Parent Information
Thank you for checking out my website! I hope that this page is helpful to you in answering some of your basic questions. Feel free to contact me via email or by phone at 973-1080. If you have suggestions of things you would like me to post on this webpage, please let me know!
Start of the Year Paperwork Extra Credit Frequently Asked Questions Previous Parent Newsletters
Signature Half Sheet - Signatures Required
Safety Contract - Signatures Required
Extra Credit (taken from homework link above)
The goal of this course is for your child to learn some fundamentals in science specifically in the areas of physics & chemistry. While I try to give different types of assignments to meet the needs of all my different learners, it can be impossible to reach all my students all the time. The purpose of assignments are to help you review and learn the material. Students always have the option of doing extra to earn more points by doing assignments they wish we would have had.
NOTE: Extra credit can only move you up to one letter grade maximum each quarter. I will only take extra credit from students who are working and trying in class. If they cheat in my class they also will not be allowed to do extra credit, and will lose any previous extra credit points. I do NOT want to reward students who choose not to try or do their work. Cheating is plagarism (copy/paste from the internet [this is so easy for me to check]), copying off a peer's work [this is NOT working together; working together is discussing an answer and then writing down an answer by yourself], looking at someone else's paper during a test, etc. You learn very little from this type of activity, and since you will study this content again next year and in high school - learn it well the first time! Of course hopefully none of you would fall into that situation.
I will take ANY form of extra credit. The more it looks like you have learned, the more points you get. PLAGIARISM = will give you no extra credit and remove previous extra credits you may have done. The following are just examples and by no means a complete list!
Studying!! Just have your parents sign a note including this information: how long you studied, what you studied and how you studied. Do not study for more that 20-25 minutes at a session (as that is all you will get credit for).
Powerpoint
Models
Cartoons
Drawings
Copy Notes
Turn Notes into a Graphic Organizer
Do book assignments (that we didn't do in class)
Find internet pages about the topics that we are studying (not on my list) and write a review of the webpage
Watch a science show on TV. Take notes, write a summary/reaction
Anything - I leave it very open ended on purpose. Some students write stories. They can write a story that integrates the content. Others are artistic - they can draw out the content. I encourage each child to use their strength!
For many of your questions - please see the paperwork that was sent out at the start of the year. Below are some ones that I know I was asked quite a bit.
How do I sign up for the parent newsletters? Simply email me and I will add you to the list. If you could include your child's name, I would be greatly appreciative! Old newsletters can be found below. Please note the list below may not be complete.
What can I do to help my child improve their grade/understanding of the content?
I have flashcards on the notes link that you can use to quiz your child. They are given a set in class. We use them sporadically, but the main reason I create them is to help them study at home. I also created online games that have them review the flashcard information. Science is a lot of new vocabulary (they say it is like learning another language).
Your child should study at least 10 minutes a night. [Homework is studying to me] If your child did this, it would almost be impossible to fail and if done correctly should pay off big dividends in future years.
If your child has organizational issues, have them start doing extra credit once a week. This will help offset their lost homework and can be turned in up until 5 days before the end of the grading period.
Encourage your child to do the quiz/test extra credit. Everyone has an off day, or finds out the hard way that they really didn't understand the concept as well as the expected.
Quiz Extra Credit: due one week after the quiz (more or less) - they copy the notes on that quiz's topic (for example Newton's First Law) five times & then write a five question quiz with answers. I change their quiz grade to an 80%.
Test Extra Credit: this varies. I either have them retake the test until they score a 90/95% and then change their grade to an 80% or I have them do a retake of a different test/same topic. They are normally given about 2 weeks to accomplish this.
Have your child come in at recess for extra help.
If all of the above is not working, then we really need to set up a meeting ASAP! In general the reasons students are not successful is because they: are very disorganized, do not study regularly, think they are not smart enough to 'do' science, have other problems going on in life, or can't figure out how to motivate themselves.
How do I find out what the make up work is for when my child is absent? Go to the homework link & scroll to the date that your child was gone. I write under what we did in class the make up work. Students have one day plus the number of days they were absent to make up what they missed. For example: they were gone 2 days - they have 3 days to make up the work. If they need a worksheet etc., they MUST come in during lunch recess to do this. PLEASE do NOT ask your child to ask me during class. If possible start with the webpage first. When they ask me that is what I do! The class periods are so short, and I generally try to squeeze out every minute. Thankfully we all share the same recess!
Why don't you take late work?
This is a very important issue to me. I feel that my assignments are short enough and they have ample time to complete them in. Most of the assignments are started in class.
Accepting late work creates bad habits. They just get in a routine and it becomes a pattern. They are rewarded with an improved grade which causes them to repeat this pattern.
To me middle school is a preparation for high school to some degree. Many high school teachers do not take late work. Why allow it now and then have to have students adjust when their grades TRULY count.
I do accept extra credit!
What can my child do for extra credit? See the note above. I truly take ANYTHING. However two years ago I received so much extra credit that was just copy/paste from the internet - that I am going to have to take away all extra credit earned if it happens this year. I found it very insulting and disrespectful since it was done repeatedly.
Why doesn't my child have an A in your class?
Since sixth grade does not have an advanced skills class, many advanced skills students are disappointed that they are not getting an A even though they did all of last year. This doesn't mean that they are not learning.
An A means that you mastered the concepts (at the level expected)- or did enough extra credit to bring your B to an A. A B means that you mastered most of the concepts, but still have some basic misconceptions. A C means that you mastered many of the concepts, but have misconceptions or confusion still with some. A D means that you have many misconceptions still but have a basic understanding of the concepts. An F means that you don't have a basic understanding of most of the concepts
Every child comes in with a different background knowledge level. While I try to push each individual child from where they are starting from, this is difficult to accomplish in a ~ 40 minute class. Some students already start at an A with some concepts, so it is unfair in some respects.
Work ethic is very important in my belief system. I don't think I expect too much (my previous students told me this was true - okay well most of them), I also feel that giving an A that is not earned does much more of a disservice to students in the long run. Some get it because of previous background knowledge or innate intelligence - but I can't penalize over that. Unfortunately they will hit that road block later in life and I worry they will not have the skills to deal with it.
Previous Parent Newsletters/Emails
These are put in order with the most recent at the top. I highlight the date sent to help sort. I hope that this helps.
March 12
Grades Are Posted For Science – All Grades Will Be Entered Today!
All grades are due today, but I have already posted mine if you are curious and want to check parent assist. For the quarter grade obviously the vocabulary test and physics test were included. However I also looked at the physics test grade. If the physics test grade was much better than the quarter grade then I changed their grade. I was able to do that for many students who showed they knew more than what their quarter grade was showing. Unfortunately I can’t make that their actual grade, but it bumped many students a letter grade. The physics test scores were pretty good with C or better averages. I think overall the biggest struggle was on heat transfer – conduction, convection and radiation portion. I did less reading this past quarter as the kiddos complain about it, but I really think that was a bad decision. More reading will be done in this next unit.
Pink Notebooks due Friday After Break!
I fixed my webpage yesterday so that the notes can be seen in powerpoint or in a pdf file. Some students were telling me that they had trouble opening the notes. The notebooks will be worth 50 points. If your child is missing their notebooks all the notes are found on my webpage so they can redo it. If they are missing some pages because they were absent they can find the missing pages online. I put page numbers to make it easier. This link will take you there: Notes (This is what I accomplished yesterday as Mr. Keesling started his first full day of teaching – having fun with dry ice!). I thought I would mention this for those who are unable to take any fun trips to exotic location ; )!
March 1
Vocabulary Test Friday!
This will cover all the vocabulary for the entire year. I am including the links I sent in the past as well as a new one just over the terms we talked about this quarter. They will take the vocabulary test first. I’m attaching a paper copy of the words and their definitions. You can print two copies so you have one as a key. The other can be cut up for matching. Their test is grouped, so I kept them in the same groups. I am attaching it as a word and PDF. I had a few parents request paper version vs. computer versions so this gives another option to the flashcards I provided them! I’m also attaching the physics dominos. You would need to use the vocabulary terms paper as a key to help play the game. Hope this helps!
· This quarter’s physics terms (new): http://www.quia.com/jg/1870560.html
· measurement vocabulary list http://www.quia.com/jg/1820881.html
· scientific method vocab list http://www.quia.com/jg/1821008.html
· physics vocabulary list http://www.quia.com/jg/1821038.html
· total list first semester: http://www.quia.com/jg/1820875.html
Physics Test – starts Friday, Finish Monday!
We are reviewing all this week to get ready for both of the assessments. Monday (today) we are doing a check sheet to think about what they know and then just a typical question review worksheet. Tuesday we are doing review stations were they will review with the lab groups some of the content by doing matching and sorting activities that cover the physics content and the vocabulary. Wednesday we are going over the answers to the review sheet (it will be homework if they don’t finish it in class on Monday). This will be a completion grade and we will enter the points that hour so they can use it study if they wish on Thursday (had copying when I allowed to take them the same day sorry). We will then be playing a millionaire game. Thursday we will be doing bingo for the vocabulary and some other review that I haven’t decided on yet – depending on where we see the need.
Progress Reports Going Out Today
Sorry once again for the mistake! We are stapling them in the agendas today. Please note that like with the midterm, if your child does well on the physics exam – I can bump up their grade more based on this test. The goal is that they learn the content!!! I am not concerned with their learning pace or organization for what their grade is. Please also remember that quarter grades are progress reports! The only grade that is true is at the end of the year! My main goal is that by the final they are feeling pretty comfortable with most of the concepts we studied this year!
February 22
Content – EM Waves & 4 Ways Light Interacts with Matter
We are working on the Electromagnetic (EM) spectrum in class. The EM spectrum is the different types of light – most of which we can not see. They are making a children’s book over it – the handout is attached to this email for that. They received Ľ of the third page. The first page was what they saw on the powerpoint. The second page is a larger view of what they received for scoring. The children’s book they worked on during Friday and in class today (Monday). I had several finish in class, but it is homework due Friday if they did not.
Tuesday we are taking notes over the EM spectrum in their pink notebooks and doing a review sheet that should not be homework – hope to be able to grade it at the end of the hour or the start of the next period the following day. Wednesday we are going to talk about how light can be absorbed, reflected, transmitted (go through things like windows) or refracted (bent). They will be reading a little bit in small groups and then trying to create an example of each using a flashlight, cup of water, stick or straw and a few other objects. I also think that they are ready for their quiz on the parts of a wave which will either be Weds or Thurs. Thursday we will learn about longitudinal waves – which are like slinkies. Friday we will take our CQ 16 & probably the quiz on the EM spectrum depending on how tomorrow goes. If tomorrow it seems like they need more guidance the quiz will be moved to Monday.
Next week we will be reviewing for their upcoming physics test & vocabulary test. I’m attaching a handout of titled second section of physics. They will get this next week to start preparing for the test. Since I still have many that are not studying regularly I am trying to dedicate time in class for studying and review. We will be doing different review activities in class next week and then taking the vocabulary test and starting the physics test on Friday.
Grade Print Out – Signatures due this Friday (oops)
My son was sick last Weds-Friday and I forgot to hand out progress reports to a few hours so those who were unable to attend conferences I handed out some of the forms today for signatures. They are due back by this Friday.
Heat Transfer Quiz Extra Credit – due Weds
They took this quiz last Wednesday. The quiz extra credit is due Wednesday to bring their quiz grade up to an 80%. They need to copy the notes 5 times & write a 5 question quiz with answers. The blue link will take you to the notes. They are found in their pink notebooks as well.
Boxtops!!! Another shipment going out Friday!
If you have boxtops at home, please send them in! We are sending them out on Friday. This will help fund the chemistry unit which we are doing after spring break!
February 10
Parent Conferences – Last Day Thursday 1:30-6:40
For those of you who are unable to attend, I will be sending home their grade printout on Tuesday for you to sign. Attached to their grade print out will be their latest vocabulary test.
Content This Week – Finishing thermal energy & Starting Waves
Today in class we will be reviewing the thermal energy review worksheet, watching a very short video, and doing some new flashcard review. Thursday we will be doing a wave activity to introduce students to wave parts. This is a very short week. Tuesday we passed back papers and students answered some questions to reflect about their progress report.
Parent Assist – SS Assignments & Extra Credit!
I had a few parents question about the assignments that start out with SS – those are the lunch time study sessions. Those are extra credit, so please don’t be alarmed if your child does not have points for those. The lunch study session topic for next week will be acceleration. Please note that your child can earn extra credit by studying at home. They don’t have to attend the lunch session. Below is a list of steps for your child to follow. I have a bunch of extra copies of this that I keep on the dry erase board. They are pink.
If your child does not feel comfortable with the vocabulary, that is the first place to start studying. If your child prefers to be on the computer – there are computerized versions of the flashcards below. They do not sign in. Please don’t have them do the word searches. I am sorry I can’t give points for this, as they are not actually studying the vocabulary. I don’t know why this company makes them, and unfortunately I can’t delete them. The menu of choices look like the aqua bar below. Anything but the word search is a good review. Every 20 minutes of studying equal 5 points of extra credit.
· measurement vocabulary list http://www.quia.com/jg/1820881.html
· scientific method vocab list http://www.quia.com/jg/1821008.html
· physics vocabulary list http://www.quia.com/jg/1821038.html
· total list http://www.quia.com/jg/1820875.html
February 2
Content This Week – Conductors/Insulators & Conservation of Energy & Enrollment!
We are wrapping up thermal energy with conductors and insulators. I was hoping to do this activity last week, but I could tell they needed more review on energy. Unfortunately they had the whole long weekend to forget all the review!!! Today we will be seeing what is the best cup to keep the heat! Wednesday we will be taking notes on how heat moves as well as having time to finish up the lab. If they don’t finish the lab it is homework due Friday. Thursday the counselors will be in to do enrollment for next year. They should be bringing home their enrollment form for you to check out. I have several students that are in my “regular” classes that I will be moving to advanced skills for next year. I look at midterm scores, behavior in class and work ethic when I make those choices.
Energy Quiz Extra Credit
I think due to the long weekend, several students didn’t do so well on the energy quiz. The quiz scores weren’t horrible, but there were more below an 80% than usual. Remember that they can bring up that quiz grade by copying the notes on p. 20(Notes Link) & 22 (Notes Link) in their pink notebook five times. Then they need to write a 5 question quiz with answers. This is due Monday. They graded their own quiz so they know if they should do the extra credit.
Vocabulary Quizzes Graded & Posted
They took those quizzes yesterday. The scores are posted. There are a few who didn’t finish and have not showed up to finish their quiz at lunch. For my “regular” classes they could miss 2 and still score 100%. I had many who earned over 100%. I am still having several fail this test. Please encourage those that are still struggling with the vocabulary to keep plugging away. I’m including the links again for the online flashcards. Sometimes it just takes a little longer for things to ding. My daughter after months and months is starting to remember the difference between a b & a d. It’s interesting now to see that “ding” moment, so she can finally get payoff for her work. Kids are used to cramming for a test, so they are not used to having to retain something & that the list is getting longer. Just have them keep plugging away! The end of the year is the goal (for me)!!! Think of this like a check point. Students will get their papers next week after those who were absent have a chance to come in.
· measurement vocabulary list http://www.quia.com/jg/1820881.html
· scientific method vocab list http://www.quia.com/jg/1821008.html
· physics vocabulary list http://www.quia.com/jg/1821038.html
· total list http://www.quia.com/jg/1820875.html
Parent Conferences Next Week – Tuesday & Thursday
I hope you don’t feel you have to wait until then for questions or concerns!!! I am horrible at making phone calls as I come in early to get work done, and after school is final prep for the activity the next day. I am still trying to figure out the juggling of being a teacher and a parent. Anyhow Tuesday runs until 7pm and Thursday 6:40pm. I will have a current printout of your child’s grade as well as their grade reflection we will do in class next Tuesday. For those of you unable to attend conferences they will be required to bring the printout home for signatures to return.
Mr. Keesling – Student Teacher Taking Over 7th Hour
At present he is following my lesson plan. He is prepping for future lessons and we (he, Mrs. Angle and I) will still be planning together. Once he has the full load he will be taking over all communication though this will be several weeks away. I’m trying my best to not overwhelm him and do what’s best for the kids. It has been heavenly to have another teacher in the room as the kids are getting more attention. I’m learning quite a bit from him as well. The kids really seem to like him, so I think this will be a very easy transition – the hard transition I think we be when I take the classes back ; ). I am still in the room or closeby. I hope that this alleviates some anxiety you may have. I still plan once he takes on more of the classes to tutor my kids that are still struggling. I will be starting with vocabulary first and then moving to concepts.
No Lunch Review Session This Week
I’m taking advantage of the enrollment day to get my kids to the dentist. Therefore there will be no lunch study session this week. Next week the topic will be acceleration – in which we will review speed & velocity.
January 25
Quiz Friday – Vocabulary & Kinetic/Potential Energy
I’m including the links to the vocabulary review games. I had several questions about logging in. I did NOT create usernames/passwords for the kids. If your child would like extra credit for studying on the computer they will have to follow the same steps they do for studying the paper version. I’m sorry. I just don’t want to go through the hassle of forgotten usernames and passwords etc.
· measurement vocabulary list http://www.quia.com/jg/1820881.html
· scientific method vocab list http://www.quia.com/jg/1821008.html
· physics vocabulary list http://www.quia.com/jg/1821038.html
· total list http://www.quia.com/jg/1820875.html
Content This Week – Finishing Potential/Kinetic & Thermal Energy
Today we are taking notes on potential/kinetic energy and demonstrating with roller coasters that they can identify where the highest and lowest potential and kinetic energy would be and why in their lab groups. This will be the last review that we do. For the quiz Friday they should know the definitions & how to increase and decrease each.
Tuesday we are doing stations to learn about the 3 ways that heat moves. On Wednesday students are allowed to bring drinks as we are making popcorn with the 3 ways heat moves. On Thursday we will be doing a lab to see which type of mug keeps our drinks the warmest. Friday is the quiz day!!!!
Mr. Keesling – Starting with 5th Hour
Mr. Keesling will be taking over 5th hour on Wednesday and I will become his assistant. After a week or so he will be adding another hour. As he starts taking over more he will take over some of the lessons as well too however we (Mrs. Angle, Mr. Keesling and I) will be planning together. He will just be making the final choices.
January 12
Content – Finishing Work & Simple Machines, Starting Energy
Today students will be making a mini poster cutting out pictures of everyday objects and finding the simple machines used in each. They are working in partners. Today is the only day in class we are working on it (most should finish today – hopefully) and then it is homework due Friday. We are also reviewing vocabulary at the start of the hour. Wednesday they will be introduced to the different types of energy with stations. Thursday they will watch a short video about energy and we will do some basic notes reviewing the types of energy. Friday we are taking a cumulative quiz and a quiz over work (force x distance; when a force is applied that moves an object a distance) and simple machines. For work they do not need to do calculations but they should know the formula, units used and examples of what is and what is not work. For simple machines they need to know the 6 types and be able to ID the types in different examples.
Midterm Results – Looked at on Monday/Thursday Lunch Recess Study Session – Measurement!
Monday we looked more in depth at their midterm results. I had them calculate their grade per topic to help them get a better idea of their stronger and weaker areas. For most they had distinct topics that they really struggle with more. This week’s study session will be on measurement as I was looking at their forms I saw many who scored below an 80%. Students earn 5 pts extra credit by attending and participating fully. I will try to enter those during the time so that you know right away if they attended or not.
Sorry about the note about report cards. We were told they would be mailed out Wednesday and I didn’t follow up. They were mailed out on Friday so you should have received them by now. Though I bet most of you know already as you can see them on parent assist (so I have been told).
January 4
Thursday Lunch Review Sessions
Students can earn 5 points extra credit for attending a lunch (recess time only) review session. Each week will have a different focus – this week will be vocabulary. Students who attend and participate fully will get 5 pts extra credit for each lunch session they attend. Hopefully they will see it doesn’t take much studying and some will improve upon the ways that they are studying. Please note that if your child is asked to leave the study session for poor behavior choices, they will NOT be allowed to come to any more sessions.
Midterm Results
Those of you on parent assist have been able to see their test grades. Due to absences the last week before break, I can not pass back tests. We will go through and analyze tests next week to see what topics your child is struggling with. If your child was absent that last week and didn’t take part of the test, they have until Friday.
Overall the results were very good. As I told the students today – this was their first midterm. 9% of my students failed, which means 91% passed and have a basic/good grasp of the content so far. While I would love to see 100%, 9% is great – especially since most students were on the fringe of passing. I think they get the idea now of the expectations, and hopefully they will see how important regular studying can be! Please encourage them to keep studying their flashcards regularly. The test is more than just flashcard knowledge, but flashcard knowledge really helps!
Content This Week/Next
We are starting the quarter with work and simple machines. I honestly just touch on work – more definition wise than as a calculation. Simple machines in the past has been a concept most students pick up on pretty quickly. I thought I would add a day or two to what I did last year to ensure their comfort with it. Then we will start into energy!
December 4 - Friday
Physics Exam on Thursday
We will be taking a physics exam on Thursday. It will be more towards Newton’s Laws as I don’t have time to quiz them individually on each law, however it will cover all the topics in physics so far. On the following Monday they will get to look at the tests and see what they missed. However because of the late date there will not be any form of extra credit/retakes for this test. To me it is more of a practice to get ready for the midterm. As always I will scale the tests for my regular classes (I take the second highest grade overall and make the test worth the points earned by that person).
Midterm Review WKS 2 – Passing Out Monday due Thursday
I attached a copy of this worksheet. They will receive it on Monday. It is due on Thursday. If every single question is not answered, your child will be assigned a lunch detention. If they show up they will receive an 8/20 once their paper is completed. If they fail to show up they will be reassigned another detention and receive zero points. I went from a 25% return rate for homework to 70-85% return rate for homework this way. The goal is to get them practicing for the test.
Progress Reports/Team Newsletter
I attached the team newsletter incase you are interested since I saw several in my recycle bin. Progress reports were handed out today. I stapled them in their agendas. If they don’t have their agenda I do not give them theirs and they will need to see me with their agenda on Monday.
Making Cars This Week
Monday through Wednesday students are working on a mini-project. They are being given some simple/cheap materials: straw, balloon, styro meat trays, pins, and tape. With these materials they are trying to design a car that travels the fastest. The fastest car will get 20 points extra credit. In designing their car I am having them fill in a foldable which makes them review forces, friction, gravity, speed, acceleration, velocity, newton’s laws, and measurement. All of which is also on the midterm. This will have them practice applying what we have learned.
Please have them keep studying their flashcards. If they know those well it is over half the battle! Most students know a lot of physics before they walk into my room – they are just having to attach their experiences to the terminology. The major misconceptions they do have is over mass and weight and gravity (that all things no matter what their mass) fall at the same rate. I am hoping that the cars will really help push more students to a better grasp!!!
November 30-Monday
Midterm – 17 Study Days Away!
We are doing some flashcard study time in class, but it is very important that your child keep studying for the midterm exam. http://teachers.usd259.org/icanizares/Notes.htm this link brings your child right to the flashcards – which are online at a quia webpage as well as the notes, other websites and games based on each topic.
Today students received a review worksheet for the midterm. It is due Thursday. If every question isn’t answered to the best of their ability they will receive a lunch detention for that day. During that lunch detention they will finish the assignment and if time remains study the flashcards. They will receive a 40%, and those who did have their assignment done on Thursday will get 100%. We will go over the answers on Friday. I am trying this out to improve on the number of students who do their homework, as I have very few that finish theirs. These review sheets are very important as it helps them review for the midterm. I attached a copy of it incase anyone wanted a “back up” copy. I made the copies in blue paper for them.
Content – Finishing Newton’s Second Law & Third Law This Week
We are wrapping up newton’s second law this week. Most students know it conceptually, but we have to do a little math and then I lose a few. The notes today helped me see where a few students are getting confused – and it is a math/units issue. Newton’s third law is not a “mathy” topic so that should go smoother like Newton’s first law.
Next week I plan to have my students make a car with materials I give them and compete to have the car that has the fastest speed/acceleration! This will force them to review all the physics we have studied so far and prepare them for their physics test and midterm exam!
Physics Test Next Week
This to me is more of a check point for them to see what they know to get ready for the midterm. It will only be physics questions.
November 18-Wednesday
Teachers Enter Progress Report Grades Friday
Those of you on parent assist can get a sneak peak before they are mailed out.
Next Week – Career Planning Survey
During class next week we are going to be doing a survey on the computer. After answering a bunch of interests questions the career planning survey will give suggestions of careers they might be interested in. We will be working on that Monday and Tuesday of next week. They will go back (so I have been told) as they get older and it is more clear what your child is good at academically. They do not receive a paper print out of their results.
Flashcards – Physics Passed out Today (& Attached to Email)
I passed out flashcards today (yesterday in advanced skills) on physics. There are 3-4 cards they don’t know yet, but the rest they should. We studied in class today and they had to answer a question to get out. Most could not, which means that they have not been studying/studying enough. Many admit that they don’t study. It worries me that they brag about it. Even those that are very bright it is important they do some review. It will catch up to them someday, and I worry it will be in college when that is an expensive mistake!
I attached copies of the “class set” version of flashcards for all the topics we have done so far. I will put up pdf versions on my webpage under notes. All but physics is up to date on my site.
Midterm Dates – Tuesday, December 16 & Wednesday, December 17
I attached a document titled Midterm!!!! - Students will receive this next week. It tells what could be on the midterm exam. I made it like a checklist so students can think about what they know/don’t know. After Thanksgiving we will be doing some review sheets to get ready for the midterm exam. The cumulative quizzes also force them to review as well. It is very important that they do study though at least 1-2 times a week for 20 minutes or so. They do get extra credit remember for studying.
The first part of the midterm will be vocabulary. It’s just matching. That part should be very easy. The second part of the exam will be multiple choice/matching where they are showing their understanding of the concepts. For those that are “organizationally challenged” or it just takes a little longer for them to get the concepts, this gives them an opportunity to bump up their grades. I do look at their midterm test grade and bump them up if they did well. It counts just as a test, but the goal is for them to learn the content. If they prove a strong understanding, I feel that should be represented in their grade.
In class on Tuesday they should get done with career planning portion early. We will have laptops in the room – and students will be using that time to do some online review games to get ready for the test – and to get them comfortable with my webpage and what’s on there for them.
Thanks so much for all of your help and support! Have a great holiday& safe travels!!!
November 13- Friday
Rusty Eck Fundraiser Extended to Wednesday
For those of you who are participating, we extended that to Wednesday. It’s a $10 raffle ticket to win a new car – all the proceeds go to Wilbur. All students who were interested received tickets to sell from their 8th hour teacher. This is an all school fundraiser.
Cumulative Quizzes- If you see low scores on CQ’s they need to study their flashcards!
I can tell many students have stopped studying their flashcards. While we do a little bit each week in class, it is getting difficult to keep up with that. It’s very important they study those basic vocabulary terms as they are getting zinged on these cumulative quizzes.
Absent Students & Make Up Work
Many students do not come in when they are absent to do make up work. Unfortunately I can not do make up work during class as it is too difficult to keep track of for each day and keep the lesson going for those who were not absent. I do try to post what we do in class each day on my webpage, and I am available most lunch periods and after school for make up work. When students wait too long to make up their work they have to do extra credit instead to earn back their points.
Parent Assist – Seeing Just This Quarter’s Grade
I emailed Mr. Heintz as I had a few parents confused about the first progress report and what they were seeing on parent assist. Here is his response: If they click on the Details button to the right of any of the classes, it will pull up the individual assignments for that class for the year. There will be a dropdown window where they can change the grading period from All to the current one. The percent will change to just that period’s percent. Percent is always based on total point in Parent Assistant regardless of whether you use weights or not.
FYI: I weight my grades. 70% is from tests/quizzes, 30% from assignments.
Current Content – Finished Gravity this week/Starting Newton’s First Law
Next week there will be a quiz on forces, friction & gravity. I put them all together on one quiz. A few misconceptions that some students have is that if a book is sitting on the table – there is no friction [Friction is what allows the book to stay still on the table.]. The hardest one to dispel about gravity is that everything falls at the same rate. Air friction slows things down differently, but without air everything falls at the same rate no matter how big or small. I’ve tried a few things to help dispel this, but I can tell there are a few that haven’t let this misconception go. Hopefully as we keep studying this and the review sheet they just did – it might help!
Newton’s First Law is usually pretty easy for most kids to grasp. We learn about why seatbelts are important, and they will try the “pulling the tablecloth from under the plates” trick in class. I’m hoping by the end of next week to hand out their physics flashcards!
Wilbur Progress Reports
This quarter is a little shorter than last due to all the holiday breaks. We enter our progress report grades by Friday of next week. Then progress reports will be mailed out I believe afterwards. So there will NOT be a printout in your child’s agenda next Friday.
November 6 - Friday
First Progress Reports for the Quarter Tomorrow!
I staple my progress report on the Monday side of this week. Remember I do not require signatures – they are FYI. Please keep in mind we don’t have a lot of grades so their overall percentage will swing wildly!!! I do like it for those who are building up too many missing assignments though as that gives them a nudge to do some extra credit!
No School Next Wednesday – Veteran’s Day
Content – Working on Friction & Gravity
We have introduced forces and are working on friction and gravity. I have yet to quiz them on forces or friction. I plan on combining all that from their notes with gravity. Since it all interrelates it should help. I’ve started grading the foldables that were due today (AS yesterday). Please encourage your child to study their flashcards and their pink notebooks.
October 27 - Tuesday
BOXTOPS
We are sending them in at the end of the week. If you have any at home I would greatly appreciate it if you turn them in. We collect again in the spring, but the amount of money we raise helps me determine how/what kinds of activities we do during the year!
Current Topic: Forces
We seem to have a good grasp overall on speed, velocity and acceleration. We are starting forces this week. We played red rover and a few kids took it a little too seriously. We are talking about balanced and unbalanced forces. Then we will be studying friction and gravity basics. I have roughly mapped out the year (under the homework link) until Christmas Break. I will be giving a midterm exam at the end of the quarter. We will be reviewing in class for it, and I will pass out a “what’s on the midterm” form as it gets closer. I will be passing out physics flashcards once we start Newton’s First Law in a few weeks. I don’t want to pass them out too soon as otherwise there are too many things they don’t know yet. If your child wants to get ahead my copy from last year is on my notes link of my webpage. I have not edited those for this year, but they shouldn’t change too much!
Old Flashcards – Midterm Before Christmas Break
Please encourage your child to keep studying ALL their flashcards! We will have a midterm before the holiday break, so it is important that they keep studying!! This is a great opportunity for those kids who it takes a little longer to get it to show they do. It is also important that they keep studying to keep the information fresh in their head. They do study this again next year – in more detail and faster! It repeats and builds again in high school – which is why I am requiring the midterm etc.
Acceleration Quiz Extra Credit – due Monday
Students who scored below an 80% on the acceleration quiz can do the extra credit. It is due on Monday. They need to copy their notes on p. 4 of their pink notebook five times and write a 5 question quiz with answers. The reason they copy their notes is so I have evidence that they at least looked at their notes five times. The questions and answers help me make sure they understand the basics.
Overall the results look pretty good as acceleration is a tough topic for many kids. They definitely have the basics down as a hole. I have a few that either made silly mistakes or need to get some help.
I have a few hours left to enter but they will be finished hopefully in the morning. Your child should know their rough grade as they graded most of it!
First Progress Report of the Quarter Next Week
I had a few students who told me their parents were concerned that they were not receiving weekly progress reports. One of the sixth grade teams did that last year. We are doing progress reports every 2 weeks. Our first progress report comes out next Friday in their agendas. Please note that even quarter grade cards are still progress reports. The end of the year grade is the only true grade. In high school it is the semester grades!
Extra Credit Reminder
Students can turn in anything for extra credit. There is no due date for it other than 4 days prior to end of the quarter/progress report. This link helps give some ideas for extra credit: http://teachers.usd259.org/icanizares/parents.htm#extra Remember that studying is even extra credit. They just need to follow these steps:
October 8 - Thursday
Test Retakes – Re-Retakes on Mon/Tues of Next Week
Several students are not passing the retakes. I decided I am going to have them take their second chance retake next week (for my own sanity reasons). On Friday I will be giving them their retake back and copy of the key of the full exam. I am going to require signatures on the retake exam, so I know that they are showing you their paper. The first question is truly just a memorization thing. The other questions are more “skill” questions. My webpage under the notes link has several links to pages that can help them review if necessary.
End of the Quarter Next Week-Extra Credit Due Weds
All extra credit will be due on Wednesday of next week! Remember studying flashcards is extra credit (they need to follow the steps on the pink sheet) and see this link for other ideas: http://teachers.usd259.org/icanizares/parents.htm#extra. I am cutting off my grades on Monday for what counts for this quarter [from what we do in class].
Quiz on Monday-Vocabulary Terms
Monday students will be taking their first vocabulary test. Science is almost like learning a new language. The more comfortable they are with the vocabulary, the less intimidated they will feel. The links below are review games over the scientific method vocabulary. The vocabulary test will be over the measurement and scientific method terms. If your child has lost the flashcards that I gave them this link has a copy (pdf version too): http://teachers.usd259.org/icanizares/Notes.htm . I hope to get a little time tomorrow to review for that.
http://www.quia.com/jg/1562424.html http://www.quia.com/mc/1562418.html http://www.quia.com/cb/37429.html
Speed/Velocity Quiz on Friday
While I normally will not announce when quizzes are occurring – they should be ready for their speed/velocity quiz tomorrow. We have now read & took Cornell notes over the reading, did regular basic notes, review questions, relay races, roller coasters and today’s graph review worksheet so they should be ready. If they do get below an 80% on the quiz, they will have the option of copying their notes [in their pink notebooks] five times (link: http://teachers.usd259.org/icanizares/!09_10%20Papers/Speed%20&%20Velocity%20Notes.ppt ) and writing a five question quiz with answers over speed/velocity. I will need it by Wednesday. This will bring their quiz score to an 80%.
September 29-Tuesday
Parent Conferences Tonight & Thursday!
They start at 1:30 and go until 7pm tonight. Today students are getting a printout of their grades and answering a few reflection questions. This is what we will be looking at during the conference. For those of you who are unable to attend, or the line just gets too long – you will be getting a copy of it on Friday – I will staple it into their agendas. I will be requiring signatures for this progress report just to make sure you are up to date now that they had their first test. For those of you who attend conferences, you do not need to return the print out.
Test Corrections – For Those Who Scored Below an 80% on the Measurement Test
Wednesday is the last day to come in to do test corrections. I am available before/after school but I learned this morning we need to write a pass in the agenda! You are more than welcome to write the pass for me if your child forgets to get a pass from me. Just write Canizares – test corrections in their agenda on the date they are coming in.
On Friday we will be checking their test corrections and touching base to see if they are confused on any particular topics. After Friday they can come in any day the following week to do the test retake. They need to score a 90% - and then I will change their test grade to an 80%. I promise the next test corrections will not be as many steps! Thank you so much for following up on your children who need to do these! I have had a majority of the students come in already who needed to come in!
This week’s & next week’s topic: Speed & Velocity
We used roller coasters to review lab reports and introduce speed. This will be our focus the next week or so. They are learning how to show their work with the calculations. I try to make a big deal about not having “naked” numbers – that they need to have units!
September 21 - Monday
Books Passed Out Today
I am praying we have enough so students can keep their textbooks at home. It is looking very good so far. I will let the students know by Thursday if we don’t. I have a class set of textbooks that we will use for in class, which makes life much easier for all of us!!!! I wish they would do this for every subject as locker issues are the number one reason kids are late to class!!!
Tests Released Tomorrow
Tomorrow I will be showing students their graded tests. I still have 4 students who have not taken the test, so I can not let them take them home (sorry). Grades have been posted on parent assist since Thurs/Friday, so if you want to check there in the meantime. If your child scored below an 80% I am listing the steps I am giving to students that they need to do in order to bring up their test grade to an 80%.
IF YOU SCORED BELOW AN 80% and you want to earn back up to an 80%.....
Overall they did very well. All my test averages were in the 80% plus range which is great. Most kids had one area that they didn’t do as well as. Sometimes they are just mistakes, sometimes not. We will be looking at that as well. My goal is that be the end of the year all students have a basic grasp (70%) of the measurement skills.
Parent Conferences Next Tuesday & Thursday
We have to enter progress report grades into the computer by Friday, so you can get a sneak peak on parent assist this weekend!
Starting Physics This Week
We will be doing the roller coaster experiment Weds- Friday!
September 16 - Wednesday
Test Moved to Thursday!
Sorry I didn’t send this out yesterday. I just don’t feel that we are quite ready for the test as it took longer to do a few things than I expected. The test will be on Thursday. We are studying flashcards today in class and doing a mind map/graphic organizer to review. I will be passing out their graded papers so far as well, as some will use those papers to study.
Please encourage your child to study their flashcards. The pink paper in their flashcard baggy tells them how to get extra credit for studying.
Parent Conferences Coming Up – Tuesday, September 29 & Thursday, October 1
This will be [based on] their progress report grades. It is a little earlier than last year, as I believe last year it was after the first quarter was done. I do like it earlier as this leaves some time for students to make a change in their grade before grades are due for the quarter on October 16. I presume for many their grades will fluctuate from the test on Thursday. Please know that there will be a test retake process which I will explain next week once I have graded their tests and check for holes in their learning. I plan on passing out the tests on Tuesday in class (assuming I catch all the kids who were absent on Friday and Monday).
Students are enjoying watching their baby dinosaurs grow! A few kids are making fun of their mis-shaped kids. I remind them that babies too go through gawky phases too! I have learned who I don’t want to have babysit my kids though ; )!
September 10, Thursday
Measurement Test Next Weds (tentatively)!
The test will be short answer for the most part. I am listing below what I expect students to know/be able to do. Today they received their flashcards in class. I am attaching a copy of them just incase. I am sorry but I do not make additional copies if they lose theirs. In the box below is a paper they also received. Students can earn extra credit from studying. Each 20 minute study session is worth 5 points extra credit.
What’s
On the Measurement Test
r Length – what is it?
r Metric scale for length
r Measuring in mm & cm
r “Feel” for units – which units would be best to measure the height of a tree, you, pencil, etc.
r Mass – what is it?
r Metric scale for mass
r Measuring & reading with a triple beam; what units you use
r Parts of triple beam
r “Feel” for units – which units would be best to measure the mass of your pencil, car, etc.
r Volume – what is it?
r Metric Scale for Volume
r Using a graduated cylinder – increments (what each line is worth); what units you use
r Meniscus – where do you read from
r “Feel” for units – which units would be best to measure the volume of my water bottle, pool, etc.
r Which units are US & which are metric
r What units measure what (example – inches = length)
r Converting in the metric system (how many mm in a cm; 3 mm = ___dam)
Progress Reports – I am placing in agendas today as tomorrow we do a lab & it’s too hard to do both in ~40 minutes.
We are putting in progress reports in the agenda again this week. I do NOT require signatures. These are for your information only (and your child). Next week we are also entering in the “real” progress report grades – sorry I am not quite sure what to call what anymore. This “real” progress report will have a list of all your child’s classes and their letter grades. They come out on September 25th (Friday). Those grades to me are more indicative of how the quarter is going. The problem we have is too few assignments that it makes each assignment/quiz way too important. By the end of the quarter they tend to drown out and not create such wild fluctuations in grades. It is important to check for patterns though.
Overall I find most of students work well in class and do their best to learn. Please be patient to the fact that this can take some students longer to “get it” then others. The real grade for middle school is the end of the year grade (high school it is the semester grades). Everything else is merely just a progress report. I also have several students who afraid to let anyone know they don’t get it. Their ego is getting in the way. I’m trying to get through to them that we all have different strengths and weaknesses. On many things they are smarter than I am and know more, etc.
Content: Finishing Measurement this Week
We are reviewing yesterday and today. Friday we touch on density with a candy bar lab & review a basic lab write up. Monday we will play a review game. Tuesday they will make a graphic organizer/mind map to review. We will start a roller coaster lab on Thurs/Fri to introduce speed and review the scientific method more. The test is tentatively planned for Wednesday. I noticed a few kinks we need to iron out, so between the flashcards and the review today I hope to see less kinks in their grasp of measurement.
September 4, Friday
First Cumulative Quiz Today
Students are taking their first cumulative quiz today. It is a basic 5 question quiz over what we study all year. I repeat a lot of questions and review basic information of what we study all year long since they take a midterm and a final exam for me. There is no extra credit for these quizzes, but they are only five points. Today only I am giving them an extra credit question so they can score up to a 120%. The first question was told to them already, and should be the same for the first few months. I hope to have all their scores entered today, but they will be grading their own quiz if you want to ask them.
Next Friday Another Progress Report
I will be putting another progress report in the agendas next Friday. I do NOT require signatures since we are giving some form of progress report every two weeks. I apologize for the small font size. When students are absent, I am sorry I don’t hunt them down to give them their progress reports. If they want theirs they have to come in at lunch as it is too hard most days during class.
Team Newsletter Comes Out Today
We are doing a team newsletter monthly this year. This will be sent out today. There are some students that are cross teamed, so if you miss out on the newsletter let me know if you would like a copy. I think it also will be posted on the Wilbur webpage.
Content: Measurement
So far we are doing a great job with measurement. They have picked up pretty easily how to use a triple beam balance. Using a graduated cylinder is a little more difficult, but I noticed most were pretty comfortable. We will finish volume today. Next week we will review on Wednesday and touch on converting in the metric system. On Thursday we will continue reviewing converting in the metric system. Friday we discuss density. The following week we will be “growing” our baby dinosaurs and plotting their growth in length, mass and volume. They will be calculating the density of their child. They will also receive flashcards over measurement which we will do some review in class. By the end of the week I think we will be ready for a test, possibly Thursday! Next Friday I will email a copy of the flashcards and a check sheet to help them reflect on what they need to do to get ready for the test. We have been talking quite a bit about not letting their “egos” get in the way. I keep trying to remind them we all have strengths and weaknesses and that is why there is no reason to be embarrassed that you can’t understand something.
Have a great labor day weekend! Remember no school for students Monday & Tuesday!
August 21, Friday
Homework Due Monday – Signatures & Element Study Half Sheet (How you learn)
If your child has not asked you sign the safety contract and half sheet, it is due Monday! If they by chance lost their forms you can print them from my webpage (they are found under the homework tab). Your child was also asked to learn ten chemical elements and their symbols for a quiz on Monday. Each night they were to study for 5-10 minutes and then write down their results (how well their studying went). I am listing the elements below if you choose to quiz them.
Hydrogen: H Helium: He Carbon: C Nitrogen: N Oxygen: O
Chlorine: Cl * Sodium: Na Iron: Fe Lead: Pb Gold: Au
(*note that is a lower case L)
Supplies due Friday (To Be Turned In):
q Notebook Paper Pack – prefer college ruled!
q 1 classroom supply item:
Hour 2: ruler (used is fine) Hour 3: ‘ziplock’ baggies (generic is great!) Hour 4: box of markers
Hour 5: 1 roll of tape Hour 7: tissues Hour 8: dry erase marker
q 1 pack of copy or construction paper (prefer copy)
Other Supplies Requested (NOT to be turned in):
- 2pockets for their binder
- Notebook paper – 2 packs should be plenty
- Pens/pencils
Next Week’s Content:
We will be studying a little about how the brain learns information. Students will be taking a learning styles survey to think about how they prefer to learn. From there we will be starting measurement review & practice. A measurement pre-test was taken in class today. Some students were more overwhelmed than others. I find once we get going though that most catch on pretty quickly.