Hello!
As we meander into the first few days of December I would like to remind all the students of their expectations this week.
Language Arts- We are analyzing chapter six of "The Call of the Wild" as the students should have read it on their own over break. We will be working on our response packets on Wednesday followed by our expository essays on Thursday and Friday. The students were given a prompt to choose a person (living celebrity, historical figure, someone they know personally, etc.) that they would give one piece of advice to. We did an in-class review of what elements to include as well as the rubric to work from. We have our three key introductory sentences down and will be assembling the main ideas for the body paragraphs this week. I am really looking forward to the pearls of wisdom.
Spanish- After a quick revisit to our conjugation of regular verbs, students created a Venn diagram to practice communicating various forms of verbs and pronouns. Through this exercise they had a chance to share some of their favorite activities while learning what they have in common with those around them. The class worked exceptionally well and remained focus the entire time (which is tough after having a week off). Excellente! We are moving into adjective use and describing life at school such as class schedules, people around them, and how they feel.
Honors- We ended today with yet another cliff hanger. Soon the truth will be revealed and we will finally know what has become of poor Dr. Jekyll. In the meantime, we are analyzing our story for any shred of evidence. This week, the class will be creating and presenting graphic organizers of our four main characters. Once we finish our current chapter, "The Last Night", students will complete their written portion of the analytical process before creating their 19th century newspapers. (p.s. If you haven't had a chance, their 'wanted' posters are still on display in the class window. The suspect is still on the loose and the reward is great!)
Keep up the fantastic work, everybody!!!
Photo
Ms. Johnson
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Filling up on learning before Thanksgiving
7th Grade Language Arts
Hello, BECS.
As you well know, we have jumped feet first into our novels this month. Periods 1,2,4, and 5 are taking a walk on the wild side with Jack London's "The Call of the Wild." We are wrapping up chapter five of Buck's journey this week while discussing character development, symbols, themes and motifs in the story. Throughout our reading the students have been able to decipher the inspirations from London's own life and how they have manifested into his writing. We have also explored the Klondike Gold Rush and how people all over the world became effected by the great boomtown, Dawson City.
Assignments: While homework is generally assigned to those who do not perform in class, students have been working on their chapter packets and will be handing them in by end of week. We will also be having a quiz this week on chapter five so students are expected to keep up on their reading and participate in class discussions, as always.
7th Grade Honors
"A week afterwards Dr. Lanyon took to his bed, and in something less than a fortnight he was dead." Yes, it is true. Mr Utterson has just attended the funeral of his good friend, Dr. Lanyon, in Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." The class remains mystified about the recent events in our book but know we are inching closer to a major revelation. How exciting! Equally, so are the presentations the students have been diligently working on since last week. Each group of two was assigned a particular element of Victorian England and have put together fabulous PowerPoints to share midweek. Bravo!
Assignments: PowerPoints are due Wednesday. Presentations will be on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday we will have a chapter review followed by an exam immediately after the break.
Spanish
Me gusta montar en monopatin. If you ask your student what this means they can tell you! After two weeks of studying verbs, the students were able to create PowerPoints about themselves including all the activities they enjoy and.....not so much. It was very fun and informative.
This week we are learning conjugations of regular verbs as well as pronoun-verb relationships.
Assignments: Learning a new language is hard enough so homework is not assigned unless students are not productive during class. If work is neglected students are given a ZAP pass and are expected to finish it after school.
Hello, BECS.
As you well know, we have jumped feet first into our novels this month. Periods 1,2,4, and 5 are taking a walk on the wild side with Jack London's "The Call of the Wild." We are wrapping up chapter five of Buck's journey this week while discussing character development, symbols, themes and motifs in the story. Throughout our reading the students have been able to decipher the inspirations from London's own life and how they have manifested into his writing. We have also explored the Klondike Gold Rush and how people all over the world became effected by the great boomtown, Dawson City.
Assignments: While homework is generally assigned to those who do not perform in class, students have been working on their chapter packets and will be handing them in by end of week. We will also be having a quiz this week on chapter five so students are expected to keep up on their reading and participate in class discussions, as always.
7th Grade Honors
"A week afterwards Dr. Lanyon took to his bed, and in something less than a fortnight he was dead." Yes, it is true. Mr Utterson has just attended the funeral of his good friend, Dr. Lanyon, in Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." The class remains mystified about the recent events in our book but know we are inching closer to a major revelation. How exciting! Equally, so are the presentations the students have been diligently working on since last week. Each group of two was assigned a particular element of Victorian England and have put together fabulous PowerPoints to share midweek. Bravo!
Assignments: PowerPoints are due Wednesday. Presentations will be on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday we will have a chapter review followed by an exam immediately after the break.
Spanish
Me gusta montar en monopatin. If you ask your student what this means they can tell you! After two weeks of studying verbs, the students were able to create PowerPoints about themselves including all the activities they enjoy and.....not so much. It was very fun and informative.
This week we are learning conjugations of regular verbs as well as pronoun-verb relationships.
Assignments: Learning a new language is hard enough so homework is not assigned unless students are not productive during class. If work is neglected students are given a ZAP pass and are expected to finish it after school.
Monday, October 3, 2011
October News
Hello,
Just a quick update to all the parents and students on what is going on in the classroom and around the school. We have wrapped up our short stories ('Tell-Tale Heart', 'Gift of the Magi', and 'The Necklace') and the students have done excellent work exploring a variety of literary elements such as; imagery, inner-conflict, setting, personification and inference.
Recently, we began our lesson on point-of-view and we all (myself included) participated in one of two thrilling mock trials. We selected two classic fairy tales and turned them around to get the villain's perspective. In the end, Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Blind Mice were found guilty. Oh, how the tables have turned. Students brought is props and costumes and showed off their acting skills in our class courtroom. BRAVO! Now, we are diving deep into learning how to identify narrative perspective and create our own voice through writing. I am looking forward to all the literary merriment to come!
Some important dates and upcoming events to keep in mind are below:
-Due to conferences there will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, Oct. 14th and Monday, Oct. 17
-Harvest Hop will be Saturday, Oct. 22 nd from 4-7:30pm. WE NEED CANDY DONATIONS!!
Please have your student bring a bag of candy to homeroom so we can win an ice cream party.
-Don't forget to register to VOTE!
Just a quick update to all the parents and students on what is going on in the classroom and around the school. We have wrapped up our short stories ('Tell-Tale Heart', 'Gift of the Magi', and 'The Necklace') and the students have done excellent work exploring a variety of literary elements such as; imagery, inner-conflict, setting, personification and inference.
Recently, we began our lesson on point-of-view and we all (myself included) participated in one of two thrilling mock trials. We selected two classic fairy tales and turned them around to get the villain's perspective. In the end, Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Blind Mice were found guilty. Oh, how the tables have turned. Students brought is props and costumes and showed off their acting skills in our class courtroom. BRAVO! Now, we are diving deep into learning how to identify narrative perspective and create our own voice through writing. I am looking forward to all the literary merriment to come!
Some important dates and upcoming events to keep in mind are below:
-Due to conferences there will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, Oct. 14th and Monday, Oct. 17
-Harvest Hop will be Saturday, Oct. 22 nd from 4-7:30pm. WE NEED CANDY DONATIONS!!
Please have your student bring a bag of candy to homeroom so we can win an ice cream party.
-Don't forget to register to VOTE!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Getting into the groove...
We are now well into our third week of school and in full swing. We have finished reading "The Necklace" by Guy De Maupassant, the story of Madame Mathilde Loisel and her overwhelming desire to be accepted into Parisian aristocracy (or at least look like she does). We are now exploring the dark side in Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart."
In our writing section we have delved into the art of descriptive writing by focusing on brief moments in time. Each student has selected a busy location (airport, hospital, public pool) and recreated the sights, smells, and sounds through writing. We did a similar exercise with creating characters and the students' works were SO IMPRESSIVE!
The learning and creating is happening daily and I can't wait to see how everyone develops.
PLEASE REMEMBER: VOCAB QUIZ ON FRIDAY! :)
In our writing section we have delved into the art of descriptive writing by focusing on brief moments in time. Each student has selected a busy location (airport, hospital, public pool) and recreated the sights, smells, and sounds through writing. We did a similar exercise with creating characters and the students' works were SO IMPRESSIVE!
The learning and creating is happening daily and I can't wait to see how everyone develops.
PLEASE REMEMBER: VOCAB QUIZ ON FRIDAY! :)
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
BACK TO SCHOOL!
Welcome back!
For all students and families, new and old, allow me to be the first to welcome you back into the school year. I hope you all had a wonderful summer. Although it flew by, I am ready to get back into the groove. This is going to be a fantastic year and I am very excited to be going on this adventure with you. From creative writing, short stories, novels, and even some poetry, will be exploring all the best areas of language arts.
"Oh no! I don't have a locker!"
Don't worry about supplies and lockers, 7th graders, your teachers have you covered. On the first day we will be taking you through all the school procedures and getting you organized for the year.
For all students and families, new and old, allow me to be the first to welcome you back into the school year. I hope you all had a wonderful summer. Although it flew by, I am ready to get back into the groove. This is going to be a fantastic year and I am very excited to be going on this adventure with you. From creative writing, short stories, novels, and even some poetry, will be exploring all the best areas of language arts.
"Oh no! I don't have a locker!"
Don't worry about supplies and lockers, 7th graders, your teachers have you covered. On the first day we will be taking you through all the school procedures and getting you organized for the year.
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