SCIENCE, MATH, and DISCOVERY

• Class Rules and Procedures

  Class Rules

   

  Testing Procedures
  
  

  Discipline Procedures

   

  SEL Procedures

   

• Class Supplies (and wish list)

  Necessary Supplies:

  1" Binder, any color,  with two inside pockets, 8-tab dividers is a bonus

  ear buds or headphones

  index cards

  a supply of pencils every day

  a supply of notebook paper

   

  Optional Supplies

  highlighter

  scissors

  colored pencils

  pencil pouch (with your name on it!!!!) to carry supplies

  big eraser

  pocket pencil sharpener

  small calculator

  ruler

   

  Classroom Wish List

  We have no needs at this time!

• Grading

  Students will be provided the opportunity to show their growth over time.  This growth will be documented in many ways including pre- and post-tests, a portfolio of work samples, and written reflection.  Students will always have a chance to improve their scores, but will be responsible for demonstrating how they obtained their new understanding.

• While You Were Out

  If you have an excused absence, you have as many days as you were absent to make up the work. For example, if you were absent one day, you have one day turn in make up work.

   

  Here’s how to get your make up work:

   

  (1) When you return to class, please talk to your partners and classmates to see what you missed.

   

  (2) Talk to your teacher to clear up any questions you may have.

   

  (3) Jump in with your partners and make up for lost time!

   

• Homework

  As a general rule, I will not require homework.  However, I do encourage students to use that time instead to reflect on one thing we learned about during the day and generate one question or statement about their learning to share at home or with me!

   

   

• Mind Maps

  Students are frequently asked to make “mind maps” from their class conversations and/or projects.  This is a way for students to rework and review what they have just learned in class.  To really learn and remember new material, the brain needs to work with it six times on average.  Mind maps are a highly individualized way of reworking information because everyone thinks of unique ways of categorizing and rewriting their notes.  Mind maps help the brain remember information because they help the learner rework the new material into a colorful picture format that the brain easily “sees”.

   

  We have practiced mind maps in class and students have been shown good examples.  An example of mind map for students to refer to has been put in their Skills tab of their notebook.

   

  Instructions for making a mind map are:

   

  (1) come up with your own categories in which to group and organize your class notes.

   

  (2) rewrite ALL of your notes into the mindmap.  ALL of your notes.

   

  (3) Be sure you are including the details from your notes (e.g., defintions & examples)

   

  (4) Use color

   

  Mind maps should NOT take a lot of time to make.  For homework, students add to them each day from their class notes.  Sometimes, it will take a week before a mind map is complete. That final product should be excellent evidence that the student has really worked with the material.

   

  In science, we will be learning a lot of new content at a fast pace.  Students need the detailed practice mindmaps offer.

   

  Here are some excellent examples that show the level of effort that is expected from my students:

   

• Welcome Letter

  Welcome Letter (.pdf)

• Helpful Articles, Books and Resources

  55 Best Back-to-School Articles for Parents

   

  Science Resources for parents

   

  Examples of lessons from The Number Lab