May 12, 2008

 

Dear Parents,

 

Important dates:         May 15                        Music Concert              7:00       Students need to be in the

                                                                                                                          Classroom by 6:40    

May 16                        All School Mass

                                    May 23                        Carnival      Non-uniform day

 

Academic Information

 

Literature:  Today I introduced our final literature circle unit for the year.  The students will be reading the novel The Witch of Blackbird Pond, which is a historical fiction piece set during the 1680’s in colonial America.  It centers around the time when many women (and men) were accused of performing witchcraft.  It is a very interesting book!  The students received a schedule of assigned readings and quizzes today.  They will be making daily journal entries to reflect on the chapters read. 

 

Language Arts: Last week the students started on a personal choice paper.  They will get the class period to finish their rough draft tomorrow (Tuesday) and it will due on Wednesday.  The remainder of the week will be spent in peer conferences to help them with their revisions and working in the lab to type them up.  The final draft will be due next Tuesday, May 20th.  We will also continue in Unit 4 of our English text on modifiers.

 

 

7th Grade Social Studies

11:30 – 12:15 M – F

Mrs. Christianson

annc@saintbrendan.org

 

While I was away with the eighth graders, the seventh graders spent time learning about colonialism, South Africa, apartheid and Nelson Mandela.  Apartheid is an extremely difficult concept for those of us raised in freedom to understand.  I think it is important for students this age to at least have the opportunity to glimpse some of the inequalities that have existed in our complex world.

 

Students will have a test on Chapter 13 which is packed full of information.  I originally had the test scheduled for this Friday 5/15 but postponed it until Tuesday 5/20.  I handed out the study guide on Monday 5/12.  Due to the volume of information, much of the test will be matching and multiple choice with only a few short answer questions.  There will NOT be an essay question on this test.

 

Seventh grade students are beginning the transition to becoming 8th graders.  It is rarely a smooth process.  Nonetheless, it is a joy to watch them grow, develop and mature.  I look forward to spending more time with them next year.

 

Have a great week!!

 

 

 

Math:  This week the seventh graders will have their chapter 9 test on Tuesday. 

They are also beginning a geometry unit.  This week we will be working on solid shapes, and calculating

perimeter and area of squares, rectangles, triangles, and parallelograms.

 

 

Mary Riley