Rising 7 th Grade Orientation Meeting
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Transcript of Rising 7 th Grade Orientation Meeting
Rising 7th Grade Orientation Meeting
WelcomeIt is a new year with lots of changes. We will all work together this year to make it a
positive and successful transition.Communication, responsibility, and effort are
essential elements for your child’s success.MAJOR DIFFERENCES FROM 6TH GRADE: Increased number of core classes and longer classes Increase in amount and type of homeworkAdjusting to A Day/ B Day schedule
Meet the TeachersBrad Ezzell – Grammar/ CompositionColleen Tavolacci - LiteratureMark Root – Social StudiesKatie Clemmons - ScienceLisa Bolton - SpanishLeah Boas - Math
ScheduleA Day
Homeroom 8:20-8:451st Period 8:45-10:05Morning Meeting
10:05-10:302nd Period 10:30-11:503rd Period 11:50-1:10Lunch 1:10-2:10Electives 2:10-3:05
B DayHomeroom 8:20-8:454th Period 8:45-10:05Morning Meeting
10:05-10:305th Period 10:30-11:506th Period 11:50-1:10Lunch 1:10-2:10Electives 2:10-3:05
** This is this year’s times. Our schedule is still in the works. Tentatively, Mondays & Tuesdays students will not have electives. Instead, they will be grouped for remediation or enrichment of their core classes. Groups will be determined by mastery of objectives and area of most need.
Lunch Coverage7th grade lunch 1:10-1:40Recess 1:40-2:10
8th gradeRecess 1:10-1:40Lunch 1:40-2:10
You can sign up for lunch on Mrs. Tavolacci’s or Mr. Ezzell’s page:1. Log onto Endeavor’s main webpage2. Go to Mrs. Tavolacci’s webpage3. Click on calendar4. Click on the date you want to sign up for5. Type in your name
PLEASE try to join us for at least one lunch per quarter. This helps make coverage equitable for all families and if we do not have coverage, YOUR child may not get to meet with us if needed, we may not get to do other important things during this time, and you will miss out on a great chance to volunteer and come see your middle school child in their natural habit.
Communication/ Conferences ..\Documents\Teacher_Parent_Communication_Policy_Final_5-11.pdf
Email! We return emails promptly and professionally. Contact us anytime for questions, clarification, or concerns. Please do not rely solely on a student’s account for complete information.
Conference s typically scheduled by request at the end of each quarter, but if a need arises sooner, we would be glad to accommodate within a week of your request. ** Most conferences are a “team approach” meaning more than one core teacher will be present.
Newsletters will be posted quarterly on our website. Please read all the information written in these newsletters as this is the best way to communicate all the WONDERFUL things that are occurring throughout the year.
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONSBehavior affects learning. We foster the best learning
environment possible for all students.We encourage and reward positive behavior and expect
students to be Prepared with ALL materials, Polite & Respectful to all adults, and Engaged in learning and on task during class
Multiple or excessive class disruptions will result in a recess detention for the day.
Detention will be held before and after school. An informational packet / student contract will go home the first week of school
We want students to make the BEST choices, take responsibility, and learn from their mistakes.
ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONSWe will have access to parent portal of NCWISE You can check online to stay informed of progressLate work policy for homework - students will receive a
zero and a Pink Slip but will need to complete it for the sake of practice, knowledge or necessary notes/etc
8 pts deduction per day for late projectsNOT completing assignments is not an option. Student
should complete all assigned work. When missing work becomes a pattern, students will lose recess time to notify parents or eventually receive a detention for noncompliance.
We drop the lowest hw/classwork grade before report cards
Service Projects We will be focusing on several service projects
throughout this year involving building awareness of hunger in America or global hunger issues
Active community involvement through volunteer opportunities at the local Raleigh Food Bank at least 1 time per semester.
We will also be incorporating service project issues and activities into a loose curriculum and readings during Morning Meeting.
Hunger in America | Feeding America
Attendance/ Make Up PolicySince we are covering an extensive amount
of material EACH DAY, please make all efforts to be present the WHOLE school day, every day!
Each teacher has a designated area or folder for students to get make up work and it is the student’s responsibility to get the work
Websites are updated weekly, but asking a reliable peer or teacher is best.
“SMART” Lunch Options / HelpThere is A LOT of new material and an additional core class this year.
Your child needs to self-advocate and take the initiative in their learning. (Much like they will be expected to do in high school) We are here to help!
Teachers are available every day during lunch/recess for retakes, one-on-one assistance or help, or make up work or tests. Students can ask prior to lunch/recess time and we will be available.
Students should not, however, spontaneously ask an adult to leave during lunch to find a teacher unless prior arrangements have been made.
**When your child is not doing well in a core class, one question to ask them would be how many times have they gone to ask for help, tutoring, or to review or retake a test or quiz
Morning MeetingTime to learn about and develop social skills and
peer interaction in conjunction with our guidance counselor including topics/lessons / activities on peer relationships, learning styles, bullying, academic behaviors, character traits, and more
Current Events – We will make great use of our PAWS grant supplementary reading materials like Up Front magazines and online resources
Study Hall days and time management and organizational skills reinforcement
Important information, discussion and grade level meeting times
GRAMMAR/ COMPOSITIONGENERAL OVERVIEW
Vocabulary workbook - Words: The Power Within – root-based vocabulary program
DGP – will be tested throughout the year
Grammar – parts of speech, sentence patterns, verbals, phrases and clauses, punctuation
Writing Genres – journaling and brainstorming, expository, persuasive, literary analysis, and poetry
Writing workshop approach to teaching writing process with emphasis on peer editing and revising skills
THINGS TO KNOW Formal paper format
expectations are posted online and consistent all year
Your child must have a flash drive at all times
Students are expected to hand in a hard copy of papers at the time it is due and will not be allowed to leave/disrupt class to print at school unless prior arrangements have been made with a parent
Students can retake or make corrections on a failed quiz/test. If a student makes an 80% or higher on the retake or corrections, the failing grade will be raised to a 70%.
LITERATUREGeneral Expectations Units of study
Class is structured on a “reading workshop model” ala Lucy Calkins middle grades adaptation
Reading levels assessed and tracked in a variety of formal /informal ways : Study Island benchmarking and weekly assignments, SRI lexiling, and reading conferencing
Consistent nightly reading of 30 mins as well as DAILY in class reading is standard to build stamina, increase lexile, and expose students to variety of genres and meet qrtly growth and goals
Students will be expected to read approx 3 – 4 novels per quarter both in and out of class
Parents will need to purchase 1 novel per qtr and be expected to help monitor and select literature throughout the year.
Elements of Fiction Science Fiction Mysteries & Mystery Party 1st qtr Independent Novel Study/ Reading
Workshop on fiction that follows soc stud: Asia, Africa, Middle East, Australia
Mini novel projects (hands on, creative, student choices) and technology
Intro to paideia or Socratic Seminar
Whole class novel studies Nonfiction Poetry – Annual Poetry Café
SCIENCEUnits of Study Donations
/Materials for labs:
Inquiry Based Learning pipe cleanerswind up toys
Weather and atmosphere dixie cupsGenetics stop watchesHuman Body metal coffee cans
w/lidsForces of Motion Clorox wipes
SOCIAL STUDIESAreas of Study Assignments/ Teaching
StyleEastern Hemisphere –
Asia, Africa, OceanaOne content paper for
state mandated writing assessment
DBQ Document Based Questions
Hands-on and weekly small groups activities
Important People Trading Cards
3-2-1’s
MATHThings to know: Homework/
AssessmentsEach student will be issued a
textbookTypically, we work through
sections from a chapter using notes/discussion, group work, homework, quizzes, and a chapter test
There is class time set aside to review hmwk, quizzes, & tests
More details to come about online textbook, grading rubric and online gradebook
It is rare that students do not have homework.
Homework is posted online.Students can make
corrections on a failed quiz/test. The highest grade a student can earn is a 70% on the corrections.
Extra credit will not be given. Students should make an
appt. with Mrs. Boas to get extra help.
SPANISHCommon Activities Flashcards, read-alouds,
whiteboards, story boards, dialogues, skits, short stories, picture dictionaries, dictations, listening comprehension, real-life scenarios/ performance assessment
Topics covered include
Introductory/ polite expressions, numbers, colors, subject pronouns, geography (incl. countries, capitals), recreation, describing people, school and classes
Subject/verb placement, regular and stem-changing conjugation (present tense), possessive adjectives, ? formation
Things to know Website as important resource
(notes, PowerPoints, study guides, links, homework
2 pop quizzes per quarter may be given
Students may retake objectives on tests and other formative assessments until mastery is shown
8th grade continues Spanish 1 curriculum
Students will exit the program prepared for Spanish 2 in high school
Curriculum based on NCSCOS, Wake County vocabulary lists/ skills requirements, and National Spanish Exam
7th and 8th Grade ElectivesElectives are student selected special interest classes, but
should be treated like any other academic class. The elective classes are aligned with the 7th and 8th grade
standard course of studies and follow the objectives set by the North Carolina Department of Instruction.
These classes will include homework, tests, and projects and will occasionally require outside commitments.
Grades for these courses will be included on the student’s report card.
Classes will meet for the last period of the day during three days of the week.
2010-2011 Elective OptionsActing Labs:
ShakespeareActing Lab: Comedy
ShortsArt Around the World
Careers in ArtChorus
Classroom Assistant Service
Musical TheatreRecreational
FitnessTechnology
Three-Dimensional Art
Two-Dimensional Art
Scholastic Empowerment
Elective Procedures Students will fill out elective forms and select their first, second, and third
choices. We will do our best to make sure all students get their first or second
choice. Eighth graders who turn their forms in on time will have first preference followed by seventh graders who turn their form in on time.
Elective forms will be sent home with students before the end of the year.
Switching classes will only be allowed on the first day of the quarter. Students who wish to switch should contact the teacher of the class they are currently in and the teacher of the class they would like to switch to. Drop/Add Forms to switch classes will be in Mrs. Whiteside’s office. The form will need to be signed by both teachers and by the student’s parent. Students should then place forms in the box outside of Mrs. Whiteside’s office.
Classes will be announced on the first day of the quarter in the student’s homeroom class.
Students will select their 3rd and 4th quarter choices at the end of the 2nd quarter. More information on these electives will be sent home at the end of the 1st semester.