At the end of last school year I asked my students to write letters to my new students (you!). Their letters include information they wish they had before starting 7th grade, as well as their favorite projects and "Life Hacks" to Ms. Barry's Social Studies class. Here are a few highlights:
Ms. Barry's Top Ten- According to the current 8th graders
10. Fill out your agenda. Right when you come in the room.
9. Do your homework!! You barely have any.
8. If you're respectful and quiet you can pick your partners for classwork.
7. Try to keep Ms. Barry's desks straight.
6. Be good when there is a sub- and all the time!
5. Be organized- there are binder checks. Just put your papers in your binder!
4. Use your study guides and pay attention to directions- you'll do well!
3. Bring all your stuff to class- you can't go back to your locker.
2. Ms Barry tells you every day what you're doing in class- just wait until everyone is settled.
1. DON'T LEAVE YOUR TRASH AROUND OR YOU WILL NEVER HAVE FOOD IN ROOM 206!!
Letter #1
Dear Seventh Grader,
Ms. Barry’s class is a blast! You will do a lot of things in this class that are extremely fun! However, there are a few basic rules that you should follow. First, do not leave any trash in Ms. Barry’s room. If you do, then you will lose the privilege of getting to eat in her classroom! Second, don’t talk while she’s talking! And lastly, you better get used to the smell of freshly popped popcorn because Ms. Barry LOVES popcorn!
In Ms. Barry’s class you will do many fun projects. You will get to design your very own gladiator and perform a news segment and an interview. You will be learning about Greece, Rome, and the Middle Ages.
All in all, Ms. Barry is an excellent teacher. Please be kind to her- she deserves the best students!
Letter #2
Dear 7th Grader,
In Ms. Barry’s Social Studies class you will have so much fun! She always lets you work with partners- if you are quiet and on task. Another thing you need to know is that if you ever want to eat in Ms. Barry’s room DON’T LEAVE TRASH ON THE FLOOR OR IN THE DESKS.
Ms. Barry’s projects are really fun. My favorite was when we did a Student News and you got to dress up. After every weekend you get to share about what you did. Ms. Barry was my favorite teacher because she always talked to me about our favorite TV shows and can always make me smile. I know that you’ll love her and her class!
Letter #3
Dear 7th Grader,
Seventh grade was a great year for me, but it can be hard at times. I have a few recommendations to make sure you have a great time on Team Explorers. First, you should always bring a pencil to class. Not a pen, a pencil. Let’s just say the teachers aren’t happy when you forget one. I recommend you master the art of the mechanical pencil, as you won’t annoy the teachers with constantly getting up to sharpen your pencil!
Do you have your pencil? Good! My next recommendation is about snacks in class, specifically in Ms. Barry’s class. You are allowed to have snacks but you must clean up your mess. If you don’t, the whole team won’t have snack the rest of the year. Take your snacks seriously, seventh graders.
I’m expecting you also want to know about the classes you’ll have this year. Social Studies is most likely the hardest class of the year, as you need to think both logically and creatively. It will have a number of projects throughout the year, both individual and groups, which will help engage your creativity. Be prepared for 7th grade, my reader. You will have a great time, but only if you do it right…
Letter #4
Welcome to 7th Grade!
Ok, I want to start off by saying 7th grade is awesome, especially in Social Studies. Social Studies is led by none other than Ms. Barry. She rarely gives out homework. We had several pretty easy projects (if you follow the directions!) including the gladiator project- my favorite! Most of the projects you get to work on with a partner but CHOOSE WISELY! Sometimes it isn’t good to work with your friends. Ok back to the point. 7th grade was probably the best year yet. Ms. Barry is patient and helps you get through tough papers. Also she is funny. You can eat in class all year but when she finds food scraps or trash on the floor you lose the privilege. If you are a good student, seventh grade is a breeze. Have fun! You aren’t the babies of the school anymore which comes with more responsibility.
Letter #5
Dear New Seventh Grader
In seventh grade there were a lot of amazing and fun things- especially in Social Studies. However, there are a few things you should know before you start! You learn a lot about Greece and Rome and the Middle Ages. If you have stage fright, you have to step up your game because you do a lot of presentations. Its definitely more difficult than 6th grade so be prepared for that.
Another tip is to always do your homework! Honestly, Ms Barry almost never gives you homework its usually just what you didn’t finish in class. Don’t get me wrong, there have been nights I’ve stayed up past midnight finishing work for her. That was my own fault though because I didn’t use my class time wisely. Another important thing is to make sure you’re on your best behavior if Ms. Barry is ever absent. She won’t really yell at you but she will tell you how upset and disappointed she is if she doesn’t get a good report.
Make sure you pay attention to study guides and follow directions- that’s really important! But don’t worry, even though it was challenging, I looked forward to Social Studies every day. Hope you have a great year!
Letter #6
Dear 7th Grader,
Welcome to the seventh grade! In my opinion seventh grade is way better than sixth grade. Social Studies was my favorite subject this year for several reasons. Ms. Barry hardly gives homework; she understands that we have lives outside of school! Also you will learn about fascinating things. This year I learned about Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and many other things.
There are also several ways to be successful and have fun in Social Studies. Since there is barely any homework, always do your homework. When she does give us homework it is really important for class. Also, if you leave behind crumbs or wrappers in the classroom- food will no longer be allowed. Overall, this year is great and you’ll learn lots! Good luck!
Letter #7
Dear 7th Grader,
In 7th grade, Team Explorers, all your teachers will be fun and enlightening. However, Social Studies with Ms. Barry is my favorite. To be successful in Ms. Barry’s classroom you have to do some important things. First, you have to pick up after yourself (especially when you eat snack), be respectful, be organized, and study hard for tests. These simple factors will not only make you successful but will also make Ms. Barry happy.
The reason Ms. Barry’s class is my favorite is because of all the fun projects. Ms. Barry has all these fun and creative projects, like: Persian soldier Tweets, battle newscast, and famous explorer interview. This, along with Ms. Barry being the best teacher ever make Social Studies a class you should look forward to in 7th grade.
Dear Seventh Grader,
Ms. Barry’s class is a blast! You will do a lot of things in this class that are extremely fun! However, there are a few basic rules that you should follow. First, do not leave any trash in Ms. Barry’s room. If you do, then you will lose the privilege of getting to eat in her classroom! Second, don’t talk while she’s talking! And lastly, you better get used to the smell of freshly popped popcorn because Ms. Barry LOVES popcorn!
In Ms. Barry’s class you will do many fun projects. You will get to design your very own gladiator and perform a news segment and an interview. You will be learning about Greece, Rome, and the Middle Ages.
All in all, Ms. Barry is an excellent teacher. Please be kind to her- she deserves the best students!
Letter #2
Dear 7th Grader,
In Ms. Barry’s Social Studies class you will have so much fun! She always lets you work with partners- if you are quiet and on task. Another thing you need to know is that if you ever want to eat in Ms. Barry’s room DON’T LEAVE TRASH ON THE FLOOR OR IN THE DESKS.
Ms. Barry’s projects are really fun. My favorite was when we did a Student News and you got to dress up. After every weekend you get to share about what you did. Ms. Barry was my favorite teacher because she always talked to me about our favorite TV shows and can always make me smile. I know that you’ll love her and her class!
Letter #3
Dear 7th Grader,
Seventh grade was a great year for me, but it can be hard at times. I have a few recommendations to make sure you have a great time on Team Explorers. First, you should always bring a pencil to class. Not a pen, a pencil. Let’s just say the teachers aren’t happy when you forget one. I recommend you master the art of the mechanical pencil, as you won’t annoy the teachers with constantly getting up to sharpen your pencil!
Do you have your pencil? Good! My next recommendation is about snacks in class, specifically in Ms. Barry’s class. You are allowed to have snacks but you must clean up your mess. If you don’t, the whole team won’t have snack the rest of the year. Take your snacks seriously, seventh graders.
I’m expecting you also want to know about the classes you’ll have this year. Social Studies is most likely the hardest class of the year, as you need to think both logically and creatively. It will have a number of projects throughout the year, both individual and groups, which will help engage your creativity. Be prepared for 7th grade, my reader. You will have a great time, but only if you do it right…
Letter #4
Welcome to 7th Grade!
Ok, I want to start off by saying 7th grade is awesome, especially in Social Studies. Social Studies is led by none other than Ms. Barry. She rarely gives out homework. We had several pretty easy projects (if you follow the directions!) including the gladiator project- my favorite! Most of the projects you get to work on with a partner but CHOOSE WISELY! Sometimes it isn’t good to work with your friends. Ok back to the point. 7th grade was probably the best year yet. Ms. Barry is patient and helps you get through tough papers. Also she is funny. You can eat in class all year but when she finds food scraps or trash on the floor you lose the privilege. If you are a good student, seventh grade is a breeze. Have fun! You aren’t the babies of the school anymore which comes with more responsibility.
Letter #5
Dear New Seventh Grader
In seventh grade there were a lot of amazing and fun things- especially in Social Studies. However, there are a few things you should know before you start! You learn a lot about Greece and Rome and the Middle Ages. If you have stage fright, you have to step up your game because you do a lot of presentations. Its definitely more difficult than 6th grade so be prepared for that.
Another tip is to always do your homework! Honestly, Ms Barry almost never gives you homework its usually just what you didn’t finish in class. Don’t get me wrong, there have been nights I’ve stayed up past midnight finishing work for her. That was my own fault though because I didn’t use my class time wisely. Another important thing is to make sure you’re on your best behavior if Ms. Barry is ever absent. She won’t really yell at you but she will tell you how upset and disappointed she is if she doesn’t get a good report.
Make sure you pay attention to study guides and follow directions- that’s really important! But don’t worry, even though it was challenging, I looked forward to Social Studies every day. Hope you have a great year!
Letter #6
Dear 7th Grader,
Welcome to the seventh grade! In my opinion seventh grade is way better than sixth grade. Social Studies was my favorite subject this year for several reasons. Ms. Barry hardly gives homework; she understands that we have lives outside of school! Also you will learn about fascinating things. This year I learned about Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and many other things.
There are also several ways to be successful and have fun in Social Studies. Since there is barely any homework, always do your homework. When she does give us homework it is really important for class. Also, if you leave behind crumbs or wrappers in the classroom- food will no longer be allowed. Overall, this year is great and you’ll learn lots! Good luck!
Letter #7
Dear 7th Grader,
In 7th grade, Team Explorers, all your teachers will be fun and enlightening. However, Social Studies with Ms. Barry is my favorite. To be successful in Ms. Barry’s classroom you have to do some important things. First, you have to pick up after yourself (especially when you eat snack), be respectful, be organized, and study hard for tests. These simple factors will not only make you successful but will also make Ms. Barry happy.
The reason Ms. Barry’s class is my favorite is because of all the fun projects. Ms. Barry has all these fun and creative projects, like: Persian soldier Tweets, battle newscast, and famous explorer interview. This, along with Ms. Barry being the best teacher ever make Social Studies a class you should look forward to in 7th grade.