September 12, 2013

Welcome To Open House

2013

Self-Advocacy and Communication

Self-advocacy is an invaluable life skill! “Life tends to be much more satisfying for individuals who

have a sense of themselves as independent and autonomous. A lack of self-advocacy skills may lead to feelings of dependence and insufficiency” -Henry Reiff PhD.

Please communicate with us and encourage your child to do so as well.

As we are getting to know the kids we need as much input as possible!

We are learning a lot of new names, faces, personalities and learning styles so please let us know if there is anything we can do help make school a positive learning environment.

Teacher Contact Information

We believe that communication between school and home

is the key to a successful school year. The following are

the best ways to contact us throughout the school year.Teacher Email

Mrs. Milone cynthia.milone@lz95.orgMrs. Mosoff susan.mosoff@lz95.orgMs. Russo amie.russo@lz95.orgMr. VanNoord jack.vannoord@lz95.orgMrs. Viscioni noreen.viscioni@lz95.org

HOMEWORK WEBSITES An additional place we “communicate” with students

and parents on a daily basis is our homework websites. We post daily homework as well as test and quiz reminders on our websites.

This year you will have access to our website through the district webpage by doing the following:1. visit www.lz95.org2. click on District 953. scroll to Staff Directory4. find teacher name5. click on Teacher Name

7th Grade Homework Policy

We strive to have all students turn in 100% of their work 100% of the time. When work is turned in late or not

completed at all, students fall behind in learning the concept.

THE 7TH GRADE LATE WORK POLICY

• One day late: 20% off of earned grade

• Two days late: 40% off of earned grade

• Three days late: 50% off of earned grade

• More than three days late: Teacher discretion

Home access

Use these two tabs to check scores.

Classwork is a view of the gradebook

Interim Progress are progress

reports.

Progress Reports Twice per quarter Reports focus on grades &

missing work Behavior

Students expected to be: Safe – Responsible - Respectful Lunch Detention

Assignments Quality work is expected Late Assignments

Late Slips Lunch or After School Detention 20% off per day

SEVENTH-GRADE POLICIES

7th Grade Language Arts

Writing Units Six Traits & Writing Process Narrative, Persuasive & Expository

Writer’s Workshop Mini-Lessons & Conferences on topics such as:

Answering questions in complete sentences Formulating good paragraphs Using dialogue Adding detail to writing Organizing writing Strong introductions and conclusions Transitioning between ideas/topics/paragraphs

7th Grade Literature

Reading Comprehension Strategies Daily lessons on understanding and interpreting

aspects of literature. These lessons will then be applied to independent reading books.

Quarterly Reading Goals A goal of “pages per quarter” Goals will adjust each quarter based on ability During Reader’s Workshop conferences students

will be asked to answer questions and analyze their chosen books

Reader’s Workshop Individual student/teacher conferences will occur

several times per quarter where we will talk about BOOKS !!

7th Grade Mathematics

We will be implementing the Common Core Standards:

• Unit 1 - Rational Numbers Operations• Unit 2 - Expressions, Equations and Linear

Relationships• Unit 3 - Ratios & Probability • Unit 4 - Data & Statistics • Unit 5 - Geometric Measurement

Math Homework:

How Is It Graded?

Homework in Math class will not be graded based on the number of problems correct. Instead, it will be graded in the following way:

Appropriate heading, including name, date, period and assignment title

1 point

Using pencil 1 point

Using colored pen to grade homework 1 point

Each problem written out 1 point

Work shown for each problem 3 points

Corrections made on incorrect problems

3 points

TOTAL 10 points per assignment

7th Grade Science

In 7th Grade Science, we believe hands-on activities and exploration lead to a discovery

and love of Science. We will study the following topics:

• Scientific Method

• Science Process Skills

• Lab Safety

• Matter

• Cells and Genetics

• Earth Science

• Bacteria and Viruses

• Environmental Science

7th Grade Science

Students will be graded on the following:

• Daily Homework Assignments

• Lab Safety

• Lab Reports and Write-ups

• Individual Student Notebook

• Tests and Quizzes

• Individual and Group Projects

7th Grade Social Studies

7th Grade Social Studies is a study of government

and geography as well as both ancient and modern

World Cultures, including the following:• U.S. Constitution

• Constitution TEST !!

• Africa

• Europe

• Latin America

SPRINGFIELD TRIP

OCTOBER 3RD & 4TH

Some of the sites we will be visiting include:• Lincoln's Home

• Lincoln’s Law Office

• Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library/Museum

• New Salem Village

• Old State Capital

• New State Capital

• War Monuments

• Unfortunately, this year we will not be visiting Lincoln’s Tomb because it is closed for construction