June 6 UpdateN

Final Project for ELA

The students worked on reading Nothing but the Truth by Avi last week in class. Their final projects are due this week on Thursday. I cannot accept late projects; Friday is our last day of school. I am checking in on student progress in class. However, they will need to be working on this project at home as well. It is not the kind of assignment that can be saved for the last minute. Parents are welcome to help students edit their final projects. This project is worth quite a few points. It is important that students do their best work and hand in excellent final projects.

Wednesday

Our 7th grade class trip to Michigan's Adventure is this week on Wednesday. The weather forecast is looking good. If the weather is warm enough, the water park will be open as well. Students may bring a modest bathing suit and towel if they plan on going on water rides. They will be responsible for keeping track of their belongings throughout the day. Students do not need to bring a lunch to school that day (lunch is included in admission price). All the rides are included in the admission price except for the RipCord. This ride is optional. If students would like to ride it, the cost is $15-30 depending on the number of riders. If you would like more information about the park or rides, please visit the website: www.miadventure.com

We will return to school by 4:30 that day. Please contact me if you need help figuring out an alternative ride home for your child that day. If not, please be prompt in picking up your child upon our return.

Last Day of School

Friday is our last day of school. As previously stated in the home bulletin, we have a full day of school. Please feel very welcome to join us for our last family time of the year on Friday morning from 8:45-9:30. We will spend time that day wrapping up the school year, cleaning out lockers, and completing final assignments. Friday is the last day of the 4th quarter. After Friday, teachers will finish up 4th quarter report cards. This information will be available the week of June 13.

Miscellaneous

*7th grade students are involved in graduation (singing in choir). Graduation begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday evening. Students should wear "nice" clothes.

*I leave the country on Monday, June 13 and will spend almost 2 weeks in Ethiopia. During this time, I am not sure how much internet/computer/email access I will have. If there is something you need to contact me about after the year ends, it may take awhile for me to respond. Just wanted to give you a heads up!

May 24 Blog Post

7th Grade Retreat
Thank you for sending in food for our 7th grade class retreat last Friday and for praying for our time together. It was beautiful weather and we had a great day. Thank you to the Solle's for opening their home/yard to us. We had a fun day playing kickball, eating together, reflecting on the year, and talking about goals for 8th grade.

Nothing But the Truth

The students received their copies of Nothing But the Truth by Avi today in class. They also received the specifics of our last large assignment of the year for language arts. The students will be working in class throughout the next week to read the novel and complete projects. While they will be given ample class time, they will need to work on it at home as well. Final projects and reflections are due on Thursday, June 9. The students need to bring the copies of the book EVERY SINGLE DAY until the end of the school year. This is especially important because students will be given time to work in class and cannot complete assignments without the book. Please help your child remember his or her book.

MI Adventure

Thank you to everyone for sending in $10 for our MI Adventure trip on Wednesday, June 8. We will leave at the start of the school day and return at 4:30. Please be ready to pick your child up at 4:30 promptly. I will give the 7th grade students some specific reminders about our day next week. Lunch is included in the ticket price. Let me know if you need help arranging a ride home for your child that day.

Miscellaneous
*Pre-Algebra has a test tomorrow in class. They also will have a cumulative exam next Tuesday (June 7).
*8th grade graduation takes place on the evening of Thursday, June 9. The 7th and 8th grade choir sings at this event, so it is expected that 7th grade students will attend.
*Bible memory work (Psalm 33:12-23) is due on Friday, June 3.
*I am traveling to Ethiopia this summer (in just less than 2 weeks) to help serve in some orphanages and ministries that Bethany Christian Services is involved with. We have a blog that we hope to be able to update during our trip. Feel free to check it out if you are interested in more information http://ethiopiajames127.blogspot.com

May 24 Update

Language Arts

I was proud of how the students did on their parts of speech test. They are working on a project due this Thursday in class. The students are creating movies about how to label parts of speech in a sentence. Each student was given an assignment paper that has specific requirements, directions, and a rubric.

Next week the students will begin reading Nothing but the Truth by Avi. We'll spend time reflecting on the themes from the story in the last two weeks of the year.

Reading log will continue until the last day of school. Thank you for encouraging your children to complete homework assignments all the way through the end of the year.

7th Grade Retreat

Our 7th grade retreat is this Friday. Thank you for volunteering to bring in food for it. Can you please join me in praying for good weather on Friday? I'm looking forward to the time we'll spend reflecting on the year and looking forward to next year. Please also pray that God will bless and guide our time together.

Survey

I forwarded an email from Mr. Burgess last week that contained a link to a survey. There were some difficulties with emails being delayed last week, so I wanted to be sure to send the link again. http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22C3PSV5VEM/ This survey will only take a few minutes to complete and will help RCS plan and prepare for extracurricular learning activities next year.

MI Adventure

Thank you to those of you who have volunteered to drive and chaperone the 7th grade trip to Michigan's Adventure on Wednesday, June 8. While other parents are welcome, we currently have enough volunteers. If you are still interested in coming, please email me no later than this Friday. Thank you for sending in $10 for your child's ticket no later than this Friday.

Miscellaneous

*It was great to see many of you at the Open House last week. Thanks for taking time out of the busy spring to come see artwork and celebrate things happening at RCS.

*Similar to last year, I will be going to Sleeping Bear Dunes with the 6th grade students next week. We will be gone next week on Wednesday-Friday. I won't have access to email while we're gone, so thanks for being patient if it takes me a little while longer than normal to respond.

May 16 Update

Language Arts Test
The students have been working hard learning about and discussing parts of speech. I was very proud of their hard work at the end of last week. They persevered through lots of information in class and participated well in discussions. If they have studied their notes, quizzes, and information highlighted on the study guide, I think they should be successful on the test tomorrow. The test includes true/false, multiple choice, matching, and fill in the blank questions. It will be important for the students to work carefully through the questions to avoid careless mistakes. The students will complete a unit project at the end of this week creating a PowerPoint and video on how to properly label parts of speech in a sentence.

MI Adventure
Thanks for sending in $10 for MI Adventure by Friday, May 27. I have received money from quite a few students already. Please contact me by this Friday if you anticipate it being difficult for you to send in the money.

May 19 Celebration
Please join us on Thursday, May 19 for the RCS Art Show and Open House Celebration. There will be student artwork creatively displayed throughout the building. There will be poems written by 7th grade students on display in my classroom. See the note from the Home Bulletin with times (there is one session right after school and one session later in the evening to accommodate different family schedules). Hope to see you there!

May 9 Update

Camp Roger
The 7th graders will go to Camp Roger this week on Wednesday afternoon. There is no hot lunch on Camp Roger days. The students need to make sure they are dressed for the weather. This will be the 7th graders' last visit of the school year.

Parts of Speech
The students will be receiving a study guide this week on Wednesday for the upcoming test in language arts over parts of speech. The test will be next week on Tuesday, May 17. I am encouraging the students to plan ahead and work carefully through the study guide. For this test, the study guide is a tool to help them be better prepared. They will need to refer back to their notes and the countless examples we completed in class. Please help your child plan wisely so that they are not stressed out or trying to study at the last minute.

I will not be collecting the study guide. We will most likely not go over answers for it in class. I am expecting students to use their notes to remind them of the answers on it. I am also expecting that students will talk with me if they are confused or unsure about specific answers. We'll do plenty of review in class, and they should have all the information available to them. However, they are going to need to study and review.

Students who do not receive a "C" or higher on the test will have to review the material again. Information from this unit is foundational to things the students will be building on during 8th grade language arts.

End-of-the-Year
Hopefully your child brought home a piece of paper last week with information about 7th grade activities between now and the end of the year. Please let me know if you need me to email you a copy of the paper. Thank you for sending in $10 to cover the cost of MI Adventures between now and May 27th. As students get excited about things they'll be doing during the summer, please help them to not check-out of school before we've finished. Summer is coming, but there is still a significant amount of work and learning that needs to be accomplished before June 11th.

May 3 Update

Language Arts
We are continuing work with parts of speech. It has been a little bit of a slow start, but I was encouraged by student participation and growth that I saw today in class. For most students, it seems to be coming along.

Identifying parts of speech teaches critical thinking skills; students must evaluate, rationalize, and justify all their work and answers. Trying to quickly breeze through sentences without thinking does not usually result in success. Similar to the mechanics test earlier this year, students must receive a "C" or higher on our final assessment in order to move on to the next unit. We will finish the year reading a novel and discussing it together. If students have not mastered the parts of speech we've studied in class, they will have to use this time to review, ask questions, and practice the material. What we are doing in language arts right now is foundational for language arts next year.

I anticipate the test being towards the end of next week or beginning of the following week. Students will receive a study guide and have a packet full of notes that they've been taking over the last several weeks.

NWEA Testing Dates
The 7th grade students will be taking the spring NWEA (Maps) tests tomorrow and next week.
Wednesday, May 4 (Math)
Monday, May 9 (Reading)
Tuesday, May 10 (Language Usage)

The students have all reflected on their fall and winter scores and made goals for themselves for this round of testing. Thanks for encouraging your students to get enough sleep and try their hardest for the tests. As teachers, we use information from the test results to see where gaps are in student learning and to evaluate how to better meet students' needs.

Camp Roger
The 7th grade visit to Camp Roger last week was cancelled due to the weather. The visit will not be rescheduled. Instead, the 7th graders will complete the activities on their last visit to Camp Roger for this school year on May 11.

End-of-the-Year
I sent home a yellow paper yesterday with information about the end-of-the-year activities for the 7th grade students. Please talk with your child if you have not seen this yet. You can also email me if you need a copy of it electronically. Thank you for sending in $10 for Michigan's Adventure no later than Friday, May 27.

April 26 Update

Camp Roger
The 7th grade students will be going to Camp Roger tomorrow in the afternoon with Miss Dahm. There is a chance that it will be muddy and/or rainy. We still go to camp even when the weather is not "perfect." It would be great if you could help make sure that your child wears and brings appropriate clothing for the day. Layers, a rain coat, and boots or shoes that can get muddy are a good idea. There is no hot lunch on Camp Roger days.

30 Hour Famine
30 Hour Famine is taking place this Friday. Thanks to many of you who volunteered to send in food for the breakfast on Saturday. We will be spending the day downtown at a few different ministries on Friday. Mrs. Oren will be facilitating activities after school and for the sleepover portion of the evening. Please contact her if you have questions about this. Thanks for praying for the students and staff as we serve and reflect on Friday.

End-of-the-Year Activities
Look for a paper coming home towards the end of this week or early next week with information about end-of-the-year activities. I am still working on solidifying some of the information and details for it, and will send home information as soon as I can.

Even though we are in fourth quarter and talking about end-of-the-year activities, there is still plenty of learning we hope to accomplish before the end of the year. Can you join us in helping remind your children that it is not summer vacation yet, and that we still expect appropriate behavior at school as well as excellent work? :)

Good Friday Service
I have received countless compliments from others about the 7th graders participation in the Good Friday service. They did an excellent job sharing their cardboard testimonies, and it was encouraging to see their honesty and boldness in sharing about how God has worked in their lives! Mel Solle took video of it on her phone and passed it on to me. I attempted to load the video on the blog today, but the network is slow this afternoon, and it is having trouble loading. I will try again later this week and let you know if I'm successful.

April 19 Update

30 Hour Famine
Mrs. Oren has been preparing the students for their participation with 30 Hour Famine on Friday, April 29. Consent forms need to be handed in no later than next Monday. Mrs. Oren has organized different places for the 7th and 8th grade students to serve at in the Heartside area of Grand Rapids. This day is a wonderful opportunity for students to reflect and serve. Mrs. Oren is still looking for help with a few things. She is in need of some more parent volunteers for our service projects during the day on Friday. She is also still looking for a few volunteers to send in food for breakfast on Saturday morning. Please email her (soren@grcs.org) if you are able to help with either.

Good Friday Remembrance Service
Please feel free to join us for a Good Friday Remembrance Service on Friday from 2:40-3:05 in the Worship Center. The 7th grade students will participate in service through cardboard testimonies/sharing ways that God has worked in their lives. Please see the email I sent yesterday with more information if you have questions, or feel free to contact me.

Camp Roger
7th grade students will go to Camp Roger next week on Wednesday afternoon. Please remember that there is no hot lunch on days when students go to Camp Roger. Students need to be prepared for spending the afternoon outside. It is important that they are dressed for the weather and wear appropriate foot wear. Thank you for checking with your child to make sure that he or she brings a lunch to school that day and is properly dressed.

Miscellaneous
*Mark your calendars for a school-wide celebration on Thursday, May 19. Check the home bulletin for more details.
*May 27: 7th grade class retreat
*June 8: 7th grade to MI Adventure
*June 9: 8th grade graduation (7th grade student participate in the choir at graduation)
*June 10: Last Day of School (Full Day)

April 12 Update

Choir Concert

The 7th and 8th grade students will present a short choir concert this Thursday (April 14). They should arrive at 6:45 in the choir room. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. in the RCS Worship Center. Students should wear "nice" clothes.

Language Arts-Parts of Speech

We are beginning a unit in language arts dealing with parts of speech (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections. The students will be learning how to identify the different parts of speech and what their functions are. They will then have to put their identifying skills to work labeling parts of speech in sentences. I have spent a considerable amount of time over the past few months brainstorming ideas on how to make the students most successful learning this topic that can sometimes be difficult for middle school students. Each student was given the beginning of a "Parts of Speech Notebook" yesterday in class. I am color coding each part of speech (ie: information with nouns will be on red papers) and they will slowly be adding lots of colored papers to their notebooks. It will be very important that students do not loose their notebooks, and that they bring them to class everyday! The students will have quizzes throughout the unit and a test at the end. We'll also be doing some fun different activities to asses what they are understanding. These skills will be important for 8th grade language arts as well.

Already today several students did not have their homework completed and/or forgot their notebooks. As a teacher, I want to do everything I can to set up the unit so your children can be successful. However, they are still going to have to complete their homework, study, practice, and bring the correct materials to class in order to succeed.

Junior Achievement

The students will begin their first week of Junior Achievement this Wednesday. It will run for 6 weeks. Thanks again to Dave Stockdale who has volunteered to lead this time. JA will take place for the 7th grade students on Wednesday mornings during first hour.

Good Friday Service

Please feel free to join us for our Good Friday remembrance service from 2:40-3:05 on Friday, April 22. We will meet in the Worship Center. We will still have our normal Family Time on Monday of next week.

Miscellaneous

*Report cards for 3rd quarter were posted just before Spring Break. Hopefully you have had a chance to log onto Net Classroom and look at your child's report card with him or her. Please email me if you need your Net Classroom log-in information, if you are unsure of where to find the report card, or if you need a paper copy sent home with your child.

*Thanks for sending in treats for our Perfect "P" Poetry Party. We had a great time hearing poetry and enjoying all the "p" snacks.

*Mr. Dave wants you to know that he's updated his blog http://mrdavescorner.blogspot.com

March 28 Update

There are just two quick announcements/updates for this week:

1. Thank you to so many of you who are sending in treats for our Perfect P Poetry Party on Thursday; it will be a really wonderful and fun way to celebrate the end of our unit, remember alliteration, and recite poetry. If your child will not be at school on Thursday, he or she needs to complete all assignments prior to leaving for break. Students will need to plan on reciting their poems first thing Wednesday morning. They also have a poem writing assignment that is due this week; students worked on it in class today. I think it will only be increasingly difficult to wrap things up after a week off of school. I also would prefer to not have to spend time tracking down assignments on Wednesday. It will be your child's responsibility to be prepared to recite his or her poem on Wednesday and to hand in the poem.


2. Report cards will be posted to Net Classroom on Thursday morning. Please take time to look at your child's report card with him or her. Teachers spend countless hours entering grades, making comments, and noting students' skills; help us multiply the effectiveness of that time by looking at and talking about your child's report card with him or her. Email me if you are unsure of your Net Classroom log-in information or if you need a paper copy sent home with your child.

March 22 Update

Thank You!!
*Thank you to Dave Stockdale who has volunteered to teach the Junior Achievement "Economics for Success" class to the 7th grade students. This will begin sometime after Spring Break.
*Thank you to the Solle family who has volunteered their house as the location for our class retreat in May.
*Thank you to so many of you for volunteering to send in "p" treats for our Perfect P Poetry Party next Thursday. See the email Mel Solle sent out yesterday if you have questions. The students are excited about celebrating poetry and have really been getting into thinking about how to alliterate the letter "p".

Thank you for the countless ways that you support your children everyday. And, thank you for the many specific ways that you support things happening at school all the time.

End of the Quarter
This Friday marks the end of third quarter. Teachers will be working on report cards this weekend and early next week. Report cards will be posted to Net Classroom on Thursday, March 31. Thank you for taking time to look at your child's report card with him or her. It is helpful for your child to have an opportunity to reflect on his or her progress and talk about fourth quarter. We certainly will do some of that at school. However, it is beneficial for them to talk about it with you at home as well. Please email me if you cannot remember your Net Classroom log in. Paper copies of report cards will be sent home upon request only; email me if you need a paper copy sent home with your child.

End-of-the-Year
May is a ways off, but time after Spring Break often flies by quickly. I will send home more information in the coming weeks with specifics about these events, but currently we have two end-of-the-year activities with the 7th grade class. Our class retreat will be on Friday, May 27th (with a rain date of Tuesday, May 31st). We will be going to Michigan's Adventure on Wednesday, June 8th.

Miscellaneous
*Friday, March 25: 3rd quarter ends
*No School: April 1-April 10 (Spring Break)

March 15 Update

Language Arts
Students' final projects for their Tangerine Choice Boards are due this Friday. We are finishing up discussing some of the major themes in the book. We will then do a short unit on poetry until Spring Break. When we return from Spring Break, we'll focus on identifying parts of speech.

30 Hour Famine
The 7th and 8th grade students at RCS participate in an event called "30 Hour Famine" at the end of April. Mrs. Oren will be sending home information prior to Spring Break about the specifics of the day, and the students will be talking about it in history class. In the past, this has been a really wonderful day for students to become more aware of ways that people around the world struggle with hunger on a daily basis. The students will be participating in different service-learning opportunities on Friday, April 29th. On the evening of the 29th, there is an opportunity for students to build cardboard shelters and sleep outside at school. However, Mrs. Oren is in need of parents to volunteer to participate in the overnight portion. If there are not volunteers, then a sleepover will not be possible. Please email Mrs. Oren (soren@grcs.org) by Friday, March 25 if you are available to help or would like more information. She is looking for 2-3 7th grade parents and 2-3 8th grade parents.

Miscellaneous
*This Thursday (March 17) the men's singing group The King's Choraliers will perform for Rockford Christian. The performance will begin at 8:40 a.m. in the Worship Center. Please feel welcome to join us if you want!
*We're still looking for a house to have the 7th grade class retreat at in May. This is a one day retreat and will take place during normal school hours. Let me know if it might be a possibility for us to have this at your house. It is helpful for the retreat to take place in a setting that is different from our normal school day. We use this time to reflect on the year and prepare for 8th grade.
*Hot lunch order forms are due no later than this Friday (March 18).
*April 1-10: No School (Spring Break)
*April 14: 7th/8th Choir program at RCS (7:00 p.m.)
*Mr. Dave wants you to know that he has updated his blog.

March 8 Update

Language Arts
We are wrapping up our discussions about Tangerine in class. The students should have complete the entire book. The students will be given a short comprehension test on Thursday.

Today in class the students were given an assignment that will require reflection on the book's themes and characters. The assignment has six different parts to it. They will have time in class to work on the assignment on Thursday and Friday. Final projects should be turned in on Friday, March 18. I encouraged the students today to gauge their time so that they have time to review and revise their writing before handing it in. This project will be a major portion of 3rd quarter grades. It will be important for the students to closely follow the directions for each part of the project.

End of the Year
Some people have started to ask about 7th grade activities for the end of the school year. Traditionally, 7th grade goes to Michigan's Adventure for one day on the last week of school. We're planning on going on Wednesday, June 8th. We will be looking for some parent chaperons for this day.

Also, we will take one day during May to have a class retreat where the students spend time reflecting on 7th grade and preparing for next year. I'm looking for a family who would be interested in hosting this at your house. Ideally, we'd like to spend most of the day outside doing different fun and reflective activities. It is helpful to have a location different from school for this to take place. Please let me know if this is something you'd be interested in hosting at your house, and we can figure out a date that will work well.

Junior Achievement
I didn't hear back from anyone about being able to help with leading the 7th grade Junior Achievement class. Please refer to last week's blog post if you need more information. Thanks for considering helping with this. Let me know if you have questions. If I don't hear from anyone this week, I will begin checking about other possibilities. If we can't find anyone, we may have to forgo Junior Achievement with 7th grade for this school year.

Miscellaneous
*I will not be at school this week on Thursday and Friday. I'm speaking at a chapel at Christian High on Thursday morning and then attending a training with middle school teachers on Thursday afternoon and all day Friday. Classes will be covered by Miss Warners and Miss Dahm.
*Thanks for helping your children remember to charge their computers at night.
*Saturday Adventure: Students will be bringing home a paper tonight about a Saturday Adventure Orienteering class on Saturday, March 19. Registration is due by Wednesday, March 19.
*Students at GRCMS are organizing a swing dance and RCS students are invited to attend. The swing dance will take place on Saturday, March 12 from 7-9 p.m. at GRCMS. Tickets are $6.
*If you know people who would be interested in the 6th grade environmental program for next school year, please invite them to attend our open house next Tuesday night (March 15) from 7-8 p.m. in the RCS Worship Center.
*Mr. Dave updated his blog... http://mrdavescorner.blogspot.com

February 28 Update

Language Arts
We are continuing to read and discuss Tangerine. The students have been doing a good job participating in the discussions and interacting with the book. They will finish the book by early next week. The students will take a whole book comprehension test on Thursday, March 10. They will also be given specific requirements for their final projects dealing with the book. Final projects are due on Friday, March 18. I am planning on giving the students time in class next week on Thursday and Friday to work on their projects. They will most likely need to use additional time outside of class in order to complete their assignments. It will be imperative to plan ahead and manage their time well.

The students were given an extra credit packet last week. All extra credit must be handed in by this week on Wednesday. There will not be another opportunity for extra credit this quarter.

Junior Achievement Volunteer
We are looking for a parent who has a background and interest in business who would like to participate as an in-school "consultant" to teach our 7th grade Junior Achievement course entitled "Economics for Success." JA provides the materials and lessons. You would provide the energy and experience to make this course a success. The course lasts six sessions. Due to some potential scheduling conflicts, the only time it will work for the 7th grade students is to meet on Wednesday mornings from 8:35-9:15. We hope to start after Spring Break. If you are interested and available, please let me know by this Friday (March 4). In the past, it has been so wonderful to have parents involved in this course. However, I realize that might not be possible, and it would be helpful to know if I need to consider looking outside our classroom. Please talk with me if you have more questions about Junior Achievement or volunteering.

Miscellaneous
*Friday, April 29: 30 Hour Famine--more details to come from Mrs. Oren
*Scrabble Club is meeting after school on Tuesdays from 3:20-4:30. If your child is interested in participating, he or she is welcome to come to tomorrow's meeting in the Media Center after school. The students will play Scrabble, learn strategy, and have fun.
*Thanks to so many of you for coming out for conferences last week. Please don't hesitate to talk with me if you have questions or concerns about how your child is doing in class. Net Classroom is always a good place to check about homework and due dates. Please email me if you have misplaced your log-in information or do not know to access your account.

Upcoming Due Dates
There are quite a few pending projects and things coming up for the 7th grade students. It is important for them to stay up to date on assignments. A few dates that I wanted to compile here on the blog:
*March 1: (tomorrow) Pre-algebra 3 containers must be brought to school
*March 3: rough drafts due for history
*March 10: Bible memory work due
*March 10: Artist trading cards due
*March 18: Final Tangerine projects due in language arts (assignment specifics will be given out in class next week)

February 22 Update

Conferences

Conferences will still occur as scheduled this evening. If there are any 7th grade teachers that you would like to meet with, please plan on coming to the Worship Center tonight between 4 and 8 p.m. Conferences are "cafeteria style" and you are welcome to meet with any middle school teacher for a 5-7 minute conference. Thanks for being respectful of people who might be waiting in line. Please contact teachers individually if you feel your discussion will need to last more than 7 minutes. It is beneficial for you to have looked at your child's second quarter report card prior to conferences. Please be sure to contact me if you do not know how to access his or her report card.

Pre-Algebra Note from Mrs. Wilkins

For pre-algebra students: Please bring to school this week: boxes, cans and containers of food, all different sizes and shapes. We are only interested in the containers so they can be empty. If they are full we will try to return them to their proper owners after we are done with the lesson, but there are not guarantees. Each student should bring at least 3 different containers. Details were given in class on Monday.

Camp Roger

The 7th grade students are going to Camp Roger tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday, February 23). Mrs. Oren will be attending this time with them. They will be participating in a reenactment of Valley Forge. Please remember that there is NO hot lunch on Camp Roger days. Also, please help your child remember appropriate clothing for the weather (layers, snow pants, boots, gloves, hats, warm coat, etc.). They will be spending a majority of the afternoon outdoors. We always want to make the most of our time at Camp Roger; students have a higher potential for participating well when they have eaten a good lunch beforehand and are wearing appropriate clothing. I usually remind the students about this the day before. I especially wanted to highlight this today because I haven't been able to remind the students this week. Thanks for helping with this!

Language Arts

We are continuing to read Tangerine by Edward Bloor. We are going to be a little behind the original schedule due to the snow days, but hopefully everyone will be caught up on reading. I will communicate this with the students tomorrow, but they will need to have read through page 92 for our discussion on Thursday. They will also need to read pages 95-151 for Monday. They can get a head start on this reading. There will be comprehension quizzes in class on Thursday and Monday.

Last Friday, about a fourth of the class forgot to bring their Tangerine books to class. It is necessary for students to bring their books to class because they need to refer back to them during our discussions and sometimes they are given reading time at the end of class. Also, students will be given a grade at the end of the unit for bringing their books to class each day. Please join me in encouraging your children to be prepared for class.

Miscellaneous

*No RPS busing on Thursday, February 24. GRCS buses will operate as usual.

*No school for students on Friday, February 25 (Teacher In-Service Day)

*MS Roller Skating Party has been moved to Monday, March 7

*April 14: 7th/8th Choir Concert at RCS

February 15 Update

Family Time
The 7th grade students did a wonderful job leading family time yesterday. The students wrote paraphrases of 1 Corinthians 13 last week in class. Several students shared their paraphrases. Others helped with praying and reading scripture. I was proud of the way they lead and their willingness to share in our worship time.

Language Arts
The students received their mechanics tests back today in class. I also introduced the novel the class will be reading over the next several weeks (Tangerine by Edward Bloor). During this unit, the students will sometimes be given time in class to read. On those days, students whose test scores reflected a need for some extra review on mechanics will receive extra support and practice time. Those students will need to complete the reading as homework.

The students need to plan on bringing their Tangerine novels to class every single day with them. We'll be having discussion days throughout the unit. Students will also take quizzes to check comprehension. The students will also complete a rather large project at the end. Keeping up on reading, discussing, and comprehending the book will be important.

Some students have approached me about the possibility of extra credit this quarter for language arts. I will be working out details of an extra credit opportunity they can choose to complete. However, I also shared with the class that it is important that students do their best work all the time; not completing assignments and then hoping that extra credit will help is not a good habit to fall into.

Conferences
There are two different nights where you can come and meet with middle school teachers to hear more about how your child is doing. This is a great opportunity for you to touch base with specific teachers. Please be sure to have looked at your child's report card prior to conference. Let me know if are unsure of your log-in or have not been able to view your child's report card. Similar to conferences in the fall, you can meet with any middle school teacher you would like to for 5-7 minutes. Thank you for being aware of your time and respectful of people who are waiting. If your concerns require a longer conversation, it would be a good idea to schedule a meeting at a different time. I hope to see many of you at conferences!

Miscellaneous:
*The 7th graders will be going to Camp Roger next Wednesday afternoon. It will be important that they remember to dress for the weather and wear appropriate clothes for being outside.
*Thank you for helping your child remember when he or she has hot lunch. Also, thank you for making note if you need to send additional food with your child.
*Monday, February 21: Middle School Skating Party...6:30-8:30 at Wooland Roller Skating Rink
*Thursday, February 24: No RPS Buses (GRCS buses will operate as usual)
*Friday, February 25: NO SCHOOL for students
*April 14: 7th and 8th grade choir concert at 7 p.m. at R.C.S.
*Today's home bulletin contains announcements about two different middle school summer adventure camps (mountain biking and rock climbing). The camps are lead by GRCHS teacher David Koning. David Koning is a great instructor who loves students and the outdoors. If you are looking for something fun and meaningful for your child to do this summer (June 13-17 or 20-24) email David Koning (dkoning@grcs.org) or pick up a flyer in the office.

February 8 Update

Language Arts
The students started their mechanics test today. The essay portion of the test took a little longer than I anticipated. Rather than have the students rush through, I will be giving them time in class on Thursday to finish the essay. I'll be grading the tests this weekend and will be able to return them to the students next week. The students will spend time during the rest of this week studying and writing a paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13. Some of the students will be sharing their paraphrases at family time next Monday. Everyone will need to hand in a paraphrase that will be graded (both for content and mechanics).

AuSable
I will be gone at AuSable Institute of Environmental Studies with the 6th grade students this week on Wednesday-Friday. Kate Warners will be the substitute working with the 7th grade students. I am sure they will be in good hands. Thanks for being patient with me; if you email me in the next few days, it will probably take me a little longer than normal to respond.

Miscellaneous
*Please plan on meeting with whichever middle school teachers you would like to at conferences. Conferences will be held on Thursday, February 17 and Tuesday, February 22 from 4-8 p.m. in the Worship Center.
*Friday, February 25: No school for students
*7th grade will be leading Family Time on Monday, February 14th. Anyone is welcome to attend. Family Time happens every Monday from 8:30-9:00 a.m.
*Mr. Dave wants you to know that he's updated his blog http://mrdavescorner.blogspot.com

January 31 Update

Language Arts
We have spent the past few weeks in language arts learning about different mechanics rules for writing. The students have reviewed and learned proper rules for capitalization, comma usage, semi colons, and apostrophes. They also learned how to identify fragments and run-on sentences. These skills are crucial to improving their writing.

The students will receive a review in class tomorrow. The test will be next Monday. I have been concerned about some students' apparent lack of concern for mastering the material (as reflected in both incomplete, sloppy, or carless homework and lower than expected quiz scores). I shared with the students that they need to earn a "C" or higher on the test next Monday in order to pass on to the next unit. Hopefully everyone will be motivated by this, work hard, complete the review, study their notes, ask questions for clarification, and perform well on the exam. If this does not happen, students will work in a smaller group with Ms. VanEngen during language arts for a few weeks, reviewing and mastering the skills while the rest of the class reads and discusses the book Tangerine by Edward Bloor. This is not meant to be a embarrassing punishment or horrible threat for students. It is meant to encourage students to take their studying seriously and make the most of their learning.

Second semester journal entry assignments will only take place every other week. We will be focusing on some different skills during second semester. Writing is always important. However, the students' homework will take different forms during second semester in order to better address the specific skills they will be expected to learn. This week the students will not have a journal assignment to complete. Reading log assignments will continue every Monday-Thursday evening.

Middle School Forgetfulness...
We need your help. Lately, there seems to be an epidemic of middle school forgetfulness within the 7th grade class pertaining to things like: charging laptops, completing and handing in homework, coming to class prepared, remembering lunches, having a calculator for math class, bringing back packs to school, etc. Middle school students often seem extra forgetful. It is not ultimately a parent (or teacher)'s job to make students remember. However, we would appreciate if you can help give students reminders about these things, or check up to see how they are doing. Students should be moving towards more and more responsibility in their school work. We appreciate your help and support in this process.

Report Cards
Middle school report cards can currently be viewed on NetClassroom. Please take time to look at your child's report card with him or her. Paper copies of middle school report cards are sent home upon request only. Please email Karla Radius (kradius@grcs.org) if you cannot remember your NetClassroom log-in information. Please email me if you need a paper copy of the report card sent home with your child. Seventh grade students have several different teachers. If you or your child has questions about his or her grades, it would be best to address the question to the specific teacher of that class. As a reminder, I teach language arts, Don VerMerris teaches Bible, Sara Oren teaches history, Andrea Dahm teaches science, Jan Wilkins teaches pre-algebra, and Joan VanDyke teaches algebra.

Miscellaneous
*Similar to last year, I will be gone at AuSable Institute with the 6th grade students next week on Wednesday-Friday. Kate Warners will be the substitute for me while I am gone. She is a dear friend of mine and will do an excellent job with the students. If you send me an email while I am gone, it may take me longer than normal to respond. Thanks for your patience.
*The 8th grade class will be performing "Snow White" this Friday. The play begins at 7 p.m. and takes place in the Worship Center.
*Pre-algebra students will have a math test this week on Thursday. The test will take place on Thursday, even if there is a snow day on Wednesday.
*The 7th grade students will help lead Family Time on Monday, February 14. Please feel welcome to attend.

January 25 Update

Report Cards
Second quarter ended last Friday. You will be able to view your child's report card on Net Classroom this Saturday. Please contact me if you need a reminder of log-in information for Net Classroom. Paper copies of middle school report cards will be sent home upon request only. Thank you for taking time to look at your child's report card with him or her. It is very beneficial for students to take time and reflect about their progress so far this year.

Generally, I have been a little concerned about some less than exemplary study habits of 7th grade students lately. I have been sharing with them in class that they need to continue to study for quizzes, complete homework assignments, and come to class prepared each day. I'd appreciate your help reinforcing those ideas at home. If you are wondering if your child has late or missing assignments, please see Net Classroom. I want to be consistent in encouraging them that great work is possible for them, but that it requires hard work.

Friday, January 28
We are going to see a play production of "Wednesday Wars" based on Gary Schmidt's book we read as a class last year. We'll leave school at 11:15 on Friday. Hot lunch will be available for us early that day; if your child ordered a walking taco for this Friday, it will be ready at 11 a.m. when we eat lunch. We will return to school around 2:30 and spend the remainder of the day reflecting on the play through some discussions and writing activities.

Language Arts
We are still working on mechanics rules. The students have a quiz over noticing and repairing run-on sentences in writing on Thursday. The test over this unit will most likely be sometime late next week. The students will receive a study guide prior to the test. However, it is important that they are staying up on studying and understanding the material we have covered so far (particularly commas, abbreviations, punctuation, and repairing run-on sentences).

Miscellaneous
*Thanks to everyone who sent in treats for our going away party for Naomi last Friday. It was a very nice celebration and time for the students to say goodbye.
*Mr. Dave wants you to know that he updated his blog. (http://mrdavescorner.blogspot.com/)
*Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, February 17 and Tuesday, February 22 from 4-8 p.m.

January 17 Update

Spelling Bee
The Spelling Bee will take place this Friday starting at 1:30. Mrs. Oren is having a practice for students who are participating tomorrow morning from 7:45-8:15. Anyone is welcome to attend the Spelling Bee on Friday.

Language Arts
The students spent time learning about different abbreviations last week. They took a quiz on Thursday, and many of them did not do as well as I hoped they would. I shared with the students today that I am hoping they will grow in being proactive about taking in information, studying, asking questions, and interacting with the material as they learn. For example, I told the students they needed to know how to spell the word "Fahrenheit" for the abbreviations quiz. Over a fourth of the students did not spell is correctly on the quiz.

The students will have a quiz concerning comma usage this week on Thursday. I am planning on a quiz over run-on sentences and correct usage of semi-colons a week from Tuesday. These quizzes should all help prepare the students for an assessment they will have soon over mechanics. Students need to be mastering the material as we go; they will not be successful on the assessment if they wait until the last minute to study and understand. The students received their two journal entry assignments for the week today. Journals are due no later than Friday morning.

Farewell to the Balks
This Friday will be Naomi's last day at R.C.S. We have loved having their family part of the R.C.S. family and they certainly will be missed. We are also excited for the many things God has planned for them, and encouraged by their desire to follow God's leading and faithfulness in sharing about Him around the world! Thanks to many of you for sending in treats for our party on Friday.

Miscellaneous
*Hot lunch order forms were sent home last week. They are due no later than this Friday (January 21). Please remember that the 7th graders will be gone at Camp Roger on Wednesday, February 23rd. Hot lunch should not be ordered for that day.
*Mr. Dave updated his blog. If you would like to read it, the link is: http://mrdavescorner.blogspot.com
*Friday, January 28th we will go to Calvin College to watch a play of "Wednesday Wars" adapted from Gary Schmidt's book that I read to the students last year.
*Parent-Teacher Conferences will be on Thursday, February 17 and Tuesday, February 22 from 4-8 p.m. The set-up will be similar to our fall conferences. You are encouraged and welcome to meet with any 7th grade teacher you would like to.
*This Friday marks the end of 2nd quarter.

January 11 Update

There are just a few quick reminders and announcements for this week:

(1) Congratulations to this month's Servant Award recipients. Servant Awards are given out in recognition of students who has displayed especially Christ-like and others-centered behavior and attitudes. This month's awards were given to Marta Siegfried (6th), Naomi Balk (7th), and Laura VanderHorst (8th).

(2) Mrs. Oren has extended the deadline for Spelling Bee sign ups to this Friday. The Spelling Bee will take place on Friday, January 21 in the afternoon.

(3) The 7th grade students will attend a theatre production based on Gary Schmidt's book "Wednesday Wars" on Friday, January 28th at Calvin College. We will leave at 11:15 and return at 2:30.

(4) The students are continuing to learn about proper mechanics in language arts. Most students did quite well on a capitalization quiz they took in class yesterday. The students will have a quiz over abbreviations this week on Thursday.

(5) Bible memory work (Psalm 89:1-4) and Artist Trading Cards are also due this Thursday (January 13).

(6) We do have school next Monday (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day). Please feel invited to attend a special family time that morning at the regular time.

January 3 Update

Welcome back! I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas. Thank you very much for the wonderful class gift at Christmas. I will enjoy using the gift cards to Target and Starbucks and the donation to Upper Peninsula Bible Camp (a place I love!) was incredibly thoughtful.

Language Arts
The students received their memoirs back today in class. Overall, I was very pleased with their writing. I have enjoyed seeing the content of their writing improve in wonderful ways throughout this school year. Some students still have been struggling with grammar and language usage rules in their writing. In hopes of the students learning from their mistakes in their writing, they need to make specific corrections on their papers and hand them in again by this Friday. I have encouraged the students to come and talk with me if they have questions about their papers. We will be spending time over the next few weeks covering capitalization and punctuation rules in class. The students will have quizzes throughout the unit and a test at the end.

Wednesday Wars
During 6th grade language arts, I read the book Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt to the students. I recently learned that Calvin College is putting on a production based on the book at the end of this month and they are having special showings for school groups. The 7th grade students will be going on Friday, January 28th to see the play. I'm very excited for this opportunity; it will be a great way for the students to connect things they've learned in class with theatre at Calvin. We will leave at 11:15 and return to school at 2:30 that day. We'll spend time reflecting on the play when we return to school at the end of the day.

Spelling Bee
The spelling bee will take place in the Worship Center on Friday, January 21st from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Students who are interested in participating must sign up no later than this Friday. Mrs. Oren will have a run-through practice in her room on Tuesday, January 18th from 7:45-8:15 a.m.

Miscellaneous
*Please note: we have school on Monday, January 17th (MLK Day). We will have a special Family Time that morning. Feel welcome to join us.
*Reading Log and ELA weekly journal assignments are still happening. Journal assignments must be handed in by Friday morning each week.
*Bible Memory Work (Psalm 89:1-4) is due on Thursday, January 13th.
*Artist Trading cards for art class are due on Thursday, January 13th.
*The students have a quiz in science this Friday.
*Mark your calendars for the 8th grade class play "Snow White" on Friday, February 4th.