Quarter Two News From 7th Grade
Team One: Meehan, Ensrud, Rose, O'Neill, Weis
Welcome to Quarter Two, Team One Students and Families!
Mrs. Meehan: Science
Mr. O'Neill: Social Studies
Mrs. Rose: Math
Core Class Information
Science: Mrs. Meehan (kmeehan@northfieldschools.org)
Thanks for a great quarter one. Student work completion was terrific and many students are doing a great job of listening to their classmates and sharing their own ideas.
Two weeks ago we started investigating how living things heal. The unit began with doctor reports of a student who dropped a heavy weight on his foot. We used this as an anchor to study how skin, bones, muscles, blood, and nerves work together and heal. We are using microscopes to zoom in for a closer look at these structures and consider how their structure impacts function. Soon we will begin an egg lab in which we will investigate how cells get materials needed to grow.
In December we plan to start a new unit in which the anchoring phenomenon is a student who is suffering headaches, lack of energy, and weight loss. As in our current unit, we will do labs, investigate data and other evidence, and figure things out together.
Student notes are a key resource for keeping track of what we have figured out. We do phase one note taking together, with students processing, connecting, and summarizing more independently, but with guidance. I grade selected pages of notes, and tests are open note.
Key resources when students are absent are posted in Schoology: teacher slideshows, assignments, and selected pages of teacher notes.
Please contact me with questions. I look forward to a wonderful quarter two!
Social Studies: Mr. O'Neil (coneill@northfieldschools.org)
We'll spend the first week of Quarter 2 on the topic of elections. Students will learn about what a midterm election is, explore how voting and elections work, and will experience a mock class election activity. This will conclude our unit on Civics and Citizenship.
In mid-November, we'll move into topics in U.S. History. We'll begin with the post-Civil War time period, covering the Reconstruction Era. We'll examine the changes in the United States with the rise of industry and the impact of the Gilded Age. We'll move forward in history from there.
In this quarter we will also study World War I. For this unit, students will read a novel set during the time period. We have five different books students will be able to choose from, and they'll be bringing one home to read. In the World War I unit, the main homework is for students to read their books. Look for more information about this in mid-December. We'd love for you to encourage your child to keep up with their reading. Additionally, if your child is a struggling reader and may need support, don't hesitate to reach out when the time comes.
Math: Mrs. Rose (hrose@northfieldschools.org)
For Quarter 2, we will start digging into Algebra concepts. Students will learn how to solve two-step equations and inequalities. We will then start learning about unit rates and proportional reasoning. Please help keep your student on track by making sure they are turning in assignments on time. I have noticed a significant decrease in assignments being turned in. Many middle school students still need monitored support at home and are not quite ready to complete all tasks independently. Supporting them at home now will help ensure they are going to be more independent and successful in high school. I encourage you to check Skyward on a regular basis to stay current on your student's learning and work completion.
Algebra:
For Quarter 2, we will start digging into functions and systems of equations. Students are doing a great job completing their daily assignments and working hard with new math concepts. This group of students is extremely chatty. I have been working with them on when it is appropriate to socialize during class. Talking during instruction has disrupted the lesson and can be extremely frustrating for me and other learners. Please talk with your students about how individual behavior can impact classmates. I am planning for a positive, fresh start to quarter two!
Health--Mrs. Weis (lweis@northfieldschools.org)
Health class is moving into Unit 2. Our new health book and Second Step curriculum align very well in this unit.
Unit 2: Taking Care of Mental and Emotional Health includes:
being mentally and emotionally healthy.
making sense of emotions.
stages of grief.
SEL Unit: Emotion Management includes:
understanding anger.
staying in control.
coping with stress.
Ramp-UP lessons include:
past, present and future careers.
recognizing my knowledge and skills.
Student Support Services “asking for help.”
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
BE WELL!
English 7: Mrs. Ensrud (jensrud@northfieldschools.org)
Thank you for a terrific start to the school year! During quarter one, we completed our
first five-paragraph essay, studied the elements of fiction in our short story unit and began our
grammar unit. In addition, students completed six weeks of Reading Plus assignments.
As we begin quarter two In English 7, we will be wrapping up a unit on grammar. In this
unit we have worked on how understanding and using proper grammar helps us communicate
more clearly and effectively. In quarter two we will be writing our second five-paragraph essay
that focuses on gratitude. We are looking forward to using the skills we used in our grammar
unit in this new writing assignment.
Alongside the writing of this essay, we will begin our study of Charles Dickens and his
ghostly tale, A Christmas Carol. We will be studying the themes found in this classic piece of
literature and how history and the time period in which Dickens was writing affected his
message. That unit will take us right up to Winter Break.
After Winter Break, we will end quarter two with our study of poetry and what makes a
poem a poem. We will be reading and writing poetry during this unit.
We will also continue our work to improve our comprehension and reading fluency
using our individualized, online reading program called Reading Plus. Please remind your
student to practice reading each week that there is an assignment. If your student’s
Skyward account shows missing work in this area, you can easily check how they are doing by
asking to see the Reading Plus Dashboard. Each week that Reading Plus is assigned, students
will have 4 empty boxes that will be checked off when the lessons are complete.
Please let me know if you have any questions about your student’s progress or
coursework.
I am looking forward to a fantastic second quarter!
FLEX Study Hall
Many students in grade 7 have FLEX study hall during 4th hour. We intentionally use the word FLEX because students have the flexibility to work with several of their teachers during this time. On our team, Mrs. Rose (math), Mr. O'Neill (social studies), Mrs. Meehan (science), and Mrs. Ensrud (English) also have study hall every 4th hour. In addition, Mrs. Weis (health) has flex study hall on Gold Days and is available during 4A on Maroon days.
Therefore, students who have a question for any of those teachers have the opportunity to work individually with them. Many students who use their study hall time well are able to complete all of their 7th grade homework within the school day. We give our students lots of reminders about this opportunity, but reminders from home are helpful also. If you see that your student is struggling with any content, and they have a 4th hour study hall, please encourage them to take time during study hall to meet with their teachers.
Hallway Behaviors
Many of our behavior issues this year are coming from students making poor choices in the hallway and common areas. While the common areas are a good place to catch up with friends before school and between classes, we’ve seen issues with horseplay, inappropriate language, and students running up and down the halls. In addition to being safety issues, these kinds of behavior have also led to more students being tardy for class.
Please remind your students to respect the rules and expectations of our hallways, common areas, and the teachers and staff that help to enforce them. We will expect students to improve these behaviors as we go through the year.
PBIS-First Quarter
In addition, we are always looking for donations for our PBIS Store--gift cards, trinkets, small prizes, etc. Contact Heather Rose (hrose@northfieldschools.org) to support our PBIS efforts.