7 & 8 Grade Overview 2012-2013
Math
Emphasis
is on real world problem solving, meeting student’s math level needs, high
school math class placement, and high school exit exam preparedness.
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2 math groups: algebra & pre-algebra
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daily review warm-ups, direct instruction,
group problem solving, and homework practice.
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cumulative exams & concept quizzes.
Language Arts
Focus
is on writing clear, organized, and well developed stories and essays with
supportive details and clearly documented evidence. We will also examine a
variety of written genres including: historical fiction, personal narratives,
fables, Shakespeare, poetry, and response to literature.
●
writer’s workshops once a week
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literature circles & online discussion
forums
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collaborative writing and revision using
Google Documents
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publishing to online blogs
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weekly
proofreading/grammar/vocabulary/spelling mini-lessons
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independent reading journals
●
end of the year poetry slam
Current
Assignment: “Fables & Parables” (creative writing
inspired by The Alchemist, A Dark and Grimm Tale, and the Six
Pillars of Character)
Coming
Up: “Personal Narratives” (critical reading & response, Warriors
Don’t Cry, writing about autobiographical incidents, and digital
storytelling)
Looking
Ahead: “Responding to Historical Fiction” literature circles based around
novels set in the 19th century.
Science
Emphasis
is on scientific investigations, interpreting and displaying data and applying
simple mathematical relationships to motion and forces. Content will also
cover the solar system and the life of stars.
●
lab investigations
●
teacher demonstrations
●
chapter reading & outlines
Current
Assignment:
“Distance, Time, and Speed” ( energy track experiments, pipe insulation
roller coasters, & unit conversion problems)
Coming
Up: “Momentum, Inertia, & Friction” (egg parachutes)
Looking
Ahead: “Forces and Motion” (students create experiments to prove Newton's
Laws)
Social Studies
Geography includes: map
skills, orientation, topography, and regional/cultural knowledge.
U. S. History content
covers the Federal Period through Reconstruction and the turn of the 19th
century.
●
analyzing primary source documents
●
reading responses & outlining
●
historical research projects &
presentations
●
role playing
●
field trips
Current
Assignment: "Understanding the Challenges of a New
Nation”
Coming
Up: “Lewis and Clark Interpretive Signs”
Looking
Ahead: "19th Century History Detectives” (historical research and
digital story documentaries)
PE
Focus
on skills in competitive sports, rules and regulations, fitness, coordination,
and team building.
●
stretching & strengthening
●
rules and procedures
●
positive and safe play
●
non-competitive skill games and team building
activities
Current
Unit: Cooperative Games
Coming
Up: Flag Football
Looking
Ahead: Golf, Floor hockey, Nike training
Electives
●
“Garden to Table” with Ms. Leuck
●
African drumming and percussion with Laramie
Paxton
●
Spanish I with Mrs. Strasser
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Spanish II with Mr. Vack
Health & Wellness
●
School counselor, April Klingonsmith, will facilitate
bi-monthly activities on: bullying, drug
prevention, body image, dealing with stress/anger
●
Career counselor, Susi Huschle, will teach
about higher education opportunities and career exploration a couple times
throughout the year.
●
Reproductive Health Week: Taught by Planned Parenthood educators in
late April.
Class Trips
●
Family Theater Night Out: The Tempest
(end of March at North Coast Rep)
●
local History Fieldtrip to Potawat Health
Village, Blue Ox Mills, and Fort Humboldt: April or May
●
7th graders visit CR/ 8th graders visit HSU in
spring
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8th Grade Ski Trip: early April
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7th Grade Aquatics Camp: First Week in June
