EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT 7TH GRADE WITH MRS. ABBOTT
Hi! Welcome to 7th grade. I look forward to getting to know each of you this year. Here is
some information to help you get off to a positive start.
CLASS
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EXPECTATIONS
Arrive on time to class, ready to learn.
Bring all materials.
Respect the rights and property of others.
WHAT YOU’LL BE LEARNING THIS YEAR
Language Arts—As you might expect, we will be writing, reading and speaking. We will be
also learning new vocabulary. In your outside reading this year you will be challenged to
read different genres of books. We will be writing every day in class and will follow the
writing process when completing writing pieces. As you probably remember, the writing
process consists of prewriting, rough draft, editing, final piece and publishing.
Social Studies—We have a lot to cover this year. The topics that are part of the
curriculum are: Medieval Europe, The Rise of Islam, The Cultures and Kingdoms of West
Africa, Imperial China, Japan During Medieval Times, Civilizations of the Americas. Europe’s
Renaissance and Reformation, Europe Enters the Modern Age. Students will receive an
Interactive Notebook to go along with the History Alive social studies text book.
We will also be keeping up with world events this year. Students will report on one world
event each week.
LOCKERS
Lockers will be given out in homeroom as soon as you return your locker contract.
HALL PASSES
Sign out on the clipboard and take the Abbott Hall Pass if you need to use the restroom. Do
not leave class when direct teaching is going on or when students are presenting. As 7th
graders I know you can limit your time out of the classroom.
SUPPLIES FOR BLOCK
A three-ring binder with a divider for social studies and language arts.
Notebook paper
Pens and pencils(black or blue)
Colored pencils or pens
Glue stick
A spiral notebook
Composition book
A silent reading book
Flash drive
A REMINDER OF A FEW OLD SCHOOL RULES
Backpacks are to be left in your locker during the school day.
Come to class on time. Three times tardy will result in lunch detention.
Leave electronics at home.
Cell phones should be turned off during the school day.
Be respectful of staff and students
DAILY WORK
When students arrive in class each day, they will have a "start of the day routine". This will
consist of a writing prompt or a grammar activity and vocabulary word. Students will put mo
this information in a "Daily Work" spiral notebook.
As part of the current event assignment, students will have the chance to orally share one
current event each week.
Assignments can be typed or completed in pencil or pen(black or blue).
should be typed or written in black or blue ink.
All final pieces
Head your papers in the upper right hand corner of your paper. Include the following:
Name
Mrs. Abbott
Date
Title of Assignment
GRADING POLICY
You will be earning letter grades this year in block. You will receive a grade for language
arts and for social studies. Your grades will be based on class work, major projects, tests,
and class participation. Grading scale is as follows:
A-90-100
B-80-89
C-70-79
D-55-69
F-under 55
Each assignment will have a point value. The requirements and the point value will be given
when students receive an assignment.
Grades will be posted on snapgrades.com, an online grading service. Parents will receive
training on how to access the site during BACK to SCHOOL NIGHT on Thursday,
September 17 from 7-9 P.M.
HOMEWORK
I require that you read 2 hours(120 minutes) each week outside of class. You will be
recording your reading in a literature journal and then will be responding to a weekly reading
prompt. The literature journals will be collected each Thursday.
Books need to be completed by the following dates:
October 1, October 22, November 12 and December 2.
There will be no literature journal due on those days. There will be a book talk and book
review. On November 12, students will complete a book project instead of the book review.
The weekly current event assignment is due each Tuesday.
Turn homework in on the assigned due date. Homework is due at the beginning of class. Late
work will be accepted only with a LATE WORK coupon. I will give each of you 3 LATE
WORK coupons each trimester. Homework will be posted on sellwoodmiddleschool.org .
Just hook into Mrs. Abbott’s blog.
SAVING YOUR WORK
Your graded work should be filed in you 3-ring binder under the appropriate subject. You
will also have a file in the classroom that you can put your graded assignments if your
notebook gets too full. Do not throw your work away. At the end of each trimester, you
will select some of your work to include in your Sellwood portfolio.
QUESTIONS?
If you would like to chat with me, the best times are before school between 8:30 and 9
A.M., during lunch, during 3rd period or after school. If you need help or need clarification
on an assignment we can meet. We will arrange a time that will work for both of us. My email
is nabbott@pps.k12.or.us, so you can also communicate with me that way.
Here's wishing you a happy and productive 7th grade year!
Mrs. Abbott
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I have read EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT 7TH GRADE WITH MRS.
ABBOTT.
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Parent Signature
__________________________________
Student Signature
Print Student’s Name____________________________________________________
Comments:
September 8, 2009
Dear Parents,
I would like to welcome you and your child to 7th grade at Sellwood Middle School.
We will be learning about world history and culture as well as reading, writing and
speaking. This class will have students practice skills that will prepare them to be a
productive citizen in today’s world.
As you know, the partnership between the student, parent and teacher is essential.
As a parent, ask questions about what happened in school. I encourage you to talk
to your child about the world events they will be presenting in class. Inquire about
what your child is reading. They will be reading for 2 hours each week outside of
class. Your continued interest in your child’s school life will make the year more
meaningful.
In order to get the most out of this year, students should turn in all work. They
should write assignments in a planner. The school will provide a Sellwood planner
for each student. Assignments will also be posted on the sellwoodmiddle.org. If a
student is absent, this is a good way to find the missed assignments. The missed
work needs to be made up. We will agree on a reasonable date for that.
Attached you will find EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT 7TH GRADE
WITH MRS. ABBOTT which gives more information about this year. Please sign
the end of this and return that to me. If you have any questions or comments feel
free to contact me. I look forward to working with your child this year! See you at
Back to School Night on September 17.
I have included an easy reference list for a few important items.
September 17-Family BBQ and Back to School Night
Nancy Abbott email nabbott@pps.k12.or.us
Nancy Abbott phone 916-5656(Sellwood’s number)
Nancy Abbott voice mail 916-2000 extension 70626
Homework postings sellwoodmiddleschool.org
Grade postings snapgrades.net Training at Back to School Night.
Sincerely,
Nancy Abbott