Seventh Grade Blogger

Science Science has been exploring the greenhouse effect and global warming these past few weeks. We watched a documentary about how global warming and how it changes the biomes we studied. Then we conducted an experiment to discovery how the greenhouse effect works. Students were outside with two thermometers, one inside a glass jar and one outside. They measured the temperature once a minute for 15 minutes. Then they wrote an official lab report in order to present their results. When we return from Passover break, we will start our last unit, the exploration of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources.... Read More

Math The probability that 7Y can tell you all about probability is certain! They’d also be able to tell you that a probability that is certain has a 100% chance to occur. They can talk about the outcomes of coin tosses, rolling dice, or spinning a spinner. They can also tell you a bit about how to use things like possibility diagrams or tree diagrams for more complex probability problems. They’ll be learning more about that within the next week or two before working their way to some statistical work. Meanwhile, 7X is busy learning about ratios, rates, and unit... Read More

Hebrew 7J This week we continued learning about Tel Aviv. We also started learning about Hiriya, Israel, a city that used to be filled with garbage and then turned into a beautiful city with a beautiful park named after Ariel Sharon. In addition, we started learning future tense.   7K This week we learned a song by Dag Nachash, describing the preparation of Shabbat. We had a conversation about what Shabbat is like here vs. what it is like in Israel. The kids started learning a few new Hebrew expressions. We also continued studying future tense.   Hebrew Heritage להורים... Read More

Humanities In English/Language Arts, students read a variety of short stories and analyzed them for literary elements like plot and characterization. Students spent time freewriting in preparation for brainstorming and writing their own short stories next week! In social studies, students critically analyzed the History Channel documentary “The Dark Ages,” and then were tasked with created their own “trailer” for a section of chapter 17 (The Early Middle Ages). Some Greek/Latin roots to be on the look out for: Sic transit gloria mundi. Thus passes away the glory of this world – Thomas A Kempis Trans (across) Eo/Ire/Ivi/Itum (to go)... Read More

Advisory Students participated in a workshop about being allies in the midst of bullying behaviors, situations, and language. Students thought about people’s identities and how to communicate effectively, even in the midst of a disagreement or shift in perspective.   Hebrew K This week we continued to review the topic of the “Tzabar” Israeli. We talked about traits and characteristics and focused on the term “Hutzpa”. We discussed the positive ad negative aspects of the word, watched a video on the topic and debated a few examples , deciding if they are positive or negative. Hebrew J This week we... Read More

Humanities  In ELA, we’ve been diving into the rhetorical triangle – ethos, logos, and pathos. What are the mechanics used to persuade someone? How do we persuade someone in ethical ways? In the coming week, we’ll be researching a position and beginning to craft arguments that are well-researched and logical. We are in the midst of our second unit of vocabulary study, vacillating between Wordly Wise words and Greek and Latin roots. The most recent roots you should look out for are: Ars, Artis (art) Aoide (song) Canto/Cantare (to sing) Pingo/Pingere/Pinxi/Pictum (to paint, to embroider) In social studies, we are... Read More

Humanities In ELA, students have been working diligently on a theme project for Beowulf: A New Telling. Students needed to identify a theme and then find three passages in the book that demonstrate that theme! Students could identify their own or choose from a list brainstormed by both classes: the role of loyalty and generosity in successful societies envy and jealousy of others to conquer evil, one must acknowledge it within the self identity is complex and multi-dimensional creativity in battle is an asset appearance is not indicative of internal characteristics I have loved seeing their posters with text evidence!... Read More

Humanities  In English/Language Arts, students have been reading Beowulf: A New Telling and exploring how the author uses symbolism and imagery in the text. In social studies, we are concluding a chapter about early African civilizations (500-1500). After gaining a sense of world events in the period after the fall of Rome, we’ll transition to the medieval period of European history. We are starting a new unit of vocabulary, and I’m excited to continue to help students build their writing skills.   Hebrew J It was great seeing your kids after the break! Since returning from the break we used the time... Read More

Math The 7th grade is still busy working on algebraic expressions. They are learning about applications of the Distributive Law and other algebraic manipulations. After the break they will move onto algebraic equations, where they will be learning about solving linear equations in one variable and creating linear equations as well. See you in 2019!   Humanities  Wow! An amazing couple of weeks. We accomplished a lot: our first formal literary analysis essay, our second independent reading assignment, a visit to Brooklyn Landmark Elementary School for our Social Action Project, our Julius Caesar Open Mic…a long list! Today, we finish... Read More

Humanities The 7th grade has been busy selecting passages to perform for a Julius Caesar Open Mic, as well as writing about the characters, ideas, and language of the play. Our cumulative vocabulary test will be on Friday, December 14th. I loved playing with words this past Wednesday! Ask your child to see their videos and pictures – they are posted in Google Classroom under the Vocabulary section of classwork. I’m challenging 7th graders to find more balance in their work: repetition is only ONE strategy for learning new ideas, words, and concepts. Memorizing an exact definition by heart won’t... Read More