Wow where has the year gone? Fourth quarter already! We came back
from Easter Break with running shoes on and we are in a sprint to finish
the year….

6th Grade is currently learning about ratios and rates, slope and rates of
change, proportions, similar figures and scale drawings. We will also work
with converting customary units of measure.

Proportional reasoning is one of the most important concepts for future
work with algebra. Rates and ratios are used in everyday communication
and are key to work in architecture, engineering and all areas of science.

We will finish our year reviewing and reinforcing all the skills we have
learned. Next fall we will continue our study of pre-algebra concepts,
using the same textbook, beginning with chapter 6.

7th Grade is finishing a unit on organizing and displaying data (graphing). Included in this topic of study is how to quantify data and organize it in different ways (in lay-man’s terms: we reviewed how to
calculate mean, median, mode and range…and discussed how to interpret
those calculations as representations of the data set).

Our next topic is geometry. We will learn how to identify, describe and work with plane figures in geometry. Plane figures include lines, and angles, as well as circles, polygons, triangles and quadrilaterals. We will study symmetry and congruence of plane figures. The applications in life for geometry are numerous. People use geometry every day in art, sculpture, carpentry, architecture, geology and more!

8th Grade pre-algebra students are currently learning how to collect,
display and analyze data. These are critical skills for interpreting all of the
information we are bombarded with on a daily basis.

Our last unit will be on probability. We will study how to work with experimental probability, theoretical probability and the Fundamental Counting Principle. Probability will be related to insurance rates, genetics, sports, games, and the chances of disasters such as earthquakes
occurring.

Algebra students have been hard at work as well. We have been solving for all kinds of x’s! We recently finished studying polynomial operations, factoring, and FOILing. Now we are studying quadratic
functions, learning to complete the square and memorizing THE Quadratic Formula….you know the one: “x = -b plus or minus the square root of b squared minus 4ac ALL over 2a”. Fun, it’s all just so much fun!

As much fun as math is, science is even more fun! The students love the
experiments that reinforce the concepts we are learning.

Life Science (grade 6) has been learning the difference between eUkaryotes and prOkaryotes. We have studied bacteria, viruses, protists and fungi. We will finish the year looking at plant structure and processes.

Earth Science (grade 7) has learned about how the earth is restless.  Topics include plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanos. We will finish the year looking at weathering and soil formation, the flow of fresh water and the agents of erosion and deposition.

Physical Science (grade 8) has studied the scientific meanings of work,
energy and heat. We will finish the year by reviewing atoms and the periodic table, and then look at chemical bonding, chemical reactions and chemical compounds.

The OLQP First Lego League had a successful year of competition! We won an award for the “Most Innovative Solution”
for our project designed to help senior citizens feed their
pets easier. Although we did not place at the regional finals, we learned more about how to be a team and to show Gracious
Professionalism.

HOMEROOM HAPPENINGS……..The Countdown Has Begun!  Wait! It’s NOT what you are thinking!  The countdown has begun for when the 7th graders will become 8th graders!

There is a lot of preparation that has to be done BEFORE you become “Top Dogs”, “BMOC”, or whatever it’s called nowadays. Here is just a snapshot of the things we have done this year………..

We take pride in caring for our classroom and its inhabitants.

We feel blessed to attend Our Lady Queen of Peace School where we have grown academically and spiritually through our coursework and other experiences this
school year.

We have so much fun working with our First Grade Buddies, going on field trips,
doing service projects, planning and having parties! Basically, we have fun just
being together. We are a family. We are the OLQP class of 2014.