Weekly Update

A message from the Badger Team!

Wow, it's been a tough week!  So many of our Badger students have been battling colds and the flu, and have just been feeling poorly. Hopefully everyone is feeling better! We could use your help to replenish our classroom tissue supplies.  If your child has missed school, they have missed work in all classes, and should plan to stay after school this week.

iReady Testing

All Badger students will take the winter iReady tests in Reading and Math beginning tomorrow.  To be well prepared, kids should get a good night's sleep and be sure to have breakfast.  Although we hope to complete testing during Monday and Tuesday, we have reserved Wednesday as well.  Kids will work on chrome books for this test, and there are many audio elements, so we recommend that kids bring their own ear buds.

Progress Reports

In other big news, grades close this week for Progress Reports.  Progress Reports go home Wednesday, February 5th.


Book orders are due back to Mrs. McGuire by Friday, January 31st!

Class Updates:

Literacy:  We began Latin unit 7 this past week.  All fourteen flash cards should be completed for Monday.  The mastery test has been scheduled for February 4th.

English: January IRPs are due Friday! Encourage your student to look at the example posted on Google Classroom.  Book orders are also due Friday! Flyers are being sent home Monday, January 27th.

Math:  We have a test Thursday on inequalities and expressions!  Study guides go home Tuesday. 

Science: Monday we are finishing a short traits lab and then we will be moving on to the spider simulation to see how traits are passed on to offspring.

Social Studies:

Weekly Update: January 19th

Reminder: There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, January 20th in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Class Updates: 

Social Studies: Since returning to school in January, we have been working through our unit on the Roman Republic. On Friday students were introduced to Julius Caesar and were able to investigate his legacy. We will continue learning about Caesar but ultimately how the Roman Republic morphed into the Roman Empire.

Science: We have completed the Metabolism Unit and all grades have been posted. Students can retake the written part of the test Wednesday after school if needed. This week we will start the new unit, Traits and Reproduction which focuses on the variation in flexibility of spider silk.

Literacy:  Teaching kids to reflect upon their own work is incredibly rewarding.  Asking them to examine their effort as well as their end products is what their most recent Google Classroom assignment did. Their Atlas Obscura Reflections were due this week.  Latin Unit 6 test grades will be posted tomorrow.  This week we'll tiptoe into a longterm adventure of learning about social injustice, and how children have brought about enormous change.  Have a wonderful long weekend!

English: This week we were in the library working on character change projects by using an online resource called "Make Belief Comix."  Students were able to plan and design a comic strip, illustrating Scrooge's character change from A Christmas Carol.  In addition to their comic, students wrote captions for each scene they created.  Next week students will shift focus a bit and start researching for their historical fiction projects, which are due at the end of the month.

Math: We are continuing this week on our inequality and expressions unit.  Students spent last week expanding and factoring the distributive property and will start combining like terms this week. Our second test of the semester will be next week, so make sure not to forget about inequalities.  

Weekly Update: December 22nd

The Badger Team would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday and a joyful New Year!  We hope everyone enjoys their break!  School resumes on Monday, January 6, 2020. 

Class Updates: 

Social Studies: We wrapped up our unit on Alexander the Great this week. Students were assessed Wednesday; be sure to check the grade book! When we come back after our two week vacation, we will start a new unit: Rome. Have a great holiday!

Science: After the holiday break we will be finishing up the Metabolism Unit with two summative assessments, a paper and a test. For the paper students will compare claims and evidence about an athletic performance and write and argument to support their claim. The test will include multiple choice and short answer/essay questions.

Literacy:  Most students have completed and submitted their narrated Atlas Obscura projects.  We have dedicated the past two weeks to this in class, and for homework.  When we return from vacation, we'll present projects and get back to Latin Roots!  If you haven't finished your project, find some time during the holiday break to get to the library if necessary, to finish up!  

English: Students finished reading A Christmas Carol this week and completed their unit test.  We also watched the movie together on Friday and discussed similarities and differences among the book, play, and movie.  Students completed a graphic organizer that depicts the character change of Ebenezer Scrooge.  Following vacation, students will receive their January independent projects and work on a character change project in the library.  For now, ENJOY the next two weeks off!  Rest, relax, and spend time with friends and family!  Happy Holidays!

Math: We 

Weekly Update: December 16th

Pencils:  It is very difficult for students to do work in class when they come without a pencil.  Many of us had a set of five "loaner" pencils at the front of the class for a student to use for a class period.  All have disappeared from The Mansion.  Our students have become complacent about preparedness, and it's time for a reset.  Please ask your child if they have pencils in their string bags.  If they do not, or can't remember where they are, can you please purchase some good Ticonderoga pencils for them this weekend?  Personalize them as we do!  Ask your kids -  they'll know how we do this.  

Class Updates: 

Social Studies: We are starting to phase away from Sparta and Athens and starting to shift our focus towards a new topic: Alexander the Great. Students questioned the life and legacy of Alexander the Great this past week. They will continue exploring Monday and will be assessed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Enjoy the holidays!

Science: Students will take a second look at the nervous system lab on Monday and then we are moving on to metabolism and an athlete. Students will apply what they learned about molecules through Elisa to how metabolism affects athletic performance.

Literacy:  Students learned how to do use the Chrome Extension Loom this week, so they can record the voice over narration for their projects.  Hopefully you have seen your children working on these projects at home.  They can't record until their research is complete, their images are selected, their slide shows are produced and their scripts are written.  Although they have been given every class period for two weeks, many remain far behind.  The project is due by Friday, December 20th. Extra help is available after school Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.  

English: We are nearing the end of our Christmas Carol unit. Students have their final unit test on Wednesday, December 18th. We'll spend Monday and Tuesday wrapping up the remainder of the book and reviewing for our test.  We're also looking forward to watching the movie together as a team on Friday. 

Math: We are still working through solving equations.  This week we will focus on solving equations with negative numbers.  Students will have a test Thursday, December 19th on equations.  The study guide will go home on Monday. 

Weekly Update: December 8th

We had a wonderful time on our field trip this past Friday.  Students looked lovely, and all were respectful and responsible! Thank you to everyone who helped make this day possible. We had a blast!

EARLY RELEASE is this Wednesday, December 11th!

Pencils:  It is very difficult for students to do work in class when they come without a pencil.  Many of us had a set of five "loaner" pencils at the front of the class for a student to use for a class period.  All have disappeared from The Mansion.  Our students have become complacent about preparedness, and it's time for a reset.  Please ask your child if they have pencils in their string bags.  If they do not, or can't remember where they are, can you please purchase some good Ticonderoga pencils for them this weekend?  Personalize them as we do!  Ask your kids -  they'll know how we do this.  

December Book Orders went home last week in English and are due back on Wednesday, Decmber 11th to ensure delivery before the holiday break.  Book orders may be placed in person with Mrs. McGuire, or online.  Enter code HLB4Q if ordering online.  Thanks!

Class Updates: 

Social Studies: Students this short week learned about Ancient Greek culture. Specifically, we discussed fables and read The Boy Who Cried Wolf. This upcoming week, we will continue Ancient Greek culture and dive into leadership and public speaking. 

Science: Monday in science students participated in  an hour of code. Students were given time to experience writing code for different programs. The rest of the week we will be focusing on a nervous system lab that will be due on Friday. Students should be completing nervous systems questions each night that are part of the lab.

Literacy:  The two snow days last week put us a bit behind, but students are forging ahead with their Atlas Obscura projects!  They should be researching their obscurity each day at home, and taking notes on their Cornell note document on Google Classroom!  Those without technology at home should be staying after school with me today and tomorrow and Thursday!  We have learned to use Cite This For Me, to cite their resources, and we will be learning to check the authenticity of the images they choose.  Recording the voice over will be the last step.  The project will be due by Friday, December 20th.   

English: Students said they really enjoyed the acting this past week at the play and that it was a nice visual for what we have been reading in class. We are nearing the end of A Christmas Carol and have been discussing the subtle character change of Ebenezer Scrooge throughout the course of the book.  We've also reviewed Dickens' upbringing and how it connects to the Cratchit Family, as well as classical literature and why we still read texts that have been written almost 200 years ago.  Students will have their unit test on December 18th.  

Math: Students are working on solving equations.  We started with learning how to create tape diagrams, for all students struggling with this process there is an instructional video on Google Class. This week we will work towards moving to the traditional algorithm.  Our next test will be Thursday, December 19th. Make sure to do the nightly homework! 

Weekly Update: November 24th

Thanksgiving Recess: November 27-29

We hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends!

New Groups!  We love to mix it up! Our master scheduler, Chelsea Huckins, has created twenty five brand new class groups for us.  As much as groups become accustomed to working together, research suggests that it's healthy to resort students on a regular basis.  To that end, each student was provided with a brand new schedule for their agendas on Tuesday, as well as a new one for their lockers. These new groups will convene on Monday!  

Field Trip Information: Our field trip is next week! How exciting! We will be traveling to The Palace Theatre on Friday, December 6th, to see a live adaptation of A Christmas Carol.  Please encourage students to wear their holiday best!  Theatre attire is preferred for this field trip.  We respectfully request no jeans, hoodies, or sweatpants. 

Food Drive: It's official! The 7th grade brought in the most items for our Pennichuck food drive! Nice work, Badgers!  Thank you to everyone who donated!

Weekly Update: November 17th

Field Trip Information: Thank you to everyone who submitted their field trip forms and payment.  We really appreciate all the support from our families!  Both 7th grade teams are excited to attend our combined field trip on December 6th! 

Pencils:  It is very difficult for students to do work in class when they come without a pencil.  Many of us had a set of five "loaner" pencils at the front of the class for a student to use for a class period.  All have disappeared from The Mansion.  Our students have become complacent about preparedness, and it's time for a reset.  Please ask your child if they have pencils in their string bags.  If they do not, or can't remember where they are, can you please purchase some good Ticonderoga pencils for them this weekend?  Personalize them as we do!  Ask your kids -  they'll know how we do this.  

Food Drive: Student council is running a food drive to support our Pennichuck Food Pantry.  Seventh grade has been asked to bring in lunch items.  In demand items are listed below.  Please bring donations to your advisor, the winning grade will win a prize!

IN DEMAND ITEMS: canned chicken, ravioli, canned soup, jelly, and peanut butter

OTHER ITEMS: ramen noodle, cans of tuna, mayonnaise, mustard, mac and cheese, crackers, pretzels, mixed nuts, spaghetti o's, and powdered drink mix (crystal light)

TOILETRIES: tissues, toothpaste, feminine products, laundry soap, dish soap, toothbrushes, hand towels and dish towels. 

November Book Orders went home this week in English and are due back on November 26th.  Book orders may be placed in person with Mrs. McGuire, or online.  Please follow instructions on Mrs. McGuire's English page to order online.  

Class Updates: 

Social Studies: Students spent the week wrapping up the Greco-Persian Wars. We took a break Thursday to take a closer look at what life looked like in Athens; specifically how democracy worked. We discussed the concept of a lottery vs. an election. Students will determine which concept is more "democratic" on Monday. Check the grade book!

Science: In a few weeks  we will be starting a new unit and students will need lined paper for their binder. It would be great to pick some up while you are stocking up on pencils. As stated above students unprepared with  pencils has become a problem.

Last week we did not quite get to find out why Elisa is so tired but students will check her results on Monday. Students will then write a final argument/summative assignment supporting their claim about the medical condition that she has.

Literacy:  It makes a teacher proud to see students master a technique.  Our students have done a terrific job learning to take neat notes in the Cornell, or two column method, and this is a skill that will stand by them throughout their education.  This week they'll finish their Cartoon Analysis documents, continue to work on Latin Unit 5, and dive back into The Omnivore's Dilemma.  The mastery test for Latin Unit 5 is scheduled for Tuesday, November 26th.  They should be completing their flash cards this weekend!  

English: This week we finished our unit in Study Sync called "In Pursuit," and began pre-reading activities for A Christmas Carol.  Together, we discussed the background of Charles Dickens, life in 19th century England, and some of the characters we'll meet once we begin reading.  Next week brings new notes on dynamic and static characters, as well as what makes a book "a classic."  As a reminder, students should be finishing their November reading books at home sometime this week;  their monthly project is due on November 26th!   

Math: We are finishing up with our rational numbers unit this week.  Students will learn how to convert fractions to decimals and multiply and divide negative fractions and decimals. A study guide will go home Thursday.  The test for this unit will be Monday, November 25th.