Back to School Night

1. Back to School Night X Men Team

2. Welcome to North • Introduction of teachers • Go over academic classes • Technology: Schoology vs Power Parent vs. ParentSquare • Late Homework Policy 

3. Team of Teachers • Mrs. Matthews—US History Team Leader gbmatthews@avon-schools.org • Mrs. Rudolph—Language Arts jlrudolph@avon-schools.org • Mrs. Hadley—Science mlhadley@avon-schools.org • Mr. Qadri—Math mhqadri@avon-schools.org

4. 8th Grade Science • 8th Grade Science Materials Requirements • One - Three-Ring Binder with 10 or more Dividers for an Interactive Science Notebook  (Hadley) • Online Digital Science Notebook:  Will be set up in class but student will need to update notebooks.  • Science Safety Contract retuned to teacher by TODAY

5. 8th Grade Science Cont. Grades  8th Grade Science Curriculum Physical Science: Chemistry Focused- Periodic Table, Chemical and Physical changes, Balancing Chemical Equations Earth/Space:  Weather and Ecology Life Science: Genetics, Change over Time If your child is in Biology with Koontz or Lott, please check Schoology for the syllabi and to reach out to them specifically. • 50 % Assessments (Tests/Quizzes) • 30 % Labs and Projects • 20% Homework = 85% OF TOTAL GRADE • 15% of TOTAL GRADE is Science Final each Semester

6. US History Curriculum • Daily materials: Binder, computer, agenda, pen/pencil • Online Textbook • Use Schoology to check for homework, announcements for upcoming tests/quiz Grades are weighted:   60% Test/Quizzes   25%homework/In class work       15% Semester Exam • Extra Credit opportunity • Study Skills • Topics Covered this year: August- October: Colonies, Pre Revolution October- December: Revolution, Articles of Confederation and Constitution January to March: Washington Admin to Jackson March to May: Social Reform Movements, Slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction

7. AMPLIFY ELA Middle school language arts teachers are excited to be piloting a new curriculum this year- Amplify.  This curriculum is designed specifically and solely for middle school students.  Because of this, the program focuses on rich and engaging texts. ENGAGEMENT is essential in middle school!

8. Amplify ela •  The heart of every lesson is the text.   •  With Amplify ELA, students learn to attach any complex text and make observations, grapple with interesting ideas, and find relevance for themselves.  •  This resource provides rigorous coursework on a variety of levels that challenges students to think deeply.

9. AMPLIFY ELA Why Students Love Amplify ELA:         • Amplify ELA empowers students to become critical thinkers, developing ideas and opinions on many real-world, relevant texts and topics. • Students are engaged with a variety of multi-sensory experiences to demonstrate learning. • Amplify ELA provides frequent checkpoints to show student learning progress. • Unique, online programming supports lessons in a 21st century learning format.

10. AMPLIFY ELA • Each student will have full digital access to the program-including novels.  Also, each student will receive a writing journal for each unit.  These will be kept in the classroom. • In addition, students will have class sets of novels {Gris Grimley's Frankenstein & Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass- An American Slave} and student workbooks to use in the classroom. • Expect that word parts ‘roots’, contextual vocabulary, grammar, literary skills, research, and writing will be incorporated in every unit of study. 

11. ELA  Grading • Grades are calculated based on POINTS (not weighted percentages).  Expect that unit exams, final drafts, and projects will be worth a greater amount than daily assignments. Daily Supplies • Binder, pen/pencil, charged laptop, independent reading book

12. Math (Pre-Algebra & Algebra) • Emphasis on working collaboratively • Ask your student how they worked with others to solve a problem. • Bi-Weekly Quizzes to serve as Formative Assessments • Usually on Fridays, topics that have been practiced and given ample time to master will be assessed. • 2 Exams (Midterm and Final Semester Exam) • Less emphasis on testing, more on checking for understanding and using data to drive instruction.

13. Math (Pre-Algebra & Algebra) • How are grades determined? (BOTH CLASSES) • 85% of the final semester grade: • Summative: 55% (Midterm and Quizzes) • Formative: 30% (Homework, Projects, In Class work etc.) • 15% of the final semester grade will be determined by the Final Exam.

14. Math (Pre-Algebra & Algebra) • Pre-Algebra Homework • Weekly IXL topics will be assigned most Friday's or Monday's and be due the following week on the same day. • Students who struggle to achieve their target score are encouraged to seek help in class throughout the week! • Algebra Homework • 3-4 times per week, rarely over weekends 😉

15. Technology • PowerSchool​ • Grade on PowerParent is ULTIMATE grade​ • Schoology- Online Learning Management System​ • Homework Posted​ • Assignments Submitted​ • Grade is NOT accurate!​ • EXTREMELY important that students come to school with their CHARGED laptop!​

16. Homework Expectations • We strive to help our students transition from 7th grade to 8th grade, where we prepare them for the high school homework and testing expectations.  • Math can expect homework almost every night. • Homework should be completely independently and on-time.   • One late homework coupon (full credit)  for each core class per 9 weeks. • Students can use Golden Tickets with guardian signatures after homework coupon to receive partial credit (50%). 

17. Student Handbook and Misc. • Please review the student handbook. It is on North's webpage: Parent tab • Cell Phones: Not in classrooms, in lockers, may check them during passing periods. This is a change. • Tardies: After the 3rd tardy to class or school it is a detention (per nine weeks)

18. Thank You • Please email us if you have any questions or concerns during the school year. • If you have specific concerns that you would like to address this evening, please share with us tonight and then follow up with an email to us tomorrow.  • We are excited to have your child on the X Men team!