7th Grade Parent Newsletter Principal's Message The transition to distance learning for the hybrid groups this past week has been largely successful. Thank you to all the families that continue to support the schools and provide the appropriate learning environment for their children as they learn from home. I would like to highlight our annual Giving Tree drive that is going on now at East Middle School. Gift card donations are being collected in the front vestibule of the building. The donations will be distributed to families in need who have children enrolled at East Middle School. Gift cards will be accepted through Friday, December 11. Stay safe and well. Giving Tree Are you looking to make a difference in the lives of others this holiday season? Our East Giving Tree program is a wonderful opportunity to help families right here in our community. As you know, the holidays can be a time of excitement and celebrations, but for many of our families it is a time of added stress and limited resources. If you would like to help, please purchase gift cards at Target or Cub and drop them off in our Giving Tree Box in the front vestibule at East by December 11. The vestibule will be open between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on school days. The gift cards will be distributed and delivered to our families in need. All donations will be anonymous. If you have any questions about the Giving Tree program, please contact Kern Wilson at 763-745-6231 or Jessica Morales at 763-745-6218 in the Student Services office. Thank you for making a difference! Student/Family Support During Distance Learning If your student or family needs extra support (academics, SEL/mental health, resources), please feel free to contact our counselor, Kern Wilson or our social worker, Jessica Morales. Students and families can reach out via email or phone and Mr. Wilson or Ms. Morales can set up meetings via Zoom if necessary. Kern Wilson (7 and 8th grade): 763-745-6231 or Kern.Wilson@wayzataschools.org Jessica Morales (6th grade): 763-745-6218 or Jessica.Morales@wayzataschools.org A good resource for parents to have in order to support their child's academic success is the Skyward Missing Assignment Notification. The notifications are sent to parents every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Please follow these instructions to turn this feature on in Skyward Family Access. Media Center Media Center and Book Checkout - All Students During distance learning, books will be available for check out and pick up from the Media Center. To put books on hold, students should follow the instructions in the video provided in the East Media Canvas course. The books will be set out on tables in the front entryway of the main entrance to the building and available for pick up on regular school days between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Please check Destiny to make sure that the book(s) are checked out to the student before coming to pick them up. To do this, the student will log into Destiny and 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 available yet. If you have any questions, please email Beth Benezra. Enrichment Opportunities East now has an Enrichment Canvas page. This page houses academic enrichment opportunities that are open to all students. Our newest offerings include: - Northwestern Center for Talent Development
- Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth
What We've Been Working On - Students were analyzing proportional relationships using graphs, tables, equations and scenarios.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - How can we tell from a table and graph whether or not they represent a proportional relationship?
What We're Working on Next - Students will be simplifying algebraic expressions.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Simplify the algebraic expression: 3 (x - 8) + (-8x) - (-5) + 4x
Notes - Please encourage your child to have all their materials (pencil, calculator, notebook, etc.) nearby for their Zoom calls. Also remind them to check Skyward for missing work. Thanks.
What We've Been Working On - Students were creating and analyzing tables, equations, graphs and scenarios of linear relationships.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What does the b in y=mx+b represent on the graph?
What We're Working on Next - Student will begin by solving two variable equations for a particular variable, then learning how write and solve equations for word problems.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What does it mean to define a variable?
Notes - Please encourage your child to have all their materials (pencil, calculator, notebook, etc.) nearby for their Zoom calls. Also remind them to check Skyward for missing work. Thanks.
What We've Been Working On - Before Thanksgiving break, students worked on the ending of their realistic fiction story, and they revised and peer edited it. They turned in the final draft on November 20.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Using the rubric, how would you score your realistic fiction story?
- What is your favorite part of your story?
What We're Working on Next - We will begin the next unit "Bold Actions," which will include the reading of The Outsiders. Students will take a pre-assessment on the standards we'll be covering in this unit, be introduced to the story, and learn about story elements setting, plot, and conflict. Students should be through chapter six by December 10.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - How do you personally connect to the story The Outsiders?
- What is the exposition of the story?
- What standards are your areas of growth based on your pre-assessment?
What We've Been Working On - Students finished their cells unit, project, and test.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What was the most interesting cell city project you saw and why?
What We're Working on Next - Students will be learning about how the human body is organized, the functions and parts of body systems (including the reproductive system), and how all of these systems work together to help us survive.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - How is the body organized from smallest to largest pieces?
Notes - Human body test will open December 22 and must be completed by December 23.
What We've Been Working On - We have finished the Reconstruction Era and have taken two assessments (Unit Final & an Evidence Based Essay).
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - In your opinion, was Reconstruction a success or failure? What kind of evidence supports your claim?
What We're Working on Next - Before winter break we will be looking at conflicts in the west, second industrial revolution, and immigration.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Who were major Native American leaders in the west?
- What actions did the United States take in the conflicts in the west?
- What were the successes and failures of the the second industrial revolution?
Notes - Please continue to check Skyward for missing or incomplete work. Thank you for all the support on the home front!
What We've Been Working On - Completed a health unit. The health unit covered: health triangle, self-image, decision making, and nicotine. The homework during the health unit included a health survey, a working document about our in class health lectures, and a health quiz.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What are the 3 C's when it comes to decision making?
What We're Working on Next - The next two weeks will be a focus on personal fitness. Information covered will include components of fitness (health & skill).
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What are 3 of the 5 health-related components of fitness?
Notes - For upcoming Zoom PE/Health classes on Wednesdays or Thursdays students will need some space for movement, they should be wearing athletic clothing, some type of resistance (light weights if possible) and have a water bottle. Please reach out to the teacher with specific questions.
What We've Been Working On - The class worked on labeling solfege in the short folk songs introduced at the beginning of the year. Progress was made in the choir songs for each grade.
- We reviewed both the major and minor scales.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - How do you feel about labeling solfege?
What We're Working on Next - We will continue to label solfege, work on choir songs in each class, and intervals.
- Sight Reading Factory assignments
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Do you know what an interval is?
What We've Been Working On - Syncopation rhythms
- GarageBand duets
- Beginning of Book 2
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Do you like using GarageBand? Why?
What We're Working on Next - New Virtual Concert Song
- Section songs
- Recording into GarageBand and SmartMusic
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Is SmartMusic working for you? Do you like it?
What We've Been Working On - Upbeats
- F Naturals, C Naturals
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - How does changing finger patterns affect the notes you play?
What We're Working on Next - F natural/C natural
- C Major
- G Major
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - How does playing in a new key signature affect your finger pattern?
Notes - Students should be practicing on non-orchestra days for 20 minutes.
What We've Been Working On - Graphic Design
- Project Selection
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What is Graphic Design and why is it important?
What We're Working on Next - Cornell Note Taking
- Machine Safety
- Starting Projects December 14
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Why is it important to take notes while watching a technical video?
Notes - There is a $10 lab fee that is associated with making the projects. The fee can be paid online using ePay on the East website. If there is a financial hardship, please send an email to Terri Bostrom.
- Project pick up is December 10 and 11. Please look for an email from me so you can fill out the form on what works best for you to pick it up.
What We've Been Working On - Over the last two weeks we have spent the time getting to know one another. We have went over classroom rules and expectations. We are entering into our career unit where we are talking about learning traits and styles as well as identifying possible career choices that are fitting.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Do you know how to navigate through your Canvas page for FCS?
What We're Working on Next - Over the next 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 students will be putting together a project on their Future Career. After we finish with Careers we will move into Personal Financing.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What future career are you thinking about pursuing?
What We've Been Working On - Introduce food vocabulary and say what I eat/drink/prefer
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Say a sentence about your 5 favorite foods/drinks from the words you know.
What We're Working on Next - Eugene: Ask and answer about food preferences
- Rudolph: Say what I and one person do with foods
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Eugene: Ask me a question about foods, then say the answer
- Rudolph: Say 3 things you do with foods (I ...)
What We've Been Working On - We have completed the first 5 stress management techniques.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What stress management technique do you think will work best for you?
What We're Working on Next - We will take a week off to practice our team work and logic solving skills to complete a digital breakout box. We will then move on to perfectionism as it is precipitated by our selves, others and society.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - How are you influenced by perfectionism?
COVID-19 Resources for Support Culinary Express Meal Updates for December As we transition to all distance learning we are also making some changes to distance learning day meals. We are adding weekend meals to the bundles, adding more pick up sites and opening up the meals to anyone 18 years of age and under. Weekly registration is still required through Nutrislice! You will no longer need a PIN to register for a Nutrislice account, but the weekly orders must still be placed. Pick-Up Schedule and Ordering Information for December Thank a Teacher this holiday season with a bundt cake! Want a fun way to honor your child’s teacher and support a good cause? Show your support and say thank you to Wayzata Public Schools' teachers and staff with a donation to the Wayzata Education Fund. Each donation made in honor of a teacher or staff until December 18 will include a special certificate of thanks from you, and every donation of $25 or more will come with a bundlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes. We’ve always known that we have the greatest staff around, but this year it has been more evident than ever! Whether they’ve helped make a difference in-person or virtually, show your appreciation by participating in our Thank a Teacher program. Cakes and certificates will be delivered as long as it is safe to do so. If deemed unsafe, certificates will be emailed and cakes will be delivered at a later date. 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, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Place: Online
- Cost: Free
- Learn more
Financial assistance is available or call 763-745-5200 for more information. Tuesday, February 9, 2021 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Wednesday, February 10, 2021 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday, February 11, 2021 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM Friday, February 12, 2021 8:15 AM - 4:15 PM Friday, March 12, 2021 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Friday, March 19, 2021 10:10 AM - 12:10 PM Thursday, January 14, 2021 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tuesday, January 19, 2021 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Wednesday, January 20, 2021 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Thursday, January 21, 2021 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Tuesday, January 26, 2021 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Monday, December 7, 2020 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Monday, December 14, 2020 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM 12000 Ridgemount Avenue, Plymouth, MN 55441 | 763-745-6200 |