In The Classroom

Algebra – Mr. Broms

Don’t Get “Flipped” Out – It’s the Lesson.

Our focus of study has been on “nomials,” including monomials, binomials, trinomials, and polynomials. We will learn how to classify, factor, multiply and divide nomials by number of terms.

One of the most fun things we will do during this unit is a “flipped” lesson. This is a process where the “homework” assignment for the kids will be to watch a “lesson” online that I created and put on YouTube. (Please don’t be surprised if you come home one day and your kids tell you that their assignment is to watch a YouTube video!) The following day we will review their “assignment” and do some problems in class from the lesson they learned online. Hopefully many more “flipped” lessons are in your kids futures.

The Terra Novas Are Coming. We will begin preparing for the Terra Nova standardized tests by:

• Doing practice problems in class
• Working with partners to solve problems
• Working on problems from previous Terra Nova exams
• Doing problems from Continental Math League
• Doing problems from Math Masters

Testing will take place in early May.

Later in May we will work together on a project where the kids have to write the directions to a friend on how to divide polynomials – a very complex process. This may sound easy, but it is actually quite challenging for the kids. I am sure they will rise to the occasion and do great work.

As always, please remember to check out Homework Hero for homework assignments and important upcoming dates.

Language Arts – Mr. Brook

The seventh graders are soon starting their final Language Arts unit of the year focused on the relationship between immigration and the idea of home. They will read various works of literature that explore these concepts, leading to a final writing project. This will be a two part paper with one half based on research and the other a narrative piece based on their research of a local immigrant community.

Pre Algebra – Ms. Moore

Our seventh grade math class begins our first real foray into the world of algebra. During this unit, our class will:

• Identify, practice, find, name, and graph coordinates in all four quadrants of the coordinate plane
• Find and extend patterns in number sequences
• Practice solving problems using Fibonacci sequences
• Use algebraic expressions to create the rules for sequences
• Learn and practice representing a function as a rule, an equation, a function table, and as a set of ordered pairs
• Represent functions using graphs
• Create tables using input/output graphs
• Use functions and graphs to solve problems
• Gain skill and comfort with variables, begin to solve for the variable
• Learn algebraic formulas and methods

As the students have been wanting to do some algebra for most of the year, this promises to be a fun and challenging unit.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Also, if you would like a summer work packet for your child, please let me know and I will be happy to prepare one.

Science – Mr. Mintz

After earning chocolate malts for scoring a seventh grade average above 87% on the botany unit test, the plants we nurtured in our classroom got transplanted to the garden. Unfortunately, a combination of cold and creative animals consumed the plants, which we had planned to turn into guacamole and pesto later this year. A few of the radishes may have survived, but few of the students were looking forward to eating those. We may still spend a little time on food science with store bought herbs and veggies. The natural consequence of herbivores chowing down on our garden is a great lead in to our study of ecosystems, which will follow our current unit – Evolution

If you or someone in your life is an amateur or professional scientist, please email me at smintz@hmjds.org. We’d love to have you visit.

Current and Upcoming Units:

• Evolution
• Ecosystems

Social Studies – Ms. Becker

In seventh grade social studies, students continue to work on their genealogy projects. Students for the most part are past the background research of their ancestors and are now working on putting together their materials, documents, pictures and maps into sequence and order. Students will begin working on their iMovies shortly. The effort and creativity that I am seeing from students’ work is impressive. Just as I thought, it’s really wonderful to learn about your families and the richness of your backgrounds. You will be invited to class the day your child presents his/her iMovie so you can kvell over their accomplishments!

Transition Math – Ms. Cytron

In seventh grade transition Math this month we:

• Completed our second major Pre-Algebra unit of the year, which included solving and graphing two-step equations
• Began our final unit of the year – Informal Geometry

Coming up:

• A wide variety of Geometric concepts will be covered, including symmetry, properties of angles, lines and shapes and formulas for area and perimeter for a variety of figures
• A review of test taking strategies in preparation the upcoming Terra Novas

Hebrew – Ms. Berman and Ms. Faleschini

We will start a new unit that is called “six potatoes.” Although it is not mentioned in the story, there are hints that indicate that the story take place during the Holocaust. Three siblings are getting ready for dinner. All they have left is six potatoes to share without knowing when their next meal will be.

• Through this story we will explore the dilemmas that Jews faced as they struggled to survive, which connect to the core values of the school
• In grammar, we will study noun pairs, a feature of Hebrew that is quite different from English
• We will also work on conjugation of a range of more complex prepositions

Expressive Drawing and Painting – Ms. Thor

Students have been experimenting with a variety of materials and creative processes. We have used charcoal, acrylic paint, watercolors, markers, graphite sticks, Mask-It, masking tape, and Kosher salt (reacts to paper and watercolors). We’ve completed the following exercises:

• Horizontal rhythm & rhythmic drawing with several motifs
• Flux
• Automatic drawing
• Rhythmic repetition
• Three shape composition

We will be exploring a few exercises through printmaking by creating monotypes and using different printmaking techniques. Due to scheduled all school assemblies and the eighth grade trip to Washington DC, we will be working fervently to complete all our work. Students have a final piece that will be their own interpretation of the methods and materials they used throughout the trimester.

Students were given an assignment to write a brief paper on an Abstract Expressionist artist of their choice. They were given a packet with directions and resource information. This paper was due Tues. March 27th. Please ask your child if they have completed this assignment. I need them completed ASAP. If you have any questions, please send me an email.

Library – Ms. Oskow

Heads up, pardners! School year’s end creeps closer!

All student library books are due mid-May (unless needed for class project).

• Enables inventory to ensure books’ availability for next year.
• Overdue notices will be sent home with students.
• Return books to librarian’s desk or bin outside library door.

So round up those literary dogies!

Many Upper School students are enjoying checking out new books from the Book Fair. Students also take advantage of library recess study halls and library computers.

Nearly $11,000 in books was sold at the Fair! That means over $2,200 in profit for HMJDS Media Center, plus over $1,650 in books and materials!!

A big thank you to Book Fair Chairs Beth Jasco, Ellen Berkelhamer and Micki Litton!

And thank you to all of the great volunteers:

Judy Finkelstein, Gail Freedman, Michelle Gendlin, Alyssa Golob, Diane Greenberger, Michael Keller, Wendy Khabie, Becky Madigan, Melissa Mark, Emer O’Connor-Keller, Mark Roth, Laura Schmieg, Heidi Schneider, Beckie Skelton, Lisa Villalta, Kim Kotzen Wear, Lauren Weiser and Dana Beth Weisman.

And student volunteers: Talia H., Daniel H., Felicia & Haley J., Liang J., Avia K.-R., Chyna L.-L., Isaac M., Talia N., Ora R., Emmy S., and Zachariah W.S.

Hunger Games Mockingjay Pin Raffle

Thank you to everyone who bought books, donated books or pins, or entered the Mockingjay raffle! Your purchases enable us to buy many books to enhance curriculum and students’ love of reading, as well as help us update the library with 21st Century electronic resources.

Jacob Z. – pin

Esther G. – pin

Numi K. – poster

Literary Magazine Elective – Ms. Thor

Students have almost completed the design and layout of the student submissions. We are now using a page layout template from http://www.magcloud.com/ – an online publishing site. It has not been determined yet if we will print the magazine in house or through Magcloud, or if we will be selling the magazine. We will be gathering soon to edit each design and text, arrange the page order, and discuss a cover design for the magazine. We enjoyed working with the nursery rhymes so much that we might put together a small book or include them in the magazine too.

Painting – Ms. Halpern

The 7-8 Painting class has been exploring different styles of painting. Using acrylic paints, they are creating several small paintings in the style of various painters. Below are examples of paintings 7-8 students have done using the pointillism style of Seurat. Following this series of smaller painting studies, students will work on a larger painting in the style of their own choosing.

Photoshop – Ms. Thor

Here’s what we are up to:

Photoshop I: students have completed or are working on the following:

• Cut-Insert
• Photo to Sketch
• Color Masking
• Mandala

Final project: next up

Altered Space

Photoshop II:

• Cut-Insert – 3+ layers – 3+ objects
• Photo to Sketch – create a scene
• Color Masking- 3+ layers -3+ objects
• Movie Poster

Final project: next up

Surrealistic Me – using a photo of yourself.

Eighth grade students will miss 2 classes while on the Washing DC trip. I have offered recess time in the Idea Lab when they return to make up for lost time.

Ask your child if they are doing their homework: to watch tutorial videos. In their folder on the school’s server, students will keep a log of Photoshop video tutorials. Their homework is to watch a video tutorial, log the website address, and write a brief description of the skill they learned. They will be asked to share what they have learned with their classmates. I have provided a list of videos to start with. There are many very instructive videos on YouTube.

Gym – Mr. Jacobson and Mr. Sztainer

We wanted to send out a quick reminder that our Fitness week/field day is right around the corner (Thursday, May 31), and we are sending home a form with your child regarding information about the activities available on field day. Please take time and look over the form to make sure your child is able to participate in the activities he/she signed up for.

In our individual class, students continue to push themselves with their workout programs and their spring fitness testing. Students have maintained great numbers in their own workouts and are all striving to continue to make improvements. Our team sports class has just wrapped up the volleyball unit. Next we will move into spring fitness testing/dodge ball unit. The students are all working hard trying to better their fitness testing times from the fall. Finally, we are getting ready to get back outside and enjoy the rest of the school year in the sun. Some of our units coming up are going to be Ultimate Frisbee, baseball/softball, and possibly track and field. These are great units for the outdoors as we are almost ready to hang up the gym shoes for another year.

Algebra – Mr. Broms

Monomials, Binomials, Trinomials, and Polynomials, Oh MY!

Once we completed our unit on the quadratic formula and the factoring of quadratics, our focus of study turned to “nomials”, another new and complex formula for these students. This includes monomials, binomials, trinomials, and polynomials. “Nomials” incorporates many of the things we have learned throughout the year. We will again practice this concept using our textbook, various websites related to “nomials”, worksheets and playing games to help further our understanding.

We will study this topic from several perspectives including:

• The Quadratic Polynomial
• The Linear Polynomial
• Degrees of Polynomials
• Multiplying “nomials” together
• Factoring monomials
• Perfect Squares

This unit’s projects include the use of “nomials” in division; proper order; using powers and differences. These will once again be done independently outside of school and will be posted in our classroom once they are completed.

In addition to our new material, we will continue preparing for the Terra Nova tests by doing some practice problems and having some in class competitions and group study. The standardized tests will take place in early May.

As always, please remember to check out Homework Hero for homework assignments and important upcoming dates.

Language Arts – Mr. Brook

The seventh Graders are currently wrapping up Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. They are learning new words through weekly vocab and expressing their ideas in discussions and weekly journal writing. After Passover break, they will take the ideas from the novel and apply those, along with creative thinking and writing skills, to the “Create a Leader” group project and presentation.

Math – Ms. Moore

Spring is here and April finds us continuing our work with integers and algebraic expressions. This is our most concept-driven and challenging unit of the year; so, we are moving at a steady pace to make sure that everyone feels confident and comfortable with these new skills. Topics we are covering include:

• Integers – positive and negative numbers – how to use them through all four operations
• Variables
• Writing algebraic expressions and equations through all four operations
• Algebra and graphing on the coordinate plane
• Algebra sequencing and patterns
• Algebra functions and graph functions

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of this learning process is the need for students to show all of their work. As their math knowledge has grown, our students have developed tools and even some shortcuts to simplify the work. The requirements of algebra demand that our students are focused and show each step of their work. This unit provides us with multiple avenues of learning and continues to be exciting.

Science – Mr. Mintz

The Botany unit covered everything from nonvascular bryophytes (ask your students) to the reproductive system of the common tulip. We even began growing some plants of our own that should flower by the end of the school year. Next up is invertebrates, looking at the variety of life that includes sponges, flies, jellyfish, worms and more. As the weather gets nicer, we may take our studies outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather.

If you or someone in your life is an amateur or professional botanist or amateur lepidopterist and would like to come in as an expert as we study plant life and invertebrates, please email me at smintz@hmjds.org(Smintz@HMJDS.org). We’d love to have you visit.

Current and Upcoming Units:

• Invertebrates – From Sponge Bob to Drosophila melanogaster.
• Ecosystems

Social Studies – Ms. Becker

In seventh grade social studies, students are looking forward to the Genealogy Project. We have completed our study on the fourth wave of Jewish immigration from Eastern Europe to America, and it was this wave that brought many of our ancestors to this country. Students will receive a packet of information that will outline the project and requirements. Please ask your child to see the packet because it’s important that you share whatever you know about the ancestor your child chooses. Most of the work will be done in class as students search internet sites for documents and information about the person they wish to dedicate their genealogy search to. The end result of this Genealogy Project will be an iMovie that showcases the history and life of students’ ancestors. You will be welcome to class to view these projects. Dates will be given later.

Transition Math – Ms. Cytron

In seventh grade Transition Math this month we:

• Completed our unit dealing with division, rates, proportions, and percentages
• Completed in-class projects about rates and proportions – please visit the seventh and eighth grade hallway to see the posters on display!

Coming up:

• Graphing linear equations
• Solving two-step algebraic equations
• Our Geometry Unit

Hebrew – Ms. Berman and Ms. Faleschini

Yom Ha’atzmaut is approaching…

This year the seventh grade students will lead the second part of the Yom Ha’atzmaut assembly. The theme for this year’s assembly is water. Israel is the first country to build a desolation system to purify sea water. Many years back, even before Israel was established, almost 200 years ago, Herzl knew that there would be a problem providing water to the southern part of Israel- the Negev. Five years after Israel was declared to be the home for ”the Jewish people,” they have started building The National Water Carrier.

• The students will learn the geography of Israel.
• In grammar we are learning new vocabulary that is related to our subject The National Water Carrier.
• We will be building the stations for the Yom Ha’atzmaut assembly.

Judaic Studies Rabbi Ettedgui and Rabbi Shlimovitz

Having completed our unit on the Book of Judges, we saw the Jewish people enter the land of Israel in triumph, but rapidly descend into disorder. In order to find solutions to the problems facing the Jewish people, the students designed their own countries with the governmental, economic and religious systems which could create a healthy nation.

Moving into our study of the Book of Samuel, we are seeing how the monarchy under Saul and David sought to unify and strengthen the people, and how a Torah based monarchy divides power between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Expressive Drawing and Painting – Ms. Thor

World of Abstraction:

Students are studying the work of 20th century modern, non-figurative artists (a good representation of Jewish artists here) and are creating a body of work that explores the rich possibilities of abstract art using the Elements and Principles of Design through a series of exercises and individual work. Students will write a brief paper on an Abstract Expressionist artist of their choice. They were given a packet to assist them in writing their paper. The paper was due Tuesday, March 27. The students informed me that some of them had a big project due near this date. I told them that I would accept papers a week later if needed.

Students were given sketchbooks and will be using them in class each day.

Literary Arts Magazine – Ms. Thor

Students have been practicing their design skills by working with Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes – the good, old-fashioned originals. We have a number of students’ entries now, and students will be assigned a piece to layout and illustrate. It is challenging to keep the writing front and center. The illustrations or graphic designs play a supportive role to the text. Students are enjoying this class very much. I am too. Here are examples of a Nursery Rhyme layout and one for an original poem.

Ms. Thor

Painting – Ms. Halpern

The Painting class has gotten off to a great start. We began with a review of color theory, after which students painted their own color wheels, which they will use as a reference for the rest of the trimester. Students then worked on an exercise in which they painted the same design three times. They each completed a monochromatic color scheme (pure color/Chroma, with mixtures using white and black), an analogous color scheme (using 4 or 5 adjacent colors on the color wheel), and a complementary triad (colors opposite each other on the color wheel). Students are then going to learn and experiment with painting in the styles of several famous artists, after which they will each do a painting choosing to paint in the style of a painter they studied.

Below are examples of monochromatic painting and the beginnings of the analogous painting.

Physical Education – Mr. Jacobson and Mr. Sztainer

In seventh and eighth grades our students are really working hard and continue to learn about themselves and their abilities as well as their own limitations. In our team sports classes students are finishing up volleyball. In class, the students play many games. We polish our skills and look to incorporate the various skills we have learned throughout the years. We always have a lot of fun during this unit. Our seventh and eighth HMJDS volleyball team is having a great season, and it is always great to see our teams perform well. The individual students are continuing to work on their cardiovascular endurance, as well as their strength and agility by working on both machines and on the track. The students are engaged and continue to show improvement on a daily basis.

While the weather is getting nice, we do ask that you still help your child remember to bring gym appropriate shoes to class as we do things both in and outside. This will ensure their safety which will make for a fun and enjoyable rest of the school year. Thank you your support.

Algebra – Mr. Broms

Negative B Plus or Minus the Square Root of B Squared Minus 4AC Divided by 2A……….Huh?

Once we completed our unit on powers and roots our focus of study turned to the quadratic formula, another new and complex formula for these students. The quadratic function incorporates many of the things we have learned throughout the year including the square roots and the distributive property. We will again practice using our textbook, various websites related to quadratics, worksheets and playing games to help further our understanding.

We will study this topic from several perspectives including:

• The Quadratic Function
• The Quadratic Equation
• Graphing Functions & Equations
• Projectile Motion

Finally, during this unit of study we spend some time looking at vertical motion problems. This unit’s project is to develop a story problem related to vertical motion that the other students in the class need to solve. They work in teams to create these projects. This becomes quite a competition between the kids and is quite fun to observe.

In addition to our new material, later in the month we will be preparing for the Terra Nova tests by doing some practice problems and having some in-class competitions and group study.

As always, please remember to check out Homework Hero for homework assignments and important upcoming dates.

Language Arts – Mr. Brook

• The students are finishing up the Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry unit where they made remarkable strides in their literary analysis skills.
• Next, they will go in a very exciting new direction, science fiction! We will read literature and learn how science fiction asks the question “what if?” to get us to take a closer look at the world we actually live in.

Pre Algebra – Ms. Moore

March finds us beginning Unit 10 on graphing. Student work and assignments will include:

• Interpreting and displaying data in graph forms
• Making and interpreting frequency tables and historgrams
• Making and interpreting double line graphs and stem and leaf plots
• Making and interpreting box and whisker graphs
• Analyze data, select appropriate graph form, and apply information

Assessments will include class participation, homework, quizzes, a small project, and a unit test. Special attention will be paid to recognition and analysis of data, bias will be checked, and misleading data examined. This is a fun unit and promises lots of opportunities to enforce previously learned skills as well as adding a new layer to student learning.

Science – Mr. Mintz

After completing a big unit on the systems of the human body, including production of several original music videos about the various systems, we enjoyed Mid-Winter Break. Upon our return, we began our Botany unit, learning about the variety, structure and function of plant life. Although we will be working with sources and experiences outside the text book, for those who like to know, the fundamental information can be found in Unit 5, Chapters 12, 13 and 14.

If you or someone in your life is an amateur or professional botanist and would like to come in as an expert as we study plant life, please email me at Smintz@HMJDS.org. We’d love to have you visit.

Current and Upcoming Units:

Invertebrates – From Sponge Bob to Drosophila melanogaster.

Ecosystems

Social Studies – Ms. Becker

In seventh grade Social Studies students have completed the history unit on the third wave of Jewish immigration from Europe to America. We are now engaged in learning about the Fourth Wave, the largest wave of immigration to America that occurred in the late nineteenth, early twentieth century. These Jews came primarily from Eastern Europe in especially large numbers from the Pale of Settlement. This is our last unit before students begin the Genealogy project. More information on the project will head your way in a few weeks.

Clay Sculptures – Ms. Thor

The wrap up:

Project #1: Mezzuzah covers (3)

Project #2: Whoville House

Project #3: Free choice

On the last day of class, students enjoyed a light breakfast while they completed evaluations for all three projects and took a quiz on ceramic terms.

Three students did demonstrations on clay sculpture techniques. All the Whoville Houses were placed in an installation and the other work is on display in the case across from the school office. Students will be taking their work home mid-March.

I hope your child enjoyed the class. Returning students can register for this class again next year and experience new projects.

Hope to see you at conferences!

Graphic Design – Ms. Thor

Students completed their projects:

• Arts Night Poster
• Magazine cover
• Cereal Box design
• New product packaging

Students also completed evaluations of all their projects. They even had the opportunity to stretch their creativity by creating a multi-layered Illustrator “painting.”

I hope your children enjoyed learning about graphic design and will pursue other opportunities next year or in high school.

Please stop by during conferences.

Upper School Arts Night was a hit!

Thanks to those students who did demonstrations in the Idea Lab.

Library – Ms. Oskow

HMJDS Scholastic Book Fair March 25-30!!

Biggest fundraiser of the year for the library

Books available for preschool through adults at Scholastic’s discounted prices. 25% of money collected goes to the library.

Book Fair Hours:

Sunday, March 25 - 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Monday, March 26 - 8:00 AM-7:15 PM – HMJDS Class Preview Day

Tuesday, March 27 - 8:00 AM-7:15 PM – HMJDS Class Preview Day

Wednesday, Mar. 28 - 8:00 AM-8:00 PM – HMJDS Conferences PM

Thursday, March 29 - 8:00 AM-7:15 PM – HMJDS Conferences PM

Friday, March 30 - 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Student Preview Days

Each HMJDS class visits the Book Fair Monday, March 26 or Tuesday, March 27. Students write a Wish List of books and may buy books.

Teacher Wish Lists

Teachers post Wish Lists and families can buy books or Gift Certificates to dedicate for classrooms, specialists, or the library.

Contests to Win Free Books

Parents or adult relatives can enter their students in a drawing anytime they stop by the Book Fair together through Thursday, March 29 (once per student). On Thursday, March 29, two students’ names will be drawn to win $25 worth of books—and a winning student’s teacher also chooses $25 worth of books! Students’ names are drawn for other prizes, too.

Additional drawing: for students who design posters celebrating their favorite book to decorate the library. Posterboard available from Ms. Oskow. Posters due by March 22.

Visit the Book Fair Online

http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/hmjds

The Online Book Fair:

• allows your child to send wish lists, and invite family and friends to participate in the Book Fair
• offers an expanded book selection – books for all ages, even adult titles
• is available for an extended time: Monday, March 19 to Sunday, April 8.

Volunteers Needed For Book Fair

• Set up the Book Fair on Friday, March 23
• Tear down the Book Fair on Monday, April 2
• Staff the Book Fair during open hours

Please contact Book Fair Chairs Micki Litton, Beth Jasco or Ellen Berkelhamer – or sign up on the sheet that will be posted outside the library.

Physical Education – Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Lindquist, and Mr. Sztainer

In our individual and team sports classes, the students are working very hard and learning a lot about themselves. In our individual class, students just finished up another round of their fitness testing; throughout the trimester they have compared their progress and the success they are having. They are also working hard understanding fitness programs and how to set them up for themselves.

In team sports, students are finishing up their small unit of pickle ball. This is a great racquet activity that works with both individual and team sport activities. Students learned the history of the game as well as the rules and skills needed to play. They then applied what they had learned through smaller and larger games. At this age we continue to have them play a lot as playing helps them apply their skills faster and it also challenges them in the activities.

Moving forward Individual students will continue to work on their fitness learning and applying skills they have learned. Team sports students are going to be moving into our next unit of volleyball. This is such a great unit for this age. We work very hard on their skills and apply that with the history and rules of the game to make a very fun and enjoyable unit. We like to take extra time to mold their skills of digging, setting, serving, and, for some, spiking. These are all valuable skills needed for success.

Yearbook – Ms. Thor

Grading: students will be graded on a pass/fail scale.

What we accomplished so far:

• Reorganized the portrait library so student portraits are now organized by homeroom/grade level.
• Applied any portrait re-takes to the correct class sort.
• “Flowing” the student portraits onto their class page.
• Triple checking that all students are included, their names are spelled correctly, and preferred nicknames used.
• Insert text to identify classes; i.e. “Grade 1 Alef.”
• Completed the class collage pages as much as we could.

I enjoyed working with these students. Their efforts are much appreciated and they will be credited in the yearbook. I hope the current seventh graders will consider being in involved with the yearbook again next year.

Trimester III Classes Taught by Ms. Thor

Expressive Drawing and Painting: World of Abstraction

Students will study the work of 20th century modern, non-figurative artists (a good representation of Jewish artist here) and create a body of work that explores the rich possibilities of abstract art using the Elements and Principles of Design through a series of exercises and individual work. Class critique sessions and 2-3 homework assignments are included in this class. Location: Art Studio B

This class is being offered for the first time. There are no prerequisites.

Literary Arts Magazine: pre-requisite: Graphic Design

Students will lay out and publish HMJDS’ first literary arts magazine using Adobe Illustrator. This class will be graded pass/fail (report cards will have comments but no grade). Location: Kaplan Family Idea Lab.

Photoshop I & II – Pre-requisite: Graphic Design

Learn how to enhance and manipulate photographic images.

Students will work from open source photo images, and photos they have taken themselves with their own digital camera. The focus of this class is not how you take photos, but what you can do with them as a digital file. For students who took photography during the first trimester, this class will offer a different photo experience. Students will also learn about online photo manipulation web sites that they can access from home. Location: Kaplan Family Idea Lab

Algebra – Mr. Broms

Powers & Roots – Everyone’s Favorites!

Once we completed our unit on linear systems our focus of study turned to square root and powers. We will start out with a review exploring what the kids have already have learned before moving on to the study of more complex problems including products of powers, quotients of powers and negative exponents. These are new concepts that can be quite challenging for some students. We will practice using our textbook, worksheets and playing games to help further and solidify our understanding of these sometimes challenging concepts.

We will study these topics from several perspectives including:

• Products of powers
• Powers of powers
• Quotients of powers
• Negative exponents
• Powers of products
• Powers of quotients

This month the students will work on projects using powers that include Braille letters, fraction exponents or writing a simulated interview with Pythagoras, the man often referred to as the first “pure” mathematician. Please remember that student projects are displayed throughout our classroom and can be viewed anytime.

Finally, we completed our last math league meet finishing right in the middle of the pack. The kids had a great time this year and are already talking about next year and a rise in the rankings.

Homework problems are assigned on most days with some limited time in class to work. Please remember to check Homework Hero for assignments and important upcoming dates.

Language Arts – Mr. Brook

The seventh grade Language Arts classes are working on a unit based on Mildred D. Taylor’s Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. While reading the book, the students will write about different kinds of social justice as well as how fiction can explore emotional truth. Each week they will also focus on a common grammatical rule in order to become more polished writers.

Pre Algebra – Mrs. Moore

Our pre-algebra class continues to work very hard. We are studying a unit on the multiplication and division of fractions. Although our students have learned fractions in previous grades, we add a new dimension this year: focusing more on concept mastery and building a solid understanding of “the numbers between numbers”.

Areas we will cover include:

• Estimate products and quotients of fractions and mixed numbers
• Rounding of fractions and compatible numbers
• Use of prime factorization, cancellation, and simplification
• Use of reciprocals and models to divide fractions by fractions
• Evaluate more complex expressions including the use of variables and order of operations with fractions

I anticipate that this unit will conceptually challenge our math class and reward them as they translate new concepts into their computation work.

Transition Math – Ms. Cytron

In seventh grade transition math this month we:

• Learned the rules for adding and subtracting positive and negative numbers
• Solved one step algebraic equations and inequalities
• Learned how to graph both equations and inequalities
• Reviewed for and completed a mid-year cumulative exam

Coming up:

• Multiplying and dividing positive and negative numbers
• Two-step algebraic equations and inequalities

Science – Mr. Mintz

The first month of 2012 has been a busy one in science. The seventh graders did a terrific job on their cell analog projects, comparing plant and animal cell structures and functions to analogs like the sport of football, a golf cart, a ski area and the U.S. military to name a few. You know they understand the role of the endoplasmic reticulum, when they compare it to the system of hallways on an aircraft carrier because they both provide pathways for the transfer of materials.

Going from the microscopic to a larger perspective, our current unit is all about the ten major body systems. Students will examine each system in detail, with the intent of learning how the systems function as a whole. All the students who love dissection will enjoy the time we’re planning in the lab. If you or someone in your life is a physician, nutritionist, nurse, physical therapist or any related occupation, and would like to come in as an expert on one or more of the body systems, please email me at smintz@hmjds.org. We’d love to have you visit.

Current and Upcoming Units:

• Human Body Systems
• Botany
• Invertebrates – From Sponge Bob to Drosophila melanogaster.

Social Studies – Ms. Becker

In seventh grade Social Studies students continue to work on opening statements, rebuttals and closing statements for their debates. Students have been working diligently preparing their materials, arguments and points of information. Please remember that the Debate Night is February 7 at 7:00 p.m. You will be guided to the room your children will be debating in when you enter the school that evening. We are looking forward to stimulating and dynamic debates between the groups. Our next unit of study is going back to Jews in America as we look at the German Jewish immigrant group of the 1820s – 1870s.

Hebrew – Ms. Berman and Ms. Faleschini

I have a lot!

The students will start a new unit in which they will learn the proper Use of “I have” and “I don’t have”.

The unit also teaches some famous quotes often used in Israel.

• Learn some new vocabulary.
• Reading a song which contains examples of correct use of the “I have “and “I don’t have”.
• As a final project the students will write their own song.
• Practicing the conjugation of “I have”.

In Bat Sheva’s Class , the children will learn about the different movements of Judaism in Israel. We will focus on the Haredim and the Chilonim: the observant and the non-observant Jews.

• Learn the difference in life styles of the Haredim and Chilonim.
• Look at protest pictures of the Haredim, and learn words to describe them.
• Write a paper of pros and cons for an issue, such as wearing uniforms in schools.
• Stage a protest for both sides of the issue, including banners and posters.

Judaic Studies – Rabbi Ettedgui and Rabbi Shlimovitz

Our students have had an exciting unit learning about the early monarchy of Saul and David. Following our study of the story of Batsheva, we learned some of the laws of the Sanhedrin and took David to task in an energetic mock trial.

After learning about the revolt of Absalom, we will have an assessment on the entire unit, and then begin preparation for Purim through a deep study of Megillat Esther which will focus on:

• The historical setting of the Purim story
• The relationships between our studies of the monarchy and Purim
• Understanding of miracles when God seems absent

Clay Sculpture – Ms. Thor

Here’s what we’ve been up to:

Project #2:

A Whoville House. Our houses are almost built. A number of students have completed their house and have set them aside to dry for a bit. The other students are right behind. They are great!

A video day interlude. On Tues. 1-24, I shared a number of videos from the Ceramic Arts Daily website. They offer many instructive videos. There are so many creative options when working on clay. It can take a lifetime to discover them all. These videos will be useful as students consider what they want to make for their third and final project. Here are links to a couple of the videos the students saw.

• Artist Gerit Grimm talks about her work: http://ceramicartsdaily.org/pottery-making-techniques/wheel-throwing-techniques/ceramic-sculptor-gerit-grimm-discusses-her-wheel-thrown-and-handbuilt-figurative-sculpture/http://ceramicartsdaily.org/pottery-making-techniques/wheel-throwing-techniques/ceramic-sculptor-gerit-grimm-discusses-her-wheel-thrown-and-handbuilt-figurative-sculpture/
• Surface techniques: http://ceramicartsdaily.org/pottery-making-techniques/ceramic-decorating-techniques/pottery-decorating-video-making-beautiful-marks-on-pottery-with-fluting-carving-and-painting-with-wax/http://ceramicartsdaily.org/pottery-making-techniques/ceramic-decorating-techniques/pottery-decorating-video-making-beautiful-marks-on-pottery-with-fluting-carving-and-painting-with-wax/

For their final projects students are encouraged to try a new building, technique, surface treatments, and glazes. Students will be challenged to create a piece of art with a capital “A.” Students can choose to create a sculpture that is representational or abstract. I’m looking forward to seeing where their imagination and skills take them!

Graphic Design – Ms. Thor

We’re rolling through the assignments!

Design I

Students are wrapping up their personal logos or have completed them.

Those students who have completed their personal logo have started their magazine cover design. They will work in pairs, acting as both the designer and client, each creating the cover according to their partner’s specifications – just like a real designer/client relationship.

Upcoming: A Cereal Box Design

Design II

Students have been redesigning an existing company logo. While keeping with the basic theme to support the company branding, they were free to “freshen” up the design.

Students were given an assignment that they did in art class some years ago, “The Illustration Game.” Students created an illustration from a list of characters, conditions, characters and feelings.

Some students have begun their product package design. They were given a variety of box designs to choose from. We will print out the boxes and put them together.

Extension projects: CD cover design, Cover for the favorite book

Upper School Arts Night! Students will take a break from their assignments to create posters for the Art Night. Look for our Graphic Design Exhibit!

Library – Ms. Oskow

HMJDS Scholastic Book Fair March 25-30!!

Biggest Library Fundraiser

The Scholastic Book Fair runs Sunday, March 25 – Friday, March 30. It is the single biggest fundraiser of the year for the library. Books will be available for all ages from preschool through adults, at Scholastic’s discounted, tax-free prices. Shoppers can make purchases for themselves as well as consider donations directly to the library or to HMJDS classrooms. 25% of all money collected will go to the library.

Look for more information following Mid-Winter Break.

Volunteers Needed For Book Fair

Volunteers are needed to help:

• set up the Book Fair on Friday morning, March 23
• tear down the Book Fair on Monday morning, April 2
• staff the Book Fair during the hours it is open

Please contact Book Fair Chairs Micki Litton, Beth Jasco or Ellen Berkelhemer – or sign up on the sheet that will be posted outside the library after Mid-Winter Break.

Please help your students remember that library books are due back two weeks after checkout.

Paper Arts – Ms. Halpern

Students in the Paper Arts Visual Arts class have been working on completing their papercuttings, which look wonderful! Following an introduction to acrylic paints and a series of painting/color exercises, students are working on painted backgrounds for the papercuts. We plan to have the papercuts on display at the Upper School Arts Night on Tuesday, February 21.

After the students complete their painted backgrounds and attach their papercuts to the backgrounds, we will begin making pop-ups out of cut and folded paper.

Please plan to join us Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00pm for the Upper School Arts Night.

Physical Education – Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Lindquist, and Mr. Sztainer

In our seventh and eighth grade physical education electives our students continue to work hard perusing avenues that helps them to find success and achieve goals they set at the beginning of each semester.

In our individual fitness, students are working hard in the weight room and on the track. They continue to work on the personal plans they have set up with their instructor to achieve their personal goals, and we are pushing them to see what they can do. We have been very impressed with the class and the way everyone continues to work.

In our team sports elective, students finished up our floor hockey unit. This was such a great unit for these students as they were able to use what they have learned throughout the years and put it all too good use. The class played games and worked on their skills to have a very fun and safe unit. As we continue to move forward in our class, we are now getting into our jump roping and gymnastics unit. This is always a great unit because it allows all of us to work individually and hone in on our skills. Balance, cardiovascular, motor movements, and core power are just some of the areas we are going to be discussing and using throughout this unit.

As we continue to look ahead in our class, individual students will continue to work on their overall performance while team sports will be getting geared up for volleyball.

Yearbook Elective – Ms. Thor

Grading: students will be graded on a pass/fail scale. Attendance is important. Students will be working with partners since there is a lot of editing and proofing required before the yearbook is “put to bed.”

What we have accomplished so far:

• Reorganized the portrait library so student portraits are now organized by homeroom/grade level.
• Applied any portrait re-takes to the correct class sort.
• “Flowing” the student portraits onto their class page.
• Triple checking that all students are included, their names are spelled correctly, and preferred nicknames used.
• Insert text to identify classes; i.e. “Grade 1 Alef.”

Next up:

• Begin creating each class/grade level collage page.
• Placing photos on the activity pages.

The students will get as far as they can completing the yearbook layout. I do not expect them to finish it completely, but their assistance has been great! I hope they had fun and perhaps will take these skills with to high school.

Our leaf motif is a hint to the theme of the yearbook cover.

Algebra

Linear Systems – Which Answer is the Right One?

After our return from the December winter and holiday break we quickly prepped for our final Junior High math meet of the year which took place on January 9. The kids have done really well thus far and should end the tournament with a strong showing. We also did some preparation for a mid-year assessment. This will include everything we have learned throughout the year in algebra.

Our focus then turns to the study of linear systems. Linear systems are problems where there is one solution to two equations resulting in a point at which the two lines intersect. We will study these systems from several perspectives including:

• Solving systems using substitution
• Solving systems using addition
• Solving systems using subtraction
• Solving systems using multiplication
• Slope-intercept using word problems

This month the kids will work on projects that include the adding and subtracting equations; a problem finding the counterfeit coins; and a problem involving the comparison between the number of cars and the number of computers over a particular time period. These three project options, along with study of linear systems during class will help provide a foundation and an understanding of why algebra is relevant how the everyday world works into our class. Please remember that student projects are displayed throughout our classroom and can be viewed anytime.

Homework problems are assigned on most days with some limited time in class to work. Please remember to check Homework Hero for assignments and important upcoming dates.

Language Arts

The seventh grade Language Arts classes are working on a unit based on Mildred D. Taylor’s Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. While reading the book, the students will write about different kinds of social justice as well as how fiction can explore emotional truth.

Pre Algebra

Our pre-algebra class continues to work very hard. We are just starting a unit on the addition and subtraction of fractions. The focus of this unit will be common denominators, prime & composite numbers, writing, and using equations with fractions and even some with variables. Although some of the material may seem like review, there is a significant amount of time spent on concept understanding – we continue to work on the ideas of “numbers between numbers” and how to use them. We also stress estimation and mental math skills during this unit. Assessments will take the form of homework, quizzes, tests, small group work, and class participation.

Science

Happy Gregorian New Year. I hope you had a restful break and a meaningful Hanukkah.

Before the break, we completed our genetics and heredity unit. The students are applying that knowledge to their research and formulation of arguments for the February 7 debate. Plan to be at school that evening and watch for details. We are now studying the cell, its organelles and their functions. We spent some time in the lab learning about microscopes and how to prepare a wet-mount slide. Students are now creating projects comparing the cell, plant or animal, to an object or system of their choosing. Check Homework Hero for details and ask your student to show you “the grid.”

Current and Upcoming Units:

• Cellular Biology
• Human Body Systems

Social Studies

In seventh grade Social Studies, students continue to work on the debate project. As you know, beginning in science, then moving to language arts, students have been learning about genetics and the contemporary issues that surround it. In this final stage of the project, students are creating the opening and closing statements that represent their position on the debate topics. Students will also be creating statements and fact points that they anticipate they will need in order to rebut the position of their counterparts during the debate itself. We look forward to seeing you at the debate on Tuesday, February 7.

Transition Math

In seventh grade transition math this month we completed our parts of a whole unit which focused on:

• Operations with fractions
• Equivalency of fractions/decimals/percents
• Probability

Coming up:

• Operations with positive and negative numbers
• Two-step algebraic equations and inequalities

Hebrew

Timeout for a King

We are starting a literature unit based on the story The King Went to Sleep by the Israeli author, Yosi Alfi. The story deals with a king that no longer wants to serve his people so he decides to lock himself in his bedroom for a long time. The story generated wonderful discussions about the values of a true leader.

We have also begun something new and terrific as a way to give the students a solid background in modern Israeli history. Each week we are viewing a segment of the outstanding Israeli documentary series, Amud HaEsh (Pillar of Fire), that covers the period from the rise of modern Zionism in the 1880s to the creation of the State in 1948. It includes amazing archival photos, videos and interviews with people who were witnesses to this history. The students have questions to answer for each segment.

• Do a complex group activity and discover what makes a good leader
• Read the story The King Went To Sleep
• Make up your own ending to the story
• In grammar, continue to work in Binyan Kal, Pield, and Hiphil
• Learn a variety of words similar to But or Yet

Judaic Studies

Having completed our unit on the Book of Judges, we saw the Jewish people enter the land of Israel in triumph, but rapidly descend into disorder. In order to find solutions to the problems facing the Jewish people, the students designed their own countries with governmental, economic and religious systems which could create a healthy nation.

Moving into our study of the Book of Samuel, we are seeing how the monarchy under Saul and David sought to unify and strengthen the people, and how a Torah based monarchy divides power between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Clay Sculpture

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful vacation. Here’s a recap and what we will be doing this month:

• Many students have completed the first of three mezzuzah covers. Students are making one for themselves, one for school, and one that may become part of the HMJDS Benefit auction (details pending). The first kiln firing will occur when all the mezzuzot are done. The first firing is a bisque firing which hardens the clay. Students can apply colorful under-glazes prior to this firing. The second firing is a glaze firing. A clear glaze can be applied over the under-glazes for a shiny or matte finish, or colored glazes can be applied.
• Project #2: A Whoville House. Students will refer to the work of Dr. Seuss and his zany illustrations of Whoville from his popular books. This project will provide students an opportunity to learn a number of essential clay sculpture methods and processes. We will assemble all the houses into our own Whoville for the Upper School Arts night. Many clay sculpture artists create assemblage work that incorporates multiple pieces that become “one.” Sometimes in art, it “takes a village.”

• Upper School Arts Night is on Tues., Feb. 21. Please mark your calendar. This year’s event will have some new and exciting features.Your child’s work will be on display. Students will lead demonstrations of art processes, guests can view all student art during an art “crawl”, and musical and dramatic performances are planned for this special night. Bring the entire family and celebrate our students’ creativity!

Graphic Design

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful vacation. Here’s a recap and what we will be doing this month:

Exciting News! We now have 20 iMacs in the Idea Lab!No more need to share computers. Thank you to the Kaplan Family for their vision and generosity.

Design I students have been working on their introductory exercises that acquaint them with the Adobe Illustrator Program: zendoodle (selection & pen tools); design concepts assignments that cover layout skills (color, shape tool, overlap); and a one concept design (one word with illustration image).

Students are beginning their personal logo design. Homework: magazine clippings for examples of inspirational images or mood for their personal logo. Due January 17.

Design II students have been brushing up on their Adobe Illustrator skills with some brief introductory exercises: a word cloud (selection & rotation tools, text and color); wavy line text (2) (direct selection tool, text, text wrapping, & color); designs using the brush tool (to familiarize students with the brush library).

First major project: REDESIGN an existing company logo. Homework: bring in original company logo.

Optional evening fieldtrip at the Walker – Thursday, January 19, 7-9pm I will meet students in the lobby of the Walker for a visit to:

Graphic Design – Now in Production is now on display at the Walker Art Center. Admission is free on Thursday nights and the first Saturday of every month. Here is a link to the exhibit: http://calendar.walkerart.org/canopy.wacid=6189&hp=link&poster=Flash

This activity is optional and parents will be asked to provide transportation. Please join us for a tour!

Papercutting

Students in the Paper Arts Visual Arts class began the trimester with a series of drawing exercises. After learning about Jewish images and symbolism, students learned about papercutting, a traditional Jewish art form. Students designed their own papercuts using imagery they have studied. Paper Arts students are transferring their designs and will begin cutting their papercuts using x-acto knives. After reviewing characteristics of acrylic paint, students will then paint backgrounds for their papercuts.

Physical Education

Currently:

In our individual and team sports the students are working hard to achieve goals set both on a personal and team level. The classes are very engaged and have shown great improvement over the last couple of weeks. We are excited to continue as they work for success.

What’s going on?

In our individual activity class, students continue to work hard on their weight training and cardiovascular programs each day. Students are always learning about new muscles and how they work.

In team sports students are vigorously working on our floor hockey unit remembering the fundamentals while also continuing to play games with safety in mind. It is very important to review safety on a daily basis. Students play games of floor hockey and an assortment of other games that combines skills from multiple units this year. This is a good way to help students review and remember what we have covered.

What’s coming up?

As we move forward in our classes, individual students are going to continue to work on their individual plans, looking to improve on what they are currently doing while achieving higher goals along the way. Team sports students are going to be enjoying our next unit of gymnastics and jump roping. This is such a great unit for our students as they work on both individual and group muscles while mastering balance.

Technology

The Macs have Multiplied!

The Julie Kaplan Idea Lab looks different these days. Through a generous continuing grant from the Kaplan family, we now have double (20) the number of computers in the Idea Lab! This doubles the number of full computer labs that we have at HMJDS! While Mac computers are fairly new in our school, many of our students and faculty are already comfortable with the platform. Students who are new to using Macs will have many experts to help them navigate. In our experience, students adjust very easily to the new platform, are quickly up to speed with familiar programs and enjoy learning new Mac based tools as well.

This lab helps our ability to put technology at the fingertips of our students and integrate technology with other classroom subjects.

Yearbook

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful vacation.

This is our premier Yearbook elective class. Students will be assisting me in creating the HMJDS yearbook via Lifetouch’s ™ yearbook creation web site. The entire yearbook layout and design can be done online! Lifetouch’s ™ web site makes it easy.

Having this experience as 7th and 8th graders may inspire your child to seek a position on their high school yearbook staff. Extra-curricular activities are important for a well-rounded high school experience and are often noticed by college admissions advisers. It’s a fun, collaborative experience that values dedication and responsibility.

Grading: students will be graded on a pass/fail scale.

Attendance is important. Students will be working with partners since there is a lot of editing and proofing required before the yearbook is “put to bed.”

What we have accomplished so far:

• Reorganized the portrait library so student portraits are now organized by homeroom/grade level.
• Applied any portrait re-takes to the correct class sort.

Next up:

• “Flowing” the student portraits onto their class page.
• Triple checking that all students are included, their names are spelled correctly, and preferred nicknames used.

• Insert text to identify classes; i.e. “Grade 1 Alef.”
• Begin creating each class/grade level collage page.

The 2011-12 yearbook cover was designed by Graphic Design II students from the first trimester class. The cover design will not be revealed until the book is distributed at the end of the year.

Language Arts

The seventh grade Language Arts classes will wrap up a “what makes a story” creative writing unit in early December.

Next, they will move into a research unit as they prepare for the seventh grade curriculum night debates.

Algebra – Broms

It’s a Slippery Slope!

For much of the month of December, our focus will be on the study of slope, or positive and negative rates of change. Specific topics will include:

• Calculating the slope through two points
• Zero and undefined slopes
• Calculating slope from a graph
• Graphing a line by using its slope
• Slope-intercept equations for a line
• Standard form of the equation of a line

This month the kids will work on projects that include the calculating and graphing data on marriage ages in the twentieth century; doing a paper towel absorbency test and plotting the data; creating a game called “The Diagonal Game” with certain rules; and finally, finding equations of slopes using charts. These four project options, along with study of slope during class, will help provide a foundation and an understanding of why algebra is relevant to how the everyday world works into our class.

We are down to our two final Junior High Math League meets. We have one in early December (St. Louis Park) and our final meet of the year will be in held in early January (Robbinsdale) just after the break.

Homework problems are assigned on most days with some limited time in class to work. Please remember to check Homework Hero for assignments and important upcoming dates.

Math – Moore

Our math class starts the third unit this month – fractions and decimals. Key components of this unit include:

• Understanding the concepts of numbers between numbers and numbers less than one
• Using equivalent fractions to build skills and reinforce concepts
• Continued reinforcement of multiplication logarithms
• Compare and order fractions, percents, and decimals
• Application of these skills and concepts to real life situations
• Problem solving and logic exercises

For the students, the better their skill level at multiplication and division, the easier it is to understand the unit concepts. Assessments will take the form of home and classwork, pop quizzes, a unit test and a math project. The students are working hard, making strong strides in their understanding of math concepts and continuing to improve their skill sets.

Transition – Cytron

In 7th grade Transition Math this month we:

• Completed our introductory algebra unit
• Began an intensive review of operations with fractions, including testing for divisibility (ask your kids how they know if a big number is divisible by 3!)

Coming up:

• A review of operations with decimals
• Fraction/decimal/percent equivalency
• A mini-unit on adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing positive and negative numbers, to prepare for solving two-step algebraic equations and inequalities

Science – Mintz

November was a whirlwind, getting to know all the students and determining where everyone’s scientific skills and knowledge are. Thank you to all who have made me feel so welcome.

As we enter December, we’re beginning our genetics and heredity unit. This unit serves as the science foundation for a number of ethical issues the students will tackle for their debate project. Mark your calendars for the evening of February 7, when teams of seventh graders will display more than two months of preparation in science, language arts and social studies. More details to come.

Current and Upcoming Units:

• Genetics and Heredity
• Cellular Biology: The structure and function of plant and animal cells

Social Studies

In seventh grade social studies students have moved from the Inquisition to learning about the first Jewish communities in America. Now that students learned about the Sephardic origin of the first Jewish community in New York, they are discovering where other Jews settled as new waves of immigration occurred.

We continue to take time to discuss current and civic events. Whenever possible we compare/contrast them to our history lessons. The Constitution was important to early America and it remains important to us today as we watch our government go through some of the same struggles post-Colonial America faced.

Hebrew

What is the value of a penny?

We will begin a new unit based on the classic story HaP’rootah (The Coin) written by Shai (Shmuel Yosef) Agnon, Israel’s most renowned author of modern Hebrew literature. The fable teaches us how difficult it can be to control our impulses. It relates directly to Jewish values and gives us an opportunity to reflect on how we apply those values in challenging situations.

• The students will begin by learning about Agnon, who won a Nobel Prize for his writing
• Then they will read the story, which will be adapted for each class
• Each class will have specific grammar, vocabulary and activities related to the story

Shmuel Yosef Agnon July 17, 1888 – February 17, 1970

Judaic Studies

What’s Ahead in 7th Grade Judaics

Main Themes to be covered:

• Israelites shifting from a tribal society to form a unified government, demanding a king like the other nations possess. Is this system any better?
• Leaders are both public and private figures. It is sometimes difficult for the leaders and their families to navigate these situations.
• The relationship between Prophet/Counsel and King
• The relationship between God and King

Main Personalities and Ideas in the Narrative:

• Students should learn about Samuel the Prophet
• Students should learn the basic narratives of King Saul and King David
• Saul’s selection as first King of Israel/Why was he chosen? Why was his line broken?
• How was David chosen to supplant Saul?

Graphic Design

Where did the time go? We’ve had to regroup and make adjustments to our project goals for this trimester. While we may have not completed all the projects we aimed for, students have received a solid introduction to the design program, Adobe Illustrator. I hope that these skills will come in handy while in high school and beyond.

Design I

• a one-concept design
• their own personal logo
• a design that illustrates six words
• filled out their project evaluations

Design II

• their yearbook cover design
• a typography animal – using fonts and punctuation marks to create an image of an animal
• filled out their project evaluations

At the Walker:

Graphic Design – Now in Production is now on display at the Walker Art Center. Admission is free on Thursday nights and the first Saturday of every month. Here is a link to the exhibit: http://calendar.walkerart.org/canopy.wac?id=6189&hp=link&poster=Flash

While we did not get enough students to attend a Thursday night before the trimester ended, I would encourage students to view this comprehensive design exhibit.

Have a warm and bright Hannukah!

Ms. Thor

Jewish Lens

HMJDS’s premier Jewish Lens Project class has wrapped up. While it was a small class, I hope that students’ Jewish sensibilities were awakened in a new way. Being Jewish informs all we do. Applying a Jewish perspective to the art of photography, while may have seemed limiting at first, asked the students to appreciate what is special and what occurs everyday. Their assignments asked them to look through their “Jewish Lens” via these themes: community, friends, holidays, self-portrait, and a free choice.

Students will have the opportunity to enter photos to the Keren Or photography contest. For more info go to http://www.kerenorcontest.org/

I will also be creating an HMJDS gallery on the Jewish Lens Project web site to share students’ work with others who are participating in the project nationally and internationally. I hope to complete this task by winter break. Here is a link to the project’s web site: http://www.jewishlens.org/the-power-of-photography

Here are a few samples of student photos.

Wishing you a warm and bright Hannukah!

Ms. Thor

Paper Arts

Students in the first trimester paper arts visual arts class completed their lovely papercuts, assembling their hand-cut designs floating over painted backgrounds. Students also finished their exploration making paper pop-ups. The second trimester paper arts class begins after Thanksgiving break. Look for the artwork from this trimester to be displayed at the Upper School Arts Night to be held in February.

Photography

Students have been busy going over their check list to complete their finishing touches to the trimester.

• Did they rename their photo files?
• Did they place their photo files in their folder on the school server?
• Did they fill out their evaluations?
• Did they select the photo they want printed 11”x17” and write a short artist statement?

Keren Or photo contest selections chosen, entry form completed. http://www.kerenorcontest.org/

I will be keeping student work for grading report cards and our photography exhibit during the Upper School Fine Arts Night in Feb. Students will have access to their photos via their folder on the school’s server.

I will be reviewing work and selecting photos to enter in the Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards. I will contact the students whose work I submit. There will be some forms to fill out by both student and parents. http://mcad.edu/events-fellowships/opportunities-artists/minnesota-scholastic-art-awards

To recap, students took photos for the following assignments:

• Cityscape
• Create a Scene
• Friends
• Self-portrait
• Free Choice

I hope the students have caught the “Photo Bug” and will continue to take photos of their reactions to the world around them. After all, teenage life is never boring.

Have a warm and bright Hannukah!

Ms. Thor

Physical Education

As we continue to move through the year, there are a lot of fun and exciting things going on in both individual and team sports. Individual students are currently working on the new machines the JCC just installed while preparing and executing their own physical fitness workouts they have created. In the team sports area, students are working hard on the activities at hand. We are currently in our basketball unit and it is great to see how their skills have developed throughout the years as they play games.

As we continue to move forward in individual and team sports, we are always looking to improve our physical fitness scores. We will again be testing students to see the improvements they have made throughout the course of this year. The next unit for team sports is floor hockey. Safety is the number one concern during this unit and everyone seems to enjoy it. Goal keeping, shooting, passing, and position are all areas of focus. We are very impressed with how the year has progressed and look forward to the next trimester.

Algebra

Mathematically – are hybrid cars really worth it?

This is not a philosophical or environment question. It’s math – pure and simple. Ask any of the students in our algebra class and see if they believe that hybrid cars are worth the cost. Then ask them how they arrived at their answer. Yes, they will have to calculate the cost of the car; estimated gas mileage; estimated length of ownership and compare those values with a non-hybrid vehicle.

During the month of November we will focus our learning on the following:

• Solving percent problems
• Graphing equations of vertical and horizontal lines
• Comparing equivalent formulas
• Begin our study of slope

The students will work on projects that include absolute value equations and planning a cross country trip comparing the cost of driving versus flying, including a calculation for the element of time. These two projects, along with our hybrid question help provide a foundation and an understanding of why algebra is relevant how the everyday world works into our class.

While our days continue to be filled with new things, we also continue to hone our skills and prepare for our Junior High Math League meets. We had two in October (one at Blake and one at St. Louis Park), and will have one in each of November (Robbinsdale), December (St. Louis Park) and January (Robbinsdale).

Homework problems are assigned on most days with some limited time in class to work. Please remember to check Homework Hero for assignments and important upcoming dates.

Language Arts

• The students are currently engrossed in books, some chose Stargirl and some chose Freak the Mighty about characters that bend the unwritten rules of society.
• While working on discussion skills, students are engaging with the ideas in the book through written work as well.
• Over the next month, we will start to get into some writing mechanics like punctuation and sentence structure.
• For the next unit, we will look at the concept of a “hero” in literature and real life. Students will read poetry, short stories and even do a little of their own creative writing!

Math – Moore

Our math class is continuing with their work on number theory. Key components of this unit include:

• Understanding the concepts of factoring and skill reinforcement
• Understanding the concepts of multiples and usage
• Continued reinforcement of multiplication logarithms
• Prime and composite numbers and factorization
• Greatest Common Factors and Least Common Multiples
• Problem solving and logic exercises

The study of this material sets us up perfectly to segue into our next unit on fractions. The students are working hard, making strong strides in their understanding of math concepts and continuing to improve their skill sets.

Social Studies

In seventh grade social studies, students wrapped up their research and presented their persuasive presentations of the movements Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party. As we are only a year away from the 2012 elections, students are learning to be aware of forces that are driving and often dividing our country. We will continue to visit various topical issues during our roundtable discussion every Friday. Now we are refocusing our history lessons on the Spanish Inquisition and have resumed reading Out of Many Waters. Students are learning new vocabulary words and about historic events through the adventures of Isabel, a main character of the book.

Transition Math

In 7th grade Transition Math this month we:

• Completed our first unit on numbers and took part in a culminating project and assessment
• Learned how to describe patterns with variables and how to translate English word sentences into algebraic expressions
• Played “What’s my rule?” to acquaint ourselves with the language of algebra
• Learned how to substitute in for a variable in expressions and formulas
• Explored the Pythagorean Theorem

Coming up:

• Solving open sentences
• Graphing inequalities
• Unit 2 assessment
• A major review of Parts of a Whole (Fractions, decimals and percents)

Hebrew

Interesting Hairdo -Great Music!

• Students are learning about the Israeli music superstar, Idan Raichel, who created a new genre of music by combining Israeli music with Ethiopian sounds and rhythms.
• In grammar, we are reviewing the pattern pa’al in present and past tense. The focus will be on reinforcing verb conjugation in the past tense, how to conjugate the verb “to be” in the past tense, and expanding the vocabulary for describing a person’s appearance.
• For our final project for the unit, the students will choose between creating a video or a poster promoting Idan Raichel’s songs.

Below you can listen to the song that will be taught in class:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=b’oi+idan+raichel&view=detail&mid=836035F6EC00141E833D836035F6EC00141E833D&first=0&FORM=LKVR5

Don’t Break My Piggy Bank!

Coming up students will:

• Learn about the young Israeli author Etgar Krerret
• Read the story To Break the Pig
• Analyze the characters in the story
• In grammar, introduce the pattern of “hif’eel”
• As a final project, the students will be creating a video about the story

Judaic Studies

The students are working diligently on their presentations for the Jewish leaders in the book of Judges. After working out the general pattern, the students will read texts and present psychological portraits of figures such as Samson, Devorah, Jephthah, and Ehud. In addition, students will be creating multi-media, dramatic, or musical presentations to share their insights into the text with their peers.

The drama will continue as the students delve into the creation of the Jewish monarchy under the leadership of King Saul and King David. Students will focus on the intricacies of leadership and how it intertwines with one’s family life. The triangles exist in many dimensions including:

• Saul, David, and Mikhal
• David, Bat-Sheva, and the Prophet Natan
• Saul, David, and Jonathan

These situations are being compared to how our current leadership balances the needs of family and politics. It also is an interesting question for events like Prince William marrying commoner, Kate Middleton. [She used to be a commoner and the empire has just decided succession should not be determined by gender.] A little palace intrigue adds spice to the study of Tanakh (Bible).

Shabbat Shalom!

Graphic Design

Students are working their way through the preliminary exercises and are now on to more advanced assignments. Since the trimester is whizzing by, we may need to re-evaluate what we will be able to accomplish.

Design I

Students completed a one-concept design.

Students are now working on creating their own personal logo.

Next up: Magazine cover / Cereal Box design

Design II

Students are working on a design for the HMJDS yearbook cover. The students decided on a design together and now each student is working on a personal version of the design. One version will be selected for the yearbook cover. Shhh…it’s a secret.

Next up: Illustration Game / Box Design

After-school “field trip” opportunity

Graphic Design – Now in Production is now on display at the Walker Art Center. I have talked with the class about the possibility of meeting at the Walker on a Thursday evening to view the exhibit. Admission is free on Thursday nights. Here is a link to the exhibit:

I will be in contact with details should there be enough student interest in seeing this exhibit. This would be an optional activity.

Ms. Thor

Jewish Lens Project

Students have been exploring the work of Israeli photographer, Zion Ozeri. (You can view his work here: http://www.jewishlens.org/curriculum-photos)

As they look at his photographs they decipher clues about the subject, the location, the people in the photos, and what signifies the image as having a Jewish message. What is Ozeri’s “Jewish Lens?” What is your “Jewish Lens?”

Working in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, students have tweaked their photos to include a special visual effect along with a quote from a Jewish text that the image supports or inspires. There are a few examples here.

The Jewish Lens Facebook page recently held a photo contest for teens.

The subject was Rosh Hashanah. Students had to first “like” the project’s Facebook page, then upload their photo submission along with a brief description. Two of our students, Sara F. and Sararosa D. submitted an entry. The winners were disclosed on Monday, Oct. 24th and neither of our students were awarded a prize. You can view the submitted photos here: https://www.facebook.com/jewishlens?sk=photos

Next up: Photo assignments and evaluations

• Holiday photo if one has not been turned in yet.
• Self-portrait
• Friends
• Community

Students will be closing out the trimester by selecting a portfolio of work for a hallway exhibit.

I hope this class will inspire them to think about their “Jewish Lens” in all areas of their life.

Ms. Thor

Papercutting

Students in the Paper Arts Visual Arts class have been working on completing their papercuttings, which look wonderful! Following an introduction to acrylic paints and a series of painting/color exercises, students are working on painted backgrounds for the papercuts. We plan to have the papercuts on display at the Upper School Arts Night on February 21.

After the students complete their painted backgrounds and attach their papercuts to the backgrounds, we will begin work on making pop-ups out of cut and folded paper.

Please plan to join us Tuesday evening February 21 for the Upper School Arts Night.

Photography

Cityscape Assignment

Students have selected one cityscape photo to turn in for the assignment and have printed this image on matte photo paper. Students also completed an evaluation of the photo.

Students also participated in an exercise that included both photos by HMJDS alumni and the American Master, Lee Friedlander. The students were asked to group the photos by how many different photographers were represented by the reproductions. They then selected their favorite photo and wrote a brief description of why they selected that image, and if they had taken the photo, what might they have done differently.

This past week the Create a Scene assignment was due. Students printed out contact sheets and will be selecting the one image to turn in for the assignment. Once this image is selected, they will make any needed digital touch-ups, print it out on photo paper and complete an evaluation.

Next assignments: All due November 8th

• Self-portrait
• Friends
• Free Choice

Also coming up:

• Group Critiques – time allowing.
• Photo + Creative writing exercise
• Submit photo to Keren Or contest. http://www.kerenorcontest.org/ We will do this as a class. Students are not to submit on their own.

Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards

– http://mcad.edu/events-fellowships/opportunities-artists/minnesota-scholastic-art-awards. Student work is selected and submitted by the teacher. We’ve had winners ever since I have been entering student work. I hope we are successful again this year.

Ms. Thor

Physical Education

We are very excited to share with you all of the fun and exciting things that are going on in both the individual and team sports classes. In the individual sports we just finished up a round of fitness testing, and we are having the students rewrite their personal goals. We continue to look for ways to expand their fitness menu items and interests as well. We are very lucky as there is a lot of new equipment in the JCC. We are in the process of learning the names of all the machines and how they each work. Safety is the number one concern in the fitness center.

In our team sports class, we just finished up with our dodgeball unit. During the unit, we learned different variations of dodgeball games. The students had to concentrate on a lot of different actions and movements throughout the game as they played. In addition to the current unit, students are always working to improve their fitness scores, and we continue to help all students pursue successes.

Moving forward, in individual sports, we are going to focus on the new goals set by the students and try to push ourselves to improve on a daily basis. Team sports is going to be starting our next unit which is basketball. In basketball, students will focus on playing games and the rules of the game. We really want them to play and enjoy what the game has to offer as we work throughout the unit.

Language Arts

It has been a great first month. I’ve already seen great strides in the 7th graders in terms of their discussion and text analysis skills.

• Starting next week students will be working on writing their own Seedfolks Chapter. They will interview a classmate and write their partners story from that person’s perspective.
• After that, we will begin the Rules unit. Students will choose one of two books about characters that move against the grain.

During both of these projects we will continue to work on the six traits of writing: Voice, Mechanics, Idea Development, Organization, Sentence Fluency and Conventions.

Math – Tim Broms

Can you “crack the code?”

After our fun with number puzzles we shifted our focus to fact triangles using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. We will begin using numbers, both positive and negative, then switch to using variables and finally use both in the same triangle. After this we will begin the process of solving equations by creating equivalent equations. As before, we will start this process using real numbers and then move on to using variables to create equivalency. Finally we will learn how to use this process while using the distributive property – a concept we studied earlier in the year.

The students will also be working on their second unit projects. The options include:

• cracking the code
• repeating number puzzles
• magic squares
• postal rates

Please stop by anytime to see the great work your kids have produced so far this year.

We spend the majority of our time working on expanding previously learned ideas around fractions, decimals and percents. We use these concepts in solving equations by creating equivalent equations and using the distributive property. We start out slowly with simpler numbers and then move on to more complex equations including fractions and decimals. We then put a wrinkle into the “equation” by solving equations involving inequalities. Also coming up is a lesson on graphing inequalities and an extensive unit on percents and their uses in our daily lives.

As always, please remember to check Homework Hero for important upcoming dates.

Math – Davida Cytron

In 7th grade Transition Math this month, we engaged in an in-depth study of numbers, including:

• Rates and ratios
• Scientific notation
• Square roots
• Graphing on a coordinate grid

Coming up:

• An in-class project that focuses on the major topics of Chapter One — come visit the classroom to see posters on display!
• Introductory algebra (using variables, writing algebraic expressions, what’s my rule?)
• The Pythagorean Theorem – do you remember a2 + b2 = c2?

Math – Beverly Moore

Our math class has been both thoughtful and busy; our focus is:

• Honing important math skills
• Continued work on place values and decimals
• Practice of estimation and rounding skills
• Reviewing traditional multiplication and division algorithms
• Solving multi-step problems

This promises to be a good year, full of learning, skill building and increased math confidence.

Social Studies

A month into the school year and classes are wonderful. Students are engaged in learning and lively discussions allowing us to create a good learning environment. As we look forward to the coming weeks you will see below some of the units and activities students in seventh grade will be engaging in.

Students have spent a number of weeks learning about the Constitution and its application to our lives today. They will take this knowledge forward as they study the history of our country.

We begin our unit on Jewish immigration to America with a look at how the first community of Jews came to this country. We start by learning about the effects of the Spanish Inquisition and the flight of Jews from the Iberian Peninsula.

Students will be using the story Out of Many Waters as a means of learning about the events and experiences of the Inquisition. This unit will run about 4 weeks.

Hebrew – BatSheva Berman, Saleit Faleschini, Hector Sztainer

If you’re happy and you know it say-KEN!

• The students will read an article that was published in Japan about happiness.
• We will make a survey to find out who is truly happy in our 7th grade.
• We will continue to work on Hebrew grammar in class.

• The students will learn the different meanings a word can hold with a slight change of a letter.

Judaics – Rabbi Daniel Ettedgui and Rabbi Ben Shlimovitz

In addition to looking at material related to the holidays, the seventh grade has been working on the transition of the Jewish people into the land of Israel. The class continues to look at issues of conquest and the ethical and spiritual challenges that went with the process. We examine these questions in light of the historical circumstances of the time and compare them to early American history and the Zionist foundations of the state of Israel.

The conquest also raises challenges about how a nation that was cohesive, but also tribal in nature, during its time in the desert can find its way to national self-government. The next unit will deal with the challenges of the tribal structure and look at emerging national institutions of prophets and kings. The tribal structure is best exemplified, after Y’hoshua’s (Joshua’s) death, by the judges who were similar to regional chieftains. Some of the main judges whose stories we will examine are D’vorah, Shimshon (Samson), and Ehud. Although a central feature of the early Jewish settlement was the Mishkan (Tabernacle) which had a fixed location, the location changed during this period. The period of Sh’mueil (Samuel) marks a turn from hereditary priesthood to prophets. The unit will look at the transition between the tribal structure and the emerging idea of a Jewish monarchy. The emergence of Shaul (Saul) as the first king marks another turning point in the development of a national consciousness.

G’mar Hatimah Tovah (May you be sealed for a good New Year)!

Graphic Design

What we have done so far:

• Intro to Adobe Illustrator http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html?promoid=DJDTO
• Zentangle – using the pen too
• Design Concepts exercises – students were introduced to a variety of tools: select, shape, fill, color selection, scale, rotate, and layers. Perceptual groupings, synectic encounters

Next for Design I students: One concept design – create a design that communicates one clear message.

Next for Design II students: – Word Cloud – create a word “cloud” with a theme of words – by “scratch” – not a web site.

Note: All the materials needed by students including a class syllabus, resource materials, and assignments can be found in your child’s folder on the HMJDS student server via Remote Desktop.

Shanah Tovah! Ms. Thor

Jewish Lens Project

What we have done:

• Visited the Tychman-Shapiro Gallery at the JCC to see the exhibit, ‘Finish & Jewish’ – photographs by Dina Kantor http://www.sabesjcc.org/arts_gallery_current.htm
• Intro to the Jewish Lens Project based on photos by Zion Ozeri. Students viewed the online gallery at the home web site and have completed 2 exercises from the project curriculum. http://www.jewishlens.com/
• Explored the photographs of Jews in the Diaspora by Federic Brenner http://www.fredericbrenner.com/flashMX.html
• Students have begun to use existing photos and Adobe Photoshop to layer carefully selected text onto their photos. We will explore this technique throughout the semester.

Next up:

• Students will be taking photos throughout the trimester and bringing them into class. With the fall hagim, there will be many opportunities to take photos.
• We will discuss selected Jewish texts and explore how their meaning may support or influence student’s photographs.
• We will also continue integrating the curriculum provided by the Jewish Lens project along with student interest.

Note: All the materials needed by students including a class syllabus, resource materials, and assignments can be found in your child’s folder on the HMJDS student server via Remote Desktop.

Shanah Tovah! Ms. Thor

Library

Seventh grade students make flexible use of the library:Teachers schedule time for their classes to come in for Media Center instruction and book checkout as needed to complement their curriculum, at least once a month.

Students conduct research from both print and electronic resources.

The librarian is in the library in the middle of every school day, including over lunches and recesses, available for:

• Book checkout
• Study halls
• Book groups
• We also have a whole “Teen Section” of great books especially for Upper School interest.
• Encourage your students to ask for a pass to come check out books when I am in the library. A rainy day is a good time to check out books during recess!

Book returns:

Please help your students remember that library books are due back two weeks after checkout

• A book return depository is located right outside the library door.
• If needed, students can hold onto a book until they are finished with a report, and turn it in right after—or books can be renewed for another two weeks.

Photography

What we’ve done so far:

• Intro to how cameras work
• Cyanotypes – students created cyanotypes using light sensitive paper, Kodalith “negatives”, sunlight, and a water stop bath.
• Through the Lens – received first homework assignment: select a photo and answers the questions. http://www.whyte.org/lens/

We’ve also viewed photographs and photography projects by the following artists:

• Olivia Bee – celebrated young photographer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNH6lhrVLt4
• JR – inter-nationally acclaimed photographer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5MEC5MPjvg&feature=player_embedded
• Human Clock – http://www.humanclock.com
• Jones Soda – http://www.jonessoda.com/gallery/

First photo assignment: Cityscape/city experiences – 18 images were due on Tuesday, October 4th.

Coming up next:

• Upload Cityscape photos – create contact sheets
• Print selected cityscape photos
• Critique of cityscape photos

Note: All the materials needed by students including a class syllabus, resource materials, and assignments can be found in your child’s folder on the HMJDS student server via Remote Desktop.

Shanah Tovah! Ms. Thor

Physical Education

In our first month of class, we worked in our soccer unit, learning fundamentals and playing the game. We also completed our fall fitness testing, and now we are ready for our next unit, dodge ball.

We are approaching our second month of school and are enjoying working with the seventh and eighth graders. In the dodge ball unit, we are going to continue to work on the fundamentals while learning tactics and strategies of the game to promote fun, competition and safety. The themes of fitness and physical activity will serve as a connection between every unit this year. We will periodically be taking time to improve our fitness scores with the idea that students will see their hard work pay off. We, again, are so very excited to see your child here in class and we look forward to a fun and exciting year.

Technology – Juli Olson

Exciting news is afoot for upper grade students. This year we are launching a very exciting program for cloud computing called live@edu. This program will afford our students the opportunity to work at home and at school on the same documents using the internet to store the work. Students will have access to Microsoft tools online as well as interschool email through which they will be able to communicate with ONLY other people on our HMJDS network. This tool is very powerful and the vast opportunities that it will present will be revealed as we begin to use it more and more. Look forward to your student coming home in the next few months and showing you this new and exciting tool.

Seventh and eighth graders continue to put their computer skills to the test with real world application this month. Typing, formatting papers and working with the school network appropriately will all be incorporated into their classwork. Upper School is the time when students should be incorporating skills they have learned in the past with new skills that they are learning. I encourage students to think of new and different ways to create on the computer. Find creative ways to complete projects using online tools that you know or have heard about. Please let your child know that if there is something new they would like to learn about, I am happy to work with them to try something new to create something amazing!

Visual Arts

Students in the Paper Arts Visual Arts class began the trimester with a series of drawing exercises.

After learning about Jewish images and symbolism, students learned about papercutting, a traditional Jewish art form. Students are designing their own papercuts using imagery they have studied. After students finish their designs, they will transfer the designs and begin cutting their papercuts using x-acto knives. After reviewing characteristics of acrylic paint, students will then paint backgrounds for their papercuts.