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.

Team Update: Week of June 4th

Class Updates:

Social Studies: Things are moving quickly in Social Studies! It seems like we just started our unit on the Renaissance but we only have a few days left. Students completed their assessments on the early part of the Renaissance on Friday. If your child was unable to take the test on Friday, then I am offering times after school next week to make it up. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Science:  This week we figured out that there is a lot of variation in organisms.  We are looking at the peppered moth history to figure out if variation between individuals matters.  Our online assessment will be on Monday.  Look for pictures of the genetics babies on my science blog!   Click HERE to see more about what we are doing in class.

Literacy: Lots of kids missed the test on The Omnivore's Dilemma on Friday, because of Trills and Thrills.  Like Mr. Santorsa, plenty of time after school is available for students to make it up.  Many students also need to make up Latin root tests as the final exam will be scheduled in the next couple of weeks.  We'll finish up with The Omnivore's Dilemma in the next week or so.  

English: This week students continued reading Freak the Mighty and analyzing the development of the characters. Students took their first test on this novel on Thursday, and on Friday students were introduced to the Hero's Journey plot structure. Next week the students will work on a project in class based on the Hero's Journey and continue with Freak the Mighty.

Math: W

Team Update: Week of May 29th

Class Updates:

Social Studies: We are moving right along in Social Studies! This past week we made quite the dent in our Renaissance unit. With this upcoming week being a short week (due to Memorial Day and Step-Up Day), we will still continue our research and discovery of the Renaissance and have an assessment on the early years of the Renaissance on Friday. 

Science:  This week we figured out that there are dominant and recessive genes.  Students enjoyed practicing this new discovery by making babies with their lab partners.  Look for pictures next week!   Click HERE to see more about what we are doing in class.

Literacy: WooHOO!  The twelve units of Latin roots are complete!  Your children have learned 158 Latin roots - a feat which will assist them from now on, as they navigate vocabulary!  Next week there will be a test on Part I of The Omnivore's Dilemma, so expect to see a study guide come home, and help your student prepare!  Have a wonderful weekend!

English: This week we continued reading Freak the Mighty and began exploring literary elements within this story. Next week there will be a test on the first half of Freak the Mighty; the study guides were sent home today! Students should start studying this weekend to prepare for the test on Thursday, May 31st. We will continue to read next week and explore heroism within literature and real life.

Math: We have spent this week learning about different types of angles.  Students should know the terms vertical angles, adjacent angles, complementary angles, and supplementary angles. At the end of the week we discussed how to use algebraic thinking to solve for missing angles.  Next week we will continue to work through more problems finding missing angles.  Our next quiz is on Friday, June 1st.

Team Update: Week of May 21st

HELP!  We all need tissues to help the kids with allergies!  Donations appreciated!

Progress Reports will go home on Monday, May 21! 

Class Updates:

Social Studies: Students completed their Performance Tasks on the Middle Ages Tuesday and started our unit on the Renaissance on Wednesday. We will continue learning and researching about the Renaissance for the next few weeks.

Science:  We are currently trying to figure out if there are patterns to the way that traits are passed down.  Students have analyzed human pedigrees.  We will continue to observe plants that we have crossed and grown to figure out these patterns.   Click HERE to see more about what we are doing in class.  QUIZ THIS WEEK IN SCIENCE!  What should you study?  Look at the green anchor chart in your binder, everything that is on that so far will be on the quiz.

Literacy: There is only one unit of Latin roots left to conquer, and we'll complete it on Friday with the test!  The Omnictionary due date has been pushed to May 31st.  Students are plowing through the remainder of the first section of The Omnivore's Dilemma, and should expect a short writing assignment this week and a test on the overarching concepts of the first unit within the next week or so.  They will have lots of notes to study, and will be provided a specific study guide. 

English: This week students took their final test on The Giver, and then we dove right in to our unit on Freak the Mighty. The first mini-project for Freak the Mighty will be assigned this week and should be completed entirely at home. Students will continue to read Freak the Mighty this week, as well as other supplementary stories.

Math: Friday was our last day of percents!  Our next unit will be on angles (vertical, adjacent, complementary, and supplementary), and constructing triangles.  Students will learn to use compasses an protractors to create different types of triangles. There are lots of new topics and skills to learn this unit that student's haven't been exposed to in the past. 

Team Update: Week of May 7th

Class Updates:

Social Studies: Students did a lot of reviewing this week in regard to the Black Death and the Late Middle Ages. Student took an assessment on those topics this Friday. Make sure that you check x2 for their updated grades!

Science:  This week in science we dissected flowers.  Thank you to Hannafords for donating one flower for each badger student!   Click HERE to see more about what we are doing in class.

Literacy: We are examining some of Michael Pollan's rules for eaters from his book Food Rules.  They thoroughly enjoyed comparing the nutritional labels on the variety of snacks that were in the room for the day, and I suspect more of your children will be reading the labels more frequently now!  The artists are working feverishly today to finish their Word Art, and I'm looking forward to posting some pictures of them as soon as they're all complete.  Latin 11 test Friday, May 11th. 

English:  Students spent this week continuing to read The Giver and are looking forward to uncovering some of the mysteries of the strange futuristic world in this story. Students also explored the writing style of Lois Lowry by writing their own personal memoirs. They were very creative in their figurative language use! Next week we will finish up The Giver and students will break down the ambiguous ending by writing their own final chapter of the novel. Remember that the last IRP is due on Monday!

Math: We are half way through our percent unit!  Most students did very well on the quiz last Thursday.  We will be spending this week learning about tip, tax, discounts, and markups. Just a reminder we do not have a Go Figure this month, yay.