2008-2009 Procedures in Detail

The following information will be provided at Open House:



Homework



Homework is due on its assigned day.

Work may be submitted one day late for half credit.

Work will not be accepted more than one day late.

Class time is often available to complete assignments.

Students are expected to spend 10 minutes each evening reviewing their science notes and handouts and organizing their assignments.

Graded assignments are to be kept in the student's folder until completion of the unit of study.



Assignments



All written assignments are to be completed in black pen, blue pen, or in pencil.

Laboratory drawings must be completed in pencil.

Student's first and last names must be written in the upper right hand corner of all assignments along with their science hour number.

If a student has lost his/her assignment prior to completion, he/she may request a second copy and receive a one point reduction in their score.



Student Planners



Students must write homework assignments in their planner whether completed in class or at home. Also, students are required to fill out their planner each day in science with a short summary of the day's lesson. (Example: Skeletal System review.) Please check your child's planner to see what assignments have been completed in class. Feel free to contact me if you find your child is not filling out their planner routinely.

A graphic organizer is located on the south wall of the classroom that provides the summarized information for each day.



Rationale:The process of writing helps students to recall information even if they never refer back to the planner. If a student has a question about when an assignment was due or whether they missed an assignment during an absence, this allows them to look it up.



Bathroom Passes



Students are allowed 2 passes each quarter to use the restroom during science class. They must fill out their handbook/planner to use as a pass.

It is expected that students will use the restroom during their lunch break. In class passes are for urgent needs only.



Lockers



Students will not be sent to their locker during class time. If an assignment is left in a locker, it may be turned in immediately after school for full credit. Abuse of this privilege will result in loss of the privilege for that student.



Lab Exclusion



Individual students may be excluded from participating in a laboratory for the following reasons: Failure to complete related homework assignments; inappropriate or unsafe behavior in the classroom.A student who is excluded from a laboratory will be given a written alternative to the laboratory to be submitted in place of completing the lab. A student will not receive credit for a lab if he/she is removed for violation of safety procedures.



A parent/guardian may request that his/her child be excluded from a lab if there is an objection to some aspect of the lab. (Example: objection to using lab animals for dissection.) The request must be in writing and signed by the parent prior to the lab.



Contact information



Please contact me if you have questions or concerns about your child's progress in science. Contact information is provided at the school's website and staff directory.

Supply List 2007-2008

Students are expected to have the following supplies by Friday, September 7 -

Pencils (#2)
Pens - Black or Blue ink
Spiral Notebook - to be used for science only
Folder - 2 pocket
Metric Ruler
Protractor
Pencil Type Compass
Colored Pencils (12 to fit in folder)
Blank, white paper - 20 sheets or more
1 roll paper towel or tissue - label with name

Supplies in bold are required in class every day.

key codes

Several codes are used in class either on the whiteboard or included on the grade printouts. I have listed some of them below.

H/W - Homework

W/S - Worksheet

S/B - Should Be

Inc. - Work is Incomplete

Grade reports

NG - Not Graded or No Grade. This may be used to indicate that an upcoming project is due or that a child was absent and has not submitted the work or simply that the assignment's grade has not been recorded.

XC - Extra Credit assignment. These are recorded as 0 points possible and reflected in the report as a specific number of points above the 0 points possible. It does not count against a student who has chosen not to complete extra credit.

EX - Excused. This is the grade if a student was not present (due to an excused absence) for a lab that can not be made up.

missing - The assignment is given a 0 because it was never submitted or was submitted more than one day late and can not be made up.

Differentiated Instruction

Differentiated instruction is the educational phrase for meeting the needs of all students by communicating ideas in ways that work well for each individual child. Some students have Individualized Educational Plans that are developed with special education professionals and list in detail what changes need to be made to instruction for that student to learn best. Other students have medical needs (hearing, speech, physical or health impairments) that require changes to instruction. Many students have learning differences that aren't identified by a doctor or an educational specialist but are informally identifiable just as well. A final group of students are those that are gifted or talented.

In class the other day I was discussing the fact that no cell is a "typical" cell as it is identified in a textbook; all cells are unique in some way. Likewise, no child is a "typical" child. I was able to give several examples from my extended family of children who are identified as different academically. One student offered up the idea that we are all like snowflakes, unique.

I differentiate instruction in many ways and continue to individualize my instruction as much as possible to meet each child's needs. All students with IEP's are accommodated in the ways listed in that document. I am as discrete as possible when handing out different forms of a test or a different assignment. As much as students want their needs met, they also don't want to be seen as different. Sometimes this results in my overlooking an opportunity to modify an assignment. Please call me if you feel that you (or your child) have not received a necessary modification and are struggling.

While "tracking" by ability isn't truly in place at Columbia Central, some groups exist that have a great similarity in student abilities. Gifted and talented students are given the opportunity to go beyond what is required in class. These students may be bored with the usual assignments but will excel with an alternative. One class may receive most of the instruction at an enriched level and have additional assignments that reflect their advanced ability. This same group may have some review activities eliminated because they have demonstrated, as a group, that they don't need the additional time. Yet another section may have the need for more review and more direct instruction time to understand the work.

Something I consider common to all students is that they are capable of completing and submitting assignments that reflect the best of their individual abilities. All students can and will learn science. I strive to meet each student where they are at academically and do everything possible to rise to the highest level of achievement possible. My expectation is that each student will work to achieve their individual best.

I am thankful for each of the snowflakes (uh, students) in my classes.

Ms. Grumbine

Statistics

It occurs to me after parent-teacher conferences that it is hard to have perspective on the overall progress of seventh grade students when looking at only one report card. Rest assured that there is a normal spread of achievement throughout my 132 students. The elements common to students who earn an A in science is a high level of homework completion and high test scores. The elements common to most students who earn a failing grade in science may include lack of homework completion, low test scores, poor organizational skills, poor attendance, inattention during class.

The following is a table of first quarter scores by percentage

A 17.4%
B 30.3%
C 24.2%
D 12.9%
F 14.8%

Availability of "Office Hours" 06-07

Because the telephones will not ring through to my classroom during teaching hours (8am - 2:30pm) I am not immediately available by phone. However, If you leave a message on voicemail my computer will alert me by way of email that you have called and I can listen to and respond to your message during my plan period or lunch period.

Plan periods:
3rd period 9:26-10:06
4th period 10:09-10:49

Lunch
6th period 11:37-12:19

I often have meetings during 4th period plan but am able to set up conferences during 3rd period plan.

Overview of the First Quarter

• Content covered during the first academic quarter of 7th grade includes:

Laboratory Safety
Metric Measurement
The Scientific Method

• and introduced the following laboratory skills:

Measuring volume with graduated cylinders
measuring mass with a triple beam balance
lighting bunsen burners
filtering fluids with a ring stand apparatus

• as well as the cognitive skills:

observing
inferring
classifying
graphing
predicting
investigating
forming hypotheses
communicating results

• 30 points of extra credit work was offered to students during first quarter.
• Students requiring additional support were offered tutorial during lunchtime study hall and before school.

Student Code of Conduct and Procedure

1. Come to class every day with necessary materials (pen, pencils, science folder, and science notebook.)
2. Chewing gum, eating lunch or other snacks is prohibited.
3. Textbooks, tables and equipment are not to be written on or damaged in any way. Students will pay for property damage.
4. Talking during class is permitted only after the instructor grants permission.
5. Leaving seat is permitted only after the instructor grants permission.
6. Work at your assigned stations during lab. Do not wander.
7. No doing homework in class other than Science homework as assigned.
8. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain all information when he/she has been absent. Maximum - 2 days for make up work. It is the responsibility of your lab partner to inform you of missed assignments.
9. Progress reports must be returned the following day, signed by a parent/guardian.
10. Any materials checked out (i.e. books) must be returned before homeroom the following morning.
11. Do not touch lab equipment and material until the teacher gives permission.
12. All material must be returned to its proper place at end of period.
13. Talking negatively of teachers or classmates will not be permitted.
14. Respect authority. This includes substitutes as well as classroom teacher.

Failure to observe the above safety rules will result in disciplinary actions.

Parent and Student Signatures were received during the first week of attendance.

Classroom Procedures in Detail

The following information was provided at Open House:

Homework

Homework is due on its assigned day.
Work may be submitted one day late for half credit.
Work will not be accepted more than one day late.

Class time is often available to complete assignments. Time is also available during lunchtime study hall.

Students are expected to spend 10 minutes each evening reviewing their science notes and handouts and organizing their assignments. Graded assignments are to be kept in the student's folder until completion of the unit of study.

Assignments

All written assignments are to be completed in black pen, blue pen, or in pencil.
Laboratory drawings must be completed in pencil. Student's first and last names must be written in the upper right hand corner of all assignments along with their science hour number.

If a student has lost his/her assignment prior to completion, he/she may request a second copy and receive a one point reduction in their score.

Student Planners

Students must write homework assignments in their planner whether completed in class or at home. Also, students are required to fill out their planner each day in science with a short summary of the day's lesson. (Example: Skeletal System review.) Please check your child's planner to see what assignments have been completed in class. Feel free to contact me if you find your child is not filling out their planner routinely.

A graphic organizer is located on the south wall of the classroom that provides the summarized information for each day.

Rationale:
The process of writing helps students to recall information even if they never refer back to the planner. If a student has a question about when an assignment was due or whether they missed an assignment during an absence, this allows them to look it up.

Bathroom Passes

Students are allowed 2 passes each quarter to use the restroom during science class. They must fill out their handbook/planner to use as a pass. It is expected that students will use the restroom during their lunch break. In class passes are for urgent needs only.

Lockers

Students will not be sent to their locker during class time. If an assignment is left in a locker, it may be turned in immediately after school for full credit. Abuse of this privilege will result in loss of the privilege for that student.

Lab Exclusion

Individual students may be excluded from participating in a laboratory for the following reasons: Failure to complete related homework assignments; inappropriate or unsafe behavior in the classroom.

A student who is excluded from a laboratory will be given a written alternative to the laboratory to be submitted in place of completing the lab. A student will not receive credit for a lab if he/she is removed for violation of safety procedures.

A parent/guardian may request that his/her child be excluded from a lab if there is an objection to some aspect of the lab. (Example: objection to using lab animals for dissection.) The request must be in writing and signed by the parent prior to the lab.

Contact information

Please contact me if you have questions or concerns about your child's progress in science.
Contact information is provided at the school's website and staff directory.