Welcome Chameleon Parents!!

Back to School Night 2015-2016

Chameleon Team Teachers

• Brian Richards-Social Studies brrichards@avon-schools.org• Marla Lott-Science/Biology MMLott@avon-schools.org• Mo Qadri- Math/Algebra MHQadri@avon-schools.org• Sharon Irk-Language Arts SLIrk@avon-schools.org

Chameleon Supply List· #2 Pencils· 2 red ink pens· 2 black or blue ink pens· erasers· 1 package of index cards· One binder 1” binders· 3 composition notebooks· Loose-leaf paper· 11 dividers for the binders· ¼ inch grid paper· Three spiral notebooks (180 pages or more)o Literacy Skills, social studies math· One five-subject notebook for Language Arts· Highlighters (one yellow and one pink)· Scientific calculator· Ear buds (cheap)· Flash drive

Daily Schedule Morning Announcements will begin at 7:45 am

1. 7:53-8:37am2. 8:41-9:25 am3. 9:29-10:13 am4. 10:17-11:01 am5. 11:05-12:57 pm

1. A Lunch: 11:05-11:35 am (Chameleon and Phoenix)2. Class: 11:39-12:23 pm3. Flex: 12:27-12:57 pm

6. 1:01-1:45 pm7. 1:49-2:35 pm

Dress Code is specified on page 10 of the Student Handbook.

• Shorts and skirts at fingertip length• Leggings and leotards must be covered to fingertip length with either a shirt, shorts,

or skort• No sleeveless or off the shoulder shirts; cover shirts must be worn over spaghetti

straps• No hats, headgear, coats or jackets in the building• No low cut tops or exposed skin at the waist• Pants must be worn at the waist with no holes above fingertip length• No inappropriate language or advertisements on clothing

Flex and Literacy Skills

Silent Reading--- Mondays/Fridays

Math Minutes (1x week) Monday-Math minute/silent reading “Math Mondays”

Friday- silent reading/writing

Grading is Pass/Fail.-Students will begin each semester with the total points available.

Quarter 1 there are 13 literacy days x 2 points each day= 26 points and Quarter 2 there are 14 literacy days x 2 points each day = 28 points. Students will keep their points if they complete their writing assignment/math minute (1 Point) and come prepared to flex (1 Point). Points will be deducted each time the student is unprepared and/or doesn’t complete the writing assignment. Students that fall below 60% will receive a “Not Pass.” Any student that performs 60% or above will receive a “Pass”

Important School and Team Rules

1. Be on Time2. Be Prepared3. Be Respectful4. Follow Teacher Instructions5. Remain in Chameleon Team Area6. No Book bags/backpacks in class (Can carry laptop bag)

Afterschool Sports and Activities

1. One time $25 athletic fee (good for entire year).2. $50 Program Support fee (per sport).3. Drug waiver, physical on file, Concussion form, Code of Conduct form, and regional health form.4. Must be passing ALL classes to stay eligible.

Homework Expectations

• Homework assignments are posted on schoology.• Student computers should go home every night for access to

assignments on schoology.

Late work:One late assignment may be turned in per quarter per class for full credit.Make-up Work Due to Absence: Students have one day to complete make up work for each day of absence.

Power Parent

• All student grades and assignment info (missing, late, upcoming etc.)• Check often and encourage your son or daughter to as well!• Self-advocacy skills are critical at this age and it is important that

students take ownership of their grades and communicate needs!

Schoology

• New Learning Management System in Avon Schools• All assignments will be put on Schoology Calendar• Make sure you create a Schoology account• Students and Parents can contact teacher through Schoology

Office 365• Students and Staff now have online "cloud" storage accessible from

anywhere with internet connection

• Students can now work on assignments at both home and school, without having to worry about saving!

• Those who do not have internet at home will have to save to a flash drive or however they have done in the past.

Language Arts - Grade 8 - Mrs. IrkThis year marks my thirty-fifth year in education, my twenty-fifth year at Avon and my eighteenth year at Avon Middle School. I earned my Bachelor's Degrees from Purdue University and completed graduate classes at Butler University, University of Louisville, and IUPUI. Before coming to Avon, I was a buyer for L.S. Ayres and Co.

I continue to research my subject area and attend conferences in order to bring the latest facts, knowledge, and teaching techniques into my classroom so that my students leave with a 21st century education.

• This year we will be studying many diverse topics including heroism, argumentation, the Holocaust, and comedy. Furthermore, we will be reading, writing, learning grammar, and vocabulary. English 8 students will read the novel The House of the Scorpion this fall semester. In addition, students will read the play version of The Diary of Anne Frank second semester. Higher Ability students will also read the novel The House of the Scorpion this fall. In contrast to the English 8 classes, high ability students will also independently read the novel The Book Thief second semester. These students will wrap up the school year with a guided reading of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. I am looking forward to a great year full of enriching and engaging reading, writing, and class conversations!

Text Book

SpringBoard• Unit 1 Students explore and define the concept of heroism and analyze and apply the archetype of the Hero’s Journey. Two essential questions focus their attention on the skills and knowledge presented and assessed in the unit. Students answer these questions through the activities and assessments in the unit. • What defines a hero?• How does the Hero’s Journey archetype appear in stories throughout time? Students’ vocabulary study concentrates on academic vocabulary of exposition, such as context, function, and negation, and vocabulary specific to literary study such as archetype, plot, and diction.

Assessments• Embedded Assessment 1 asks students to write an illustrated narrative

following the structure of the Hero’s Journey archetype.• Embedded Assessment 2 asks students to define heroism in a multi-

paragraph expository essay. • Unit Assessment

General Science

Topics Covered:

Measurements and Scientific MethodEarth’s Water, Currents, Climates, Atmosphere and Weather

Natural Resources, Population Changes, Darwin’s TheoryClassification and Genetics

Atoms, Periodic Table, Chemical Reactions

Lab Work: Students must sign a safety contract; Approximately one hands-on lab or activity per week.Vocabulary: Students must know the language of science and vocabulary quizzes will be approximately once per week.

Biology

• High school credit course• High ability guidelines apply; Students must maintain a B- or better• The end of course assessment (ECA) also called core 40 is given at the end of each semester.

Topics covered in biology include: Ecosystems and communities, cell structure and function, mendelian genetics and meiosis, and the history of life.

Social Studies

1. European Exploration through the Reconstruction2. Current Events due every FridayREMIND APPPeriod 1= @brichardsPeriod 2=@c172fPeriod 3=@7ea2bPeriod 5=@e8aab2

Period 6=f2fc9Period 7=40196

Math• Algebra (HA)- Prepare students for Algebra ECA and provide foundation for

Algebra II.• Must earn a C- or better for HS credit• Assignments will always be posted on the classroom board and Schoology,

however students will be given time in class most days to work on homework. • Chapter tests should be expected roughly every 2-3 weeks. • Increasing NWEA and ISTEP scores will also be a primary focus.

• Math 8: Prepare students for success in Algebra at the HS.• Assignments will always be posted on the classroom board and Schoology,

however students will be given time in class most days to work on homework. • Chapter tests should be expected roughly every 2-3 weeks.• Increasing NWEA and ISTEP scores will also be a primary focus.• Encourage your son or daughter to ask questions!!!

Encore Classes Band, choir, orchestra, Japanese, and Spanish are

an option for 8th graders and last the entire year. Spanish and Japanese are for HS 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.

Please see these teachers, if you have any questions!