Welcome Letter and General Course Outline
2016-2017
Dear Parent or Guardian,
Hello! My name is LaTisha McKelvy; I will be your student’s eighth grade science teacher this year at Shackelford Junior High School. The science course I am teaching is designed to give students an introduction to many different disciplines of science. This year we are going to begin the year with a unit on energy, its forms and changes, and alternative forms of energy. We will spend the second half of the semester studying structure and properties of matter. The year will end with Earth and Space science and how we understand and predict weather. Throughout the year, we will spend time discussing current events in science and technology, and building reading and writing skills specifically for science class. My goals for students include helping them to achieve an understanding of and appreciation for the topics mentioned above and to become aware of current events in science and technology. In addition, I hope to help them develop better study skills and critical thinking skills. I plan to do this by establishing a classroom climate that has high expectations and many demonstrations to help illustrate concepts. Grades are broken down into three categories, daily, assessments, and homework will be which will all be weighted the same. My lesson plans will be posted on my website weekly. You may access my website by going to www.aisd.net, click schools, go to Shackelford, core classes, and then click on my name. The site will be up and running by week 2 of school. With that being said, I believe there is no reason for any student to fail my science class, because for any failed assignment or assessment students will have multiple opportunities to bring the failed grade to a passing grade. These opportunities will be given in the form of tutoring after school and pull-outs. If you ever have questions about the class, behavior, or performance of your student, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to working not only with your student but also with you. I can be reached by email or phone; however, due to the hectic nature of the school day, I may not be able to return your voice mail or email the same day. I will do my best to follow up quickly. This school year I will be using an app called REMIND to keep parents and students informed and up to date with what’s happening in class. Please follow the given instructions for REMIND access.
Sincerely,
LaTisha McKelvy
8th Grade Science
Shackelford Junior High School
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (682) 867-3600
This course will give you a better understanding of the following parts of science:
v Force and Motion
v Structure and Properties of Matter
v Meteorology & Atmosphere
Classroom Rules
1. Respect. This includes yourself, others (other students, the teacher or any other guest to the classroom), and the property of others (including school property).
2. Raise Your Hand. For you and others to be able to learn, we need to create an orderly environment. This means raising your hand to speak, get out of your seat, or leave the room. Be aware that I may ask you to wait until a more convenient time.
3. Stay on task.
4. Be Responsible. Be on time, bring materials to class, do your homework, look out for others, and take responsibility when you make a mistake or forget something.
Classroom Procedures
v At the beginning of class:
o Get your Science Journal out of your class periods box and sit down before the bell rings.
o Silently copy the objective for the day and homework assignment from the board into your planner.
o Silently copy the Warm-Up from the overhead and work on it until the timer sounds or the music stops.
o Turn in your homework before you start your warm up.
o Wait for instructions.
v At the end of class:
o Review your homework assignment and make sure you have all necessary materials.
o Wait for the teacher to dismiss you.
o When you are dismissed, clean your area, push in your chair and leave quietly.
v If you finish early with an assignment:
o Check your work. Assignments are turned in after you are dismissed and you are on your way out the door.
o Update your science notebook including your Table of Content daily.
o Read or do homework silently.
v The items on and behind my desk are off limits, as are the shelves and cabinets without my permission.
Locker /Restroom
Bring all materials to class and use the restroom and visit your locker during passing time.
Materials
Bring the following to class every day, sharpened pencil, planner, and homework (if assigned).
Homework
Homework assignments will be written on the back board. It is your responsibility to check this area each day at the beginning of class and write the assignments down in your planner.
Tardy policy
Being on time to class is extremely important! Please follow Shackelford’s published tardy policy.
Absences
Following an excused absence, you will have one day per day missed to turn in assignments. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to obtain the work. If you missed a lab activity, see me to arrange a make-up time or alternate assignment. You must make up work when you are absent!
Late Work
Unexcused late work will be accepted for reduced credit. If you are absent, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to obtain the work.
Dress Code
If your clothing or accessories do not meet dress code, you will be asked to change.
Questions
Students please see me if you have any questions. Parents please contact me with questions or concerns. I am here to help my students do their best and enjoy science!!!
2016-2017
Dear Parent or Guardian,
Hello! My name is LaTisha McKelvy; I will be your student’s eighth grade science teacher this year at Shackelford Junior High School. The science course I am teaching is designed to give students an introduction to many different disciplines of science. This year we are going to begin the year with a unit on energy, its forms and changes, and alternative forms of energy. We will spend the second half of the semester studying structure and properties of matter. The year will end with Earth and Space science and how we understand and predict weather. Throughout the year, we will spend time discussing current events in science and technology, and building reading and writing skills specifically for science class. My goals for students include helping them to achieve an understanding of and appreciation for the topics mentioned above and to become aware of current events in science and technology. In addition, I hope to help them develop better study skills and critical thinking skills. I plan to do this by establishing a classroom climate that has high expectations and many demonstrations to help illustrate concepts. Grades are broken down into three categories, daily, assessments, and homework will be which will all be weighted the same. My lesson plans will be posted on my website weekly. You may access my website by going to www.aisd.net, click schools, go to Shackelford, core classes, and then click on my name. The site will be up and running by week 2 of school. With that being said, I believe there is no reason for any student to fail my science class, because for any failed assignment or assessment students will have multiple opportunities to bring the failed grade to a passing grade. These opportunities will be given in the form of tutoring after school and pull-outs. If you ever have questions about the class, behavior, or performance of your student, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to working not only with your student but also with you. I can be reached by email or phone; however, due to the hectic nature of the school day, I may not be able to return your voice mail or email the same day. I will do my best to follow up quickly. This school year I will be using an app called REMIND to keep parents and students informed and up to date with what’s happening in class. Please follow the given instructions for REMIND access.
Sincerely,
LaTisha McKelvy
8th Grade Science
Shackelford Junior High School
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (682) 867-3600
This course will give you a better understanding of the following parts of science:
v Force and Motion
v Structure and Properties of Matter
v Meteorology & Atmosphere
Classroom Rules
1. Respect. This includes yourself, others (other students, the teacher or any other guest to the classroom), and the property of others (including school property).
2. Raise Your Hand. For you and others to be able to learn, we need to create an orderly environment. This means raising your hand to speak, get out of your seat, or leave the room. Be aware that I may ask you to wait until a more convenient time.
3. Stay on task.
4. Be Responsible. Be on time, bring materials to class, do your homework, look out for others, and take responsibility when you make a mistake or forget something.
Classroom Procedures
v At the beginning of class:
o Get your Science Journal out of your class periods box and sit down before the bell rings.
o Silently copy the objective for the day and homework assignment from the board into your planner.
o Silently copy the Warm-Up from the overhead and work on it until the timer sounds or the music stops.
o Turn in your homework before you start your warm up.
o Wait for instructions.
v At the end of class:
o Review your homework assignment and make sure you have all necessary materials.
o Wait for the teacher to dismiss you.
o When you are dismissed, clean your area, push in your chair and leave quietly.
v If you finish early with an assignment:
o Check your work. Assignments are turned in after you are dismissed and you are on your way out the door.
o Update your science notebook including your Table of Content daily.
o Read or do homework silently.
v The items on and behind my desk are off limits, as are the shelves and cabinets without my permission.
Locker /Restroom
Bring all materials to class and use the restroom and visit your locker during passing time.
Materials
Bring the following to class every day, sharpened pencil, planner, and homework (if assigned).
Homework
Homework assignments will be written on the back board. It is your responsibility to check this area each day at the beginning of class and write the assignments down in your planner.
Tardy policy
Being on time to class is extremely important! Please follow Shackelford’s published tardy policy.
Absences
Following an excused absence, you will have one day per day missed to turn in assignments. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to obtain the work. If you missed a lab activity, see me to arrange a make-up time or alternate assignment. You must make up work when you are absent!
Late Work
Unexcused late work will be accepted for reduced credit. If you are absent, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to obtain the work.
Dress Code
If your clothing or accessories do not meet dress code, you will be asked to change.
Questions
Students please see me if you have any questions. Parents please contact me with questions or concerns. I am here to help my students do their best and enjoy science!!!