7th Grade Parent Newsletter Principal's Message Parent engagement is an important part of success for middle schoolers. We value your collaboration with your child's learning. During next week's advisory conferences, please look for evidence about how your child is doing with the process of learning, how they are doing with engagement and motivation, their clarity about how they can continue to improve, as well as how they are performing at this moment in time. Please share with your student's advisor any concerns or questions you may still have regarding your student's experience so far this school year. If you still need to schedule a conference with your student's advisor for October 13, please contact the advisor for available times. If you would like to have a follow up conference with a core or encore teacher on October 14, the Skyward Family Access Scheduler will open on October 13 after advisory conferences. Thank you so much for your active participation and support! Distance Learning Expectations East Middle School is a PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Support) school. We ask students to show "East Mode" while in class, either on-line or in the building. "East Mode" stands for Effort, Attitude, Self-Discipline, and Trojan Pride. The PBIS project team has developed behavioral expectations for East students while they are learning from home. This matrix is intended for students and parents to provide clarity on successful behavior. Enrichment Opportunities Wayzata East now has an Enrichment Canvas page. This page houses academic enrichment opportunities that are open to all students. Check it out! Media Commons If you are looking for ideas to find a good book or want to conference on an Honor's Reading book or need to do some research for a project, please use the Media Center Canvas Course to get all the info you need! Distance Learners library book pick-up on Fridays (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.): It is important that distance learners check their Destiny account before coming to retrieve books on Fridays. After the student logs in they will see the "my info" tab. Select that tab and then confirm that the book that has been put on hold is actually checked out to the student. There will be times when the book on hold is still checked out to another student and will not be ready for pick up on the designated day. If you have other questions, please email Beth Benezra. What We've Been Working On - We spent the last two weeks adding and multiplying integers.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - How do you add and multiply integers?
What We're Working on Next - We will look at subtracting and dividing integers as well as all arithmetic properties.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - How do you subtract integers?
What We've Been Working On - Students were solving equations using legal "algebraic" moves.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - How do we know if a solved equation has one solution, no solutions, or all solutions?
What We're Working on Next - Students are making connections between TEGS--tables, equations graphs, and scenarios.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - How do we write an equation for a pattern on a table, graph and scenario?
Notes - Please remind your students to check Canvas for the work that is supposed to get done at home.
What We've Been Working On - Students began learning weekly vocabulary and D.O.L. They will have a focus each week that they will take a practice quiz in Canvas for each Friday.
- Students began learning about the six fiction signposts. These signposts are key items to make note of while reading a fiction book. The questions students ask themselves after noticing a signpost will lead them to themes, conflicts, and greater messages about the text.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Which vocabulary option are you completing each week? There is a regular and a challenge option.
- Which signpost do you feel you notice most frequently as you are reading?
What We're Working on Next - Students will finish learning about the six fiction signposts and complete an assessment showing their knowledge of the signposts in their own independent reading book.
- Students will continue to have weekly vocabulary, D.O.L., and reading expectations.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - How can you prepare for your fiction signpost assessment?
- What is the title of your current independent reading book?
Notes - Students should be reading their second independent reading book of the year to be on track. Students need to read three independent reading books per quarter.
What We've Been Working On - Students learned about different field methods scientists use to conduct experiments outside and prepared for their own investigation.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What is a field method you tried?
What We're Working on Next - Students will be conducting their experiments, preparing for their test, taking their test, and presenting their finding.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What was your investigation on?
Notes - Final presentations due October 12 and 13. Test will be given October 12 for A and October 13 for B and Distance.
What We've Been Working On - Over the past couple weeks, students have finished the Westward Expansion Unit and made the transition to the Worlds of the North and South. We are focusing on differences in terms of geography, economy, transportation, and society. We are also looking at political conflicts and compromises during the pre-Civil War time period.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What are major economical and societal differences differences between the North and South. What problems did the Missouri Compromise and Compromise of 1850 solve for the United States?... also, what were problems that each compromise created?
What We're Working on Next - We will be focusing on the Civil War Unit, which will conclude with a Civil War research project.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What were major advantages for each side in the Civil War?
- Who were important leaders during the Civil War and how was their impact important?
Notes - Students will be taking another unit exam on the Pre - Civil War unit, as well as completing a Civil War project.
What We've Been Working On - Allen: We completed the Tennis unit and ran the Endurance Test
- DeVoe: We completed the Disc Golf Unit and ran the Aerobic Capacity Pacer Test
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - How does your daily fitness warm up assist in improving your overall fitness?
What We're Working on Next - Allen: We will begin the Frisbee Golf Unit and run the Aerobic Capacity Pacer Test
- DeVoe: We will begin the Tennis Unit and run the Endurance Test.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - How can increasing the intensity of your fitness level bring you closer to your fitness goals?
Notes - Please make sure you have Fall clothes for PE, and possible light gloves/hat for the morning classes. We will be going outside for a few more weeks.
What We've Been Working On - In the past two weeks, we focused on breathing technique and correct singing poster. We worked on the vocal range and flexibility for all singers with me leading vocal exercises. We worked on proficiency with short songs by way of words and pitch recognition through solfege.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What is your favorite short song we are singing in class?
What We're Working on Next - Sight-reading, note values
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - How do you feel about note values?
What We've Been Working On - Review in Book 1 from 6th Grade
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What is something you feel more comfortable to play after reviewing it from the 6th grade book?
What We're Working on Next - Extending the range up or down
- Dotted quarter note eighth note rhythms
- Use of GarageBand to play duets with yourself
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - How do you feel about using GarageBand?
What We've Been Working On - Posture Review
- Bow Hold Review
- Rhythm Review
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Why is it important to have good playing posture and a correct bow hold?
What We're Working on Next - Bow Hold Assessment Essential Elements p. 25-29
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What things do you still need to practice on the assigned pages, and what do you need to improve on before you master it?
Notes - Students should be attending orchestra on Zoom during their scheduled class time according their Skyward schedule.
What We've Been Working On - Wood lab safety
- Start projects
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - How do you self pace your project?
What We're Working on Next - Working on individual projects
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What do you feel most accomplished about in regards to your project?
Notes - There is a $10 lab fee that can be paid through ePay. If you don't use ePay, you can send cash or check (WEMS) to turn into me. Talk with your child to see if they have started their project in class yet. If they have not, they would be considered behind. There are only 8 days of in lab worktime left.
What We've Been Working On - Over the last two weeks, we will continue to learn about careers and look at some of the possibilities out there as students get closer to deciding what they would like to do for their future. The put together a project on their Future Career.
- We have now streamlined into Personal Financing. We have talked about the differences and pros and cons of credit cards and debit cards. We have discussed the importance of being responsible with credit cards and credit scores, as well as how you can build a good credit score.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What are some of the pros and cons to credit and debit cards?
What We're Working on Next - Over the next two weeks we will talk about budgeting and how to be a responsible consumer. We will have some project that will help guide students to do this.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Do you think about what kind of financial goals you would like to have in the future?
What We've Been Working On - Classroom items and what you need in different classes
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Tell what you need in Spanish class, LA, science,...
What We're Working on Next - Speaking about classroom item needs and colors of items
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What did you ask in the speaking? How did you answer?
What We've Been Working On - We became reacquainted after a long hiatus and came to an understanding about what seminars would look like this year.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - When is your seminar time?
What We're Working on Next - We will review the stress management techniques that we briefly went over virtually last Spring.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What stresses you out and how do you manage that stress?
Distance Learning Meal Options Planning travel out of the state or country? Regardless of whether your students are attending Wayzata Public Schools through hybrid learning or through Distance Choice, the district is required to account for students. Please ensure that the Welcome Center has a copy of your family's Extended Vacation form on file prior to your travel. October Wayzata Legislative Action Committee Update The Wayzata Legislative Action Committee (LAC) held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, October 7. Jim Westrum, Executive Director of Business and Finance for Wayzata Public Schools, provided a financial update to the committee, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on district finances and additional funds received from the state and federal governments to off-set expenses related to health and safety and ensuring a high-quality education for all students. As a reminder, all seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota Senate will be up for election this year. The Wayzata LAC sent a six-question Q & A to all legislative candidates on the November 3 ballot. The responses that were received are available on the Legislative Action Committee’s webpage. To find out who represents you, what is on your ballot, and more election information, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website. The Wayzata LAC is a non-partisan group of citizens that monitors legislative activity as it affects K-12 education and advocates positions on behalf of the district. For more information, please visit the Wayzata Committees webpage or contact Sarah Stensland, your school’s Wayzata LAC representative. Parent Tool Kit: Mental Health and COVID-19 Changes in our routine, lack of control, and fear of the unknown can cause our mental health to suffer. Talking about mental health as a family can be intimidating but we’re here to help. Led by Health Educators from myHealth for Teens & Young Adults, this workshop will help you understand more about mental health and how we can support our children’s mental health and well being (as well as our own!). - Date: Thursday, October 22
- Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- Place: Online
- Cost: $0
- Learn more
Parent Tool Kit: Friendships, Relationships, and Social Distancing Friendships are incredibly important to young people. How do we help our children foster healthy friendships and connection during a time of social distancing? Join Health Educators from myHealth for Teens & Young Adults in conversation and activities to learn what we can do to help our children navigate friendships and relationships. - Date: Thursday, November 5
- Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- Place: Online
- Cost: $0
- Learn more
Tuesday, October 13, 2020 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM Wednesday, October 14, 2020 8:15 AM - 6:15 PM Tuesday, October 20, 2020 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Friday, November 6, 2020 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Monday, December 14, 2020 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Tuesday, December 15, 2020 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Thursday, October 22, 2020 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Thursday, November 5, 2020 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Wednesday, November 18, 2020 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM Monday, October 12, 2020 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Monday, October 26, 2020 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 12000 Ridgemount Avenue, Plymouth, MN 55441 | 763-745-6200 |