Welcome To Back To School Night

1. Welcome To Back To School Night 7th and 8th Grade Team Lee Tran: 7th Grade Reading, Language Arts, & Social Studies Lily Valdez: 7th Grade Math, Science, & Reading Sonia Tovar: 8th Grade Reading & Language Arts, & 7/8th Grade Science Maria Elena Kunz: 7/8th Grade Reading & Language Arts & Social Studies Sandy Yip: 8th Grade Algebra, Algebra Readiness, & 8th Grade Reading & Language Arts

2. Student Behaviors • Be prompt • Be ready to learn when class begins. • Be prepared • Have materials in class and know due dates. • Be a polite and positive participant • Speak in a normal tone of voice, and listen attentively. • Be productive • Turn in work on time, and always do their best. • Be a problem solver • Learn to correct problems quickly and peacefully.

3. Ways to Help at Home • Go to the library to check out books that interest your child. • Limit television watching time.  Read the TV schedule with your child and select worthwhile shows together.  • Prepare a quiet homework area in the house. • Ask your child about their school work and regularly check their agenda for due dates of all assignments.

4. Homework Policy • Homework is expected to be complete and turned in on its due date. • Late homework, assignments, and projects will be penalized by receiving half credit. • Students are responsible for assignments and homework missed upon return from an absence. • Parents will be asked to help check homework by signing students’ planners every Friday. Teachers will check the following Monday for a parent’s signature.

5. 8th Grade: Physical Science & Health Textbook: Prentice Hall – Focus on Physical Science California Standards for Physical Science include: 1. Astronomy • Earth, moon, and sun • The Solar System 2. Chemistry • Matter and Reactions 3. Physics • Motion, Forces, and Energy **Teen Health Book - Unit 3: Protecting Your Health • Communicable and Noncommunicable diseases • Effects of Drugs, Tobacco, & Alcohol • Personal Safety, First Aid, and Recycling

6. 8th Grade Science Grades • Homework = 10% • Lab Notes = 10% • Section Quizzes = 30% • Chapter Tests = 20% • Science Projects = 30%

7. Club Ed • Goal: Responsible, respectful young people • Homework help • Consequence for inappropriate behavior • Consequence for incomplete or missing homework • Held daily except Thursday after school • Time doubled if session is missed • Lunchtime Club Ed will be scheduled as needed for those students who take the bus

8. 7th Grade Language Arts • The emphasis of this class will be placed on the following writing genre/domain: • Narrative (fictional/autobiographical) • Response to Literature • Expository Essay • Persuasive Essay • Variety of writing strategies emphasized: • Literature analysis • Reflections • Writer’s Workshop

9. 7th Grade Reading • Students are required to read at least 30 minutes daily and 9 books per trimester. • Reading strategies emphasized: • Cause and effect • Fact and opinion • Main ideas and supporting details • Author’s style and voice • Students will learn how to: • Predict • Summarize • Clarify • Question • Evaluate ideas and concepts

10. 7th Grade Social Studies • Students will learn about the social, economic, and political structures that were established by different civilizations around the world. • Students develop higher levels of critical thinking by considering why civilizations developed, why they became dominant, and why they declined. • Rome • Islam • Asia • Europe • Early civilizations in America

11. Pre-Algebra • Year-long course that prepares students for Algebra I • Textbook Prentice Hall Pre-Algebra • Workbook Emphasizes topics in textbook and provides practice problems • Keys to Success • Learn the Terminology • Practice, Practice, Practice • Patience & Brave • Become a Homework Helper

12. Students will become familiar with the following: • The Properties of Mathematics • The Language of Algebra • Solving one Step and Two Step Equations • Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying and Dividing Rational Numbers and Integers • Solving Inequalities • Proportion & Percent • Statistics, Probability & Graphs

13. Quizzes Chapter Test Homework Participation Benchmark Assessment Grading Criteria

14. Benchmark Assessment • Trimester I : November • Trimester II: March • Trimester III: June – CUMULATIVE

15. Textbook Focus on Life Science Workbook Study guide Focus on Life Science

16. 7th Grade Focus on Life Science California Standards on Life Science include… • Cell Biology • Genetics • Evolution • Earth & Life History • Structure and Function of Living Things

17. Grading Criteria • Quizzes • Chapter Test • Homework • Participation • One Project per Trimester The Egg-speriment with a Cell Become a Moss Expert Travels of a Red Blood Cell

18. 8th Grade Reading/ Language Arts Block • Variety of reading strategies distinguishing: • Cause and effect • Fact and opinion • Main ideas and supporting details • Author’s style and voice • Students will learn how to: • Predict • Summarize • Clarify • Question • Evaluate ideas and concepts

19. McDougal Littell reading curriculum includes culturally diverse literature • The Language of Literature (textbook) • Interactive Reader (guided reading handbook) • Bridges to Literature (collection of short stories related to the themes being studied) • www.classzone.com (7th and 8th grade) • List of suggested age-appropriate novels • Spelling, vocabulary and other learning activities

20. Language Arts Curriculum • Vocabulary • Listening skills • Grammar • Presentation Skills • Writing Applications include: • Autobiography and biography • Response to literature • Research report • Persuasive writing • Business letter

21. 8th Grade Social Studies Curriculum • Development of American politics, society, culture, and economy • New Nation • Constitution • Civil War • Western Expansion • Critical Thinking • Collaborative Learning • Current Events

22. Combination 7th and 8th Grade Social Studies Curriculum • Thematic links between Ancient Civilizations and U.S. History • Ancient Civilizations: • Africa • China • Japan • Islam • Mexico • Critical Thinking • Collaborative Learning

23. Eighth Grade Mathematic Curriculum and Beyond

24. Algebra 1 Textbook: Prentice Hall Algebra 1 It covers all content required by the California Standards Emphasis on Writing Solving Graphing linear and quadratic equations Mathematical Reasoning Algebra Readiness Weekly Package: Algebra Readiness (UCLA Curriculum) Intervention course Build strong mathematics foundation Includes Formative and Summative Assessment Note-taking Strategies Algebra 1 & Algebra Readiness

25. Homework Policy Algebra 1 – Recognized by University/College Algebra 1 – Prepare for the CAHSEE Examination Homework assigned daily from Monday – Friday Corrections are always part of homework Cornell Notes Excused HW Assignment 1) Copy the problems 2) Note from parents that tutoring is needed Grades Breakdown Homework/Project 15% Cornell Notes 10% Quizzes 10% Chapter Tests 40% Trimester Benchmark Assessment 25% Total: 100% A 90 – 100% B 80 – 89% C 70 – 79% D 60 – 69% F 59 and below Homework Policy and Grades Breakdown

26. 6th Period Electives For All Students • Electives meet during 6th Period on Tuesdays and Fridays • Choices include: • Music (Mrs. Jones) • Student Leadership (Mrs. Tovar) • Fine Arts (Ms. Kunz) • Eighth Grade AVID (Ms. Tran) • Home Economics (Ms. Chen) • Teacher ‘s Aide (Ms. Yip) • Eighth Grade Mathematics Enrichment (Ms. Yip) • Seventh Grade Mathematics Enrichment (Mrs. Valdez)

27. Thank You For Coming!