7th Grade Online Resources

Posted on March 25, 2020 by InMiddle School Resources, Seventh Grade

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As we navigate these uncharted waters together, there are so many questions that are unanswered. We appreciate your patience with us as we continue planning what is best for our district and your children. We understand the closure of schools puts many of you in hardship, and we ask for your understanding and ability to give grace to all during this unprecedented time.

In accordance with the Iowa Department of Education guidance, online learning options cannot be required. Therefore, we do not plan to provide online educational services (as this would continue to widen the learning gap for those unable to participate) but instead will provide some online resources. While we will not be listing online resources your child may have already had access to during the regular school year, students are not prohibited from using those at home.  We will not be sending home any type of “packet/worksheets” as a substitute for our quality learning environment.

We will be providing some suggestions or resource ideas if your children are able to continue learning in this temporary new normal at home. These are ONLY suggestions; it’s okay to just survive and cope together without adding the stress of recreating a school environment at home. With that being said, establishing some sort of daily routine/schedule can be very helpful to children in this uncertain time.  Fullest consideration should be given to your family’s health and well-being, so please do not feel pressured to utilize these resources or suggestions if they do not assist your family’s needs.

 

7th Grade Resources

Math:

Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. When you search up a topic, you can choose one of the options provided to you and it will provide a long list of topics for your child to work through that include videos, practice problems, and even articles for them to read and gain the understanding/knowledge needed to master these skills.
https://www.khanacademy.org/

Learn Zillion:
You can pick your grade level and it will provide you with videos that connect to the standards that are taught throughout the curriculum now.
https://learnzillion.com/resources/73936-math-video-lesson-library

Math games:
https://www.funbrain.com/math-zone
https://www.mathplayground.com/

 

English/Language Arts:

 

 

Science:

  • Khan Academy is also a solid resource for science. They have videos and readings that go over a range of topics. They also allow you to learn to the depth of knowledge that suits you. https://www.khanacademy.org/
  • PBS Eons has roughly 10 minute videos on varying really interesting topics. I spend a good amount of time watching these, they are often based on some interesting phenomena or some other hard to explain concept. https://www.pbs.org/show/eons/
  • National Geographic has a really friendly-to-navigate site with a variety of articles. You can often alter the text level if you want the article to better suit your child’s abilities, and the articles really cover a large range of topics. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/
  • Legends of learning is a gaming learning site that allows students to play various science based online games in order to keep up motivation to learn. You do have to create a login to use the site. https://app.legendsoflearning.com/login/students/do_you_have_an_account

 

Social Studies:

  • Daily Readings and Activities: Scholastic Learn at Home
  • Primary Sources from the State Historical Society of Iowa (An introduction and primary sources with questions are provided for each topic.)(7)
  • Interactive History: PBS Learning Media (7)
  • BrainPop (Access is free right now.  Videos, readings, and games on a wide variety of social studies topics.)
  • FreedomFlix  (A multimedia social studies resource provided by our AEA. Use the same username and password you use for CultureGrams or Britannica School; email Mrs.Brown if you can’t remember it.)

 

Art:

 

PE/Wellness:

 

Music:

 

BAND and CHOIR only:

SmartMusic you can access SO many things! Use the search feature to find what you’re looking for, or even try new music!

In order to use the software, you need to create a SmartMusic account and join the class using this code: GMM26-YHT7R.

  1. Open a Chrome browser and visit: https://admin.smartmusic.com/join
  2. When prompted for a class code, please enter:
  • Books we use in lessons are:
    • Measures of Success Book 1
    • Measures of Success Book 2
    • Standard of Excellence Festival Solos Book 1
    • Standard of Excellence Festival Solos Book 2
  • For fun under solos selection:
    • Easy Rock Instrumental Solos
    • Easy Popular Movie Instrumental Solos
    • Easy Classical Themes

 

Enrichment/Extension:

Social/Emotional:

 

Digital Literacy and E-Books

If students want to practice their keyboarding, we have used typing.com in the past. Any practice with both hands on keyboard and checking finger position is good! Typing.com also has games that allow students to practice using a keyboard.

For practice with Digital Literacy, I’d recommend the resources at Common Sense Media, specifically the Digital Compass game (https://www.digitalcompass.org). Lots of ways to practice being good digital citizens!

 

EBooks

We have eBooks available through the library catalog (wbcs.follettdestiny.com) Click on middle and then do a search of the catalog for “ebook”

Books that are part of our library collection have this symbol – the E is blue, the box is white.

To download, you will need a login and password. Login is the same as the first part of your email address, before the @ symbol. Password is initially set to “password” and you can change it. If you can’t get in, please email Mrs. Olson (jolson@west-branch.k12.ia.us)

 

We also have eBooks in the library catalog that are from MackinVia. They are indicated with a blue box and a white E.  Those can be accessed through the library catalog by using a MackinVia backpack. Everyone should have one set up. When the MackinVia page pops up, search for West Branch Middle School. Your username is the same as above (the part of your email address before the @) and your password is initially set to “password”. You can change it. Useful video: https://help.mackinvia.com/video/

We will continue to communicate as we get additional information and we look forward to seeing students in school on April 13th. Continue to practice patience and resiliency for each other during this time.

 

Thank you,
7th Grade Teachers

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It is the policy of the West Branch Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have any questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the Dave Hlas, Elementary Principal, 148 North Oliphant St., West Branch, IA 52358, 319-643-7211, dhlas@west-branch.k12.ia.us

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