Literature

Mrs. Sanders:

We started the year reviewing how to do a close read of an article.  We will be reading short stories this quarter that will focus on a variety of skills:  finding main ideas, using text-based evidence, identifying elements of plot, etc.

Mrs. Camp - After finishing the i-Ready diagnostic, we will begin with procedures and start reading short stories or articles of the week.

All students should be reading 15-20 minutes each day.

10 AR points and 1 literacy skills test are due October 9.

ZAP (Zeroes are Prohibited)

ZAP begins on August 25.   Students who do not have their assignments completed when they are due will receive a ZAP.  

If a student receives a ZAP before their lunch hour, they will go to lunch study hall to complete it and turn it in to the teacher.  If a student receives a ZAP after their lunch hour, the student will attend lunch study hall the next day to complete the assignment.

Math

Mrs. Blair

Unit 4 begins this week with Lesson 15. We are beginning expressions, equations, and inequalities. This will take some time to understand and will need some time getting used to it. We will finish the first book for 7th grade math in early February, and then jump to Volume 2. I am looking forward to navigating this unit with the kiddos.

Advanced- 

The advanced students are coming back from Christmas Break and starting to work on functions. This will cover linear and non-linear relationships. Lesson 18 will be the end of Volume 1 and then we will jump into the 2nd book for the year.

Mrs. Pearson

CC Math- Big year for us! We will begin reviewing the 6th grade curriculum for the first quarter. Refreshing all of our basic skills. We will be starting with Area of shapes.

7th Grade- 7th grade curriculum is very challenging. I have warned the students that focus, practice, and asking for help are going to be crucial for this year. IXL is always an “extra” that they can practice outside of class.

Science

Mr. Brouwer - We will be discussing motion, forces of friction and gravity, and Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion.  We will also have our first project of the year, water bottle rockets.

Social Studies

We are working on the geography of the United States. We will be taking a quiz Aug 22nd over physical features in the US. We will then move on to early settlements in the colonies.

English

Miss Archer - In May, we are finishing our last essay unit - missions informative - before heading into our wrap up unit, including poetry.

Mrs. Camp - We are starting the year with a baseline essay to see what our kiddos have remembered from last year. After looking those over we will review basic English skills.

Computer

Art

Art classes are beginning our yearly portfolio with an “about me” project. Creative Crew began this week and their first project includes their name. There will be a brief informational meeting for Mural Makers on Monday, August 25th after school. Our first MM will be Tuesday, September 2nd until 4pm.

Band

Important Dates

• 1/7:  2:30 dismissal
• 1/9:   Report card day
• 1/16:  11:30 dismissal
• 1/19:  No school
• 1/21:  2:30 dismissal
• 2/4: 2:30 dismissal
• 2/6: Midterms

Reminders

• If your student is going to be absent,  please call the office and let the secretary know.  

             217-466-3050

 It’s a great day to be a Redbird!

Keep up all the wonderful things you are doing!