We start off the day with a quick morning work assignment. The assignments range from a cursive practice paper to a math word problem that the students must show their work as well as the answer.

Math:

In order to meet all of the 7^th and a grade Massachusetts we are using two math programs. The first is Connecting Math Concepts, which helps the students see different strategies to solve problems. The other program is McDougal Little Middle School Boston Edition. This program allows the students to see how math relates to them.

English:

We have broken down English into reading and writing. For writing we are using the SRA program Reasoning and Writing. This program breaks the writing process down to the basic sentence unit and continues until the student is able to write full essays. It allows the student to practice writing as well as editing their work.

For Reading we are using the SRA Comprehension Skills and the Skill Application programs. These programs help the student really understand what they have read and then make conclusions and predictions.

In class we are also going to do Read-A-Louds. Some of the titles are The Midwifes Apprentice, Where the red Fern Grows, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, and The Music of Dolphins. There will be others as the year progresses.

We are using the BPS Grade 8 Social Studies curriculum. Our textbook is Civics: Government and Economics in Action. The students will begin learning about our country and how are government really works

Because our students are taking the Science MCAS, we felt that it was important for them to have extra science. They will be using the Science Insights textbook series. We will study Earth Science, Life Science and Physical science. They will also get one period a week with Mr. Tucker, the Lyndon Middle School Science teacher.

The students will have homework every night. They will have to read for at least 30 minutes each night, write a paragraph on what they have read, and fill in their reading log. At the end of each month, parents will have to sign off on the reading log. Monday-Thursday the student will also have Math (this may also be homework for the weekend). Occasionally the students will have homework in Science, Social Studies and Writing. Please make sure your check your students planner every night.