Wright STEAM Magnet Middle School

SDC Handbook/Syllabus

Ms. Sharina Prince

(310) 258-6600

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to Wright Steam Magnet Middle School 2016-2017 school year! This year promises to be an exciting and innovative academic adventure. This year we will work together to ensure that all students receive a quality education and reach their full potential. To do this, all teachers, students and parents will need to collaborate with one another. Teachers will create and implement creative and engaging lessons. Students will complete all assignments and follow all rules. Parents will support student learning by supervising their child’s progress at home and communicating with their child’s teacher on a regular basis. We eagerly look forward to a successful school year!

Project Based Learning

Project Based Learning (PBL) is a classroom approach which allows students to experience the academic content through the exploration of real world problems. Throughout the course, students will engage in PBL assignments which will require them to work collaboratively with their peers, as well as independently, to create/develop a public product. During PBL assignments, students will have opportunities to access the grade level standards, engage in sustained inquiry, and critique, revise, and reflect on their work.

Schoology

Students will use the learning management system called Schoology. Assignments, projects, grades, and homework will be posted in Schoology.

COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR ELA - SCHOLASTIC READ 180

Grades 6th, 7th & 8th

Text

Scholastic’s Read 180 Program-Stage B in the classroom

Read 180 Library books

The students use an interactive textbook called the rBook. The rBook provides daily instruction in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing and grammar skills. The rBook is used during Whole- and Small-Group instruction.

Supplemental Materials

California StudySync by McGraw-Hill (6th – 8th)

BreakAway to Reading Success

Description

The Read 180 program will help to build skills needed to be a successful reader. The READ 180 Instructional Model provides a simple way to organize instruction and classroom activity. The session begins and ends with whole-group teacher-directed instruction. Between the whole-group meetings, students break into three small groups that rotate among three stations. These stations are:

Small Group Direct Instruction.
Modeled and Independent Reading.
Individualized Instructional Software.

Novels

The students will read instructional-quality novels with age-appropriate, relevant text. Each book is leveled by Lexile, allowing students to successfully read according to their independent reading abilities.

Students will also use audio books. These paperbacks and corresponding audio CDs help struggling readers strengthen their reading skills and habits while they enjoy authentic, grade-level literature.

In addition to the readings listed above, students will be given the opportunity to select novels of their choice.

Writing

The students write formal and informal pieces. Formal writing assignments vary from writing simple paragraphs to more complex persuasive pieces. The students will follow the writing process steps of prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Informal writing includes pre-reading and post-reading activities.

Language Mechanics

Language mechanics deal with the general rules of writing such as capitalization and punctuation, as well as, subject-verb agreement, spelling and vocabulary. Language mechanics are dealt with in the rBook.

Read 180 Expectations – modeled and independent reading

Reading Area (Audio and Paperback Books), Reading Counts Quizzes

Students read in class everyday. Students select books and chart their progress in a reading log. Writing activities accompany each book, and students complete them as they are reading. Students use the Reading Counts program to take quizzes on the computer. When a student completes a book and its writing activities, she/he takes a quiz to test knowledge of the book. Students must reread the book and re-take the quiz if they score less than 70 percent.

1. Bring their folder, reading log, and pencil

2. Find your book (or audiobook) quickly, quietly, and sit down. No talking.

3. Once you start a book, you need to finish it. Don’t skip around with the books

4. Make sure you are actively reading. Also, you must track the words in the audiobook as you listen. This will help improve your reading. Otherwise, you’re just using listening skills.

5. Sit up while you read. NO SNOOZING!

6. Make sure to fill out your reading log every day. It will be graded once a week. If a student is absent, they are responsible for writing absent in their log. If they do not write anything, then it will be 0 points for that day.

7. Put your book back in the correct spot.

8. Once you finish a book, let the teacher know so you can take the test. You will have 3 opportunities to take and pass the test. If you do not pass it the first time, then reread the book and take the test again.

Read 180 Expectations - small and whole group

Teacher-led mini-lessons focus on reading strategies and skill practices, and quizzes are given to gauge student understanding.

Students are expected to:

1. Have rbook, notebook, folder, and pencil.

2. Participate and follow directions of teacher.

COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR 7TH GRADE HEALTH/SCIENCE

Text

Life Science California Edition by Holt.

Teen Health by Glencoe/McGraw Hill.

Teen Health Content includes: Personal Health, Nutrition, Individual Growth and Development (including Sexual education), Family Living, Drugs (Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs), Communicable and Chronic Diseases. Consumer and Community Health, Injury Prevention and Safety, Environmental Health.

Biology:

•Plant and Animal Cells

•Microscopes, Genetics, Evolution

COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR 8TH GRADE PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Text:

Physical Science California Edition by Holt.

Physical Science Content includes:Matter, Interactions of Matter, The Atom, Motion and Forces, and Studying the Universe.

COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR 8TH GRADE US HISTORY

Text:

Creating America: A History of the United States by McDougal Littell

US History Content includes: European Exploration of the Americas, Establishing and Developing the13 Colonies, Early American Culture, Creating a New Nation, The American Revolution, The Early Republic, Manifest Destiny, and Modern America.

Grading for all classes

Class Assignments…………………………………30%

Participation…….……………………...... 10%

Tests………..………………..……………….……20%

Projects……..………………..……………….……25%

Quizzes……………………………………….……10%

Homework…………………………...……………..5%

Grade Breakdown

A 90-100%

B 80- 89 %

C 70- 79%

D 60-69%

F 59% and below

*Grading subject to change at teacher’s discretion*

Absentee Policy:

Students are responsible for all missed work. If a student is absent, they are responsible for obtaining missed work from the teacher. Students are expected to make up their work in the same amount of time that was given to other students. When students are absent the day of a test, they must see teacher for make-up.

CLASSROOM RULES, EXPECTATIONS AND PROCEDURES

Students are expected to follow all classroom rules and procedures, as well as the school-wide policies for behavior.

1.Be respectful to everyone.

2.Follow directions.

3.Arrive on time.

4.Bring all required materials to class every day.

5.Keep hands, feet, objects, and negative comments to yourself.

6.Stay in your seat or work area.

7.Food, drink, gum and electronic devices are to be put away during class time.

8.Take care of equipment and return materials to the proper place.

9.Line up outside the classroom and wait for the teacher’s instructions.

10.Enter the classroom quietly, get your supplies and take a seat.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO BREAK A RULE

Minor Disruptions:

1. Warning

2. Change seat

3. Private discussion

4. Phone call home & possible detention

5. Parent conference

6. Involve an administrator

Severe Disruptions:

Student sent immediately to appropriate office for fighting, stealing, chronic disruptions, weapons, drugs/alcohol, harassment, vandalism etc.: Referral to Dean, Counselor or School Police (may include class or school suspension).

CLASSROOM MATERIALS NEEDED

•Two composition or spiral notebooks (will stay in class)

•Pencils and Erasers

•Covered Pencil sharpeners

•Highlighters (optional)

WEB RESOURCES & CONTACT INFORMATION

WRIGHT STEAM MAGNET

6550 W. 80th Street

Los Angeles, CA 90045

(310)258-6600

SCHOLASTIC READ 180

COLLEGE PLANNING

SCHOOL SCORES & TEST SCORES

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PARENT/GUARDIAN CONFIRMATION OF

WRIGHT STEAM MAGNET HANDBOOK

Please read the HANDBOOK with your child. Sign and complete this form and return to Advisory Teacher.

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