7th Grade Parent Newsletter Principal's Message ln college, my professor challenged us to brush our teeth each morning with our non-dominant hand for one week. This exercise was challenging, awkward, frustrating and time consuming, but as some of us persevered, it became easier. This fall, it feels like we all are brushing our teeth with our non dominant hand. Everything is unfamiliar, slow, and at times frustrating. However, if we persist we will develop new skills and the flow and competence will be found. The pattern of learning in a hybrid or distance format requires a deeper understanding of the learning process. When a teacher introduces a new concept or skill, our brains naturally try to connect this new concept to what we already know. In order to retain this new information, our brains must repeatedly make these connections (practice). When we are receiving live instruction, our attention must be peaked and ideas being learned must have clarity. The next step in the learning process is to practice this idea. Teachers create plans for their students to do just this on the asynchronous (remote) days. It is critical that students engage in this practice so they can join class the following day ready to engage in the next step of the learning progression. It is this process over time that results in knowledge and skills. This is a challenge in the middle of a pandemic where we are all living life with our non dominant skills. But if we are intentional about our practice and understanding and supportive of each other, we will prevail and continue to be a model of excellence among learning communities. Absence Requests If your child will be absent from school, either partial or all day, please contact the Attendance Office at 763-745-6255 or request the absence through Skyward Family Access. Do not call or email your child's teachers. Absence requests are still required for students who are distance learning, both full distance and students who are learning from home on their non-cohort day. Please contact Beth Dahl with any questions. A reminder to families that attendance for virtual music class is required. We have had a higher rate of student absences for music class. We want to provide clarity and reiterate that music class attendance is required in order to prevent an unexcused absence. Yearbook Yearbook Club will be starting Monday, November 2 at 8:15 a.m. via Zoom. If you are interested, please email Mrs. Bostrom and she will send you an application. Yearbooks are now available to order through Jostens. The cost is $33.00. Enrichment Opportunities Wayzata East now has an Enrichment Canvas page. This page houses academic enrichment opportunities that are open to all students. Check out the newest additions: - Minnesota History Day
- Scholastic Writing Awards
- Ecology Science Fair
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 is every Friday (10:00 a.m. - 1:00 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 took an assessment over unit 2 which covered adding and multiplying integers.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Do you know how to add and multiply integers?
What We're Working on Next - Subtraction and division of integers
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What happens if you subtract a negative?
What We've Been Working On - Students represented linear scenarios, tables, and equations with PLEASE graphs.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What does PLEASE stand for in regards to coordinate graphing?
What We're Working on Next - Students will be using equations to solve word problems.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What does it mean to "define your variables?"
Notes - Students should check their homework with the answer keys from Canvas Modules--HW Answers and Resources.
What We've Been Working On - The last two weeks we have been wrapping up the signpost unit. Students had a signpost assessment that was to be completed right before MEA break.
- From there, we have started our new unit on writing realistic fiction. Students have started brainstorming ideas on what they will write about and submitted a one sentence summary to Canvas on their topic.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - How did you do on your signpost assessment? Were there any areas to improve on?
- What is your realistic fiction story about?
What We're Working on Next - These next two weeks we will be digging deeper into the writing of realistic fiction. Students will begin by writing the exposition and think of ways they can grab their reader's attention. From there they will create an inciting incident and take their writing from 2D to 3D. They will also work on adding character details, dialogue, sensory details, and transitions into their writing.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - How does your realistic fiction story begin?
- What is your inciting incident?
- What makes your character interesting?
- What did you edit/add in order to show, not tell, the reader something?
Notes - Independent Reading book #2 due 10/23; Independent Reading book #3 due 11/12
What We've Been Working On - Students finished their outdoor inquiry unit, presented their information, and took a test.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What surprised you about your research?
What We're Working on Next - Students will learn all about chemistry: Atoms, elements, molecules, compounds, the periodic table, chemical reactions, and chemical equations.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - How are atoms, elements, molecules, and compounds connected?
Notes - Chemistry test October 28 (A), October 29 (B) and November 4 (Distance)
What We've Been Working On - We have recently completed the Antebellum Unit Assessment. Please look at Skyward for results.
- We have also started the Civil War Research project. This is a very fast paced project and will be completed within two weeks. So, please continue using Skyward to check on updates and progress on the project.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What event/problem do you feel had the greatest impact leading to the Civil War?
- What is your Civil War Project topic?
What We're Working on Next - We will be finishing up the Civil War Research project focusing on the causes and effects of the topic. The project will consist of creating a website focusing on the causes and effects of the topic.
- After we are finished with the project we will begin our Reconstruction Unit.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What are three causes of your topic and three effects of your topic?
- What actions did the United States government take to create more equal rights for citizens? How did the South undermine these actions?
What We've Been Working On - Over the past two weeks both classes finished the PACER mile endurance run fitness tests.
- In addition, Mr. DeVoe's classes started a tennis unit and Mrs. Allen's classes started a disc golf unit.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What did you learn about pacing yourself or conserving energy for either one of your running tests?
What We're Working on Next - Over the next two weeks both classes will finish their respective PE units.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What is something you find easy with tennis or disc golf? What is something you find difficult?
Notes - Make sure students are prepared for outdoor activity (hats, gloves, jackets). PE will try to be outside as much as possible over the next two weeks.
What We've Been Working On - In the last two weeks, students were assigned an assessment on posture and the major scale using handsign solfege. This was material we had been revisiting since the first week of classes.
- Another concept we focused on was rhythm and note values. Students became familiar with different rhythmic patters.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - How do you clap this rhythmic pattern: two quarter notes, two eighth notes, one quarter rest, two eighth notes, two eighth notes, one quarter note?
What We're Working on Next - Note recognition in both the treble and bass clef
- What notes are on the lines and what notes are on the spaces
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Where are you needing the most assistance on in choir? Would you like to schedule a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Hagen?
What We've Been Working On - Single eighth notes and rests
- GarageBand -recording yourself
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Do you like using GarageBand?
What We're Working on Next - Dotted quarter note eighth notes
- Recording an ensemble in GarageBand on my iPad
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Do you think it is going to be easy to record an ensemble in GarageBand?
What We've Been Working On - Bow Hold/Motion Review and Assessment
- G String Notes
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What is the hardest part about reading G-string notes for you, and how can you improve on it?
What We're Working on Next Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - How do slurs change how music can sound?
Notes - Students need to have a designated practice space at home with a supportive chair and music stand for class.
What We've Been Working On - Working on Individual projects
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What do you feel most accomplished about in regards to your project?
What We're Working on Next - Working on Individual projects to be completed by Nov. 11/12
- Project Assessment and Reflection
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Why is it important to reflect on your project?
Notes - Please remind your child to read ahead in the directions, watch the needed videos, take Cornell notes and quizzes, if needed. There is not time during class when they are at school.
- 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. There are only 6 days of in lab worktime left.
What We've Been Working On - Over the last two weeks, we have been working on budgeting. Students have a budget sheet where they are tracking their gross, net and monthly wage. They are looking at typical expenditures that they will have when they have finally left the nest. We have looked at average costs and done some research to find how much homes, cars, insurance, taxes and daily items cost. Students have also put their budgeting skills to the test buy making some financial decisions when buying clothes.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Where you able to stay within your monthly income budget?
What We're Working on Next - We will be finishing up our personal finance unit with a wardrobe assignment. They will see if they can stay within their budget when designing their outfits. We will have our first unit test. This test will be on personal financing.
- After we finish with personal financing we will be moving on to our last unit Foods!
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Do you normally cook at home?
What We've Been Working On - Eugene: where items are located in the classroom
- Rudolph: preparing for a Speaking Assessment
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Eugene: say where items are located in a classroom
- Rudolph: What questions will you ask on the Speaking Assessment? How will you answer them?
What We're Working on Next - Eugene: Ask about where items are located in the classroom
- Rudolph: Speaking Assessment, then more location in classroom
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Eugene: What questions can you ask about where things are located in a classroom?
- Rudolph: How did you do on the Speaking Assessment? Say where items are located in a classroom.
What We've Been Working On - Reviewing stress management techniques
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What stress management technique are you becoming an expert in?
What We're Working on Next - We will group share the stress management techniques.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What technique have learned that you think would work best for you?
PTO Board Meeting Thank you to all who participated in our restaurant night fundraiser and who may have used AmazonSmile during Prime Days! Please mark your calendars and join our PTO Board Meeting next Tuesday, October 27 at 9:30 a.m. The PTO Board is in need of volunteers to fill the roles of Secretary and Hospitality Chair. Please contact us to sign up or learn more. Distance Learning Meal Options Stay Home When Ill and Be Prepared to Quarantine It is important to be prepared as we begin the new school year in the midst of a pandemic. Our new reality will require students, families and staff to check daily for symptoms and stay home if you are ill. If you or someone in your family is ill, please reference the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Decision Tree document to learn what your next steps should be. Report any student absences into Skyward Family Access, specifying if the absence is COVID-19 related. Our school nurses will follow up with any COVID-19 related cases. If you are tested for COVID-19, even if you feel well, it is important that you remain home and away from others until you receive the results. Everyone must be prepared to stay home and quarantine for up to two weeks if you become ill with or are exposed to COVID-19. We know being quarantined for two weeks will be extremely challenging, but it is absolutely necessary to stop the spread of the virus. Learn how you can prepare for a possible quarantine. Our nurses will be working closely with MDH to notify students and staff as soon as possible if you have been exposed to COVID-19 at school. Always answer your phone if MDH is calling. If you have questions, please contact the licensed nurse at your school. More detail and helpful information can also be found on our Wayzata Learns webpage. 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 Brian Combs, your school’s Wayzata LAC representative. Wayzata Spirit Avenue Wayzata High School and Wayzata Community Ed are inviting you to a socially distant, drive-thru event called Wayzata Spirit Avenue! This community celebration will be held as a culminating event to Homecoming Week. Guests will drive their vehicles on a set route on the high school campus that will feature a variety of Wayzata High School student organizations performing or entertaining guests with creative, spirit-filled displays. - Date: Saturday, October 24
- Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- Place: Wayzata High School
- Cost: $0
- Learn more
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
Friday, November 6, 2020 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 18, 2020 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Thursday, November 19, 2020 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Monday, December 14, 2020 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Tuesday, December 15, 2020 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Thursday, December 17, 2020 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday, November 5, 2020 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Wednesday, November 18, 2020 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM Monday, October 26, 2020 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM 12000 Ridgemount Avenue, Plymouth, MN 55441 | 763-745-6200 |