Grade 7

Today’s young people express that these three words are important to them on a personal level.  However, cheating, lying and stealing are major concerns in our schools, communities and society in general.  We can agree that as adults, we must reiterate and model for our youth that a person of good character demonstrates theses three important attributes.

According to the Josephson Institute of Ethics, youngsters speak of the importance of honesty, trust, and integrity, but a recent survey conducted by the institute shows that:

• 82 % admit they lied to parent within the past 12 months about something significant-57% said they lied two or more times
• 62% admit they lied to a teacher within the past 12 months-35% said they lied two or more times
• 33% copied an internet document within the past 12 monthe-18% said they did two or more times
• 60% cheated during a test at school within the past 12 monthe-33% two or more times
• 23% stole something from a parent or other relative within the past 12 months-11 % did so two or more times
• 19% stole something from a friend within the past 12 months- 7% did so two or more times
• 28% stole something from a store within the past 12 months-14% did so two or more times

Consider that the same youngsters that speak of the importance of honesty, trust, and integrity frequently lie, cheat and steal.

On April 27, 2012, Westfield Middle School seventh graders will be involved in a day-long event that revolves around honesty, trust, and integrity.  The students will participate in role-playing, group discussions, simulations and a movie, The Emperor’s Club. The movie, The Emperor’s Club, is an unforgettable, powerfully uplifting story about the meaning of honesty, trust, and integrity.

On Thursday, March 1, 2012, the seventh grade students will have the opportunity to travel to Chicago Shakespeare on Navy Pier to experience Taming of the Shrew. Prior to attending the trip, all seventh graders will receive more background knowledge about William Shakespeare in their social studies classes. One interdisciplinary (across several curricula) lesson we have in seventh grade is our Shakespeare Unit. It started out in the Fall with the students in drama learning about William Shakespeare. Students created Globe Theaters and read Taming of the Shrew aloud while acting out scenes. They were also allowed to chose their own final project related to Shakespeare.  It will be exciting for them to see and hear their own parts being performed by the professional actors.

Due to the fact that this is a formal play, the students are expected to be dressed in their “Sunday Best”. The seventh grade team of teachers will be discussing with the students appropriate theater behavior. We would appreciate it if you would reinforce the importance of proper behavior. This is going to be an enjoyable and educational day. The students and staff are looking forward to this event.

On November 18, 2011 the seventh grade class will participate in an anti-bullying day. Bullying is one of the most enduring problems in our schools today. The consequences of bullying behavior have an impact on everyone.

The NCES (National Center for Education Statistics reveals that:

• There is noticeably more bulling in middle school (grades 6-8) than in senior high school.
• Emotional bullying is the most prevalent type of bullying, with pushing/shoving/tripping/spitting on someone being second.
• Cyberbullying is – for the middle grade levels – the least prominent type of bullying, but it is greater in the last three years of high school than in grades6-9.
• Most school bullying occurs inside the school, a lesser amount on school property, and even less on the school bus. The least occurs in other areas.
• Middle school students, and particularly 6^th graders, were most likely to be bullied on the bus.
• Sixth graders were the most likely students to sustain an injury from bullying, with middle schoolers more likely to be injured than high school students and the percentage going down every grade from 6 to 12.
• Victims of bullying display a range of responses, even many years later, such as:
  1. Low self-esteem
  2. Difficulty in trusting others
  3. Lack of assertiveness
  4. Aggression
  5. Difficulty controlling anger
  6. Isolation

Sources
wesleymission.org.au
stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov
nces.ed.gov

Bullying has been identified as an issue needing attention in our middle school. As such, the students will be participating in a variety of activities that focus on the issue of bullying. Students will take a survey prior to this day and the results will be shared with the students on this day. Along with the activities, the 7th graders will be watching the movie Radio.

Should you wish for your child to NOT participate in the activities or view the movie, please contact his/her first period teacher as soon as possible so that alternate activities can be planned.