7th Grade

Dear Grade 7 Professional Learners, 

 

Welcome back to MS 172!  As you begin a new school year, you are no longer the newest members of our community. You are now the students who know the routines, understand our expectations, and have an opportunity to help shape the culture of our school. Seventh grade is a year of growth, responsibility, and discovery - from the first day until the last, all your efforts will be documented for your academic future.

 

You should know that learning is not about being perfect. It is about getting a little better each day. The most successful students are not necessarily the smartest, fastest, or most talented. They are the ones who consistently practice good learning habits.  So, we encourage you to develop these Five Habits of Learning. These are not rules for being a good student; they are practices that good learners build over time. Nobody does all five perfectly every day. The goal is continuous improvement, not perfection.

 

A — Attend (Physically and Mentally)

Show up ready to learn every day. Bring a charged laptop, maintain your planner, review your notes, practice your homework skills, and keep a list of questions you still have. Learning begins with preparation.

 

B — Behave Like an Active Learner

Stay organized. Be curious. Ask questions when you are confused. Take notes that help you understand and remember important ideas. Learning is something you do, not something that happens to you.

 

C — Communicate with Purpose

Avoid distractions and focus on what matters. Use respectful discussion skills, share your thinking, explain what you learned from mistakes, and connect new ideas to what you already know. Great learners make their thinking visible.

 

D — Demonstrate Growth Every Day

Ability grows through regular effort. A few minutes of studying each day is often more effective than cramming all at once. Focus on understanding connections between ideas rather than simply memorizing details. Progress happens one step at a time.

 

E — Empathy and Kindness

People may forget what grade you earned on a test, but they will remember how you treated them. Kindness, respect, and empathy make our community stronger. Always choose to build others up rather than tear them down.

 

As you begin this school year, remember that every class, every challenge, every question, and every effort is an opportunity to grow. You should make mistakes but keep learning. We are excited to see the goals you set, the friendships you strengthen, and the accomplishments you achieve this year.  Remember that my door is always open, and all adults are committed to keeping you safe, free of distractions, and documenting your improvement with the help of feedback.

 

Warm Regards,