The Weekly Update #4

Dear Families,

Since returning from fall break, we have noticed an increase in disruptive behavior, especially during the transition from lunch and courtyard time.

Please remind your child to:

• Keep hands and feet to themselves—no hitting, pushing, kicking, jumping on classmates’ backs, or carrying other students.

• When the whistle blows, line up straight at their teacher’s assigned pole and wait for directions.

• Walk inside the school in a straight line behind their teacher.

Even playful pushing can lead to injuries or fights. Continued difficulty following these expectations may result in the loss of courtyard privileges.

We want students to enjoy courtyard time and return to class ready to learn. Their safety is our first priority. Thank you for discussing these expectations with your child and helping us keep everyone safe!

-The 7th Grade Team

🚨 HURRY! SNEED BLANKET SALE ENDS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31!

Stay cozy and show your Sneed pride! Get your 50" × 60" blanket for $35 while you can—this opportunity may not come again! Scan the flyer’s QR code to order and support SGA.

SQUIRES SUPPORT SQUIRES!

ELA: Analyze Point of View Quiz, Analyze Conflict & Characters Quiz, and Mastering Punctuation Pt. 2 Quiz (Ms. Moses and Mrs. Henry-Douglas)

ELA GT: None (Mr. Grice)

Math: None (Dr. Caballero and Mrs. Gemini)

Math GT: Thursday October 29, 2026- Module 5 assessment (Mr. Ayensu)

Science: Thursday October 29, 2026- Matter Brochure Project Due (Mrs. Magee's only)

Social Studies: Wednesday October 28, 2026- Panama Canal Quiz (Mrs. Hamby and Mr. Jordan)

This month, our word and counseling topic is Self-Awareness. Self-awareness means understanding our feelings, recognizing our strengths and areas for growth, and thinking about how our words and actions affect others. As our 7th graders become more independent, we want them to learn how to express their emotions respectfully, make thoughtful choices, and ask for help when they need it.

You can help your child practice self-awareness by encouraging them to reflect on their day. Ask questions such as, “What went well today?” “What was challenging?” and “How did you respond when you felt frustrated?” Remind your child that everyone has areas where they can improve. Recognizing those areas and setting small goals are important steps toward growth.

October is also Bullying Prevention Month. This is an opportunity to remind students that their words and actions matter—in person and online. We encourage students to show kindness, respect differences, include others, and think before speaking, posting, or sharing a message. A comment that seems funny to one person may be hurtful to someone else.

Please remind your child to speak with a trusted adult if they experience or witness bullying. Students can seek support from their school counselor, a teacher, an administrator, or a parent or guardian. Reporting a concern is an important way to help keep themselves and others safe. Students can also support a classmate by inviting them to join an activity, checking on them, and helping them connect with an adult.

At home, keep the conversation going! Ask your child what kindness looks like at school, how they can help someone feel included, and what they would do if they saw someone being mistreated. Together, we can help our 7th graders build confidence, take responsibility for their choices, and make Sneed Middle School a welcoming place for everyone.

Thank you, parents and guardians, for working alongside us. Every day in school is another opportunity for your child to learn, connect, and succeed.

Stay Connected: Contact Me!

Ms. Kristina Sanders- kristina.sanders@fsd1.org

This Week's Message From Our English/Language Arts (ELA) Team

Text: Ball Hawk- Unit 5- Game On

Topics of Focus:
1. Analyzing Point of View in Literary Texts
2. Analyzing Conflict and Character in Narrative Texts
3. Mastering Punctuation Marks

Standards Addressed:
- ELA.7.AOR.3.1:
- a. Explain the influence of a narrator(s), including an unreliable narrator(s), and/or narrative shifts in point of view.
- b. Analyze how an author uses point(s) of view to develop and contrast the perspectives of different characters.
- ELA.7.AOR.9.1: Apply knowledge of affixes and Greek and Latin roots to determine new and/or clarify precise meanings of words and phrases in grade-level content.
- ELA.7.AOR.1.1: Analyze how lines of dialogue, specific events, or descriptive details develop the plot, reveal aspects of the characters, and/or create meaning.

End of Week Assessments:
- Analyze Point of View Quiz
- Analyze Conflict & Characters Quiz
- Mastering Punctuation Pt. 2 Quiz

Stay Connected: Contact Us!

Ms. Brenda Moses- bjmoses@fsd1.org

Mrs. Verna Henry-Douglas- vhenrydouglas@fsd1.org

Hello Families,

Character motivation and Plot:

ELA.7.AOR.1.1 Analyze how lines of dialogue, specific events, or descriptive details develop the plot, reveal aspects of the characters, and/or create meaning.

There are no assessments scheduled at this time.

At home: Families can support learning at home by asking their child to share their writing and explain how their characters respond to challenges in the story.

Important Reminders:

• 💻 Bring a charged Chromebook and all class supplies every day.
• 📝 Complete and turn in assignments on time.
• 📖 Read for at least 20 minutes each night.

Thank you for continuing to encourage your student to work hard and give their best each day!

Stay Connected: Contact Me!

Mr. Jeffrey Grice- jegrice@fsd1.org

State Standard(s):

7.PAFR.3.3 Recognize that algebraic expressions may have a variety of equivalent forms and determine an appropriate form for a given real-world situation.

7.PAFR.3.1 Simplify numerical expressions that include integer exponents using the laws of exponents: the Product of Powers, Quotient of Powers, Power of a Power, Power of a Product, Power of a Quotient, Zero Power, and Negative Exponent.

.

Performance-Based Objective (PBO):

Students will simplify numerical expressions involving integer exponents using the laws of exponents and recognize equivalent algebraic expressions to determine the most appropriate form for mathematical and real-world situations.

Important Reminders:

Module Test 4: Nov 4 (Wednesday)

Please watch the videos discussion below for our upcoming lessons in Math this week.

Stay Connected: Contact Us!

Dr. Thommy Caballero- tcaballero@fsd1.org

Mrs. Richa Gemini-rgemini@fsd1.org

SOUTH CAROLINA STANDARDS

7.PAFR.3.2, and 7.PAFR.3.4

Performance-Based Objective (PBO)

Students will combine like terms, use the distributive property correctly when subtracting expressions, and explain equivalent forms. Aim: at least 80% accuracy on independent practice.

Learning Focus

Monday Oct 26 Add expressions — Six addition items; context task; exit ticket

Tuesday Oct 27 Subtract expressions — Six subtraction items; error analysis; exit ticket

Wednesday Oct 28 Add and subtract in context — Two application tasks; explanation; exit ticket

Friday Oct 30 Module 5 assessment review on Equivalent expressions review— Mixed practice; two error analyses; exit ticket

Thursday Oct 29 Module 5 assessment and reflection — Module 5 assessment; correction reflection

This week students build on expanding and factoring by adding and subtracting algebraic expressions. They will use these skills in perimeter and cost problems, then show their understanding in a THURSDAY assessment.

Assessment & Important Reminder

Thursday, October 29: Module 5 expression skills assessment. Students will complete a correction reflection afterward. Class practice and targeted small groups take place during the week; no homework is required.

How Families Can Support Learning at Home

Khan Academy: search “combining like terms” and “distributive property” in Grade 7 algebra. YouTube: search for a short teacher-approved lesson on subtracting algebraic expressions. Ask your child to explain why (5x+2) − (x−3) equals 4x+5, and how to check by substituting x=2. Ten minutes of explanation and correction is more useful than copying answers.

Thank you for your continued support in helping your child succeed. I look forward to another great week of learning!

Stay Connected: Contact Me!

Mr. Daniel Ayensu- dayensu@fsd1.org

Standard:

7-PS1-1. Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures.

7-PS1-2. Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.

PBOs:

Students will observe the mass and volume of substances in order to correctly calculate their density.

Students will calculate the density of substances in order to determine if they will sink or float.

Announcements:

This week, we will focus on the physical property of density and how it determines sinking and floating. Also, the Matter Brochure Project for Mrs. Magee's class is due by Thursday 10/29. Finally, we will begin reviewing for our upcoming Matter Test this week. We will take the test next week on Wednesday (11/4).

Please watch the video discussion below for our upcoming lessons in Science this week.

Stay Connected: Contact Us!

Mrs. Stacy Magee- smagee@fsd1.org

Ms. Ma Mely Castneda- mcastaneda@fsd1.org

South Carolina State Standard(s):

7.5.4.HS :South Carolina 7th Grade Social Studies – Compare and contrast the dynamic physical and human conditions that lead to the creation of ethnic, gender, language, and religious landscapes of North American societies.

Performance-Based Objective (PBO):

Monday & Tuesday: Students will analyze the culture, landscape, and people of Mexico and the Caribbean by completing a worksheet that explores ethnic groups, languages, religions, and geographic features. They will use this information to compare and contrast Mexico and the Caribbean with other North American societies and demonstrate their understanding by completing a quiz on the physical and human characteristics of these regions.

Wednesday-Friday: Independent Practice: Students will independently research their assigned country and create a Canva brochure for the Caribbean and Central America Project. Students will organize information in their own words, analyze a population pyramid, and explain the country’s relationship with the United States. They will use the project checklist to monitor progress and ensure all requirements are completed before submitting their brochure.

Reminders (Upcoming Assessments or Tests):

Wednesday- October 28- Panama Canal Quiz

Thursday- November 5, 2026- Caribbean and Central America Brochure Due

Thursday- November 5, 2026- Unit 3 Module Test

How Can You Support Your Child's Learning at Home? 😀

We are continuing our Unit 3: North America! Students are learning about the physical features, climate, regions, and countries of North America. Students should use the Unit 3 Wayground for extra practice and review as we work toward our Unit Module Test, with a goal of scoring 80% or higher.

Please watch the videos discussion below for our upcoming lessons in Social Studies this week.

Stay Connected: Contact Us!

Mrs. Bernetta Hamby- bhamby@fsd1.org

Mr. Harrison Jordan- hjordan@fsd1.org

The Squire Standard

"Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best."

— Dr. Jeffery Gaines
Principal, Henry L. Sneed Middle School