7th Grade MP3 Campus
Monthly Progress
School Data is open on the 1st for parent reviews. These are due by the 5th. We hope the cut and paste grade level newsletter will be helpful to supplement your remote learning plan reviews. Thank you for submitting in a timely manner and if you need help, please reach out to your SLPC.
Math
Number Sense
Topics: Number Sense
Activities: This month we worked on solving problems with positive and negative numbers. Students started with a review of adding and subtracting positive and negative numbers. Then, we went over multiplying with negatives and dividing with negatives. We used Google Classroom for some of the practices, had some tasks in our class booklets, and worked word problems to practice a variety of problems with negatives. Next, we start converting fractions into decimals and percentages and vice versa.
Teacher Tip or Reflection Questions:
Teacher Info: Mrs. Alexander, halexander@meridian.wednet.edu
Language Arts
Topics: Task/Purpose/Audience, Types of Writing, Descriptive/Sensory Writing, Figurative Language, Hooks, Personal Narratives, Literacy Day Celebration
Activities: We are knee deep in narrative writing - our first writing unit of the year. In preparation for this task, we engaged in a series of mini-lessons. We started by understanding what task/purpose/audience is as it relates to writing. In table groups we wrote about the same topic but each with varying task, purpose and audience and discussed how that changes the writing. Then we examined the various types of writing we will tackle this year (narrative, argumentative, informational) and their unique components. Through a variety of activities, we learned how to include descriptive/sensory language, figurative language, and hooks to enhance our narratives. Then it was time to begin brainstorming a topic for our personal narratives. Writing, editing and sharing our work with one another has led to rich learning and fantastic stories. I’ve been so impressed with the hard work and dedication they are showing each day. For Literacy Day this year we dressed up as our favorite book characters and played some fun group games to get us warmed up for creative writing!
Teacher Tip: Our first book project of the year will be due on Wednesday, November 19. Students will select a book, read it at home, and create a project to share with classmates. This first one is optional but I was so pleased that most kids signed up to participate!
Teacher info: Rachel Oscarson, roscarson@meridian.wednet.edu
Robotics, Engineering, and Design
Topics: Path Planning, Angle Measurement, Metric Conversions, Autonomous Coding in VEX CodeIQ, Boolean Operators & Waiting vs Non-Waiting Blocks, Scientist Biographies
Activities: This month we continued the Castle Crasher Unit. We discussed and applied different options for path planning. We learned how to use a protractor to measure and angle and how to calculate the best angles for our turns. We’ve been working on using the metric system and learning unit conversions. They had their first hard dedicated coding task using the new VEX CodeIQ system and we competed for who could get their bot to autonomously knock 4 blocks off the field the fastest. Our record was 12.45 seconds! We started on Part 3 of the Castle Crasher series where we will add sensor capabilities to the bots and program the bot to find the blocks and push them off the edges of the field as fast as possible regardless of their starting position. We introduced Boolean operators and started learning more advanced code operations. I’ve also added a very short biography of a famous scientist to every class. Some we have covered so far include: Nikola Tesla, Katherine Johnson, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, and Marie Curie. Science is for everyone so knowing who some famous scientists are and where they came from and what they did helps inspire the kids.
Teacher Tip: Please make sure laptops are charged. We need laptops for coding tasks. I also emphasized for my students that I expect full participation with all of our activities. Robotics is for everyone and this is a special opportunity to discover this new field. Also, if students want to test out code from home, https://vr.vex.com/ will let them test out their code on a virtual bot.
Teacher Info: Mrs. Clayton - aclayton@meridian.wednet.edu
Social Studies
Topics: Building arguments, Scripted trial, carefully weighing evidence,
Activities: We covered so much in Mock Trials this month that I had to go back and double check my notes! Much of our work was built around crafting logical legal arguments. To help guide us through this, we started with an iCivics activity called Argument Wars. This game allowed students to try and build well-constructed legal arguments around famous Supreme Court cases. Students chose a case and read about the arguments presented from each side. Next, they were asked to evaluate the available arguments and assess whether the reasoning is sound and relevant. If they are able to choose persuasive arguments, they win the game.
After trying the simulation, students practiced how to conduct direct and cross examinations. The were able to explain a difference between Direct Examinations and Cross Examinations and identify leading questions.
Next, we began working on a multi day activity that again asked students to evaluate the arguments made in a real case. This time, we learned about a copyright infringement trial based on a real case in which the producers of James Bond films (MGM) sued Honda for creating an advertisement that had the look and the vibe of a James Bond movie. Students carefully analyzed a variety of "fair use" standards that apply to copyright law and read through a script that simulated the real arguments and process followed in a court trial. Students were super thoughtful as they weighed the evidence to determine whether or not Honda had violated copyright law and arrived at a verdict of "not guilty." By participating in a scripted trial reading, students were able identify the major components and participants in a trial and see how a jury carefully weighs evidence.
Next, students became familiar with the trial that we will be carrying out this semester. We read together through the stipulated facts for the trial and familiarized ourselves with the applicable case law. Students used a series of questions to determine which cases supported the defendant, which supported the plaintiff and how those legal precedents might inform the arguments they are planning to construct for the case of Decker v Metro City.
Teacher Tip: Ask your students about the very real case of James Bond in a Honda and how they understand copyright law!
Teacher Info: Don't hesitate to contact me if you have a question.
Jeff Caraco, jcaraco@meridian.wednet.edu
Science
Topics: Learned how to operate a microscope appropriately. Learned cell theory. Learned the characteristics of living things. Learned the components of a lab write-up (Title, Objective, Hypothesis, Materials, Procedure, Observations/Results, Conclusion). If/then statement is a great framework to create a hypothesis. Wrote and experienced a lab re-creating Robert Hooke’s discovery of the cell.
Activities: Completed a microscope lab which included viewing and drawing various specimens. Learned cell theory: 1) Every organism is made up of one or more cells 2) Cells come only from other living cells 3) Cells are the basic unit of structure and function needed to support life. Learned the characteristics of living things: Organisms take in energy, get rid of waste, move, respond to their environment, reproduce, grow, have some type of circulation, have some type of respiration. are made up of one or more cells. Wrote a lab that re-created Robert Hooke’s experience in which he first discovered and named cells. Began a fertilization lab.
Teacher Info: Mrs DeWaard, hdewaard@meridian.wednet.edu