10/25

This week the students worked on their review for the Unit Test, which was held yesterday.  The test covered characteristics of all living things and characteristics of plants and leaves.  Overall, I am impressed with how the seventh graders performed on the test.  Students really showed that they put some time and effort into their studying!
Wow...can you believe that first quarter has already come to an end?  The science grades are in and we are ready to start second quarter!  Starting Friday and into next week, seventh graders will learn more about plants and dig a little deeper into the importance of seeds.
As a reminder, the first grade of second semester is the "Leaf Collection Project".  Students have been turning in their projects all this week, though they are not actually due until Monday.  Make SURE that all projects are in my room by your class period Monday, October 29th.  I am really looking forward to reading these projects over the weekend.  I  know the students have put in a lot of time and research into them!!

Answers to the pink study guide.

Study Guide Answers

10/20

This past week students have been busy learning about the different characteristics of leaves and how to identify them. Each students brought in leaves to class to observe for a Leaf Scavenger Hunt. Students used their notes to identify characteristics of their leaves such as venation patterns, type of margins and base shapes. This practice activity was helpful for students when they started the "Leaf Classification Lab" on Thursday. Here students used a website to help guide them to determine which tree an individual leaf came from. Seventh graders used characteristics that they learned from the previous activity to help them answer various questions on the website, regarding the different leaves. The activities throughout the week were designed to help the students with the "Leaf Collection Project", which is due Monday October 29th. Students seem to have a nice grasp and are excited about the material we have covered this week- I am eager to see the final projects!

Pressing Leaves

Pressing Leaves

Email

I have finally changed my email to reflect my name change!  You may now email me at kgemmell@ccsd66.org.  If you have emailed me at khopkinson@cccsd66.org over the past few days, I have and will still receive your messages for some time as all messages are being forwarded to the new account.

Thank you,

Kari Gemmell

10/12

Seventh graders had a very busy week of learning over the past few days!  On Tuesday, students continued to show their understanding for the six characteristics that all living things share.  Afterwards the students jumped right into the plant unit.  In class students applied what they already knew about living things and compared it to plant, and how plants are living.  Students are demonstrating their understanding for this unit already by the discussions we have had in class.  I am quite impressed!
Over the weekend, I am asking the students to find 4 leaves ( preferably different) and place them into a ziploc bag.  These leaves will be for an activity in lab next week.  This will preview the Leaf Collection Project which we will go over in class next week.
Have a wonderful weekend.

10/6

This past week students worked on completing their Metric and Measurement Unit.  On Monday, students completed their Metric Maze.  In the. "Maze" students completed mini labs throughout the classroom. They had to apply their measurement knowledge to answer questions in the labs.  Tuesday and Wednesday, students reviewed for their test which was held on Thursday. 
At the very end of the week, 7th graders were finally introduced to their science textbooks!  Our first unit in our books will be on living things and plants.  Students demonstrated what they already knew about the differences about living versus non living things in class on Friday.  As a side note, students are able to keep their science textbook at home for the rest of the school year and utilize the books for homework and extra practice.  I have an extra set of Life Science text books here at school. 
Have a great weekend!