December 2013

7th Grade News

Language Arts
Scholars have started Unit Two with the question, How does ones environment influence who they become and what they create? Scholars will investigate elements that impact an authors style. Language Arts classes are using the novels Monster by Walter Dean Myers and Nothing But the Truth by Avi. These novels will help scholars analyze the relationship between style and environments. ~Ms. Dicker, Ms. Humsey, Ms. Powell, and Ms. Ward

Social Studies
Parents and Scholars we had a strong finish in 1st quarter and are off to a great start for this school year. Scholars need to keep their focus and drive as the curriculum will get more investigative and expectations higher. We started off 2nd quarter with the Columbian Exchange and a series of assignments with a Language Arts focus that required reading and writing directed tasks. Students will get the opportunity to create a song, poem, skit or diary demonstrating their knowledge about the Columbian Exchange. After the Thanksgiving break we began our Intellectual Revolutions Unit that has scholars investigate the Agricultural, Scientific and Industrial Revolutions that lead to modern societies. Be sure to check out our wiki pages and view the assignments and homework your scholar is responsible for each week. ~Ms. Dial and Ms. Vespo

Math
The math department is still looking to recruit students for the MathCounts program. Information can be found by emailing Mr. Zebracki or Ms. Gonzales. You can also receive information by visiting www.mathcounts.org. Academic Enrichment, 5th block classes, has been realigned to better meet the needs of our scholars. Math and Language Arts departments have used data to identify scholars in need of additional help with those areas. If a scholar is in need of Math help, he/she has been placed in a group to help them with what they did not understand. It is our goal to help every scholar be successful, and we feel this is a step in the right direction! The Math department will also be doing a project in class. This project will let students dive into the food truck industry and analyze how proportions and percents play a role in the food truck business. ~Ms. Gonzalez, Ms. Meschko, Ms. Taylor, and Mr. Zebracki

Science
Scholars are currently working on Atmosphere Projects. They will collect data by watching the weather and make individual predictions. The projects require scholars to make a prediction and a forecast over the duration of a week. The final product will be transformed into an interdisciplinary task involving Language Arts skills. Scholars will submit a 5-paragraph essay related to their weather forecast, due by December 16th. Ultimately, these essays will become part of each scholars IB Assessment folder. ~Ms. Kohlmeyer

December 2013

7th Grade News

**ATTENTION PARENTS**
Preparations for the 7th Grade Overnight Fieldtrip are underway!
Mark Your Calendars!
Where: Atlanta, GA When: May 7-9,2014

Testing Update
The 2nd round of MAPS testing will take place in December. Scholars will complete the Reading and Math tests the week of December 9th. Data results will be shared with scholars and used to support classroom instruction. *Each scholar received their individual EOG scores on Friday, December 7th. Please review those test results with your scholar.

There will be a Parent Meeting

on Monday, December 9th at 6:30pm in the Multi-Purpose Room. information will be provided at the meeting.

Trip details and pricing

Upcoming School Events

2nd Quarter Progress Reports Wednesday, December 4th and Thursday, December 5th 1st Quarter Honor Roll Ceremony Friday, December 6th Winter MAP Testing Week of December 9th Winter Music Concert
Tuesday, December 10th & Wednesday, December 11th

Contact Ms. Gonzales for more details.

JMA Scholars JMA Parents JMA Teachers

Winter Break-No School December 23rd-January 3rd

Learner Profile of the Month: Open-Minded

We Make A Difference!!

J.M. Alexander is an IB World School. We promote the principles of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB MYP) within all of our classrooms.
This month, Scholars are engaging in activities related to the IB Learner ProfileOpen-Minded. Activities within Academic Enrichment will allow the scholars to express an understanding of both profiles. Scholars who display these traits will be nominated by their peers. This Scholar of the Month will be announced before the holiday break.