We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!  The seventh graders have a lot to look forward to in the next couple of months.  Below is some information on what is going on in their classes.

Religion: The seventh graders just finished a unit on miracles.  They are beginning a unit on Jesus' parables to lead them back into a discussion about modern day Catholic Social Teaching!

English: In English class, the seventh graders are brushing up on their punctuation and writing mechanics.  Also, they'll soon be writing comparison papers regarding Renaissance art.

Literature: The seventh graders are studying Ray Bradbury's short story "All Summer in a Day," a story about missed opportunities and inclusion.  They will soon be starting the novel, Bearstone. 

Geography: The class is in the unit on Europe and Russia.  The chapters include: the European Union, population dilemmas in Europe, transboundary pollution, Russia's varied landscape and the physical processes that shape it, and the new Nation-States from the old Soviet Empire - will they succeed?

Math: The class is continuing to learn about writing and graphing linear equations.  They are working on finding slope, and the intercepts of lines. 

Science: Before spring break, the students had the opportunity to dissect frogs.  They learned about the frog's anatomy, and how it compares to ours.  They were also able to figure out the gender by looking at the frog's thumb.  Male frogs have a large bump on their thumbs.  Now, the seventh graders are learning about birds and mammals.  After that, they will begin a month long unit on human anatomy. 

Spanish: Next week, the 7th graders will be going to Chipotle for lunch. This is a real experience to practice their Spanish skills while they order their lunch and answer the staff's questions about the options they get and at the cashier, too.  The class is now learning about the regular present verbs, how to conjugate them, and when this tense is used in Spanish. The class is also preparing for Spanish camp by using more oral communication during class. Coming up May 14th, they are getting very excited by the minute. Every class a brief time is dedicated for questions regarding camp.

Now that we are in the Lenten season, we reflect on what Jesus sacrificed for us.  The 7th graders are looking for ways to help others in need. 

Last week, we had the opportunity to see Mrs. Lulu Daly's presentation on her service trip to Haiti.  She showed us several pictures, and told many stories from her time there.  The 7th graders were deeply saddened by the stories of young children losing their parents, their legs and arms, and often dying from their injuries that resulted from the earthquake. 

This week, Mrs. Marianne Wheelock spoke to the school about next week's fundraiser for our friends in Chimbote, Peru.  Like the people of Haiti, the people in Chimbote have very little resources.  Next week, our school will be collecting money for the people in Chimbote.  Please do what you can to help them. 

In Thursday folders this week, you will find a slip with the date and time of your conference.  Conferences are March 10, and 11.  We hope you can all make it. 

The 7th graders have been very busy this trimester.  As the trimester winds down, here is what your 7th grader has coming up in their classes. 

Geography: The 7th graders are starting the unit on Europe and Russia.  The chapters include studying the European Union, Population Dilemmas, Invisible Borders, and New Nation-States from the Old Soviet Empire:  Will they Succeed? There will be map tests coming up, as well.

English: In English, the 7th graders just finished creating their webpages for History Day.  Those took a great deal of research and writing, and they turned out beautiful.  Good work 7th graders!

Science: The 7th graders are finishing up a chapter on invertebrates.  We have been talking about sponges, cnidarians, flatworms, and roundworms.  Next week, they will be able to observe a real flatworm.  Coming up, we will begin a unit on amphibians that will conclude with dissecting frogs.  The students are very excited about that!

Religion: Next Friday, March 5, the 7th graders will have an excellent opportunity to go to the Nobel Peace Prize Festival at Augsburg College.  At the conference, they will choose a previous winner of the prize, and study their life and accomplishments.  They will then create a presentation about what they learned, and share it with other visitors.

Stay tuned for more updates!

The seventh graders had a busy, but fun Catholic Schools Week.  At the end of the week we asked the seventh graders to write down some of their favorite activities from last week.  

Here are some of the students responses:

Rollerblading, Pajama Day, S.A.L.T Day, Pinguard, Messy Hair Day, the time we spent with our classmates having fun together

We also asked students what they believed was the meaning behind Catholic Schools Week.  Here are some of their answers:

"I think the point of Catholic Schools Week is to let us grow in our faith, and learn what it means to be Catholic in fun, modern ways that bring us closer together."

"To unite as a school"

"To celebrate being students at a Catholic School"

"To show our faith, and how we can come together as a school"

"Catholic Schools Week means a time to better bond with my classmates and teachers.  Catholic means "universal", and this week is a time to be inclusive."

"Catholic Schools Week is a time to celebrate our faith."

"The meaning of Catholic Schools Week is to help others by raising money,and bringing in clothes for people from Families Moving Forward."

"It is about celebrating that we are lucky enough to go to a Catholic School."