Welcome To Open House! 8 Orange TeaM 2013-2014

1. Together We Can Make A Difference! Welcome To Open House! 8 Orange TeaM2013-2014

2. Meet our Team Mrs. Bertando- Math Mr. Talbot- Social Studies Mr. Conway- Writing Mrs. Lowry- Science Mr.Cragin- Learning Specialist

3. Keeping in Touch • The quickest and most efficient way to communicate with us is through e-mail. • Our e-mails are listed on the NFMS website: www.newfairfieldschools.org/subsite/nfm • The format for email is: firstinitiallastname@new-fairfield.k12.ct.us • (ex. klowry@new-fairfield.k12.ct.us) • 8th grade phone: 203-312-5893

4. Homework • Posted daily on the Middle School web page on the 8 Orange Homework site • http://www.teacherweb.com/CT/NewFairfield/8orangeteam • Homework will be practice of a skill learned in class or extension of concepts covered in class • Students should spend a daily maximum of 60-90 min. doing HW during school (PLC) and at home. • Contact us if consistently otherwise.

5. Academic Communication • Check your child’s grades on Infinite Campus (IC) regularly. • Download the IC App to your electronic device for continuous updates. • Use itunes, google play or amazon.com to download • Look for emails from us via IC Messenger • Mark your calendar for Parent/Teacher Conferences: • Nov. 12th(AM), 13th (PM), 14th (EVE), &15th (AM). Appointments will be made a few weeks prior.

6. Costs for 8th grade Field Trips: • Connecticut Science Center-Potential Field Trip this fall (approx. $35) • Holiday Hill- This is an 8th Grade trip in June (Cheshire, CT). It costs approx. $60.00 per student. (paperwork comes home in Feb./March)

7. Costs For 8th Grade YEARBOOK • Yearbook is mostly made by 8th grade students so it has a lot about their year. • A pre-sale usually starts in October and then again in February. The last sale is in June. • Cost is anywhere from $26-30. • It is cheapest during the 1st sale and most expensive in June. • Yearbook Parent Ads will be for sale as well (winter)

8. Costs for 8th Grade 8th Grade Semi-formal Dance--June • Tickets generally cost around $20 Gowns for the Graduation Ceremony--June • These can be purchased from the school (information will come home with students in Feb.) or borrow one from a brother/sister or previous student. • The gowns cost approx. $16. Grand TOTAL of costs for 8th grade is about $155

9. New Schedule Terminology • Language Arts: Combined Reading and Writing Class • Core 21- The class combines core subject curriculum through Project Based Learningand 21st Century skills.  • EXCEL (XL):  A40-minute intervention and extension period of a class the child already has. The aim with EXCEL period is to give extra support to students or to provide additional, advanced instruction. • Personal Learning Community (PLC): Students with the assistance of teachers schedule this time to address their personal learning needs. It is a structured, individualizedtime where all students have access to: • grade level, core teachers • special education services • band lessons and grade level band practices • enrichment activities such as technology workshops • research lessons • virtual field trips

10. New Schedule • Academic Classes are every other day • 8th Grade Day-all blocks are 75 min except Excel and lunch • Block 1-World Language, Phys. Ed. Or a rotating Encore class • Block 2-Academics (2A/C and 2B/D) • Block 3-Excel (XL) Rotation of all classes 1 every 8 days • Block 4-Core 21 or PLC • Lunch • Block 4-Core 21 or PLC • Block 6-Academic Class (6A/C and 6B/D)

11. Science Integrated Science Curriculum • Kate Lowry: klowry@new-fairfield.k12.ct.us • Physical Science—Forces and Motion. Topics include speed, acceleration, net force, Newton’s laws. • Life Science—Heredity: how traits are passed through generations. Topics include chromosomes, DNA, dominant and recessive genes, mitosis, meiosis. • Earth Science—Earth in the SolarSystem. Topics include tides, seasons, moon phases eclipses. • Please plan to volunteer to help construct and launch model rockets in June!

12. Core 21-Science • Project Based Learning • Topic: Human Impacts on the Environment • Research News Articles about an environmental issue (individual) • Research and present a multi-media project to class about an environmental issue with a group • Research, plan and present a “green solution” for the local community or schools with a group

13. Language Arts • Keith Conway- kconway@new-fairfield.k12.ct.us • Our curriculum will center around the Common Core State Standards • The following skills will be taught in 3 new common core units centered around the theme of social injustice: • Grammar • Vocabulary • Reading • Narrative, Expository, and Persuasive Writing • Listening and Speaking

14. Core 21: Language Arts • Project Based Learning • Students will read a classic novel and do a multimedia marketing presentation with a group • Write and present an individual persuasive speech

15. Social Studies • Brendan Talbot: btalbot@new-fairfield.k12.ct.us • U.S. History from colonization to Civil War (part 1 of 2). • There are 4 units: Colonization, Revolution, Sectionalism & Westward Expansion and Civil War. • Reconstruction to WWII is the 10th / 11th grade curriculum (part 2 of 2). • Livebinders.com

16. Core 21-Social Studies • Project Based Learning • Principles of the Constitution and civics • Students will create a multi-media project with a group

17. 8th Grade Math • Deanna Bertando: dbertando@new-fairfield.k12.ct.us • Curriculum is based on the Common Core Standards • Some examples of units: • Unit 1: Expressions and Equations • Unit 2: Linear Relationships • Unit 3: Functions and Systems of Equations • Unit 4: Geometry • Unit 5: Statistics and Probability

18. Algebra 1 • Deanna Bertando: dbertando@new-fairfield.k12.ct.us • Curriculum is based on Common Core High School criteria • Some of the topics to be covered: • Patterns • Equations and Inequalities • Linear Equations and Functions • Linear Systems • Quadratic Functions and Factoring • Scatter Plots and Trend Lines • Intro. to Exponential Functions

19. Core 21-Math • Project Based Learning • Students will research educational paths after high school. • Will decide a career, salary and create annual budget based on those decisions. • Students will choose to work either in a group or individually. • Present multi-media project

20. Learning Specialist • Brian Cragin: bcragin@new-fairfield.k12.ct.us • Co-teach some math sections • Support in some science sections • Available for extra help and enrichment beginning at 7:15 AM • Room 105

21. Extra Help • Math/Bertando: M,T,W,F after school until 4pm • Language Arts/Conway: By appt. starting at 7:30 AM • Science/Lowry: Thursday AM or by appt--both 7:30AM • Social Studies/Talbot: M,T, W. after school until 3:30 • Learning Specialist/Cragin: mornings starting at 7:15AM

22. Volunteers • If you plan to volunteer with us this year please pick up a form upon leaving. • Fingerprinting appointment at Police Station is required. • Only applies to situations in which volunteers will be with groups of children without staff present.

23. Parent Assignment • In a 1,000,000 words or less… • Tell the orange team what you think we should know about your child/loved one. You know your child best! This will help us to better understand your child/loved one and the unique and special people they are. Please hand in to homeroom teacher or email to Mrs. Lowry at lowry.kate@newfairfieldschool.org By September 30th, or as soon as you can. THANK YOU!!

24. Closing • We look forward to working with your child and you this year. • Please take a pamphlet home with you. We hope that you find it a useful reference. • Next: Spend last minutes of Open House in the 8th grade wing exploring our classrooms • Social Studies-room 109 • Science-room 102 • Language Arts-room 111 • Math-room-101 • Mr. Cragin-105 STAY IN TOUCH!