Spring 2016
7th Grade Otto Middle School
Make the Difference
PBIS
Otto students are proud to be Organized, Mindful, and Scholarly. Teachers incorporate these values throughout their lessons and interactions with students. The article linked below provides great ways for parents to help their children develop strong organizational skills. The next two newsletters will include articles that discuss developing mindful attitudes and scholarly habits.
Food Truck Friday
Celebrating College Week with food from Fuzzy's Tacos, JET's PIzza and Rita's Ice. The food truck will be on campus Friday, January 15.
Pre-purchase lunch tickets to avoid long lines Jan 11 - Jan 14
College Week
Monday - Don't Sweat It...College is Possible for Everyone. Wear sweats and warm ups.
Tuesday - Hats off to College. Wear a college hat, graduation hat, or funny hat.
Wednesday - College Makes your Future Bright. Wear sunglasses with your college shirts.
Thursday - College is Not Just a Dream. Dress up as your future career.
Friday - Spirit Day: East-Side Spirit Helps Prepare you for College. Wear black and gold or East attire.
Growth Mindset
THE POWER OF “YET”
One of the leading researchers on growth mindset, Dr. Carol Dweck, gives a TED talk about the power of “yet”. When a student fails, it is not the end. They just haven’t learned it YET. The Otto staff has been adopting this notion by letting students try again and by praising their efforts and strategies. Research shows that students respond positively from being told that they haven’t accomplished something “yet”. They process the error, they learn from it and they correct it. Click the link below to watch the video:Otto Events Available to Parents
otto events available to parents
Help! A Teenager has Moved into my Child's Body!
As our children mature, we are often caught off guard by the rapid changes they experience. As the pull of peer pressure becomes more intense, and interest in clothes, music, or the opposite sex takes on more importance, we may struggle with our emerging adolescents. The strategies that served us well with younger children must be refined as we deal with more complex challenges. Join other interested parents as we discuss such topics as normal adolescent development, effective communication, and workable boundaries for our young teens.
Otto Middle School from 12:30 - 1:30 PM
Friday -- January 15, 2016
Friday -- February 19, 2016
***Different topics each session
For more information contact: Krishna Upadhyaya at (972) 672-7221 or krish605@gmail.com. Visitwww.pisd.edu/about.us/departments/familyservices.shtmlfor a complete list of parent education classes.
English
In English, the students will be starting their Journey and Passages unit. In this unit, students will be reading and analyzing stories that send the character on a physical journey in which they are challenged to grow and mature mentally and emotionally. In a few weeks, the students will start their first class novel, Crispin: The Cross of Lead. The students will use their understanding of Crispin's journey to explain how specific themes fit into the story by crafting expository essay responses.
In Honors English, the students will be starting their Journey and Passages unit. In this unit, students will be reading and analyzing stories that send the character on a physical journey in which they are challenged to grow and mature mentally and emotionally. In a few weeks, the students will start their first class novel, The Hobbit. The students will use their understanding of Bilbo Baggin's journey to explain how specific themes fit into the story by crafting expository essay responses.
Contact Information:
Kristin Ernst
469-752-8563
Erin Kerry
469-752-8560
Anna Mackey
469-752-8561
Tara Browning
469-752-8559
Niki Matasso
469-752-8556
History
Texas, our Texas! This six weeks in Texas History we will begin the Unit with the founding of the Republic of Texas. We will look at all the decisions and difficulties that the Texans had to face as they create their own government. We will then move into the annexation of Texas into the United States. Why would the United States not want the great state of Texas?! After annexation, Texas will be faced with deciding which side to be on when it comes to the Civil War. We will end this unit with Reconstruction after the Civil War.
In PACE, the unit takes students through the progression of Texas as an independent republic, to a state in the United States, and through the Civil War and Reconstruction periods. Students will see the challenges Texans faced as an independent nation, in attempting to join the U.S., as a state during the Mexican War, during the Civil War, and in gaining re-admittance to the Union during Reconstruction. They will learn how various people held vastly differing opinions on what they believed was best for the country, both in Texas and in the United States.
Contact Information:
Miriam Carpenter
469-752-8571
Daniel Moman
469-752-8570
Brent Truitt
469-752-8576
Zeshan Khan
469-752-8577
Math
Math 7
- Identifying scale factors between similar figures.
- Finding missing measurements given two similar figures.
- Using ratios to describe relationships between the dimensions of similar figures.
- Using angle relationships in triangles and quadrilaterals to solve problems.
Honors Math 7
We will begin the 2nd semester by exploring proportional and nonproportional relationships. This will include:
- Analyzing linear equations
-intercepts on a graph, table, equation, and context
- Intersections and Inequalities
Math Rocks 7
We will continue with Algebra I concepts with exponential relationships. This will include:
- Squares, cubes, and their roots
- Simplifying Radicals
- Laws of products and quotients
- Laws of negative and zero exponents
- Rational Exponents
Contact Information:
Fern Johnson
469-752-8573
Cindy Ramirez
469-752-8553
Alex Rosenfield
469-752-8595
Caresir Gonzales
469-752-8597
Elizabeth Jacobsen
469-752-8591
Science
This six weeks we are covering the vast topic of human impact. We are starting a class compost bin that students can contribute to and see how easy and fun going green can be! We will also study watersheds and how water flows easily through our cities and rural areas picking up whatever we discard.
Contact Information:
Jamie Bell
469-752-8587
Maritza Bradshaw
469-752-8589
Ron Ohlig
469-752-8594
Elizabeth Jacobsen
469-752-8591
Meet the Science Department
Jamie Bell
Jamie Bell is in her 10th year of teaching. She has been with Otto for four years teaching 7th and 8th grade Science. Jamie believes the goal of an educator is to help students realize their potential and how to learn from mistakes. Every student can be successful when they take ownership of their education and understand what makes learning best for them.
Jamie has also written curriculum for the district for the past 8 years. Her favorite part of being a curriculum writer is the planning and collaboration that occurs with other 7th grade science teachers across the district. Jamie is also the Science department head. She loves looking after the needs of the department and helping each science teacher have what they need to make learning the best for all Otto students.
When not at Otto, Jamie enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She likes to stay active by practicing Iyengar Yoga. Jamie loves listening to podcast, like Serial, and reading in her free time.
Maritza Bradshaw
Ron Ohlig
Ron Ohlig teaches 6th grade science and 7th grade Honors science. This is his 2nd year at Otto but has 16 previous years in Plano ISD. This includes eleven years teaching Health, four years in high school Biology, and this is his third year of middle school Science. Ron has been married for 35 years (to the same wonderful woman) and has three grown children and three grandkids. Activities outside of school are running, reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, cooking, yard work, and just about any other outdoor activity.
Elizabeth Jaconsen
Otto Middle School
Website: http://k12.pisd.edu/otto-middle-school
Location: 504 North Star Road, Plano, TX, United States
Phone: 469-752-8550