The 7th Grade Buzz has moved!

Please go to the home of the new 7th Grade Buzz at:  http://7thgradebuzz.weebly.com/

Spanish Homework for the break

For Spanish record all meals.snacks/desserts with times from Saturday through Wednesday. All entries must be entered in Spanish. 

History Exhibition schedule

	8th grade room	6th grade room	Spanish room
8:45-9:15	Nathan	Zoe Grace	Felipe
9:15-9:45	Mark	JP	Adrian
9:45-10:15	Isaac	Nicole A	Phoebe
10:15-10:45	Breanna	Max	Aaron

Exhibitions and Midterms

In the winter, all parents are invited to exhibitions (The History Exhibition will be held on February 17th in the morning, a more detailed schedule will be available soon). This is an ideal time to see what's going on at school. In addition, where there is an academic concern, parents will receive midterm notes which will be sent out next week. If you do not receive a midterm, this means that things are going well, but, as always, parents should not hesitate to email or request a meeting whenever there is a question.

Math Update

In math, Seventh graders have been reviewing fractions to build a stronger understanding of factors and simplification techniques.  They are also working on more profound understanding of fraction/decimal/percentage equivalents.  This week and next, they will put those skills to use to solve equations and evaluate expressions as part of their Pre-Algebra skill set.  

On top of all this, students are working on their I Love Math Day questions which incorporate arithmetic, algebra and logic.  So far students have turned in some outstanding work that demonstrate their ability to clearly and accurately solve complex math problems.  Persistence and creativity are being built!

Reminder: History Exhibition 2011 Presentation

The History Exhibition will be held on the morning of February 17th.  Students will research historical inventions/discoveries and trace its impact throughout history until modern times.  All the 7th graders have chosen a topic so parents please ask your child about their invention/discoveries.  If there are any questions please email me.

Updated Basketball Practice Schedules

Junior Team: 

Practice:  Thursdays (only),  3:15 - 4:15 PM

Coaches:  Nick Lannon & Ben Xavier
 

Nick Lannon is the rector at Grace Van Viorst Church, who has been at our school as a visitor, guest, and baccalaureate speaker.  Ben Xavier, father of Angus and Zachary, is also serving as coach.

Senior Team:

Coach:  Ben Kaufmann

Practice:   

Thursdays, 4:30 - 5:30 PM  & Tuesdays, 5:50 - 7:00 PM

Ben, the father of Jonathan and Eliot, when talked about by his children is most often remembered for his marathons, but has been a life long fan and player of basketball, along with his children.  Ben has been involved with Mustard Seed as a parent for more than six years and, as a parent, has frequented many games and field trips and more. 

 

Girls' Team:

Coach:  William Mirlas

Assistants:  Ashley & Stacey Sweeney

Practice: Thursdays (only),  5:30 - 6:30

Last year, the Hoboken league started its first year of girls' basketball in order to increase the number of girls playing basketball.  We did not know until the last minute that we had a coach who would support the girls' team.  William Mirlas, father of Jacob and Devin, will be coaching the girls' team this year.

Note:  All players must register with the Hoboken Recreation Department, provide them with emergency contact information, and pay the designated fee. The forms were sent home.  Fees and forms are due on Friday. 

2011 History Exhibition

Choose an invention/discovery from one of the civilizations that we have or will be studying that you think has been the most influential. You will describe the invention/discovery and its influence through history until the present time. Please provide at least 3 specific examples plus a modern day example. You will also create a power point/webpage that will showcase your presentation. All inventions/discoveries must have been invented/discovered before 476 AD (the fall of the Roman Empire).

Basketball Games Starting--Come Support MSS!

Basketball games begin this week.  Check out the schedule below and find a date when you can come cheer the teams on! All Games Played Mondays and Tuesday will be at the Multi Service Center (124 Grand Street). All Games Played Wednesdays and Fridays will be at Wallace School (1100 Willow Ave). Grammar (Grades 6-8): Friday, January 7, 6:15PM:            MSS vs. HCA* Tuesday, January 11, 7:15PM:        MSS vs. Hoboken Charter Monday, January 24, 6:15PM:        MSS vs. Hudson Monday, January 31, 6:15PM:        MSS vs. Stevens Co-op Wednesday, February 2, 7:15PM:   MSS vs. Elysian Charter Wednesday, February 9, 7:15PM:   MSS vs. Hudson Friday, February 11, 6:15PM:         MSS vs. HCA Wednesday, February 16, 6:15PM:  MSS vs. All Saints Monday, February 28, 7:15PM:       MSS vs. Elysian Charter Wednesday, March 2, 6:15PM:        MSS vs. Hoboken Charter Monday, March 7, 6:15PM:             MSS vs. Stevens Co-op Friday, March 11, 6:15PM:             MSS vs. All Saints *Hoboken Catholic Academy

Winter Term

As we begin the winter term, new things are happening.  Here are some brief descriptions:

Geography Bee!
 The final National Geographic Geography Bee round takes place this Friday at 2:00 PM in the Community Room.  In December, ten students in grade 4 through 8 qualified to participate in the final rounds.  Adrian Voysey and Isaac Parker will be representing the Seventh Grade.  This Friday, a single finalist will be determined, a student who will then complete a written test as a part of a statewide competition.


Ancient Civilizations -  
As we enter the winter term, students look at Ancient China,  the Ancient Nubian empire, and Ancient India, exploring and noting the ways in which ancient stories and traditions touch the present.  Soon, students will give particular attention to ancient history-changing inventions, such as the invention of writing, paper, law, alphabets and numerical systems, and more.

Astronomy -
In the winter term, we will also be exploring the wonders of the Universe, recalling the lessons from ancient star maps and charts, as well as current photography and texts.  From planets to black holes, comets to supernovas, students will learn the simple and complex science behind the wonders of creation.


Drawing and Abstract Art-
Students are exercising their drawing skills on the subject of still life. As with any skill, drawing can be frustrating but improves with practice. The students will take their flower drawings and transform them into an abstract work of art in the style of Mondrian. To do this we will explore balance within our drawings as well as study Mondrian's use of line and color.

I Love Math !
I Love Math Day (February 14) is right around the corner. Between now and then, students in all three grades will be working on 4 challenging problems for about one week each.  They will work in teams.  The problems require teamwork, cooperation, persistence, creativity and lots and lots of problem solving strategies.  Each team will be presenting their thinking, their work and their solutions (when they have one) in creative ways to demonstrate their understanding.  

Pre-Algebra
January begins with a review of fractions, mixed numbers, decimals and percentages. Students will connect this review to the new skills learned last fall:

--solving equations that involve fractions and decimals
--evaluating algebraic expressions with rational numbers
--developing proficiency with positive and negative rational numbers
--using fractions and decimals to solve geometry problems

Literature, Writing, and Language Arts -

• High Volume Reading - Students continue to press forward to increase their volume of reading each week.  As always, each student reads a novel each week (primarily at home).   Written critiques and book talks are given each Friday morning.
• Literature Studies -  Seventh Grade students are beginning the novel, Dream Freedom by Sonia Levitin. This novel focuses on two perspectives: the life of an American teen and the lives of children growing up in the Sudan. As we read, we will draw text inferences to support the main questions, "Why is there suffering in this world? How can we work towards redemption of this suffering?"
• Writing Composition  -   Students are beginning their preliminary work for the persuasive essays that they will be writing in connection to their History Exhibitions.
• Other Language Arts -  this is yours!