Willow Weekly 4/30 to 5/4

Welcome to the Willow Weekly.  Here you will find all of your Team Willow news and information.  Please sign up for automatic updates and you will be notified whenever an update is made.

Important Information:  

• As a connection to the ELA curriculum, we are holding a In-Kind Drive in support of the International Institute, which helps out refugees in crisis. Check out the flyer for what you can donate!
• Friday, May 11th is a half day
• On Wednesday, May 23rd, we are going to Six Flags, please make sure your student has paid and turned in their permission slip. They may bring extra money for food or games
• Last day of school is May 24th. School dismisses at noon.
• The Jim Schoemehl run is coming up on Saturday, May 5th. You can find information on this flyer.

Seventh grade science classes are in need of a LARGE amount of cardboard for our final Engineering Design Process experience (details will be shared next week). If you have access to cardboard that would be useful to us, we would LOVE to take it off your hands and repurpose it prior to recycling.

We are looking for:

·         Corrugated cardboard – the thicker the better. (Thin, flimsy cardboard and cereal box-type cardboard are not needed for this project.)

·         Large pieces – the bigger the better. Medium-sized pieces are useful as well.

·         Non-waxed, plain cardboard. (if the outside is white/printed/has large labels on it, but the inside is brown/plain, we can still use it)

If you are able to send in cardboard next week (May 7-11), it would be greatly appreciated! We will begin building with these materials on Monday, May 14^th, so we will need to have it gathered by the end of next week.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

ELA –

We're continuing to read Refugee by Alan Gratz and studying the book's themes as they change and develop. It's been really fun to read the same book at the same time and focus in on one skill! By next Friday, 5/11, students should be on page 224.

Don't forget to stay updated with what's going on in ELA by visiting Ms. K's blog or follow Willow ELA's Instagram page.

Social Studies –
Students have been exploring the early Middle Ages.  We have been looking at the Germanic Tribes aka The Barbarians.  Were they REALLY barbarians?  Or were they refugees with technology and ideas that would have benefitted Rome?

Next week students will begin their summative folder project on Medieval Africa and Europe.  All of the research materials and directions are located in the Middle Ages section of my website.

www.hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson/Classes/pettid

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org

314-918-4602

Math- 

Algebra- Students should begin studying for their final

7th grade math- Students are working on their last unit, Statistics and probability.

Ashley Porter 

porter.ashley@wgmail.org

Science

Students have focused on the differences and similarities between climate and weather this week as well as the different types of climates that occur here on Earth.

We end our weather unit next week focusing on both natural and human caused climate change.

Our end of the year engineering design project begins next Thursday.  Please see the note at the top of the blog.  WE NEED CARDBOARD!

geringer.matt@wgmail.org

Please visit the following links for more information: Hixson home page -http://hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson

Willow Weekly 4/16 to 4/20

Welcome to the Willow Weekly.  Here you will find all of your Team Willow news and information.  Please sign up for automatic updates and you will be notified whenever an update is made.

Important Information:
Chromebook Collection

Usually in early May, our technology team collects all Chromebooks and chargers for the summer. This year, we will be collecting the Chromebooks a few weeks early.

On Monday, April 16^th, students will check back in their Chromebooks and chargers to their 4^th hour class.  Once they are collected, they will not be going back and forth from school to home.  The reason for the earlier collection is to ensure that each device has been assessed and checked to make sure it is in working condition for the MAP test.  Beginning Friday, April 27^th, all of Hixson will be testing, similar to our practice MAP test schedule from January.  Therefore, it is important that our technology department has the time to assess each machine to make sure they are in satisfactory working condition for our testing days.

Students will have access to technology in their classrooms.  Students may also bring their own device from home.

Please be mindful of the following for the three testing days:

• Please make sure your child comes to school with headphones or earbuds.  The listening portion of the test requires it.
•  Please make sure your child comes to school with a book to read after they are done testing.
• Please know that cell phones ARE NOT ALLOWED in the testing rooms.  If you need to reach your child, please call the main office.  Students will be asked to place their phones in their lockers.  If a phone is in the classroom, the teacher will collect the phone and it will be returned after testing is completed.

Our testing days are April 27th and April 30th. 

Thank you for your understanding while we prepare for the building wide MAP test.

ELA –

Don't forget to stay updated with what's going on in ELA by visiting Ms. K's blog or follow Willow ELA's Instagram page.

Social Studies –

Students took their Classical World test this Friday.  They have until April 26th to complete their work.

Next week we will be visiting the Middle Ages in both Europe and Africa.  Students will be working on a digital interactive notebook that is due Thursday.  We will also be exploring The Black Death, and the causes and effects of The Crusades.

 www.hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson/Classes/pettid

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org

314-918-4602

Math- 

Algebra- We are working on chapter 11 and MAP prep

7th grade math- Students worked on LT3, we will be testing next week. Our MAP test will start Friday.

Ashley Porter 

porter.ashley@wgmail.org

Science

Students worked on goal 3 and 4 of our Growth, Development, and Reproduction unit.  These two sections deal with Natural and Artificial Selection of traits.  Specifically students did research on Genetic Engineering, Genetic Mutations, or Cloning and presented their findings to small groups on Friday.

Next week students will have a summative exam on this unit.  A study guide was worked on in class on Friday and we will be going over it at the end of class on Monday.

geringer.matt@wgmail.org

Please visit the following links for more information: Hixson home page -http://hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson

Willow Weekly 4/9 to 4/13

Welcome to the Willow Weekly.  Here you will find all of your Team Willow news and information.  Please sign up for automatic updates and you will be notified whenever an update is made.

Important Information:
Chromebook Collection

Usually in early May, our technology team collects all Chromebooks and chargers for the summer. This year, we will be collecting the Chromebooks a few weeks early.

On Monday, April 16^th, students will check back in their Chromebooks and chargers to their 4^th hour class.  Once they are collected, they will not be going back and forth from school to home.  The reason for the earlier collection is to ensure that each device has been assessed and checked to make sure it is in working condition for the MAP test.  Beginning Friday, April 27^th, all of Hixson will be testing, similar to our practice MAP test schedule from January.  Therefore, it is important that our technology department has the time to assess each machine to make sure they are in satisfactory working condition for our testing days.

Students will have access to technology in their classrooms.  Students may also bring their own device from home.

Please be mindful of the following for the three testing days:

• Please make sure your child comes to school with headphones or earbuds.  The listening portion of the test requires it.
•  Please make sure your child comes to school with a book to read after they are done testing.
• Please know that cell phones ARE NOT ALLOWED in the testing rooms.  If you need to reach your child, please call the main office.  Students will be asked to place their phones in their lockers.  If a phone is in the classroom, the teacher will collect the phone and it will be returned after testing is completed.

Our testing days are April 27th and April 30th. 

Thank you for your understanding while we prepare for the building wide MAP test.

ELA –
Students are finishing up their summative argument writing piece. Next, we'll be entering into our MAP review mini-unit, where students get to write a creative writing piece in the genre of their choice! 

Don't forget to stay updated with what's going on in ELA by visiting Ms. K's blog or follow Willow ELA's Instagram page.

Social Studies –

What a great job students did on our field trip to the Art Museum!  I received compliments from several docents about their behavior and good questions.

Students are finishing Ancient Rome next week and will have their summative test over Greece and Rome next Friday.  Study guides were handed out today with answers to be posted on Thursday.

 www.hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson/Classes/pettid

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org

314-918-4602

Math- 

Algebra- We took the chapter 10 test and worked on the cumulative review

7th grade math- Students worked on LT2, angle measurements, we will start LT3 next week

Ashley Porter 

porter.ashley@wgmail.org

Science

geringer.matt@wgmail.org

Please visit the following links for more information: Hixson home page -http://hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson

Willow weekly 4/2 to 4/6

Welcome to the Willow Weekly.  Here you will find all of your Team Willow news and information.  Please sign up for automatic updates and you will be notified whenever an update is made.

Important Information:  

• Please make sure your child is charging their chromebook at night.
• The Jim Schoemehl run is coming up on Saturday, May 5th. You can find information on this flyer.

ELA –
Students finished gathering evidence for why "The Tell-Tale Heart" is a stronger story than the other three short stories we have read this unit. We're preparing to debate with other teams next week. Students will be turning their notes into a formal argument piece next week as well.

Don't forget to stay updated with what's going on in ELA by visiting Ms. K's blog or follow Willow ELA's Instagram page.

Social Studies –

Students have transitioned from Greece to Rome.  We have explored the geography of the region and the quest to control the Mediterranean Sea.  Early next week we will be looking at the Roman Republic and it's influence on the United States.  Our Vocabulary Test will be Friday.

On Thursday, we will travel to the St. Louis Art Museum to visit the Sunken Cities exhibit.  It is an amazing exhibit and I'm so pleased that we are able to take advantage of the opportunity.


Permission slips for the April 11th field trip to the Art Museum have been sent out.  They and the $5.00 fee may be turned in at the office.

 www.hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson/Classes/pettid

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org

314-918-4602

Math- 

Algebra- Test over chapter 10 on Monday

7th grade math- We finished LT1 of Angles and areas and started LT2

***If your student is wanting to reassess their last test they have until next Friday April 6th. EXTENDED TO MONDAY

Ashley Porter 

porter.ashley@wgmail.org

Science

This week students gave presentations about behaviors that animals perform in order to help them survive, reproduce, and engage socially. This was the second half of learning goal 1 in our growth, development, and reproduction unit.  We finished the week introducing genetics and heredity.

geringer.matt@wgmail.org

Please visit the following links for more information: Hixson home page -http://hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson

Willow Weekly 3/26 to 3/30

Welcome to the Willow Weekly.  Here you will find all of your Team Willow news and information.  Please sign up for automatic updates and you will be notified whenever an update is made.

Important Information:  

• Please make sure your child is charging their chromebook at night.
• The Jim Schoemehl run is coming up on Saturday, May 5th. You can find information on this flyer.

ELA –

We're moving forward in our argument unit. Students read 4 short stories over the past two weeks. Team Willow will be assigned one story to analyze in preparation for a debate with other 7th grade students! We'll be debating the merits of the story's protagonist, antagonist, theme and mood.

Don't forget to stay updated with what's going on in ELA by visiting Ms. K's blog or follow Willow ELA's Instagram page.

Social Studies –
Students have spent the week looking at the contributions of the ancient Greeks and their effects on today's world.  We also looked at Alexander the Great.  There are only a few people throughout history who have been labeled "the Great", and I have asked students to share what they think constitutes greatness.  The open note quiz for Greece will be Tuesday.

Next week, we will begin looking at the Roman Republic and Empire.


Permission slips for the April 11th field trip to the Art Museum have been sent out.  They and the $5.00 fee may be turned in at the office.

 www.hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson/Classes/pettid

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org

314-918-4602

Math- 

Algebra- We are working through chapter 10 now

7th grade math- Students took their math placement tests Thursday and Friday. We did review over Expressions and Equations beforehand. We will be working on Geometry Area and Angles next week. 

If your student is wanting to reassess their last test they have until next Friday April 6th.

Ashley Porter 

porter.ashley@wgmail.org

Science

This week we started a new unit on Growth, Development, and Reproduction.  We will be focusing on how plants and animals live through their life cycles and adaptations they use to reach maturity and reproduce.

Our first goal asks students to use evidence to identify parts of plants that help them to successfully reproduce and animal behaviors that increase their chance of successful reproduction.

geringer.matt@wgmail.org

Please visit the following links for more information: Hixson home page -http://hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson

Willow Weekly 3/5 to 3/9

Welcome to the Willow Weekly.  Here you will find all of your Team Willow news and information.  Please sign up for automatic updates and you will be notified whenever an update is made.

Important Information:  

• Please make sure your child is charging their chromebook at night.
• No after school activities next week!!
• Conference sign ups can be found at this link. These are student led conferences, if you are wanting to schedule to talk to the teachers directly please email Mrs. Pettid to schedule.

ELA –
This week, I assessed what students already know about argument writing by asking them to write about an issue a lot of them care about right now: Should Hixson students be required to have PE every day?

Students read articles on each side of the debate, chose a side and wrote a letter to Dr. Lee expressing their thoughts. I'll use their responses to assess what they excel at as writers already and where I need to focus on for my teaching.

Don't forget to stay updated with what's going on in ELA by visiting Ms. K's blog or follow Willow ELA's Instagram page.

Social Studies –

Students have spent the week working on their Greek Myth Projects.  They are doing some amazing work and I'm so excited for the gallery walk next Wednesday.  I have enjoyed watching them put their spin on some very old stories.

Permission slips for the April 11th field trip to the Art Museum have been sent out.  They and the $5.00 fee may be turned in at the office.

 www.hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson/Classes/pettid

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org

314-918-4602

Math- 

Algebra- We will be testing on Chapter 9 before spring break!!!

7th grade math- We finished taking the geometry scale factor test. We will be working on a project next week.

Ashley Porter 

porter.ashley@wgmail.org

Science

Students worked on a choice project about the human heart.  This was due on Thursday.  This was in preparation for our trip to the practical anatomy lab next week.

As a reminder - we will be traveling to the SLU Practical Anatomy lab to dissect pig hearts on March 15th. Permission slips were sent home as part of the back to school packet as well as on Tuesday of this week if they had not been turned in.  Please return the permission slips and $12 cost as soon as possible. 

geringer.matt@wgmail.org

Please visit the following links for more information: Hixson home page -http://hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson