Grade Level Goodies Quarter 4
Piney Grove Middle School: 7th Grade
A Note from Mrs. Sherfey
Spring is in the air and warm weather is coming! This time of the year is one that is full of excitement, growth, and preparation for the months ahead. 7th grade students just finished taking the Beacon test in ELA and math. These test results are used to guide instruction throughout March and April, looked at for recommendations into 8th grade, and are used by students to set goals for the rest of the year.
We are continuing to remind students about our BYOT procedures when it comes to leaving phones in their lockers. Please remind your child of this when they are bringing a device to school. We appreciate your continued support in this area.
As we gear up for end of the year events, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have. It has been such a pleasure to get to know and work with your children this year!
Sincerely,
Danielle Sherfey
Assistant Principal
Spring Field Trip for 7th Grade Students: Education Day at Cool Ray Stadium
To: Parents & 7th Grade Students of PGMS
We are planning a fun outing to the Gwinnett Stripers ballgame on April 11. 2023 to help celebrate our 2022-23 school year. Information will be posted on the school website, and permission form packets went home with students on Friday, March 3rd.
A C A D E M I C S
ELA News
In seventh grade ELA, students are in the middle of discovering the “art” of poetry. The final project for this unit will be demonstration of their knowledge and possibly a new appreciation of poetry through the creation of an original poem. Students will record their poems which will then be displayed throughout the front hall of the school for a “Poetry Night”. This event will take place on March 16th from 5:00-6:00, and it is a drop-in event where families are welcome to come hear their child’s poem along with those of their peers.
For our next unit of study, students will read in class The Outsiders and review ALL of the standards taught this year in preparation of the upcoming Milestones. A copy of this novel will be provided by the Media Center, but students are welcome to obtain their own personal copy if they would like to do any formal annotations. Upon completion, students will have the opportunity to view the movie, so be on the lookout for a permission slip.
Dinner Conversation Starter: If your student could write an Ode to anything, what would it be? What do they think is the most important poetic technique?
Math News
In 7th grade math we have begun our Geometry unit. We are wrapping up two-dimensional geometry in early March, and then moving into three-dimensional geometry. The students will enjoy a discovery day with playdough as they form 3D shapes and create cross sections. We have 2 more units this semester: Statistics/Inferences and Probability. Assessment dates are posted on Itslearning.
Science News
In seventh grade life science we have begun our look at living things and their environments (Ecology) which nicely brings together classification, genetics, and natural selection.. After scaffolding the expectations of an ADI lab report throughout the year, students will be expected to demonstrate proficiency on a full lab report. Time in class and exemplars will be provided as guidance through this process. The summative semester two post-test will take place in May.
Please check “upcoming dates” on the Itslearning Planner for any updates/changes.
Social Studies News
In seventh grade social studies, we are wrapping up our study of Southern and Eastern Asia with a focus on government and economics. The summative test is scheduled for Thursday, March 16th. Once completed, we’ll focus on our final region… Africa!
We will begin with Africa’s geography, highlighting the continent’s great rivers, deserts and mountains. This is a great time to discuss with your child how location, climate, physical features, and environmental issues can impact population distribution. A summative project for African Geography is scheduled for the week of March 20th, with a final due date and gallery walk on Monday, March 27th. Once we complete the geography unit, we will move on to the history, governments, and economic systems of Africa to finish out the 2022-23 school year.
Enrichment News
C O N N E C T I O N S
Fine Arts News
Band: Students will learn appropriate music literature and prepare to perform in Spring. They will also prepare for Solo and Ensemble which will be performed at our Dessert Concert in Spring.
Drama: 7th & 8th grade drama students are continuing to rehearse for their upcoming production of “Newsies,” which will take place at Denmark High School on May 11-13.
Chorus: Students have completed their State Large Group Performance Evaluation. All grade level choruses earned Superior ratings in both their performances and sight-reading, a HUGE accomplishment! Students will now begin work on music for the upcoming Spring Spectacular, which will take place in May.
PE, Health, & Weight Training News
PE: We are mixing up physical activity in various ways including fitness and exercise along with playing various games.
Our focus is skill development and learning game rules in the following Quarter 4 Units:
-Softball
-Ultimate Frisbee
Health: Students will learn about four dimensions of health (physical, mental and emotional, social and intellectual health. They will learn which areas they are strong in and learn how they can fix an area of weakness.
Weight Training: Students will continue to work out and strive to achieve the goals they have set.
CTAE News
Yearbook: Students will finish designing their spreads for the 2022-23 yearbook. They will be collecting pictures, interviewing staff and students, and writing captions. They will also be completing modules as well. Lastly, we will be working on marketing to sell the remaining yearbooks available.
PGTV: Students will continue to produce the bi-weekly news program for PGTV. We will have weekly meetings to discuss what current events are happening in and around the school to cover. They will submit segments for consideration that they have written, and will then produce their segment or skit. We will also work on anchoring skills as well.
Engineering: All grades start with learning the Engineering Process steps (steps to create design problem solutions). Then we apply them to various projects like CAD/3D modeling, Circuits, and more.
Piney Grove Middle School
Website: https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/pineygrove
Location: 8135 Majors Road, Cumming, GA, USA
Phone: (678) 965 - 5010
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PineyGroveMS/
Twitter: @PGMSGrizzlies