This Thursday, January 21, marks the middle of trimester 2.  It also is the beginning of the second half of the 2009-2010 school year.  The weeks and months have gone by quickly.  Thinking about the first half and looking forward to the second half, students reflected on skills and concepts learned in their classes, memorable fun times, and hopes for the rest of the school year as seventh graders.  Sharing with you, here are some of the comments:

Learning: "How to research (specifically the History Day project) and study for tests."  "Last year was easy to do well in school, but this year I had to buckle down and work hard."  "Looking at religion in a different way.  Learning about authors and how they write."  "How to create a website."  "We learned how to use a microscope in Science and different types of expressions and equations in prealgebra."  "How to play 1000 miles on the piano and lessons from the Courage Retreat.  And a lot of Spanish vocabulary."  "The rules of improv and the rules and guidelines of literature."

Fun Times:  The Courage Retreat and Pebbles in the Pond; Making and talking with new friends; Sra. Pradas and Mrs. Paschal dressing up in Highland Catholic uniforms for Halloween; Geo Bee; Secret Santa (that was fun!); Watching Charlie Brown and eating birthday treats; School sports; Taliking at the lockers; Improvisation in Performing Arts; Being with Mrs. Paschal, and of course, Mrs. Mallory ;)

Hopes for the Rest of the School Year:  Having fun at Spanish Camp; Our COOL Catholic Schools Week; Do well on the History Day project without too much stress; Enjoy myself and my friends; Be respectful to others; Learn math that isn't complicated, but looks like it is; Valentine's Day; Always putting God first; Getting good grades and getting organized; Have fun; and of course, Summer!

Thanks to all the students for their thoughts.  You are an awesome class!

Speaking of learning, here is what is happening in the seventh grade classes.

Geography has moved on to South America, studying various aspects of human and physical geography in this part of the world.  In English they are in the process of researching a topic for History Day's theme, "Innovation in History: Impact and Change."  In a few weeks, they will be creating awesome websites based on their research.  Units on "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell and O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" have been completed in Literature.  Next is Jim Kjellgaard's "The Tiger's Heart."  The chapter on protists and fungi has filled the time in Science then on to plants.  In Math, rates, ratios, and proportional reasoning are topics to be learned next. 

Busy, busy, busy!  Have a blessed New Year!