Introduction*I have had over ten years experience teaching middle school humanities in both Washington and California.*This is my third year at Maywood Middle.*I have a daughter going into 8th grade and 6th grade this year in the Issaquah School District.*Our team focus this year will be integration of the newly adopted Common Core Standards.
How to Help Your Child Transition to Middle School
• Communication• Planner • Connect Site- Check for documents handed out,
when absent, homework assignments on calendar
• Skyward Online Grading System- Check your student’s grades once a week on a consistent basis- Teach them to manage their grades and contact me to advocate for themselves
• Consistent Items- Social Studies Study Guides for tests, portfolios, projects, notebook
Course Content: Social Studies-7
• History Alive: The Medieval World and Beyond• Geography integrated throughout the year• Fall of Rome• Europe During Medieval Times: The Rise of Feudalism,
Daily Life, Decline of Feudalism• Islam in Medieval Times: Origins of Islam, world
religions, Crusades• Imperial China• Japan During Medieval Times• History of Washington• Projects/Portfolios/Notebooks• Writing across curriculum
Behavior Expectations
• We Agree on These Three!– 1. Show Respect– 2. Make Good Choices– 3. Solve the Problem
Incentives/RewardsCharger 100Charger Gold
Raffles Positive Words
Student RecognitionLeadership opportunities
How Do I Access Skyward?
• ISD Website www.issaquah.wednet. Edu
• Click on Family Access• Click on Login to Family Access.
How Do I Interpret Skyward?
Pts.Earned
Pts.Possible
% Earned Grade Spec.Code
Missing What does this mean?
* 10 The assignment has been entered in the grade book, but the teacher has not graded it.
0 10 0% F MS The student has a missing assignment.
9 10 90% A- The student turned in the assignment on time and received an A-.
7 10 70% C- LT The student turned in their work late. It was graded and points were deducted for turning it in late.
0 10 0% F ABS The student was absent and needs to make up the work before a grade can be assigned.
* 10 EX The student has been excused from the assignment.
Grading Categories
Social Studies :• Assignments 35%• Assessments 65%• Formative 0%
This category is used to track assignments for portfolios and student growth scores, ie pre-tests
Grading • Activities/assignments will be given point values according to
importance. Final grades will be determined by the percentage of points earned.
• Digital Gradebook (Skyward) is used to calculate grades.• Rubrics/grade sheets are used for all major assignments and are
given out before the assignment is due. Expectations are clear.• Use Family Access to access student grades. Up-dated every 3 weeks.• 3 Homework passes available each trimester-Can not be used on big
projects.• Parent email or phone call if emergency extension is needed.• No late work is accepted unless a homework pass is used or you have
discussed other arrangements with me BEFORE the assignment is due.
• Please have the student talk to me or email me if there are questions about grades or assignments.
• Save major project rubrics/grade sheets in case of a discrepancy.
Other Ways To Help• Designate homework space - (Quiet area, few distractions)• Designate homework time – Discuss your family’s schedule and make a
plan together with your middle schooler. • Set realistic goals – Homework completion, organized binder/backpack,
meeting deadlines, etc. Check Skyward once a week with your student to help manage grades!!!
• Teach time management – Before your child begins an assignment, ask them how long they think it will take. Set a timer and they’ll soon find out how accurate (or inaccurate) their prediction was. You’re not being mean, you’re giving them a better sense of how long things take for them to complete.
• Prohibit multi-tasking – No Facebook, cell phone, television, or gaming while doing homework.
• Give positive reinforcements – This does wonders for perseverance and intrinsic motivation.
• Reinforce why learning is important – It’s all about options. If you fail classes, you’re limiting your options for life; but if you set goals and work to achieve them, you only increase your options and opportunities.
How to Contact Me
• Email- [email protected]
• Phone- 425-837-6919• Available after school to help
students and meet with parents 2:15-3:30 on Tuesdays or by appointment.
Thank You
• Being here tonight is one of the best things you could do for you child.
• Your support is invaluable and greatly appreciated.
• Contact me any time, your concerns are my concerns.
Course Content: Language Arts-6
• Review of 6 Writing Traits• McDougal Littell Literature-Reading and Writing• Introduction to essay:
explanatory/argumentative/memoir/narrative/research writing
• Knowledge Checks-Yearlong objectives• Grammar/punctuation practice• Vocabulary from Latin and Greek Roots: Word Families• The Giver• Utilize Writing Workshop practices• Beginning literary analysis• Reading Logs• Technology integration
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