working on a project. Since we have learned about the refugee crisis resulting from the Sudanese Civil War, they will now be examining other refugee crises around the world. At the end of the week they will take a short assessment to show their understanding.

Standard Focus:

RI 7.2: "Student can determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of text; provide an objective summary of the text. "

(Competency 2)

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week we will continue seeking out answers concerning our unit on exploration. Students will be learning about individual explorers and understand why they explored and what they explored.

Standards:

Student can summarize the literal meaning of historical documents in order to establish context.

Student can determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

MATH:

This week we will continue Unit 2: Proportional Relationships.

The competency that we will be covering in Unit 2 is the Ratios and Proportion Unit: COMPETENCY: Student can analyze and explain proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

Please continue to remind your child to complete homework daily, and to work on Dreambox daily!

Minimum of 15 min per day!

Monday- Proportional Relationships (equation)

Tuesday- Unit 2: Proportional Relationships (equation)

Wednesday- Unit 2: Proportional Relationships (equation)

Thursday- Unit 2: Proportional Relationships (equation)

Friday- Unit 2:Proportional Relationships (equation)

ELA:

This week, students will take their first test (on Monday, 9/23). This test will assess the following standards/skills we have covered in class:

• RL 7.2: Student can determine a theme of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
• RL 7.3: Student can analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact.
• RL 7.6: Student can analyze how an author develops and contrasts the perspectives of different characters in a text.
• L 7.4: Student can determine and/or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, using context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.

*Students completed a practice test in class on Friday, so they should be very familiar with the test format and content.

Homework: Students will NOT have regular reading homework this week.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week we'll finally have our Unit 1 test on Tuesday. This test will assess the following standards:

• 7.H.1.3: Student can use primary and secondary sources to interpret various historical perspectives.
• 7.G.2.1: Student can construct maps, charts, and graphs to explain data about geographic phenomena (e.g. migration patterns and population and resource distribution patterns).
• 7.E.1.4: Student can explain how personal financial decision-making impacts quality of life (e.g. credit, savings, investing, borrowing and giving).

After our Unit test we will begin Unit 2: Exploration.

MATH:

This week we will be finishing up Unit 1 and starting Unit 2: Proportional Relationships.

Unit 1 projects are due Tuesday 9/24/19.

The competency that we will be covering in Unit 2 is the Ratios and Proportion Unit: COMPETENCY: Student can analyze and explain proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

Please continue to remind your child to complete homework daily, and to work on Dreambox daily!

Minimum of 15 min per day!

Monday- Scale Drawings

Tuesday- Unit 2: Lesson 1

Wednesday- Unit 2: Lesson 2

Thursday- Unit 2: Lesson 3

Friday- Unit 2: Lesson 4

ELA:

This week, we'll continue with A Long Walk to Water as we explore our first Competency, "Students can write to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information," (7.ELA.1), and second Competency "Students can draw evidence from texts to support analysis, reflection, and research,"(7.ELA.2).

Students will continue to have daily reading assignments to be completed outside of class:

9/16: Chapters 9-10

9/17: Chapter 11-12

9/18: Chapter 13-14

9/19: Chapters 15-16

9/20: Chapters 17-18

Expect some surprise reading quizzes!

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week we will take our first test to end Unit 1: Intro to History and will begin Unit 2: Exploration. The test will take place Wednesday or Thursday and we'll begin the Unit 2 the next day.

MATH:

This week, we will continue our first Unit: Scale Drawings. This unit falls under the first Geometry Competency: Student can draw, construct, and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them.

Standard = (NC.7.G.1)

Parents please remind your child to get on Dreambox every night to complete nightly homework (minimum of 15 min per night)

Monday: Lesson 7

Tuesday: Lesson 9

Wednesday: Lesson 10

Thursday:Lesson 12

Friday: Lesson 13

SCIENCE:

Lab Safety Contracts must be signed and returned to school on Monday!

This week we'll continue exploring Forces and Motion. Students will be able to define what motion is, what causes it, and how to describe it.

ELA:

This week, we'll continue with A Long Walk to Water as we explore our first Competency, "Students can write to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information," (7.ELA.1), and second Competency "Students can draw evidence from texts to support analysis, reflection, and research,"(7.ELA.2).

Students will continue to have daily reading assignments to be completed outside of class:

9/9: Chapter 4

9/10: Chapter 5

9/11: Chapter 6

9/12: Chapters 7

9/13: Chapters 8

Expect some surprise reading quizzes!

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week we'll do what we couldn't last week!! We'll finish taking our pre-tests and then move onto learning about budgeting decisions when it comes to Personal Finance and then we'll be learning how to create maps, charts and graphs based on data. Finally, we'll wrap up the week by looking at the differences between primary and secondary sources.

MATH:

This week, we will continue our first Unit: Scale Drawings. This unit will fall under the first Geometry Competency: Student can draw, construct, and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them.

Standard = (NC.7.G.1)

Parents please remind your child to get on Dreambox every night to complete nightly homework (minimum of 15 min per night)

Monday: Lesson 3

Tuesday: Lesson 4

Wednesday: Lesson 5

Thursday: Lesson 6

Friday: Lesson 7

SCIENCE:

Please sign and return Lab Safety Contracts to school by Monday, September 9.

We'll explore the scientific method by beginning the week with a hands on Paper Rockets activity. Then, we'll transition into our first Competency of the school year, Forces and Motion (7.P.1).

ELA:

This week, we'll begin reading our first book: A Long Walk to Water as we begin exploring our first Competency, "Students can write to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information," (7.ELA.1), and second Competency "Students can draw evidence from texts to support analysis, reflection, and research,"(7.ELA.2).

Starting this week, students will have daily reading assignments to be completed outside of class:

9/3: Chapter 2

9/4: Chapter 3

9/5: Chapter 4

9/6: Chapter 5

They should expect some surprise reading quizzes!

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week Innovate students finally get to start tackling history! (YAY!!!!!) Our first unit will see us begin to work through some basic history skills that all historians use when studying the past. Our first unit will be pieces from various competencies as we explore the basic skills a historian carries in their history toolbox. Students will be able to use primary and secondary sources to understand historical perspectives, learn how to create maps, charts and graphs, understand how personal financial literacy can help or hurt their lives and be able to properly present an argument by speaking to a group.

MATH:

This week we will dive into our first Unit: Scale Drawings. This unit will fall under the first Geometry Competency: Student can draw, construct, and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them.

Standard = (NC.7.G.1)

Starting this week, students will have daily Dreambox homework (15 min per night). The goal is to have a total of 60 minutes per week.

Tuesday: Lesson 1

Wednesday: Lesson 2

Thursday: Lesson 3

Friday: Lesson 4

SCIENCE:

This year we will be exploring the exciting and dynamic worlds of physics, weather, cells, genetics, and the human body. The main goal of this course is to develop an understanding of science and technology through real world challenge and inquiry. Our work will be driven by the Science 7 Competency Rubric.

Students will learn the value of their unique character strengths as they collaborate in labs and CBL projects. In addition to enhancing their soft skills, my hope is that this course will strengthen students’ senses of initiative and accountability in both the classroom and in the world.

ELA:

I am thrilled to be starting another school year at Carroll!

The purpose of this course is to hone our reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language skills through experience with print and digital resources. We will read a wide range of texts, including short and long fiction, drama, poetry, and informational texts such as memoirs, articles, and essays. We will apply skills such as citing textual evidence, analyzing points of view and presentation, and examining how parts of the text affect the whole.

Our work will be driven by the ELA 7 Competency Rubric.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

If you'd like to know what's happening in the world today and want to know how historical events from 100+ years ago are still creating issues for our modern world, then 7th grade Social Studies is the place you want to come to learn!! We'll study how Exploration, Colonization, Enlightenment and Revolutions, World Wars and modernization have the led the world to be the way it is. We'll read primary sources, create videos and study how nations and cultures come together and split apart. When you exit the 7th grade, you'll have learned the root causes of most of today's problems and maybe we'll even solve 1 or 2 of them, as well.

7th Grade SS Competency Rubric

MATH:

Welcome to 7th grade math and I hope you are very excited to start the 2019-2020 school year.

This year we will be exploring Ratios & Proportional relationships, the Number system, Expressions and Equations, Geometry, Probability & Statistics.

Our goal is to build on previously learned concepts, while strengthening their overall mathematical understanding through critical thinking, real-world problem solving, collaboration, and class discussions.

Our 7th grade competency rubric is linked below:

Math 7 Competency Rubric