2016 Grade 7

V a l s Teacher Introduction MS. LAUREN HAGEN Please feel free to email me with questions or concerns. My email address is lhagen@stvalentineschool.com. This is my ninth year teaching, and it is my third year teaching 7th Grade at St. Valentine. I love teaching 7th Grade and 8th Grade because I have the honor of helping my students at this crucial moment of their academic journey! My students bring me joy and pride.

Values rooted in Catholic teachings V a l s This year our school theme is “We are all disciples, following Jesus together.” This theme will be our primary focus throughout the year. In the 7th Grade, we will learn about the life of Jesus. We will also look closely at how we can be more faithful. Students will be given time daily to pray and reflect on their relationship with God. As a 7th Grade class, we will lead the school in a Living Rosary to honor Mary and the Stations of the Cross during the Lenten season. In addition, we participate in Mass and other community service projects throughout the year. School Masses Prayers Religion standards Nativity, Passion Play, Confirmation School Theme

CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS Academic Excellence V a l s CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS Literature Students will be reading novels in their literature circles. Students will be taught reading strategies as a whole class, and then will meet in small groups as they read and discuss the assignment. Vocabulary/Spelling Students can expect to have a vocabulary test every other Friday. Units must be completed before the test. Students should access vocabulary resources online (this link can be found on the back of their vocabulary workbook). Math This year we will be studying Pre-Algebra and focusing on equations and inequalities, graphing, exponents, scientific notation, geometrical thinking, and rational and real numbers, along with much more. Standards taught in your grade

CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS (continued) Academic Excellence V a l s CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS (continued) Science (Mrs. Ciechanowski) This year we will be studying Life Science. Students will focus on topics including the characteristics of living things, cell structures and processes, and heredity and genetics. We will use an interactive approach and explore concepts using real-life examples.   History This year our focus will be the Eastern Hemisphere. Our studies will take us around the world and through various time periods. Students will be learning the history, culture, geography, and governments of Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia. Standards taught in your grade

CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS (continued) Academic Excellence V a l s CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS (continued) Grammar Some topics we will focus on during Grammar instruction include punctuation, capitalization, identifying and using different parts of speech, and constructing effective sentences and paragraphs. Writing Students began the year writing a compare and contrast essay. Next, they will be constructing a narrative piece. After we finish our narrative pieces, we will then move on to learning how to write an argumentative essay, poetry, research papers, and a cause and effect essay. In addition, we will focus on citing our sources properly. Standards taught in your grade

Academic Excellence (con’t) V a l s STUDENT EXPECTATIONS Homework - According to the Student Handbook, Junior High students will have one to two hours of homework every night. This includes the 30 minutes that students should be reading each night. AR - Students are expected to be reading and taking Accelerated Reader (AR) tests. Each student has received a goal, and they are expected to reach their goal by the end of the quarter. This is a part of their literature grade. In addition, students are required to complete a genre project for each quarter. Student Expectations Homework

Academic Excellence (con’t) V a l s STUDENT EXPECTATIONS (continued) Missing assignments – The Junior High follows the school- wide missing assignment policy. After three missing assignments, the student will be required to attend M.A.A.P. (please see handout sent home for more information). Grading – You can view your student’s grades online through planbook.com. Grades will be updated weekly. Student Expectations Homework

Love and Respect for All (con’t) V a l s CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT Junior High Citizenship Rubric

Love and Respect for All V a l s CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT (continued) The Junior High will be using a behavior point system. We expect that our students will be able to maintain 35 or more points per quarter. This is our expectation because our students have all of the potential to make learning and respectful behavior their main focus and priority in our Junior High. (Please refer to the Junior High Point System letter that was sent home for a more detailed description.) Classroom Management

Love and Respect for All (con’t) V a l s CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT (continued) In our Junior High we are L.E.A.D.E.R.S. L – looking out for others E – enthusiastic about learning A – achieving our goals D – determined to never give up E – exemplifying the virtues R – respecting ourselves and others S – showing quality in our work

Strong Community in Christ V a l s COMMUNICATION The best way to reach me is via email, note, or note in the planner. I will contact you via email, Remind alerts, or note. My classroom website will be updated weekly – please check there for important information! Ms. Hagen's Class Website Communicatinf Dojo or Remind How to link

Strong Community in Christ (con’t) V a l s Important first semester dates for Grade 7… Picture Day – 9/14 Parish Fun Run – 9/18 Vocation Field Trip – 9/21 Junior High Parent Meeting – 9/22 IOWA Testing – 10/3-10/16 Parent/Teacher Conferences – 11/7 Web page link

Strong Community in Christ (con’t) V a l s Parents - THANK YOU for your support. I look forward to working with you this year! What now? If you have any questions on this material, email me or come visit me at Parent Open House September 16th from 3:30-4:30. DON’T FORGET to join us at Family Mass and Social Sept. 9th 6:00. Thank parents for support Sept 9 - Mass & Ice Cream Social Set 16 – open school parent day