Welcome to March

 

This month is crammed with important events and activities for the seventh graders!

 

As we enter March, we have already entered the holiest of seasons—Lent.  The seventh graders will examine what God is calling us to do and to be; how we can use the gifts and talents He has given us; and how we can be of service to God, His people, and the world.

 ***Just a reminder—Confirmation retreat for Candidates and Sponsors is Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.***

 

In Religion, we are continuing our study of the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Those students planning to receive the Sacrament have been reminded about the service hours that they still need to earn before being confirmed.  Service hours can be earned through assisting with aftercare, community service through approved local organizations. 

During March 1^st through the 12^th the seventh graders will be taking the Terra Nova tests.  This battery of tests is strictly for evaluation purposes.  It does not impact the students’ grades or report cards.  Please read the letter that follows to learn more information.

 

In Science, we’ll continue the study of Newton ’s Laws of Motion.

 

In English, we will study Verbs and all its kinds, parts and tenses.

 

In Social Studies, 7^th graders have begun preparations for their Constitution Tests.  Mrs. Spizzirri has sent home a note detailing this very important test.  It will require daily studying to master all the material.

 

In Reading , the seventh graders will read examine the horrors of the Holocaust through the study of the play version of The Diary of Anne Frank. 

 

In addition to all that, The G.R.E.A.T. program sponsored by the Blue Island Police Department also has a “community service requirement” for each seventh grader.  The students have to think of a project to help better the community.  Ideas were offered by Officer King and myself.  Their ideas had to be submitted for approval and the final project presented in class in April.

 

 God’s blessings to you all!   

 

Mrs. Selin

P.S.  Check out these “Pick of the Click.”

 

For videos and animations on the physics laws

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/index.cfm

 

For help brushing up for the Terra Nova tests

http://jc-schools.net/terranova-res.htm

For English grammar help

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

 

To keep up with the Olympics

http://www.teamusa.org/

 

February, 2010

 

 

Dear Parents,

 

 

Here are just a few helpful hints.

 

– Avoid any absences unless the child is sick. 

– Avoid being tardy. Testing will begin shortly after 8 a.m.

– Testing will primarily take place during the morning hours, when minds are fresher. 

– Homework will be kept to a minimum, so the students should be able to get plenty of sleep at night.

–Since testing will not take all day, some subject material will still be covered.

– It is important that students eat a nutritious breakfast. It’s the fuel for their brains.

– Since testing takes energy, the students will be able to have a mid-morning, healthy snack each testing day (juice, crackers, fruit, etc.).  Their lunch will be at their usual time.

– There is no way for your child to study or “cram” for this test. It will evaluate knowledge, problem solving abilities, and cognitive thinking skills – learned both in and out of the classroom. It will contain multiple choice and essay answers for each field - math, language arts, science, and social studies.(Students will still be able to go to their special classes of gym, music, computer, and library.)

Also, please make sure that your student has at least five #2 or dark lead pencils with good erasers (extra erasers are also useful).  They can sharpen them before and after each test.  However, during the test they will not be allowed out of their seats, or even out of the room.  They should also have their library book to read if they finish early.  No drawing will be allowed.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Selin