2009 ~ 2010
7th and 8th Grade Team Veracious
Major Themes and Focus Areas
As much as possible, the written, oral, and reading course content outlined below will be integrated with science and social studies.
Reading Development
Examine and analyze non-fiction and fiction literature (Reading 1, 2, 3, 4), as we meet the following GLEs:
· Reading skills and strategies (Reading 1.1)
· Literary terms, i.e. hyperbole, irony (Reading 1.4)
· Story elements (Reading 1.4)
· Think critically and analyze authors' use of language, style, purpose, and perspective (Reading 2.3, 4.1-4.3).
Writing Development
Write clearly and effectively in the modes of expository, persuasive, poetry, and letters (Writing 1, 2.1, 2,2, 2.3). This will be done as we cover the following Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALR) and Grade Level Expectations (GLE):
· Writing process (Writing 3.1-3.5, 4.1-4.2)
· Six-Trait Writing (Writing 1.1, 1.2)
· 5-paragraph essay format where appropriate (Writing 1.1, 1.2)
· Writing conventions (Writing 1.3).
Math Development
- Understand and apply the concepts and procedures of mathematics. (1.1-1.4)
- Use mathematics to define and solve problems. (2.1-2.2)
- Use mathematical reasoning. (3.1-3.3)
- Communicate knowledge and understanding in both everyday and mathematical language. (4.1-4.2)
- Understand how mathematical ideas connect within mathematics, to other subject areas, and to real-life situations. (5.1-5.3)
- Scope & Sequence available upon request.
Science Development
- Lab Safety (2.1)
- Scientific Inquiry (2.1, 3.1)/Recording and Analyzing Data (2.1)/ Problem Solving (2.2)
- Earth’s Surface:
o Rocks and Minerals (1.1.5, 1.2.4, 1.3.4)
o Soils & Fossils (1.1.5, 1.1.6)
o Energy Resources (1.1.3, 1.2.2)
o Soil Erosion (1.3.4)
o Puzzle of the Earth (1.3.4)
o Earthquakes/Plate Tectonics (1.1.4, 1.2.2, 1.2.4)
o Volcanoes (1.2.2, 1.2.4)
o Water Cycle (1.2.3)
o Waves (1.2.2)
- Weather & Climate (1.2.2, 1.3.6)
- Earth & Space (1.2.5, 1.3.7)
- Environmental & Resource Issues (3.2.4)
Social Studies Development – Washington State History/US History
- Geography (G3.1-G3.3, G3.1.2B, G3.2.3B)
- Civic Responsibility (C4.1-C4.3) (H2.1)
- Government (C1.1-3.2, 2.3.2B-2.3.2C)
- Economics (E3.1, E1.2-2.3, E1.1.2A)
Personal Development
· Value the rights and opinions of all team members (Communications 3, 4)
· Set goals to build upon personal strengths and challenges (Communications 4.1)
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Texts and Other Related Materials
- Reading and Writing Sourcebook by Great Source
- Six-Minute Solution Reading Fluency
- Rewards in Reading and Rewards Plus in Social Studies
- Mathematics Applications & Concepts by Glencoe
- MathScapes by Glencoe
- One-Minute Solution Math Fluency
- Earth Science Daybook by Great Source
- Sciencesaurus by Great Source
- Washington ~ In the Pacific Northwest
- by Michael K. Green and Laurie Winn Carlson
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Anchor Novels
· The Outsiders – 7th grade
· Nothing But The Truth by Avi – 8th grade
· The Giver by Lois Lowry – 7th/8th grade
· Farewell to Manzanar – 7th/8th grade
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Homework
Homework is assigned Monday – Thursday, rarely on the weekends. Students should plan to have about 1 hour of homework each night. Students are required to read 20 minutes each night, including weekends, and log the time on a Reading Log. Parent/guardian signatures are worth 1 point, but are not required. Daily homework information is available on our classroom websites.
Mrs. Becker: http://teacherweb.com/WA/SkyridgeMidSchool/MrsBecker/apt9.stm
Mrs. Wilderman: http://teacherweb.com/WA/SkyridgeMidSchool/LisaWilderman
Grading
A student’s letter grade is one way of measuring progress and learning in a subject area. Trimester grades will reflect performance over a 12-week period.
Grading Scale:
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A
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93-100
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Weekly Progress Reports will be sent home with your child
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A-
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90-92
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every Monday beginning September 14th . The progress report
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B+
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87-89
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is to be reviewed, signed and returned the following day.
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B
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83-86
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B-
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80-82
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In addition, you and your child will have access to grades using
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C+
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77-79
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the on-line grading program Skyward.
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C
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73-76
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C-
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70-72
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A variety of other assessments are also used to track student
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D+
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67-69
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progress throughout the year. Results will be shared with you
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D
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66-60
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and your child.
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F
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59-0
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Late Work
The Skyridge late work policy allows two make-up days for each day that a student has an excused absence. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange time before or after class to obtain work that was introduced while he/she was gone.
It is very important that students gain personal responsibility for their learning. Therefore, late assignments are not accepted for credit unless contacted by a parent. Students will, however, receive one “Ooops” coupon per trimester in each subject area. The “Ooops” coupon enables a student to turn in one single-day assignment after the due date, yet still be eligible for full credit.
Students are expected to write down every homework assignment and due date as it is written on the classroom board. Parents may help students be accountable for their work by checking the student planner and the classroom web pages on a consistent basis. Students are expected to put their best effort into every assignment. Extra credit assignments are not available.
Required Student Supplies
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School Supplies for Student
ü Binder (or accordion folder)
ü 2 packages of notebook paper - college ruled
ü Dividers for binder
ü #2 Pencils
ü Pencil sharpener (optional)
ü Colored pencils (optional)
ü Pencil pouch
ü 2 composition Notebooks – college ruled (Math & Science)
ü Scientific calculator
ü 3 section Spiral Notebooks - college ruled (LA/SS)
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Classroom Supplies to Donate
ü Facial tissue (aka Kleenex)
ü Post-its
ü Index Cards
ü Hand Sanitizer
ü Glue sticks
Additional supply requirements, if needed,
will be communicated well in advance of
their use.
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Communication
We highly value communication and family involvement as a central aspect of each student’s education. It is extremely important to us that you and your child feel involved and informed in his or her academic progress. We invite you to be connected to your child’s education and encourage responsibility through a number of ways:
- Check your child’s planner
- Use the internet to access your child’s assignments and grades, as well as email updates from the team.
- Contact us via email or phone with any questions or concerns. (Our fastest response time is by email.)
We are looking forward to a fantastic year!
maegan.becker@camas.wednet.edu (360) 833-5800 ext. 79119
lisa.wilderman@camas.wednet.edu (360) 833-5800 ext. 79118