Welcome to Grade Welcome to Grade Seven !Seven !

Information for Parents & Information for Parents & StudentsStudents

Who Are My Teachers’?Who Are My Teachers’?• Ms. Rowley (Mornings) – MathMs. Rowley (Mornings) – Math• Ms. Samborski (Mornings) – FrenchMs. Samborski (Mornings) – French• Mrs. Nelson (Mornings) – Phys. Ed.Mrs. Nelson (Mornings) – Phys. Ed.• Mr. Sneddon (Mornings & Afternoon) – Mr. Sneddon (Mornings & Afternoon) –

English Language Arts, Health, Social Studies, English Language Arts, Health, Social Studies, Technology Assistance, Art, Career Ed.Technology Assistance, Art, Career Ed.

• Mr. Ursaki (Mornings & Afternoons) – BandMr. Ursaki (Mornings & Afternoons) – Band• Mrs. Germann (Afternoons) – ScienceMrs. Germann (Afternoons) – Science• Mrs. Waters & Mr. Mrs. Waters & Mr. TkachukTkachuk (Afternoons) – (Afternoons) –

PAA at St. VitalPAA at St. Vital

Who Are My Teachers’? Who Are My Teachers’? (Con’t)(Con’t)

• Mrs. Sneddon (Afternoons) – PAA, Semester Mrs. Sneddon (Afternoons) – PAA, Semester Two.Two.

EvaluationEvaluationThis is a major change to the work that we do with our This is a major change to the work that we do with our students. Evaluation this year is divided in to two major students. Evaluation this year is divided in to two major categories:categories:

• Formative Assessment: The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning to provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to improve their learning. Examples of Formative Assessment include question sets, checks for understanding, reading and discussions of the textbook material.

• Summative Assessment: The goal of summative assessment is to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark. Examples of Summative Assessment include performance tasks, unit quizzes and end of unit activities.

Evaluation (Con’t)Evaluation (Con’t)

While formative assessments like While formative assessments like some worksheets may not be used to some worksheets may not be used to calculate final grades it is calculate final grades it is stillstill important to the development of important to the development of student learning to complete student learning to complete allall assignments.assignments.

Evaluation (Con’t)Evaluation (Con’t)

On the next slide is an example of a On the next slide is an example of a student rubric. Students are now student rubric. Students are now evaluated on a evaluated on a 1 – 41 – 4 scale on their scale on their understanding of a given outcome. understanding of a given outcome. This 1-4 scale is going to be reported This 1-4 scale is going to be reported on the report card that will come on the report card that will come home at the end of each term. home at the end of each term.

Evaluation (Con’t)Evaluation (Con’t) Subject: Social Studies 7Outcome: DR 7.1 Analyze and use various types of maps (that provide differing perspectives and information for differing purposes) in order to situate current issues in Canada, and in a selection of Pacific Rim and northern circumpolar countries.

Beginning – 1I need help.

Approaching – 2I have a basic

understanding.

Proficiency – 3My work

consistently meets

expectations.

Mastery – 4I have a deeper understanding.

I can locate different physical features on maps and with support can connect that information to current issues.

I can use different maps, charts and graphs to describe the physical, political and population geography of Canada to identify current issues.

I can use different maps, charts and graphs to describe the physical, political and population geography of Canada, other countries and relate that information to current issues.

I can use my analysis from different maps, charts and graphs to compare and explain current issues in Canada and Pacific Rim and northern circumpolar countries.

Evaluation (Con’t)Evaluation (Con’t)

When your student brings home a When your student brings home a report card you will see the outcomes report card you will see the outcomes that were covered in the current that were covered in the current reporting term as well as the place on reporting term as well as the place on the skill continuum that your student is the skill continuum that your student is currently at. Seeing a one or a two on currently at. Seeing a one or a two on a student report card a student report card is notis not a sign of a sign of failure; it is now an indication of skills failure; it is now an indication of skills that a student may have to devote more that a student may have to devote more time to developing. time to developing.

Evaluation (Con’t)Evaluation (Con’t)

When your student brings home a When your student brings home a report card you will see the outcomes report card you will see the outcomes that were covered in the current that were covered in the current reporting term as well as the place on reporting term as well as the place on the skill continuum that your student is the skill continuum that your student is currently at. Seeing a one or a two on currently at. Seeing a one or a two on a student report card a student report card is notis not a sign of a sign of failure; it is now an indication of skills failure; it is now an indication of skills that a student may have to devote more that a student may have to devote more time to developing. time to developing.

Home LogicHome Logic

Home Logic is the parent and student Home Logic is the parent and student side of the record keeping system that side of the record keeping system that our school division now uses.our school division now uses.

Home Logic will enable students and Home Logic will enable students and parents to access their progress and parents to access their progress and their attendance from any web capable their attendance from any web capable device.device.

Home Logic will allow student to track Home Logic will allow student to track their progress on learning outcomes. their progress on learning outcomes.

Home Logic (Con’t)Home Logic (Con’t)

Home Logic is the parent and student Home Logic is the parent and student side of the record keeping system that side of the record keeping system that our school division now uses.our school division now uses.

Home Logic will enable students and Home Logic will enable students and parents to access their progress and parents to access their progress and their attendance from any web capable their attendance from any web capable device.device.

Home Logic will allow student to track Home Logic will allow student to track their progress on learning outcomes. their progress on learning outcomes.

Home Logic (Con’t)Home Logic (Con’t)

You will be given more information once we start the school year around how to log in to and use the Home Logic system.

Home Logic (Con’t)Home Logic (Con’t)

As the classroom teacher for many of As the classroom teacher for many of your students subjects I will be posting your students subjects I will be posting assignment assessment information assignment assessment information under the following timeline:under the following timeline:

• Formative Assignments, Small Scale Formative Assignments, Small Scale Projects (1-2 Class Periods)Projects (1-2 Class Periods) – 5 school days – 5 school days following the due date for the assignment.following the due date for the assignment.

• Summative Assignments, Large Scale Summative Assignments, Large Scale Projects (3 Class Periods or More)Projects (3 Class Periods or More) – 7 to 10 – 7 to 10 school days following the due date for the school days following the due date for the assignment.assignment.

CommunicationAn open communication relationship is the cornerstone to a positive

learning environment. If you have questions or concerns please come to see me, send a note or e-mail or ask to speak to me on the telephone. Every attempt will be made to keep you as up to date as possible on the work done in class and the progress of your students. Different communication modes will be used.

Web Site – Our classroom website can be found here: http://www.bcs.lskysd.ca/asneddon

The page will have due dates for assignments as well as updates on class activities. The page will be updated frequently.

E-Mail – My e-mail is andrew.sneddon@lskysd.ca I check this e-mail frequently and the messages are delivered to my cell phone.

Telephone – I can be reached at the school from 8:30 AM until 4:00 PM. If it is an emergency I can be reached at home; 445-1980.

Communication (Con’t)I am also going to continue to use a new communication

method that was tried last year: Text Messaging Service.

• Remind: I am going to continue with a new communication tool this year where I will send class updates once a week via text message.  In order to receive text messages please follow these step:

• To receive messages via text, text: @homeroom7s to (778) 651-9639

• You can opt-out of messages at anytime by replying, 'unsubscribe @homeroom7s'.

Communication (Con’t)I understand at times it is going to be necessary to reach

your students. There are a few guidelines that I would request:

• When possible please phone the school at 306-937-2112 and ask to speak with your student. Please try and call at lunch time (11:45 AM). We would like to avoid phone calls during class time. Messages may be left and they will be passed on at break.

• If you need to call your student or text them on a personal cell device please do so; but students will only be able to check messages at breaks or at another time following arrangements with a teacher.

ConclusionI look forward to working with you and your

students. We are going on a learning adventure and your students will have the opportunity to experience different learning tasks and challenges. I am here to not only guide your students through their learning but to offer whatever supports that I can to ensure the continued success that your students will work towards as they become life-long learners. Our cooperation as students, parents and teachers is essential to the continued positive experience that will lead to many great adventures.