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<tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color: #efefef;">Message sent from San Francisco</td></tr>
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<p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Happy Friday! I hope your student is adjusting to their classes well, and are trying their best to stay on task with their work. I know it is not easy to do it, but I hope that they will eventually find their groove as we end our second week! </span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">We had a VERY busy, and productive week in our science class. On Monday, we set up our science notebook with the labeling and taping in necessary papers that are needed, and students wrote three goals they have for science this year. I reviewed with students how the science notebook works with how to tape papers in a certain way, and how we use our notebooks for class work and/or note taking. Students were encouraged to work on their notebook at home in case there was not going to be enough time on block day to complete it.</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">On block day (Tuesday/Wednesday), students were provided 15 minutes to complete putting their notebook together. Some students were able to finish, while others were advised to complete it at home. We reviewed how to make a Unit 1 title page, how to use our class slides, and then completed our first short assignment in the notebook. Students discussed the different characteristics of a scientist at their table, then as a class. Students then had to interview an adult, and understand some of that person's responsibilities and relate it to the characteristics we discussed in class. This assignment was intended to have students realize that our idea of a scientist is not always what it seems - that we have characteristics that a scientist also uses in our everyday lives/jobs (i.e., being organized, making a schedule/plans, taking measurements, etc). </span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">On Thursday, we practiced how to use the flip page method, and students had the majority of class period to work on creating a mini-poster of the person they interviewed. At the end of class, expectations of making sure their work is complete was reviewed with the students. I also let them know that the mini-poster was due on Friday.</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Today in class, I collected the completed mini-posters. Unfortunately, the turn out for students submitting their homework was not as high as I expected it to be. Students were informed last week that for any assignment that they needed more time to let me know ahead of time; only one student had reached out to me to let me know. If your student did not turn in their assignment today, they will be coming with a late ticket for you to sign. I spoke to specific classes (that had low homework submission) about how this is a learning opportunity on their own work habits, time management and communication with the teacher. I also understand that many of them are still adjusting, but I want them to realize that they are always able to communicate with me if they are having difficulty with the work. We went over the lab safety rules together in class, and reviewed 8 different scenarios with the students. They all did such a great job at identifying safe/unsafe behavior! Despite the low turnout for homework, I know that we are going to have an amazing year with these 7th graders as they all are showing that they have a great mindset for class.</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Overall, it was a good and productive week! I know I can be demanding in the expectation of work from my students, but I know that they are and will be able to meet them. If they are ever struggling (as I've mentioned multiple times in this email), I have shared with them to let me know and I will always try my best to help them. We are still adjusting to each other, and I'm sure that within a couple of weeks we all feel comfortable with the class and workload. Oh! And thank you to my families who were able to donate notebooks - it was greatly appreciated as some of our students did not get a chance to get a notebook (or brought the wrong type). I am very grateful for your help.</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Remember, no school on Monday! Please let me know if you have any questions, comments and/or concerns, and I'll reply back as soon as I am able to.</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Take care,</span><br>Mrs. Jennifer Estrella (she/her)<br>7th Grade Science<br>Herbert Hoover Middle School</p>
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