Hello TMSA 7th Grade Parents, Guardians and Friends,
As we continue to reflect on what makes distance learning more effective, we have developed some ideas and strategies to make remote learning more engaging for our TMSA 7th grade scholars. Listed below are some of our strategies and expectations for 7th grade:
- Students are encouraged to use their cameras!
- Late assignments via Otus can be turned in; however, students should focus on the current lessons.
- Breakout Rooms: Teachers will begin to use breakout rooms as a tool for students to become more self-sufficient while working in small groups with their peers during remote learning. Again, we encourage all students to have cameras and microphones on during breakout rooms session.
These are only a few of the things we have discussed as a 7th grade team. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Virtual Holiday Celebration – December 18, 2020 – More information will be available SOON!
Work Help Groups
There is extra help being scheduled for students on Fridays (asynchronous learning day). This will be a chance for students to work on things like getting help with a specific subject, navigating Otus, Pearson, USATest Prep, etc. or prioritizing and completing missing assignments. Please reach out to 7th grade team if you feel your scholar would benefit from Work Help Groups!
What’s The 4-1-1 in 7th Grade ELA and Science?
English Language Arts – Previously, 7th grade students learned about the argumentative writing process. They had the autonomy to choose their own topic and persuade readers to believe their side is correct. They did great!
Currently, our 7th grade ELA students are currently working on figurative language (simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, onomatopoeia, understatement, pun, etc.) Students are becoming more and more vocal during our live class sessions which is truly appreciated!
In the future, students will begin comparing films to written work and the informative writing process.
Our 7th Grade Science students began their year of Life Science study by participating in the Great Georgia Pollinator Census. Scholars applied their observational skills to identify and count samples of insects from TMSA’s Pollinator Garden. Data collected by students for this Citizen Science project was shared with Georgia’s Pollinator data base, which will contribute to a better understanding of the conservation needs of migrating pollinators across Georgia. Outside of this project, our classes enjoyed the bonus treat of watching several caterpillars from the garden transition into the chrysalis stage of metamorphosis, and eventually emerge as adult Monarch butterflies.
Additionally, Science students built their own personal “Cabinets of Curiosities” where they shared and displayed 10 organic specimens collected locally from nature. By building their own collection of natural artifacts, students gained practical experience using classification skills, while making a personal connection with the nature around them. This hands-on, project-based assessment helped demonstrate to students the significance of historical collections, the foundations of modern museums, and the continuing importance of collections to the scientific community.
Recently, Seventh Grade Science students have been busy learning about prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Scholars created physical and conceptual models of cells, including their respective organelles. Currently, classes are reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Edited), where they are examining the historical issues behind the infamous HeLa cells used in medical research around the world to this day.
A. Williams, 7th grade TMSA scholar, explains his 3-D cell model
S. Jones, 7th grade TMSA scholar, points out the lizard tail he collected for his "Cabinet of Curiosities'"
Thank You,
TMSA 7th Grade Team
Mr. Walls
Ms. Jenkins
Ms. Campbell
Mr. Duffie
Ms. Hemans