Quarter 1 News From 7th Grade
Team One: Meehan, Ensrud, Rose, O'Neill, Weis
Welcome to 7th Grade, Team One Students!
Mrs. Meehan: Science
Mr. O'Neill: Social Studies
Mrs. Rose: Math
Mrs. Weis: Health
Mrs. Ensrud: English
Core Class Information
Science: Mrs. Meehan (kmeehan@northfieldschools.org)
This year middle school students have a new science curriculum, Open Sci Ed. The instructional model of this curriculum is new to your teachers. This is an overview of the model:
Since students are expected to reach a consensus and figure things out together, we are spending several days at the start of the year building collaborative communities. We want a classroom culture where students feel comfortable taking risks and sharing ideas. It will be important for all students to both voice their thinking and listen to their classmates.
Our primary life science unit for quarter one is Ecology. We will use eagle poisoning as a lens through which to study how living things and their environment impact each other. Students will engage in lab activities, field studies, readings, and discussions throughout the unit.
Since this curriculum is new to us, we appreciate your patience as we and the students learn to collaborate in a new way. We look forward to a great year of learning!
Social Studies: Mr. O'Neil (coneill@northfieldschools.org)
This year we will learn about United States history (post Civil War and beyond), as well as some civics, citizenship, local history, and more! Quarter 1 will be centered around these two units:
Unit 1 - Historical Interpretation: Our classes will examine what history is, how it can be interpreted, and what sources historians use. We will also discuss "Defining Moments" and how they shape the society and people we've become.
Unit 2 - Civics and Citizenship: We will examine the Bill of Rights, look at how elections work, conduct a mock election, learn about how the U.S. court system functions, and participate in a mock trial.
Work and Grading:
Students should work to complete their assignments on time. Completing the work on time makes the learning relevant and meaningful. Late work that is submitted after the unit is over will not be graded.
Please use Skyward grade book to determine a student's grade. I update grades very regularly.
As a last item, I'm including below the parent invitation to our social studies Defining Moment Presentation, to be held on September 30th. We hope you can join us!
Math: Mrs. Rose (hrose@northfieldschools.org)
Assignments:
Daily math assignments are an important practice for students to fully understand the material. Assignments are meant to be practice and to help prepare for the tested skill at the end of the unit. Assignment grades are based on effort and completion, not right and wrong. Students will be provided with an answer key as a tool to monitor their own learning. We will practice what this should look like and emphasize integrity.
Daily Schoology quizzes are based on accuracy. Students should complete their assignment first, check the answer key, fix mistakes, and LASTLY take the Schoology quiz. Students are allowed to take these quizzes twice. If they did not pass the first time, they are required to fix any errors and try again.
Khan Academy
Students will be using Khan Academy throughout the year to help support them in practicing math skills. Khan Academy is an excellent resource for both students and parents.
Health--Mrs. Weis (lweis@northfieldschools.org)
Our health curriculum is designed to build skills and knowledge around all three sides of the Health Triangle, including Social, Physical, and Mental/Emotional Health. Students will have access to our new health book Health Skills for Middle School, our SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Second Step curriculum, and most Wednesdays (2 per month) we use the Ramp-UP curriculum for career and college readiness. This works very well since there is overlap between all these curricula.
First Health unit is Taking Charge of your Health and Wellness
Understanding Health and Wellness
Good Personal hygiene
First SEL unit is Empathy and Communication
Working in Groups
Disagreeing respectfully
Negotiating and Compromising
Giving and Getting Support
Building Classroom norms and PRIDE
First Ramp-UP Lessons are
Growth Mindset
Habits of Success (planners, organization, SMART goals)
I am looking forward to this school year. And I am excited to get to know each student in our learning community. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
English 7: Mrs. Ensrud (jensrud@northfieldschools.org)
This year we will be exploring reading, writing, speaking, listening, and grammar using a variety of texts including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama.
Contact information
· Email is a fast and effective way for parents and guardians to communicate questions & concerns or to request a personal phone call.
· Students are encouraged to speak with Mrs. Ensrud directly while at school. They may also send a Schoology message when they are absent and have a question.
English 7 Units of Study
- Elements of fiction and Short Stories (Quarter 1)
- “My Best Traits” Essay (Quarter 1)
- Grammar (Quarter 1)
- “Gratitude” Essay
- A Christmas Carol
- Poetry
- Whole Class Novel-Refugee
- Narrative Essay
- Revising writing for publishing
- Persuasive Non-fiction Essay
- Independent Novel Choice Book Clubs
- Reading Plus
Grading
· Students’ grades for each quarter are meant to be a reflection of their learning. Students are encouraged to ask questions and keep me informed if they are having difficulty completing assignments. Please remind your student that I am available to help. I am willing to work with students who want to improve their work, skills, and grade. They just need to ask and make a plan.
· Late work that is submitted after the unit is over will not be graded.
· I update Skyward regularly and indicate when an assignment is missing as soon as possible. If your student believes they have turned in an assignment, and Skyward shows that it is missing, please ask your student to discuss with me.
Reading Plus
We will be using the Reading Plus program as a tool to increase our reading skills. Reading Plus will usually be a weekly assignment.
“Reading Plus will help you become a stronger, more confident reader. You will learn to read faster, recognize new words, and comprehend what you have read. Becoming a stronger reader will enable you to read textbooks, novels, articles, blog posts, and other pieces of text more easily. . . "
--Excerpt from Reading Plus Explained to Students
Learn More About PBIS!
Planners
Students are expected to have a system of organization in which they write down and keep track of deadlines and due dates. We hope they share that system with you!
FLEX study hall teachers use a document called "Daily Lesson Highlights" to teach students how to fill out their planner. This document is projected on the screen each day in study hall and students should be copying down their assignments. If your child's planner is empty, please encourage them to get back on track with organizing and planning. Thanks so much!