Middle School Math
Teacher: Ms. Sara Meece CMP Phone Number: (916) 864-0081 Email: [email protected] “All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.” -Galileo Galilei Mission My mission is to spark in my students a lifelong curiosity of science and the natural world, forming creative and thinking adults who can work both independently and collaboratively. This is accomplished through my commitment to using state-adopted curriculum, technology, hands-on investigation, Socratic discussion and a combination of guided and independent inquiry. In support of my mission, I strive to make real world connections and make learning science both relevant and fun! Curriculum Prentice Hall: Focus on California Physical Science. 2008. (Year B) ISBN#0-13-201270-7 Prentice Hall: Focus on California Life Science. 2008. (Year A) ISBN#0-13-201272-3 Study Guides & Science Notebooks Students will receive a study guide for Natural World, which outlines the guided lessons and independent assignments for each week. This yellow study guide will be distributed at the beginning of the week and is to be secured in the student’s science notebook or zipper binder at all times. Unless otherwise stated by the teacher, all assignments are due at the end of each week. Depending on the lesson, most work will be completed in class, but some additional work may be required to be completed at home or during Montessori Work Time. Electronic versions of all study guides will be posted on the CMP website and a middle school online resource if students require an additional copy. All students are required to have a spiral-bound notebook referred to by the teacher as a “science notebook or SNB”, which will be used in class daily. All assignments will be completed in the student’s SNB unless otherwise directed by the teacher. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain organization of their SNB and replenish/replace the notebook as necessary. Classwork credit will be awarded in the following manner: Full credit: Classwork is complete and turned in on time with obvious effort and organization. Half credit: Classwork is partially complete with minimal effort and/or is disorganized and on time or classwork is within one week late, but complete. No credit: Classwork is not complete and/or more than one week late. * Note: Classwork that is not completed on time and receives no credit is still expected to be completed in order to be successful on weekly quizzes and cycle final exams. Make Up Work/Absences It is the student’s responsibility to request make-up work and check-in regarding missed instruction due to absence(s) on the day the student returns to school. All students have a file in room 16, which will contain any handouts or tests/quizzes from the day(s) of absence. Not all work, especially work that is participatory and contributive in nature, can be made up. At the discretion of the teacher, alternative work may be provided. Students will have a maximum of as many days as they were absent plus one day to make up the work and/or quizzes/final exams without penalty unless other arrangements are made with the teacher. For example, if a student is absent two (2) days, s/he will have three (2 + 1) days to make up the work without penalty. Previously assigned work that is due on the day the student was absent is not considered make-up work and is due the day the student returns to school. Students should always consult the teacher if they are unsure of work or lessons missed and deadlines due to absence.
Assessments Quizzes to check understanding of Natural World concepts and vocabulary will be given regularly. Natural World quizzes will occur throughout each cycle and a cumulative final exam will be given at the end of each cycle, which will include all content covered that cycle. Each quiz and cycle final exam will be sent home with a required parent signature, which must be completed and returned. To receive full credit, the quiz or final exam must be turned in on time with the appropriate signatures. Late or incomplete signatures will receive no credit. Grade Weights Grades will be weighted in the following manner: 50% Classwork 45% Assessments 5% Signed agenda planner and assessments Agenda Planners The CMP Middle School team is eager to help students become more organized and support effective time management systems. In order to accomplish this goal, we require all students to keep an agenda planner to calendar upcoming assessments, assignments and other important information. In addition to this requirement, students will receive credit toward their Natural World grade for keeping their planners current and signed by their parent/guardian. This ensures communication of assessments, assignments and projects between the student and parent on a regular basis, in addition to supporting time management skills. Late or incomplete signatures will receive no credit. Aeries Online Gradebook Students, parents and guardians are able to access their student’s grades via Aeries, our online grading system. I will do my best to ensure that grades are posted in a timely manner so you can monitor the progress of your student. Grade reports will be sent via email regularly to all email addresses registered to an Aeries account. Textbooks Each student will have access to a science textbook to be used in class daily. Textbooks will not be available to take home at any time; however, an online version of current textbook chapters of study will be available through an online resource. If students do not have access to the internet at home, they are encouraged to download the PDF files to their flash drive at school or upload to an online drive account. If you are interested in purchasing your own personal textbook, please refer to the ISBN number above under “Curriculum”. Advanced Work Advanced Work is for 8th grade students who and are looking for ways to challenge themselves. In order to participate in Advanced Work, students must understand and follow the basic criteria below: Only 8th grade students are eligible to participate. Students must maintain a cumulative grade of 85% in the course they are participating in for Advanced Work. Be willing to attend regular benchmark meetings at lunch with Ms. Sara to share progress and ideas with the team in preparation for the project presentation. Please sign below to show that you have read and understand these policies and procedures. This page should also be stored in a page protector in your binder at all times so it can be referred to as needed.
____________________________________________ Parent Signature
_____________________________________________ Student Signature
Assessments Quizzes to check understanding of Natural World concepts and vocabulary will be given regularly. Natural World quizzes will occur throughout each cycle and a cumulative final exam will be given at the end of each cycle, which will include all content covered that cycle. Each quiz and cycle final exam will be sent home with a required parent signature, which must be completed and returned. To receive full credit, the quiz or final exam must be turned in on time with the appropriate signatures. Late or incomplete signatures will receive no credit. Grade Weights Grades will be weighted in the following manner: 50% Classwork 45% Assessments 5% Signed agenda planner and assessments Agenda Planners The CMP Middle School team is eager to help students become more organized and support effective time management systems. In order to accomplish this goal, we require all students to keep an agenda planner to calendar upcoming assessments, assignments and other important information. In addition to this requirement, students will receive credit toward their Natural World grade for keeping their planners current and signed by their parent/guardian. This ensures communication of assessments, assignments and projects between the student and parent on a regular basis, in addition to supporting time management skills. Late or incomplete signatures will receive no credit. Aeries Online Gradebook Students, parents and guardians are able to access their student’s grades via Aeries, our online grading system. I will do my best to ensure that grades are posted in a timely manner so you can monitor the progress of your student. Grade reports will be sent via email regularly to all email addresses registered to an Aeries account. Textbooks Each student will have access to a science textbook to be used in class daily. Textbooks will not be available to take home at any time; however, an online version of current textbook chapters of study will be available through an online resource. If students do not have access to the internet at home, they are encouraged to download the PDF files to their flash drive at school or upload to an online drive account. If you are interested in purchasing your own personal textbook, please refer to the ISBN number above under “Curriculum”. Advanced Work Advanced Work is for 8th grade students who and are looking for ways to challenge themselves. In order to participate in Advanced Work, students must understand and follow the basic criteria below: Only 8th grade students are eligible to participate. Students must maintain a cumulative grade of 85% in the course they are participating in for Advanced Work. Be willing to attend regular benchmark meetings at lunch with Ms. Sara to share progress and ideas with the team in preparation for the project presentation. Please sign below to show that you have read and understand these policies and procedures. This page should also be stored in a page protector in your binder at all times so it can be referred to as needed.
____________________________________________ Parent Signature
_____________________________________________ Student Signature
