7th Grade News
Check back here for updates and reminders about upcoming activities, assessments, and projects. Contact Ms. Harris if you'd like to receive our periodic e-newsletter.
October 2018
10/1 Update: Our new 7th grade social studies scholars have jumped right into the study of history and have begun to make connections between historical events and their 21st century lives. Over the past few weeks, we have introduced the concept of historical perspective and have considered the tools used by social scientists. Students took on the role of detectives as they listened to an NPR Radiolab podcast about Ötzi the iceman and gathered evidence to solve a 5,000 year old murder mystery. The students then shared objects that represented their personal interests and values, and their peers used an adapted version of the U.S. Archives artifact analysis document to examine the artifacts. We discussed the challenges associated with interpreting artifacts that people used in the past and also explored careers in the field of archaeology.
Our study of archaeology culminated today in a hands-on archaeological excavation behind the PMS library. 7th grade archaeologists worked in "dig teams" of 2-3 students to excavate layer by layer and carefully documented soil coloration and artifact finds in their team field notes. It's been a pleasure getting to know your students over the last month, and I look forward to working with all of you to support your children this year! |
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