Muskego Lakes 7th Grade Newsletter

October 7th - Midterm grades posted for Qt 1
October 10th - No School for students
October 15th and October 23rd - Parent/Teacher Conferences

We are a team that is student centered. We share common goals, expectations and do what it takes for the good of our students. We want all of our students to know that they are important to us and we believe in them.

7th-grade teacher would like to "Shout-out" the following students for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to learning during the month of September!

As the school year kicked off, students immediately began reviewing essential building procedures and routines. Homeroom classes featured presentations that outlined expected conduct in key locations, such as the office, hallways, buses, and library. Furthermore, Ms. Bauhs, the school's PBIS coach, gave a specific, reinforcing presentation to the entire seventh-grade cohort. This comprehensive approach ensures all students are equipped with a clear understanding of behavioral expectations campus wide, for a successful and safe academic year.

CURRENT UNIT: Ch 1 & 2 Operations of Rational Numbers

CURRENT SOFs: Problem Solving with Rational Numbers

M.7.NS.A.3 Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving the four operations with rational numbers.

In Math 7, students are working hard learning the operation of integer rules. They will be applying these rules to add, subtract, multiply & divide rational numbers. The biggest challenge for students is knowing how to subtract integers and rational numbers by “adding the opposite.” As they become solid in working with positive and negative numbers we will solve real world problems, which is SOF #1 for 7th graders. Integer test will be Thursday, October 2.

Each month students have a Monthly IXL document which lists IXL topics for each week and their due dates. In addition, the week of September 22 will begin weekly work of two iReady personal path passed lessons. These lessons are due on Sunday by 8pm. At times, there will also be a teacher assigned iReady lessons related to our current unit.

Thanks for supporting us as we work with your children each day. If you have questions about math, please send us an email.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How do we notice what's unsaid?

CURRENT SOF: RL.7.1 I can cite several pieces of text evidence to support an inference.

This month in Literacy, students began work with the SOF (Standard of Focus) RL.7.1 - I can cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as make inferences drawn from the text. Students will practice citing and choosing the BEST evidence for various short stories and story excerpts that prove given inferences. Students will also be asked to make inferences of their own as they read.

Being able to annotate a text well and for a purpose is a reading strategy that will help students to be successful readers this year and in the future. We will be working hard all year on this skill.

Weekly task lists were introduced to all students this month. All students will be assigned an independent Task list every Monday to complete throughout the week. Tasks lists will have iReady pathway lessons, IXL grammar skill practice and CommonLit texts. All work for talks lists should be completed by Sunday nights or before for a score.

Student SOF Trackers will be updated each week as students individually keep track of their progress throughout each standard we practice. Reports of their progress throughout the SOF will be sent home throughout the year as well. Ask your schild to see their recently added Fall Diagnostic data!!

CURRENT UNIT: Geography

CURRENT SOFs: SS.Geog1.a.m Use maps to ask and answer geographic questions.

This month in Social Studies, we have worked on introducing and reviewing various skills that will equip students to analyze maps, documents, and information while making claims and questions about the world around them. To demonstrate their learning, students had a summative assessment on primary vs. secondary sources and on the roles of archaeologists, anthropologists, and historians. In addition, students will be creating their own island map and an activity to see if they can survive the zombie apocalypse using maps.

Looking ahead, October will bring the start of our Ancient Rome unit. During this unit, our focus will be on the empire’s stability, expansion through conquest, the eventual fall of the empire, and influence on following societies.

Students will continue to use their Social Studies binder and handouts daily in order to organize their learning and demonstrate their understanding of topics.

CURRENT UNIT: Characteristics of Life

CURRENT SOFs:

SI.1 Plan, conduct, and evaluate an experiment.

CESI.1Determine and explain how the results of an experiment or textual information support or contradict a hypothesis or conclusion.

It’s crazy to think we are already a month into school!! Students started 7th grade science learning about the scientific method. They applied their knowledge through an egg drop. Students had to research, collaborate, and design a device to keep their egg. In Ms. Kovac’s class, only one group was able to successfully save their egg. Nice job Fiona, Ellie, and Gabby!! Then, students took their test over the scientific method. It’s our goal to give study guides a week in advance, so students have enough time to review and ask questions before the test.

Currently, we are working on learning the seven characteristics of life. Students conducted a lab with unknown substances to determine if life is present. Students were able to understand that in order for something to be considered living it has to be under the correct conditions and express all seven characteristics of life. Students were also able to demonstrate their knowledge with Martian and the Car. With the given scenario, they had to determine why Marty the Martian thought that the car was living. It was great to see everyone’s creative thinking! Students will be assessed very soon!!

Looking ahead, students will have a mini unit on microscopes, since our following unit will be cell biology. Students will have lots of hands-on opportunities with the microscope, since they will have a practical with it. SO excited!!

CURRENT UNIT: Lección preliminar

CURRENT SOFs: Interpersonal Communication: Students use the target language and cultural knowledge to negotiate meaning through the exchange of information, ideas, reactions, feelings, and opinions in spoken, written, or signed interactions relevant to their lives and broader communities.

Presentational Communication: Students use the target language and cultural knowledge to present information, concepts, and ideas on topics of relevance to their lives and broader communities to inform, explain, persuade, and narrate for diverse audiences within and beyond the learning environment.

In Spanish class we are focused on each individual students’ growth. Being willing to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them will help us become the best communicators in Spanish.

We kicked off the start of the year testing our listening skills by spelling out words and phone numbers we heard in Spanish.

Currently, students are learning how to introduce themselves and provide basic information in Spanish, including their names, how they’re feeling, where they are from, and what day it is.

Throughout this year, students will focus on three modes of communication: interpretive communication where students listen to or read Spanish and make meaning of it, interpersonal communication where students will exchange information by having brief conversations, and presentational communication where students will share information via speaking or writing.

In the middle of October students will have their first tests: the first test will be a presentational writing assessment where students will introduce themselves via writing. The second test will be an interpersonal speaking assessment where students will answer questions about themselves one on one with Mrs. Giuliani.

I’m looking forward to learning and growing alongside your child this year!

Homework Club meets after school and is available for ALL students at Muskego Lakes every Wednesday from 3:05 pm to 4:00 pm in Room 24 (Ms. Rodriguez's classroom in the 7th grade wing). Any student can attend weekly or as needed. It is a great time to get extra homework done and some homework help if needed! Students must sign in when they arrive and will need to have arranged transportation home.

Should you have any questions, please reach out to any of the 7th-grade teachers!