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!