AMMS 7th Grade Gazette
October 4, 2019 Volume 4
Upcoming Holidays!
- Thursday, October 10
- Friday, October 11
- Monday, October 14
Thursday, October 10 is an Autrey Mill Professional Day in which AMMS is closed to students - not all Fulton County Schools. Friday, October 11 is a Professional Development Day for all Fulton County Schools, and on Monday, October 14 all schools are closed for Columbus Day. We hope students and their families spend this time relaxing and recharging as we begin the second quarter of school on Tuesday, October 15.
GET TO KNOW THE STAFF!!!!
Ms. Anita Erickson - 8th Grade Assistant Principal
Ms. Andrea Turner - 6th Grade Counselor
Ms. Martha Bongiorno - Media Specialist
ACADEMIC UPDATES
Math
70/7A
We are continuing on in Unit 2, Expressions and Equations. Next week, we are learning how to factor and expand linear expressions as well as translating variable expressions. Translating expressions means using algebraic words to describe algebraic expressions and vice versa, such as 3x could be the product of 3 and a number.
After our 5 day weekend, we will be reviewing and preparing for the Unit 2 (Part 1) Test which is scheduled for Thursday October 17th. The test will cover the properties of mathematics, the different parts of expressions (variables, coefficients, like terms), combining like terms, the distributive property, factoring expressions, and translating algebraic expressions. (MGSE7.EE.1) It is very important that students remember the rules of integer operations as they are learning these skills. Study guides will go home on Wednesday, October 9th and will be due Wednesday, October 16th.
8A Math
We are in the middle of second unit Exponents. There are actually three sections to unit 2: equations, exponents and scientific notation. We will wrap up the second part of unit 2 with a quiz on exponents on Tuesday, October 8th. After the break we will begin to learn how to multiply, divide, and add and subtract in scientific notation. Our next unit with be the application of exponents in geometry and introduce them to the Pythagorean Theorem. After they learn that they will all feel as smart as the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz!
Social Studies
Social Studies is moving through our World Religion and Culture Unit. We invite you to participate in our annual 7th grade Religious and Cultural Guest Speaker Extravaganza! We are looking for parents and community volunteers to come to AMMS for the day (10:30am-4pm) and share with our students information about any of the religious or cultural groups from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia that we study in 7th grade social studies. If you are interested please email Lisi Berger at furman@fultonschools.org for more details.
Science
We have started our Cells Unit by learning about cell organelle structures and functions.
Next week, we will begin a Cell Analogy Project. Students will choose an analogy and then construct a 3D model to represent the analogy. For example, “A Cell is Like a City.”
The Cell Analogy Project will be a group project completed primarily in class. We will assign groups and plan for the project on Friday, October 4. Students will construct the 3D model in class Monday -Wednesday, October 7-9. If a group would like to paint the box or items, please complete this portion of the project at home, as they will take a lot of time to dry.
Students may also come in for help sessions on Monday and Wednesday at 8am for additional work time on the projects.
The project will be a summative assessment (test) grade.
Students are allowed to purchase items, but that is not necessary.
Consider using the following materials from home:
- Cardboard boxes for a base
- Paper towel rolls/toilet paper roll
- Popsicle sticks
- Colored paper
- Straws
- Pipe cleaners
- Old legos /building blocks/small toys
Please no spray paint, super glue, food, glass or breakable objects. Please no sentimental objects. Students should always ask for your permission before bringing in items.
Students may bring their own hot glue guns and sticks only with your emailed parent permission to the science teacher.
Following the Cell Analogy Project, we will start studying Cell Processes. This includes active and passive transport, photosynthesis, cellular respiration and fermentation.
Thanks! Ms. Johnson, Ms. Kane, Ms. Moore, Ms. Chereck, Ms. Villiume, and Ms. Fairlie
Reading
Reading classes are working on the skills of summarizing, characterization, and determining type of conflict. We will continue to work with these skills and others as we continue to work with different short stories.
Reading teachers are reading these books. What about you?
Language Arts
Book club is about halfway through, and we are simply blown away by the thoughtful discussion, preparation, and study throughout this unit! Students really seem to be enjoying their selections as well. In our upcoming minilessons, we will be focusing on strategies that allow students to develop a thoughtful theme statement (RL2) and observing the ways in which conflict drive plot and change characters (RL3).
Sincerely,
Mrs. Patel, Mrs. Barksdale, Ms. Irvin, Mrs. Barnes, and Mrs. Matthews
Spanish
¡Feliz otoño! (Happy Fall!)
We are almost finished with our first unit - Lección 1. Our first lesson test is coming up soon on October 17th (test) and 18th (PBA). On these days, students will complete both writing and speaking assessments of their knowledge from Lección 1. A study guide will be provided before the long weekend. Please remind your child to work on their study materials as we prepare for the end of the unit.
As a quick reminder, Spanish help sessions are Tuesdays and Fridays (by appointment on Fridays) at 8am. Now is a great time to catch up and review before the test. As always, study and practice resources can be found on Google Classroom and the textbook website component, VHL Central. Thank you for your support from home as your child continues their journey en español!
Muchas gracias,
Srta. Brown; Sra. Clark; Srta. Underwood
French
Bonjour parents,
Students have been doing really well this unit ("Lesson 1A"). Memorizing the gender of nouns is the hardest part, which is why we've spent a little while on this lesson. We're onto the next lesson over this next week- numbers (lesson 1A.2). Parts of this lesson include discussing how much there is of something in their backpack/classroom/ pencil pouch/ school; their age; math; euro culture and asking how much something costs.
They have a spoken and written test (Performance Based Assessment- PBA) Wednesday. If anyone will be out that day, completing these assessments early would be ideal.
The Lesson 1A test will come after the break. It will cover everything so far- all the starred vocabulary from different lessons. Greetings, discussing Classroom objects one has in their backpack/classroom, French Greeting culture, Accent marks' significance- everything in the book from lesson 1A.
French Club was awesome yesterday! We elected Council Members and voted on TShirt designs. Design will be announced soon. The members are: co-Presidents, 8th graders Maggie Dowd and Rohini Roy; PR rep, 8th grader Madeline Harawkno; Tresurer, 7th grader Liza McPherson; Secretary, 7th grader Alex Etingoff. We will probably have grade level reps soon, too. We also listened to French pop artist Maitre Gims do a collaboration song with Sting (whose birthday was yesterday:) ! Maitre Gims is coming to Atlanta November 1. If you're interested in going with your student, please let your child’s French teacher know! Madame Sudu and I would like to plan to go if you all are. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maitre-gims-tickets-72450821357
Merci!
Latin
Next week:
We will review the stage 3 summative and move to the next unit about the forum in Pompeii. A Vocab quiz will occur on October 9th.
October 15th-October 18th:
We will engage in a creativity project about the forum in Pompeii!
Need help with homework or other assignments?
REACH Tutoring
Any 6th, 7th, or 8th grade student is invited to attend tutoring sessions with Johns Creek High School students. This opportunity is offered after school at AMMS on Tuesdays from 4:15-5:30pm. Your student should report to the cafeteria after the bus bell if they are interested in receiving tutoring on any Tuesday. Please pick up your student promptly at 5:30.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 10/10 No school for AMMS students only - AMMS Professional Day
- 10/11 No school for Fulton County Schools - Professional Development Day
- 10/14 Schools closed - Columbus Day
Autrey Mill Middle School
Website: ammslions.org
Location: 4110 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, GA, USA