Explorer Team Newsletter
7th grade
September 28-October 2, 2015
Next Monday, October 5, we will be having a professional development for teachers, so students will be out of school on this day.
Our team t-shirts have arrived, but there was an error in the printing process, so we are going to send them back to be fixed. Those who ordered hoodies, will go ahead and receive them.
Upcoming Events
October 5: Professional Development Day (No Students)
October 6: VB vs. University Academy
October 6: XC at New Mark
October 7: VB vs. Antioch
October 9: First Quarter Ends
October 12: Second Quarter Begins
October 12: VB at Grandview
October 14: VB v Center
October 16: First Quarter Grade Cards go home
October 26, 29: Fall Conferences 3:00-8:00
October 27: 7th Grade Field Trip
October 28: 1st Quarter Renaissance Party
Meet the Explorer Teachers
Ms. Karen Salsbury (ELA)
Mrs. Patty Steyer (Science)
Email: patty.steyer@nkcschools.org
Mr. Kurt Koenig (Social Studies)
Email: kurt.koenig@nkcschools.org
Mrs. Amy Fiene (Math)
Email: amy.fiene@nkcschools.org
What's Going On in Class
English Language Arts (ELA)
Monday-Wednesday-- Learning how to write a narrative fiction story and pre-writing activities
Thursday – Library
Friday — Writing descriptive sentences
Homework — Students have a major assignment due on October 14. They have been working since the beginning of the school year on a book reflection. They should be almost done reading their book and filling out their rising action as they read. Once they are done reading, they should then write the reflection, talking about the book, characters, setting and their thoughts about the book.
Science
In science this week we are studying how non-renewable and renewable energy sources work. Students will explore the pros and cons of biomass, goethermal, hydropower, solar and wind energy sources. They will read to comprehend the cons of non-renewable energy and why it is harmful to our environment.
*Please look at your energy bills. We will be investigating the data from Missouri Gas and Energy about the usage of energy in each student’s home. In order to do this, please send the graph of data about your energy usage sent out by MoGE over the Summer. Please be sure to just send the graph and not any personal information about your bills, etc.
Social Studies
In Class
In class students worked to improve the Cornell Notes that have taken so far for the Culture Unit. Each student should have complete four sections of notes. They were given the opportunity in class today to look at Mr. Koenig’s notes to make improvements, or to replace any notes they have lost. Each class also reviewed their notes on the Arts for a quiz tomorrow.
Homework
Review all Culture Unit notes, focus on The Arts because of quiz Wednesday 9/30.
- What is Culture
- Families and Societies
- Language and Religion
- The Arts
Math
7th Grade Math
Monday: Complete Unit 1 Assessment; Complete Unit 2, Part 1 Vocabulary (will be collected on the day of the test)
Tuesday: Lesson 6.1 - What's It Really Saying (Evaluating Algebraic Expression)- Homework - 6.1 Assignment (on green paper)
Wednesday: Lesson 6.2 - Express Math (Simplifying Expressions Using the Distributive Property) - Homework - 6.2 Assignment (on blue paper)
Thursday: i-Ready Lessons on the Computer (There will be no homework this day)
Friday: 6.3 - Reverse Distribution (Factoring Algebraic Expressions) - Homework - 6.3 Assignment (on pink paper)
**Since we have now gone to turning in our homework everyday, instead of waiting for the end, students who do not have their homework ready to turn in will fill out a "Missing Work Log" and turn it in instead. This will allow students to turn in their homework at a later date. Student's grades will also be deducted one point per day that it is late. If you have any questions, please contact me and I will be more than happy to explain this new process even further.*****
Honor's Math
Monday- Module 4 Quiz
Tuesday - Lesson 5.1 - Percent Increase and Decrease - HW: Independent practice 5.1
Wednesday - Lesson 5.2 - Rewriting Percent Expressions - HW: Independent practice 5.2
Thursday - Lesson 5.3 - Application of Percent - HW: Independent practice 5.3
Friday - Module 5 Quiz