Lake Zurich Middle School South – Seventh Grade 2017-2018 School Year

Seventh Grade Teachers Chopra Aaron Aaron.Chopra@lz95.org Kruse Heather Heather.Kruse@lz95.org Linder Lisa Lisa.Linder@lz95.org Marston Matt Matt.Marston@lz95.org Milone Cynthia Cynthia.Milone@lz95.org Merow Sara Sara.Merow@lz95.org Spyropoulos Connie Constance.Spyropoulos@lz95.org Robinson Michelle Michelle. Robinson@lz95.org Viscioni Noreen Noreen.Viscioni@lz95.org Jill Walsh Jill.Walsh@lz95.org Nicholas Esposito Nicholas.Esposito@lz95.org Jenny Salomon Jennifer.Salomon@lz95.org Kim Kelly Kim.Kelly@lz95.org

Empower every learner to achieve personal excellence. Forward95 In the fall of 2016, District 95 embarked upon an important community engagement and strategic planning process that we call “Forward 95”. Defining initiative to shape our school district for the next three to five years and beyond. Our Mission: Empower every learner to achieve personal excellence.

Growth Mindset Effective Effort Achievement (hard work + strategies) Confidence (attitude) Effective Effort (hard work + strategies) Ability

Effective Effort – what is it? It’s not enough to just “try hard.” Time – a willingness to spend the time needed to finish the job well. More time doesn’t necessarily result in more effort. Focus – Concentrate only on the work (remove distractions, phone, television, etc.). Find what works for you. Resourcefulness – knowing when, where to go, whom to ask, and what to use for help when you’re stuck. Use of feedback – look carefully at responses to your work so you know exactly what to fix or areas you could work on in the future. Commitment & Persistence – Be determined to finish work and strive to achieve great things, especially when it’s challenging. Pride – a feeling of happiness you get when you do something good. Take pride in your work. Creative – be imaginative. Innovate. Be curious. Wonder. Strategies – The knowledge and skills used to complete tasks successfully and “get smarter.” If one approach isn’t working, keep trying different ways until you find one that works.

Seventh-Grade Policies Achievement Confidence (attitude) Effective Effort (hard work + strategies) Ability Behavior Students expected to be: Safe – Responsible - Respectful ‘Conduct Notification’ Slips Warnings (3+ in a quarter = detention) Assignments Quality work is expected Late Assignments Scores usually reduced for work not completed on time Multiple late assignments will lead to an intervention (academic detention, study group, etc.) Digital Access Home Access (part of eSchool) (SMS) Web Site (lz95.org/mss) (CMS) Canvas (lz95.instructure.com) (LMS) “The cloud ate my homework.”

Digital Resources Web Site Home Access Canvas Public Information Also Google Drive & Docs File Storage & Creation On-line, cloud based Limited Access (LZ domain) Collaboration Student email Web Site Public Information Announcements Clubs & Sports Teacher Pages Links (email, Home Access, Canvas) Home Access Student Information User names & passwords Scores & Grades On-going & Interim Progress Canvas Learning System Digital Classroom Limited Access

Outside of Class Work Reminder App Assume students have work iPads Achievement Confidence (attitude) Effective Effort (hard work + strategies) Ability Reminder App Filled in everyday, for every subject Neat & Accurate Check off work as it is completed  Assume students have work About an hour to two each night Daily assignments, projects, study, read, journal Students should be reading independently every night iPads A learning tool (as opposed to a toy) Apps (school “approved” are available through the Absolute app) Charge at home – nightly

How to Help… Prove time to work at home Ask what did you learn today? Set aside time everyday Distraction-free work area Grandmother approach (encourage & inquire) Ask what did you learn today? Encourage your child to: prioritize – time management be organized – Binder, Backpack, iPad develop good study skills & habits ask questions in class use his notes effective effort – try participate in class Breakfast Sleep -(experts recommend 8+ hours)

Think Kindness Challenge Our goal is to inspire a measurable act of kindness…so let’s start collecting shoes!  Today, encourage your child to start bringing shoes in tomorrow. Shoes will first be donated to those families in need after the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey.  Any leftover shoes will be donated to two orphanages in Ghana and Kenya.  Let’ s do what we can to encourage our kids to be brave and bring in as many shoes as we possibly can.  We only have 9 days left September 15th is the deadline! Bring Shoes!   Kindness is ALWAYS beautiful.  Be the reason to put a SMILE on someone’s face! 

Springfield Illinois Trip Overnight trip to Illinois’s Capital Functions of government Three branches of government Abraham Lincoln & Civil War Sights: Lincoln’s Home, Law Office, Tomb, Library, Museum; New Salem Village; New and Old State Capitals; and War Monuments This year October 5 & 6 Leave early Thursday, return late afternoon on Friday Information was sent home Payment is due Tomorrow, Sept 7th

Math Overview Objective: To apply the eight mathematical practices that mathematicians do: Solve problems without giving up Think about numbers in many ways Explain my thinking and try to understand others Show my work in many ways Use math tools and explain why I use them Work carefully and check my work. Use what I know to solve new problems Solve problems by looking for rules and patterns

Math Overview Pre-Algebra Standard Real Numbers, exponents, linear equations Pythagorean Theorem Linear Relationships & Functions Systems of Functions Geometric Figures Statistical Applications Standard Rational Numbers Expressions, Equations & Linear Equations Ratios & Proportionality Data & Probability Geometric Measurement

Social Studies Overview Objective: To understand the events, trends, individuals, and movements that shape the world Civilizations Review Government United States Constitution & Constitution Test Europe – Middle Ages to Modern Era The continent of Africa and its diverse nations Latin America

Science Overview The 7th grade science curriculum consists of units based in the life sciences that is STEM based. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM is important because it pervades every part of our lives. Science is everywhere in the world around us. ... A curriculum that is STEM-based has real-life situations to help the student learn. Scientific Method, Lab Safety, & Microscopes (General Science) will be embedded into the curriculum.

Science Overview Dry Ice Investigations (Physical Science) Structural, Function and Processing (Cells and Body Systems) Growth and Development of Organisms Organization for Matter and Energy Flow of Organisms Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning and Resilience Inheritance of Variation of Traits Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity Natural Selection

Language Arts is Writing Six Traits Vocabulary Ideas Write for authentic purposes Organization Voice Writers Workshop Word Choice Sentence Fluency Conventions Expository Persuasive Argument Narrative

LITERATURE IS READING…. Creating Skilled Readers Enduring Understandings Life requires literacy Readers construct meaning Literature reflects who we are (and who we want to be) Curriculum Aligned with Common Core Includes the ideas of Readers Workshop Structured around central themes, ideas, and skills Choice Reading & Thinking Strategies… Draw Inferences & Make Predictions Ask Questions Monitor Make Connections Visualize Determine Importance Synthesize

Thank you for coming tonight. At this time please follow your child’s Open House Schedule – you will visit the Encore section of the day.