7th Grade Parents:

As the first semester closes and the second semester begins, the expectations for and the emphasis on personal responsibility for actions grows. Students are expected to use their planners daily. They are also expected to prepare daily for class by studying their notes, doing their homework on time,  preparing for quizzes and tests over an extended period of time, and to make effective plans for completing projects on time. Please make sure that they have supplies needed to accomplish this by restocking for second semester.

We also encourage students to be in attendance daily. Much of what we teach is not in the text books, but is taught during class.   Many, many problems result in missing school and then not paying attention to the procedures each teacher has established to make up work and tests efficiently. Each teacher has a procedure to follow when you are absent that by now the students should know. Students must be active learners.  It is the student's responsibility to get notes from study buddies, to study the notes and to see the teacher in a timely fashion to ask questions. It is also their responsibility to be ready to take tests upon return. This is all part of the process of making our students responsible for their own learning.

Math: Both pre-Algebra and Algebra are currently in the process of studying Linear equations. Pre-Algebra is learning the connections between graphs, tables and equations. The main emphasis is being able to write equations from real life and use this to graph in various forms. Algebra is finishing up their study of linear equations by finding intersections in a variety of ways and interpreting their meaning. Both classes will be doing a project investigating cell phone plans over the next few weeks using the website myrateplan.com.

Science: We are just completing our study of chemical reactions with a web quest on the science behind fireworks.  Next we move on to a very short unit on Acids, Bases, and Salts.  The text for this is only available in the classroom, so students will need to be efficient readers.  Then we begin our study of physics with motion and we will be learning how and why movement occurs. Physics is also a lot of calculation and we will be learning to calculate acceleration, velocity, speed, momentum and much more.

English: Spring Field Trip information will be sent home with your student this month: watch for it as it will have permission info as well as cost and due dates. We will be going to the Rockford Women's Club Theatre to see Encore performance by Chamber Theatre in April. Your students are continuing their acquisition of vocabulary and mastery of grammar. Follow through with all assignments is imperative; students must meet goals with longer writing assignments. Typing skills are necessary and adherence to MLA guidelines mandatory. Please be sure your son or daughter has replenished and replaced necessary tools for academic success, i.e., paper, pencils, folders and so forth. I will continue to offer monthly book orders. Parents you may expedite the ordering process by ordering online.

History: Second quarter American History is ending with students writing a "Letter Home"  as they have been invited to attend Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their expedition into the newly acquired American territory.  Jefferson has advised them about (micro-managed) the expedition and they are sharing his expectations with their families back home.   This promises to be an exciting third quarter.    We will begin by recreating the War of 1812 via "Legos and Lincoln Logs" and continue on to " Reform in America" and the events and people leading toward the Civil War.   

Girls Basketball continues this week.  

Wednesday 1/19 @ Kennedy  (6th 4:30, 7th 5:30, 8th 6:30)

Thursday 1/20 @ West (6th 4:30, 7th 5:30, 8th 6:30)  

Our current records are:

6th: 1-0

7th: 1-0

8th: 0-1

We need help with concessions, scoring, and admissions for home games on 1/24, 1/27, 1/31, 2/1, 2/3, 2/8, 2/14.  Please contact cwooly@comcast.net  if you can help.