BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

2015-2016Mrs. Beelner’s Science Class

BACKGROUND

• University of Redlands- BS in Biology, minor in Math, MA in Education (Curriculum and Instruction)

• 17th year of teaching (11th at Travis Middle School)

• Taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade science; 6th, 7th, 8th grade math and Pre-Algebra

6TH GRADE SCIENCE CURRICULUM

• Focus on Earth Science- Glencoe• Earth’s layers, Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes• Erosion, Landforms, Volcanoes• Topography, Geologic maps• Energy & Heat, Resources

• Lawrence Hall of Science (UC Berkeley) research group• Focusing on Argumentation• Ties with “Speaking and Listening” ELA Common Core

• New NGSS to be implemented in next couple years*

*WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NGSS (NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS)

• They are research-based (that’s a good thing!)• The National Research Council (NRC) framework is the “skeleton”, the

NGSS are the “organs” that add “flesh” to the “skeleton”

• They were written by teachers, for teachers• Over 40 classroom teachers, professors, and science professionals, NOT

lawmakers

• The NGSS are NOT a curriculum• NOT what to teach, but what students should know and be able to do

• The ultimate goal is educating future scientists• For students to understand how scientists and engineers work; thought

processes, problem-solving

• The NGSS stress critical thinking• To teach students how to understand and evaluate the information they find

• It’s integrated across the curriculum• Students will use skills learned in math and ELA in science (reading, writing,

speaking & listening, etc)

• There’s no need to panic• This will take a few years for complete implementation so there will be a

smooth transition

*WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NGSS (NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS)

A DAY IN THE LIFE• Agenda

• Homework Board

• “Upcoming” listings

• Website• http://teacherweb.com/CA/TravisRanchMiddleSchool/Beelner/index.aspx

ONLINE GRADES- AERIES.NET

• Assignments are updated within 24 hours

• Weekly missing work reports sent by me

• Make sure your email is up-to-date

• Check weekly to support your student

MUST

HAVE

INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOKS• Bring everyday

• Right side = input information (lecture notes, definitions, video notes, etc)

• Left side = output information (summaries, diagrams, graphic organizers, etc)

• Graded on test days for organization

HOMEWORK POLICY

• Homework SHOULD be turned in on given due date.• Late work will be accepted for up to 50% until the test, for no credit

after the test towards Homework Reward Activity*.• Make up work for excused absences will be accepted following

district policy.• Most assignments turned in on time may be rewritten for a better

grade anytime during current quarter (except Opening Assignments, Tests, Quizzes, Lab Reports).

• STUDY SESSIONS- Break, after school (by appt.), Tuesdays until 4:35• Emails showing missing assignments sent home on Fridays. Please

refer to Aeries for details…

*HOMEWORK REWARD ACTIVITY

• Those students that have completed all homework for the quarter will be rewarded with a “fun” activity. These activities include games such as: Scattergories, Yahtzee, BINGO, Charades, Back Seat Drawer, etc.

• Students that do not have all homework turned in participate in a standards review study session instead.

BEHAVIOR STANDARDS

• Be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings.

• Respect the property and learning environment of others.

CONTACTING MRS. BEELNER

• Phone number: (714) 986-7460

ext. 47164• Email: gbeelner@pylusd.org• Conference Period: 5th Period (M, T, Th, F = 12:32 -1:53, W =11:52 –

1:04 )