Seventh Grade

1. Seventh Grade 2012-2013 School Year Team 7.1

2. Tonight Seventh-Grade overview - Matt Marston Math curriculum – Jen Foreman Social Studies curriculum – Cindy Meyers Language Arts & Literature – Amy Routhier Science curriculum – Cindy Milone

3. Seventh Grade • Block Scheduling: A-Days, B-Days, Regular-Days • Schedule rotates through ‘A’ & ‘B’ Days • Math & Science affected • Social Studies (not blocked), Literature, Language Arts, Homeroom or BOC, Encore classes everyday • Help available on ‘off’ days • MAPS testing • Testing done ‘on-line’ at school (reading & math) • Computer Adaptive Tests (more accurate results) • More immediate feedback • Multiple test sessions throughout the year (Fall, Winter, Spring) • Illinois Standards Achievement Test: ISAT • Testing scheduling for March 2013 (Math, Reading, Science) • Last year’s results will go home soon

4. Home Access updates Issued about every 3 weeks Reports focus on grades Behavior Students expected to be: Safe – Responsible - Respectful ‘Blue’ Slips Warning (3+ in a quarter = detention) Kudos Well done! Assignments Quality work is expected Late Assignments ‘Green’ Slips Min. 20% off Multiple late assignments will result in a detention Seventh-Grade Policies Kudos

5. Home Access Use these two tabs to check scores. Classwork is a view of the gradebook Interim Progress are progress reports.

6. Outside of Class Work Agenda Filled in everyday, for every subject Neat & Accurate Check off work as it is completed  Assume students have homework About an hour to two each night Daily assignments, projects, study, read, journal List of assignments available on-line:(lz95.org/mss)

7. www.lz95.org/mss Use the search box to find a teacher

8. Joys & Challenges of Teenagers

9. Home Work Time Set aside time everyday Distraction-free work area Encourage your child to: prioritize – time management be organized – Binder develop good study skills ask questions use his notes effective effort – try participate in extra-curricula activities Breakfast Sleep -(experts recommend 9 hours) How to Help…

10. Areas to Encourage… • Effective Effort – it’s not enough just to “try hard.” • Time – a willingness to spend the time needed to finish the job well. Spending more time doesn’t necessarily result in more effort; one needs to use time efficiently. • Focus– concentrate only on the work (remove distractions, phone, television, etc.). • Strategies– the knowledge and skills used to complete tasks successfully and “get smarter.” If one approach isn’t working, keep trying different ways until you find one that works. Strategies such as: SQ3R, graphic organizers, summarizing, Cornell notes, mnemonic devices, etc. • Resourcefulness – knowing where to go and whom to ask for help when you’re really stuck. Check your notes, on-line sources, friends, family, etc. • Useoffeedback – look carefully at responses to your work so you know exactly what to fix or areas you could work on in the future. • Commitment & Persistence – be determined to finish and do good work. If one approach isn’t working, try different ones until you find one that works. Stick with it.

11. Springfield Illinois Trip Overnight trip to Illinois’s Capital Functions of government Three branches of government Civil War & Abraham Lincoln Sights: Lincoln’s Home, Law Office, Tomb, Library, Museum; New Salem Village; New and Old State Capitals; and War Monuments This year October 4 & 5 Leave early Thursday, return late afternoon on Friday Information sent home – more to come

12. 7th Grade Mathematics

13. Homework 1 name/ date/ period/pg# 1 used pencil 1 problem written out 3 show work (EVERY problem!) 3 correct work (EVERY wrong problem!) 1 colored pen to correct (not blue, black, or yellow!) **All homework is out of 10 points!** Homework link…lz95.org/mss

14. 3 Ways to make corrections:1. Separate sheet marked corrections 2. Fix it in the problem 3. Re-do the problem

15. Corrections…continued

16. Math Overview An important website you need to be familiar with is… www.classzone.com Here you can find: Extra practice sheets ‘eservices’ to see pre-algebra book E-tutor Online book ‘online book’ to see course 2

17. Math Overview Continued… Students WILL need to study for their math tests this year…a difficult jump from 6th grade Study tips in the expectations sheet (and online) Some students haven’t felt the need to study for math tests in previous years - studying will need to be done this year in order to receive the grades you desire. Here are a few tips on how to study for a test: Go through each section of the chapter (use your notes, but have your book next to you) Look for vocabulary words (figure out words you don’t know) Do a lot of practice problems! (go back and forth if possible) Go through the steps of specific concepts Talk through the process to show you know it well enough to explain Don’t wait until the night before to study!! (I try to give at least a week advance notice of a test)

18. 7th Grade Social Studies

19. Social Studies Objective: To understand the events, trends, individuals, and movements that shape the world Theme: Emergence of a Culture Texts: handouts and small books focusing on areas of the world

20. Overview: The World – Past to Present. With an emphasis on: • Government Types • Economic Systems • Political Systems • United States Constitution • Africa • Europe • Russia • Latin America

21. Social Studies Overview First Quarter Content Government United States Constitution Constitution Test Second Quarter Content Europe & Russia Third Quarter Content The continent of Africa and its diverse nations Fourth Quarter Content Latin America

22. 7th Grade Language Arts

23. Composition and Revision Paragraphs Building from basic paragraph structure to thoughtful elaboration and support Essays (narrative, persuasive, expository) Approaches to introductory paragraphs using Dialogue Facts/statistics Strong visual image Personal experiences Questions Noting common misconceptions Six Traits Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Conventions Poetry Letters News Articles Short-Stories Memoir Reading Response

24. Conventions Spelling rules No Excuse Words Vocabulary development Roots, prefixes, and suffixes Grammar Knowing how the parts of speech can improve your writing

25. 7th Grade Literature

26. Reading/Literature Clarifying Comparing/contrasting Connecting to prior experiences Inferencing (including generalizing and drawing conclusions) Predicting Questioning the text Recognizing author’s purpose Seeing causal relationships Summarizing Visualizing Creating Competent Readers

27. Reading/Literature Plot Point of view Character Theme Setting Conflict Figurative Language Simile & Metaphor Imagery Symbolism Foreshadowing Irony Literary Elements

28. Possible Novels Roll of Thunder Watsons go to Birmingham Out of the Dust Devil’s Arithmetic Love that Dog Charlotte Doyle Abraham Lincoln: a Photobiography • The Westing Game • Flight 116 is Down • Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case • Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World • Touching Spirit Bear • The Outsiders

29. Independent Reading Reading is important and we want to foster a love of reading. Remind your children to stay up to date with their Independent Reading. Make sure he checks out and renew his library books in a timely manner.

30. 7th Grade Science

31. Curriculum Overview Inquiry Based Application of the Scientific Method Spiral Approach Earth Science Life Science Physical Science

32. Topics Covered Scientific Method Study of the Fox River Watershed Study of Matter Using Dry Ice Investigations Study of Cells, Cell Processes, Genetics and Heredity Study of Rocks and Minerals, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Plate Tectonics Study of Protists, Bacteria, and Viruses

33. How can a Junior Scientist be prepared for my Science class? Always bring your Science Binder. Follow lab safety procedures. Read and follow directions. Homework should be completed and turned in at the start of class.

34. Some Contact Info