Team Update: October 1st

Class Updates:

Social Studies: Students spent this past week learning about the world's five major religions and the cultures that they have. This was a true exploratory unit in which students did a tremendous amount of research. Starting Monday we will begin our mini review of government and how government works in the United States.

Science:  In science this week the students have figured out that there are 6 characteristics that all living things have.  They have decided to test the Mystery Matter for each characteristic in order to figure out if it is alive or not.  Check out our science blog for some pictures of the investigations in action.

Literacy: Be sure to ask your students to explain the difference between sustainable and industrial farming!  They have been collaborating to piece together the important details of FRESH, The Movie, and today began to build their study guides  We have also done the foundation work for Latin Unit 2.  Next week will be an important week as there will be a test on FRESH on Wednesday, and Latin Unit 2 test on Friday!

English:  Students read a new poem this week entitled, "Oranges," by Gary Soto.  Together we discussed sensory language and how the author's use in the poem affected the overall tone.  Students were also introduced to StudySync and should be logging into their accounts over the weekend.  Next week will bring our first Independent Reading Project (IRP)!  Students will also take a story quiz on "Oranges" on Friday, October 5th.  They may use their graphic organizer to review.

Also, book orders were submitted Friday and should arrive within a week or so.  Thank you SO much for the online orders!!  We ordered four new books for our class library, as well as two different six-book packs for other reading units.  October book orders will be sent home next week.

Math: We are finishing up our Proportional Reasoning Module this week.  Last week was one of the hardest topics students learn this year! If student's are struggling encourage them to seek extra help on Google Class or come after school for help. We have a test coming up on Tuesday this week, study guides went home Friday.  Wednesday we will start our Rational Numbers Unit.  

Team Update: September 24th

Thursday, September 27th, in the cafeteria!  

iReady Testing

Our Badger students completed their first round of iReady testing this week.  Our master scheduler created an amazing schedule that allowed kids to complete their Reading test on Thursday, and their Math test on Friday, and in the other blocks, we teachers were able to meet with each other class for one class period!  The kids were fantastic, and managed the unusual schedule very well!  

Class Updates:

Social Studies: We spent most of the week reviewing Geography as we prepare for our first Mastery Assessment on Monday. Starting Tuesday, we will begin our unit on World Religions! Students will learn how these religions started and where they spread to and ultimately what cultures these religions created.

Science:  This week the students were introduced to their first phenomenon.  Students observed some "mystery matter" and have been given the task to figure out if it is alive or not.  So far, they have figured out that living things are made up of cells.  They want to check the mystery matter under the microscope to see if it has cells.  Next week they will learn how to make a slide and check their mystery matter.  What they figure out will lead them into their next investigation.

Literacy: What a week!  Latin Unit 1 is complete!  Students survived the first test, and most did very well!  Ask your students about the Five R's of Note Taking!  As we dove into the first chapter of The Omnivore's Dilemma, students began working with Cornell Note Taking templates.  We also watched FRESH, The Movie, which is the companion piece to the book.  Kids got a great look at what sustainable farms look like!  Next week brings Unit 2 of Latin Roots, as well as more note taking!

English:  We spent this past week reviewing some of the elements of literature, including: plot, setting, theme, characterization, and conflict.  Students will have a quiz on these terms and how they apply to the short story we read last week, entitled "Seventh Grade."  The quiz will take place on Thursday, September 27th.  

Our first round of book orders is due on Friday, September 28th!  Thank you to everyone who has placed orders so far!  Book orders can be ordered online here (code is HLB4Q) or students may bring order forms and payment to Mrs. McGuire.  Last but not least, the school book fair is taking place this upcoming week in the library.  Students will have time in class on Monday to check it out, as well as time during advisory and open house.

Math: We have made it half-way through our proportionality unit. There will be a quiz on Monday, September 24th on constant of proportionality (y = kx) and finding point (1, r) on a proportional graph.  Next week we will learn about complex unit rates, building on what students learned last year in 6th grade.  The test will be coming up shortly, please keep an eye out, study guides will go out later this week. 

Welcome to our Badger Blog!

Welcome back to school, Badger families!  

This beautiful mural of waving hands adorns the wall in the main hallway outside of Mrs. Tino's classroom.  The title, Let's Keep Moving Forward is the theme of our team this year.  We are promoting the concepts of Growth Mindset, where students learn the value of making mistakes!  It's so important for kids to know that they learn from their mistakes and failures.   

Class Updates:

Social Studies: We are off to such a great start in Social Studies. We spent all of this week reviewing geography and ultimately setting up for the start of our first major unit in a week or so. We will be setting up our Google Classroom on Monday and that is where students will find nearly all of their resources for the year. I'm looking forward to a great year!

Science:  We have spent some time learning about safety in the science lab and have moved on to the major tool of a biologist, the microscope.  Students are learning how to use and care for the microscope.  We will have a quiz on Tuesday to test their understanding.  Links to study materials including Quizlet are on our google classroom.

Literacy: Latin roots and The Omnivore's Dilemma are both underway in Literacy!  Your students should be spending time each day reviewing their flashcards for the first test of the year on Tuesday, September 18th.  As you've hopefully seen, 90% of their report card grades are based upon mastery tests, such as the unit test this week.  Students are also encouraged to use my Quizlet units to study.  There is a link to Quizlet from the Literacy page here on the blog, as well as from the students' Google Classrooms.  

English:  We're off to a great start in English this year!  Students have already reviewed Triple E Writing and will have their first quiz on Monday, September 17th!  This past week students also read their first short story entitled "Seventh Grade," by Gary Soto.  All students began crafting thoughtful reading responses during Friday's class, but will need to continue working on them over the weekend if they did not finish.  Next week, book orders will go home with students.  Although these are optional, they are helpful for building our classroom library!  Books make wonderful birthday and holiday gifts.  If you'd like to order online, directions can be found here. 

Math: Our first unit for the year is proportional reasoning.  So far we have learned to determine if a table or graph is or is not proportional. This week we will be working with the equation y=kx.  Click here for more information to support your student in class.  The image below is an activity the students did last Friday.  Each group was given a blank table and had to match a verbal description, table, graph, and equation for each situation.