Mrs Rosemary Dorsey, 7th Homeroom, 5th-8th Math
Rosemary was raised on a farm near Edwardsville, IL, and attended St. Boniface Grade School, Edwardsville Senior High School, and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, where she received a B.A. in Mathematics with a teaching certificate. She started teaching at SS. Peter and Paul Grade School in Collinsville, IL, and then moved to Roxana Senior High School. After several years off raising her three sons, she started teaching at OLQP in 1986. She has taught Math and Science there ever since. Rosemary and her husband, Bruce, live on their farm near Moro, where they raised their three boys. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, helping show cow, and collecting bugs.
Overview
Seventh graders are supported and encouraged as they grow academically and spiritually. They have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge using textbooks, Google Chromebooks, and engaging in-class discussion.
Math
Seventh grade math is a continuation of a study of the systems and process of numbers. We cover all real numbers, including whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and integers, and learn the basic operations of each. We study the order of operations in math and learn to solve equations in Algebra. We also learn about Geometry, including shapes, areas, volumes, and angles. Each area of study has word problems included.
English Language Arts (ELA)
We use the Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt Journeys series to challenge students in their vocabulry, grammar usage, writing style, and comprehension strategies. Daily work challenges students to make their new skills habitual.
Science
We use the Pearson Prentice Hall textbook to guide us through many science topics. We cover earth science topics such as minerals, rocks, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, weather, climate, earth, solar system, stars and galaxies and many more.
Literature
This is based on a combination of the basal reader and the use of Classical Literature. We use such authors as, Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Michael Crighton, Washington Irving, and Charles Dickens. Different books are used as we study genres and study the masters.
Social Studies
Students focus on United States History. The primary focus is on the time of early settlements until Pre Civil War. The main topics we cover include early Native Americans, European Explorers, the American Revolution, the Louisiana Purchase, and Westward Expansion. Students are also tested on the United States Constitution.
Religion
Through religious instruction, students are be encouraged to "grow in the depth of their relationship with Jesus Christ and in their commitment to observe all that he has commanded us to do" (Second Pastoral Letter of Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, Ars Crescendi in Dei Gratia, September 14, 2015 n.1) Students have the opportunity to attend mass every Friday and every third Tuesday and are given many opportunities throughout the school year to receive the Sacrament of Penance and to participate in the sacramental life of the parish.