Los Coyotes Middle School(714) 739-2368 (Rm 42)
Email address: “Empowering students to
If you are not willing to learn, No one can help you.take ownership for their
If you are determined to learn, No one can stop you.learning.”
September 22, 2015
Dear Parent(s), Guardian(s),
Greetings! It is a pleasure to have your child in my class. I will work with you and your child to make this the best year possible.This is what we hope to accomplish this year together as a team for your child’s education.
Important web addresses: (tab: math 6 & Anatomy/Physiology/PLTW); powerschool.nlmusd.k12.ca.us/public/home.html
Math:
Students can leave their books at home, since we have a classroom set. Also, if you’re ever away on a trip and forgot to bring your book, directions to use an online book is available, so it helps to have a tablet or ipad (
Homework is worth 40% and Exams are worth 60% of the grade. If a student does not do work, or “left it at home” they will get 0%. However, if they “left it at home” a parent/guardian must write a letter explaining why their student did not have the work, and the work will be accepted for grading. No parent/guardian letter, no grading. The lowest score a student can receive is 50% if they have made attempts at the work.
If students make mistakes on homework, they are STILL able to get full credit if they complete an error analysis of PROBLEMS MISSED ONLY (This involves redoing the problem correctly, writingexplanation of prior mistake, and how it will be avoided in the future.). This opportunity to do error analysis will be 3 school days (there will be no opportunity to change it after that). To get credit, students must bring their work to be scored in class (if there is time, or during nutrition or lunch). Instructor won’t keep the work, but entered scores right there and then, so it can’t get lost. I will also do my best to tutor your child during lunch if they need assistance (they can bring their food).
If students were ill or absent, they have more days to make up missed work. I want students to know they have opportunity. We can have a genuine assessment of mastery of topics if the student produces work.
The philosophy of Los Coyotes Math Department can be downloaded from I believe 6th grade is the most crucial; it sets the foundation (study skills, organization, diligence) for how to approach all subjects in school. We want to empower students to take responsibility for their own education. We emphasize that we are a community of learners. No one is allowed to say, “I don’t understand or I don’t get it” without adding “yet” to the end of their statement. We believe with the right instruction and time, all students can learn. I will assist and facilitate student learning and clarify misunderstood concepts. My class uses a “flipped” approach. That is, students are learning to preview material (the steps to do preview are found on the website) by taking notes, watching videos, and trying problems (and checking to see if they got the answer correct. At this Previewing Stage, we want students to organize (Each problem number is circled, and the problem is copied on their paper. For word problems, they just write the pertinent data and show their computation) their work neatly (box their final answer), and show all the steps they got to get their answer and be able to explain how they got their answer.
Furthermore, students share math difficulties or misunderstandings on the discussion page in schoology. We then come back and help each other clarify and practice the specific problems that were a struggle. The students gain points for the “Preview Notes” for their effort and thoroughness. Then we do assessment homework for points. However, if there was a lot of struggle as a class, the assessment homework could be postponed, and more practice would be done.
If you ask your child to teach you what they learned, it will reinforce the concept to 90% in their minds. Furthermore, ask them what the article on “The Curve of Forgetting,” was about (can be found website). They should be taking the advice from the article and setting regular time for review. Topics: Numerical Expressions & Factors, Fractions & Decimals, Algebraic Expressions & Properties, Areas of Polygons, Ratios and Rates, Integers and the Coordinate Plane, Equations & Inequalities, Surface Area & Volume, Statistical Measures, Data Displays. If your student struggles with math facts, please have them work on math fact games (ex. Google: multiplication and division games)
Anatomy & Physiology A / Project Lead The Way- Design & Modeling:
Students will learn about the anatomy of the human body, as well as the physiology. Topics will be arranged by the systems: Respitory, Circulatory, Endocrine, Muscular, Skeletal, Integumentary, Immune, Nervous, Digestive, Excretory, Lymphatic, and Reproductive. Students have access to an online book, found on Again, homework is worth 40% and Exams are worth 60%. We hope students will walk away from the program with a great appreciation Anatomy and Physiology.
Design and Modeling is a Project Lead the Way is a GATEWAY foundations course.
Students apply the design process to solve problems and understand the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. They work in teams to design a playground and furniture, capturing research and ideas in their engineering notebooks. Using Autodesk® design software, students create a virtual image of their designs and produce a portfolio to showcase their innovative solutions.
Knowing how your child is doing:
The best way to monitor your student is to check the parent portal on Powerschool (website above)often/weekly. You can see which assignments were done and what grade they got which assignments are missing. Students will be given progress reports toward the middle of the trimester. Parents are requested to sign their student’s homework assignments. Assignments will also be posted on students’ schoology accounts.
Class Management:
Order, discipline, and following directions are very important to establish a successful learning environment. It is very important that you speak to your child about following the rules of the class and to be responsible for their actions.
Class rules: Work with me so I can work with you. Raise your hand if you have a question or comment. When we work, work hard, when we play, play hard! Count down is to get your attention. Zero tolerance for people making fun or insulting each other (we’re all here to learn together) – we respect one another.
Additionally, it may seem obvious, but any time a student is not in class, they miss valuable instruction and practice. We ask students to schedule appointments outside of class time. We also encourage restroom breaks before school, during breaks, passing periods, and after school. If there are medical conditions, please inform us.
Contact:
I am trying a website this year called It is a behavior and communications website between teachers, parents, and students. It can help a parent know how a child’s behavior is during the school day. To link all parents, please email me () a cell number and email address. Please tell me who your child is and what period they have my class in the subject of your email.
I hope to have a wonderful year with your child. You have entrusted your child to us for his/her education, and I will do my best to aid them in that endeavor. Thank you in advance for your support. If you have any comments or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me. We are here for the same goal, to help your student do the very best they can. My email address is enclosed.
Sincerely,
Mr. Choi
1