7th Grade Learning Previews - September 2019

7th Grade Learning Previews - September 2019
Posted on 09/10/2019
Science: Mr. Mahoney, [email protected]

Unit: Physics: Motion, Force, and Energy

After a week or so of establishing classroom norms and expectations with seventh grade science, students will focus on understanding the processes of science and how to use the scientific method to answer their own questions in an organized and thorough way. We will begin our first unit in physics with a focus on motion, force, and energy. Our unit will kick off with a study of energy with starting lessons focused on how energy is transferred or transformed, especially heat energy. The lessons are structured with differentiation strategies and are supported with practice in doing good science and engineering. Literacy goals are also part of lessons so students will be developing some science literacy within the lessons. In the first learning set will generate original questions from observing physical phenomena, and allow students to explore the nature of energy. As the unit progresses students will have opportunities to look at other important physics concepts. Looking forward to a great year in the science classroom. Ask your student what theories they are forming around the nature of energy, and why they formed those theories.

Social Studies: Ms. Thomas, [email protected]

The first unit in 7th grade Social Studies is identity. Students will explore how they define themselves personally and in our society. In order to guide learning, students will be reading the book “Harbor Me” by Jacqueline Woodson. Through discussions, multimedia presentations, and examination of different primary and secondary sources, 7th graders will grapple with how their identity (and others) is defined. Essential questions for the unit are: Why should we learn each other’s stories? How does our identity shape the way we see ourselves? and How does our identity shape the way we see and treat others? Ask your student what the book is about and what it makes them think about.

ELA: Ms. Gonzalez, [email protected] and Ms. Dear (Harvard intern)

Unit Title: Launch Into Reading and Writing

This launch unit begins the year long theme around “Choice and Challenge.” Everything will be introduced with the purpose of exploring the reading and writing choices we will be making throughout the year and creating an environment where we can all challenge ourselves to reach reading and writing goals. In order to do this work well, I will be paying close attention to learning about each of the scholars in the classroom. I am interested in how they see themselves as readers and writers. In order to learn about their strengths and weaknesses and their experiences, I will ask each scholar to complete a Reading and Writing History poster.

As we move forward, we will be setting up routines for independent reading, writing in ELA notebooks, and doing book talks. The key skills we would like scholars to develop at this time are around establishing independent reading goals, keeping an organized ELA notebook, following a writing process,, and working in groups effectively. To support your scholar at home, check to see if they have an independent reading book and if they already know what other book they would like to read next. Keeping a list of books to read next or already having a pile of books available makes it easier to develop strong reading habits. Also, please visit this link to see what is for homework: https://sites.google.com/cpsd.us/raucgr7/homework

Math: Mrs. Tyler, [email protected]

Unit Title: Scale Drawings

The first unit of the 7th Grade Enhanced Pathway is Scale Drawings. In this unit, students learn to understand and use the terms “scaled copy,” “to scale,” “scale factor,” “scale drawing,” and “scale,” and recognize when two pictures or plane figures are or are not scaled copies of each other. They use tables to reason about measurements in scaled copies, and recognize that angle measures are preserved in scaled copies, but lengths are scaled by a scale factor and areas by the square of the scale factor. They make, interpret, and reason about scale drawings. These include maps and floor plans that have scales with and without units. Use the link below to take a look at the Family Resources for our Scaled Drawings unit provided by our curriculum, Open Up - Illustrative. The page provides definitions to key terms, an overview of the concepts taught and problems to try out with your student as we move through unit. You do not need to have an account to access the site: Open Up Resources - Grade 7 - Unit 1. In a week or so, ask your student to tell you what they’ve learned about scale drawings and when they can be useful.

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