Welcome to B-4Welcome to B-4Day Creek IntermediateDay Creek Intermediate

7th Grade7th Grade

Mrs. Susan Ralston-WilliamsMrs. Susan Ralston-Williams

Language Arts/Social Language Arts/Social Studies/ArtStudies/Art

2014-20152014-2015

FundraisersFundraisers

Nothing to sell this year.Nothing to sell this year.

Student’s CODE OF CONDUCTStudent’s CODE OF CONDUCT I will be polite at all times.I will be polite at all times. I will work quietly and not disturb others.I will work quietly and not disturb others. I will listen courteously when others are I will listen courteously when others are

talking.talking. I will be friendly to fellow classmates.I will be friendly to fellow classmates. I will be truthful and honest.I will be truthful and honest. I will respect my teacher and other I will respect my teacher and other

adults.adults. I will be prepared for class everyday.I will be prepared for class everyday.

I will arrive at class on time.I will arrive at class on time. I will cooperate with others. I will cooperate with others. I will always do my best.I will always do my best.

FOOD AND DRINKFOOD AND DRINKFood and beverages are generally Food and beverages are generally

not permitted in the classroom.not permitted in the classroom.Water bottles having tight-fitting Water bottles having tight-fitting

caps and filled only with clear caps and filled only with clear drinking water are permitted.drinking water are permitted.

CONSEQUENCES FOR CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIORINAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

1ST INFRACTION: VERBAL WARNING1ST INFRACTION: VERBAL WARNING2ND INFRACTION: Lunch Detention2ND INFRACTION: Lunch Detention3RD INFRACTION: Parent Contact3RD INFRACTION: Parent Contact4TH INFRACTION: Referral to office & 4TH INFRACTION: Referral to office &

parent will be notified.parent will be notified.

SEVERE CLAUSE: some steps will be SEVERE CLAUSE: some steps will be bypassed and/or sent to office bypassed and/or sent to office immediately.immediately.

““KUDOS”KUDOS”Rewards for appropriate behavior will Rewards for appropriate behavior will

change throughout the year:change throughout the year:

Examples: Points, Passes, Praises, Examples: Points, Passes, Praises, RecognitionRecognition

My Pledge to StudentsMy Pledge to Students I will work with you to meet your I will work with you to meet your

learning goals.learning goals. I will respect you and work with you to I will respect you and work with you to

solve problems. solve problems. I will offer extra help and alternative I will offer extra help and alternative

assessments should you require them.assessments should you require them. I will correct and offer feedback on I will correct and offer feedback on

your work.your work.

SUPPLIESSUPPLIESA suggested list has been provided in A suggested list has been provided in

your pack of paperwork.your pack of paperwork.

Anyone wishing to donate class Anyone wishing to donate class supplies is welcome to do so. supplies is welcome to do so. Kleenex, Wet Wipes, pencils, pens, Kleenex, Wet Wipes, pencils, pens, erasers, and dry erase pens are erasers, and dry erase pens are some items used on a regular basis. some items used on a regular basis.

PACK PLANNER: “If you plan PACK PLANNER: “If you plan to learn, you must learn to learn, you must learn

to plan.”to plan.”Handbook/Organizer/CalendarHandbook/Organizer/CalendarLists of school & district policies and Lists of school & district policies and

proceduresproceduresDescriptions of offered programsDescriptions of offered programsAcademic Standards at each grade levelAcademic Standards at each grade levelWeekly calendar pages to be used daily Weekly calendar pages to be used daily

to list homework & pertinent informationto list homework & pertinent informationCommunication tool between teacher & Communication tool between teacher &

parentparent

PACK Planner ChecksPACK Planner ChecksWeekly, your child will be responsible Weekly, your child will be responsible for recording their academic progress. for recording their academic progress. Students need to look up their current Students need to look up their current core subject percentages on ESPRI, core subject percentages on ESPRI, and record those percentages in their and record those percentages in their PACK Planners on pgs. 24-26?PACK Planners on pgs. 24-26?

Parents need to sign in the last Parents need to sign in the last column. By doing so, you are column. By doing so, you are indicating that you reviewed your indicating that you reviewed your child’s percentages. child’s percentages.

REQUIRED SIGNATURESREQUIRED SIGNATURES

Corrected Failing TestsCorrected Failing TestsAny and all notes sent homeAny and all notes sent homePack Planner pp.24-26 ?Pack Planner pp.24-26 ?Office correspondenceOffice correspondenceOther pages in the PACK Planners Other pages in the PACK Planners

showing district benchmarks results.showing district benchmarks results.

WEEKLY FOLDERSWEEKLY FOLDERSEvery FRIDAY, unless told otherwise, Every FRIDAY, unless told otherwise,

folders will go home.folders will go home.Grades & Missing Work will be Grades & Missing Work will be

available online through the ESPRI available online through the ESPRI account. account.

Weekly citizenship behavior will be Weekly citizenship behavior will be notated in the folder.notated in the folder.

Parent signatures will be required.Parent signatures will be required.

MISSING AND CORRECTED MISSING AND CORRECTED WORKWORK

Missing work from the week will be Missing work from the week will be accepted, but due the following Monday accepted, but due the following Monday for a 50% credit. GFA’s (Grade First Aid) for a 50% credit. GFA’s (Grade First Aid) will be permitted on some of the work. will be permitted on some of the work.

Some tests falling below a 70% may be Some tests falling below a 70% may be corrected, but the highest score possible corrected, but the highest score possible on a corrected test is a 70%.on a corrected test is a 70%.

Parent signatures will be required before Parent signatures will be required before I regrade GFA’s.I regrade GFA’s.

HOMEWORKHOMEWORKHomework may be assigned Monday-Homework may be assigned Monday-

Friday.Friday.Studying for tests, preparing for Studying for tests, preparing for

lecture, & written assignments are lecture, & written assignments are types of homeworktypes of homework

TeacherWeb will post homework on a TeacherWeb will post homework on a daily basis. daily basis.

TeacherWeb.com/DCIS/Ralston-TeacherWeb.com/DCIS/Ralston-WilliamsWilliams

DIFFICULTY WITH DIFFICULTY WITH HOMEWORKHOMEWORK

Students are instructed to attempt all Students are instructed to attempt all assignments. If help is required, they are assignments. If help is required, they are to ask a parent. to ask a parent.

Parents, if you need my help, please Parents, if you need my help, please indicate at the top of the paper that more indicate at the top of the paper that more help is needed, include a signature and help is needed, include a signature and the date you attempted to help your child.the date you attempted to help your child.

If an emergency occurs, send a note with If an emergency occurs, send a note with your child the next day or email me. your child the next day or email me.

CLASSWORK & TESTSCLASSWORK & TESTS

Unfinished class work will need Unfinished class work will need to be completed for homework. to be completed for homework. These assignments will be These assignments will be posted on teacherweb. posted on teacherweb.

Tests dates will be posted on Tests dates will be posted on teacherweb. teacherweb.

PROJECTSPROJECTS

Information giving specific Information giving specific requirements will be sent home requirements will be sent home several weeks before a project several weeks before a project due date.due date.

Projects & the due dates will be Projects & the due dates will be posted on Teacherweb.posted on Teacherweb.

ABSENT WORKABSENT WORK It will be the student’s responsibility to It will be the student’s responsibility to

see the teacher to receive the missing see the teacher to receive the missing paperwork.paperwork.

Due dates will be determined on an Due dates will be determined on an individual basis; however, the common individual basis; however, the common practice will be one day for each day practice will be one day for each day absent. The level of difficulty for each absent. The level of difficulty for each assignment will determine the # of days assignment will determine the # of days to complete an assignment.to complete an assignment.

Tests makeups will be arranged.Tests makeups will be arranged.

ACCELERATED READERACCELERATED READER*Read a book every three weeks *Read a book every three weeks & take a test. If more books are & take a test. If more books are read during the 3-week period, the read during the 3-week period, the highest test score will be entered highest test score will be entered into the gradebook for a Language into the gradebook for a Language Arts grade. Arts grade.

*Students will select their own *Students will select their own books from the DCIS & city books from the DCIS & city libraries.libraries.

*Tests can be taken before & after *Tests can be taken before & after school in the DCIS library, during school in the DCIS library, during scheduled library times, and in the scheduled library times, and in the classroom.classroom.

*Audio books are available at the *Audio books are available at the DCIS libarary.DCIS libarary.

LANGUAGE ARTSLANGUAGE ARTSReading: 6 thematic units Reading: 6 thematic units

(relationships, heroes, beauty, (relationships, heroes, beauty, conflict, change, & patterns)conflict, change, & patterns)

A writing component for each unit A writing component for each unit will be seen in the performance task will be seen in the performance task assigned at assigned at

the end of the unit. the end of the unit.

Spelling: There will be a weekly lesson & a test will be Spelling: There will be a weekly lesson & a test will be administered at the end of the week.administered at the end of the week.

All Lessons can be found on TeacherWeb; weekly worksheets will be given All Lessons can be found on TeacherWeb; weekly worksheets will be given to the students. There are no books for this portion of Language Arts.to the students. There are no books for this portion of Language Arts.

Grammar: Individual skills will be Grammar: Individual skills will be taught throughout the year over taught throughout the year over several week periods. Tests will be several week periods. Tests will be given for particular skills, as well as, given for particular skills, as well as, cummulative tests.cummulative tests.

There are no books for this portion of There are no books for this portion of Language Arts. Worksheets will be Language Arts. Worksheets will be given to the students.given to the students.

Vocabulary: 1-2 week lessons will be Vocabulary: 1-2 week lessons will be taught, followed by a test.taught, followed by a test.

There are no books for this portion of There are no books for this portion of Language Arts. Worksheets will be Language Arts. Worksheets will be given to the students.given to the students.

3 Instructional Shifts established by the district for the Academic Standards:3 Instructional Shifts established by the district for the Academic Standards:

#1- Building knowledge through content-rich non-#1- Building knowledge through content-rich non-

fiction & informational textsfiction & informational texts

#2- Reading & writing grounded in evidence from#2- Reading & writing grounded in evidence from

texttext

#3- Regular paractice with complex text & its aca-#3- Regular paractice with complex text & its aca-

demic vocabularydemic vocabulary

SOCIAL STUDIESSOCIAL STUDIESUnit 1: New Empires, New FaithsUnit 1: New Empires, New Faiths Roman civilization, Islamic civilization,Roman civilization, Islamic civilization, Medieval AfricaMedieval Africa

Unit 2: The Middle AgesUnit 2: The Middle Ages China in the Middle Ages, Medieval China in the Middle Ages, Medieval Japan, Medieval EuropeJapan, Medieval Europe

Social Studies (continued)Social Studies (continued)

Unit 3: A Changing WorldUnit 3: A Changing World

Renaissance, Reformation, Renaissance, Reformation,

Americas, Age of Exploration, & Americas, Age of Exploration, &

EnlightenmentEnlightenment

P. A. C. K. PeriodP. A. C. K. Period

Personally Achieving Character & Personally Achieving Character & Knowledge: This period offers Knowledge: This period offers differentiated instruction to various differentiated instruction to various levels of academic performance.levels of academic performance.

Students are placed in homegenous Students are placed in homegenous groups based on CST, Benchmark groups based on CST, Benchmark tests, academic grades, & teacher tests, academic grades, & teacher recommendations.recommendations.

PACK (continued)PACK (continued)

Monday – Thursday: 2 days in a Monday – Thursday: 2 days in a Language Arts PACK class & 2 days Language Arts PACK class & 2 days in a Math PACK classin a Math PACK class

PACK is the 3PACK is the 3rdrd period of the day. period of the day.PACK classes will be revised PACK classes will be revised

periodically.periodically.

GRADINGGRADINGA district grading program is used A district grading program is used

and assignments are entered by and assignments are entered by categories (Homework 10%, Class categories (Homework 10%, Class work 25%, Quizzes/Projects 30%, & work 25%, Quizzes/Projects 30%, & Tests 35%).Tests 35%).

An accumulation of points and An accumulation of points and percentages calculate the overall percentages calculate the overall grade.grade.

IS ALL WORK GRADED?IS ALL WORK GRADED?NONOSome work is merely done for practice Some work is merely done for practice

and a check off system is used.and a check off system is used. If an assignment is graded you will If an assignment is graded you will

either see a percentage score or a either see a percentage score or a star.star.

A star is used to indicate full credit on A star is used to indicate full credit on work that is checked off.work that is checked off.

PROGRESS REPORTS & PROGRESS REPORTS & REPORT CARDSREPORT CARDS

3 Trimesters (12 week sessions each)3 Trimesters (12 week sessions each)

Progress Reports go home every 6 Progress Reports go home every 6 weeks.weeks.

The first Trimester report card will be The first Trimester report card will be handed out during parent conferences. handed out during parent conferences. All others will be mailed home.All others will be mailed home.

OTHER REPORT CARD OTHER REPORT CARD SYMBOLSSYMBOLS

O represents OutstandingO represents OutstandingS represents SatisfactoryS represents SatisfactoryN represents Needs to ImproveN represents Needs to ImproveU represents UnsatisfactoryU represents Unsatisfactory

Receiving N’s & U’s can result in Receiving N’s & U’s can result in students not participating in school students not participating in school events & loss of academic rewards.events & loss of academic rewards.

COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATIONWe encourage an ongoing open line of We encourage an ongoing open line of

communication.communication.Website addresses: (can also be Website addresses: (can also be

accessed through the Daycreek website).accessed through the Daycreek website). susan_williams@etiwanda.k12.ca.us

diane_larkin@etiwanda.k12.ca.us

School phone number (909) 803-3300School phone number (909) 803-3300TeacherWeb/CA/ DAY CREEK/ Ralston-TeacherWeb/CA/ DAY CREEK/ Ralston-Williams or LarkinWilliams or Larkin

FIELD TRIPS & END OF YEAR FIELD TRIPS & END OF YEAR ACTIVITIESACTIVITIES

Field trips are a part of your child’s Field trips are a part of your child’s curriculum and should be attended.curriculum and should be attended.

At the discretion of the teacher or At the discretion of the teacher or administration, any student who has administration, any student who has demonstrated a lack of self-discipline demonstrated a lack of self-discipline may be left at school and given an may be left at school and given an alternative assignment.alternative assignment.