Team Phoenix8th GradeAvon Middle School North

Teacher Contacts• Sharon Burns- Math

– Team Leader

– saburns@avon-schools.org

• Gretchen Matthews- US History– gbmatthews@avon-schools.org

• Jen Rudolph- Language Arts– Jlrudolph@avon-schools.org

• Ashley Koontz- Science/Biology– ackoontz@avon-schools.org

Team Supplies• 1-inch or larger binders (3)

– White, Blue, and Red

• ½ -inch binder (1)– Preferably a different color than above

• Binder Tabs (12)

• Manila Folders (10)– Last checked, 10 folders for $1 at the Dollar Tree

• 1 one-subject notebook

• Index cards (3 packs)

Team Supplies continued…• Loose-leaf paper (3 pkgs.)

• Pencils (*Mechanical pencils are not allowed in science labs.)

• Hand-held pencil sharpener

• Black or blue pens

• Red pens

• Scientific calculator

• Colored pencils

• Glue sticks (4)

• Highlighters (4- at least two different colors)

Team Supplies continued…

• Pencil pouch/box (recommended but not required)

• 2 boxes of Kleenex

• Flash drive

• Ear buds

• Sleeve or bag for computer (recommended but not required)

• There are bags available for students to purchase for $11.00 through the school.

Math 8/ Algebra/ Geometry Curriculum• Math 8 – This is a Pre-Algebra class preparing them for Algebra

Expressions, equations, inequalities, graphing, transformations, rational numbers, and data analysis

• Algebra – This is a high school class (75% tests/quizzes, 25% hw)Equations, inequalities, graphing, functions, polynomials,quadratics, and data analysis

• Geometry – Also a high school class (85% tests/quizzes, 15% hw)Properties of lines, planes, triangles, quadrilaterals, and

circles as well as inequalities, logic, constructions, andproofs

Math 8/Algebra/GeometryTo be successful…

Bring supplies to class (Blue 1” binder, pencil, loose-leaf paper)

Do all homework

Learn from your mistakes EVERY day

Ask questions

US History Curriculum• 1st Nine Weeks: Early Colonial Life through Pre Revolutionary

War

• 2nd Nine Weeks: American Revolutionary War, Articles of Confederation and US Constitution

• 3rd Nine Weeks: George Washington presidency through Andrew Jackson ( 1st Political Parties, Lewis and Clark, War of 1812 and Trail of Tears)

• 4th Nine Weeks: Essentially Polk’s presidency through Hayes (Oregon Country, Texas Independence, War with Mexico, Civil War and Reconstruction)

US History Daily Supplies• Red Binder (think red for the wars)

• HP Stream Computer

• 4 dividers for Binder

• Paper

• Pens or Pencils

• 1 highlighter

• An attitude to learn

• Colored Pencils and index cards will also be used in this class but not on a daily basis

Language Arts CurriculumContent covered…

SpringBoard Curriculum {consumable/online}

Literature {Short stories/poetry, non-fiction, novels, drama}

English 8: The House of the Scorpion –novel; The Diary of Anne Frank –play

High Ability: The House of the Scorpion –novel The Book Thief –novel A Midsummer Night’s Dream –play

Writing/Research {journaling, essays, media projects}

Vocabulary {Focus- Roots}

Grammar

Language Arts Daily Needed Supplies

3-ring Binder (1-inch minimum) preferably-white w/ 4 dividers and some loose leaf paper

Pencil/red pen

Highlighters (2 different colors)

SpringBoard Book

HP Stream

Independent Reading Book (Media Center visits often!)

Science/ Biology Curriculum• Digital Notebooks

• Flipped lessons

• Collaboration

• Slightly different grading style– Homework/ activity grades will be recorded, but WILL NOT impact final

grade

– Frequent, periodic assessments out of 10 for each standard (3-5)

– Most recent assessment weighted at 100%

– Past assessments of the same standard weighted at 25%

Science/Biology CurriculumGeneral Science 8

• Quarter 1

– Scientific Method, Water and Atmosphere

• Quarter 2

– Weather, Natural Resources and Ecology

• Quarter 3

– Genetics, Classification, and Change over time

• Quarter 4

– Chemistry

Biology (High School Credit)

• Quarter 1

– Scientific Method, Ecology, Human impact on environment

• Quarter 2

– Biochemistry, Cells, Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

• Quarter 3

– Mitosis/Meiosis, DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis

• Quarter 4

– Genetics, Change over Time

Team Expectations• Be on time for class!

– 3 tardies allowed PER 9 weeks PER class. Every subsequent tardy will result in a detention.

• Be prepared for class with all required supplies. – Includes a CHARGED laptop!

• Be courteous and respectful of other and their property.

• All rules in the agenda must be followed. – This includes language in the hallways, dress code, and appropriate behavior!

• Keep good records of your class assignments and record what work you need to do for the evening.

Team Expectations (continued)• Team Phoenix teachers have high expectations. This includes

students completing homework independently, demonstrating honesty when taking test/quizzes, grading student work, and correctly crediting sources in projects and essays.

• We expect students to take responsibility for themselves and to initiate communication with the teacher when they have a question about the material, a grade, or any issue with a classmate.

Homework Expectations• We strive to help our students transition from 7th grade to the

rigorous high school homework and testing expectations.

• Math and Biology can expect homework almost every night.

• Homework should be completely independently and on-time.

• One late homework coupon for each core class per 9 weeks.

Homework Postings• This year we will be using Schoology as our online learning

management system– All homework will be posted in Schoology

– Calendar from the homepage will show you all upcoming homework, tests, quizzes, etc

– You need a code to access your student’s Schoology “bubble”

– If you don’t have your parent access code, have your student talk to Mrs. Bourne in the front office- she will take care of you!

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!

• Learning curve this year!

Literacy Skills• Every Monday

– Student will complete a math minute worksheet

– This will be graded and turned into their math teacher

– Student will independently read for the remainder of the period

• Every Friday– Student will independently read and then journal the last 5-7 minutes of the

period

• Data Digs– This will happen at the end of the each quarter students will record their

grades and scores

– 1st quarter: October 9, 2015 (Grades, NWEA, and ISTEP Scores)

– 2nd quarter: January 8, 2015 (Grades)

– 3rd quarter: March 11, 2016 (Grades)

Literacy Skills• Grading

– Students will begin each semester with full point value. Quarter 1= 26 points and Quarter 2= 28 points

– Students will receive 2 points per literacy each day. (1 point = preparedness & 1 point- completion)

– 1 or 2 points will be deducted each literacy skills day if students do not satisfy these requirements.

– Students with 60% or higher will receive a “PASS” (NE) and students 59% or lower will receive a “Fail” (F) on their quarter report card

• Supplies Needed for Literacy Skills– Students will need a 1 subject notebook (This will stay in the student’s flex classroom)

– It is the student’s responsibility to bring an independent reading book every Monday and Friday

– NO magazines, comic books, text books, or books being read in language arts class

– (8th grade: The House of the Scorpion and Book Thief, 7th grade: The Outsiders)

Encore Rotation• In 7th grade, most students will have a rotation of all four

Practical Arts classes: Art, Family and Consumer Science, Computer Applications, and Industrial Technology.

• All 7th graders have music. They chose either Band, Choir, or Orchestra.

• First semester, 7th graders will be in Health and Directed Studies. Second semester they will take Physical Education.

Encore Classes• Band, Choir, Orchestra, Japanese, and Spanish are an option for 8th

graders and last the entire year.

• Japanese and Spanish are for High School credit.

• If they do not choose to take music or a world language, they selected either Family and Consumer Science, Art, Computer Applications, Industrial Technology for a semester. So a student could have none, two, or all four Practical Arts classes.

• First semester, all 8th graders have Physical Education. Second semester, they have Health and Directed Studies.

Resources for Students• Teacher/ School Websites

• Media Center– Mrs. Clark is a GREAT resource for research!

– Media Center Research Links

• Guidance Office– 8th grade counselor: Mrs. Allison West- adwest@avon-schools.org

• School Clinic– School Nurse: Mrs. Sarah Murphy- sdmurphy@avon-schools.org

Afterschool Activities• Athletics

– Fall

– Girls: Volleyball, Cheerleading, Golf

– Boys: Football, Tennis

– Winter

– Girls: Basketball, Cheerleading

– Boys: Basetball, Wrestling

– Spring

– Girls: Track and Field, Tennis

– Boys: Track and Field, Golf

• Clubs– Science Club, World Language

Club, Green Team, P.A.W.S., Craft Club

• Academic Teams– Spell Bowl (fall)

– Super Bowl (winter-spring)

• Music– Show Choir

– Chamber Orchestra/ Camarata

Special Events• Field Trip to Outdoor Learning Center

• Career Week– Classes focus on Career Lessons

– Community Speakers

– Job Shadow Experience

• Field Day