Welcome to Meet the Teacher Night

1. Berry Miller Junior High Welcome toMeet the Teacher Night Mr. Rayburn 7th/8th Grade Pre-AP Science

2. My Job • Provide problem solving strategies and techniques for passing the 7th grade Science Benchmarks and End of Course Exam. • Build upon previously learned science concepts with new and different concepts • Help them have fun with learning • Prepare your student for high school and beyond

3. My Background • Attended Texas A&M university • Biomedical Science Major • Attended University of Houston • Healthcare Finance • District New Teacher of the Year- 2011 • 5 years employed with Johnson & Johnson

4. Grades…Good News! • Not all students are going to make an A in all of their classes. • Students do not enter into 7th or 8th grade and instantly master everything that is taught. And that’s ok!! The expectation is, that by the end of the year they will have mastered the key concepts. But MASTERY does not happen, for the majority of students, right away (not even GT kids). • One of the benefits of JH is that we can use these years to let them develop the organizational, planning, and other developmental skills that Piaget talks about. • GPA in JH does not count. So if students don’t make all A’s it is ok. High School is the place to be concerned about GPA. • However to some making an A is a very important factor. If this is the case for you, and your child is struggling in a PAP or Advanced class, make plans to talk with the teacher and a counselor about moving him or her to a different level.

5. Success in my Class • Tutoring: • Monday and Tuesday 8-8:30 am • Thursday 3:45-4:15 pm by appointment • Other days and times available by appointment (ask for a pass) • Communication • Communication about homework/class assignments/project will be posted on the teacher webpage (http://www.pearlandisd.org/webpages/drayburn/) • Important messages will be sent to contact e-mail from the skyward data base

6. Success in my Class • On-Line word wall Quiz: • Each six week • Challenge the young minds on grade appropriate science vocabulary, and increasing their vocabulary with challenging words beyond their grade level. • The quiz will count for one test grade, and only the highest grade will be recorded. • The student has unlimited chances and should be taking the quiz at a minimum one time per week. • Weekly Reading: • Reading requirements will be issued on Tuesday and it is the students responsibility to complete the assigned reading by the following Monday. The reading typically takes about one hour and amounts to 2 pages of reading/notes a night.

7. Success in my Class • Pre Advance Placement Project (Major Grade) • Pre-AP students in my science class MUST complete an individual science project (no group projects). • The project must utilize the scientific method including quantitative analysis (students must use measurements for forming conclusions). • The final notebook and display is 1000 points in the project category. • Students will also earn points in the Class work/Homework category as progress is being made. • Students will have in-class time to work on the project, but will also need to work from home.

8. “Most look up and admire the stars. A champion climbs a mountain and grabs one.”

9. I am looking forward to an exciting and successful year with you at Berry Miller Junior High. Thank you for coming!