Welcome to Grade Seven !

1. Welcome to Grade Seven ! Information for Parents & Students

2. Who Are My Teachers’? • Ms. Rowley (Mornings) – Math • Ms. Samborski (Mornings) – French • Mrs. Nelson (Mornings) – Phys. Ed. • Mr. Sneddon (Mornings & Afternoon) – English Language Arts, Health, Social Studies, Technology Assistance, Art, Career Ed. • Mr. Ursaki (Mornings & Afternoons) – Band • Mrs. Germann (Afternoons) – Science • Mrs. Waters & Mr. Tkachuk (Afternoons) – PAA at St. Vital

3. Who Are My Teachers’? (Con’t) • Mrs. Sneddon (Afternoons) – PAA, Semester Two.

4. Evaluation This is a major change to the work that we do with our students. Evaluation this year is divided in to two major categories: • Formative Assessment: The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning to provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to improve their learning. Examples of Formative Assessment include question sets, checks for understanding, reading and discussions of the textbook material. • Summative Assessment: The goal of summative assessment is to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark. Examples of Summative Assessment include performance tasks, unit quizzes and end of unit activities.

5. Evaluation (Con’t) While formative assessments like some worksheets may not be used to calculate final grades it is still important to the development of student learning to complete all assignments.

6. Evaluation (Con’t) On the next slide is an example of a student rubric. Students are now evaluated on a 1 – 4 scale on their understanding of a given outcome. This 1-4 scale is going to be reported on the report card that will come home at the end of each term.

7. Evaluation (Con’t)

8. Evaluation (Con’t) When your student brings home a report card you will see the outcomes that were covered in the current reporting term as well as the place on the skill continuum that your student is currently at. Seeing a one or a two on a student report card is not a sign of failure; it is now an indication of skills that a student may have to devote more time to developing.

9. Evaluation (Con’t) When your student brings home a report card you will see the outcomes that were covered in the current reporting term as well as the place on the skill continuum that your student is currently at. Seeing a one or a two on a student report card is not a sign of failure; it is now an indication of skills that a student may have to devote more time to developing.

10. Home Logic Home Logic is the parent and student side of the record keeping system that our school division now uses. Home Logic will enable students and parents to access their progress and their attendance from any web capable device. Home Logic will allow student to track their progress on learning outcomes.

11. Home Logic (Con’t) Home Logic is the parent and student side of the record keeping system that our school division now uses. Home Logic will enable students and parents to access their progress and their attendance from any web capable device. Home Logic will allow student to track their progress on learning outcomes.

12. Home Logic (Con’t) You will be given more information once we start the school year around how to log in to and use the Home Logic system.

13. Home Logic (Con’t) As the classroom teacher for many of your students subjects I will be posting assignment assessment information under the following timeline: Formative Assignments, Small Scale Projects (1-2 Class Periods) – 5 school days following the due date for the assignment. Summative Assignments, Large Scale Projects (3 Class Periods or More) – 7 to 10 school days following the due date for the assignment.

14. Communication An open communication relationship is the cornerstone to a positive learning environment. If you have questions or concerns please come to see me, send a note or e-mail or ask to speak to me on the telephone. Every attempt will be made to keep you as up to date as possible on the work done in class and the progress of your students. Different communication modes will be used. Web Site – Our classroom website can be found here: http://www.bcs.lskysd.ca/asneddon The page will have due dates for assignments as well as updates on class activities. The page will be updated frequently. E-Mail – My e-mail is andrew.sneddon@lskysd.ca I check this e-mail frequently and the messages are delivered to my cell phone. Telephone – I can be reached at the school from 8:30 AM until 4:00 PM. If it is an emergency I can be reached at home; 445-1980.

15. Communication (Con’t) I am also going to continue to use a new communication method that was tried last year: Text Messaging Service. • Remind: I am going to continue with a new communication tool this year where I will send class updates once a week via text message.  In order to receive text messages please follow these step: • To receive messages via text, text: @homeroom7s to (778) 651-9639 • You can opt-out of messages at anytime by replying, 'unsubscribe @homeroom7s'.

16. Communication (Con’t) I understand at times it is going to be necessary to reach your students. There are a few guidelines that I would request: • When possible please phone the school at 306-937-2112 and ask to speak with your student. Please try and call at lunch time (11:45 AM). We would like to avoid phone calls during class time. Messages may be left and they will be passed on at break. • If you need to call your student or text them on a personal cell device please do so; but students will only be able to check messages at breaks or at another time following arrangements with a teacher.

17. Conclusion I look forward to working with you and your students. We are going on a learning adventure and your students will have the opportunity to experience different learning tasks and challenges. I am here to not only guide your students through their learning but to offer whatever supports that I can to ensure the continued success that your students will work towards as they become life-long learners. Our cooperation as students, parents and teachers is essential to the continued positive experience that will lead to many great adventures.